Draped over the side of the armchair, Flim heaved a bored sigh. They’d moved to this newest little village, he and his brother Flam. But he felt restless.
Flam was out back tinkering with some thingy he’d picked up, no doubt plotting the next cider machine idea. Normally eager to help his brother cause unparalleled chaos, today he just felt odd.
Sticking his head out the back door he said he was taking a walk. His brother just said something about "don’t get lost.." but didn’t seem to be paying attention. With a shrug, Flim left, trotting down the peaceful country lanes.
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The birds were singing, and there was a lovely warm breeze. Alone, as far as he could tell, he started to sing. A performer by nature, singing was part of him and his brothers charm offensive. He possessed the lighter voice of the two, and it was this clear tone that rang across the fields as he trotted along.
"You’re GOOD!" the voice spoke from so close by Flim actually tripped up from fright. His legs got tangled up, and he fell over with a thump, cutting off mid-lyric.
"Oh, sweet Celestia, I’m sorry!" it was a stallions voice "I didn’t think I’d scared you THAT much!"
He crouched beside the dazed Flim, tapping his leg "you hear me in there?"
Flim shook his head to clear the ringing in his ears, and focused on the pony peering at him in concern.
He was striking, that was his first impression. Light ash grey fur, with a shock of white hair. On the right side of his face was a scar that curved from under his eye to his jawline. But it didn’t make him look scary, not to Flim anyhow.
"Eeh?" was all he managed. But he took the outstretched hoof and got to his feet with this earth pony’s help. He dusted himself down, adjusting the trademark straw hat over his face.
"Sorry about that," the stranger said with a cheerful grin "I heard you singing and thought I’d find out who owned a voice that good!"
Flim found himself flushing slightly. "Its nothing special," he shrugged, his usual bluster knocked out of him by the trip-up.
"Don’t be so modest, you sing like noponys business. Are you new here, I don’t recall seeing you before, and I’d remember a pony like you."
"I just moved here, well, my brother and I.."
"Ah! Well, welcome! What’s your name?"
“Flim, and my brothers called Flam."
"That’s cute!" the stallion smiled "what do you two do?"
"Travel, mostly. We’re salesponies."
"Have you been into town yet?"
"No, I was just headed there..." Flim wondered if he was a local.
The stranger introduced himself as SilverStar, said his family owned a lot of businesses in the town, so he could give him a tour, if he’d like?
Flim readily agreed. Whatever he could find out that would help him and Flam. They were running out of money, and he was getting worried.
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So he walked alongside SilverStar as they made their way into town. there appeared to be a festival of some sort on.
"Tradition here," he was told "lasts the whole week. It’s pretty fun, I’ve been coming to it since I was a foal!"
The town was a nice, charming place, and Flim found himself wishing that they could just set up a SHOP sometimes. Stay in one place for more than a few weeks, or however long it took them to get into trouble!
He noticed a lot of ponies stared at SilverStar, sharing whispers, and some stopped to offer consolation.
"My father passed away a few weeks ago," the stallion said when he seen Flim’s lost expression.
"Oh, I’m sorry!" Flim blurted.
"Don’t worry about it, he and I…well let’s just say he didn’t think much of me. Yet now I’m stuck running his businesses. Not what I thought id end up doing, but hey.." he laughed "sorry I don’t mean to burden you..."
“It’s fine, sounds like a pretty rough time for you..." Flim winced at how tactless he sounded. But his tour guide just gave him a kind smile and carried on talking about the town.
"Oh! SilverStar, thanks goodness!" a mare came racing over. Green with yellow mane and tail, she had wide blue eyes.
"Springblossom is sick, he cant perform the traditional song!"
"I’d hoped he be better by today....shoot..." SilverStar frowned.
"What’s wrong?" Flim asked. Remembering how he’d met this guy, SilverStar, turned to him.
"I REALLY hate to ask this of you, since you only just got here, but we need your help!"
"With what?" Flim asked.
"As you’ve heard, our usual singer is sick, and you have a great voice...do you think you could do it?"
"Uh..." Flim felt stunned, he hadn’t sung on his own in a long time, it was usually him and his brother together.
But, seeing the mares worried face, and SilverStar’s hopeful one, he heard himself agree.
"How good is this guy?" the mare asked.
"Just wait until you hear 'im!" SilverStar said.
