Discovered
After Smolder’s acceptance of Silverstream as not just a caregiver but as a mother figure those few months ago, the pair had easily settled into a routine. When the rest of their friends were out doing extra credit, or going somewhere, the two of them would have some time together for Smolder to be a hatchling and Silverstream to be a Mommy. They were, however, strategic about when they did this. They made sure to hang out with the rest of their friends often enough to draw away suspicion, and when the need or urge to be cared for or take care of or by the other respectively, they would occasionally wait until night fell and have some time together before bed. For many moons this continued, with not a soul aware of what went on between them, unless the Tree Of Harmony counted with it’s constant enlarging of the compartment under Smolder’s bed.
Out of all of their friends, the most observant one had to be Ocellus. She wasn’t just the most book smart of all of them, she also noticed changes in her friends- ones so small that she didn’t think any creature else would notice. The changes in Smolder and Silverstream’s relationship were subtle, subtle enough that the rest of their friends like Sandbar, Gallus, and Yona did not notice anything different. But Ocellus noticed. She saw how Smolder tended to gravitate closer to Silverstream when they were all together, and the way Silverstream consistently looked over at Smolder, even during quiet times or when the dragon wasn’t talking. It perplexed her, these small changes. She knew very well that relationships could change over time, but the changes here, though subtle, actually meant quite a bit. Ocellus had done more than her share of studying psychology, and she knew that relationships didn’t develop to the stage of unconscious gravitation or checking on the other constantly overnight. That knowledge, combined with the times Silverstream and Smolder had stayed behind when the rest of them were doing things together, gave her enough of a reason to be suspicious that something more was going on here.
Trouble was, she didn’t know what to do with this insight. Much as she wanted to just confront them on it, she didn’t think it wise. Although Silverstream might open up about whatever it was, Smolder would likely not, preferring to be closed off about personal matters, and Ocellus might hurt her friends’ feelings in doing so. She had to think of something else. Ocellus racked her brain trying to think of that something, and one idea kept popping up, but… She didn’t want to do it. She could change into an ant and then perhaps a fly, and see what was going on for herself, but invading her friends’ privacy like that just didn’t feel right. There had to be another way.
The eventual solution to this problem was not of her own making. She wasn’t exactly sure how it had happened, but Yona had gotten her head stuck in between two trees. Sandbar couldn’t do much to help because it could not be solved that way. Gallus had tried to lift her up, but she was too heavy for him, even with Ocellus’ assistance. Ocellus could have transformed into something large enough to knock down one or both of the trees, but the forest was dense here, and it might have cascaded were she not careful. They needed Smolder to help take out the trees with her fire breath to crumble them enough to let Yona move, and Silverstream to help Gallus lift her from the crevice she had been in, while Ocellus gathered them, and Sandbar stayed to try and help calm Yona down, for the yak had been screaming incessantly, and would not allow the two of them to leave to get help from their professors, all of whom were out for the day since school was over, or anypony else for that matter. Ocellus had only left herself because she could transform into something incredibly fast to get there quicker than Gallus or Sandbar. So, she transformed into a flash bee, that was incredibly fast, and raced to the dorms. She made it to Smolder’s room, transformed into her usual form, and banged on the door, earning two startled yelps from inside. Ocellus’ adrenaline fueled mind didn’t think any further about it. Instinct took over, and she made herself an ant to get under the door, and then transformed back to be greeted with a most bizarre sight.
Smolder sat on the floor, wearing a diaper, and a quickly dropped block in her hand, with Silverstream at her side, clearly aghast at the intrusion. Ocellus didn’t even comment on it, didn’t even take it in really, as she shouted to her friends,
“Yona has her head stuck between trees and she needs help! Smolder, we need you to burn the trees enough to let her horns be moved, and Silverstream, you need to help Gallus and I fly her up high enough to get her out! I couldn’t do it, even with him! Please, we have to go!”
