That Time We Swapped Spit

6 years later

The usual sometimes overbearing din or ponies milling about in the halls of the school is nothing more than background noise to Rumble this particular day as he nervously paces back and forth in front of the door to the mechanics lab. The shrill cry of the school bell nearly rips Rumble's hammering heart from his chest, but he is able to regain composure quickly enough so as not to look out of place.

A steady stream of ponies files out of the classroom and Rumble's eyes scan every body for the familiar off-brown coat of his best friend. Much too suddenly for Rumble to react, a hoof is thrown around his neck and he is thrust into a full body hug.

"Hey Rumble!" The voice is far too feminine to be one of his male friends, plus almost overwhelming scent of candy that is assaulting his nose helps him put the pieces together fairly quickly.

"Hey Sweet Tooth" Rumble grins.

"Drat, foiled again."

"You're not exactly inconspicuous, you absolutely reek of candy."

"What can I say," Sweet Tooth mumbles, the stem of a lollipop sticking out of her mouth even as she speaks. "It's my one weaknesses."

"Yeah," Rumble rolls his eyes." That and anything with one of each chromosome."

Sweet Tooth slugs Rumble in the arm and bites down hard on the lollipop in her mouth. "Hey, I'm not the only one who's got it bad for a colt."

There is a hoof pressed firmly to her maw before she can even inhale her next breath, causing her to sputter and choke on the bits of candy in her mouth.

"Celestia Sweet Tooth, do you want everypony in school to know I'm a colt-cuddler?" Sweet Tooth swats his hoof away irritably so she can correct her breathing and swallow the bits of candy threatening to clog her trachea.

"Oh would you relax Rumble, your secret identity is still a secret." Rumble's shoulders relax noticeably.

"Let's just hope it stays that way, forever." Sweet Tooth brandishes another lollipop from her saddlebag and pops it into her mouth.

"So, is today finally the day?" Sweet Tooth can see the stiffness creep up his back and into his upper torso, she grins to herself as she watches him scan the bodies filing out of the classroom like a hawk.

"I don't know" Rumble sighs, finally letting his gaze drop. "I just don't want to lose what we already have, y'know?"

"I know what you mean, this is tough stuff." The way she is casually sucking a lollipop as she converses with him lessens the value of everything she says in Rumble's eyes, he doesn't say anything though.

"I'm sure he'd understand though, you guys have been best friends for like forever." Rumble offers a far away "yeah," that doesn't convince himself nor Sweet Tooth. Sweet Tooth throws a hoof around his shoulders again, this time looking worlds more caring and concerned.

"I know this is hard for you man, but don't beat yourself up over it. If you don't feel ready or you think he'll react badly just hold off until you think you're both ready, OK?" Rumble only nods, but Sweet Tooth is glad she is able to at least get something out of him.

"Hey guys." Rumble recognizes the voice almost instantaneously and all of his features immediately light up.

"Button!" Sweet Tooth bellows, delineating another one of her signature bone crushing hugs to the unprepared colt.

"Can't breathe..." Sweet Tooth releases her grip on Button and he promptly begins to suck air into his needy lungs.

"Sorry" she grins sheepishly, Button waves a her a pardon as he continues to heave.

"What's up nerdlet?" Rumble grins at his panting friend "How was class?"Button-who finally has a sufficient enough supply of air-straightens his beanie on his head and collects his books off the floor and puts them back into his saddle bag.

"It was pretty sweet actually, we learned how to calibrate the fuel intake of an engine and a bunch of cool engine maintenance techniques.

"Sounds interesting" Rumble smiles fallaciously.

"Or in other words, nerdspeak."

"That's all I heard."

"I can see you're in true form today, Rumble."

"Aren't I always?"

"Apparently not on picture day" Sweet Tooth adds which earns her a glare from Rumble.

"I swear, they schedule picture day on the worst days. It's almost like I'm destined to look like a disheveled hooligan every year."

"Isn't that what you are?" Sweet Tooth asks pointedly, Rumble waves a dismissive hoof at her.

"I'd lean closer to stallion among stallions."

“Oh yeah, you're a real charmer alright." Both Sweet Tooth and Button Mash share a giggle at Rumble's expense. Rumble overplays the frown that graces his snout.

"Two against one is it?" There is a challenging inflection in Rumble's voice that ignites a fire in the bellies of both Button Mash and Sweet Tooth.

"I thought you liked challenges Rumble" Sweet Tooth taunts, causing his eyes to narrow further.

