Night and Day

by Tom Ink


Love is in the air

“So, you want the good or bad news?”

“Hmm?” Golden looked up from his oatmeal and watched White, sitting in front of him, who just received the schedule of the week. “Chmpspfscronchschmpof!”

“Dude, don’t talk with your mouth full. That’s disgusting, and I can’t hear what you say,” White answered, with the paper sheet between his hooves.

Golden raised a hoof and swallowed all his oatmeal. “The good news?”

White lowered his eyes to the schedule. “So, the good, it’s that Princess Celestia AND Princess Luna will go the day after tomorrow to Trottingham, and so will your lovely mare,” he announced.

Golden needed all his focusing to not bounce all around the cafeteria full of royal guards. Instead, he widely smiled, exposing his teeth with some oatmeal on it.

“If your marefriend was here…,” White sighed, forcing his friend to close his mouth and lick his teeth.

“And the bad news?” he asked, letting out some sucking noises from his jaw.

“The bad, it’s that changelings have been seen close to the city, and the security will be reinforced in our hotel, and in town, too,” White explained.

“And?” Golden raised an eyebrow.

“And you will take some big risks if you walk in the town with Midnight. Guards will be everywhere, ready to send you to jail if the two of you are seen together,” White warned him. Hearing that news, Golden lowered his head, looking gloomy. White tried quickly to cheer him up.

“Hey, one day, I’ve made myself a promise: never see my friend with this kind of long face. So, buck up and don’t worry for Midnight, we’ll find a way for you to see her again,” he calmly said.

Golden smiled and let his chin rest on one of his hooves on the table, lost in thought. An idea quickly popped into his mind. “You have the name of the hotel and the number of our room?” he asked. White read the sheet, frowned his eyes and nodded. “Then I’ve got a plan.”

The next morning, a few minutes before the changing of the guards, Golden was becoming more and more nervous. The sweat ran on his forehead, and he turned to White, looking for some support. “And if it doesn’t work? That’s a terrible idea! What was I thinking?!”

White approached him and shut him down with his hoof. “Hey, hey, slow down. From now on, everything’s fine, so don’t waste energy by panicking. Just wait five minutes and you will do what you want. Breathe deeply and… act natural,” he said, slowly removing his hoof.

Golden breathed deeply and recovered, wishing that time would flow faster and just be six minutes later. He couldn’t help but feel slightly worried when Starry and Midnight finally arrived from the end of the hallway. His heart was beating fast. Especially when the batpony gave him her daily wink of the eye, already knowing they will be able to see each other outside of Canterlot.

Seven o’clock rang. Salute. Position exchanged. Eyes meeting. Bodies almost brushing one against another. When Midnight and Starry left, White launched a small rock on the helmet of the mare. She stopped and turned back to see from where this pebble came from, and almost let out a yelp when she saw the guards.

Golden had unfolded his wings and something was written on them. On the left one “ROOM 92”, and on the right one “AT 8?” She nodded quickly, showing her agreement. Golden smiled and time seemed to stop for a few seconds.

“Midnight, what are you doing?” Starry barked, noticing that the batpony wasn’t at his side. He turned back, and Golden quickly folded his wings before Starry could see something compromising.

Midnight quickly walked back to him and didn’t answered while Starry was glaring at her. When they turned around the corner and disappeared from the guard’s eyesight, Golden let out a huge relieved sigh, and wiped the sweat on his forehead.

“Pfew, that was close,” he breathed, letting his heart beating at a normal rate. “I think she gets it.”

“Yep,” White nodded. “Now, you just have to pray to not meet a smoking hot mare before the end of the day if you don’t want to have problems.”

Sweat ran again on Golden’s forehead. His heartbeat went faster and panic grabbed him again. “Oh Celestia….”

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Due to the high-level security, and so the presence of additional guards, the batponies and royal guards traveled separately on the train to Trottingham. Golden couldn’t see Midnight, and it made him even more nervous and eager for tonight’s date. Luna visited another part of the town, and they weren’t able to see each other during the day, the common trip for the two Princesses wasn’t planned until tomorrow.

While visiting with Celestia, Golden noticed there were many more guards than in San Franciscolt. It was impossible not to be seen by them at every corner of the streets. The date couldn’t be the same tonight. But Golden already had an idea, and a quick look to the hotel’s surroundings comfirmed his scheme.

