Chapter Four: Past and Future (Midnight Flow POV)

“Midnight! Are you coming or what?” Sunset Streak called out to me.

“I’m not that fast!” I complained.

“Well, filly, if you want the stallions to stop looking down at you, you have to work on your speed as well.”

“I still don’t know how I’m supposed to do this in addition to all the trainings and meetings they’re making me attend.”

“Sounds like a ‘you’ problem, not a ‘me’ problem,” Streak said, laughing. “But you’ll figure it out,” she finished before descending next to me and ruffling my mane. “You’re a smart one, and interesting. Otherwise I would’ve never agreed to help you so much.”

I huffed. “Yet you can’t stop treating me like a filly!”

Her grin told me everything. “Well, then you should start training harder. Let’s say,” she stopped and hummed before her grin grew even brightener. “I know! Get through the course in under one minute by the end of the week and you’ll get a special gift from me.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. But only If you make it under one minute.”

I looked up, pondering if it was even possible. The Royal Sky Parkour was one of the most difficult available, with only a hoof full of ponies known to do it perfectly. Yet, the proposition of a gift from Sunset Streak irked me somehow. The unknowns of what a pony like that might give too big of a mystery to pass up. “Alright, deal. But you better come up with a real nice gift, ya hear me?”

“Deal! Now let's see what you’ve got in you.“ Streak smiled at me before raising her hoof with the stopwatch. “You ready?”

I grinned. “Born ready.”

“Well. Three, two, one, GO!”

I blinked before speeding off. I had never expected her to so quickly pull it off, but she was closing on my flank, fast. As quickly as I could, I made my way through the parkour, avoiding obstacles and trying to get the perfect angles through the small goals that marked the course.

It felt like hours would pass by, but every obstacle in my way that I cleared made me feel better, and that in turn made me speed up. Soon it was over and I heard some quick whistles.

“A-a-a-and done! Not bad, filly, not bad,” Streak shouted and waved me down. “I expected less from you.”

I glared at her, “What was the time?”

“One minute...”

Oh yes!

“And fifty-eight seconds!”

WHAT?!

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yep. You're pretty fast, but got a long way to go before you can hold up with the big guns like Night Watch or Moon Shield.”

“Geeze, thanks,” I replied sourly. “Why not add some salt into my wound?”

“Can I?”

“You dare and you’ll limp home with half your blood left,” I growled.

Streak just grinned at me. “Mhh, the filly gets kinky. I know what they say about your kind and blood. Plus there are rumors about Night Watch and Blue Moon. Seems like they can get pretty bad.”

“W-What?”

“Don't tell me you're innocent?” Streak asked, giggling. “Oh Celestia, you are innocent. Little virgin, huh?”

“Shut up!” was the only thing I could think of as a response, something that turned her giggling into full laughter.

“I seriously expected something else,” Streak said after she calmed down.

“Why's that?” I asked, glaring at her.

Her cheeks reddened before she coughed, “Well, look at you! Those legs, this body with your armour on, your mane and tail, not to mention your eyes.”

I looked down, raising a foreleg to inspect it. “What’s wrong with them?”

She huffed, “It's as I said.”

“But you didn't say anything!” I growled.

“Well, if you can't see it I won't tell you,” Streak snorted. “Anyways, where were we? Ah, yes. As I said earlier, you will train with me from now on in your spare time. I know it won't be easy, but you have to get stronger. Blue Moon won't be always there to save your flank.”

“I know that.”

“Good. Be ready.”

“For what?” I asked, but Sunset Streak answered that question by pulling her blade and attacking me.

I barely had a second to raise my armored hoofshoe and direct the blade away from my chest. It struck the ground barely an inch next to my right forehoof.

“Are you bucking crazy?” I cried, but Streak went for another swing. This time, she hit home.

It felt hot and cold at the same time. Looking down at my left leg, I noticed a big cut going from my fetlock a few inches up. I was still able to stand, but it hurt like tartarus.

“Streak, stop it.”

She didn't stop and attacked again. I had no choice but to draw my hoofblades. They were a gift from Blue Moon and Night Watch and the metal was a warm lavender, matching perfectly with my coat.

