The tale of a love that faces many ups and downs. This story only contains OCs.
Young Night Light meets a new stallion at his school in the last months of his final year, named Shiny Rock.They develop a great friendship, but soon discover something more...
The bell tolls as second classes start. A white Earth Colt with short, red mane and tail makes his way to a classroom of the tenth grade, looking about with his emerald eyes like a tourist in Canterlot.
Class seems to already be in progress as he nervously knocks on its door. Inside, the teacher had seized talking and instead is heard making her way to the door. She opens it, a soft smile on her face.
“Ah, you must be our new student, is that right?” she asks, gesturing him inside. The colt nods vigorously. “That’s me!” he says, his nerves calming down visibly.
“Good to have you here. My name is Mrs. Paperback.", The teacher introduces herself. "Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself to start out?”
He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes to collect his thoughts before starting.
“Hey, everypony, my name is Shiny Rock. I come from Ponyville, but I was born and raised here in Trottingham. I know I’m here short notice, but after the incident occurred in Ponyville I was moved back here. My hobbies include botanics and other horticulture; also I’m an avid book reader.”
He stops and smiles. Mrs. Paperback then gestures him towards a free seat.
“Thank you, Shiny Rock. Take a seat over there next to Night Light, alright?” she suggests.
Shiny does as he’s been told, taking the open spot next to another male student, who seems to have fallen asleep on his desk. The teacher bellows out. “Could somepony wake up Night Light? I’m tired of him falling asleep.”
A nearby filly nudges the sleeping colt as she says this, sure enough, waking him up.
“Night Light.” the teacher starts. “Do try to stay awake during class.” A couple of students give a chuckle as Night Light silently retreats into an upright seated position. The lesson continues like it normally would until the bell tolls for recess.
As Shiny Rock packs his things together and leaves the room, he finds Night Light by his side.
“Hey, uh... can I help you?” he asks rather uncertainly.
“Uh, no, not really. Actually, I believe I can help you. I haven't seen you around here before, so I assume you're the new colt?” the colt responds.
There seems to be a faint unidentifiable accent in his voice. Shiny turns to look at him.
Night Light is a rather feminine looking dark blue colt, with powerful looking back legs, but rather lean front legs. His chestnut colored mane is tied together by a green hair band. He also possesses a pair of big, golden eyes.
“Really?” he asks. “How?”
“Well, you need somepony to help you out with your first couple of days here.” Night Light responds, a smile on his face.
“I guess so...” Shiny looks about. “It is a rather big place...”
“Don't worry. It's only the first floor that you're really going to. Also, you're gonna be away from here in about a month anyway.” he reassures the new student.
“Convenient.” Shiny remarks.
Night Light gestures Shiny Rock to follow him. Shiny Rock follows step as his 'tour guide' shows him around school, ranging from classrooms, science room blocks, the cafeteria and the many bathrooms before taking him to the secretary's office.
“Get a map here, just for second occasions. Really can be a life-saver sometimes.”
Shiny Rock nods, walks over to the secretary and knocks on the table.
The secretary pony gives him an intensely bored look while seemingly endlessly chewing some sort of gum. “Yes? Can I help you?”
“Hello...” Shiny Rock starts, a bit nervously. “I'd like to get a map, please.” The secretary uses her magic to levitate a map of the school onto the desk.
“If you want, I can get a student in here to be your guide.” she says, her half-lidded expression never waning. Shiny Rock laughs a bit before gesturing a 'No thanks'.
“I've already got a guide outside.” he says, pointing at Night Light, who noticed this and waves at him through the window.
The secretary shoots a look at Shiny Rock as if he'd just made the worst joke possible. “You can't be serious.” Shiny Rock takes a step back, tilting his head. “What do you mean?” he asks.
The secretary pony sighs. “Night Light is mute. We tried getting him to talk, but he wouldn't usher a word to us.”
Shiny Rock's eyes open a bit wider before chuckling a bit creeped out and retreating through the door, saying “Oh, of course, how silly of me.”
Turning back to Night Light, he asks “Say, um... am I psychic?” Night Light gives him a confused look. “What d' you mean?”
“Well... I can hear you speak” he responds.
The earth pony giving him a tour can't help but laugh. “That's because I'm speaking to you.”
“Aw, so no psychic powers for me. But... why did she say that you don't talk, then?”
Night Light blushes a bit. “Well, I have this sneaking suspicion that I can trust you. I know this might sound really forced, but... hey, you look pleasant. OH! I'm supposed to give you this, by the way.” He gives him a sheet of paper. “If you want, you can sign up for an after school club.”
"Sounds good!" he replies, a wide grin on his face. "What's the options?"
Night Light's eyes scan the paper. "Um... aside from the race specific clubs, y' can attend chess, music, art, radio and other media. Take your pic." He puts the sheet on a nearby table.
"Well," ,Shiny Rock begins. "Chess sounds fun, I guess. I've always been one for mind games. Tick that for me then, alright?" Night Light gives a smile. "Sure thing." he says as he ticks the box next to the chess option, then writing Shiny's name on it.
"If you don't mind me asking... what did you pick?"
"I took music. I play the piano."
