Just keep calm and you'll be fine...
Ruby Song’s P.O.V
Okay, nothing happened last night. After your singing performance at the bar, you simply had a few drinks, spent an hour or so dancing with a few of the other ponies who also attended, before heading home. There’s probably a perfect explanation to why you’re sandwiched between two stallions whom you’ve never met before in my own bedroom.
…
Alright Ruby, calm down. Your room is still tidy, just like you left it. The only pain in your body is a slightly annoying headache caused by a hangover from all the alcohol last night. Neither of them smells of alcohol, but a sweet scent of pineapples, probably from their soap, shampoo or conditioner.
Their manes seem to be neatly combed as well and their coats are pretty well maintained as well. I thought for myself and once again tried to wiggle my way out of the two stallions forehooves, without any success.
I let out an annoyed sigh, buried my muzzle into one of the stallions mane and closed my eyes. Alright, just take it easy. You don’t have a spare bedroom and it’s next to impossible to sleep on the couch, therefore it’s perfectly reasonable for them to sleep in the only bed in the apartment. They simply rolled into a more comfortable position whilst being asleep and there’s nothing weird about that. I thought and groaned into the white mane, which was surprisingly soft.
Well, I guess it could be worse, at least I’m in my own apartment. I thought for myself with a sigh. I wonder what kind of soap he uses, it smells really nice... I thought and slowly inhaled a refreshing scent that reminded me of roses. A bit odd for a stallion, but at least it smelled nice.
I stayed like that for another ten minutes or so, and then the stallion behind me finally decided to wake up.
“Hey Cloud, what time is it?’’ A soft voice spoke behind me and I felt the stallion behind me gently nuzzle my neck.
The stallion that had his muzzle buried in my chest groaned tiredly. “I don’t know, why do you even care? It’s Sunday.’’ Cloud replied and tightened the embrace as he nuzzled deeper into my chest.
The stallion behind me sighed. “Well, I’m trying to get up in time anyways, so I don’t have to shuffle my way to work every Monday,’’ he replied, then stayed silent for a moment. “Besides, Ruby here might have work today, did you ever consider that?’’
Aaaand they know my name. Buck. I thought and hoped that they’d think I were still asleep.
I felt Cloud loosen his grip around me slightly. “Hey Ruby, do you have to go to work today?’’ Cloud asked softly.
Okay, just pretend to be asleep and they might leave you alone and you can forget that this never happened. I thought and did my best to maintain slow and gentle breaths.
Cloud sighed. “No, she’s still asleep,’’ he said with a lower tone than before. “Hey Bolt, why don’t you go ahead and see if you can’t make some breakfast or something?’’ he asked after a moment of silence.
“Really? Don’t you think we’re overestimating her hospitality right now?’’ Bolt asked. “Besides, you woke up first.’’
“Well, we did get her out of a tricky situation with those other stallions, Celestia knows what would’ve happened if we left her alone with them,’’ Cloud said, nuzzling into my chest me once again and sighed. “Besides, it’s your turn to make breakfast, so do something useful for once.’’ he murmured and tightened his grip around me.
“Alright alright, a cup of coffee and a peanut butter sandwich, right?’’ Bolt asked with a light yawn and I felt a change of weight in the mattress and the warmth against my back disappear as the stallion behind me, most likely, sat up in the bed.
“Yeah, though cook up some water for me instead will you? I’d prefer to have a cup of tea this morning.’’ Cloud mumbled into my chest.
“Got it, I’ll call when breakfast is ready.’’ Bolt informed and I felt another change of weight in the bed as Bolt jumped down on the floor before he started walking towards my kitchen.
Okay Ruby, just keep breathing slowly. They still think that you’re asleep, so after they’ve had their breakfast they’ll simply leave you alone. Just ignore the fact that your heart is racing like crazy and keep calm. I thought as I continued with my slow and gentle breaths, doing my best to remain as relaxed as possible.
“Ruby, you do know that I know that you’re awake, right?’’ Cloud’s voice asked, barely louder than a whisper.
