Life With Benefits

Chapter One: A Changing Life

Waking up to the sound of an alarm clock isn’t the best way to start a day off, but it’s obviously how things were going to be today. I smacked it with my hoof and leaned up, boasting a jaw gaping yawn and an epic stretch of my back and wings. I slowly crawled out of the bed, careful to not wake my son.

Making my way to the bathroom to the right, I promptly ignored the messy state of our room and the funky smell of the morning…as I usually do. Closing the door, I avoided looking at myself in the mirror and sat on the toilet. The relief was almost unnoticeable as my eyelids continued to droop and my body started to sway back and forth as I struggled to keep from falling asleep once again.

A knock at the door tore me from my sleep-deprived trance.

“Who is it?” I asked drowsily. Although my body wasn't on board yet, my ears remained diligent for the voice on the other side.

The voice was young and groggy. “Mom, it's me,” my colt, Lightning Blitz, called through the door.

I saw my attempt at not waking him failed. Great going, Mom, I mentally scolded myself.

Groaning as I sat up, I asked him in a soft voice, “What do you want, baby?” I tried to keep the noise level down, as we lived with my mother, who could still be sleeping.

Even though I didn’t know what time it is, I was already treading on thin ice and I didn’t want anything to jeopardize our stay. It didn't help that talking inside a bathroom amplified my voice like a megaphone.

He sounded worried. “Sandy wants to see you.”

My heart sank a little at his words. His tone hinted that whatever Sandy wanted to see me for probably wasn’t a good thing. I needed to ask him more, but I wanted to be a little more discreet than calling through a door to each other. “You can come in, but you know the drill,” I told him. The door opened and he walked in with one hoof over his eyes. I told him to close the door and after doing so I asked, “Did she say what she wanted?” He shook his head slowly. “Did she seem mad?”

“No, she just seemed a little...upset,” he told me quietly. Maybe whatever she wanted me for wouldn’t be so bad. I knew things have been getting rough here, lately, but maybe she wanted to see me for something a little less important.

I sighed and tried to keep my mind from exploring the vast amount of things she could want with me. “Go and tell her I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a whisper, turning and running out the door. I got up to wash my hooves and it was then that I decided to look in the mirror. My mane was a mess, looking like I just woke up or something...oh wait. I sighed as I ran a comb through it and made myself at least somewhat presentable to Sandy. My purple eyes looked as if I hadn’t slept for days, even though I had. I guess that’s what being stressed about not being able to find a job looks like.

Right as I opened the bathroom door, I heard light hoof steps running and then the sound of the old mattress creaking as Lightning took to the air and fell on the bed. I barely saw him run by, but that’s why I named him Lightning Blitz; I knew he was going to be fast. Another pressing matter occurred to me, however. An embarrassing one at that. “Hey, Lightning,” I began, grabbing a mouthful of sheets from the corner of the bed. With a tilt of my head he understood what I meant.

“Yes, Mom,” he said with reluctance, probably because I didn’t acknowledge his split second of flight across the room. Not that I wasn’t proud of him. His wings and flying capabilities were very developed for his age. Of course, every other mother would probably say that about their foal, but it’s true with him!

He hops down and grabs another corner to help me take them off. Careful not to touch the middle, I grabbed his end and rolled it up into a ball. As he walked past me, I caught a whiff of the putrid stench of urine. “Please take a bath. You don’t want to run around smelling like that, do you?”

He nodded at me, and makes his way to the bathroom. I sighed in disappointment, but not with him. With myself. That foul odor wasn’t one he created. It’s one I did.

Ever since I was a filly I had bladder problems. My mom had me put into surgery to try to stretch my bladder, but it didn't work. I didn’t like the fact that he always had to wake up covered in it; it made me felt even less like a mare, let alone a mother.

I walked down to the basement and put my bedding in the wash, turning it on. Over the low hum of the washer starting up, I heard Lightning shout from upstairs. “Mom! Can you help me run the water?!”

I chuckled lightly, his adorable helplessness when it came to stuff like running bath water causing me to crack a smile. Walking back up the stairs and to the bathroom I opened the door and immediately flinched, closing it back. “Oh, sorry!” I nervously shouted through the door, my voice cracking slightly. I didn’t apologize out of my embarrassment. I was catering to his. I’ve seen everything since he was born; I changed those diapers and bathed that foal. It’s just that he was already showing signs of inverted thinking. Kids his age shouldn’t be thinking like that, and it didn’t help that he was getting it from me.

I sat down In the hallway and waited for him to give me the signal to come in.

