Working at Twilight's library was often a little more difficult of a job than button's mom expected, but at least it put food on the table. It almost seemed as each time that she put something back, Twilight would often just pull it out again. Especially now, she could only imagine how it must have been for Spike when he did it all himself. Every so often in fact, she could almost hear him mumbling to himself about "Waking from a thousand year slumber for this". Good to see at least she wasn't the only one overworked. At least it had good pay however.
Her ears went down, as she listened closely to the booms rumbling outside. Button Mash, her son, must be absolutely terrified back at the house, as she remembered that he was still afraid of thunder. As much as she worried, it was still adorable, and an excuse to always comfort him when he was to busy playing his games for hugs or cuddles...
"Um...Mr..?"
Spike, Twilights trusted assistant, rolled his eyes. Button's mom could at least call him by name...
"I have a name." Spike muttered, shaking his head and tired from his long shift. Owlicious cackled in the background, knowing how hard it was often for people to remember his name, instead relating him to a certain tootsie pop commercial.
"um....what was it?
"Ungh....it's Spike...well, People call me spike but it's actually, Eghem.... Kenbroth Gilspotten Heathspi--" but he was promptly interrupted by a hoof over his mouth.
"oh, Spike! look at the time....time for your bath!" Twilight stumbled, tugging him backwards toward the bathroom.
"Twil---ahh! WAIT!"
But he was pushed out of the way to the bathroom, and she quickly closed the door and turned to face the bewildered mare standing before her. "So sorry...his name is ..It's only Spike. Nothing more, nothing less..."
Button's mom could almost see straight through Twilight's nervousness, but shook it off. It apparently was not important at the moment. What was important was that she got home to see if her colt was having his bath yet too, but fat chance though. He probably does not even think that it was actually raining outside If he knew however, she probably had to soothe him back enough to rest or distract him with yet another game.....such a way to come home from work..
"Oh!" Twilight recalled, pulling out a small sheet of paper "I think Button Mash would really like this...it's a free game coupon to his game store that he likes. Just try to make him earn it huh? I don't get many of these from the mailmare often...So try to make him earn it."
"Oh, well thank you Ms. Twilight, I am sure that he will appreciate this quite a bit."
Button's mom pulled a small slip of paper out of her shoulder bag and quietly clocked out, the rain almost seeming to get a little harder outside.
********************************************
MEANWHILE AT BUTTON'S HOUSE
********************************************
Button and sweetie belle sat at the dinner table, a little more nervous than usual. Never before has Button actually manage to sneak guests into the house but it was a matter of time before his mom would be home to find out. Poor Sweetie Belle was equally nervous, pulling a little closer to Button for comfort as he was playing a game on his gameboy.
"HAHAHAHA!!! YEAH!! NEW H---um...new high score. Wanna try?"
Sweetie uncovered her ears. "No thanks. I think we need to actually do this all another time. I don't want you to get in trouble or rarity to flip out again."
"Oh comon! we never can do things like this we can do anything! it's only us here!"
"Like watching you play video games?"
Button's ears drooped down. "Well, we could do more..."
Sweetie belle looked down doubtfully, slightly worried about getting caught and smiled to herself. "Why was it that I was REALLY called over?"
The expression from Button Mash swiftly changed. "I ....u...um... I got a new game!"
"Really? Which one?"
"I...umm...gotta find it first! Let me just complete one more level with--"
Sweetie Belle put her soft hoof gently on his, the feeling alluring, throwing him into a quiet trance.
"Let me ask again Button. Why did you call me over?"
The embarrassment rose dramatically and Button eventually started to turn red and dipped his head in defeat. "Okay, okay, I am a little...okay, a LOT afraid of things when my mom is not home when it's this late at night, and well, you were the only one that I could really trust. "
Sweetie's expression softened. It was actually quite touching that he thought of that of her, but nonetheless, she needed to get back to the boutique.
"It's going to be okay Button, I promise.....would you maybe like, um.....a song or something to help co---"
Button Mash, straightened up and shot back nervously. NO! I don't need that! I'm a big colt!"
"Okay, okay, sheesh...I was just trying to help..."
Almost immediately upon those words, there was a bright flash as another bolt of thunder ripped across the late night sky, filling the room with a flare of slight purple before greeting they're sensitive, soft ears with a earth-shattering crack, and the door opened.
"Button! I'm home!"
"Q....Quick Sweetiebelle! HIDE!" he said, through his tears.
"Will you be okay?"
"Please! I won't be if Mom....The closet! Go there!"
"So much for being a big colt...."
"HURRY!"