At night, at The Pony Plaza, a batpony passed by a window around eight o’clock, not before checking the presence of pegasi around her room. A quick calculation on the layout of the hotel made her land in front of a window on the third floor, which stayed open for her. Midnight stuck her head to the glass, and saw a room with two simple beds, with a white pegasus with a blond mane on it, showing his back to her.

As quietly as possible, she opened the window and hovered in the room, before jumping on the pegasus, who didn’t have time to react before getting pinned on the floor by the batpony. Her eyes were still closed when she spoke.

“Hi there! Did you miss me?” she smiled before opening her eyes again.

“Nice to meet you, Midnight,” said a voice that doesn’t belong to her date. The batpony jumped and fell on her back, slightly starting to worry. But it was the good room, she was sure! And if… no… She planned everything… Wait, Golden didn’t talk about his friend…?

“White Spear, isn’t it?” she tried, standing on her four hooves.

“Bingo,” the pegasus smiled. “I must admit, you really look better without your armor. I see why Golden is totally mad about you…,” he added, giving a wink that made Midnight blush. So he really fell for her? Of course, she knew it, but hearing it from one of his friends filled her with joy. “Hey, he wasn’t lying about your curv-“

“WHITE!!” Golden shouted, running out from the bathroom, with the cheeks completely red, as to match Midnight. “I told you to shut up!” he roared, but with a smiling tone, without anger. He turned to the batpony and calmed himself, smiling broadly. “Hello, Midnight, I…. I’m happy to see you and… I….”

Midnight came to his rescue and approached him, taking him in her hooves for a big hug. A little startled at first, Golden did the same and quickly returned the hug, closing rapidly his eyes to enjoy this moment as much as he could. She didn’t plan on doing that at first, but seeing him again, like that, outside of work, made her understand how much she missed him. “Hi Golden, I’m happy to see you too,” she quietly said.

If White Spear wasn’t there, they could have stay here for a long time. “Aww, you two are really cute, I almost feel like I’m bothering you”, the stallion said to break their hug. Midnight let him go and turned her head to White.

“You’re really like Golden described,” she said.

“Super-handsome, charming and well-built?” he joked. Midnight shared a knowing look with Golden.

“Nah, a really unfunny guy and a pain in the flank,” she laughed before making a hoof-bump with Golden, who fully enjoyed the moment. It was so rare to see White getting a taste of his own medicine.

White still laughed and answered, “Golden, she’s a keeper.” His friend sighed and got closer to him, before wrapping his hoof around his shoulder.

“Midnight, this is my friend, White. White, this is Midnight,” he said to make introductions before ruffing his friend’s mane. “As you see, we are….,” he released him, “the best of friends.”

Midnight stifled a laugh by putting a hoof to her mouth. “Yeah, I can see that. Well, let’s go? We don’t have all night,” she said, unfolding her beautiful wings, making White whistle. Golden softly punched him on the shoulder. The pegasus approached the batpony, and unfold his wings too. They all stepped forward to the window, ready to go. Golden couldn’t help to say a last joke to his friend.

“Don’t polish your armor all night.”

Midnight burst out laughing and Golden laughed too, taking off into the night. Just before they disappeared, White shouted: “I though we said: no jokes in front of the mares!”

Golden and Midnight hovered for a few seconds in the night sky before landing at the back of the hotel, because the front doors were watched by two batponies. Silence fell, with only the muffled sounds of the city to be heard.

“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Midnight asked, folding her wings. “I guess we must find something else to do with all the guards in the city.”

“Yeah. But I know what to do. Still a bit risky, but less that staying here,” Golden explained. The mare raised an eyebrow, wanting to hear more.

“And that’s?”

“You’ll see. Follow me and we’ll be there soon.” He unfolded his wings and got ready to take off but a big sound was suddenly heard. Midnight perked up her ears and quickly turned back to see a door open right behind them. Instantly, she grabbed the stallion by the hooves and threw him in a nearby bush, taking Golden by surprise.

“Hey! What the-“

“Shh!” Midnight hushed him, putting a hoof on his lips. A guard had just opened the door and watched his surroundings. His hoofsteps were getting closer to the bush where the batpony and guard were hidden, pressed against each other.

Golden wished this moment would last longer, especially since his muzzle was buried in the mare’s mane. His heartbeat went faster, and he could feel Midnight’s doing the same, his chest against hers. But he didn’t breathe and couldn’t enjoy her smell. Finally, the hoofsteps sound disappeared and after a quick look, the batpony rose up.