"I'm always up for a little friendly competition."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Rumble, struts his way past Sweet Tooth and Button Mash before tearing off down the hallway toward the double doors that lead to the school's courtyard. Sweet Tooth is hot on his heels immediately, with Button bringing up the rear behind them.

The race is close, with Rumble bursting through the doors closely followed by Sweet Tooth. Button staggers out the doors a few seconds later, head hung low and heaving for the second time that day.

"You are the biggest cheater" Sweet Tooth pants playfully, knocking Rumble in the shoulder again.

"More like the biggest winner."

"Biggest wiener seems more appropriate."

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Rumble grins salaciously at her, to which she responds by pelting him in the forehead with a lollipop.

"You're disgusting."

"You walked right into that one." Rumble points out while nursing the red spot on his forehead.

"You guys are gonna end up killing me one of these days" Button warns as he trots to catch up to the duo.

"I could never hurt my little Button Boo" She coos at him, reaching for him with her hooves once again. Button is ready for it this time and ducks out of the way just before the hooves have a chance to snare him.

"Like I said," Button reiterates. "You two are gonna end up doing me in one of these days."

"Sweet Tooth did you tell him our master plan?"

"Never master."

"Very funny Rumble."

"I'll be here all week."

"That reminds me" Button stops in place and goes to rummaging around in his saddle bag; Rumble and Sweet Tooth both stop and look back inquisitively at the colt as he rifles through his things. Button emerges with from the depths of his saddlebag with what looks to be a tiny handheld screen of some sorts.

"I finally got the new edition of star fighters five, wanna come over and break it in with me Rumble?" Rumble can feel his heart climbing from its spot in his chest.

"Sure, love to."

"Ugh," Sweet Tooth scoffs as she turns away from Button. "You guys are such nerds, remind me why I hang out with you again?"

"Because you love us?" Rumble reminds her, to which she smirks.

"You're not my type blue." Sweet Tooth watches Rumble set his jaw in attempts to not grind his teeth.

"I hate it when you call me that!"

"I do it because I care." Sweet Tooth pulls a piece of hard candy out of her saddlebag and feeds it into her mouth before turning and beginning to walk down the path ahead of the two colts.

"I'll catch you nerds later, I've got a date to get ready for." And with that, she is gone, leaving Button and Rumble to each other's company.

"I actually have to get going too, mom says if she has to reschedule my dentist appointment again she going to take away my video games  for two weeks.

"For sure Button, take care."

"You still wanna hang out tonight and help me break in star fighters?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."

The walk to Button's house is a maddening affair for Rumble; partly because of the innumerable amount of times he considers turning back and partly because of the prospect of being alone with Button. He rounds a nearby corner and continues walking until a trio of shrill, feminine voice makes his every muscle tense and his knees lock.

"Hiiiiii Rumble." Rumble turns to toward the source of the noise and sees Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo skipping down the street a few paces behind him.

"Hey guys" Rumble waves, inwardly dreading having come across the three fawning fillies.

"Watcha doin out here this time of night?" Sweetie Belle bounces over, leaning too close for Rumble's liking.

"Going to hang out with Button" His reply is simple and to the point, so it confuses him on more than one level when each of the three fillies grins manically up at him.

"Ooh, you're going to "hang out" with Button?" The emphasis Scootaloo puts on hang out makes Rumble draw back slightly.

"Yeah...He just got a copy of the new Star Fighters game and he wanted me to come break it in with him." Rumble expects his explanation to abate the three's admittedly unsettling grins, instead they just stretch wider.

"Is that the only thing you're gonna be breaking in?" Scootaloo jibes, earning her a slug in the shoulder from Sweetie Belle. Rumble's brow raises in confusion.

"What's up with you guys, you're acting really weird."

"Oh nothing" Sweetie Belle practically sings as she saunters around Rumble, the other two crusaders joining her. "Have fun with Button." The wink in her voice makes Rumble blink in both confusion and unease.

"What do you mean by that?" Rumble calls after the fillies, but its no use, they are already a considerable distance away, their laughter trailing them as they go.

Rumble waits until they are mere dots in the horizon to begin moving again, his pace much slower and more reticent than before. After minutes of tense, nerve wracking shuffling down the street, Rumble comes into view of Button's house, but stops just short of the lawn with the crusaders actions replaying in his head non-stop since he'd run into them.

Did they know?

Did Sweet Tooth blab that he likes colts?

Is he that obvious when he stares at Button?

The onslaught of thoughts stops him dead in his tracks, staring at the door to Button's house wondering if he should just turn back and go home.

"Oh, Rumble, haven't seen you in a while." Rumble nearly jumps out of his feathers as the soothing voice of Button's mother resonates from behind him.