Sweetie Belle quickly opened up the closet and a bunch of gaming magazines poured out, nearly burying the poor filly under them, as she was pulled out of the way just in time by Button, who ushered her to a much more less spacey and uncomfortable cabinet instead. With barely a squeak, she fit quietly in there and curled up nervously.
As Button's mom closed the front door, she expected by his usual loud gaming but instead was met by silence. Usually he would be blasting his video games, but tonight it seemed to be different. She was met by a silence that was quite peaceful, and worrying, instead. Giving her mane a quick toweling, she trotted up the stairs to make sure that he was okay.
"Are you okay Button? You were supposed to be in bed!"
"N...No! I'm not okay! I just want to be left alone!"
"Not okay? I'm coming in!"
Button Mash had to think quickly. He didn't expect that reaction.
"I'm just scared of the thunder! That's why I'm awake! I'll be fine!"
Button's mom held back a little "Daww" Even though that she felt bad for him being afraid of storms, it was still slightly adorable to see how he can try to remain tough, and pretend like he was not scared, even though it terrified him. Upon listening closely however, he was almost sobbing. Opening his door cautiously, she drooped her ears and trotted slightly inside, where he sat over his bed, not even playing his games, something she never saw him doing. Upon closer inspection, Button mash laid there, practically shaking...nervous perhaps?
"Button, is there something your not telling me?"
He only shook his head no, unable to consider that she might have or might she not have known about Sweetie Belle coming over. All that was unimportant right now. He actually was extremely scared of the storm, however having Sweetie Belle over to this whole problem seemed to overwhelm him in a way he didn't expect.
Her motherly side kicking in like rocket boosters, she dove down and scooped Button Mash up by surprise into her hooves, only giving a slight grunt, due that he wasn't the baby colt that she used to pick up a few years back. Button instinctively squirmed, but saw his soft eyes of his mother and almost seemed distant, his tears almost immediately drying up. Luckily nopony else was seeing this...
"There you go....good boy..."
Those words seemed to have slipped out of Button's mom's mouth quite naturally, despite that he was not young anymore. As Button would put it however, they were often only said in times where it would embarrass him, but he was to exhausted to argue. Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one to notice that either.
"M..mom, why are you...."
But she quickly put a hoof to his muzzle, hushing him quietly. "It's okay no reason to talk....you can just relax...."
Not even sure why or how, Button Mash obeyed.
"I know you want to feel better sweetie I am right here for you....tell you what....we can play a game..."
Hearing the word "Sweetie" reminded him that poor Sweetie Belle must be getting really uncomfortable down where she was, and brought forth a bit of sadness and guilt, before he turned away slightly.
"I'm not in the mood for games."
"Oh, nonsense silly, it will be a fun game that can help you well deserved rest.... If you fall asleep in....30 minuites... I win."
"Win what?"
"Um...just win." Button's mom added sheepishly. She never really was so much of the gaming type as her son.
"What?! that's not fair! What kind of a game is that?" For a moment, Button was a bit better, but only to hold back another round of sniffles.
In a bit of a quandary. She gave it some quick thought before leaning forward and nuzzling buttons mane. "Well, that's true, but....if you stay awake I'll....hmm ...Buy you any game you want from the mart tomorrow morning"
Button mash was never one to say to a challenge. Ears perking up almost right away, as he took a hoof to his muzzle and fell to only a whimper. "A-any game?"
"Any of them you want, Button." She said back, before wanting to change her mind again.
His wobbly mouth managed a smile. "Thanks m..mom"
"Shh, your safe in mommy's arms." She murmured, caressing his mane softly
"H-h-how are you..."
"I used to take care of you when you were just a little baby pony sweetie. I know all about you and how to comfort you...."
Button mash huffed. Seems like this wasn't going to be easy as he thought. He could almost feel himself sink into her soft chest, almost automatically. He couldn't help but want to curl up tight, and enjoy being this close to his mother's fur. It seems like it was a long time that he got to do this, except for the occasional embarrassing hug at the school or in front of his friends as just a tease....but this seemed different...strangely comforting. Sinking deeper into her lap he felt himself almost melt, and that everything was going to be okay.
The power went out and poor Button Mash froze, the subdued lighting around him disappearing, plunging him into a sudden darkness. "MMMMMMMMMOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!"
Cringing slightly from his yell, his mother folded her ears back and took a breath, gathering herself, and still not letting go of her son. If she really thought about it, it was actually quite adorable. As soon as something went wrong, she was the first one that he looked upon for comforting. Looks like this challenge might be a little harder now since he was stressed from the storm.