“Concentrate! The enemy won't stop because you ask him to,” Streak yelled as her blade smashed against my hoofblades. “Now defend yourself by all means! I'm your enemy!”

Sunset Streak gave me no choice but to strike back. I tried to push her backwards, to cause her to struggle, but she parried every hit with my hoofblades easily. It was like she was playing with me.

“You have to try harder!” She laughed and swung sideways, this time hitting my right hind leg.

This time I collapsed to the ground, the support from my right hooves to support the hurt left one gone. The next I felt was Streak's blade against my throat.

“Gotcha!”

My vision blurred and the last thing I saw, was Streak's worried glance as she looked down at me.

“Okay, maybe I overdid it...”

***

“Sunset Streak! You can't just slice her up, especially not when you’re training!”

“Hey, I just wanted to help her become stronger, nothing more!”

“Yeah and what did she get from that? A bucking trip to the hospital!”

Those voices wouldn't let me sleep. They yelled louder and louder, keeping me from falling back into my sweet dreams. Slowly opening my eyes, I noticed Night Watch and Sunset Streak in front of me, still yelling. Looking around, there were white, sterile walls, next to me a nightstand and I was in a hospital bed.

Great, just great.

“She's awake,” another voice said from the left and I turned my head to see Blue Moon sitting at the window. She smiled at me. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

“How long was I out?”

“A day and a night. It's already morning,” Night answered, shooting a glare to Streak.

“It's not her fault,” I croaked.

“What?! She sliced you up!” Night argued back.

“I asked her to train me as hard as she could.”

“Really?” Night asked and I knew she didn't believe me a single word.

“Yes, really,” I replied, smiling weakly.

Night growled. “Still, you’re my soldier under my command. I don’t mind you pushing yourself, but going overboard will not cut it.” She looked up at Streak. The ‘little general’ as she was sometimes known by ponies that did not truly know her, those foolish enough to underestimate her. Streak might have been a head and shoulders taller than Night Watch, but at that moment she looked as big as a newborn foal when compared to the presence of our general. “Effective immediately, any such training must be supervised by myself or a pony I designate. Is that clear, Streak?”

I saw Streak gulp, “Yes ma’am.”

“Well, in that case we better let you rest,” Blue cut in somehow defusing the situation by simply attracting her wife’s attention. She motioned for her wife and Sunset Streak to follow her. “If you need anything, we'll be nearby.”

I watched as Streak folded her ears and followed them until I stopped her. “Streak, please stay here.”

Night Watch glared at Sunset Streak, but said nothing and followed Blue Moon out of the room, closing the door.

It was followed by silence, awkward silence for several minutes before Sunset Streak spoke up. “You lied for me.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my friend!”

“Friends don't slice each other open.”

“Shut up,” I scowled at her.

“It’s just the truth,” Streak replied. “I should've stopped, but as always, I was too stubborn and dumb.”

“We can't change it now,” I said softly. “How long do I have to stay here anyways?”

“Four days. Night said you could be out tomorrow if you had somepony to care for you. What did she mean by that?” Streak asked.

“Oh.” I blushed. Furiously. “Well, she means if I had a lover to speed up my healing.”

“I don't get it.”

“Remember what you said about Night Watch and Blue Moon?” I asked.

“What do you... Oh... OH!”

“Exactly.”

Sunset Streak blushed, her cheeks nearly as red as mine as silence stretched over for several moments. As she spoke again, I never expected something like what followed.

“I could help.”

“What?!”

“I could help you with that.”

My blush intensified as I shook my head. “No, Streak. This is... how do I explain it? Between us bat ponies, this act is highly sexual and loving.”

Her ears folded back. “I understand.”

Why would she want to do it? She looks... unhappy.

“Why do you want to help me?”

“Because you are my friend,” Streak replied, not looking into my eyes.

“You would even do it after knowing what it means?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I just asked.

“Because I care about you.”

This was the last thing I had expected. Something I had no idea about. That left me with two choices. Turn her away and risk losing a friend, or allow her to help me. Did I even care enough about her?