Shiny Rock tilts his head a bit. "How in the name of sanity do you do that? No horn and all?" Night Light gives a smirk. "Well, ya could come over to my house and see." he invites the young earth pony.
"Sounds like a plan. I'll go off then, my curriculum says I have Social Studies in a couple of minutes, could you drop that off for me while I look for the room on the map?"
Night Light gives a chuckle. "Alright. See you in lunch break."
Shiny Rock wandered around the halls aimlessly, looking about himself in befuddlement.
"This Night Light fellow had already found his way to class, I bet. Shouldn't have taken a bathroom on the ground floor." he thought aloud.
He stopped, looking at the map again. Why was he constantly thinking about that stallion? Something about him was unusual. Was it the accent? Was it the eyes? He recalled Night's image, when suddenly he thought aloud again.
"Damn it, hormones, I do not love him! He was just being friendly!"
Shiny was not afraid to admit he is, what some ponies call "on the other side of the street". He's dated another stallion before in Ponyville until he realised it wasn't mutual. In this case however, he was sure it was nothing. He continued walking until he found his classroom.
"Finally," he sighed, entering the room, ushering a rather awkward "Sorry I'm late." before sitting down at the nearest open seat. It appears class hadn't been long in progress as the teacher shrugged it off and continued speaking. Looking around himself, he noticed that some of the students were looking at him strangely on occasion. He figured it must have been him being so exhausted. Shiny was never afraid to admit he was not a sporty one. His body was quite lean, skinny even, so he was usually not the guy for heavy lifting or anything of the sort. His mind trailed off again, this time pondering how an earth pony would be able to play an instrument like the piano.
When he came to, class had already ended and lunch break had begun. He'd have to ask Night about this matter when he finds him. Walking down the corridors today was the most awkward experience in Shiny's life so far. Ponies left and right were shooting gossip and giggles whilst looking at him pass by.
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
When Shiny reached the cafeteria, he saw his new buddy sitting lonely at a table's end, looking down on his meal.
"Apparently, Night doesn't have many friends," he murmured under his breath before greeting him with a hearty "Hello!"
Night Light looked up at him, giving a smile and nodding in response, but not actually answering him.
"So, uh... that piano... when do I get to see you play it?" he asked. It was no use beating around the bush, he went straight to the point. The blue colt thought otherwise.
"Soon," he answered after swallowing a mouthful of what looks like mashed potato. "but not until later. In the meantime, would you like to go to the park after school?"
Shiny looked at him, mouth slightly agape. Meet in the park? Why? Did he have something planned? Unsure, he gave a simple nod of the head and a smile.
"Say, do you know if there's something on my back or anything of the sort? Everypony's been staring at me."
Night took a deep breath. "Uh, yeah... they're not looking at you. They're looking at us. There are rumours ahoof about the two of us. They assume we are... a couple..."
Shiny sat there, staring at his table partner for what seemed like an eternity. "You're kidding me...", he finally utters.
"I'm not... I am dead serious." He sighs. "I'm done anyway. Later." Night Light leaves the cafeteria in a quickened pace before Shiny could answer.
Great first day, rumours already. Just power through it, Shiny. It could be worse. It's just stupid gossip...
He rolled his eyes, slouching in his seat.
Fast forward to the park
Shiny already saw Night Light at the entrance, waving at him, smiling. Shiny couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him. As he reached him, he gave a quick salute with his right hoof.
"Hey there, Night, I'm here, what's up?"
Night Light gestured Shiny to follow him. He led his new friend to a bank quite far from the graveled path.
"Sorry I'm so quiet, but there's so many ponies on the path. Anyway, since you don't know where I live, I thought I'd lead you there by meeting up in the park and going from there?" he asked, a tiny sparkle in his eye.
"Sure," Shiny answered, "but didn't you have something to do?"
"I did it while I was waiting for you." Night Light gave a quick smile and led Shiny to his home. After some walking to the south and avoiding any eye contact with any fellow students on the way, they reach the building, which turns out to be a small, rather common house in a narrow avenue. On their way, Shiny noticed that the street seemed deserted, but the lights burning inside the houses reassures him otherwise.
They enter Night Light's house.
Inside, Shiny is first greeted by rather dim lighting, barely noticeable in the daylight, not much space in the living room and many doorless corridors, one leading to a piano. The walls are unpainted and empty, but overall, this seems like a place one could live in, what with the comfortable looking sofa, a television set, bookshelves and a cleanly kept floor.
"Wow." is all that Shiny could bring himself to say, his place was a mess compared to this. Night Light was already in the kitchen.
"Want something to drink?" he asked him in a loud but friendly manner. Shiny declined with a simple "No thanks."
He looked around himself. The piano now wasn't only nagging in his head, but now its presence is begging him to address it.
"So..." , he finally gave in. "How about that piano? Could you..."
"Of course..." Night Light said softly, walking over to the piano as he gestures his new visitor to stay seated.
Shiny sits upright, eager to see this for himself. Night takes the stool, resting his hooves on the keys before gently pressing down with the hooftips, playing a very slow overture.
I admit, the sound is very amateur-like compared to most professionals, then again, most professionals are unicorns... looking at it like that, it's impressive. I've never really seen an earth pony play an instrument like that...
