Post Celebration

Elusive pushed open the door to his shop. Inside it was dark and warm... he used his magic to flick on a light:

"We're home!" He shouted into the empty establishment. "Alexanderite! Come see Daddy!"

The tomcat disinterestedly peered out from behind the counter and swished his tail... expecting to be fed.

"Oh, yes! You're a good boy, aren't you?"

Turning his head, Alexandrite reluctantly approached... now expecting to be petted.

Butterscotch, behind the Unicorn, peered inside.

"Oh my..." He said, balancing himself against the door frame, having had too much cider. "That was quite a day, wasn't it?"

Elusive turned to the bright yellow Pegasus and smiled:

"Indeed it was, darling! Do make yourself at home... you know what to do. I'll get us something to drink!"

Butterscotch smiled weakly in response, stumbling in and sitting down by a mirror.

"Oh, that would be quite nice..." Finally able to relax, he stretched long and hard. "It's hard to believe that our friend Dusk Shine is now an Alicorn Prince! I never thought in a million years that's what Lord Solaris and Prince Artemis were grooming him for."

"Me neither," the Unicorn chuckled, heading into the pantry. "Truth be told, I'm just glad he's still among us. Alicorn or not, now, he did dematerialize before our very eyes, by our own doing no less, and not reappear for a whole day... quite unnerving to have done collectively to a friend of three years, don't you think?"

"Oh, don't remind me!" Butterscotch shuttered. "Elusive, would it be okay if I spent the night here? ... being with somepony helps me sleep better when I'm scared."

"That's precisely why I brought you here," confidently replied Elusive, coming out of the closet with a pot of tea and magic boiler held high. "Sleep is paramount, darling, especially to those of us that have early morning responsibilities! Tea will be a few minutes... will Lilith rabbit be alright for the night? You normally make arrangements for her when you stay."

"She'll be fine if I get back early enough," said Butterscotch, spacing out as the Unicorn turned the boiler on with his magic.

"Splendid."

* * *

Once the water was set, the Unicorn approached his good friend and sighed.

"Quite a day, indeed." He turned so they were now facing... almost touching. "You look rather tense. How about after tea we slip into some silk pajamas, get under some satin blankets, then... while you're resting I build a little fire before climbing in, too, hmmm? Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"That sounds wonderful, but... I'm really kind of stiff. All that slapstick I did while trying to entertain the town... my body's just not used to it! Thank goodness Bubble Berry's doing it now. I have no idea how he keeps in shape eating all those cakes and pies. Elusive... I'd just like to sit here for a bit, if that's okay."

"Certainly, darling, certainly! Would you like me to rub your aching back? You know I'm as gentle as a foal when it comes to giving a massage."

"Yes, please... that is, if you'd like to."

"You know I would, dear." Elusive got into position. "Generosity is my Element name, after all, and I will give you a nice... gentle, massage."

Butterscotch shut his eyes as Elusive went to work. He immediately melted as his sides were stretched and pulled apart, his aching muscles finally getting some relief... the kinks being worked out. Elusive really knew what he was doing.

"Oh dear... that does feel good!"

"Doesn't it?" Elusive kept it up, pulling himself in closer.

Inhaling, he could now smell Butterscotch's musk. As always, the Pegasus' smell made him giggle on the inside. Feeling like some young filly around her first crush, Elusive could talk about him forever when he wasn't around... mostly to Alexandrite, unfortunately, but also to Dusk Shine, the only friend who knew.

Butterscotch didn't notice the inhaling stallion, so there was nothing to discuss... he was far too lost in a sea of pleasure. How Elusive could make the pain go away and send him into deep relaxation was beyond him. The deep massage continued for a good, long while... until the Unicorn felt a few pops under his hooves and the Pegasus nearly fell over in bliss.

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked, distracting himself by eye-balling the percolating boiling water. "It might be a good idea for me to tend to that... if you are feeling better?"

"Much!" Replied the no longer aching Butterscotch, leaning against his good friend while pulling his wings in tight. "Thank you so much."

Elusive hugged Butterscotch, patting his back. Realizing what could slip out next, his face a bit too close to the Pegasus's neck, he looked away... towards the most immediate task.

"I'm glad, Butterscotch... but now it's time for tea!"

The Pegasus looked back at him:

"... okay."

* * *

The ponies took it upstairs. They were enjoying their herbal tea in tiny cups, sitting on a quaint couch in the tiny den on the top floor of Elusive's shop. Each looked to the other, back and forth, as they swished their little spoons through their little mugs. Silence filled the air. If a pin fell in the shop below, it would have been heard by both ponies.

"You're awfully quiet all of the sudden, Elusive," said Butterscotch. "Is anything the matter?"

"Oh, just thinking about the past few hours... you know what I mean."

Butterscotch, tired of playing the day's events in his head like a broken record, looked at his mug and nodded.

"Yeah. I must say, Elusive... This is really good tea!"

"Thank you. It's chamomile and mint... all the way from Canterlot. I know you like yours sweet, so I added a little extra sugar."