As I waited I heard Ms. Sandy call out to me. “Scootaloo!”

“Yeah?” I replied knowing that this was going to take place sooner or later.

“Can you come in here? I need to talk to you.” Her voice was rather odd to me today. It was her, but the overall tone she took made me question what she wanted.

“My gosh, what is it with these ponies and wanting me?” I jokingly whispered to myself. “Lightning, I’ll be right back to help you run your bath,” I called to him through the door.

Walking into the kitchen, I saw that Ms. Sandy was seated. “Good morning, Scootaloo.” She greeted me in the same fashion she always had before sipping her morning tea.

Calm and understanding, but at the same time, a bit of worry in her voice. Not for me, that much I knew, but for Lightning more than anything. As to why, I never truly knew.

As her cup gently came down to the table she smiled as she looked towards me, “How are you?”

I was nervous in my response, “F-fine I guess. Why did you need me?”

Sandy’s expression was one I didn’t like. She cleared her throat. “I am sorry to tell you this , but…” she began to say, pausing as she knew that her decision affected Lightning as well.

“What is it?” I asked, not really wanting to know.

I hoped that it was just a bit of bad news, something like a broken item. Or something that needed to be fixed like the old boiler in the basement. Anything that we could deal with together.

Sandy frowned as she sighed, looking toward me. “Scootaloo you need a job or I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

I was worried that was the fact of it. Yet even still, I was in disbelief. “You're going to what?”

“I’m sorry, Scoots, but the price of food is going up and it’s just so hard to keep you and Lightning well-fed. Plus, I know your marefriend, Silver Spoon, will take you in.” Even in her voice I could hear uncertainty, as though she second guessed Silver Spoon would even allow Lightning in her home.

And sure, in the past, Silver Spoon used to be an old enemy to me and the girls, but after Diamond Tiara stopped bullying us, we became friends. And a few years later, friends with benefits.

“O-okay…” My voice balled up in my throat as I tried to speak. “I guess I’ll go pack my bags.”

I walked up stairs trying to think of what to do next. I know Silver Spoon had always enjoyed seeing Lightning from time to time, but seeing him all the time I was unsure of. She knew he was born through rape, and when he was born, she had her doubts.

Pausing for a moment in front of the bathroom door, I sighed. “Lightning, can I come in?”

“Yes, Mom.” His soft voice was muffled by the door as he called back.

I turned the knob and opened the door, greeted with its creaky, unoiled hinges. He was sitting in the bathtub with his hind legs crossed so I couldn’t see his private parts. And they were covered with thick, soapy bubbles.

I ushered a silent thanks unto Celestia, “See,” I lovingly rubbed his head, “you can run the water on your own. Now please take your bath. Mommy has to go do something, but I’ll be back. Promise.”

I trotted away to my bedroom, set on packing for the days ahead. I went through my dresser, looking for my diary, but I quickly froze when something caught my eye.

It was a plushy of one of the Wonderbolts. It was a gift from Rainbow Dash after she first became a full fledged member. I had kept it since I was a filly, often hoping I would be like her.

I put it in my saddlebag and kept searching for my diary. “...I know I put it in here somewhere.” A moment later, I found it under a dress. “Ah ha! Found you! Now where is your friend, huh?”

I had always kept two diaries. I’ve bean writing in my first one ever since I learned to write. Yes some of the hoof writing sucks, but it was more about the memories they held than anything else.

I trotted over to my bed and pulled out some old boxes, shoving them in my saddle bag. Then I found my new and old scooters, then a wagon to put all my necessities in. Pulling my wagon behind me, I walked out of the room I had called home for some time.

“Lightning are you done?” I asked as I gently knocked on the door.

“Yes, I’m coming out.” I could hear him splashing around in the water as he tried to get out of the tub.

“Okay, because we’re leaving soon.” I tried to hide the sorrow in my voice, knowing for a time we would be in public.

“Where we goin’?” he asked, walking out of the bathroom full of excitement.

Looking at his still dripping wet fur, I grabbed his towel. “To Silver's house.” I could hear him gasp in excitement as I dried him off a little more. “Now, let's go, Lightning.”

He hopped in and sat in my wagon as we started to take off. We said bye to Sandy as we walked out of the house. We had to start off as soon as possible, so I took my new scooter out of the wagon and hooked it to the slot at its flank.

I flapped my wings and we were off, zipping around town. I raced by all the shops, ponies, and houses, the wind in my mane and all my worries blurring behind me. Yet, all of a sudden, the front wheels of my scooter came clean off. I panicked and broke into a screeching halt.