Shiny finds himself lost, entranced until the overture ended. He gives a friendly applause before gesturing the Earth Pony to sit with him.
"That was amazing!" he commended, trying not to sound too forward. He couldn't help but let his voice rise a bit in the end of the sentence.
"Thanks," Night Light answered, "it's been a while since I've played for anypony. Last time I did that, I was a little fellow, about five years old."
Shiny smiled a warm smile and chuckled briefly. "I'm honoured." he said, when something came across his mind.
"Say, Night Light? Where does that accent come from? It doesn't sound like anything I've heard before."
Night Light took a few seconds to answer. He seemed to have been a little out of breath, at least, Shiny assumed he was out of breath, since his cheeks were a faint hint of red since he sat with him, until after a few minutes, he answered the question.
"I hail from Bronsdale, in the North-East of Equestria, located at Lake Amsorak in the Republic of Darokin. Very small, very rural, but we're there, on the map. My hometown has quite the history, you'd be surprised."
Shiny Rock was intrigued at this point, and knew that this could be the most this guy had spoken to anyone in a long time, so he'd want to keep the conversation going. "Bronsdale? I've never heard of the place. How far north is it?" he asked, not faking his peaked interest on the subject.
"It's far north, close to the border in the east as well. You'd need a detailed map of Equestria and beyond to find it. I can take y' there someday, if you want me to."
Shiny's grin broadened. "I'd love to see it!"
"Great," Night concluded, "I'll tell you when I plan to visit." There was a slight sigh after that sentence and Shiny could see he said it with a heavy heart.
"When was the last time you were there?" Shiny asked in a voice of minor concern. Of course he'd feel sympathy for him now, they had only met each other today and already they've become the best of friends, though that is to say that they really only have each other to seek help from, as the rumours could cause the other ponies to hate them irrationally and give them a hard time, but he was happy to have at least found a true friend.
"Last time I was there, I left to live here..." he responded. His depressive expression becomes deeper as he sighs heavily.
Perhaps I should change the topic.
"I need to buy some books on horticulture and earth magic. Would you like to join me?" Shiny asked, addressing a topic he finds friendly.
"Sure..." Night answered, looking outside, "it's raining though. Do you have a coat on you?"
Shiny looked outside as well, now. It was pouring buckets at this point, which suffice to say, was a little sudden, as the forecast had foretold the entire week to be windy with sunshine, without a single mention of rain. Which meant...
"No, I don't. It's okay, we could wait." he said, a bit disappointed.
"You can wear my coat, I'll hold the umbrella. That way you can speak to me while we both stay dry." Night suggested, his gold coloured eyes shifting from the pony next to him to the coat hanger rapidly.
Shiny blushed. He blushed hard.
No way, is this really happening? I don't have a lot of experience with friends, so I don't know if it's normal if friends did this much for each other.
He turned his head away to hide his red-faced expression.
"Won't you have to speak as well? It hardly seems fair." he responded, trying to think himself less of a burden.
"Och, no. I don't generally speak, anyway, so why should it bother? Also, I'm born way up north and I work a night-job, I'm used to freezing temperatures. Really, I only go to school because it's mandatory." the blue colt insisted, smiling innocently.
Damn, that is a cute smile.
He sighed. "Fine. Let's go, then." He put on Night's coat and opened the door, giving his new friend the umbrella.
Fast forward to the bookshop
Trottingham's bookshop was nothing to jest about. It had the second biggest library of books in all of Equestria, Canterlot holding the biggest. There were clerks everywhere, constantly re-stacking the shelves with new books. The aisles all had their own categories of books. There were novels, poetry, history, economy, spellcraft, wizardry, earth magic, crafting, science and tons of other categories and sub-categories to choose from.
Shiny missed this place too much, he had to go explore all of the new books right this second.
"Feel free to look around on your own, my friend... I'll be busy..." he said, eyes sparkling with the biggest grin on his face, almost appearing to spread beyond his cheeks.
Night Light wandered around aimlessly, looking what the bookshop had in stock. This was nothing compared to the library, but it was still quite impressive.
Walking around for quite a while, he noticed a book that caught his attention, called "Outing Yourself: A Colt Cuddler's Advice On Colt Cuddling". Looking both ways to check if nobody witnessed him staring at it, he took the book and quickly went up to the cash register to purchase it, where Shiny was already putting his new books in a bag, waving towards him in a friendly manner.
Night tried to purchase the book with the cover turned away from Shiny's line of sight in an inconspicuous way, looking rather goofy and obvious in the process. Shiny decided not to address it.
After the awkward check-out, they both went outside for a little window shopping. They look at coats, shirts, hats, eventually stopping to see what films were currently selling in the media store, when suddenly, a cheerleading pony from their school addressed them from behind as they were discussing their favourite actors.
"Excuse me, um... Night Light, was it? Did you just talk?"
Night Light froze as Shiny Rock turned to the filly standing there. She had a yellow tinted coat and a long, mint-green mane, which bring forward her sapphire eyes. Her cutie mark depicted a lavender hibiscus flower, suggesting her talent lies in floral activities.