Butterscotch simply giggled in response.

Elusive, blushing, took a huge sip of his tea... almost a gulp:

"Do you... just want to go to bed now, or would you want me to build a fire so we can talk for a bit?"

"I'll help you with the fire..." offered Butterscotch. "If that's alright."

"You know it is," Elusive grinned, setting down his mug. "I'm finished."

Butterscotch, with a nervous smile, set down his own mug and looked up at his ivory friend.

Together they got up. They needed no words at this point. One went for the kitty food, while the other cleaned their little cups. There was only a bit of work ahead of them. They'd do it at once, then relax... together.

* * *

In Elusive's dark, quiet den, Butterscotch passed a few slender logs his way from a nearby pile. Though they'd been known to spend the night at each other's houses, they had only done this once before, and that was following a winter game gone terribly wrong. One cold day Elusive, Bubble Berry, and Butterscotch all went all crashing through the Ponyville pond because collectively they weighed far too much to form the almost pink triangle their hyper-active friend thought might be fun to make while skating. That was that was necessary, as they ended up huddled together under the fire with Bubble Berry to stave off hypothermia. This was different, because it wasn't necessary... it just felt good.

It didn't take long to light it up with magic. The fire was soon roaring. Butterscotch laid down on his back, stretching his aching side... the day had proven to be more strenuous than he thought. Elusive trotted off for a bit, and when Butterscotch was just about to rise to his hooves, the Unicorn returned with a big pile of satin blankets, a couple throw pillows, and of course silk pajamas. Elusive was already wearing his.

"I've got something special here for you," he said in a sing-songy tone, setting it down in front of Butterscotch with his magic. "I hope you like it..."

This wasn't just any pair of pajamas... they matched Butterscotch's pelt and mane to a tee, with pastels galore of pink and green, yellow and blue. Elusive had made them specifically for the Pegasus, with time and care... and, of course, love for his Pegasus friend.

"You didn't have to," Butterscotch said shyly, slipping on the top and bottoms. "Very comfortable.. nice fit."

Elusive, setting up their make-shift bed, looked over his shoulder and smiled:

"But of course, darling. I have your measurements, since you have commissioned me and modeled for me a few times before. I took my time and designed them to fit your... unique proportions and curves rather well."

Butterscotch giggled in response:

"Mares have curves, Elusive. I'm a stallion!"

Elusive just blushed... looking away.

"The... fire's very nice, isn't it?" He asked, plopping down beside the Pegasus. "Rather... hypnotic, wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah." Butterscotch pulled the blankets up over his torso while Elusive did the same. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Oh, just this and that... paper work. It will be a slow day for the business, as most Sundays are. I'll have the morning free. Yourself?"

"Oh, after I feed a few animals I'll also have most of the morning free..."

"I'll have to treat you to breakfast then. Do say yes..."

"That would be wonderful, Elusive..."

Elusive, smiling, rested gently behind Butterscotch. Together they stared at the fire for a few minutes, until the stiff Pegasus rolled his shoulders... pushing his body backwards, even more towards the recumbent Unicorn. Elusive found his mouth inches away from his friend's rather yummy-looking ear.

"Sorry I'm not much for conversation tonight, Elusive," Butterscotch said, looking back through his mane. "I am very tired... I want to talk, but I'm afraid I just don't have the energy."

"That's quite alright, ear... err, uh dear. Just being able to relax by the fire is good enough for me..."

Elusive didn't realize it, but when he finished that last sentence he placed a hoof on Butterscotch's shoulder... then an entire foreleg. The two hugged for a moment and it felt right for them both. It was only when Butterscotch put his hoof against Elusive's foreleg that both became consciously aware of what was going on. The were doing the pony equivalent of holding hands. All alone, by a fire, just the two of them... in pretty silk pajamas.

"Sorry! That... that was instinctive on my part, dear!" Elusive blushed. "I hug Sweepy Belle in a similar manner when he's having nightmares... I'll build a fire to lull him to sleep if its bad enough."

"It's alright. I don't mind... it makes me feel comfortable."

"Does it?" Elusive put his hoof back. "Then you won't mind if I keep it there?"

Butterscotch didn't answer... instead he just rested up against Elusive and hugged into his foreleg. Again, the Unicorn could smell his friend's musk quite clearly and Butterscotch could smell his just the same. Neither was offended by the other's closeness, so they both just relaxed.

"Guess it's good night, then?" Asked Elusive.

"If you'd like it to be..." yawned Butterscotch in reply.

"Well, I don't... but I'm not going to keep you awake chattering in your ear all night. That's simply not what good hosts do!"

Butterscotch turned over, now facing Elusive. His eyes were calm and clear.

"You could always chatter with me looking at you... I don't mind."

Both ponies blushed... they were very close. Elusive didn't dare do what he wanted to. Knowing Butterscotch, it probably would cause him to run away. And who knows? That might be it for their friendship. He answered smoothly and coolly:

"I could..."