Golden needed a few seconds to get on his four hooves, still a bit dazed. Midnight watched him for a few seconds. “Aren’t you supposed to be the guy protecting everypony from the danger?” she smiled, reaching out a hoof to help the stallion.

“Err, oh… yeah. Sorry, I didn’t see it coming. Thanks Midnight,” he mumbled, gladly accepting the hoof. “Well, let’s take off now. It’s better for us,” he added, unfolding his wings and finally taking off for real, closely followed by the mare. She didn’t say a word during the trip, simply stroking her mane. Golden watched her from time to time, thinking back to this shared moment in the bush, hoping it was only the beginning.
They both passed above Trottingham before going to the suburbs of the town. Golden made a head sign to a small hill, and they landed on the soft grass. The batpony seemed a bit confused, and took a look around her.

Grass, grass everywhere, some trees, and that was all. The lights of the city seemed quite far, and the only sound that could be heard was some animals in the nearby forest.

“That’s your plan? A night in the forest?” Midnight asked, still puzzled.

Golden smiled and sat on the grass. He folded his wings and lay on his back, still under the batpony’s stare. “Come on, sit down,” he calmly suggested.

Midnights stood still for a few seconds, before shrugging and do as he said. She lay next to Golden, and turned her head. “And?”
The stallion turned his head towards her and spoke, “Look up.”

Slowly, she did, and her eyes fell on the starry sky. “What? We’re gonna spend the night watching the stars?” she laughed. “That’s, like, super mushy. I already told you, I’m not that kind of mare.”

Golden turned to her again. “I know, but it’s not like we have plenty of other choices tonight. And stargazing is nice, no? I love doing that,” he explained.

“It’s not written in the royal guards’ rules to not like Luna’s thing?”

The stallion put a hoof to his chin and asked a question too. “Batponies can’t enjoy the Sun as well ? I mean… you see what I’m trying to say, right?”

Midnight seemed a bit surprised by the question, but answered nonetheless. “Yeah, I get it. It’s just because Celestia raised the Moon and the stars during a millennium, and for us, batponies, it reminds us what we were without our Princess,” she explained.

“Seems logical. But you really don’t think it’s beautiful? It reminds me of my childhood, stargazing with my dad in Fillydelphia.” An idea popped into his mind and he reached a hoof towards some stars, more shiny than the others. “Look here, it’s the Ursa Major. Here, it’s Orion and… do you know why we call it like that?”

For a few minutes, Golden continued his explanations by showing some constellations, while the batpony literally drink everything he said. She never thought that royal guards could like something so related to Luna, and she now looked to the stars in another way. They never seemed so beautiful as they did tonight.

When Golden finished, Midnight didn’t talk for a few minutes, her eyes reflecting the stars above her. She finally turned her head towards the stallion. “Yeah, that’s nice, especially when you say it like that.”

Golden’s ears pricked up and he turned his head too. “That’s super mushy. I thought you didn’t like that,” he smiled. Midnight groaned, face-hoofed, and turned her head back to the stars.

“That’s your fault. You tricked me, curse you royal guard! I know I shouldn’t trust you!” she said, smiling. Golden took the opportunity.

“Mmm, did I find your weakness?” Golden smiled, turning his head towards her. He continued.

“I will fly to the biggest heights of Equestria if you asked me; I will even fly to the Moon! I will cut my own wings to have just a kiss from you. Your body is even more beautiful than a Princess; your hooves are sweeter than all the silk from Saddle Arabia…”

Midnight didn’t know if Golden was sincere or was just joking, but she was really flattered and also a bit embarrassed with all his compliments. The game had to stop.

“Stop! Stop! Hey, if you want to play romantic, then two can play this game,” she said. Slowly, she climbed on him. The stallion had to make an intense effort to stay calm, and managed to say:

“If you think you can beat me on compliments, give up. You have no chance.”

Midnight half-closed her eyes, and run a hoof on his chest. “Who said we could only use words?”

Without being able to react, Midnight connected her lips to Golden’s, who let out a small cry of surprise, quickly muffled by the mouth of the batpony. Midnight rubbed her sweet lips to the rough ones of the stallion, who felt like he was dreaming. Never had a mare kissed him with so much passion, and his mind shut down to focus on the only thing in front of him, the stunning batpony who connected her mouth with his.
He melted into the kiss and let Midnight take the lead. The batpony put her hooves on both sides of Golden’s head, preventing him from any escape.