I groaned, looking at the old wheel that had fallen off, “Good thing I brought spare wheels for this crap.”

I changed the wheels without much effort, but my pride was hurt more than my precious scooter. Just as I finished, I heard whining to my right. I knew right away who it was.

“Mom... I'm hungry,” he whimpered, glancing up and pursing his lips.

Ugh. I stood my ground and crossed my forelegs over my chest. No. We couldn’t afford any snacks or freelance spending. We needed to conserve what we had to buy necessities.

“You can eat when we get there, Lightning,” I replied, keeping my stance firm.

Lightning kept his eyes in constant, teary, wobbling. And right then, I realized I couldn’t say no to him. How could I? He knew how to tug on my heartstrings, and those puppy eyes were the worst part about it; he even left the wagon for a moment to hug my hind legs and stare up in fake agony.

“Please…?” his eyes started to water up.

I wanted to say no.

But looking at that adorable face, I just couldn’t. “Ah, fine. But only this once!” I groaned, taking him up and carrying him into the wagon.

We went to Sugar Cube Corner. It was the closest and most convenient store we could find for snacks. Everywhere else had strange and specific purposes… Like Quills and Sofas. Why was that even a thing?

We met the baker with a smile. Mine, uneasy because of how pricey the goods usually were, while Lightning’s was full of joy, because he wasn’t the one paying for it. We perused the large selection of confections with the usual awe anypony would. Even the discount items that were older or not decorated right were made with painstaking care and artistry.

I stayed away from the ice cream treats, though… Those weren’t good for a mare like me, what with all the impending stress and the way it’d amplify my sweet tooth.

“I’ll buy you a cupcake, but that's all until we get to Silver's house, okay?”

While I browsed the counter for all the cupcakes put on display, I picked and choosed different styles and flavors, taking note of how much I didn’t want french cream. It was too watery and too loose in warm weather. Not much of a punch like whip cream or even… ice cream toppings. But, but I was getting ahead of myself.

Thankfully, somepony else interrupted my cake and confection-related fantasies.

As always, her voice hit me from behind. “Hi, Scootaloo! What can I get ya?”

Same, shrill pitch bursting with excitement. Same, cheery sound of hooves bouncing against the floor tiles. I knew exactly who it was. Who wouldn’t?

“Hi, Pinkie Pie…! Can you get me a cupcake to go? We’re in a rush,” I explained, rubbing the back of my mane.

She hopped back to the kitchen and spent some time rummaging through the stock. I could’ve sworn I heard another voice asking about Yakyakistan and where the traditional Yakyakistani beet cupcakes were. Lightning almost pointed that out before random pie impacts kept us quiet.

Soon, she came back with two of them. Not the beet cupcakes, but two with whipped cream frosting and rainbow sprinkles. They were topped deviously with chocolate shavings and pitless cherries, too.

Though she was quick, Pinkie was also careful as she stuffed the sweets into a paper bag. “Two cupcakes at the price of one! Here you go.”

I took her gift just as eagerly as anypony would have. Come on. It’s cupcakes made by an expert baker with a killer smile.

I gave a nervous laugh as I took the sweets. “Thanks Pinkie.” I knew I could barely afford the sweets, but there wasn’t much I could do.

Without thinking, I settled onto my scooter and hit the road.

I pulled up In SIlver’s driveway and dismounted, making sure Lightning was uninjured and occupied with his snack. I found the front entrance and knocked. To my surprise, Silver was already behind the door with mail betwixt her teeth. Guess I should’ve glanced through the window on the door.

“Hm, Schmtmlhm!” she exclaimed, blushing softly and taking the mail out of her mouth, “Hi, Scootaloo! What are you doing here…?”

I glanced away, unsure of what to say. How else would somepony react to news like mine? Would it be fine? Or would she give me a glance and keep me outside?

“Sandy kicked me out s-so… I’d like to move in,” I answered, keeping my gaze down.

Though I couldn’t see it, I felt her features twisting in sympathy. You know, that painful expression you put on when you want somepony to know you understand. That was what she looked like, I gathered.

Silver Spoon was more than understanding as she took steps toward me. “Oh, I am so sorry Scootsy…” She wrapped her hooves around me. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

Her generosity was a more than welcomed expression as she guided me in. “Thanks, Silver. Can you help me unpack? My legs are killing me.”

“Sure thing, Scootsy.” She turned back toward the wagon to gather what little I had.

She grabbed a box and carried it in. She might have been a earth pony, but she was weaker than me, and I’m explicitly weak for my age. Sometimes I wonder if being bigger would help me lift heavier objects or even fly. But maybe that’s just me wanting to be a few inches taller.