“Come here,” I finally said and crawled to the side so she could climb into the bed to me.

She just looked flabbergasted at me before it seemed her head had caught up and allowed her to move. Still, she stopped next to the bed, looking uncertain.

“Get in here before I rethink my decision,” was all I had to say and she climbed into the bed, laying down at my side before I continued. “I’ve never done this before. If you are uncomfortable, or I hurt you, please tell me, okay?”

Streak nodded and I could feel her accelerating heartbeat at my side. She was nervous and truth to be told, so was I. She squeaked as I gave a gentle kiss to her neck, feeling her pulse on my lips. I liked lying with her like this. It was warm, I felt cared for. The more pressure I added, the more her sounds turned into soft coos.

I paused for a second to check on her, only to get a whimpering from her. Her eyes said that she wanted me to continue, and oh Luna, I wanted to! This time I lightly scratched my fang over her neck, eliciting several smaller moans.

“Enjoying it?” I asked softly.

“Mhh.”

“More?”

“Mhh.”

Giggling, I gently licked over her neck, pausing at a spot that practically pulled me to it. It was right on the side of her neck where her pulse was stronger. It practically begged to be pierced by my fangs.

I hoped she wouldn't be afraid as I opened wide and placed myself correctly how I had seen it dozens of times. Just a tiny bit more of pressure, and I practically felt her skin pop under my fangs.

To say the first rush was like heaven would've been an understatement.

It felt like the first cool drop of water after hours in the hot desert, like a juicy hayburger after a week of starvation, like a fresh, hot bath after a seven hour workout. It was so good and freshening, sharpening all my senses at once. Sunset Streak was barely more than a moaning collection of limbs in my hooves, clearly enjoying everything.

Just as long as her pulse stays steady.

I knew I had to stop eventually, but my body protested. It wanted more of its sweet new nectar, wanted everything it could get.

No. I can't hurt her. She is important.

Why was she important? Why was it impossible to hurt her? Just before I noticed her pulse slowing down, I stopped. Withdrawing, I licked over the two small wounds left, cleaning the blood I spilled. We said nothing, I just held her still while she tried to recover.

“If it always feels like this, I can understand why Blue Moon and Night Watch can't get enough of this,” Streak croaked after a few minutes.

“I don't know. As said, it was my first time doing this.”

“You were pretty good for a first timer,” Streak laughed, before stopping and coughing.

We both blushed heavily, trying to avoid each other's gaze. Something nearly impossible, laying next to each other so deep cuddled.

“What does this makes us?” I asked slowly.

Streak suddenly tensed. “I helped you. What does this makes us?”

“You can't tell me you felt nothing,” I growled back.

“I'm a Solar, you're a Night.”

“So that's it?”

There was a pause for a few seconds, then a weak, “No.”

I looked expectantly at her and she sighed. “This will just create problems but… Midnight Flow, would you like to go out with me?”

***

To say that I was nervous would’ve been an understatement. I was a wreck.

Here I was, staring at my reflection in the mirror, trying to determine if I was ready or not. For two weeks I had freaked out, but now the day finally had come.

“I’m going out with Streak, on a date, like a date-date, and… and I don’t even own a dress. Well, at least I made my mane and tail,” I muttered.

“Well, you can always play dead, move away, and change your name.” My reflection said back.

“Oh, yeah, right,” I replied. Before realizing one fundamental truth: I’m officially crazy.

“You’d have to be a little crazy to be in love, no?”

“I… I… I am not in…”

“Going from talking to yourself to lying to yourself?”

“Shut up.” I replied before turning away from the mirror and heading back to the closet. I did my best to shake off its… my words, but needless to say, they stuck around. I wanted to distract myself, I wanted to convince myself that I hadn’t just said, that… or thought that as the case may be. Really, I just wanted to find something to bucking wear.

“Hmm… Vest? No. I can’t wear my armor on a date… Parade uniform? Yeah, maybe not…”

I’d looked ten times already, all I owned were uniforms and I bucking knew it.

She said she liked my body in my armor…

“No, armor would look tacky on a date.”

She liked it.

“No.”

She - liked - It.