And he loved that.

The feeling of her fangs made the thing more exciting, and Golden surprised himself by slowly touching them with his tongue. Midnight felt it and brought hers to push it back, before putting it into his mouth. He didn’t expect that much for a first kiss with the mare. Golden closed his eyes and raised his hooves to stroke her mane and back, as well as her wings.

Their kiss last for a few more seconds before both of them remembered they needed some oxygen to breathe and survive this moment, as magical as it was. Midnight released him first, letting a thin trail of saliva connect their lips as a remain. Golden opened his eyes again, and deeply breathed. Licking his lips, he could still taste the batpony’s. She was still above him, resting on his chest and smiling.

“So, did I win?” she gasped. Still in a daze, Golden didn’t speak for a few seconds and slowly raised one of his hooves to stroke Midnight’s back again. He finally answered.

“Ye… Yeah…,” he breathed, still trying to take his breath. “It’s… That… wow… You’re amazing…”

“Yeah, I know. We often say that for me. Crazy, too. Mad, dangerous… Think you can handle this?” she asked, stroking the guard’s mane.

“I’m willing to,” the stallion answered. For a few moments, they stayed here, lying in the grass, staring at each other while stroking their manes, simply enjoying the moment. Golden never felt so good in his life, and even the rock that pinched his back couldn’t stop the happiness that flowed in his veins.

But the stallion still was the first to speak. “Midnight, are we…?”

“An item?” she finished for him. “I don’t know. I like you, we had some dates, we kissed, we’re stroking each other’s manes… Mmm….” She put a hoof to her chin. “Do you like me?”

“Yes,” Golden instantly answered.

“So, yeah, we’re an item,” she declared. “Woo, that makes everything more risky and… more exciting,” she finished with a sultry voice. Golden smiled and quickly closed his eyes, before opening them suddenly.

“Wait, I want to do it by following the rules. After all, we’re both good soldiers,” he explained, encouraged by the moment of happiness he was living and the excitement, the one that made him feel invincible.

Midnight raised an eyebrow and the pegasus slowly got up. The batpony stepped back and let the stallion took her hoof.

“Golden, if you’re doing what I think you’re doing…”

“Midnight, do you want to be my marefriend?”

“… It’d better not be…,” she finished, laughing. Golden watched her for painfully long seconds. She finally sighed and touched his hoof too.

“Yeah, Golden. You win. I want to be your marefriend,” she solemnly declared while rolling her eyes. “And now, I’m supposed to kiss you, that’s it?”

Golden nodded. “I know you don’t like mushy stuff, but yeah, it would be nice.” Midnight got closer to him, passing her hoof around his neck to make him lean towards her. She whispered:

“I think I could learn to like that if you teach me.” And then she kissed him, more tenderly, before letting him go after a few seconds, when a question popped into her mind. “Golden, you know we won’t be able to do that every day in Canterlot, right ?”

“I know, so I will try to make every second the best of your life next time we’ll see,” he promised before kissing her again. “But I must warn you, I will be super cheesy sometimes,” he warned her. Midnight connected her lips to his too.

“I know, and I would like to be cheesy too,” she said before stepping back. “And with nopony else but you. And don’t you dare mention that to somepony else. It’s just between you and me,” she smiled before nuzzling him, wrapping her hooves around his neck. Golden smiled and did the same. Without further hesitation, Midnight whispered to his ear:

“I love you, Golden.”

The stallion felt his heartbeat going faster and warned even more by hearing these words. “Wow, we kissed only five minutes ago and you’re already the cheesiest marefriend in the world. I must have poisoned you. Ow!” he screamed when the batpony slightly bit his ear. He laughed.

“I love you too, Midnight.”

“Even if I’m your archenemy?”

“Yeah. Even if it’s only the beginning of our problems.” He stepped back, looking a bit gloomy, and held her tightly. “Midnight, we’ll need to be extra careful when we see each other next time. You understand? I don’t want you to have problems cause of me,” he explained.

Midnight stayed cool and smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that. I hope we… we will see again soon, outside of work. I promise we’ll find a way.” She hugged him and the worry melted in their embrace. He took the opportunity to smell her mane.

Lavender.

His new favorite scent.