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They explained the song to him, even playing a recording. Once he read the lyrics to it, he could remember them. They did a quick rehearsal of it, and the mare was surprised by Flim’s range.
And so, Flim was led onto the stage that’d been set up. Once he started singing, any nerves vanished, and he lost track of time as he sang.
There was silence as the last note faded, then a massive wave of cheering. Flushed, but quite happy, Flim hopped off the stage and was soon found by SilverStar.
"Excellent!" the stallion grinned.
"No...problem.." Flim managed at last.
He suddenly seen SilverStar’s cheerful expression grow dark. Peering in the same direction he seen an irritated pony storming through the crowds, calling for SilverStar.
"Hadn’t you better answer him?" Flim asked.
"That’s my uncle...ever since dad died all he’s done is hound me. I really don’t wanna see him right now..."
Flim made a decision. He grabbed SilverStar’s hoof and took off at speed, pulling them both behind a nearby building.
"Stay low..." he whispered. Behind him, SilverStar had a look of total appreciation on his face.
Together they stayed hidden, until they were sure the grumpy pony had left for elsewhere. then they snuck out.
Catching his guilty expression mirrored on SilverStar’s, Flim couldn’t help a laugh.
"What’re we, foals?" SilverStar sniggered, "I haven’t hid like that in YEARS!"
"You never grow out of a skill like THAT!" Flim laughed.
"Thanks, I don’t know how you knew, but I did NOT wanna talk to him right now.."
"It was pretty obvious from your reaction.." Flim shrugged.
"You’ve probably noticed a lot of ponies give me funny looks..."
"Well-"
"Don’t try to sugar coat it, I can tell you’ve seen it."
“I-it’s not my business," Flim stammered.
"My father ruled with an iron hoof in our family, didn’t exactly endear him to the rest of the village either, he wasn’t the most popular elder I can tell you..."
"That’s not your fault.." Flim said, concerned. SilverStar gave a scowl "I’m HIS kid, that’s reason enough. This dang scar doesn’t help either!"
“What scar? This?" Flim jokingly poked the opposite side of the stallions face, then "this?" poking him on the nose.
SilverStar gave him a sarcastic look, but seeing Flim’s bright, amused eyes, he couldn’t help cracking up.
"Your something else altogether!" he laughed. Flim smiled back, the sunlight highlighting his red and white curly mane. A gust of wind blew by, and with the straw hat already shifted loose by their little hide and seek escapade, this meant it escaped his hoof as he tried to grab it. SilverStar leapt up and snagged it between his teeth, trotting back over to Flim. he gently set it back on it’s owners head, watching the cute way Flim’s ears twitched.
"That looks so cute like that," he remarked, Flim went red, nopony had said that to him before.
There was a brief silence between them, during which SilverStar mentally kicked himself for such a cheesy line, and Flim wondered whether that WAS a line, row a sit just an offhand remark?
C'mon, lest get outta here, I know a quiet spot where hopefully he wont find me..." SilverStar paused only to run into a shop and return with a basket, then motioned Flim to follow him.
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They found a shady tree in a field bordering the one where the festival was being held.
"Peace and quiet!" SilverStar belly flopped onto the grass. Flim cheerfully settled down close by.
The basket SilverStar had picked up turned out to have food in, and they made short work of it’s contents.
During this, Flim told SilverStar a shortened version of this history. He left out the bits about them getting into trouble, he didn’t want this pony to find out he was little better then a con pony.
"So you just go from place to place. Do you have a permanent home?" SilverStar asked, curious.
"We do but...we rarely live there....we always end up travelling..." Flim shrugged nonchalantly, but SilverStar could see the slight slump in his posture.
"You want to stay somewhere, don’t you?" he asked "wont your brother agree to it?"
“No...he’s always after the next big THING. Once we run out of ideas, we leave..." Flim sighed "its how our life is..."
"HIS maybe, but what about what YOU want?"
“I don’t know.." Flim shrugged "I used to love that life, but lately I.. find I’m tired of never staying still. I love my brother, but sometimes its lonely never knowing anypony for long..."
"You deserve to find friends, a home, whatever you want. Surely your brother must understand that?"
"I’ve never tried talking to him about it," Flim sighed "I just...go along..."
He shook his head and gave SilverStar a brave smile "I’m sorry to dump all that on you, It’s nothing to worry about!"