It took a second for Silverstream and Smolder to comprehend her words, but once they did, they were moving. Smolder tore off her diaper and tossed it away, and then ran with Ocellus and Silverstream until they got to the doorway to the dormitory and they could all fly out. Ocellus led them both to where Yona was. Smolder scorched the trees enough to make them brittle and easily broken off with the bark, and Silverstream assisted Gallus and Ocellus with lifting her up until she was unstuck. With Yona finally safe, they all returned as a group to the school grounds.
As Ocellus went back, finally calm again after the chaos had ended from earlier, she had a chance to think about what she had seen when she entered the room. Smolder in a diaper with blocks, and Silverstream by her. She was pretty sure at that point that it was exactly what she thought it was. There were no other explanations for it. Smolder had been acting like a baby. And Silverstream… Well, the constant checking on Smolder at most times immediately translated into care taking behavior. That explained a lot. But…
Ocellus thought she had seen this somewhere before. In one of the psychology books she had read. She had decided to go to the library and find the book again, and also to try and find a book on plants that could work as a lubricating substance should Yona ever get stuck like that again, so they could solve it without all of the fanfare that had been required today. Ocellus flipped through the psychology book, scanning for a specific chapter, and finally found a chapter on regression, reading intently about those who felt safer when they acted younger. It only took her fifteen minutes to read through everything, time she could have just passed off as finding a medicinal plant book that she already knew was there. She put the psychology book away and brought the other one to the dorms to copy a recipe for a lubricant for Yona. She got it down, and made copies for each of her friends, before returning to them.
Her friends were in the garden, and they were talking calmly. Ocellus more than assumed that this was due to the earlier panic. They all needed a chance to calm down. She passed out the papers to her friends, but when her hoof brushed Smolder’s claw, they made eye contact, and for a second- maybe less because it was so brief- Smolder looked afraid. Ocellus just smiled at her friend, and the day went on.
That night, Ocellus couldn’t sleep. A myriad of reasons why floated through her mind. Seeing Yona stuck and screaming, What she had seen with Silverstream and Smolder, the helplessness of feeling like she hadn’t been enough to help Yona from the tree by her own merit, and what she had learned from the psychology book she had seen. Her mind was spinning with thoughts, and everything in her head was so loud. So much so that she almost didn’t notice the sound of steps in the hallway.
Ocellus had more than her share of bad habits. One of those habits was counting things. While not inherently bad, it could border on obsessive. So when she counted the number of steps in the hall, she was able to determine whose room the creature was outside of. Fifteen steps from Ocellus’ door. That meant whomever it was was outside of Smolder’s room, and from what she’d seen today it was ninety-nine percent likely to be Silverstream.
Ocellus couldn’t help herself. She transformed into a fly and slid under the crack beneath her door, and watched as Silverstream entered the room without knocking. School policy dictated the doors remain unlocked at night in case of emergency. Through the open door, the sound of sniffling could be heard. Silverstream went inside and Ocellus followed in her fly form. She landed in the corner of the room and watched her friends from above.
Smolder was curled up in bed, sniffling as she lay on her side in the fetal position. How she had made it through the day without any trouble was a miracle in itself, but now the day was over, the night had come, and reality had crashed upon her the way the Fillystines had done to Steedson in Rockhoof’s legend about him. Ocellus had seen. Ocellus knew about this now, and her secret, and her life would be over. Her reputation would be destroyed. Ocellus would confide in somecreature- likely unable to keep it to herself out of fear or concern for Smolder, and that creature would spread it around school, and then Headmare Twilight might find out and call Ember to speak to her about this and then she would be exiled from her home! And then-
Her frantic internal musings stopped when a claw was on her shoulder. Her entire body jerked in response, startled by the sudden contact. Smolder, most definitely irrational at this point, flung her claws in front of her face to shield herself. But the claw touched those arms with a gentleness she recognized, and slowly lowered them. When Smolder dared crack open an eye, Silverstream’s face could be seen, even in the darkness.