“She just complimented me on my long legs and how I looked in general, stop imagining anything.”

She would’ve never asked you on a date if there was not even a small truth to it.

“She asked me because I made her fall for me by doing the most intimate thing two bat ponies could do,” I facehooved.

But she’s not a bat pony, is she?

“No…”

Eargo.

“I’m not wearing my—”

Knock knock!

“Buck me.”

Maybe she will if you play your cards right.

***

“Hey, Midnight,” Sunset Streak said with a smile as I opened the door. “Wearing your armor, nice. I like a mare in uniform.”

I honestly have no clue why she liked this, or for that matter, why she wanted to be with me. Now her? That was a completely different story. Sunset was in a beautiful, flowing, dark-blue dress with silver highlights that accented her yellow coat perfectly. It was a stark contrast to her grey eyes that almost made me trip over my own hooves.

She looks so beautiful. Why in Luna’s name did I take the armor?!

“T-thanks. You look stunning,” was all I got out that was understandable.

“Shall we go?” She asked, smiling as if this wasn’t an event that made me feel like I was facing the first day of school all over again. “I can’t wait for my gorgeous solder to be my protector tonight.”

I don’t know why, but that made me stand up just a little straighter. “Sure, after you, milady.”

She giggled. “Now I feel protected, my strong guard.”

I just couldn’t help but stare at her flank that was sadly dress-covered as she sauntered outside. “Where are we going again?”

“Outside town so no Solar or Night will mess this up,” she replied.

I huffed, “I don’t know about Solar’s, but Night’s would never… Nevermind,” I said, pausing mid sentence when I saw the look in her eyes. Some things were better off not being said.

Her frown became a smile as she gestured for me to walk by her side. Speeding up, I caught up in no time and we started down the street, coat to coat. “You didn’t get in trouble, did you?” I asked.

“For what?”

“The ‘training.”

“I’d have told you if I had,” she replied, smiling.

I replied by simply raising an eyebrow.

“Seriously, I don’t even think General Night Watch reported it to my sergeant.”

“Really?”

“She did pull me to the side though.”

“Oh…”

“It wasn’t bad. It happened last week, shortly after you went back to work. She just wanted to know about us, to make sure that I would take care of you.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her that I liked you and wanted a foal like they had.”

“What?!” I burst out.

“Joking,” she chuckled. “About the last thing at least. Maybe.”

I huffed. “You’re mean.”

“You… want one?”

“One of what?” I asked.

“You know, you’re cute when you’re playing dence.”

“I don’t know if I would ever want a foal. Up to today, nopony —or bat— was worth any attention.” I sighed before looking at Streak. “Night told me I should wait until I shared… it with somepony.”

Streak just looked confused at me.

“What we did in the hospital bed, you remember? Two weeks ago.”

“Oh… You asked what it would make us. What do you think?”

“I think we should wait to see how our dates turn out,” I replied.

“Dates? In multiple?”

“Were you planning on standing me up after tonight?”

“No, I just…”

“Just what?”

“What if it goes bad?”

“How bad can it go? You’ve already sliced me open.”

She laughed at that, “Fair point.”

I smiled, “You’re my friend, Sunset Streak. This may be a date, but to me it’s even more special, because it’s a date with the pony I love spending time with the most. And heck, we’ve already done the most intimate things bat ponies can do together, so it’s not like there’s any pressure.” It was, at that moment, I realized that all my apprehension was ridiculous. I was just hanging out with a friend after all. There really was no pressure.

“Yeah, but we haven’t done the same for pegasus,” she replied.

“The night’s still young,” I said back with a grin more akin to that worn by Blue Moon when she teased Night Watch about their nightly activities.

“Midnight! Who knew you were such a minx.”

That’s a good question. I sure didn’t.

“So we eat, drink, and if we’re drunk enough you preen me and we have wingsex?”

What? Just what?

“What? Just what?” I gave voice to my thoughts.

“I was just joking,” she smirked back.

You weren’t! I know that gaze!

“You said we’re going out of town. How far out of town do you mean? It’s not like Canterlot is built on a mountain…” I mumbled.