"You’re not a very good liar are you? not about your true feelings..." SilverStar said softly. Flim felt himself flush in embarrassment at those words.
SilverStar’s hoof brushed his cheek, titling his head to face the other pony’s.
"That sad look doesn’t suit you," SilverStar remarked.
Flim went red again. His head felt full of cotton wool and his heart was pounding.
Unable to resist this cute expression, SilverStar kissed Flim there and then.
He’d never been kissed like that before. His stomach felt full of butterflies and jolts of electricity. He closed his eyes, nervously leaning into the impromptu kiss. He’d never had somepony, well, a stallion anyway, kiss him like this. But it felt so amazing, he couldn’t bear to refuse him.
Realising Flim wasn’t freaking out or pushing him away, SilverStar kissed him even more passionately. They lost balance and tumbled back into the grass.
Letting the other pony go, SilverStar nuzzled Flim’s nose gently.
Flim’s heart was pounding so fast he thought he’d pass out any second now.
"Sorry if I startled you. You just looked so adorable..."
"I-I..." Flim couldn’t seem to talk "I d-didn’t mind..."
"I gathered that~" SilverStar joked, kissing him again. Flim gave a dazed little sigh and returned the kiss a second later. He hadn’t expected, when he’d left just hours ago, that he’d find a whole village to explore, sing solo, then get kissed.
"I don’t want you to think I’m being too forward," SilverStar said softly "you’re just so different from anypony else I’ve known in this place. Today was the first time in a week that I’ve been able to laugh like that. And your the first pony not to be freaked out by this creepy scar.."
"I don’t think its creepy!" Flim objected, a worried frown creasing his forehead ""I honestly didn’t notice it, it’s part of who you are, that’s all.."
"I wish I’d met you back at the beginning of all this," SilverStar smiled softly "but, I’m just glad I met you NOW!"
"Glad I could help..." Flim joked lightly. SilverStar smiled gently and gently nuzzled Flim’s nose again, before succumbing to resistance and kissing the other stallion again.
"Are you in any hurry to go home?" SilverStar asked. Flim shook his head, he didn’t want to go just yet.
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They curled up together under the tree, just snuggled up, not saying much. Flim dozed briefly, woken by a loud bird flying overhead. He realised the sun was deeper in the sky than he’d expected.
"I should get back!" he panicked "Flam’s gonna wonder where I went!"
"Aww, guess I’ll have to let you go.." SilverStar sighed, nuzzling Flim’s ear. This made the unicorn laugh, as it tickled quite a bit!
"Will you come back?" SilverStar asked.
"As much as I can..." Flim decided. He’d never felt so free in his life. He liked this place.
"If you can get away, I’m usually hanging around the town hall, if my uncle hasn’t dragged me into some boring meeting!"
Flim nodded, and they got to their feet. SilverStar nuzzled Flim’s cheek with his own, a fond farewell. Then he kissed the blushing Flim once more before letting him go, watching the sunlight catching the white streaks in his mane and tail as he darted across the field..
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"Where they HAY did you end up?" Was Flam’s first question as expected.
"Met the locals, seen the festival. You know, reconnaissance.." Flim shrugged.
"It took you all afternoon to do that?"
"I fell asleep under a tree," Flim fibbed "it was warm."
"Well we need to find a way to make some money and FAST. We’re going to be in real trouble otherwise!" Flam muttered "so quit goofing about and start thinking!"
"I know..." Flim said softly. But his mind was still on that time spent under the tree with SilverStar. It’d startled him when the other had so suddenly kissed him like that, but he’d never felt such a warmth and kindness before...
If Flam noticed his brother’s preoccupied expression, he didn’t comment.
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The next day Flim crept off as soon as he could, promising he’d try and find something these ponies must need that they could sell!
But he didn’t get very far. None of the shops seemed to be lacking anything in particular, nothing in short supply etc. And SilverStar was nowhere to be found, Flim figured the aforementioned uncle had a hoof in it!
So after trekking about all day, talking to numerous ponies and plastering a fake smile on his face, he returned home. Flam had fixed the cider machine after its latest breakdown, but they were both dubious about trying THAT one again after Ponyville!
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The day after that, he DID manage to catch SilverStar.