Smolder’s distant behavior all day had practically shouted to Silverstream that a breakdown of this sort was coming. Silverstream had thought it might come earlier in the evening, but quickly nixed that idea. If Smolder were going to be upset like this, she would save it for the night. In the months since becoming Smolder’s “Mommy” (officially this time), she had learned a great deal about the dragon’s patterns and behaviors. Smolder never cried during the daytime unless something serious had happened, like the messing accident and fall that had occurred the day Silverstream had officially earned her maternal title. Smolder saved her tears for nightfall when no one would be around to hear them- or at least that was what she thought. Silverstream had come in many a time to find Smolder weeping, and the routine was always the same. She would get Smolder diapered, climb on the bed, snuggle with her while the Dragon shared whatever was distressing her, and then hold her until she was asleep before leaving for the night. She always did checks after leaving, listening for any whines or whimpers, but none came. Silverstream always thought that crying and releasing her fears or worries was enough to put Smolder’s mind at ease for the night. But tonight she might have to do a bit more to soothe her, and she was okay with that.
Silverstream climbed onto the bed, going out of order in this routine, and pulled Smolder into her lap when she was seated. Smolder sniffed and looked up at her, more than a little confused because the Hippogriff wasn’t following the script.
“Mama…” It was a barely audible whimper, so close to being nothing that even Ocellus could not hear it from her position on the wall. Silverstream, however, had grown used to interpreting the smallest sounds of distress, and this was no different.
Silverstream hushed her gently and patted her. “It’s okay, sweet hatchling. Everything will be okay now. I’m here. Mama’s here, and I’m not going anywhere.” She soothed.
Smolder dissolved into quiet cries at the reassurance. Were it something emotional during the day, all-out wailing might have very well occurred, but at night, fearful of drawing attention to herself, she restrained herself. Silverstream patted her soothingly and spoke to her gently, knowing that they wouldn’t be able to have an actual discussion until the dragon was cried out. When Smolder’s cries had turned to something more akin to mewling, Silverstream decided to get her dressed. She got up, and went to the compartment under the bed to pull out her diapers and some powder, and got her in it. She had hoped it would help negate the crying, and she had been right. Now it was only sniffling.
When everything was put away, Silverstream sat back on the bed and pulled Smolder close. Her hatchling was sucking her claw now, an anxiety-fueled habit developed during these times of distress. Silverstream made her voice gentle yet firm. “Listen to me, sweetie.” She said gently. Smolder looked up at her, eyes worried, but Silverstream’s gaze was a reassuring one. “I know you’re scared. It’s okay to be scared. But Ocellus is our friend, and she would never hurt you or me by telling any creature about this.” Smolder popped her claw out of her mouth.
“But-“ Smolder tried to speak before Silverstream put a claw to her lips to silence her.
“No buts. You already told Ocellus about liking cute things, and she didn’t judge you before. Now is no different. Your fear is taking over right now, and you aren’t thinking right. Ocellus would never tell. You know that.”
Smolder took in those words, and realized a few things at once. If Ocellus were going to tell, she had a chance to when they were all together earlier. She hadn’t told. And when they had brushed against one another after Yona’s rescue, Ocellus had smiled at her, and it wasn’t a mocking grin either. It was a reassuring one. Finally, Professor Rainbow Dash’s latest lesson in loyalty popped into her head, telling her that “Good friends stick by one another, no matter what their differences”. Silverstream’s words combined with all of those things, and suddenly soothed her fear.
Smolder slowly nodded. Silverstream gave her a kiss on the head. “I’m glad you aren’t so afraid anymore.” She said.
Smolder looked at her. “What now, Mama?”
Silverstream knew what she meant. Now that Ocellus knew, at some point it would have to be discussed. “We talk with her, and ask her not to say anything because you aren’t ready to share it. She’s our friend, and she’ll respect that. In the meantime, nothing between us will ever change. You’re still my hatchling, and I’m still your Mama.” She said.
Smolder snuggled into Silverstream, who gave her a gentle smile and a hug. Ocellus, from her place on the wall, felt terrible that her intrusion had caused them so much distress, even though logic dictated that she had taken the right course of action- because Yona could have seriously hurt herself if they had been any longer coming to get her. Still, to see her friend in such pain was heart-wrenching. She decided to try and end it herself so it wouldn’t go on any longer. She flew until she was outside of the door, knocked on it ever so gently, then poked her head in.
“It’s me? Can I come in?”
