“Therefore, Alexander Hamilton most definitely deserves more credit for what he has done,” Aaron said as he typed on the word document of his computer. “The backbone and success that is America today would not be what it is without him.”
He let out a huge, exhausted sigh and leaned back in his chair, letting his arms slip from the computer keys to his sides. “Oi vey.” He rubbed his jaded eyes with his index finger and thumb. His eyes are strained from staring at a computer screen for nearly six hours. He was exhausted. But his work was not done yet. “Okay, now I have to go back and edit.”
His eyes drifted to the corner of the monitor and saw that it was nearly eleven at night. “Well, the assignment isn’t due for another week. Guess I can leave it for now. I can just go to ‘Academic Support’ on Monday for some proofreading.” Satisfied with his plan, he closed his laptop with another sigh. One of relief.
Aaron has been working super hard on this assignment. For the past two weeks, he’s been reading, researching and writing for this History essay that's worth fifty percent of his final grade. He’s barely had any time to rest because he’s been working day in and day out on this (and other) college assignments. This is the first time in a while he’s been able to take it easy.
Just having some him time, not thinking about anything that has to deal with Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist Papers, The Revolution, or anything about that, was quite literally, the best thing ever right now.
“Good to have a clear head for once.” Right after he said that, a knock was heard from his bedroom door. “Open.” The door opened and a lavender colored pegasus with blond hair and a bowl of popcorn in her hooves was revealed.
Seeing who it was, his lips curled to a smile. He was happy to see a friend at the door. “Hey Cloud Kicker.”
“Hey pal!” the pegasus said. “Done for the night?” Aaron nodded for his answer. “Cool. Made some popcorn. Feel like having some?”
Aaron let out a small, delighted huff. “Sure. Come take a seat on the bed.” Aaron got up from his desk chair and took a seat at the foot of his mattress. As he did that, Cloud Kicker lightly flew over to the bed, popcorn bowl still in hooves, and she sat down next to him. He reached into the bowl and grabbed a few kernels. Right after, he then popped one in his mouth, savoring the salty, buttery flavor on his taste buds.
“Long day of writing?” Cloud Kicker asked, then popping a few kernels into her mouth.
“Yeah,” Aaron let out, exhausted. “I’ve been staring at that screen for so long, I think my irises are damaged. And, I think I was slouching in that chair so much, my back is starting to ache.”
“Really?” the pony asked with a raised eyebrow. “Where exactly?” Aaron adjusted himself so his back was facing Cloud Kicker.
Using his thumb, he pointed to the lower, middle area. “Right about there,” Aaron said.
She placed a hoof on the back of his shoulder and used the other one to trace the area. “Okay, I know what to do here. Lie on your belly.”
“What?”
“Just trust me on this.” Seeing no reason not too, and curious to see where Cloud Kicker was going with this, he did as instructed and laid on the bed, backside up.
Cloud Kicker moved the popcorn bowl to the floor, it just resting at the bed’s corner. She stood up on her fours and moved to Aaron's back. Hoof by hoof, she stepped onto him, right where the pain is.
“Ow...what are y-”
“Just hush and let me work some magic,” Cloud Kicker said, quickly silencing Aaron.
Very gingerly, she started to walk in place, placing light pressure where Aaron pointed out.
“Oh...that’s kind of nice,” he let out, feeling the tension in his back melt away. “Mm, where’d you learn this?”
“I’m on pretty good terms with some spa ponies back in my town. You can pick of a thing or two from them from time to time.”
“It feels great, don’t sto-owww, sweet mother Mary, that was good.” Cloud Kicker started to work a little lower and it seems she got a knot out.
“Ya like that?” she asked, humored.
“Loved it. Don’t stop please.”
Cloud Kicker let out a chuckle and she proceeded to lightly prance on Aaron’s backside. She would go to other parts to get some other knots or kinks out and from the ‘ahhs’, ‘owws’ and ‘ohhhs’ Aaron was letting out, he was enjoying it.