He’d just left the library, having read a little of the retail history of the town, when he spied a flash of white mane in the crowd. He ran over, nimbly dodging through the crowds walking by.
SilverStar was in a daydream, looking a bit grumpy. So he was surprised when he heard a cheerful voice say "anything I can help with?"
He looked up, seeing Flim trotting alongside him.
"Flim!" he said, relieved to see the stallion.
"The one and only!" came the reply, coupled with an infectious grin. SilverStar couldn’t help smile.
His stomach gurgled, and he answered Flim’s surprised expression with "I missed breakfast. Fancy lunch?"
Not wanting to go home and face his brother, Flim agreed. They ended up at the fanciest restaurant in the village. Flim panicked, he didn’t have that much money on him!
But SilverStar insisted he’d take care of it, and Flim shouldn’t worry!
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His guilt kept gnawing away at him. He was supposed to be helping save their meager fortunes, yet here he was having a leisurely meal with SilverStar!
"Is everything OK?" SilverStar asked, seeing Flim fidget again.
"What? Oh, yes, fine.." Flim gave an uneasy laugh. SilverStar leant across the table and poked his friends nose.
"Bad liar, remember?" he joked. Flim sighed "I...well, my brother and I...."
"Are you looking for work. Or..?"
"No, I mean, well," he sighed "Its a long story. I’m supposed to be coming up with something, ANYTHING. He’s going to be in a bad mood when I get back."
"That’s not your fault. These things take time to set up..." SilverStar said gently "what’s there for you to feel guilty about?"
"He’s at the house trying to fix our machine, and I’m goofing off essentially.."
"I do NOT call a lunch date "goofing off" SilverStar said sternly. Flim blushed at the "D" word.
"What’s wrong? Was that a bit too much? I didn’t mean to infer anythi-"
"Nono, I mean.." Flim coughed, aware his face must be so red by now. He was glad they were the only ones there right now, this was so awkward!
"We can always have a proper one another time.." SilverStar said, smiling at how cute Flim was when he blushed "What about tonight? the final day of the festival is always celebrated with fireworks!"
"That sounds wonderful.." Flim sighed.
"Then shall we say, 8 by the fountain in the centre of town?"
A thoroughly nervous Flim nodded, his heart racing.
---A date...whoa..-- he thought, feeling the butterflies come back. SilverStar smiled, then asked did Flim fancy desert?
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He was in stitches watching Flim try to snag a stray dollop of whipped cream from the tip of his nose, going cross-eyed in the process. Unable to resist (the waitress was in the backroom talking to the cook), he leaned across and swiftly lapped it up with his tongue. Flim blushed even redder.
"I’m not sure which is sweeter, the cream or YOU?" SilverStar said.
"D-don’t be silly.." Flim said, a little flustered.
"You’re right, it’s YOU." SilverStar said with a chuckle.
Flim couldn’t help feeling happy around somepony like this, who treated him so kindly.
At last they finished their food, and Flim reluctantly said he had to go home. SilverStar let him go, saying he’d see him later...
But Flim’s guilt still gnawed away at him. He felt like he was deceiving this sweet stallion. He and his brother were essentially con artists, and SilverStar was an elder-in-training. Two totally different standards.
--He’d never find me "adorable" if he knew who I REALLY am!!-- he thought, then felt a fresh surge of shame at that thought. His stomach ached and he winced, but it faded a moment later.
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He told Flam about the fireworks, suggesting maybe they needed a break? Flam agreed, saying he needed to see the village himself, as Flim didn’t seem to be finding much! Flim winced guilty at this. He didn’t know what to do.
He was wondering how he was going to give Flam the slip to go meet SilverStar, but as luck had it, Flam was more interested in the stalls. They agreed to see each other later once the fireworks were done, then split. Flim threaded through the crowds, his stomach twisting nervously-
There. SilverStar was sat by the fountain, reading a book. Flim raced over, calling his name.
SilverStar looked up as Flim came to a halt in front of him, slightly flushed.
"Ah, my sweet Flim~" he teased, referring to the cake cuteness earlier that day. Flim went pink, but smiled.
"C'mon.." SilverStar gave him a nudge and a wink "I’ve got us a prime spot to watch the display..."
Flim followed him, as they gave the crowds the slip, darting through the alleyways between the shops.
At last they reached the back of the big town hall. SilverStar unlocked it with a key he’d stashed in his saddlebag. The place was silent inside.