To be careful, they decided to go back to the hotel almost two hours after their departure. The flight was quiet, as during the first trip, except that they flew a bit closer than before and didn’t try to hide the way they looked at each other. The kind of romantic stuff that Midnight would have hated before. But not tonight.

When they got to Golden’s room, Midnight stayed outside, floating, while Golden landed on the floor. He turned back one last time towards the batpony. “I don’t work next Saturday. If you’re free, you can come to the room I share with White at the school. It’s not hard to find, it’s the one with a Fillydelphia flag on it. Err, I mean, it’s not like I ask you to spend the night with me and… I…” the stallion stuttered, awkwardly fiddling his hooves.

Midnight put a hoof to his mouth. “It’s okay, I get it, I know it’s Canterlot and… yeah. I will try to come. And I will take care.” She withdrew her hoof and leaned on to kiss him softly, with a sweetness that was like a teasing for their next night together. “See you next Saturday, Golden.” She moved away from the window, hearing the stallion whisper.

“See you next Saturday, Midnight. Take care.” He watched her go and she disappeared into the night. He let out a long sigh and walked to the bathroom, a bit surprised to not see White yet. He has just taken a few steps when he felt a hoof on his shoulder. He rolled his eyes and turned back slowly.

“White, if you were spying on us, I swear i….” He stopped when he noticed it was Midnight again in front of him. “Oh, did you forget something?” he asked.

The batpony nodded. “Yeah. This.” She landed on all fours and kissed him again, making it last longer than previously, wrapping her hooves around his neck to hug him. They both closed their eyes and reopened them when Midnight stopped the kiss first. “Love you, Golden. See ya.”

She moved away again, and brushed her tail under his chin, sending shivers all down his spine. She unfolded her wings and took off by the window, towards her own room, and disappeared into the night, for real this time.

“See ya, Midnight. I love you.” The room was empty since a couple seconds when he whispered these words, with a big smile on his face. He stayed at the window for a few more minutes, watching the stars, quietly thanking them for their help. He kept his smiling face when he collapsed on his bed, closing his eyes. The night was even better than he had expected.

“So, how was it?” A voice got him out of his dreamy state. He saw a white lump moving next to him, under the covers.

“White?” He took the cover in his hoof and saw the stallion hiding under them. “You were there the whole time?” he asked, dumbfounded.

His friend looked from left to right, before answering. “Nooooooo.” Golden frowned. “Maybe?”

“You’re crazy!” he groaned, enclosing his friend in the covers, before jumping on him, feeling giddy. “Friends don’t do that to each other!”

“Hey, that’s my room too, so you forget all the spying stuff,” he defended himself. He breathed deeply and asked: “Well, from what I’ve heard, that ended well, no?”

Golden rested his head on the pillow and stare at the ceiling. “Yeah, totally. We looked at the stars, we laughed and… we kissed,” he explained, his eyes drifting everywhere.

“Oh?” White asked naively. “So, you two are together now?” he asked, even if the answer was obvious.

“Hmm hmmm,” the stallion hummed. “We will try to see each other again next Saturday, at the room in our barracks so… err…,” he was trying to find the good words.

“That’s okay, I get it’, White stopped him. “I will ‘polish my armor’ in another place.” They laughed together and White got off his cotton jail. He squirmed a bit and shook his head before sitting on the bed, next to Golden. “Man, I’m so proud of you. My little colt has grown so much!” he exclaimed, taking him in his hooves.

“Cut it out, you sound like my mother…,” Golden sighed, before returning the hug, leaving the room silent for a few moments. “You know, Midnight’s hooves are softer than yours…”

“Shh… We’re good now, don’t spoil this moment…”

“And her mane smells better.”

“Shh….”

“And her breath doesn’t smell like hay fries…”

“Will you shut up?”

“And her voice is more… MMMMMM!!!!”

White put his hoof into Golden’s mouth. He sighed. “I think I will never hear the end of it.”

A few floors upstairs, a batpony finished arranging some documents, when a knock was heard by the door of his room.

“Come in,” he said with his low voice.

The door opened and a guard entered, saluting before saying his name: “Evening Glow, captain!” Moon Dance raised an eyebrow in front of this unexpected visitor.

“What are you doing here, Glow? I’ve said I didn’t want to be disturbed, expect for emergencies!” he roared. “I hope it’s a vital emergency, or else I will kick your sorry flank all the way to Canterlot!”

Evening Glow smiled wickedly, showing his fangs before speaking. “You won’t be disappointed, captain…”