"My goodness Rumble, are you alright? You seem awfully tense." Rumble floats back down to the ground and shakes the stiffness from his wings.

"I'm fine; you just startled me is all."

"Oh, I apologize. Button's been waiting for you to come since before I left for the market, you can go on inside if you like." Rumble can still feel the nervousness in his knees.

"Thanks," It takes quite a bit of effort on Rumble's part not to stutter as he makes his way into the house and toward Button's room. He trots up to Button's door and knocks lightly. After a couple seconds the door creaks open and to reveal a wide smiling Button Mash.

"What's up Rumble?" The two bump hooves and Button ushers Rumble inside and closes the door behind him.

"Check it out dude" Button picks the handheld machine up off his bed and turns the screen toward Rumble. "I already beat level three."

"Sweet dude." Rumble settles down on the bed and they begin their usual routine of switching off every death. About an hour in, Rumble feels the familiar flutter of butterflies in his chest as he watches Button tap away at the keys of his joyboy.

"Button..." He starts awkwardly, not really knowing what exactly it is he is trying to say. "Have you ever had a crush on somepony before?" It takes Button a couple seconds to respond, still taping away at the keys.

"I've thought some fillies looked pretty before, but I don't think I've ever had a full on crush." Rumble winces at the word filly, but persists despite the sting.

"Have you ever felt like telling that pony that you thought they were pretty?" Button continues to stare down at the screen, but answers Rumble's question anyway.

"Not in a million years" Button snorts. "I'm not smooth with the ladies like you are." Rumble winces again as if he's been physically struck. He sucks in a long, heavy breath and exhales it as he falls supine on Button's bed.

"Button, what would you say if I told you I was a colt-cuddler?"

"I'd tell you that’s the best joke you've told all week."

"Button..." The inflection on the word is enough to get Button to pause the game to look over at Rumble, the somber seriousness twinkling in Rumble's eyes makes Button release a heavy sigh of his own.

"I know; I've known for a long time actually." Rumble shoots upright almost immediately, his eyes wider than Button thinks are possible.

"YOU KNEW?!" Button can't help but grin wryly at his friend's outburst.

"Well yeah...Even though you have your pick of pretty much any filly in school, I've never once seen you actually ask any one of them out. But It didn't really click for me until I remembered that one day that you kissed me under the slide after school. Then I sorta just put two and two together."

"Well why didn't you say anything?" Button shrugs, his face still red.

"I didn't want to scare you or anything, I wanted you to tell me yourself." Button sees tears welling up in the corner of Rumble's eyes and a feeling he doesn't recognize washes over him.

"Thanks" Rumble embraces Button in a hug that Button knows is from the bottom of Rumble's heart. After some time, the two separate and Rumble is back to looking reserved and unsure.

"So...do you know-"

"That you have a crush on me? Yeah, I kinda figured that one out too." Button is smiling so wide and goofy that Rumble turns bright red under the weight of it.

"How?" Is all Rumble can manage. Button giggles at the incredulous look on his face.

"I don't know how to explain it really. After I figured out you were...that way, I met up with you at school one day and I guess the way you smiled at me told me everything."

Rumble looks floored at what Button just explained to him, but not so much as to render him mute.

"So...what do you think?" Button smiles a smile that makes Rumble's insides practically melt.

"It's actually really flattering that somepony as handsome as you has a crush on somepony as dorky as me. But as much as it pains me to say it, I'm just not attracted to other colts that way."

Rumble’s heart jumps so far up into his throat he feels like he could choke on it and In an instant, it feels like his entire world is crumbling around him. Button wraps his hooves around Rumble immediately and Rumble breaks down right then and there, crying openly and earnestly into Button's shoulder. Button simply lets him cry for as long as he needs and eventually, once Rumble is a little calmer, the two separate.

"I really am sorry" Button tries, avoiding Rumble's eyes.

"It's fine" Rumble sniffs, wiping his eyes with the back of his hoof. Button bites his lip as he stares at the broken visage of his best friend and then an idea that he is extremely reluctant to entertain comes to him.

"Remember that time you saved me from those bullies on the playground when we were ten and you told me that I owed you a favor?" Rumble nods somberly.

"Well I'm cashing it in right now." That is all the explanation Button gives before he throws himself at Rumble and their snouts connect in an awkward kiss. Rumble is surprised to say the least, but after a few seconds of reeling, his mind simply shuts off enough to let him enjoy the kiss. It lasts far longer than Rumble expects, and when Button does finally break the kiss, Rumble tries fruitlessly to voice his concern only to be cowed into silence by Button practically climbing on top of him.