"Is it really OK for us to be here"? Flim asked, a little worried.
"Its fine, I always have a spare key since father died, in case I fancy doing some work!" a sarcastic snigger indicated he didn’t do all that much of it. Flim chuckled at SilverStar’s mischievous expression as the other led him up a flight of stairs to the roof.
There was a blanket laid out on the roof, with another picnic basket in the centre.
"Voila!" SilverStar smiled at Flim "our own private viewing party!"
They sat down on the blanket, and SilverStar produced two wine glasses, which he filled with a (non alcoholic) local drink of apple and grape.
They watched the glowing lights of the festival below, sat next to one another on the blanket.
The fireworks weren’t due to start for another half hour, so they passed the time talking. SilverStar told Flim a little about his family, saying they’d been in this village for many generations, and had helped start the first businesses. Flim was impressed!
"This place is wonderful.." Flim said softly. SilverStar smiled, and nuzzled Flim’s cheek.
"I’m glad you like it.." he chuckled. Setting his glass down he kissed Flim gently. Flim blushed, nearly dropping his own glass. Clumsily catching it with his magic, he set it aside just in time to be kissed again.
SilverStars forelegs hooked around Flim, pulling the pale yellow stallion against his chest, so as to kiss him even more deeply. If Flim hadn’t already been sitting, he knew he’d have wobbled over. SilverStar had that effect on him..
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The fireworks lit the sky with a dozen colours of sharp beauty. Flim, snuggled up to SilverStar, watched them in awe.
"Wonderful.." he smiled, entranced. His enthusiasm made SilverStar smile.
"Indeed..." SilverStar said absently, but he was looking at Flim, not the sky. Flim realised this and blushed again, giving SilverStar a nudge.
When the last of the glittering fireworks had faded away, Flim reluctantly admitted he had to go find his brother.
"Mmm, I suppose I should let him see you..." SilverStar said in mock jealousy "I’ve had you to myself all this time, I don’t want to appear greedy~"
"Don’t be so silly.." Flim laughed, as they headed down the stairs.
"I’m serious my sweet Flim, if I could, I’d steal you away for much longer then this!"
Flim felt his heart pound even faster. There was no ignoring the wistful hint in that sentence.
One final kiss, stolen amidst the shadows at the side of the building, and Flim trotted away to find his brother. SilverStar watched him go, already missing the sweet, handsome pony..
Flim’s guilt nibbled at his defences again, and he winced, that strange stomach pain assailing him once more. He came to a stop in the middle of the pavement while he hoped it would go away.
Once it’d faded, he set off again.
Flam didn’t seem to notice his brother looked a little flushed. He’d been happily distracted by the various games to play at the festival. Being an expert con pony he’d managed to make a little money, which put him in a better mood, to Flim’s relief.
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The next day both of them left to poke around town. Flam was in full charm offensive mode, but Flim seemed half asleep! In the end, he told his brother to get pick up the parts he needed from the hardware store, let HIM do the talking this time!
Glad to be alone, Flim wandered absently about, where was the hardware shop again?
There it was! He drifted in, so intent on reading from then list Flam had written he didn’t see who he bumped into.
"Sorry!" he blurted, and was rewarded with a soft, familiar laugh.
“Head in the clouds huh, my little salespony?" SilverStar teased. Flim felt a little of the tension ease off.
"Yes, sorry. I wasn’t paying attention..." he said softly. Seeing how poor Flim looked even more skittish then before, SilverStar asked was he alright?
"I’m fine, just....didn’t sleep is all.." Flim put on that fake smile as he scooped up the bits and pieces Flam had put on the list. SilverStar didn’t push it any further, but he was worried. He seen Flim wince and press a hoof to his stomach, like it was bugging him.
He obviously didn’t realise sliver had seen him, because the next second he was all smiles again.
But the stomach pain didn’t go away once they left the store. They were halfway cross the square, passing an ornate stone fountain, when the pain hit so suddenly and sharply that he lost his balance and collapsed.
"Flim?!" He heard SilverStar’s voice as if from a distance, but everything was getting fuzzy...
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When he next awoke he heard Flam’s imperious voice, asking what the hay was going on? Lifting his head, Flim seen he was lying on a padded seat inside the same cafe as before. A motherly mare stood nearby seen he was awake and smiled gently;
"Don’t move too fast there hon, you had a bit of a dizzy spell.."
