Equestria Boys - University Life is Magicby AnonymooseChaptersPrologueChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourPrologue“Butterscotch, you are positively my angel!” Elusive gushed as he pinned back the collar. “I cannot thank you enough for this.” “O-Oh, it’s no problem,” Butterscotch mumbled, hiding behind his pale-pink fringe. “It took far too much effort to convince Bolero to give me an extension on this assignment,” Elusive muttered around the pins in his mouth. “Can you imagine it: me! Competing in the Manehatten Avant Garde Fashion Show? I can see it now, oh it’s going to be perfect.” “I—I won’t have to model it there, will I?” “No, don’t worry. While you do make a marvellous model, they’ll be providing professional models.” Elusive stood back, looking the piece up and down. “Hmmm, I wonder if the organza butterflies are too much. Oh but they took me so long to stitch. What do you think?” “It’s very pretty… I mean handsome, sorry.” “Butterscotch, please stop chewing on your hair… it’s such an unsightly habit,” Elusive chided. “But you are right; it is pretty. I don’t mind you saying so; I wish people would give up this ridiculous notion that men can not be pretty.” He absent-mindedly ran his fingers through his hair as he contemplated piece. The dupion silk vest, covered with hand dyed and stitched silk organza butterflies worked well with the pale-cerulean poplin dress shirt. He had fastened the contrasting white French-cuffs with blue-lace agate cuff-links. The white cashmere scarf definitely invoked the imagery of fluffy clouds. The entire ensemble was supposed to evoke a feeling of nature, of butterflies in a grass meadow. Elusive scowled at the pants, eliciting yet another small ‘eep’ from Butterscotch. “Oh, I am sorry, Butter-angel. What was I thinking? It’s those pants. Green!” Elusive grumbled. “Such an awful, awful color. I’m sorry, let me help you take this off.” “Eep!” Butterscotch yelped as a pin caught his ear. Elusive managed to get the vest and shirt off without Butterscotch being pricked by too many pins. “Very sorry about that, hazard of the trade.” When the pants were removed, Elusive tossed them into a fabric bin. Scowling at them again, he muttered, “Being scraps is too good for you, but I wouldn’t want to risk the rest of my workspace to the fire you so very much deserve.” “Umm… if it’s not too much trouble,” Butterscotch mumbled as he pulled his clothes back on, “I was wondering if we could talk.” “Oh, angel, I simply must apologise. You came here to chat, didn’t you,” Elusive dashed towards the kitchenette of the workspace and put the kettle on. “I mean, if it’s okay with you.” Butterscotch fidgeted nervously. “If you really don’t mind.” “Nonsense, of course I don’t mind. I’m sorry for distracting you with my work, but I just get so caught up in it at times. I’ve just been so stressed about… oh dear, there I go again…” Elusive grimaced as he looked to the sink filled with dirty dishes. “Oh, does no one follow the rules? It’s not hard to clean up after oneself.” Elusive ran the water in the sink, cleaning two cups, two saucers and one spoon. “I swear, one day I will own my own boutique, and it will be wonderful to not have to share it with anyone.” Butterscotch sat down at the table in the small kitchenette, while Elusive prepared their tea. Elusive had exquisite taste in tea, he would be the first to tell you so. Butterscotch pulled out a small packet of biscuits from his messenger bag, spilling his books across the floor. “O—Oh dear!” Butterscotch placed the biscuit bag on the table and fussed about, trying to get his books back into the bag. “You seem rather nervous, angel,” Elusive placed the saucer and teacup in front of Butterscotch, who was still ferreting about under the table, organising his books, as well as his own. “Tea’s ready.” A bang and a small yelp was Butterscotch’s only reply. Elusive sighed, smiling to himself, as he walked back to the sink and grabbed some paper towels to clean the spilled tea. “I’m sorry,” Butterscotch muttered as he sat back into his chair. Elusive chuckled at the blush spread across the embarrassed man’s face. “It’s quite alright, Butterscotch. These things happen.” Elusive smiled as he soaked up the tea with the paper towel. Especially around one as timid as you, my friend. After tossing the damp towel in the bin and washing his hands, Elusive joined Butterscotch at the table. “So what did you want to talk about?” Elusive asked, opening the small packet of Nice biscuits Butterscotch had provided, procuring one for himself in the process. “I… I think I want to tell him,” Butterscotch mumbled. “Are you certain?” Elusive sighed, putting his tea down. “I don’t mean to dissuade you, but you know what he is like.” “I—I know he won’t… doesn’t feel the same way. I just need to tell him, so I can move on.” Butterscotch idly swirled his tea. “I just… I don’t know. I am scared. But I want to be brave, like him.” “I guess it’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it?” Elusive looked into the swirling darkness that was his tea. “Just…” Elusive paused. “Do not be surprised if he does not take it well. He’s known you for a long time, and while it shouldn’t be,” Elusive said, putting emphasis on the word, “Blitz may see it as a big deal.” Elusive didn’t want to be the voice of reason. He wanted to tell his good friend that everything would work out perfectly, that Butterscotch’s faerie-tale would come true… but he couldn’t. One could never tell how Rainbow Blitz would respond to anything. He was brash; hard-headed; egotistical. Everything was about him, though admittedly that was a little ironic coming from the self-admitted king-of-drama himself. The truth was, Elusive did not expect a positive outcome. Butterscotch tilted his head forward, hiding his face in his pink fringe. Elusive was certain he could hear the gentle man suppressing a sob. Elusive moved his chair around the circular table so that he was sitting next to Butterscotch, and gently placed a hand on the others shoulder. “If that is what you need to do then I will support you, no matter what. And I know Dusk, Berry and Applejack will too.” Butterscotch smiled weakly. “Thanks, I don’t have a lot of hope, I just need to know, so I can move on.” Chapter OneStudents returned to their seats as the buzzer for the final quarter sounded. Butterscotch, Dusk Shine, Applejack and Elusive sat in the bleachers, watching as the teams came back onto the court. Rainbow Blitz looked refreshed, smiling and waving up at his fans (and friends) who’d come to watch his game. “Hi! Hi, Rainbow Blitz!” blared out of the speakers. Everyone turned to see Bubble Berry bouncing up and down in his seat, waving to his friend. A scowl from one of the professors stopped his flailing. “Oops… sorry, Professor Artemis.” Bubble Berry’s commentating companion, Vinyl Scratch, chuckled as he spoke into the microphone. “Welcome back, everybody. At the start of the final quarter the Shadowcolts have a fifty-five to forty-eight lead. It’s been a very tight game so far; between former Wondercolts, now Hoofington Shadowcolts’ captain, Lightning Powder; and newly promoted Canterlot Wondercolts captain, Rainbow Blitz, this surely has become a grudge match.” “Yes, and ‘grudge’ rhymes with fudge!” Berry added. “Yes it… does?” Vinyl looked to his confusing companion. “What?” “And I like fudge,” Berry continued, as if it explained everything. “But if I eat too much fudge, I get a pudge and then I can’t budge.” “S-so…” Vinyl stammered as he tried to regain control of the situation. “No fudge?” “No thanks,” Berry chirped. “I had a big breakfast.” Professor Artemis slapped a hand to his forehead, obviously trying to hold in his frustration, as Professor Solaris suppressed a laugh at his brother’s expense. “Wondercolts’ start with the ball, Blitz passes to Chaser.” Butterscotch watched nervously as Lightning Powder kept to Rainbow. Despite his captaincy, Powder was aggressively dogging Rainbow every moment he could. He’d already been called out on four fouls. Storm Chaser broke down the court, narrowly avoiding two of the opposing Shadowcolts, before passing through to Carrot Curl. Carrot drove the ball into the low post, jumping to make a shot, as Lightning Powder broke away from Blitz to block the shot. Carrot passed the ball to Blitz, his feint having worked, as Blitz received the ball and launched, slam dunking the ball in. Powder fumed as the crowds cheered for the exciting play. “Oh, I don’t know if I can watch,” Butterscotch muttered, looking to his feet as Lightning Powder passed the ball to Raven Wing. “I know it’s just a game, but do they have to be so aggressive?” “Well, the games ain’t usually this bad,” Applejack answered. “From what Ah’ve seen, it’s probably that Lightning Powder’s fault. Y’all know how bad he took it when Coach Lockheed kicked him from the team.” “Ooo!” Berry Bubble called out over the speaker. “He’s definitely going to feel that.” The four looked back to the court as one of the other Shadowcolts helped Raven back to his feet. The umpire tossed the ball to Raven as he stood on the free-throw line. The first shot went in, as did the second. “And Raven extends the Shadowcolts’ lead by another four points,” Vinyl added. “The Wondercolts are going to have to work hard to close that gap, with so little time left on the clock.” “Silly! Clocks don’t run out of time! Time is an infinite resource.” Bubble Berry gasped loudly. “Unless they are low on batteries. Oh no! Do we need more batteries?” Many spectators chuckled at the exasperated look on Vinyl Scratch’s face. Butterscotch continued to switch between watching on the edge of his seat, and hiding his face behind his fringe so that he didn’t have to watch. Even Dusk Shine had gotten into the excitement of the game, evident by him having put down his Rules and Statistics of Basketball book. Applejack and Elusive maintained their current interest in the game, which had always been rather invested. Applejack, because Blitz was one of his best friends, and Elusive because Lightning Powder had insulted one of his designs for the team jersey. The Shadowcolts’ lead had decreased, the score was sixty-five to sixty-three. Rainbow Blitz currently possessed the ball and was trying to find an opening for a shot. If he could at least get a shot, they could go into overtime, and the Wondercolts might still turn it around. The Shadowcolts’ were living up to their name though; every one of the Wondercolts’ had a Shadow blocking them. No! Not everyone! Blitz spied Storm Chaser out by the three-point line. Blitz swore he could feel the clock ticking down; he passed the ball quickly to Storm Chaser, who took a jump shot right as the buzzer sounded. Blitz’s breathing stopped, the crowd going silent, as the ball hit the rim. In that second, you could have heard a pin drop. Time resumed, as the ball fell in. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar. “Canterlot Wondercolts win the game!” Vinyl Scratch screamed over the speakers. “Final score Sixty-six to sixty-five. Canterlot Wondercolts win the game!” The Wondercolts crowded around Storm Chaser, cheering for their teammate. Rainbow Blitz slapped the shorter man on the back in congratulations as their coaches crossed the court to meet them. “Good game, everyone!” Assistant Coach Glider congratulated them, beaming as she looked around at the team. “You guys played great.” “Great teamwork, everyone! Wouldn’t expect any less from a Wondercolt.” Coach Lockheed joined in. “The shot was brilliant, Chaser. Hit the lockers, boys, I’m sure you all have some celebrations to get started.” Rainbow Blitz looked around, spying his friends still jumping and cheering from the bleachers. “I’ll catch up with you guys soon,” Rainbow Blitz said, as he started towards his friends. “Ha! Off to see your cheering squad, eh Blitz?” Carrot Curl laughed. “Say ‘hi’ to your boyfriends for us!” Storm Chaser guffawed, earning himself a playful punch in the shoulder from Blitz. “You wish I was gay, Chaser! You’d feel less guilty about checkin’ out my ass when I leave,” Blitz said as he walked away. He picked up his pace into a jog, ignoring the laughter and jeers of his team mates. “Hey Butters! I didn’t think you make it!” Blitz smiled as his friends, lead by his shy, pink-haired friend, came down to meet him. “On a scale of one-to-awesome, how good was I—” “Blitz you were amazing!” Butterscotch tackled his friend in a hug. Dusk Shine, Elusive and Applejack voiced their agreement. “Hey, I’d never play half as good if it weren’t for my oldest bud!” Rainbow ruffled Butterscotch’s hair. He was acutely aware of how quiet and anxious his oldest friend would have been during the game. Either chewing on his nails on the edge of his seat, or doing that silly thing where he hides behind his hair. Rainbow wanted to see his friend come out of his shell, so he put in just that little bit more effort and attention, to try and coax his best friend out. And Butterscotch was certainly out of his shell at the moment, it made Rainbow proud. Something distracted him though. Something was happening, and he wasn’t sure what was going on. The gentle press of very soft, delicate lips against his own. Silk-like hair brushing against his face, and hands pressed against his chest. What? Blitz stepped back, a look of shock on his face. Butterscotch stood before him, blushing profusely, the look of wild panic on his face. What? “Oh, Blitz, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have… I didn’t mean.” Dusk, Elusive and Applejack watched in silent horror, uncertain what to say or do. Butterscotch stepped forward. “Blitz, please. I’m sorry.” “Get the fuck away from me!” Blitz lashed out, fist connecting with the smaller man’s face. Butterscotch landed on his backside, sprawling across the floor. Elusive was the first the drop down and check on his friend. “What in Tartarus is going on here?” Coach Lockheed stormed across the court to find his star player, and another student on the floor, an obvious shiner already forming on the prone student’s face. “Is everything alright here?” “Professor Solaris,” Dusk Shine stuttered. “Oh, umm, there was just a little, umm, altercation between Butterscotch and Rainbow Blitz here—” “Rainbow Blitz was all like ‘How awesome am I?’ and then Scotchy was all like ‘You’re so amazing!’ and then Blitz was like ‘Awww, you’re awesome too Butterscotch’ and then Scotchy was all like smoooooch and then Blitz was all like wham!” Bubble Berry narrated excitedly. Then he seemed to deflate. “And now two of my friends are both sad.” “Blitz, hit the showers, now!” Lockheed snapped, ignoring the exasperatingly-strange-and-suddenly-appearing sixth student. “We’ll talk about this later.” Rainbow Blitz stormed off towards the locker rooms, ignoring the concerned looks and poorly-timed jeers of the few teammates still around. “Are you okay, Butterscotch?” Professor Solaris asked in a warm, gentle, fatherly voice. “Y-yes, Sir,” Butterscotch replied in a whisper, as Elusive and Dusk Shine helped him to his feet. “I’m sorry.” Butterscotch’s voice wavered, as if ready to break into tears. “It’s okay.” Solaris turned to Dusk Shine. “Dusk, why don’t you take Butterscotch back to his dorm room. You should probably have him put some ice on that, it should ease any swelling and reduce the bruise.” “Yes, Sir,” Dusk Shine answered. Putting his arm around his friend, he and Elusive lead Butterscotch out of the stadium. “Ah guess Ah’ll check on Blitz when he’s cooled down. Berry, you comin’?” Bubble Berry looked toward the locker room, and back to the exit his friends had just left. “Yeah,” he answered, dejected. “Yeah, okay.” Chapter Two“I don’t think we should leave Butterscotch alone right now,” Elusive whispered to Dusk. “Let’s bring him to my place,” Dusk Shine replied. “It’s closer than your parents place, and Gleaming Shield is on night duty tonight, so she won’t mind if Butterscotch stays over.” It was slow going, but Elusive and Dusk managed to help the shell-shocked Butterscotch back to the house. It was a small two storey building, wedged tightly between the neighbouring houses. Butterscotch leaned numbly on Elusive’s shoulder as Dusk unlocked the door. The moment they were in the privacy of Dusk’s home, Butterscotch started sobbing. “Come on, Butters. Come sit down.” Dusk Shine led his two friends to the couch. Elusive helped the sobbing man to the couch, and sat next to him, stroking his hair as the other cried on his shoulder. “I-I’ll go make us some tea, if that is okay.” At Elusive’s nod, Dusk Shine left for the kitchen, leaving the two men alone. “I-I’m so stupid,” Butterscotch whimpered. “Well, it wasn’t exactly the smartest way to express your interest in him, no,” Elusive chuckled as he continued to stroke Butterscotch’s hair. “You just took him by surprise, I am sure if you explain—” Butterscotch shook his head violently. “No! Blitz is my oldest friend, ever since junior speedsters track camp. H-he always stood up for me. I-I was stupid to hope he felt something for me.” “I am sure he does feel something for you, Butters,” Dusk Shine added, returning from the kitchen with a tray of tea, and an ice pack. He handed the ice pack to his friend. “Here, put this on your eye, it’ll help reduce any swelling. “Now, as I was saying, Blitz does feel something for you, even if that is just friendship,” he continued, placing the tray on the table and pouring two cups for his guests, his own cup filled with coffee. “Blitz was probably just a little shocked over, the, ummm, you know. The kiss.” Butterscotch looked down at the word ‘kiss’, hiding his face behind his fringe and pulling his legs up to his chest. “I’m so stupid,” he muttered, holding his legs to his chest with one arm, and the ice pack to his face with the other. “You’re not stupid,” Elusive pulled his friend into a sidelong hug. “It’s not the best of situations, but you two have been friends for so long; the two of you will work this out, it will just take some time.” “Oh? Good afternoon, guys.” Gleaming Shield stepped into the living room, a smile beaming across her face. “I was wondering who was making all that noise.” “Oh, sorry sis,” Dusk Shine apologised, jumping to his feet. “Didn’t mean to wake you.” “It’s okay, I should be up getting ready for work anyway. Mmmm,” Gleaming Shield moaned. “That coffee smells great; got another cup for you B.S.B.F.F?” “Oh, no. I mean, yes. I mean, I can make one! I’ll be right back.” Dusk Shine dashed back to the kitchen, rummaging around for another coffee cup and putting the kettle back on to boil. Gleaming Shield shook her head, laughing at her brother. Turning to her unexpected houseguests, she spotted Butterscotch. “Woah, Butterscotch. Nice shiner, who gave you that?” Her expression turned suddenly serious. “Need Officer Shield to have a word with them?” “Oh, no, it’s okay, please don’t say anything to him.” Butterscotch panicked, drawing back into his foetal position. “It was my fault, please don’t say anything to him.” “No, Gleaming, it’s okay,” Elusive answered. “Everything is fine.” Gleaming Shield’s