"Button what-"

"Shut up Rumble" Button's voice is thick with what Rumble surmises is a combination of lust and sympathy. Their snouts meet again and Rumble finds the part of his mind protesting their union slowly fading into the back of his mind. However, a part of him is still confused at Buttons actions following what he'd just explained to Rumble not two minutes prior.

"Button," Rumble starts as their snouts disconnect again. "I thought you said you weren't-"

"I'm not," Button pants. "I owe you a favor remember?" Rumble makes an awkward face as he stares up at Button's own panting form.

"I appreciate you trying to make me feel better Button, but I don't want you to do anything you don't want to." Button responds by pushing Rumble flat on his back again.

"I do want to, it's the least I can do. Besides," Rumble steps over him now so that their faces are aligned. "I owe you one."

Button continues to hungrily attack Rumble's face, However, Rumble is far from uncomfortable. He meets Button's almost predatory advances with a force just as lust-driven and sensual. Rumble disconnects their snouts roughly before he flips Button off of him and rolls on top of the other colt.

"You don't get to have all the fun Button." Rumble growls, traversing the length of Button's body with hungry kisses and licks. Rumble makes it all the way to Button's navel before he stops himself, glancing up at Button who nods his approval. Without missing a beat Rumble's tongue comes out of his maw and trails a slow, savoring lick up the length of Button's erect member before capturing the top half of his friend's erection in his maw.

Button's back arches sharply and he lets out a broken moan as the nerve endings surrounding his penis are stimulated by the wet warmth of Rumble's maw.

"Rumble" Button croaks, eyes closed and chest heaving. "Turn around."

Rumble, still focusing intently on the task at hand, complies and turns so that his back end is looming over Button's head. The next sensation Rumble feels is the heavenly sensation of his length being encompassed by a warm, wet sleeve.

Rumble moans around the meat in his mouth which in turn sends shivers up Button's spine and prompts him to double his own efforts, his tongue exploring further up Rumble's shaft and his hooves kneading and massaging the two orbs hanging just below.

Their session of eager, gratuitous, oral sex continues for naught but another minute before both colts feel the familiar tingle in their shafts and balls. However, neither one has the presence of mind to warn the other, so when both colts eventually do let loose, it is a surprise for both colts.

Button is very well aware what comes at the end of nearly every session of oral, and he also knows that he isn't too keen on getting a gullet full of stallion semen. But when he feels the length in his mouth twitch hard twice and then begin to erupt in his reluctant maw, he surmises that he has no other feasible option than to swallow as much as his throat and stomach will allow. It is impressive indeed that a greenhorn in the field of oral sex like himself could swallow nearly all of the seed gushing into his maw with only a small rivulet running down his cheek, especially with an orgasm of his own practically disrupting all other brain function that the necessary ones.

Rumble on the other hand is almost looking forward to the gift he knows is coming after a job well done, and as the first spurts of seed come rocketing out of Button's member, he graciously sucks them down his throat and into his stomach.

There is a period of time where neither colt has the mental clarity or the physical discipline to move as powerful spasm render them nothing but a shivering, moaning singularity. Rumble gets it together first, pulling off Button's withering member with a content lick of the lips. Button follows suit, letting Rumble's own shrinking member slip out of his mouth as his head falls back and makes contact with the sheets.

"Celestia, that felt so good." Rumble pants as he flops over next to Button, his voice husky and soft.

"Yeah," Button replies simply, sprawled out on his back.

"I thought you said you weren't a colt cuddler."

"I'm not, I just felt like you needed some cheering up."

"I don't know many straight colts that would suck a dick and swallow a load." Rumble snickers and is met with a friendly slug to the shoulder from Button.

"You didn't exactly give me much a warning." Rumble blushes sheepishly.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I guess I got caught up in the pleasure."

"It's fine, that was actually really fun; just, please don't tell anyone about this."

"I won't, you did the same for me so it's only fair."

"Thanks." In the beat of silence that follows, Rumble rolls to look over at Button before smirking impishly.

"Hey Button, you got a little somethin on your cheek." Rumble swipes his hoof through the seed on Buttons cheek and wipes it on his lips.

"Eck, Rumble, that's disgusting."

"Disgusting? You swallowed a lot more than that."

"Can you please stop bringing that up?"

"Fair enough."

"Sooo..." Rumble trails off awkwardly. "This isn't gonna make things weird between us is it?"

"Only if one of us makes it weird."

"Let's just keep being best bros for as long as we can alright?" Rumble extends a hoof and Button meets it halfway.

"Deal."