As Butterscotch hugged the stallion tight, his eyes went wide in surprise and unease.

"Thanks for being such a good friend, Elusive."

"Oh, it's no proble-"

Their lips made contact. Intentional contact. Electricity shot through both of them with more raw power than Elusive ever could have imagined. The kiss was over with all too soon, and things were silent for a good long moment once more...

* * *

"I'm so sorry, Elusive!" Said Butterscotch in a frantic, high-pitched voice, his eyes wide. "I have no idea what just came over me... I blanked out for a moment. I don't know why I just did tha-"

Elusive gently grasped the confused stallion's head in both his hooves:

"Shhh, shh.... It's okay."

Butterscotch's eyes looked like saucers:

"But I-"

"Shhh... It's alright. I'm not mad."

"You're... not?"

"No," Elusive opened both his forelegs to his frightened friend. "Come here... hug me as tight as you like."

Butterscotch took the invite, hugging him so tightly he could barely breath. He still patted Butterscotch lovingly on the back, and managed to say, in a strained voice:

"You probably just had too many ciders tonight... these things happen sometimes. It's quite alright, dear."

Butterscotch hugged tight... then sighed.

"Yes, yes... let it go."
.

Butterscotch shook his head.

"No... these things don't happen."

Knowing what he might be getting into, Elusive rolled his eyes... but responded with sincerity all the same:

"Talk to me, darling," he said firmly, pulling away from Butterscotch so the two could be face-to-face. "What are you trying to say?"

"I don't- I do know why I did that... but I'm all confused about it."

"It's quite natural to be 'all confused' after something like that, but... why did you do it?"

"Well, I wanted to. I just wasn't thinking."

"Is this the first time you've ever wanted to do something like that?"

Butterscotch shook his head.

"You poor dear," Elusive nuzzled his good friend sympathetically. "Have you felt like that for a while?"

"A long time."

"How long... a couple weeks, hmm? A month at best?"

"Actually... a couple of years."

Elusive's eyes went wide, his heart skipped a beat:

"A couple of years!? Butterscotch, why didn't you tell me? Things like this will eat at you... I should know a thing or two about that, trust me."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," Again Elusive hugged his friend, nuzzling his cheek. "If you like me like that, then you like me like that. We can't do anything about that, but go from there... right?"

"Do... do you still like me?"

"Of course!"

Butterscotch smiled, but was clearly holding back a few tears:

"And you still want to be my friend?"

"Yes, yes, darling! Nothing you could ever do could change my opinion of you..."

Butterscotch relaxed a bit more:

"Elusive, there a butterflies in my stomach now..."

"There are some in mine, too, darling. It's quite normal."

"But... Why are there butterflies in your stomach, Elusive?"

Elusive smiled, and let his body do the talking at this point.

He leaned in and gave Butterscotch a light peck by the lips, then waited... their faces a few inches from each other. Butterscotch licked his lips, his eyes nervously darting from the floor to Elusive's lips. Elusive gave another kiss, this one barely touching the Pegasus's lips... Butterscotch blushed, then turned to Elusive.

The two stallions locked lips, placing their forelegs around each other. This was their first real kiss, something Elusive had drempt about since he met Butterscotch, and it felt better than any romance novel could describe... he'd kissed before, but never in true love. To Butterstoch, it was overwhelming. The raw surge of energy felt like an electric jolt running through their bodies... the residual tingle was divine and beckoned them each to get closer. They pulled themselves together... then, both Elusive and Butterscotch, finally relaxed.

* * *

"Wow, Butterscotch..." said Elusive, panting. "I never saw that coming..."

Butterscotch had his head by Elusive's chest and was breathing heavy as well.

"I don't know what to say, Elusive," panted the Pegasus. "That felt really good!"

"It did. Truth is, Butterscotch... I like being around you. You make me smile, and I like to make you smile."

Hearing this, Butterscotch's face lit up... but the smile didn't last:

"Growing into stallionhood, I always thought I'd be doing that someday with a mare. What we did feels so good but is so... so different and confusing. What do you think, Elusive?"

The stallion didn't bat an eye as he answered:

"Most of the ponies I know would be happy for a pony that's found love... whether it's with a stallion or a mare would be entirely beside the point, dear. Irrelevant."

Again, Butterscotch hugged him.

"I think I love you, Elusive... like I thought I'd love a mare."

"I know. I have strong feelings for you, too. Very strong."

Butterscotch looked up. His eyes were still innocent, but now frightened:

"Do you... love me Elusive?"

Elusive expected the question, and kept his best poker face:

"Butterscotch, darling... I know I don't want to break your heart, because I like it just the way it is. You can consider that both love and affection. Let's take it slow... what do you say, hmm? Special Someponies for now?"

"Okay."

Elusive smiled, giving his new Special Somepony a hug:

"Oh, Butterscotch... you have no idea how happy you've just made me. Or maybe you do. I'm just so glad for this!"

Author's Note

All Rule 63 names taken from AK47Smith's Deviant Art page.