Not one minute in, she found cupcake wrappers in the wagon. I froze and felt her eyes on my back. With piercing dread, I turned back to see her smirking up a storm. She held both of them with her left hoof, dangling them over her wastebasket.

“Couldn’t afford to buy me any snacks, huh…?” She teased, chortling softly as I grew ten shades red.

I rubbed the back of my head as I chuckled, “W-well I was hungry a-” At that moment, I realized something. “Oh, crap! I forgot to pay Pinkie Pie!”

I carried two boxes on my own and LIghtning grabbed his toy box. I made my way over to the closet and put my portion down, glad my son didn’t need any help with his own. Then, I returned outside and grabbed some more. When I was finished, I trotted over to Lightning’s new living space.

He was playing with his new toys. They were Silver’s gifts, though I still felt just as crummy for letting her get them in the first place. I sat down next to him and took two soldiers for my own.

“Mom?” Lightning mumbled, keeping his muzzle toward the toys.

Turning around I knelt down to his level and gently held his cheek. “Yes, Lightning?”

“I… wanna play by myself,” he requested as he hid behind his stuffed animal.

I could only smile at how cute that was while wishing I had a camera. “Ok, baby. I’ll let you play.”

I got up and left, but not before I kept some soldiers for myself. Only to see if he payed any attention to them missing. Walking around the mansion I passed by a few of the butlers she had recently hired. Like me, they were a little lost in finding their way around.

According to them, they could find their way around from the kitchen, and how lucky they were when I showed up. From the faint scent I kept picking up, somepony was cooking something. As we walked, the scent grew stronger that almost lifted the three of us off our hooves.

Rounding the corner, we soon found the kitchen and parted ways. Walking into the kitchen, I saw Silver was making lunch, so I decided to help her. I cut up some tomatoes while Silver made the rest. I never did enjoy cooking for most reasons, to be honest the only times I would cook was if Lightning was hungry and Mrs. Sandy wasn’t around.

I’m more of a see-food chef, myself; I see food and I eat it. And that’s why I stayed away from commercials about culinary school. And most restaurants that were hiring for kitchen staff.

Setting the table with sandwiches on my mind, I called Lightning in to eat, only to realize he might not be able to hear me from where he was.

Stepping out of the kitchen, one of the butlers from before was passing by and had heard me. He gave a nod and took off looking for Lightning, without knowing where to find him, causing me to groan. Silver Spoon ensured me that he would find Lightning before too long.

As she had assured me, the butler returned dripping in sweat with Lightning on his back. We all sat down to eat as the butler returned to his duties, or went to take a shower. Not sure which. Lightning took the chair to my right and Silver to my left.

We were all familiar with pre-dinner ceremonies, but we had to make sure to say our grace.

It was just common courtesy for all the good we’d experienced that day, “Dear Celestia… We gather here before dinner to eat the food you’ve given us. And one more time, we’d just like to say: thank you for this bounty and everything we’ve ever been blessed with. Amen.”

We dug in faster than anypony else might’ve. Why? Because I’m a seafood chef and Silver was on a seafood diet.

Lightning hid his muzzle behind his hoof as he burped, “Thanks mom. This is really good.” He gave a nervous smile as Silver and I looked at him.

“Thank Silver Spoon, honey. She’s the one who made the sandwiches. All I did was cut the tomatoes and pretend to watch her do the rest.”

He blushed trying not to make eye contact, “Thanks Silver.” I knew he found her pretty, but I found it adorable to see him starting to grow up.

As I took another bite and savored the cucumber salted to perfection he scurried off as Silver Spoon smiled and nodded her head, munching down on thin carrot slices julienned just right. What else could I say, she knew how to make a meal. The addition of garlic and sauteed onions was probably my favorite part.

When I finished, I glanced over and set my eyes on her. Silver Spoon, not bad at all really. In fact she was rather easy on the eyes.

Hoping not to keep up the awkward silence I took a sip from my glass of water, “So Silver. What have you been up to?”

She shared a glance, smiling absently with bulging cheeks.

Of course, she swallowed before talking, “Just hanging around town looking for somepony to talk to. You know, the usual.” She giggled a little as she hid behind her hoof. “It gets pretty lonely around here.”

Just then, I batted my eyelashes something strong. And, thankfully, she did the same. We spent the last few minutes just going back and forth until Lightning gave us uncomfortable looks.

“Well I bet you're glad that I’m moving in~” I teased as I got up and put my plate away, passing her one more glance as I began skipping away.