expression did not lighten, even as Dusk Shine placed her coffee on the table in front of her, along with a plate of toast. “You’re certain everything is fine?” “Yes, most definitely,” Elusive answered, evasively. Gleaming turned her steely gaze to her little brother. The question needn’t be asked, her finely honed skills as a police officer could get any perp to talk. Or, at the very least, get her little brother to talk. “Everything is okay, I promise,” Dusk Shine blurted out, wringing his hands nervously as he spoke. “Butterscotch and Rainbow Blitz just had a bit of a disagreement at school.” Works every time! “Alright, if you say so,” Gleaming Shield responded, still watching her nerve-wracked brother as she ate the toast he brought her. “So, where abouts is our darling little sister?” “Oh, she’s over at my parents house, playing with Silver Bell,” Elusive chuckled. “He got a guitar for his birthday last month, and he’s been trying to impress the dear ever since. How one person can be so oblivious to someone’s crush on them, I do not know; but such is the cross my Silver Bell must bear.” Gleaming Shield’s hand stopped as she reached for a second piece of toast. Dusk Shine took a long sip from his now-cold coffee. Even Butterscotch was able to turn and give Elusive a look of incredulous surprise. “Really?” Dusk Shine asked, deadpan. “Oh, yes!” Elusive carried on, taking a sip of his tea, oblivious to their stares. “It’s très tragique!” Ж “What the hell was he thinking?” Rainbow Blitz yelled after he had slammed down his third pint. “Ah don’t rightly know, Blitz,” Applejack responded, taking a draught of his own pint. “Damnit, Butters!” Blitz sighed. “I knew you were like that, but… just… damnit!” Blitz slammed his fist down hard onto the bar. “Y’all knew?” Applejack asked. “Berry, don’t tell me you knew too.” Berry Bubble nodded, poking his drink with the end of the cocktail umbrella. “Am Ah the only one who didn’t know?” Applejack looked at his friends, unbelieving. “Y’all havin’ secret meetings behind mah back, or somethin’?” “No one’s having secret meetings, AJ,” Blitz slumped on the bar. “I’ve suspected he was… you know, that way, for a while. I’ve caught him glancing at guys in the past, but didn’t really want to bring it up.” Blitz sat back up, suppressing a frown. “I just didn’t think he looked at me that way.” “Well, Ah don’t like it,” Applejack took another draught. “Ah mean, what’s ta say he won’t try that with me next, or Bubble. Or any o’ us?” “Just because Butters liked Blitzy, doesn’t mean he’s going to jump on you,” Bubble Berry muttered, leaning on the bar, staring at his untouched drink. “How do ya know that, Bubble? Y’all might be the next he goes pinin’ after. Ah mean, he and Elusive are all into that frou-frou stuff, what if something is goin’ on there too?” “Excuse me,” Bubbles said, pushing himself away from the bar. “Thanks for the drink, but I think I’ll be heading home.” Rainbow Blitz and Applejack watched as he exited the pub. “Laying it on a bit thick there?” Blitz muttered as he turned back to his drink. “What do ya mean?” Applejack looked down at his sullen friend. “Butters might be…” Blitz suppressed a shudder. “…interested in me. But Bubbles is right, it doesn’t mean he’ll all of a sudden think of you the same way.” “Ah don’t get it. Ah jus’ don’t get it.” Applejack watched Blitz in disbelief. “Y’all went crazy after Butters threw himself on ya, now yer defendin’ him? Aren’t y’all still mad at him?” “Yeah! I am angry, okay‽ He shouldn’t have done what he did!” Rainbow Blitz got of his barstool and stepped into Applejack’s personal space. “But he is still my friend, and he’s done nothing to you, so why are you angry?” With a few pints in him, Applejack’s temper got the better of him. “‘Cause it ain’t right! It’s not natural!” “What?” Blitz stepped away, nearly tripping over his stool. “Ah don’t know what they teach y’all up here in Canterlot, but it ain’t right where Ah’m from. It’s not the way Granpappy raised me!” “Now wait just a second,” Blitz replied as he regained his footing. “I know for a fact that your cousin Jazz had something going on with Coach Glider for months! We heard all about it after practice, she wouldn’t shut up about it.” “Don’t you dare bring my cousin inta this,” Applejack shouted, as he hit Rainbow Blitz with a solid right hook. Looking down at the man on the bar floor, he scowled. “She don’t reflect our family no more.” Blitz wiped his chin with the back of his fist, a smear of blood from his cut lip. “Oh, that’s how you want to play this, huh?” Ж “What on earth were the two of you thinking?” Gleaming Shield barked as she pulled her patrol car up in front of her house. “You’re damn lucky it was me that was called out, and not another officer. I should have thrown you into lockup anyway.” Applejack sat quietly in the back of the vehicle, even after Gleaming Shield dropped Rainbow Blitz off at the campus dormitories. “You know, something stupid like this could jeopardise your scholarship,” she continued her rant as he stayed silent. “What would your family think if you got kicked out of school for fighting?” “They’d understand it was ‘cause Ah was doin’ the right thing!” Applejack snapped back. “Fighting with a friend, nearly getting arrested?” Gleaming Shield shot back. “You really think your family would be proud of you for that.” After a short silence, Applejack responded with a gruff ‘no’. Gleaming Shield got out of the car, and opened the door for him. “Get inside. I’ve got to get back to my patrol.” She got back into her car, then wound down the window. “But Applejack, mark my word: if you want to keep boarding under my roof, you will refrain from violence, and you will curtail your drinking.” She didn’t wait for a response before pulling back out onto the street. Chapter ThreeApplejack crept through the darkened house, careful not to wake any of the sleeping occupants. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of cold water; if he was going to feel miserable in the morning, he’d prefer it be from the bruises he was sporting, rather than the inevitable hangover. He closed the refrigerator, the sudden loss of light blinding him to the darkness. He stumbled back out of the kitchen, bottle in hand; by the time he reached the stairs he’d regained his night vision. Approaching the the top of the stairs, he noticed light coming from Dusk’s room. Applejack chuckled to himself. The bookworm was either studying late again, or he’d fallen asleep while studying late. Applejack strained his ears, listening for the tell-tale sound of pen on paper. There! Applejack kicked off his boots, dropping them in his room before heading down the hall towards Dusk Shine’s open door. “Howdy, bud,” Applejack spoke softly as he stepped through the doorway. “Burnin’ th’ midnight oil again?” “Oh, hey, Applejack,” Dusk Shine replied, marking his page with a sheet of paper and quietly closing his book. He yawned as he replied, “Yeah, this assignment is due in three weeks, and I’ve barely made a start on it.” Applejack looked at the stack of papers, at least fifteen pages long already, and those were just the rough notes. The final product would be far longer once it was typed up. “Barely started, eh?” he chuckled. He opened the bottle of water, taking a large drink. Now that Dusk Shine had been able to get a better look at Applejack, he noticed the cuts and bruises. “Applejack, what happened tonight?” he asked with concern. “Huh?” Applejack screwed the lid back on the bottle. “What d’ya mean?” he asked, which was replied only with a deadpan look. “Oh, yeah…” Applejack realised he’d yet to have cleaned himself off after his scuffle with Blitz. “Uhhh, Blitz and Ah had a bit o’ a disagreement.” Dusk’ eyes widened as he guessed what might have happened. He grabbed Applejack by the arm and dragged him out of the room towards the small balcony. “What?” “Butterscotch is sleeping in my bed right now, we don’t want him to hear about this. He's feeling bad enough as it is already.” “Well, that didn’t take long,” Applejack muttered darkly, looking back at the mound underneath the covers of Dusk Shine’s bed as he was led away. The cool evening air felt great on Applejack’s skin, helping to take his mind off of the confusing day. Dusk Shine, however, was not going to allow him any such reprieve. “You and Blitz got into a fight?” Dusk paced back and forth. “Oh no, he must be really angry with Butterscotch. What if they don’t make up. What if they aren’t friends any more? What if they can’t stand being around each other and then we all feel uncomfortable and grow apart and—” “Blitz ain’t mad, well… he ain’t mad enough. That’s th’ problem.” “W-what?” “Ah mean, Butterscotch jus’ throws himself on Blitz in the middle of everyone,” Applejack said, exasperated. “Ah mean, wouldn’t you be angry if someone went an’ done that to you?” “Well, ummm, I don’t know how I’d react, but I don’t think I would have punched him.” “If’n it was me, Ah’d do more than just take a swing at him.” Applejack replied, balling his fist. “Y-You’d hurt Butterscotch?” Dusk Shine stepped away from his friend and house mate. “He’s our friend, and you’d hurt him?” “Well… Ah don’t know. Maybe. Ah jus’ can’t stand that he lied t’ us!” Applejack frowned, unclenching his fist. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Dusk responded. “He never lied to us.” “What do ya mean he didn’t lie t’ us?” Applejack asked, his frustration rising again. “Ah had no idea he was… you know… like that. He never told us!” “Has he ever told you he was interested in girls?” Dusk Shine asked. Even though Dusk Shine had not realised before tonight, he could not think back to any point where Butterscotch had shown interest in girls. Or guys. Dusk Shine assumed Butterscotch was much like himself, too busy with his studies to worry about those kinds of things. “Well, no, but he shouldn’t have ta! Bein’ interested in girls is normal.” Applejack responded, annoyance clear in his voice. “That’s just natural.” “Well, actually, that is not necessarily true. Differing degrees of homosexual behaviour is exhibited and has been observed in many mammalian species, enough to not be considered a statistical anomaly.” “Ah don’t… I mean, what?” Applejack asked. “How d’ya even know about that stuff?” “I-I’ve never really thought much about it,” he admitted, sheepishly. “But after we spoke with Butterscotch, I did a little reading.” Applejack chuckled. That’s just you, Dusk Shine, solve an unknown problem with readin’. Probably going to write a paper about it later. Then you'll sit us all down and give us a lecture. Again. “I am just saying it is incorrect to say that it is not natural, as it has been observed in nature.” Dusk continued his explanation. “And even if it wasn’t, it would still be an application of the naturalistic fallacy.” Dusk Shine paused, noticing his friends confusion. “It means: just because something is natural, or supposedly unnatural, does not imply it’s implicit correctness. “I mean, look around us,” Dusk Shine waved an arm, looking out on the lights of Canterlot City. “Nearly everything in our lives can be considered unnatural, from living in homes we built, the vehicles we drive, the cultivated food we eat. It doesn’t mean that we are immoral just for eating an apple we’ve domesticated over millennia from its wild cousins.” He laughed, slapping his scowling friend on the back. “Else your family has a lot to answer for.” “Ah know what yer tryin’ ta say,” Applejack grumbled. “But it jus’ not th’ way Grampy Smith raised me. It still doesn’t feel right.” “So… what? You hate Butterscotch now?” “Ah don’t know, okay?” Applejack balled his fist and brought it down on the balcony railing. “Ah— Ah jus’ don’t know.” An awkward silence fell between the two of them. Applejack let out a loud sigh. “Why’d he hafta go ‘n change?” “I don’t think he has changed,” Dusk Shine said, looking up to the stars. “He’s still the same Butterscotch we’ve always known. The same Butterscotch who’s looked after Barb for me, and Silver Bell for Evasive. He’s the same guy you’ve worked with on your group assignments. He’s still the same person, nothing has changed about him… except our perceptions…” Dusk Shine turned to head into the house, but stopped at the door. “… but only if we let them. Just, think about it, Applejack. Please don’t throw away your friendship without giving it a little thought first. We owe him that much, at the very least.” “Yeah,” Applejack huffed, slumped over the railing. “Ah guess.” Chapter FourEnvironmental Biology was a difficult subject for Applejack. He’d grown up on a farm, and he knew how to handle the animals, what made them tick… and he knew apple harvesting like it was in his blood. Sustainable ecology and all that other stuff was well outside Applejack’s normal purview, but Grampy Smith and Big Marcy had both encouraged him to get a degree; to do what he could to help the farm. What had made these lectures tolerable was sharing them with Butterscotch. Environmental Biology was one of the few overlapping lectures they shared; Butterscotch was studying Wildlife Conservation or some such nonsense, and although they didn’t always agree on everything, they were friends and enjoyed each others company, helping each other out where they could. Applejack was unsure if he was pleased or not when Butterscotch sat several rows away. What had Applejack done to deserve being snubbed. But then again, he wasn’t sure he wanted to sit next to Butters, even after his conversation with Dusk Shine the previous night. “Well, what’re you doin’ sitting here by your lonesome?” A young woman sat down next to Applejack, dropping her notebook heavily on the desk. “I thought you and the pretty boy were attached at the hips,” she chuckled. Applejack clenched his hand, snapping the pencil he had been writing with. “Oh, sorry…” The woman gave Applejack a sheepish look. “I-I didn’t mean to offend. I don’t mean nothin’ by it. Darn it! I just can’t do this introduction thing right, can I? Name’s Toffee,” she introduced herself, holding out a hand. Applejack shook the offered hand. “Applejack,” he muttered. “I know who you are, AJ.” She smiled sheepishly at his confused expression. “You probably don’t remember me…” “Yer right… Ah’m sorry,” he responded, looking down at the page in front of him. “It’s okay. It was years ago, and I bet your family gets plenty of seasonal workers for harvest.” A blush formed across Toffee’s face. “No reason you’d remember little old me.” A sharp whistle drew his attention, and turning back he could see a group of girls giving the two of them the thumbs up. Toffee’s blush grew to the point her face was near radiating. “I… I’ve wanted to come and say ‘Hi’, but you’ve… and I was just wondering—” Toffee’s voice started to waver, and she started to hide behind her fringe in a way that uncomfortably reminded Applejack of someone else. “… if you’d like to have coffee?” Applejack stared at the girl, shocked. “Uhh… Ah think…” Applejack closed his eyes, trying to form the words. A smile spread across his lips. Someone had asked him out! “Ah think Ah’d love that, Miss Toffee. Ah’d like that very much!” “Really?” Toffee squeaked. “Really! Oh, great… I mean good. Good! Are you doing anything after the lecture?” Ж Butterscotch watched as Applejack left with the girl who had sat with him; his friend didn’t look back once. He packed his study materials back into his messenger bag, and slung it across his shoulder. The lecture hall was empty, save a few other students, by the time Butterscotch made his way to the door. Normally, Butterscotch and Applejack would go have afternoon tea once they were done with Environmental Biology, quite often Applejack needed clarification on some of the lecture notes, and Butterscotch didn’t mind helping when the company was good. By himself, he was not overly sure what to do. Out of habit he made his way to the coffee shop he and Applejack frequented, but upon opening the door he saw Applejack’s familiar stetson over the heads of the crowd. He could hear his friend laughing along with his date. The last thing Butterscotch wanted was to ruin Applejack’s day, so he turned to exit. Taking a seat in the park across from the coffee shop, he balled his fist and bopped it on his open palm. “Okay, no need to feel sorry for myself. Like Iron Wilma says, seize the day!” He grabbed his mobile phone and dialed. “Ummm, hi, Dusk. I was just wondering—” Butterscotch spoke softly into the phone. “Oh no, nothing is the matter. I was just wondering if you were… oh, no. That is okay, I don’t want to interrupt your study session. I’ll see you later.” Butterscotch tried Elusive, but his phone seemed to be off. Elusive was like that; when he had a deadline to meet, it was nearly impossible to contact him. He stood, sighing, and slipped his phone back into his pocket. Ж Applejack guffawed at the story Toffee told him. Big Marcy had never once shared that embarrassing little nugget with her brothers. “Ah can’t believe she kept that one from me. After all th’ grief she gave me over trying ta handle the south field on mah own!” Applejack courteously paid for both their drinks, and escorted Toffee to a free table. “So how is Big Marcy? And what was your little brother’s name?” Toffee asked, apologetically. “Sorry, I don’t remember.” “That’s alright, Ah bet he was likely in school while you were helpin’ on th’ farm. But yeah, Apple Buck’s been good. He was gettin’ picked on somethin’ mighty fierce at school, but things’ve been better since he made a friend at school. Kids can be somethin’ terrible, and an accent like ours?” Toffee blushed. “I always thought your accent was charming.” The waitress politely interrupted them, as she delivered the coffee’s and Toffee’s cake to the table. “So, your friend…” Toffee broke the silence after taking a sip of her coffee. “He’s pretty cute too, and one of my friends…” She trailed off into silence, seeing the look on Applejack’s face. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him up.” Applejack sighed. “No, y’all are fine. Ah jus’… Ah jus’ don’t know what to do about that one. Ah personally think a date with a pretty girl might go a long way for that boy, but Ah don’t know how amendable he’d be ta the idea…” Ж “Oh, Butterscotch! I didn’t expect to see you in today.” “Hi, Dr. Goodall. I finished with my work early, so I thought I might come down and see if you needed help.” “I could always use your assistance,” the older woman smiled. “Why, I don’t know where this animal shelter would be without your help.” “Thank you, Doctor.” Butterscotch blushed, hiding behind his fringe. “Well, you go on out the back.” Dr Goodall smiled, nodding to her assistant. “I’m sure they will all be happy to see you.” Butterscotch stepped through the double doors to the rear of the building. He let them out of their cages, one by one, as they scampered out the back doors towards the playpen. The last animal Butterscotch let out was his favorite. He didn’t like to think he had favorites, but this bunny held a special spot in his heart. He slid to the floor, holding the tiny rabbit close to his chest. “Hey Angel-bunny. Daddy’s had a really bad day today.”