Buck me. Alright, just keep calm Ruby, he’s just testing if you can hear him, just keep pretending to be asleep and he’ll leave you alone eventually. I thought and did my best to maintain my relatively slow breathing.
I felt the grip around me loosen up ever so slightly and a muzzle being pressed against mine. “You know, sleeping ponies heartbeats are usually a lot slower,’’ Cloud’s voice whispered softly and I felt a soft pair of lips being pressed against my nose, making my cheeks heat up lightly. “And I doubt that they blush, too.’’ the same voice whispered with a hint of amusement.
I cracked my left eye open, finding a quite young stallion with a long white mane and hot-pink coat lying in front of me with an amused smile on his muzzle. “Was it really that obvious?’’ I asked hesitantly.
Cloud chuckled. “Yeah, it was,’’ he smiled gently. “So, do you want me to get you some water? You had quite a few drinks last night.’’ he asked and moved up a little bit, now lying eye to eye with me.
Well, I guess some water couldn’t hurt. I thought and sighed. “Y-yeah, I g-guess I wouldn’t mind a glass of water.’’ I replied and lowered my gaze slightly.
“Hey Bolt!’’ Cloud called out, making e flinch slightly in surprise. “Get the mare a glass of water will you?’’
I bit my bottom lip. Alright, I just had two stallions in my bed. Both of them possibly have been in my bed during the entire night and one of them kissed me on my nose. You’ve never shared bed with anypony before.
They on the other hoof seem to be quite used to this, therefore their actions are most likely completely normal in these kinds of situations. I thought and took a deep breath to calm me nerves. “S-so, you said that I got really drunk last night?’’ I asked, doing my best to sound as calm as possible.
Cloud chuckled lightly. “Well, you didn’t have many drinks, as far as I know. But I doubt that it was regular cider that those four stallions gave you,’’ he replied with a light shrug. “Fortunately for you, they didn’t succeed in whatever they were planning.’’ he added a moment later with a gentle smile.
I felt my heart skip a beat. “Oh,’’ I said and bit my bottom lip. “Well, thank you for helping me then.’’ I said and offered the stallion a small smile.
“Hey, don’t mention it,’’ Cloud said and smiled back, then turned his head towards the door. “Hey Bolt! Where’s that water I asked for?’’ he called out.
“On the way! Just give me a moment here, alright?’’ Bolt called back with a hint of annoyance in his tone, and a few moments later he came into the room with a glass of water levitating right by him. He was about average height, a short-cut night-blue mane and tail with two white stripes going through it, and a silver-grey coat, which made his amethyst-like eyes stand out even more.
Bolt sighed. “So, I take it as our little Ruby here is awake now?’’ he asked and smiled tiredly, then levitated the glass of water towards me.
I leaned back ever so slightly and sat up in the bed, then took the glass between my hooves and took a small sip from it.
“Yeah, I think she’s been awake for quite a while, too,’’ Cloud replied from his spot in the bed. “Isn’t that right Ruby?’’
I glanced between the two stallions in my room, doing my best to remain as calm as possible. “Yes, I did.’’ I replied and drank what was left in the glass, hoping that my blush wasn’t noticeable through my crimson-red coat.
“Well, since we’re all gathered here now, maybe it’s time for a little introduction,’’ Cloud said and sat up in the bed. “I’m Steel Cloud, unemployed for the moment and this fine colt over there,’’ he pointed at Bolt. “Is my coltfriend,’’ he continued, smiling. “I am as you can see, a pegasus,’’ he flexed out his wings, then tucked them in again. “Alright, your turn Bolt.’’
Bolt rolled his eyes. “Well, I’m Bolt, Straight Bolt to be precise,’’ he started and chuckled lightly. “Just the average unicorn I guess, works at a construction site,’’ he shrugged. “Alright Ruby, you’re next.’’