Silverstream looked to Smolder, who nodded, and nodded herself.
Ocellus was trepidatious as she entered the room. She wanted to calm them down, but she also felt like she was intruding on something incredibly private. She went to Smolder, who had covered herself with a blanket in the meantime, and sat nearby. “I’m sorry I came in without permission earlier. I was so worried for Yona that I wasn’t thinking straight. I would never have done it otherwise. And as for what you both were doing, it doesn’t bother me at all, and I would never tell anyone. I’ve read about it in books, so I knew more about it than any creature else here would. It helped me keep an open mind.”
“You’ve seen this before in a book?” Asked Smolder incredulously. It wasn’t that she was surprised that Ocellus had found it. That Changeling could find anything in a book. The surprise was that she wasn’t alone, and that there was a name for what she was doing.
Ocellus nodded. “Mhm. Ponies call it being an Adult Foal. I guess in your case it would be an Adult Hatchling. They never really give an explanation for why some creatures feel like doing it, but it does say it makes them feel happy and comfortable. I would always want you to feel that way, Smolder.”
Smolder slowly nodded. “Thanks.”
Ocellus looked to Silverstream. “How did you find out about all of this? I don’t think she would have just told you outright.”
And so Silverstream explained to Ocellus about the day she crashed through Smolder’s window, the day of caregiving that followed, and the months of bonding that had led to today. Ocellus listened, nodded when appropriate, and kept a calm demeanor. When that was done, Ocellus looked at Silverstream and Smolder. “You both are my friends, and I’m happy for you. Whatever you want to do together, I will support you. If you ever need some time together and you can’t seem to get away, I can always try and distract them.”
“You would do that for us?” Silverstream’s voice was happy and touched.
Ocellus smiled and nodded. Both Smolder and Silverstream seemed to share a mind as they sat up and gave Ocellus a hug. Ocellus’ wings fluttered slightly, and she hugged them back. When they eventually pulled away, Silverstream and Smolder were smiling. The Hippogriff and Dragon shared a look, and then Silverstream turned to Ocellus.
“You know Ocellus, sometimes I have to go get things for Smolder and I’m out for a while, but I always would like some creature there to keep an eye on my mischievous little hatchling so she can’t get into trouble.” She eyed Smolder, who rolled her own eyes.
“Get Powder all over the room one time and suddenly I’m untrustworthy.”
“I trust you in general. I just don’t trust you not to make a mess.” She smiled, then turned to Ocellus. “But anyways, I could always use a claw with that. Would you like to babysit sometime?”
“Me?” Ocellus asked in surprise. But it was a happy surprise.
Silverstream nodded. “How about it?”
A smile brighter than the sun graced Ocellus’ face. “I’d love to!”
Silverstream and Smolder gave twin smiles to her. They hugged again.
“Hey Ocellus?” Asked Smolder when they had broken apart.
“Yeah?”
“What were you doing up so late anyways?”
Ocellus just shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep. I figured you couldn’t either. And I heard Silverstream come down the hall so I figured you were awake.” She said. And that was honest.
At the mention of sleep, Smolder yawned. Silverstream smiled at that.
“Speaking of sleep, I think some little hatchling is ready for sleepy time.” She cooed. Smolder nodded, suddenly exhausted.
Ocellus stood up after that. “I think we all could use some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning for class?” She asked.
Silverstream nodded, and then went back to tending to Smolder. As Ocellus was leaving, she heard the last bits of conversation between Silverstream and Smolder.
“Sweet Dreams, Smolder.”
“Night, Mama. Mama?”
“Yeah?"
“Can Ocellus come play soon?”
She could hear the smile in Silverstream’s voice. “Anytime you want.”
Ocellus exited the room with a smile and went back to her own. The moon was higher in the sky now than before, and it’s faint glow illuminated her bed. When she entered the room, her exhaustion suddenly hit her like a speeding pegasus, and getting to bed took effort. But at last, she got underneath the warm covers and sunk her head into the feathery pillow. As she closed her eyes to sleep that night, one thought stayed in her mind.
She couldn’t wait to babysit.