Stepping up her game, she began to sway slightly, and before he can realize it, Button mash was clinging quietly to her fur, leaned against the quiet mare, who despite it being dark, watched him lovingly.
"Sweetie....please use your inside voice...Mommy's right here for you....."
Button stopped almost on command, and gave a little shiver. Only when she was usually teasing him or seemingly embarrassing him in front of his friends when picking him up at the arcade did she call herself by "Mommy." He would occasionally be called other cute names such as "Sweetie" or the dreaded "Pumpkin-cheeks" but hearing her say "Mommy" seemed different, and surely something that he has not heard ever since he was a baby.
He tried to search his feelings but they seemed pretty mixed up for some reason, and soon he realized that it would be better if he stayed where he was at and did not worry about it. It was such an adorable moment to his mom, who gave a quiet chuckle.
"You like that sweetie?"
"I.... think...I...."
She patiently awaited a response, but was instead given a sudden burst and a squirming colt instead.
"N.......no! I'm a big colt! I'm awake!"
Button Mash tried to slip off of her lap and was blushing furiously, thanking Celestia in the back of his mind that the power was out, so his mom wouldn't pick up on the emotions. He started to take a step forward to go back to his room, but was quickly stopped and gently tugged back by his tail, and nestled right back into his mother's lap.
"Oh no you don't! You started this. You forgot mommy can see in the dark really well.. ^_^"
"I didn't start anything!"
"You should have went to bed on time then!" despite his nervousness, he didn't really fight back, and was pulled back into his mothers hooves. realizing that by now, she was picking up on his shyness, and determination to stay awake under any costs.
His mother paused. "Daaawwww....I think somepony is getting all shy....look at you...your all flushed.."
"I- I am not! I'm just needing...umm....to get up and get a drink!"
She saw right through his bluff and smiled, whispering in his ears. "I think somepony likes this personal attention and doesn't wanna admit it because he thinks he's a big colt."
"But I am a big colt! I'm not even the slightest bit tired!"
In a slight sing-song voice, she looked up at the clock ticking next to them on the table. "I known you enough years that I know you don't last to long after that and getting mommy's hugs for the night."
There she goes using that word again..... It almost seemed to melt Button into her fur each time that she used it.
"Shhhh....just rest sweetheart....shhh....i got your drinkie's right here..."
Button Mash could feel a small bump rub against his cheek. Being the fact since it was dark, he turned toward it and felt it ease in his mouth. Everything seemed to have started working nearly automatically from there,
Not questioning it, he began to naturally gulp at the source, especially since he forgot to drink when he was playing his games all day. Even when the lights were off or his eyes were closed, he could still see the after images of his video games, and was almost distracted by them even, and was incredibly thirsty anyway and to tired to think of where the source was coming from. It was only a few minutes later when he reared back with a gasp.
"M....MOM!!!! What are you....blehhhhhhhahhhh! D...disgusti...ahhhhh!"
Not even flinching, Button's mom laughed to herself and petted the back of his head pushing him lightly back toward him and laughed a little. "Awww, it isn't that bad...."
Button's mom gave a cute pouty face, sniffling a little to show her son that she "Had her feelings hurt" and playfully whined, before snuggling back into him.
"Why don't you try it again sweetie?"
Shaking his head nervously he-less-than-politely declined at first, but gave in after seeing his mothers reaction, unable to stand to see her upset like that.
Ever since his mom started this whole thing, Button Mash almost seemed to have lost track of time, date, and what he was crying about in the first place. It seemed as if anytime his mom held him, that things seemed to just fall into place.... given that she did it in private and never like in a shopping mall or something. In mixed thoughts, Button closed his eyes softly, fluttering them a little before pressing his mouth softly against the nipple of his mother and naturally began to nurse sleepily, unable to argue anymore.
"What does some little colt like that name? Mommy? You know that Mommy just came back from work and shes coming home to her adorable little colt who just needs a little bit of sleepy time and milkies?". She looked deep in his tired eyes as the power started again, with a low hum, lighting up the hallway and dim light of the kitchen.
.Not wasting a second, Button quickly opened his eyes, but it was to late. His mother saw it and laughed blushing. "AWWWWWWWWWWWWW You were all sleepy... How do you expect to win if your getting all snoozy....just a little longer sweetheart." What she did not say however, was that they were only halfway through.
"Mom....p.....please your emba---."
She stopped him. "But you like it though otherwise you wouldn't of had your eyes closed."