"I’m sorry..." Flim shook his head "I didn’t mean to cause a fuss..."
"Brother!" Hearing his voice, Flam raced over "why didn’t you say something?"
"I thought it would go away..." Flim said guilty "I assumed it was just stomach ache.."
"How, when you barely ate dinner?" Seeing Flim flinch guiltily he sighed.
"L-lets get home.." Flim muttered. He couldn’t meet SilverStar’s gaze as they left, he felt bad about lying about so much to him..
He didn’t realise Flam had pretty much given away the whole "were a little below legal" vibe when he’d spoken with SilverStar. Unable to resist showing off, he’d pretty much explained it.
So SilverStar now understood why Flim had seemed so uneasy. He and his brother had scratched a living pulling various tricks and cons, but now it seemed Flim wanted something more.
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The next day he went round the house they were renting, and by luck, Flam was the one off out that day. Flim was still curled up on the couch.
When he heard SilverStar’s voice outside the door, he let him in right away. But as they stallion wandered past him into the sparsely decorated living room, Flim felt his stomach ache again.
Hearing the little sound of pain Flim made, SilverStar brought him over to the couch and sat both of them down on it.
"Why didn’t you just tell me what was going on?" he asked.
"Because I wanted to enjoy the time we had, before you found out about all that stuff. I’m sorry, but at least you know the truth now right? We’re con artists, pretty much..."
"Nothing I haven’t seen before. Fact, when I seen your brother I kinda worked it out. He’s much less subtle then you are...."
Flim chuckled nervously "a little...but truthfully, I do just as much of the trouble making..."
"And you thought I wouldn’t want you around because of that?" SilverStar scolded gently. Flim looked away fro him, staring out the window.
"I wouldn’t blame you..." he said softly "I’m a liar, and yet you’ve been so kind to me-"
"Ssh." SilverStar tapped his nose gently, drawing Flim’s attention back to him. "not another word. You haven’t done ANYTHING to make me dislike you. Stop worrying. I can help you two out, if you’ll take it.."
"How?" Flim asked, wincing again. SilverStar drew the other pony as close to him as he could, nuzzling his ear. He felt Flim give a delighted little shiver, and smiled.
"I can set you up with whatever you need. Lets just say my fathers business practices weren’t entirely above board either.."
Seeing Flim’s surprised face he laughed "see? Told you id seen it before. Just trust me, I’ll work something out."
“But why??" Flim asked "why put yourself to that much trouble..?"
“For YOU." SilverStar said bluntly. "That sad look doesn’t belong on your face, and its clear you just want the best for you and your brother. How could I ignore that kind of devotion?"
Flim looked on the verge of having a relieved but nervous breakdown, so SilverStar decdied to just kiss him and hope it’d distract him.
It did. They were just starting to get a little "comfortable", when they heard footsteps approaching. Hurriedly they sprang apart, Flim overbalancing and falling off the couch with a thud. SilverStar couldn’t help a snigger. And by the time Flam got the door open, both were sat on the couch, laughing.
"What on earth are you doing?" Flam asked his brother.
"Nothing.." Flim chuckled "just telling a few of our uh...sillier stories."
“Ah, those." Flam sniggered at whichever one he imagined Flim was referring to "the one about the-"
“With the cherry bomb, yup." Flim finished.
"Sounds like you had a lot of fun there," SilverStar said easily, copping onto Flim’s diversion tactic.
He cast Flim a last smile and said "I’ll leave you to sort out the details, let me know if your interested.."
"Interested in what?" Flam asked.
Flim looked happy, as he trotted into the kitchen to make some tea "I think I may have found us something!"
Flam was surprised to hear the pony with the scar ran many businesses in the village, and could set them up with what they needed to make some money.
"Why is he doing this? What is he after in return?" flam said suspiciously.
Flim felt a funny flutter in his stomach, he couldn’t tell him the truth. That it was because SilverStar, well, LIKED him.
"I helped him out when I was in town the other day," he said truthfully "he said he owed me one, so I told him the situation.."
“Be careful," Flam warned him "I don’t trust him."
"I know..." Flim sighed "but we don’t have many options, we need all the help we can get..."
"Don’t I know it.." Flam sighed.