Prologue“Butterscotch, you are positively my angel!” Elusive gushed as he pinned back the collar. “I cannot thank you enough for this.” “O-Oh, it’s no problem,” Butterscotch mumbled, hiding behind his pale-pink fringe. “It took far too much effort to convince Bolero to give me an extension on this assignment,” Elusive muttered around the pins in his mouth. “Can you imagine it: me! Competing in the Manehatten Avant Garde Fashion Show? I can see it now, oh it’s going to be perfect.” “I—I won’t have to model it there, will I?” “No, don’t worry. While you do make a marvellous model, they’ll be providing professional models.” Elusive stood back, looking the piece up and down. “Hmmm, I wonder if the organza butterflies are too much. Oh but they took me so long to stitch. What do you think?” “It’s very pretty… I mean handsome, sorry.” “Butterscotch, please stop chewing on your hair… it’s such an unsightly habit,” Elusive chided. “But you are right; it is pretty. I don’t mind you saying so; I wish people would give up this ridiculous notion that men can not be pretty.” He absent-mindedly ran his fingers through his hair as he contemplated piece. The dupion silk vest, covered with hand dyed and stitched silk organza butterflies worked well with the pale-cerulean poplin dress shirt. He had fastened the contrasting white French-cuffs with blue-lace agate cuff-links. The white cashmere scarf definitely invoked the imagery of fluffy clouds. The entire ensemble was supposed to evoke a feeling of nature, of butterflies in a grass meadow. Elusive scowled at the pants, eliciting yet another small ‘eep’ from Butterscotch. “Oh, I am sorry, Butter-angel. What was I thinking? It’s those pants. Green!” Elusive grumbled. “Such an awful, awful color. I’m sorry, let me help you take this off.” “Eep!” Butterscotch yelped as a pin caught his ear. Elusive managed to get the vest and shirt off without Butterscotch being pricked by too many pins. “Very sorry about that, hazard of the trade.” When the pants were removed, Elusive tossed them into a fabric bin. Scowling at them again, he muttered, “Being scraps is too good for you, but I wouldn’t want to risk the rest of my workspace to the fire you so very much deserve.” “Umm… if it’s not too much trouble,” Butterscotch mumbled as he pulled his clothes back on, “I was wondering if we could talk.” “Oh, angel, I simply must apologise. You came here to chat, didn’t you,” Elusive dashed towards the kitchenette of the workspace and put the kettle on. “I mean, if it’s okay with you.” Butterscotch fidgeted nervously. “If you really don’t mind.” “Nonsense, of course I don’t mind. I’m sorry for distracting you with my work, but I just get so caught up in it at times. I’ve just been so stressed about… oh dear, there I go again…” Elusive grimaced as he looked to the sink filled with dirty dishes. “Oh, does no one follow the rules? It’s not hard to clean up after oneself.” Elusive ran the water in the sink, cleaning two cups, two saucers and one spoon. “I swear, one day I will own my own boutique, and it will be wonderful to not have to share it with anyone.” Butterscotch sat down at the table in the small kitchenette, while Elusive prepared their tea. Elusive had exquisite taste in tea, he would be the first to tell you so. Butterscotch pulled out a small packet of biscuits from his messenger bag, spilling his books across the floor. “O—Oh dear!” Butterscotch placed the biscuit bag on the table and fussed about, trying to get his books back into the bag. “You seem rather nervous, angel,” Elusive placed the saucer and teacup in front of Butterscotch, who was still ferreting about under the table, organising his books, as well as his own. “Tea’s ready.” A bang and a small yelp was Butterscotch’s only reply. Elusive sighed, smiling to himself, as he walked back to the sink and grabbed some paper towels to clean the spilled tea. “I’m sorry,” Butterscotch muttered as he sat back into his chair. Elusive chuckled at the blush spread across the embarrassed man’s face. “It’s quite alright, Butterscotch. These things happen.” Elusive smiled as he soaked up the tea with the paper towel. Especially around one as timid as you, my friend. After tossing the damp towel in the bin and washing his hands, Elusive joined Butterscotch at the table. “So what did you want to talk about?” Elusive asked, opening the small packet of Nice biscuits Butterscotch had provided, procuring one for himself in the process. “I… I think I want to tell him,” Butterscotch mumbled. “Are you certain?” Elusive sighed, putting his tea down. “I don’t mean to dissuade you, but you know what he is like.” “I—I know he won’t… doesn’t feel the same way. I just need to tell him, so I can move on.” Butterscotch idly swirled his tea. “I just… I don’t know. I am scared. But I want to be brave, like him.” “I guess it’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it?” Elusive looked into the swirling darkness that was his tea. “Just…” Elusive paused. “Do not be surprised if he does not take it well. He’s known you for a long time, and while it shouldn’t be,” Elusive said, putting emphasis on the word, “Blitz may see it as a big deal.” Elusive didn’t want to be the voice of reason. He wanted to tell his good friend that everything would work out perfectly, that Butterscotch’s faerie-tale would come true… but he couldn’t. One could never tell how Rainbow Blitz would respond to anything. He was brash; hard-headed; egotistical. Everything was about him, though admittedly that was a little ironic coming from the self-admitted king-of-drama himself. The truth was, Elusive did not expect a positive outcome. Butterscotch tilted his head forward, hiding his face in his pink fringe. Elusive was certain he could hear the gentle man suppressing a sob. Elusive moved his chair around the circular table so that he was sitting next to Butterscotch, and gently placed a hand on the others shoulder. “If that is what you need to do then I will support you, no matter what. And I know Dusk, Berry and Applejack will too.” Butterscotch smiled weakly. “Thanks, I don’t have a lot of hope, I just need to know, so I can move on.”
Chapter OneStudents returned to their seats as the buzzer for the final quarter sounded. Butterscotch, Dusk Shine, Applejack and Elusive sat in the bleachers, watching as the teams came back onto the court. Rainbow Blitz looked refreshed, smiling and waving up at his fans (and friends) who’d come to watch his game. “Hi! Hi, Rainbow Blitz!” blared out of the speakers. Everyone turned to see Bubble Berry bouncing up and down in his seat, waving to his friend. A scowl from one of the professors stopped his flailing. “Oops… sorry, Professor Artemis.” Bubble Berry’s commentating companion, Vinyl Scratch, chuckled as he spoke into the microphone. “Welcome back, everybody. At the start of the final quarter the Shadowcolts have a fifty-five to forty-eight lead. It’s been a very tight game so far; between former Wondercolts, now Hoofington Shadowcolts’ captain, Lightning Powder; and newly promoted Canterlot Wondercolts captain, Rainbow Blitz, this surely has become a grudge match.” “Yes, and ‘grudge’ rhymes with fudge!” Berry added. “Yes it… does?” Vinyl looked to his confusing companion. “What?” “And I like fudge,” Berry continued, as if it explained everything. “But if I eat too much fudge, I get a pudge and then I can’t budge.” “S-so…” Vinyl stammered as he tried to regain control of the situation. “No fudge?” “No thanks,” Berry chirped. “I had a big breakfast.” Professor Artemis slapped a hand to his forehead, obviously trying to hold in his frustration, as Professor Solaris suppressed a laugh at his brother’s expense. “Wondercolts’ start with the ball, Blitz passes to Chaser.” Butterscotch watched nervously as Lightning Powder kept to Rainbow. Despite his captaincy, Powder was aggressively dogging Rainbow every moment he could. He’d already been called out on four fouls. Storm Chaser broke down the court, narrowly avoiding two of the opposing Shadowcolts, before passing through to Carrot Curl. Carrot drove the ball into the low post, jumping to make a shot, as Lightning Powder broke away from Blitz to block the shot. Carrot passed the ball to Blitz, his feint having worked, as Blitz received the ball and launched, slam dunking the ball in. Powder fumed as the crowds cheered for the exciting play. “Oh, I don’t know if I can watch,” Butterscotch muttered, looking to his feet as Lightning Powder passed the ball to Raven Wing. “I know it’s just a game, but do they have to be so aggressive?” “Well, the games ain’t usually this bad,” Applejack answered. “From what Ah’ve seen, it’s probably that Lightning Powder’s fault. Y’all know how bad he took it when Coach Lockheed kicked him from the team.” “Ooo!” Berry Bubble called out over the speaker. “He’s definitely going to feel that.” The four looked back to the court as one of the other Shadowcolts helped Raven back to his feet. The umpire tossed the ball to Raven as he stood on the free-throw line. The first shot went in, as did the second. “And Raven extends the Shadowcolts’ lead by another four points,” Vinyl added. “The Wondercolts are going to have to work hard to close that gap, with so little time left on the clock.” “Silly! Clocks don’t run out of time! Time is an infinite resource.” Bubble Berry gasped loudly. “Unless they are low on batteries. Oh no! Do we need more batteries?” Many spectators chuckled at the exasperated look on Vinyl Scratch’s face. Butterscotch continued to switch between watching on the edge of his seat, and hiding his face behind his fringe so that he didn’t have to watch. Even Dusk Shine had gotten into the excitement of the game, evident by him having put down his Rules and Statistics of Basketball book. Applejack and Elusive maintained their current interest in the game, which had always been rather invested. Applejack, because Blitz was one of his best friends, and Elusive because Lightning Powder had insulted one of his designs for the team jersey. The Shadowcolts’ lead had decreased, the score was sixty-five to sixty-three. Rainbow Blitz currently possessed the ball and was trying to find an opening for a shot. If he could at least get a shot, they could go into overtime, and the Wondercolts might still turn it around. The Shadowcolts’ were living up to their name though; every one of the Wondercolts’ had a Shadow blocking them. No! Not everyone! Blitz spied Storm Chaser out by the three-point line. Blitz swore he could feel the clock ticking down; he passed the ball quickly to Storm Chaser, who took a jump shot right as the buzzer sounded. Blitz’s breathing stopped, the crowd going silent, as the ball hit the rim. In that second, you could have heard a pin drop. Time resumed, as the ball fell in. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar. “Canterlot Wondercolts win the game!” Vinyl Scratch screamed over the speakers. “Final score Sixty-six to sixty-five. Canterlot Wondercolts win the game!” The Wondercolts crowded around Storm Chaser, cheering for their teammate. Rainbow Blitz slapped the shorter man on the back in congratulations as their coaches crossed the court to meet them. “Good game, everyone!” Assistant Coach Glider congratulated them, beaming as she looked around at the team. “You guys played great.” “Great teamwork, everyone! Wouldn’t expect any less from a Wondercolt.” Coach Lockheed joined in. “The shot was brilliant, Chaser. Hit the lockers, boys, I’m sure you all have some celebrations to get started.” Rainbow Blitz looked around, spying his friends still jumping and cheering from the bleachers. “I’ll catch up with you guys soon,” Rainbow Blitz said, as he started towards his friends. “Ha! Off to see your cheering squad, eh Blitz?” Carrot Curl laughed. “Say ‘hi’ to your boyfriends for us!” Storm Chaser guffawed, earning himself a playful punch in the shoulder from Blitz. “You wish I was gay, Chaser! You’d feel less guilty about checkin’ out my ass when I leave,” Blitz said as he walked away. He picked up his pace into a jog, ignoring the laughter and jeers of his team mates. “Hey Butters! I didn’t think you make it!” Blitz smiled as his friends, lead by his shy, pink-haired friend, came down to meet him. “On a scale of one-to-awesome, how good was I—” “Blitz you were amazing!” Butterscotch tackled his friend in a hug. Dusk Shine, Elusive and Applejack voiced their agreement. “Hey, I’d never play half as good if it weren’t for my oldest bud!” Rainbow ruffled Butterscotch’s hair. He was acutely aware of how quiet and anxious his oldest friend would have been during the game. Either chewing on his nails on the edge of his seat, or doing that silly thing where he hides behind his hair. Rainbow wanted to see his friend come out of his shell, so he put in just that little bit more effort and attention, to try and coax his best friend out. And Butterscotch was certainly out of his shell at the moment, it made Rainbow proud. Something distracted him though. Something was happening, and he wasn’t sure what was going on. The gentle press of very soft, delicate lips against his own. Silk-like hair brushing against his face, and hands pressed against his chest. What? Blitz stepped back, a look of shock on his face. Butterscotch stood before him, blushing profusely, the look of wild panic on his face. What? “Oh, Blitz, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have… I didn’t mean.” Dusk, Elusive and Applejack watched in silent horror, uncertain what to say or do. Butterscotch stepped forward. “Blitz, please. I’m sorry.” “Get the fuck away from me!” Blitz lashed out, fist connecting with the smaller man’s face. Butterscotch landed on his backside, sprawling across the floor. Elusive was the first the drop down and check on his friend. “What in Tartarus is going on here?” Coach Lockheed stormed across the court to find his star player, and another student on the floor, an obvious shiner already forming on the prone student’s face. “Is everything alright here?” “Professor Solaris,” Dusk Shine stuttered. “Oh, umm, there was just a little, umm, altercation between Butterscotch and Rainbow Blitz here—” “Rainbow Blitz was all like ‘How awesome am I?’ and then Scotchy was all like ‘You’re so amazing!’ and then Blitz was like ‘Awww, you’re awesome too Butterscotch’ and then Scotchy was all like smoooooch and then Blitz was all like wham!” Bubble Berry narrated excitedly. Then he seemed to deflate. “And now two of my friends are both sad.” “Blitz, hit the showers, now!” Lockheed snapped, ignoring the exasperatingly-strange-and-suddenly-appearing sixth student. “We’ll talk about this later.” Rainbow Blitz stormed off towards the locker rooms, ignoring the concerned looks and poorly-timed jeers of the few teammates still around. “Are you okay, Butterscotch?” Professor Solaris asked in a warm, gentle, fatherly voice. “Y-yes, Sir,” Butterscotch replied in a whisper, as Elusive and Dusk Shine helped him to his feet. “I’m sorry.” Butterscotch’s voice wavered, as if ready to break into tears. “It’s okay.” Solaris turned to Dusk Shine. “Dusk, why don’t you take Butterscotch back to his dorm room. You should probably have him put some ice on that, it should ease any swelling and reduce the bruise.” “Yes, Sir,” Dusk Shine answered. Putting his arm around his friend, he and Elusive lead Butterscotch out of the stadium. “Ah guess Ah’ll check on Blitz when he’s cooled down. Berry, you comin’?” Bubble Berry looked toward the locker room, and back to the exit his friends had just left. “Yeah,” he answered, dejected. “Yeah, okay.”
Chapter Two“I don’t think we should leave Butterscotch alone right now,” Elusive whispered to Dusk. “Let’s bring him to my place,” Dusk Shine replied. “It’s closer than your parents place, and Gleaming Shield is on night duty tonight, so she won’t mind if Butterscotch stays over.” It was slow going, but Elusive and Dusk managed to help the shell-shocked Butterscotch back to the house. It was a small two storey building, wedged tightly between the neighbouring houses. Butterscotch leaned numbly on Elusive’s shoulder as Dusk unlocked the door. The moment they were in the privacy of Dusk’s home, Butterscotch started sobbing. “Come on, Butters. Come sit down.” Dusk Shine led his two friends to the couch. Elusive helped the sobbing man to the couch, and sat next to him, stroking his hair as the other cried on his shoulder. “I-I’ll go make us some tea, if that is okay.” At Elusive’s nod, Dusk Shine left for the kitchen, leaving the two men alone. “I-I’m so stupid,” Butterscotch whimpered. “Well, it wasn’t exactly the smartest way to express your interest in him, no,” Elusive chuckled as he continued to stroke Butterscotch’s hair. “You just took him by surprise, I am sure if you explain—” Butterscotch shook his head violently. “No! Blitz is my oldest friend, ever since junior speedsters track camp. H-he always stood up for me. I-I was stupid to hope he felt something for me.” “I am sure he does feel something for you, Butters,” Dusk Shine added, returning from the kitchen with a tray of tea, and an ice pack. He handed the ice pack to his friend. “Here, put this on your eye, it’ll help reduce any swelling. “Now, as I was saying, Blitz does feel something for you, even if that is just friendship,” he continued, placing the tray on the table and pouring two cups for his guests, his own cup filled with coffee. “Blitz was probably just a little shocked over, the, ummm, you know. The kiss.” Butterscotch looked down at the word ‘kiss’, hiding his face behind his fringe and pulling his legs up to his chest. “I’m so stupid,” he muttered, holding his legs to his chest with one arm, and the ice pack to his face with the other. “You’re not stupid,” Elusive pulled his friend into a sidelong hug. “It’s not the best of situations, but you two have been friends for so long; the two of you will work this out, it will just take some time.” “Oh? Good afternoon, guys.” Gleaming Shield stepped into the living room, a smile beaming across her face. “I was wondering who was making all that noise.” “Oh, sorry sis,” Dusk Shine apologised, jumping to his feet. “Didn’t mean to wake you.” “It’s okay, I should be up getting ready for work anyway. Mmmm,” Gleaming Shield moaned. “That coffee smells great; got another cup for you B.S.B.F.F?” “Oh, no. I mean, yes. I mean, I can make one! I’ll be right back.” Dusk Shine dashed back to the kitchen, rummaging around for another coffee cup and putting the kettle back on to boil. Gleaming Shield shook her head, laughing at her brother. Turning to her unexpected houseguests, she spotted Butterscotch. “Woah, Butterscotch. Nice shiner, who gave you that?” Her expression turned suddenly serious. “Need Officer Shield to have a word with them?” “Oh, no, it’s okay, please don’t say anything to him.” Butterscotch panicked, drawing back into his foetal position. “It was my fault, please don’t say anything to him.” “No, Gleaming, it’s okay,” Elusive answered. “Everything is fine.” Gleaming Shield’s expression did not lighten, even as Dusk Shine placed her coffee on