Shiny sighed before responding. "Yeah, are you gonna tell everypony now? Why don't you tell them we went shopping together as well? Look, he's my best friend and nothing more."
"Not gonna tell anypony anything. I was just curious. Aaand you're the new guy, right?"
"Yeah... name's Shiny Rock, pleased to meet you. Thanks for that." He takes her hoof and gives it a firm shake, smiling.
"Of course! Even if I told someone, you'd know who to tell on. Anyway, pleased to meet you too. My name is Sweet Scent."
As Night Light and Shiny Rock walked back, Sweet Scent had joined them to the park before parting ways with them until the next time they met. As they reached the park, night was already falling.
Shiny never did like winter evenings, as they always grew dark very rapidly. Though now he's accompanied by a friend, it shouldn't be so bad now. But for some peculiar reason, Shiny grew more and more anxious the more time he spent around Night Light. It's really starting to creep him out.
They eventually reach the park, Luna's moon shining over them, engulfing the night with it being the only source of luminescence, save the lanterns.
"My place is a little ways away from here, but I'll get there, no worries, I'll live." Shiny said, giving a little smile, turning to exit the shielding cover of the umbrella.
"Wait!" Night Light cried out, forcing Shiny to turn around and face him. "You'll get a horrible cold and my place is closer nearby, I urge you to stay the night tonight."
"Nighty... you don't have to do that." Shiny said softly, his eyes watery even though the rest of his face is perfectly dry from staying under the umbrella. "I can find my way back home."
"Shiny, you are the greatest friend I've ever had. I would be honoured if you could stay the night." Night insisted.
Ah. So it's really just a friendly manner. I guess if he's so desperate about that offer, I'd might as well take it. Here goes...
"Alright. I'll stay the night at your place." he says, giving in. "Got any good films?"
"Erm... I guess I've got "Repo! The Genetic Opera", if you're interested..." the blue colt responded.
Night Light was an avid fan of operas, this film being in his favourites list, due to the industrial punk-rock music and the post-apocalyptic setting. It kind of reminded him of Fallout, if it was taken over by gothics. He wondered if Shiny would maybe like it. Judging by the books he's bought, most of which are historical books and fantasy novels, he wouldn't be afraid of the unusual. He couldn't wait to see what he thought of it.
"Sounds nice enough. Sure, we could watch that." Shiny decided, shivering a bit. "But first, let's get there, I am freezing. How can you stand this cold?"
"I guess I've had colder nights. It really isn't a big deal." He stared at Shiny Rock with hopeful eyes. That's when Shiny started to really get lost deep in his eyes. They're of golden colour, a shade that could outshine the goldmines of Appleloosa, a glow so brilliant, even diamonds couldn't...
What is WRONG with me?! He's my best friend! I shouldn't be thinking about him this way! He's probably straight anyway, considering how he stands on the rumours about us, so he'd reject me right away!
They finally get to walking to Night Light's house, which proved easier than expected. Night Light walks this route day and night, literally, so he'd know where to go.
As they arrive, Night Light took the maneband from his head, tossing it onto the living room's coffee table.
Now Shiny understood why Night Light wore that maneband. Up front, it would look like his mane is short. But with his mane down, he looks like a lady. Well, that's not to say he didn't already look like a lady, what with those big eyes, the smaller snout, that curvy flank...
I hate you, hormones. I really bucking hate you.
As Shiny settled himself for the night, hanging the coat back on the hanger and sitting himself down on the couch, Night was already preparing the film, making popcorn and laying out the sheets so he could sleep later on. Of course Night was not going to have his guest sleep on the couch, that would have been just inconsiderate. He'd rather have him sleep in his bed. It was built for two, but... it'd be the most awkward thing imaginable... to him, at least...
As the film started, Night had seated himself next to his new friend on the couch, who appeared to be shivering.
"Hey, uh... are ye freezing?" he asked in a concerned tone.
"Just a bit, yeah," Shiny responded, "Got an extra blanket?"
"Sorry, all the other blankets are in the bedroom, you'll have to make due with this until you're going to bed..." Suddenly, an idea came into Night Light's head. It would take guts. Copious amounts of guts. He sighed.
Shiny could feel a hoof wrapping itself around his shoulder, pulling him closer to his friend, warming him this way.
"I hope you're fine with this..." Night Light asked. He was stuttering ever so slightly, as if he was nervous about something.
For some odd reason, Shiny was more than just fine with it. Not only did his shivering come to a halt, he felt all the more relaxed now, more than he ever had before. He wasn't even paying attention to the film, he was trying to figure out why he was acting so strangely around this guy.
After the film ended, Shiny Rock finds that Night Light had fallen asleep during the viewing. Knowing he's not strong enough to carry him, he instead moves to the bedroom, where he also finally goes to sleep.
The next morning
A scent rose into Shiny's nose as he woke up, still somewhat in a morning haze and for some reason, tucked under the blankets. Shiny wasn't a steady sleeper, he usually knocks the blanket off of half his body in the morning.
Somepony's cooking up eggs for breakfast.
As he walked out of the bedroom, the scent had become stronger, more pleasant.
"Sky? Is that you?" he asked in his confusion.
"Nope," Night Light answered, "it's just me. Good mornin', how'd you sleep?"