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But he agreed to take SilverStar’s offer, and he and Flim met with the other pony the next day. SilverStar snuck every opportunity to admire how cute Flim looked, eyes sparkling again now some of his burden had been lifted.
Flam hadn’t realised just how MUCH Flim had been fretting. His brother always seemed so calm, placid. Almost unconcerned and carefree.
Flam was eager to get back to the cottage and start sorting out the materials and stuff they‘d need, but Flim said he wanted to stay in town awhile, he’d see him later.
Whilst still concerned SilverStar wasn’t the best influence his brother could be around, Flam figured his brother had enough common sense to be careful.
Had he known SilverStar fancied his brother and had spent most of their meeting wanting to kiss him again, he’d have blown a fuse!
Flim felt the tension ease from his body as he trotted alongside SilverStar, telling an amusing little tale from him and his brothers journeys.
He noticed SilverStar was studying him intently and flushed.
"W-what?" he stammered.
"That look suits you better, you look cutest when your smiling." SilverStar said without a hint of nerves.
Flim went even redder and pretended to be studying the shop window they were trotting past. SilverStar smiled. Flim was just so cute!
He asked did Flim fancy having lunch at his house? Flim was curious to see where he lived, so he agreed!
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At last they arrived at a big manor house on the outskirts of the village.
"This is your house?" he gawked.
"Yup, inherited it of dear old dad.." SilverStar muttered. Flim felt a pang of worry at how angry SilverStar sounded. So he poked his friends cheek, joking "what scar?" as a call-back to that first day.
"You’re too cute, my little salespony..." SilverStar smiled again, and rewarded Flim with a quick kiss before unlocking the door and ushering him inside.
Inside the house it was all fine furniture and oil paintings.
"Wow. this is amazing.." Flim gawked at all the finery.
"Eh, its a touch OTT to be honest, but my father had an obsession for art so..." SilverStar shrugged.
In the massive kitchen SilverStar whipped up a delicious lunch. It was the best thing Flim had tasted in a long time. Neither he nor Flam were very good cooks!
SilverStar chuckled at this fact, and took awhile to show Flim how to make the dish. Flim was so cute when he was caught up in something, the spring in his step, and melody of his voice as he sang a little song..
SilverStar ended up kissing him mid-song because he couldn’t ignore the cuteness anymore, and they wound up getting involved in one another they nearly set the pan on fire!
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Once lunch was finished off, SilverStar showed him the room he’d adopted as his new bedroom. It was large, spacious. The walls were covered with wall hangings in bright, cheerful patterns, far more light hearted than the serious paintings below.
"Where did you get these?" Flim asked.
"Made them," SilverStar shrugged. Flim turned to him, eyes wide.
"YOU made these? That’s amazing!"
Another shrug, but a smile this time "my mother...she, loved to paint..."
"Looks like you inherited her talent..." Flim smiled. He seen the massive double bed, with the plush mattress, and couldn’t resist letting his inner foal loose. Which meant taking a flying leap onto the bed and bouncing on it. SilverStar couldn’t stop laughing as he watched Flim’s actions. How carefree he was, his delighted, amused laugh filling the room with a kind of lightness SilverStar hadn’t felt in years.
"You OK?" Flim, having finally stopped bouncing, now lay flopped across the bed, blinking curiously at him.
"Yes, just...thinking." SilverStar crept onto the bed beside him and kissed the red haired pony. Flim flushed, but happily snuggled up to the other stallions body.
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They stayed in companionable silence until a sudden peal of thunder split the sky outside and made them both jump.
"Whoa.." Flim stared out the window at the other end of the room, where heavy sheets of rain pounded the window.
"That came outta nowhere..."
"Yes, we are prone to these sorts of storms around here. Hopefully it’ll pass soon...." he nuzzled Flim’s ear, making him shiver I delight. They lost track of time, too busy whispering, kissing, laughing, and moving closer and closer.
Flim felt the mother lode of all nervous jolts race up his spine as his partners affections became evermore...intimate. If this was going where he thought it was going-
He had a sudden fit of nerves and curled up into a ball the next time that shiver ran down his back.
"What’s wrong?" SilverStar asked, seeing Flim was turning bright red "did I scare you?"
“N-no, .not exactly...it’s.." Flim groaned, what was WRONG with him?! Normally he could sweet talk anypony into anything, yet now he could barely explain himself. What was happening to him?