I drank what was left of the water in one gulp. “Well... I’m Ruby Song,’’ I started and nervously scratched the back of my head. “I don’t have a horn, or wings. I earn my living by singing at different bars and parties when I get the chance, I’m single and I try to make enough bits to move into a better apartment. Otherwise I’m not sure what to say, really.’’ I told and placed the empty glass on the nightstand by the bed.
“We-well, it’s nice to meet you, Ruby,’’ Bolt smiled a bit nervously and held out his right forehoof towards me, which I shook gently. “Now, I just made some breakfast for the three of us, and the coffee will probably get cold soon if we don’t drink it soon.’’ he informed.
“Alright, sounds good to me,’’ Cloud sand and stepped out of the bed and walked over to the door. “You coming Ruby?’’ he asked with a gentle smile.
“Y-yeah, I’m coming.’’ I conformed and followed the two stallions towards the kitchen. Alright, they’ll most likely leave after breakfast. They only wanted to make sure that you made it home, and it was too late for them to head back home. Just keep yourself together for one hour and you’ll be fine. I thought as I entered the kitchen.
The kitchen was a square room, a few cabinets and drawers by the kitchen-range to the right, a square table with three chairs by the wooden-wall on the other side of the room with a rectangular window and a door that lead to the hall to the left.
“Alright everypony, have a seat.’’ Bolt said and sat down in the chair on the left side of the table, while Cloud sat down on the right.
I sat down in the remaining chair, awkwardly glancing between the two stallions. “So… last night when you guys took me home, how drunk was I?’’ I asked hesitantly and smiled nervously.
Cloud chuckled lightly. “Well, after trying to make out with Bolt over there,’’ Cloud started and pointed at his coltfriend. “You threw up in the toilet for about ten minutes. After Bolt cast a spell on you that would improve your breath, you had gotten quite sleepy and demanded that I’d have to be your stuffed animal while Bolt would be your professional back-warmer.’’ he continued and took a sip from the cup of tea in front of him.
“After calling me Mr.Snuggles a number of times and crushing me in your embrace, you eventually fell asleep. And since it was too late for either me or Bolt to head home, we decided to stay the night.’’ he finished and smiled towards me.
At this point my ears lay flat on top of my head and I blushed noticeably. “I… I’m sorry, just…’’ I trailed off. Stupid alcohol, you finally manage to meet two decent stallions and you just had to embarrass yourself right away. I thought and bit my bottom lip.
“Hey, it’s alright,’’ Cloud chuckled lightly. “Besides, I think Bolt didn’t mind too much, right Bolt?’’ he smiled.
Bolt sighed. “No, I didn't.’’ he admitted and took a bite of his sandwich.
“Oh c’mon Bolt! I saw that happy smile on your muzzle!’’ Cloud exclaimed. “You really thought I couldn’t see it just because you had your muzzle buried in her mane?’’ he asked and raised an eyebrow.
I glanced over at Bolt, who was blushing furiously.
Bolt carefully placed his cup on the table. “Cloud, did you really have to say that in front of her?’’ he asked and looked towards his coltfriend.
Cloud smiled widely. “Oh c’mon Bolt! If I’d just sit idly and watch, you’d never even say a word to her!’’ he exclaimed and threw his hooves out.
Wait, he actually… likes me? I thought and gave the two stallions a confused look, still blushing faintly.
“Hey, I was actually going to talk to her after her performance. It’s not my fault that I couldn’t get there.’’ Bolt explained and lowered his gaze in attempt to hide the blush on his silver-grey coat.
“Isn’t that exactly what you said after her last two performances too?’’ Cloud asked with an amused smile. “And in case you haven’t noticed, she’s sitting right next to you.’’ he pointed out and turned his head towards me.
Last two performances? What’s he talking about?
Bolt groaned and rubbed his temples. “Really Cloud? Do you have to make every meeting with somepony I like awkward?’’ he asked and looked up at the stallion on the opposite side of the table.
Cloud shrugged. “Well, otherwise you’d just keep on going to her performances and never make a single move. I’m just giving you a little push here.’’ he smiled and took a sip from his cup.