"Oh, I slept well, actually. That smells delicious." he remarked, slowly waking up.
"Want a coffee?" Night Light suggested, flipping the eggs onto the plates.
"Not really. Tea'd be better... hey Nighty? Why don't you cut your hair?"
Night Light took a second to sigh and recollect his thoughts. "It's a pride thing. I may have moved from my previous home, but that doesn't mean I can't be proud of the way the stallions wear their manes."
Shiny concludes the conversation with a simple "Ah."
After they had both eaten breakfast and packed their bags, they were ready to head off to school. Today's friday, so they can sit back over the weekend. At least, until monday arrives.
As Shiny was about to walk out the door, Nighty holds him back.
"Wait..." he said, "I..." His face was going red beyond belief, Shiny took a while before he caught on.
No... you're kidding me... you are honest to Celestia kidding me...
"I... I wish you luck for today." he finally uttered.
Shiny sighed in slight disappointment. Why did he get his hopes up? What was even the point?
"Oh, and... Shiny?" Night Light started again.
"Yeah?" he responded.
Before Shiny could even fathom what was going on, Night Light had locked his friend and himself into a tight hug, tears running down his face.
"I can't bear to hold it in anymore..."
"H-hold what in?" Shiny asked in bewilderment.
As if in answer, Night's grip loosened as he uttered three words that Shiny would have never thought to hear from this pony.
His best friend, whom he had just met up until recently, had confessed his love to him. This was too much for him to handle, he couldn't take news of this magnitude just yet.
He seperated himself from his friend and walked out the door, a blank expression on his face. "Shiny, where are you-?" a confused Night Light started, before the door shut.
He waited until he was in the school's street when his face scrunched up and he cried to himself.
You. Are. An. IDIOT!!! There you were, locked in a hug with a stallion you know you have feelings for and you just blew him off like it was no big deal?! Just what kind of jerk are you?! You know this is different from Sky High, this is a chemistry you two have been sharing since you've met. You better apologize during lunch break, Shiny Rock! Not just for your sanity, but for his.
Shiny's mind scolded him. He knew he should have answered likewise when the confession happened.
His train of thought was interrupted by Sweet Scent at his side.
"What's the matter?" she asked, slightly worried.
Shiny stayed silent. He couldn't bear telling her any of this. But he had to. Who else would he talk to?
"Listen..." he begun. "I know this might sound odd, but have you heard the rumours?"
"Yeah... what about 'em?"
"Well... this morning... Nighty confessed his love to me..."
Sweet Scent was speechless. She simply stood in front of her new friend, mouth agape.
"Do not tell anypony, I beg of you..." he pleaded.
Shiny didn't wait for an answer, instead, he ran the rest of the way to school.
Oh geez. What am I going to do?
There really was only one answer, but that would mean getting bullied. He wouldn't want that for either of them.
Classes went by in a flash. Inbetween trying to pay attention, Shiny caught sight of Nighty staring down at his blank sheet of paper, not moving until breaks. As recess began and they went to the cafeteria to eat, Shiny heard thudding noises from the colt's bathroom on the ground floor, followed by grunts. As he went to inspect what was going on, two stallion pegasi in his year had exited the facilities. They were rather muscular, easily could've been hoofball players.
He let them pass by, faking a smile and went inside, hearing somebody puke horrendously.
"Hello?" he shouted in question, trying to get an answer. The puking stopped. That's a start.
"Um... are you okay? My name's Shiny Rock, I'm here to help-" Just in that second, the door of one of the stalls had opened. It was Night Light, he was covered in bruises. Upon looking at Shiny, he seemed to smile weakly.
"Hey..." he said with a raspy voice. "Sorry about what happened this morning."
Shiny shook his head. This wasn't the time or place for it. He had to report this. The school headmaster had to be notified immediately!
"Who did this to you? Do you know their names?" he asked in panic.
"Shiny, le' it be. It's been happening for quite a while now, nothing I can do about it. School can't afford to lose more than ten ponies or else its rates would sink to astonishing lows. I'll just have to hold out. It's how it is until the year's over."
Shiny started to tear up.
"YOU CAN NOT HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT!!! YOU CAN NOT BE THIS SHALLOW!!! YOU'VE GOTTA FIGHT LIKE A STALLION, BRING THOSE GUYS TO JUSTICE! Don't be there punching bags, for Celestia's sake, you- You're BLEEDING!" he shouted, pointing at the side of Night's head.
"Have been bleeding," Night Light corrected. "really, it's nothing. I can get it patched up, quick."
Shiny sighed. This colt is as stubborn as a mule!
He grabbed Night by the hoof and looked him dead in the eyes.
"Listen..." he started, "I don't know why you're so crazy as to not tell anypony about what happened. Now either you go to the principle's office now, or I'll go to there myself and tell them everything. I just hope you know those guys' names."
Night Light trembled a bit. "Th-thanks..." he said, his smile growing a little.
Shiny was crying at this point. "Y-y-you're an... id-idiot..."
"I know..." Night responded.
Looking each other in the eyes, Shiny eventually chuckled softly.
"Your eyes are beautiful, Nighty..."