"I........um......I was playing a game the other night and I am afraid of the dark because...I mean..what I meant to say was"
"You cant get yourself out of this button. You'll be okay. Just know that I'm home now. You don't have to worry about any of your meanies on your games any more tonight....." After a little bit of silence, she dropped her voice to a comforting whisper, trying to ease some of his embarrassment. Button sighed, half in annoyance and relief, knowing at this rate he wouldn't last much longer.
In fact, if Button thought about it, he actually did forget about the bullies in the games. Seemed just one second ago he was on the edge of rage quitting, and then suddenly his mom was home and all was okay.
All was going to be alright.
"Hey...uhh....m...mom?"
"Yes, my wittle Button? Mommy's right here..."
"T...t...thank you."
Button's mom smiled. It didn't even seem like a punishment or a tease anymore. It was just naturally coming from her. She however had to remember that her little colt was still going up past his bedtime, and had to think of a little bit of something else to keep him going to sleep quicker. Besides, she knew that he would have to keep her promise to him and give him that game tomarrow if he won, and have to probably repeat this all over again. This wasn't really even a bad thing, but she still wanted to get him sleepy so she could go to bed to, so it was starting to get healing for the both of them. One part of her wanted to squeeze her little boy tight, and another part of her wanted to keep him relaxing adorably in her hooves.
Button realized the room seemed to get slightly darker and twitched, a sure sign that he was defiantly more tired than he wanted to admit and soon, his head flopped to the side.
After a moment of silence, his mom chuckled. "Heh.....you loose sweetie...I cant let you not be punished for you going over your bedtime though...."
Button's mom gently picked up a camera off of her table and set the flash to off, cradling button with one hoof, and pressing the shutter with the other.
"There we go, " she thought, almost tearing up knowing that she was going to miss these days. "Perfect for Rarity....right Sweetie Belle?"
There was no answer until she shook her head. "Guess I would have to tell Rarity that you were here then.."
Immediately, the little white filly jumped out from a small cabinet, almost in tears, and blushing furiously after all that she just witnessed. "I...I'm sorry! No! Pleas---"
"Sweetie....shhhh...you'll wake my little baby."
Looking around nervously, she folded her ears lowering herself down to a sputtering whimper. "I was just asked to t..try to get my cutie mark in spying and I thought...I...um...button....Please don't tell Rarity...PLEASE!"
"I won't tell her......but I want you to deliver this to her.... keep it safe from the rain and ask her to put it on her fridge....the other's will see it in good time. Don't let her remove it. It'll teach him to not stay up past his bedtime and not let others in the house without my permission...."
She nodded in understanding, and stared at Button Mash, who rested there, completely relaxed and unaware to all that was happening. Seeing him nestled in that almost brought a longing to Sweetie Belle, missing when Rarity would cuddle her whenever that she had a bad dream. Button's mother gently patted his bottom softly as he clinged to her chest fur, ear on her heart and a little bit of his mothers milk still dripping off his muzzle.
"H..how did you know I was...um..."
"Mommy's intuition Sweetie Belle." she hushed.
The little white filly went quiet, looking at Button Mash, barely able to hold back how adorable he looked there sleeping in his mothers arms. He was super fun to be with, but often got obnoxious or caught up in his video games, but Sweetie Belle saw right past that. One part of her wanted to snuggle Button, and the other told her to run very far away, but the closeness of them warmed her heart and seemed to glue her to the floor.
Button's mom got up, carefully, watching the sleeping colt in her arms with such a care and gave him very soft pats on the bottom before quietly turning to Sweetie Belle.
"I'll help you home when I'm done tucking my little colt in" She mused, enjoying that all that she was sure that Sweetie Belle would tell her friends, sure it would teach Button a small lesson on going to bed on time when told. Almost on command, he shifted and barely opened his eyes, disoriented.
"D...did I win?"
Button's mom held back a little bit of tears on how unexpectedly adorable that was. "Y....yes you did...pumpkincheeks. Your mommy's little winner...you stayed up all that time like a good colt."
Falling back asleep with a soft smile, he gave a little yawn and nuzzled back into his mother, leaving the house in silence for a moment.
"You couldn't tell him the truth?" Sweetie Belle piped up.
"It was never a game to begin with Sweetie. Now, please go say your good night's and I will take you home."
Sweetie Belle went up on her hind hooves and peacefully nuzzled his nose, as he gave a slight scrunch, but relaxed again. The pattering of rain slowed, and the thunder remained distant, putting almost a coolness through the vents, making it easier to breathe around his game room while she gently unlatched him from her fur and tucked him in his bed, Button only a ragdoll in her caring hold. Before exiting, she gently tucked the free game coupon under his pillow.
If only now she can make him clean his room....