“Actually, we just go to a corner Night’s and Solar’s try to avoid, even if it’s a bit fancy and expensive.”

“And how do I get in there with my armor on then?” I asked, groaning.

“They’re more than welcoming of any soldiers, it’s just… well…”

“What?” I asked.

“It’s run by a minotaur.”

“You’re… you’re serious?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yep.”

“Streak! We were at war with them not that long ago! Why should he even let me in in my armor?!”

“You know as well as I do that ‘that’ was a political upheaval, run by a rogue general. Not all minotaurs are like that.”

“And you know as well as I do that that was just a B.S. story concocted to try to foster good relations with Equestria after their epic defeat.”

“Still, not all minotaurs are like that,” she said back. When I didn’t look convinced she added, “Just trust me, alright.”

“Fine,” I said after some time.

“Trust me, you’ll love it.”

I huffed, but only added the question, “How did you find out about it anyway? If no Night or Solar guards go there, it sounds like something off the beaten path for us.”

“Let’s say this corner… might be a bit too fancy…”

“Streak…”

“Just a bit.”

“Streak,” I growled again.

“Maybe this is the restaurant Blue Blood always goes to and no Solar or Night that goes right in their heads would go there and risk getting in trouble for smashing in his dumb muzzle.”

Thaaaat. Okay, explanation accepted!

“Yeah, I already met him twice,” I chuckled. “And every single time I had the need to punch him in his face with my hooves.”

There was silence for a few seconds before she spoke up again. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“You bat ponies enjoy blood? Do you even eat flesh?”

That surprised me and I tried to answer it as truthful as possible without shocking her too much. “Yes, on occasion. But mostly, flesh is… well, part of our love play.”

“What do you mean?”

“All this biting… it can end up really messy. I had a friend in school that lost a part of her flank when her partner bit it off.”

“For real now?!” Streak asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, the rumors about us… they’re… well… true.” I said, sadly.

“But that’s, that’s horrible.”

I looked up, shocked but somewhat not, by the look of disgust on her face. “Streak, it’s… it’s hard to explain, there’s a great sense of euphoria for us when we, you know. And we heal really quickly, so there’s no lasting damage, most of the time anyway…” As way to show her, I held up my hoof where she cut it, already the damage looked like a ten-year-old scar, and I knew in a few more days it wouldn’t even look like that anymore.

“But what about the pony that gets fed from?”

“Well, how did it feel to you, when I… you know?”

She didn’t reply, not with words, she didn’t need them as the blush on her muzzle said more than words ever could. “Our fangs produce a toxin that make it quite… pleasurable. I hear it’s even used in some toys that rich normals… ponies can buy,” I added breaking the silence.

“Really?” I was eternally grateful when the look of disgust was gone, to be replaced with one more akin to curiosity, and… interest?

“Streak. Some things are difficult to explain to other species. And technically, you ponies gladly differ from us. Just look at your wings and then at mine.” As if on clue, Streak tried to unfold a wing, but it was restricted by the dress and I had to chuckle. “They’re completely different. We bat ponies don’t have any feathers on ours, just a thin membrane... skin.”

“I know that.”

“Same goes with our fangs, our sharp ears, our eyes, nearly everything,” I continued. “And that also counts for habbits. Ours are really different.”

“So… You eat each others flesh while fucking?”

“Yes and no. It’s not just eating. By taking a part of our partner into us, may it be blood or flesh, we promise endless love to them. It’s a bond even stronger than marriage.”

“Do you know if Blue and Night ever did it?” she suddenly asked.

“I… I don’t know. And it’s extremely rude to ask a bat pony that,” I quickly added.

There was a long, silent, pregnant pause as she considered her next words carefully, very carefully. “I… I… I don’t heal that quickly,” she stammered.

“We don’t have to do that ever. I’m content with your blood,” I answered too fast, way too fast before realizing my error.

She wants me to… to do it? And I even jump on that train. Oh Luna, please kill me now.