"So are yours, Shiny. I could lose myself in them."
Realizing what he said, Shiny's eyes widen as he trots out to eat lunch. At least, he's telling himself that.
BuckbuckbuckbuckbuckbuckBUCK!!! Did I just seriously say that? ... Yes I did... and I should have stayed with him. This is the second time in one day! Why am I such a smeghead? I should stop running away from him, giving him false hope... instead I'm going to go eat make-believe lunch. I wonder what his lips feel like, pressed against mine... the sweet embrace of his hooves, the feeling of security whenever we're with each other... I'm not ashamed to admit it to myself that I love him, but... I just can't confess like he did...
Shiny stared at his lunch he had totally forgotten that he had even ordered lunch for today, and yet, here he is, staring down a bowl of soup.
I should see him in the park today...
A cheerleading pony sat down with him, dressed in uniform.
"Hey, name's Tumble Dance. So, why's a stud like you together with a freak like Night Light?"
"Name's Shiny Rock. Not a stud. Not a couple. Just pals. He showed me around yesterday, really nice of him."
"But he IS a freak, though."
"He's... different... listen, I gotta go..."
Tumble Dance shoots a suspecting look.
"Where?" she asked.
"Class. I'd rather be early than late..."
He trots away, leaving his food and a nosy cheerleader sitting at the table. He could not wait until he got home.
As he looked outside, he noticed it started snowing.
Fancy-bucking-that. I find winters irritating, what with the constantly changing weather and all that jazz...
He stopped in front of the window, continuing to look outside. His expression goes calm, eyes closing halfway.
A knocking sound came from the entrance area. Somepony wanted to see him. Walking towards the door, he heard someone crying outside.
His pace picked up, now rushing, trying to help that someone out.
As he opened the door, he saw Shiny, looking at the ground, shivering in the cold, wet night that had befallen this city tonight. He kicked his hoof, looked upwards to look directly at Night Light, who was puzzled to see him here, trying to figure out what's happening.
"I, uh... see you're doing better." Shiny finally said, giving a sigh of relief.
"I saw the nurse's like you told me to. She fixed me up rather nicely." Night responded.
"Please," he added "come inside, you'll freeze half to death, and I don't want you doing that."
Shiny gave a chuckle. "It would be irresponsible, I guess. Thanks..."
He came in, looking about. The room was a little more darkly lit than last time. In fact, it looked like he was being expected.
He took a few deep breaths before sitting on the deep purple couch. This is the moment he'd practiced at home before coming here. This is it.
"Nighty... come sit... we need to talk..."
Before Night Light joined his side, he closed the door, remarking "Geez, you sound like my father... don't do that..."
Shiny chuckled again. "Sorry."
"Why are you here?" Night asked directly.
"Well, it's about this morning... see... I might have caused a misunderstanding."
"Go on..." Night insisted.
"Well... I... I don't know... it's just... from the moment I laid my eyes on you, I just... my heart skipped a few beats..."
Shiny's face went red. He could not remember ever having blushed this much in his life. Not a single embarrassing moment, no paintball fight could ever make his face this bright red. It almost seemed to glow. He looked downwards, avoided eye contact. He couldn't believe he finally did it. Well, not exactly. There's one more thing left to say.
"Night Light... I love you..."
Suddenly a hoof turned his head to face towards Night, who's looking him deep in the eyes, smiling, almost crying. It was clear that Night had been waiting for the past two days to hear those words, and Shiny felt like a right jerk for delaying it.
A swift motion, a quick forward-jerk of the head and their lips met.
A long, passionate, inexperienced kiss that overwhelmed Shiny with raw ecstasy. He closed his eyes, enjoying this broken barrier between the two.
Their kiss becomes a series of repeated, short kisses as Night Light's hooves reach past Shiny's head, entwining behind it, while lowering himself on the couch. A few moans escape Night, no doubt encouraging Shiny to keep going, when suddenly, he could feel a tongue brush up against the walls of his mouth. Also moaning, he plays with his new lover's tongue using his own. The feelings washing over the both of them are overwhelming, as they give each other a final, firm kiss before breaking apart, staring into each other's eyes adoringly. After a quick muzzle nuzzle, Shiny decided to pop a question.
"Say... how big did you say your bed was, again?"
Night Light's face went numb. His eyes as wide as they could possibly go, his mouth almost glued shut. He could swear that question knocked the air out of his lungs.
"Shiny... a-are you saying...?"
"Yes, Nighty."
"B-but... I'm not sure... I mean, I'm not ready. Can... can we cuddle some more first, before heading to the bedroom for anything?"
Shiny nodded in response and lowered himself again, hugging Night tightly, breathing slowly.
About ten minutes of cuddling later, he could tell his coltfriend was about to fall asleep. Out of the blue, he started nibbling Night's left ear, receiving a long moan in response.
"Sh-Shinyyyy~" he groaned, opening his eyes, face flushed red.
The white earth pony couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, it appears you like what I'm doing?" he asked coyly, giving a smirk. Before Night could answer, Shiny started grinding his hooves against Night's flank, kneading his cheeks whilst slowly making his way down, licking at his neck.