the table in front of her, along with a plate of toast. “You’re certain everything is fine?” “Yes, most definitely,” Elusive answered, evasively. Gleaming turned her steely gaze to her little brother. The question needn’t be asked, her finely honed skills as a police officer could get any perp to talk. Or, at the very least, get her little brother to talk. “Everything is okay, I promise,” Dusk Shine blurted out, wringing his hands nervously as he spoke. “Butterscotch and Rainbow Blitz just had a bit of a disagreement at school.” Works every time! “Alright, if you say so,” Gleaming Shield responded, still watching her nerve-wracked brother as she ate the toast he brought her. “So, where abouts is our darling little sister?” “Oh, she’s over at my parents house, playing with Silver Bell,” Elusive chuckled. “He got a guitar for his birthday last month, and he’s been trying to impress the dear ever since. How one person can be so oblivious to someone’s crush on them, I do not know; but such is the cross my Silver Bell must bear.” Gleaming Shield’s hand stopped as she reached for a second piece of toast. Dusk Shine took a long sip from his now-cold coffee. Even Butterscotch was able to turn and give Elusive a look of incredulous surprise. “Really?” Dusk Shine asked, deadpan. “Oh, yes!” Elusive carried on, taking a sip of his tea, oblivious to their stares. “It’s très tragique!” Ж “What the hell was he thinking?” Rainbow Blitz yelled after he had slammed down his third pint. “Ah don’t rightly know, Blitz,” Applejack responded, taking a draught of his own pint. “Damnit, Butters!” Blitz sighed. “I knew you were like that, but… just… damnit!” Blitz slammed his fist down hard onto the bar. “Y’all knew?” Applejack asked. “Berry, don’t tell me you knew too.” Berry Bubble nodded, poking his drink with the end of the cocktail umbrella. “Am Ah the only one who didn’t know?” Applejack looked at his friends, unbelieving. “Y’all havin’ secret meetings behind mah back, or somethin’?” “No one’s having secret meetings, AJ,” Blitz slumped on the bar. “I’ve suspected he was… you know, that way, for a while. I’ve caught him glancing at guys in the past, but didn’t really want to bring it up.” Blitz sat back up, suppressing a frown. “I just didn’t think he looked at me that way.” “Well, Ah don’t like it,” Applejack took another draught. “Ah mean, what’s ta say he won’t try that with me next, or Bubble. Or any o’ us?” “Just because Butters liked Blitzy, doesn’t mean he’s going to jump on you,” Bubble Berry muttered, leaning on the bar, staring at his untouched drink. “How do ya know that, Bubble? Y’all might be the next he goes pinin’ after. Ah mean, he and Elusive are all into that frou-frou stuff, what if something is goin’ on there too?” “Excuse me,” Bubbles said, pushing himself away from the bar. “Thanks for the drink, but I think I’ll be heading home.” Rainbow Blitz and Applejack watched as he exited the pub. “Laying it on a bit thick there?” Blitz muttered as he turned back to his drink. “What do ya mean?” Applejack looked down at his sullen friend. “Butters might be…” Blitz suppressed a shudder. “…interested in me. But Bubbles is right, it doesn’t mean he’ll all of a sudden think of you the same way.” “Ah don’t get it. Ah jus’ don’t get it.” Applejack watched Blitz in disbelief. “Y’all went crazy after Butters threw himself on ya, now yer defendin’ him? Aren’t y’all still mad at him?” “Yeah! I am angry, okay‽ He shouldn’t have done what he did!” Rainbow Blitz got of his barstool and stepped into Applejack’s personal space. “But he is still my friend, and he’s done nothing to you, so why are you angry?” With a few pints in him, Applejack’s temper got the better of him. “‘Cause it ain’t right! It’s not natural!” “What?” Blitz stepped away, nearly tripping over his stool. “Ah don’t know what they teach y’all up here in Canterlot, but it ain’t right where Ah’m from. It’s not the way Granpappy raised me!” “Now wait just a second,” Blitz replied as he regained his footing. “I know for a fact that your cousin Jazz had something going on with Coach Glider for months! We heard all about it after practice, she wouldn’t shut up about it.” “Don’t you dare bring my cousin inta this,” Applejack shouted, as he hit Rainbow Blitz with a solid right hook. Looking down at the man on the bar floor, he scowled. “She don’t reflect our family no more.” Blitz wiped his chin with the back of his fist, a smear of blood from his cut lip. “Oh, that’s how you want to play this, huh?” Ж “What on earth were the two of you thinking?” Gleaming Shield barked as she pulled her patrol car up in front of her house. “You’re damn lucky it was me that was called out, and not another officer. I should have thrown you into lockup anyway.” Applejack sat quietly in the back of the vehicle, even after Gleaming Shield dropped Rainbow Blitz off at the campus dormitories. “You know, something stupid like this could jeopardise your scholarship,” she continued her rant as he stayed silent. “What would your family think if you got kicked out of school for fighting?” “They’d understand it was ‘cause Ah was doin’ the right thing!” Applejack snapped back. “Fighting with a friend, nearly getting arrested?” Gleaming Shield shot back. “You really think your family would be proud of you for that.” After a short silence, Applejack responded with a gruff ‘no’. Gleaming Shield got out of the car, and opened the door for him. “Get inside. I’ve got to get back to my patrol.” She got back into her car, then wound down the window. “But Applejack, mark my word: if you want to keep boarding under my roof, you will refrain from violence, and you will curtail your drinking.” She didn’t wait for a response before pulling back out onto the street.
Chapter ThreeApplejack crept through the darkened house, careful not to wake any of the sleeping occupants. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of cold water; if he was going to feel miserable in the morning, he’d prefer it be from the bruises he was sporting, rather than the inevitable hangover. He closed the refrigerator, the sudden loss of light blinding him to the darkness. He stumbled back out of the kitchen, bottle in hand; by the time he reached the stairs he’d regained his night vision. Approaching the the top of the stairs, he noticed light coming from Dusk’s room. Applejack chuckled to himself. The bookworm was either studying late again, or he’d fallen asleep while studying late. Applejack strained his ears, listening for the tell-tale sound of pen on paper. There! Applejack kicked off his boots, dropping them in his room before heading down the hall towards Dusk Shine’s open door. “Howdy, bud,” Applejack spoke softly as he stepped through the doorway. “Burnin’ th’ midnight oil again?” “Oh, hey, Applejack,” Dusk Shine replied, marking his page with a sheet of paper and quietly closing his book. He yawned as he replied, “Yeah, this assignment is due in three weeks, and I’ve barely made a start on it.” Applejack looked at the stack of papers, at least fifteen pages long already, and those were just the rough notes. The final product would be far longer once it was typed up. “Barely started, eh?” he chuckled. He opened the bottle of water, taking a large drink. Now that Dusk Shine had been able to get a better look at Applejack, he noticed the cuts and bruises. “Applejack, what happened tonight?” he asked with concern. “Huh?” Applejack screwed the lid back on the bottle. “What d’ya mean?” he asked, which was replied only with a deadpan look. “Oh, yeah…” Applejack realised he’d yet to have cleaned himself off after his scuffle with Blitz. “Uhhh, Blitz and Ah had a bit o’ a disagreement.” Dusk’ eyes widened as he guessed what might have happened. He grabbed Applejack by the arm and dragged him out of the room towards the small balcony. “What?” “Butterscotch is sleeping in my bed right now, we don’t want him to hear about this. He's feeling bad enough as it is already.” “Well, that didn’t take long,” Applejack muttered darkly, looking back at the mound underneath the covers of Dusk Shine’s bed as he was led away. The cool evening air felt great on Applejack’s skin, helping to take his mind off of the confusing day. Dusk Shine, however, was not going to allow him any such reprieve. “You and Blitz got into a fight?” Dusk paced back and forth. “Oh no, he must be really angry with Butterscotch. What if they don’t make up. What if they aren’t friends any more? What if they can’t stand being around each other and then we all feel uncomfortable and grow apart and—” “Blitz ain’t mad, well… he ain’t mad enough. That’s th’ problem.” “W-what?” “Ah mean, Butterscotch jus’ throws himself on Blitz in the middle of everyone,” Applejack said, exasperated. “Ah mean, wouldn’t you be angry if someone went an’ done that to you?” “Well, ummm, I don’t know how I’d react, but I don’t think I would have punched him.” “If’n it was me, Ah’d do more than just take a swing at him.” Applejack replied, balling his fist. “Y-You’d hurt Butterscotch?” Dusk Shine stepped away from his friend and house mate. “He’s our friend, and you’d hurt him?” “Well… Ah don’t know. Maybe. Ah jus’ can’t stand that he lied t’ us!” Applejack frowned, unclenching his fist. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Dusk responded. “He never lied to us.” “What do ya mean he didn’t lie t’ us?” Applejack asked, his frustration rising again. “Ah had no idea he was… you know… like that. He never told us!” “Has he ever told you he was interested in girls?” Dusk Shine asked. Even though Dusk Shine had not realised before tonight, he could not think back to any point where Butterscotch had shown interest in girls. Or guys. Dusk Shine assumed Butterscotch was much like himself, too busy with his studies to worry about those kinds of things. “Well, no, but he shouldn’t have ta! Bein’ interested in girls is normal.” Applejack responded, annoyance clear in his voice. “That’s just natural.” “Well, actually, that is not necessarily true. Differing degrees of homosexual behaviour is exhibited and has been observed in many mammalian species, enough to not be considered a statistical anomaly.” “Ah don’t… I mean, what?” Applejack asked. “How d’ya even know about that stuff?” “I-I’ve never really thought much about it,” he admitted, sheepishly. “But after we spoke with Butterscotch, I did a little reading.” Applejack chuckled. That’s just you, Dusk Shine, solve an unknown problem with readin’. Probably going to write a paper about it later. Then you'll sit us all down and give us a lecture. Again. “I am just saying it is incorrect to say that it is not natural, as it has been observed in nature.” Dusk continued his explanation. “And even if it wasn’t, it would still be an application of the naturalistic fallacy.” Dusk Shine paused, noticing his friends confusion. “It means: just because something is natural, or supposedly unnatural, does not imply it’s implicit correctness. “I mean, look around us,” Dusk Shine waved an arm, looking out on the lights of Canterlot City. “Nearly everything in our lives can be considered unnatural, from living in homes we built, the vehicles we drive, the cultivated food we eat. It doesn’t mean that we are immoral just for eating an apple we’ve domesticated over millennia from its wild cousins.” He laughed, slapping his scowling friend on the back. “Else your family has a lot to answer for.” “Ah know what yer tryin’ ta say,” Applejack grumbled. “But it jus’ not th’ way Grampy Smith raised me. It still doesn’t feel right.” “So… what? You hate Butterscotch now?” “Ah don’t know, okay?” Applejack balled his fist and brought it down on the balcony railing. “Ah— Ah jus’ don’t know.” An awkward silence fell between the two of them. Applejack let out a loud sigh. “Why’d he hafta go ‘n change?” “I don’t think he has changed,” Dusk Shine said, looking up to the stars. “He’s still the same Butterscotch we’ve always known. The same Butterscotch who’s looked after Barb for me, and Silver Bell for Evasive. He’s the same guy you’ve worked with on your group assignments. He’s still the same person, nothing has changed about him… except our perceptions…” Dusk Shine turned to head into the house, but stopped at the door. “… but only if we let them. Just, think about it, Applejack. Please don’t throw away your friendship without giving it a little thought first. We owe him that much, at the very least.” “Yeah,” Applejack huffed, slumped over the railing. “Ah guess.”
Chapter FourEnvironmental Biology was a difficult subject for Applejack. He’d grown up on a farm, and he knew how to handle the animals, what made them tick… and he knew apple harvesting like it was in his blood. Sustainable ecology and all that other stuff was well outside Applejack’s normal purview, but Grampy Smith and Big Marcy had both encouraged him to get a degree; to do what he could to help the farm. What had made these lectures tolerable was sharing them with Butterscotch. Environmental Biology was one of the few overlapping lectures they shared; Butterscotch was studying Wildlife Conservation or some such nonsense, and although they didn’t always agree on everything, they were friends and enjoyed each others company, helping each other out where they could. Applejack was unsure if he was pleased or not when Butterscotch sat several rows away. What had Applejack done to deserve being snubbed. But then again, he wasn’t sure he wanted to sit next to Butters, even after his conversation with Dusk Shine the previous night. “Well, what’re you doin’ sitting here by your lonesome?” A young woman sat down next to Applejack, dropping her notebook heavily on the desk. “I thought you and the pretty boy were attached at the hips,” she chuckled. Applejack clenched his hand, snapping the pencil he had been writing with. “Oh, sorry…” The woman gave Applejack a sheepish look. “I-I didn’t mean to offend. I don’t mean nothin’ by it. Darn it! I just can’t do this introduction thing right, can I? Name’s Toffee,” she introduced herself, holding out a hand. Applejack shook the offered hand. “Applejack,” he muttered. “I know who you are, AJ.” She smiled sheepishly at his confused expression. “You probably don’t remember me…” “Yer right… Ah’m sorry,” he responded, looking down at the page in front of him. “It’s okay. It was years ago, and I bet your family gets plenty of seasonal workers for harvest.” A blush formed across Toffee’s face. “No reason you’d remember little old me.” A sharp whistle drew his attention, and turning back he could see a group of girls giving the two of them the thumbs up. Toffee’s blush grew to the point her face was near radiating. “I… I’ve wanted to come and say ‘Hi’, but you’ve… and I was just wondering—” Toffee’s voice started to waver, and she started to hide behind her fringe in a way that uncomfortably reminded Applejack of someone else. “… if you’d like to have coffee?” Applejack stared at the girl, shocked. “Uhh… Ah think…” Applejack closed his eyes, trying to form the words. A smile spread across his lips. Someone had asked him out! “Ah think Ah’d love that, Miss Toffee. Ah’d like that very much!” “Really?” Toffee squeaked. “Really! Oh, great… I mean good. Good! Are you doing anything after the lecture?” Ж Butterscotch watched as Applejack left with the girl who had sat with him; his friend didn’t look back once. He packed his study materials back into his messenger bag, and slung it across his shoulder. The lecture hall was empty, save a few other students, by the time Butterscotch made his way to the door. Normally, Butterscotch and Applejack would go have afternoon tea once they were done with Environmental Biology, quite often Applejack needed clarification on some of the lecture notes, and Butterscotch didn’t mind helping when the company was good. By himself, he was not overly sure what to do. Out of habit he made his way to the coffee shop he and Applejack frequented, but upon opening the door he saw Applejack’s familiar stetson over the heads of the crowd. He could hear his friend laughing along with his date. The last thing Butterscotch wanted was to ruin Applejack’s day, so he turned to exit. Taking a seat in the park across from the coffee shop, he balled his fist and bopped it on his open palm. “Okay, no need to feel sorry for myself. Like Iron Wilma says, seize the day!” He grabbed his mobile phone and dialed. “Ummm, hi, Dusk. I was just wondering—” Butterscotch spoke softly into the phone. “Oh no, nothing is the matter. I was just wondering if you were… oh, no. That is okay, I don’t want to interrupt your study session. I’ll see you later.” Butterscotch tried Elusive, but his phone seemed to be off. Elusive was like that; when he had a deadline to meet, it was nearly impossible to contact him. He stood, sighing, and slipped his phone back into his pocket. Ж Applejack guffawed at the story Toffee told him. Big Marcy had never once shared that embarrassing little nugget with her brothers. “Ah can’t believe she kept that one from me. After all th’ grief she gave me over trying ta handle the south field on mah own!” Applejack courteously paid for both their drinks, and escorted Toffee to a free table. “So how is Big Marcy? And what was your little brother’s name?” Toffee asked, apologetically. “Sorry, I don’t remember.” “That’s alright, Ah bet he was likely in school while you were helpin’ on th’ farm. But yeah, Apple Buck’s been good. He was gettin’ picked on somethin’ mighty fierce at school, but things’ve been better since he made a friend at school. Kids can be somethin’ terrible, and an accent like ours?” Toffee blushed. “I always thought your accent was charming.” The waitress politely interrupted them, as she delivered the coffee’s and Toffee’s cake to the table. “So, your friend…” Toffee broke the silence after taking a sip of her coffee. “He’s pretty cute too, and one of my friends…” She trailed off into silence, seeing the look on Applejack’s face. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him up.” Applejack sighed. “No, y’all are fine. Ah jus’… Ah jus’ don’t know what to do about that one. Ah personally think a date with a pretty girl might go a long way for that boy, but Ah don’t know how amendable he’d be ta the idea…” Ж “Oh, Butterscotch! I didn’t expect to see you in today.” “Hi, Dr. Goodall. I finished with my work early, so I thought I might come down and see if you needed help.” “I could always use your assistance,” the older woman smiled. “Why, I don’t know where this animal shelter would be without your help.” “Thank you, Doctor.” Butterscotch blushed, hiding behind his fringe. “Well, you go on out the back.” Dr Goodall smiled, nodding to her assistant. “I’m sure they will all be happy to see you.” Butterscotch stepped through the double doors to the rear of the building. He let them out of their cages, one by one, as they scampered out the back doors towards the playpen. The last animal Butterscotch let out was his favorite. He didn’t like to think he had favorites, but this bunny held a special spot in his heart. He slid to the floor, holding the tiny rabbit close to his chest. “Hey Angel-bunny. Daddy’s had a really bad day today.”