We both just looked at each other, too afraid to make eye contact, but fearful to look away, lest that be the end of it, of us. “I… I should…” I started, unsure what I was even saying, “I can g—”

“Well, the night's still young, right? Let’s get going.” She interrupted with a friendly smile at me. It was almost as if she had reached a conclusion in her mind. One vastly different to the assumption I had made.

“I, um…” Shut up you fool, you’ll just say something dumb and ruin it!

Good advice… Wait… do I want this?

I do, don’t I?

I do…

Right that moment, as my hooves started moving after her, there was a smile on my muzzle that Celestia herself couldn’t have gotten rid of. I caught up to her quickly and simply pressed myself up to her side. I couldn’t feel her, the armor and her dress got in the way of that, but I didn’t need to. I felt her presence press back against me, and, for now, that was enough for me.

Given, if given the opportunity I’d rip both of them off of us there and then, but that’s another story.

Together we walked side by side, heading out of Canterlot and up the side of the mountain. I didn’t see any other ponies, but I’m sure they were either asleep, or avoiding me. Such actions were common after all. Bat-ponies were Equestria’s defenders, but that didn’t mean it's ponies liked us very much.

Well, a few of them did, the important ones anyway.

“Hey, Midnight?”

“Hmm?” I asked. Surprised by the break in the silence. It hadn’t been uncomfortable, more like… natural. We had simply been enjoying the presence of each other, there had been no need to speak simply because enough was being said by our actions.

Still, it’s not like I lamented hearing her voice.

“Why did you join the Night Guard anyway?”

“Was there any other choice?” I asked. “Born a bat-pony, it was the only right thing to do and serve under Luna.”

She actually looked taken aback by that. “So you never had a choice?”

“Even if I had, I would’ve chosen my family.”

“Your family?”

“Even not by bond, we all are connected by blood. We are a big family and Luna is some kind of mother to us, our ancestor,” I replied.

“This is weird,” Streak muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Please tell me,” I insisted.

Streak looked at me for a few seconds before sighing. “There are rumors around, that Luna has a special personal guard within Nights, that serve her in her chambers.”

I noticed that Streaks cheeks were flushed red at that and it amused me. “So she fucks some of us from time to time, what’s the big deal?”

“If she is your mother, or ancestor or whatever in kind, it is weird.”

I laughed, “It’s not to reproduce or anything, I’m not even sure if she can have foals, it’s just for pleasure, hers and ours. No one’s ever done anything they didn’t want to do. Heck, it’s considered an honor if she picks you.”

She looked at me, “Have… you been…?”

“No. I always wanted it, but Luna always said I’m not ready,” I grumbled, kicking a lone stone in my way.

“Okay.”

Later, I’d look back upon that moment and realize that there was a slight uptone to her voice when she said that, something I missed at the time, lost in my own thoughts. “What about… before?”

“Before what?”

“Well, Luna just came back to us some years ago. I mean, what did you want to do before that?”

“I was a foal when she came back, just eight years old. But… to be honest, I don’t remember.”

“What?”

“I don’t remember. Few of us do actually. And don’t worry, it’s not like she mind wiped us or anything like that. Truly, I think we don’t really like remembering times before… you know.”

“No one remembers?”

“I’m sure a few do, there’s records and all that. The older ones probably could tell you all about it. But it was definitely a turning point. Almost as if before that moment we didn’t have a purpose, and after, well… we did.”

“I… I don’t understand.”

“It’s… complicated.”

“Much of your history seems to be.”

“You can say that again,” I said with a chuckle.

“Maybe that’s why you all venerate her like you do?”

“Huh?”

“The bat-ponies seem to worship her, maybe that’s why?”

“What? And norm—you ponies don’t worship Celestia?”

“Fair point,” Streak relented.

“Why’d you ask anyway?”

“I just want to know more about you, that’s all.”

“That’s all?”

“Yes… No, I was just wondering. I know why I joined, I just wanted to know why you did.”

“Oh, why’d you join?” I asked, suddenly curious to what could cause her to ask.

“Because I wanted to protect my family, those I love. I wanted to do something honorable,” Streak smiled.

“That’s all?” Sounds more like a campaign poster than a real reason.

“That was everything I needed as reason to pledge the vow in front of Celestia.”