"D-d-d-don't... I... nnng... I d-don't know if I-"
The blue colt's objection was interrupted by a deep kiss. Night could feel Shiny's hoof making its way around his hips, past his thighs and right onto his...
"W-wait!" He jolted back, sweating, panting a little.
"A-am I being too straight forward, Nighty?" Shiny asked uncertainly.
The answer came like shot from a flintlock.
"Not here. Bedroom. Now!"
Night didn't even attempt to compress his heavy Bronsdaelan accent since they got closer, there was no need to. If he had built up the courage to confess to Shiny before he would have been ready to, he had no shame in letting loose around him.
Shiny chuckled warmly. He wished Night would keep talking like this. It made his voice more mature. More unique. More sexy.
He got off of his new lover and sat up on the couch, gesturing him to lead them to the bedroom.
"Listen..." Night Light begun, "I've never done this. I can't do anal, I can't do rimmings or anything of the kinky sort. So if that's what you were expecting... I'm sorry. I can't. I'm not ready."
Shiny understood. This was all a bit sudden for the little guy. At least, he assumed he was a little guy. He certainly looked younger than Shiny, also being a smaller colt than him. Really, he was surprised Night agreed to them doing the wild thing.
Night Light stood up, walking towards the bedroom, shivering.
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.
Shiny got up, his eyes a limbering mess of tears and swollen skin. "I can't believe somepony would do that."
"Well," Nighty chimed in, "it's not like my father hated me, heck, they never disowned me or somethin'. I just needed to go. My father's the more modern type, you see, he totally gets why somethin' would be, much different from most ponies back in Bronsdale. In fact, I don't even think it was mum's looks that landed her as dad's wife, more likely her strong personality, because BOY LET ME TELL YOU she's got quite a fiery one." He started laughing. "This one time-"
A knocking sound. No normal knocking sound. Knocking at a panicked state. Right at the front door.
Night Light rushed over to his home's door and opened it, simply smiling in spite of his worries, just to be polite. Sweet Scent was standing at the doorway, panting a bit.
"You okay, Sweet?" he asked. His answer was less than decipherable.
Night shook his head and turned to Shiny, who had an equally puzzled expression. Turning back to Sweet Scent, he gestured her to slow down and said "What?" to which she simply replied "Jocks. Coming. HERE."
Night's pupil's shrank to about a fragment of their original size.
Sweet Scent mouthed a quick "Sorry." and dashed off to safety, leaving them bereft of any ideas what to do.
Five minutes later, another knocking on the door occured. Thinking it's mighty polite of them to give a knock, he opened the door and gave a weak smile before being quickly, forcefully shoved aside.
"Here's fag number one, where's fag number two?" the big stallion known as Field Goal chortled as he came into the living room, where Shiny was seated, trying to remain calm.
"Wh-what's up, m-m-man?" he said shakingly, a fake smile planted right on his face.
"Rumour has it you're banging Night Light, or that you're the one getting banged. Either way, I'm here to settle the score and show you what's right."
Shiny's mind raced as he 'non-chalantly' got up and sauntered over to the jock. "Yeah, I heard, so I wanted to make sure he understands that that's not what's happening. You see those bruises? I did that. The fucker was trying to get on to me but I got him good!"
"Is that so?" Field replied, stumped to this new information given to him.
You're a sick bastard, Shiny. A sick, sick bastard. You'll have to explain to Nighty that you didn't mean it later on when these guys leave.
"Hit him again. We'd love to see." the big pony behind Field Goal suggested as they both nodded.
Shiny laughed nervously, slowly getting better and better at appearing like one of them as he made a 'nah' movement with a hoof.
"I think he's not worth our time, I'd rather go do something else, am I right?" he joked.
Wow, I'm really getting into this! I could pull this off for sure! he thought, smirking.
"I guess you're right," Field Goal responded, shrugging. They walked towards the exit, all laughing, Shiny at their side, waiting until they leave. As Night Light touched Shiny's hindhoof, he realised that he had gotten a little too much into it.
Shiny quickly brought a hoof forward and punched him right in the muzzle, yelling "Don't touch me!" at him.
A few seconds passed until Shiny realised what exactly he did, his eyes widening in horror.
He'd say that what he did hurt more than Night Light, but he knew very well that the meek blue stallion was shattered on the inside, only more emphasized by his bleeding muzzle and blankly staring eyes.
Reaching a hoof to his muzzle, he looked at the blood, processing what was happening, like the impossible had just occured.
Waiting until the jocks had left, Shiny rushed over to Night Light, only to find him cowering away from him as fast as he can.
"Why..." Nighty stifled, dazed and confused. "Why must you be this sadistic...? You play with my heart like I was just some cheap little game, I pour my deepest thoughts out to you, I tell you things I wouldn't tell anypony else, I said that I LOVED YOU... and in the end... it turns out..." he started crying. "That you're ALL THE FUCKIN' SAME!!"
Shiny's eyes, that had just calmed down from the previous set of tears, started acting up again. "Nighty, no, you misunderstand! It was a mistake!"
"It was a bloody mistake trustin' you!" Night yelled at him. "Get. Out. Of. My. House..."
"No, please! I-"
Night Light finally got up from his cowered state and pointed at the door, pure fury overtaking his gaze. "OUT!!!"