“Can you two please explain what’s going on?’’ I asked quietly, causing the two stallions to turn their gazes towards me. “Please?’’
“Well, to keep it short. My coltfriend Straight Bolt over there,’’ Cloud started and pointed at Bolt. “Have had a crush on you for, two months now? I think.’’ he said thoughtfully. “Anyways, he’s been trying to make a move for about a month or two, but always chickened out the last second.
Last night though, after seeing how those four stallions treated you, he finally managed to gain enough courage to chase them off, implying that you were his marefriend mainly to make them go away. After that you tried to make out with your new coltfriend.
But being the gentlecolt he is, he carefully explained that you were affected by alcohol and had to get home. After getting you home, you ran straight to the toilet and threw up, and I think you know the rest from there.’’ he finished and smiled widely towards me and Bolt.
I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came. I simply lowered my gaze and slowly brought the cup of coffee to my mouth and took a sip of the hot beverage. I sighed. “If… if you’re together, then why are the two of you even here?’’ I finally asked after a moment of silence and looked up.
“Yeah, about that,’’ Cloud said and scratched the back of his head with a forehoof. “Well, is there any chance that you’ve heard of polyamory? he asked hesitantly and leaned forward somewhat.
I shook my head. “No, no I haven’t.’’ I replied and took another sip of my coffee. Celestia this coffee is good.
Cloud nodded slowly. “Okay, I’ll try to explain it as good as possible, just give me a moment,’’ he said and tapped his chin with his forehoof. “Some ponies, like me, are happy and content with just having one to call their special somepony in their life,’’ he started and leaned back in the chair.
“Though, some ponies, like Bolt would prefer to have more than one pony to call his special somepony. This doesn’t mean that he’d be cheating because of this, or that he’d require it in a relationship. But it would make him a bit happier if he’d be able to be in a relationship with more than one pony at once,’’ he explained and took a sip from his cup.
“So, what I assume Bolt have been trying to ask, is if you’d be interested to go out on a date with the both of us.’’
Wait, after being single for the majority of my life with nopony there to show any interest what-so-ever, two decent looking stallions, which are dating each other, asks me out? Am I dreaming or something right now? I thought and did my best to hide my shock as an awkward silence spread across the room.
I looked down at my cup, trying to process all of the events of the morning. The wakeup, despite being a bit painful due to a hangover, awkward and somewhat stressful, had been one of the best wakeups I’ve had in months, maybe even years.
Bolt sighed. “Well, I guess you’ve made your decision already,’’ he said with a sad tone, breaking the silence. “Come on Cloud, let’s go before this gets any more embarrassing.’’ he said, jumped down from the chair and started walking towards the hall, soon followed by a slightly dejected looking stallion.
I bit my bottom lip. Celestia please don’t make me regret this. “Wait!’’
Bolt stopped immediately and looked back at me. “Yes?’’ he asked with a small glimmer of hope in his amethyst eyes.
“Are you sure you have to leave?’’ I asked and smiled awkwardly towards the two stallions. “I do have a few board-games, I could bring some to the living-room if you want.’’
Bolt smiled. “Yes, that sounds great,’’ he said with a gentle tone and turned around. “So, why don’t you just go and get your board-games while Cloud and I take care of the dishes?’’ he offered with a warm smile.
“Y-yeah, just give me a moment.’’ I replied and jumped down from my chair and went to my bedroom, scouting out a few of the board-games I had thought that I’d never use. After about two minutes I found an old monopoly game, which I took between my teeth and trotted towards the living-room.
As I entered the living-room, I found Cloud and Bolt sitting in the couch, with an empty seat next to Bolt. I walked up to the table and placed the monopoly on it, before sitting down in the couch, immediately feeling Bolt’s head on top of my shoulder.
I smiled inwardly. Well, I guess everything turned out alright after all. I thought and leaned my head on top of Bolt’s.
“Alright, who’s first?’’ Bolt asked, opened the box and levitated two dices out of it.