"Are you nervous...." the statement was half question, half answer.
A muted squeak was his response. Flim had closed his eyes, hoping if he wished hard enough, he could just vanish. How embarrassing could he get?
SilverStar chuckled, and decided to try something. He traced one hoof over Flim’s hip, brushing against a sensitive nerve in his leg, causing him to shiver, but uncurling onto his back on reflex. Then he ran a hoof up the others side, ending with a gentle kiss as he gently pinned him there.
"I-I’ve never...." Flim went bright scarlet "done this before.." he finished on a whisper.
"Don’t worry my sweet Flim~" SilverStar said gently, nuzzling along his jaw line "all I need to know is, Do you WANT to? All YOU have to do is let me take care of you..."
This was more then Flim could bear. He didn’t know what this was going to be like, but he trusted the other. Felt a sense of safety at his words. So he nodded, and the next second a gentle hoof brushed his cheek, tilted his head to make their eyes meet.
SilverStar’s expression was so adoring, so kind, it made Flim fall further into the overwhelming emotional vortex he was wrapped in. The shirt, waistcoat and hat were soon consigned to the chair by the bed.
As the rain poured down outside, the most wonderful afternoon of Flim’s life began...
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In SilverStar’s gentle hooves, Flim’s fears soon dissolved. The other was patient, gentle. His soft voice repeating Flim’s name, his kisses that kept Flim’s heart from racing out of control as things progressed.
It felt like he was losing his mind, but in the best possible way, as the last barrier between them was surpassed, and SilverStar became Flim’s first. Flim tried to muffled the little gasps and cries these feelings created.
"You have such a lovely voice.." SilverStar murmured, gently nibbling at the base of Flim’s ear "let me hear you..."
This only increased what Flim was feeling, he couldn’t fight it. So when SilverStar moved next, he was treated to Flim’s melodic voice calling out...
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They lay entangle din the bed sheets, the silken fabric wrapped around their legs. SilverStar’s forelegs wrapped around Flim, holding the slender stallion close to his heart. He could still feel Flim trembling a little, the aftermath of the crescendo still reverberating through him.
He’d never experienced anything like this before. When he opened his eyes, SilverStar’s eyes met his.
"You are so cute, my little Flim...." SilverStar whispered. "never have I heard such a sweet voice..."
Flim blushed, but snuggled closer to SilverStar with a contented sigh.
SilverStar gently nuzzled his sweet little lover. He hoped he hadn’t moved things along too fast for the other. But Flim wasn’t a pony he could resist. Every action, every WORD, just made SilverStar want him more.
Even now, eyes half closed, his body pressed close to SilverStar’s, Flim looked so dang cute. His neatly coiffed mane ruffled and mussy, the late evening light catching his eyes, making them shine like rare jewels. A faint sheen of sweat on his coat. He looked worn out but happy.
"That..." Flim blushed as he tried to sum up the magical thing that had just transpired..."was amazing.."
"Mm, glad you like it my little salespony~" SilverStar teased gently, kissing him "I hope I wasn’t too forceful?"
“No!" Flim blurted, not wanting the other to feel any guilt "you weren’t, not remotely..."
SilverStar kissed him sweetly, whispering in his ear;
"Are you hungry, my sweet Flim?"
"A little.." Flim stammered, blushing.
"Hmm, well, you just relax and take a bath, I’ll make us some dinner..."
Flim blushed as he clambered down off the bed. The first few steps he took send a wonderful feeling running through him and he blushed, making a sweet little sound that only made SilverStar love him more.
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While Flim discovered the massive en-suite bathroom, SilverStar made them both some dinner. Just as it was finished Flim trotted into kitchen. He re-dressed himself, the adorable outfit back on him.
He smiled as SilverStar ushered him over to the table, sitting him down and kissing him lightly before sitting in his own seat.
At last the rain eased off, and Flim said he had to get back. Reluctant to let him go, SilverStar kissed him deeply as they stood at the door.
"I hope you’ll be able to stay a little longer next time.." SilverStar murmured in Flim’s ear, making him blush again.
"I cant wait.." the unicorn whispered back, and they shared sweet, secretive smiles, the bond between them stronger then ever. Then Flim was off, trotting down the lane back towards his house...