His eyes... his golden-hazelbrown eyes... they look at me like I'm some kind of monster... and I am... I was all he could hang on to. I was all he could trust in. But I blew it. He probably thinks this was some big setup to humiliate him, like I'm gonna tell everypony about his darkest secrets... and I don't blame him... The way he's staring at me... he's lost all hope. It's best I go...
Shiny hung his head down way low, heading for the exit, his guilt reaching orbital levels, however, he knew that it would be best not to make this situation worse.
Leaving Nighty's home, he looked back, sighing deeply.
He walked to school, wearing a fake smile, trying to look like nothing's ever happened. The truth could not have been any farther off.
I lost Nighty... I lost my beloved coltfriend. I was an idiot. I was a monster. He saw the jocks standing by the lockers sharing a few laughs. How I hate them. They can all go to hell and smolder for all I care. One of them gestures to him.
"Hey Shiny!", the broad-shouldered stallion called, "Nice kick!"
Shiny simply pulled a grin, accompanied by an awkward chuckle, which made his demeanour seem sarcastic at best. Somehow though, the hayheads didn't seem to notice.
Good.
Slowing his pace, he found Night Light entering the lavatories, head hung low. It looked like he had been on the verge of crying for some time now. Not that he hadn't a reason not to, he was in a perfectly fine position to, if anything. Shiny followed him, trying to look nonchalant as he too entered the stallion's bathroom, where Night Light washes his face, not noticing Shiny entering and looking at him over the big mirror along the wall above the four horizontally aligned sinks.
He took a deep breath before starting to talk.
"Nighty...", he started as the blue stallion immediately flinched, covering his face with wet hooves as he stumbles clumsily with his back against the wall.
"Listen...", Shiny continued, intent on getting this done as soon as possible. "I... I'm really sorry..." He kicks a hoof to the floor beneath him as he looks away from Night Light, whose face, from what he could see, was in a mess. His eyes were bloodshot from excessive crying and the bangs of his mane slightly discheveled. As Night Light covered his face, however, something else caught Shiny Rock's attention. Night Light's hooves had been freshly cut multiple times. Far as Shiny knew, he was the last to leave yesterday, indicating that those cuts were made by Night himself.
Shiny's face cringed at the sight, tears formed in his eyes in which the iris shrunk dramatically, his jaw slacked open in an act of sheer terror at what he had seen before him, as he could not believe what he was seeing.
"Tell me you didn't...", he started, feeliing sick to his stomach. "Please tell me you didn't..."
Night Light turned around and kicked the white earth stallion right in the chest with a powerfully anchored hindhoof. Shiny fell to the ground, confused as he held his chest in pain.
"HURTS, DOESN'T IT?!", Night Light screamed at him.
"FUCKING HURTS!! I GAVE YOU MY LOVE, MY LIFE BUT YOU WERE JUST PLAYING GAMES WITH ME!! WHAT MORE COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT?!"
Shiny nodded his head in understanding, sobbing a bit. His chest reddened a bit from the sudden impact it had made with Night Light's hindhoof kick. He looked up at the blue stallion in pity, knowing full well that what he had done was akin to what a heartless freak would do to harm specifically those close to him. It drove Shiny mad that he had caused those scars on Night Light's wrists. He knew that he had officially shattered what was left of the stallion's hope. He knew he'd have to rebuild it somehow, but how he would perform such a feat was way beyond his reason to understand, since right now, all he could see was a broken individual, and that individual was not just mad at him, but completely, no doubt about it, absolutely pissed at him.
"Night Light...", he started, "I want you to know, that what I did was completely out of the blue, even for me. I don't know why I suddenly kicked you, but I assume it was because I was so caught up in the moment in trying to act like I was 'one of them' that I completely forgot who was my friend and who wasn't. I really don't want to hurt you, and just to make it up to you, you can punch and kick me as many times as you like before class starts..."
Night looked at Shiny Rock, conflicted on whether or not he should take him up on that offer, as his eyes make that expression perfectly visible to the pony on the floor.
"I'm not gonna do that...", Night finally answered after what seemed like an eternity of silence. "This relationship we had... we have to put that on hold. I can see it in your face that you didn't mean to do that, but fuck if you didn't seem like it when you did it, so I'm gonna forgive you for now... perhaps... we should remain friends... at least until we know exactly what we're feeling for each other... because as of now, I'm really confused. I think I may never recover should you pull a dumb, and might I add, completely soul-shattering stunt like that. Do you have any idea how I felt when you kicked my face yesterday?"
"H-how...?", was all Shiny could muster.
Night Light brought a hoof to his forehead as he looked to the ground, sighing.
"Betrayed... I felt betrayed... and in case the point is not driven right into your skull and through the other side for good measure, feeling betrayed by the pony you thought you loved more than anything you could ever love in the entire Celestia damned world is quite possibly the worst experience anyone would ever have to make."
"Nighty...", Shiny tried to word in in an attempt to explain himself further, knowing full well that it was pointless anyhow he would do it, since he pretty much stated everything he needed to say in his explanation before.
"Let's get the fuck to class.", Night Light cut him off.