“The vow?” I asked, surprised. “We don’t do such a thing. All we have to do is prove our love to the night and our princess, nothing more. But I think-”

“We’re here,” Streak suddenly announced, cutting me off.

Looking up, I stared at the wall of a beautiful building, made nearly completely out of glass. The fancy pink it was covered in made my muzzle fall open. “Are you sure this is lead by a minotaur?”

“Yep, and she’s the most awesome and friendliest minotaur I’ve ever met,” Streak laughed before pushing me to the entrance.

My hooves felt like they weighed a ton as she practically shoved me through the front door. I moved, albeit reluctantly, inside, only to be pleasantly surprised by what awaited me.

My muzzle practically fell open upon seeing the inside. It was well lit, but more in a candlelight type of way. The carpet, table, walls, and setting looked to have a fresh coat of paint, table cloths, and just about everything else. It looked like a setting one might expect in a high-end restaurant.

Which, Streak said, this is…

I suddenly felt underdressed, very underdressed. However my hooves kept walking forward, keeping me next to Sunset Streak the entire time.

“Sunset! My best and most loyal customer!”

I jerked around, surprised as something big and bulky walked past me to lift Streak off the ground and into a strong hug.

Streak giggled as she returned the hug as good as she could. “It’s good to see you too, Raghama. I thought I might bring a special friend with me today.”

“You mean this guard? And here I thought you had quit your job and got something more fancy that warranted your own personal guard;” Raghama replied before letting Streak down and giving me a complete look-over. “Welcome to my humble establishment, pony of the night,” she said and extended a hand to me.

“Ummm… nice to meet you, my name is Midnight Flow,” I replied as I hesitantly--at first—extended a hoof for her to shake.

“No need for pleasantries, Midnight, we’re all friends here. But I must ask, if you’re not here as her escort, what are you here as? Just a friend, or something more?”

“Raghama!”

“Oh hush,” the big minotaur shushed Sunset, “And?”

“Something more,” I confirmed with a smile.

She laughed, “Ha! You picked a cute one, Sunset! Come, let me show you to your usual table.”

I couldn’t help but blush as we followed her through the restaurant. Raghama led us to a table at a corner of the restaurant, right next to a fish tank and a beautiful fountain. The text on the fish tank said: ‘See what you eat’.

“Do you mind if I take some fish?” I asked Streak, who just shrugged.

“I’m fine with it,” she smiled.

“Then I already know what I want,” I smiled at Raghama as we sat down.

“What can I bring you, my dear?” the minotaur asked me friendly and opened a small notebook with a quill attached.

Grinning, I pointed at one of the fishes in the tank. “I’ll take a water and the Red Stripe Rockfish with the mashed peppermint potatoes please.”

“Good choice!” Raghama laughed before turning to Streak. “And for you, old friend?”

“The usual. Water and a dandelion salad with some fresh lemons.”

Raghama scribbled a few notes up before quickly retreating to her kitchen, leaving some stunned silence.

“What does this makes us?”

“Excuse me?” I blinked.

“You asked that two weeks ago. And now I ask you something else. What do you want from it?” Streak looked seriously at me.

What do I want it to be?

“I like you,” I said with a shy smile.

Streak leaned towards me, a smirk on her muzzle. “So you only like me?”

“No!” I blurted out, panicking. “I mean yes, but no…. Argh! What I wanted to say is that-”

Nothing more came out of my mouth as my muzzle was suddenly occupied, something warm pressed against it as Streak kissed me. My eyes widened and my heart hammered in my chest, but it was a wonderful feeling. Slowly, I leaned in, enjoying the kiss she gave me as I closed my eyes.

….

….

….

***

I opened my eyes to see the plain, white walls of the medical wing staring back at me. It felt all so real, yet it was still a dream. A dream about the past, something that wouldn’t come back.

Sunset Streak was gone.

“You promised me you’d always be here. You promised to take care of me,” I whispered as a silent tear made its way down my muzzle.

You promised.

Author's Note

This only got a fast edit since I'm on Vacation from today on.
Don't expect any updates over the next weeks, sorry!