She kept at it for a solid ten minutes until she said: “Alright, I think I got it out, and then some.” She stepped off and sat back down on her haunches. “How’s it feel, buddy?”
Aaron flopped to his backside and sat up, feeling flexible as a bendy straw.
“I feel great!” he exclaimed. “Thanks Cloud.”
“You know what?” She let out a light giggle. “I think service like that deserves an award.”
“What type of award?”
Still smiling, she scooted closer to Aaron and she lay herself across his lap. “I think you know what kind of award.”
Aaron couldn’t help but roll his eyes. It always seems she wants to be petted. But he didn’t mind one bit.
He placed one hand on the top of the mare’s back and used his other hand to lightly stroke her soft mane.
“Ahh,” she exhaled. “That’s the stuff.” Seeing his friend so contempt brought a smile to Aaron’s face.
He pet Cloud Kicker’s mane for a good a few minutes until he moved to her ears to give them a good scratch.
“Oh-ho-oh yeah.” She was practically putty in his hand and she loved it. The sensation of a good ear scratch brought her to a state of bliss and complete relaxation.
“You ponies sure do love getting pet and scratched. You’re like kitty cats,” Aaron said, playfully.
“That’s just how we roll, man. Hey, a little lower, please.” Aaron happily obliged to her request.
He kept at this for a while longer, until he let out a lengthy yawn, making him stop his ear scratching. “Oh boy,” he said.
Soon after he said that, the lavender pegasus started to yawn too. “Oh, I’m tired.”
“I think I want to go straight to sleep.” Aaron reached out to his nightstand and turned off the lamp that had been on for the duration of the day. In an instant, all light in the room vanished and the only thing visible was the moon in the window's view.
“You're gonna sleep in the clothes you wore today?” Cloud Kicker asked.
“I was wearing lazy clothing today. It can pass for sleep clothes.” He lifted the covers from the top of the bad and got himself comfortable underneath them. He was just about to adjust his body, but he felt some rustling on the other side of the bed. He turned around and saw Cloud Kicker, facing him, snug as a bug. “You want to sleep here?”
It’s barely noticeable, but Cloud Kicker’s cheeks flushed a light red. “I figured, why not have a cuddle pal tonight? Plus, both of us are tired, I’m too far away from my ro-” she’s cut off because Aaron moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. One hand is at the back of her head and the other on her back. “Well, okay then.” She nuzzled herself into his chest until something crossed her mind. “Wait a sec, we’re not doing this right.”
“What do you mean we’re-WHOA!” Aaron got pushed by Cloud Kicker, onto his back and the pegasus put about half of her body on him. Her head rested on his breast, a forehoof rested on his shoulder and she had a leg up on him.
“Mmm better,” she said contemptibly. For half a second, Aaron was a little surprised by that sudden motion, but he didn’t care. As long as his pegasus buddy was cozy, everything was alright.
It was a little weight, but it wasn’t bad at all. It’s not like his lungs or bones were being crushed.
He brought his hands back to where they were before and tightened his embrace of Cloud Kicker, taking in her soft and warm fur.
“Mmm,” Aaron hummed, nuzzling his nose into her soft mane.
“Cozy?” the mare asked.
“Very.” Aaron let out another yawn. “Alright, time for some shut eye. ‘Night you adorable pony.”
Cloud Kicker giggled at his comment. “Good night you overworked lug.”
Aaron let out a snicker as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. He pet her mane just a couple more times before his eyelids started to feel heavy.
Before slumber took over, he leaned into Cloud Kicker’s head and planted a light kiss on her forehead. In her sleep, Cloud gave off a huge smile and nuzzled her cheek into his chest once again.
She is right about one thing though: Aaron does tend to overwork himself. He needs time to relax a little, let off some tension. And the pony he is cuddling seemed to help out with that quite a lot. She’s a real pal like that. Everyone deserves a friend they can relax with.
