"So let me get this straight. After running from Ponyville, you somehow ended up in Canterlot. Soon after, Midnight came across you and offered you to meet us."

"Basically. Except I didn't know it was you."

"Did you tell him why you ran?" Applejack asked.

"No. I didn't want to seem... spineless," Braeburn responded.

"Braeburn, you aren't spineless," Midnight said, joining their conversation.

Braeburn blushed at that compliment, without any idea why. Sure a stallion complimented him, but he shouldn't blush.
"Thanks, Midnight."

"Now, why did you run? Pinkie told me Rainbow was being mean, but that doesn't explain why you needed advice."

"I-I needed advice on how to ask a pony out," Braeburn said.

Pinkie joined their conversation now. "Let Midnight help you! He knows what it's like to be lonely."

"I thought you two were dating?" Rainbow said, confused.

"We were, but we broke up. Mutually," Midnight answered.

"When?" Rarity, who had finally arrived, asked.

"We didn't tell you?" Pinkie asked them.

"No," Twilight stated.

Both Midnight and Pinkie looked at each other. Both of them thinking the same thing.

"Do a sequel that's also a prequel?" Pinkie suggested.

"Like that one game?" Midnight asked.

"Yeppers,"

"Can't be a classic."

"Classic? What the hay are you two talking about?" Rainbow Dash demanded.

"Just a little some thing we call 'Our Little Horror Story'." Pinkie giggled at the memory of the day they thought of that idea.

"I thought we agreed to call it 'Back Again'?"

Braeburn was about to ask them what they meant, but Applejack put a hoof to his mouth. "Don't bother. It's best to go along with them than to figure it out."

"Moving on. Yeah, I'll help Braeburn. Doubt it would be hard, though. He's good-looking. Any mare would want him."

Braeburn's heart skipped a beat as heat rose to his face. Midnight, for some reason, continued complimenting Braeburn. Now Midnight was offering to help him. What did Midnight want in exchange? That's always the reason for helping a stranger.

"So it's settled then. Midnight will help Braeburn with his dating problem," Twilight said.

"I-I guess that'll be alright," Braeburn said nervously. Turning to Midnight, Braeburn asked, "You sure you want to do this? It could turn out to be a waste of time."

"Of course I'll help you. Why wouldn't I? I bet somepony would fall for you by the end of this month." Braeburn reddened at Midnight's confidence.

"I'm uncomfortable," Rainbow Dash said. "I'll be going now."

The other mares left until only Braeburn, Midnight, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy remained. Fluttershy had said nothing back at Sweet Apple Acres, nor has she said anything during the second conversation.

However, now she decided it was time t give Braeburn her advice. Turning to him, Fluttershy said, "Just be yourself. I know you'll find a partner." She trotted out of the house.

"Well today has been fun, but I guess I got to go. You still up for what I have planned tomorrow, Midnight?"

"Totally. It'll be great."

"Bye then." As Pinkie hopped out the door, she was humming to herself. Only Braeburn and Midnight remained.

An awkward silence filled the room, as neither pony knew what to say. The grandfather clock, which Midnight had purchased a day ago, struck seven o'clock.

"I just remembered. I have some homework to do. My parents want me to pass so I can achieve my dreams. Typical parent thing, right?" Midnight said sheepishly.

"Right. Education is important. I guess I should be going. I don't want to distract you." Braeburn turned to leave, but a hoof grabbed his shoulder before he took even a single step.

"Nonsense, Braeburn. You can stay here. It'll be getting dark soon. Besides," Midnight continued, a gradual blush forming on his face. "I get lonely sometimes. I'm by myself here with nopony to keep me company."

Even though Midnight was no longer holding him, Braeburn decided to follow Midnight up to his room. Never before had a stallion tell Braeburn that he could spend the night. Midnight's room was fascinating, Braeburn had to admit.

"You can get some sleep if you want to," Midnight told him. "I've gotten used to the minimum of three hours of sleep."

Braeburn climbed into Midnight's bed, nearly passing out from lack of sleep and the comfort he experienced. Eyes drifting closed ever slowly, Braeburn wished his own bed was like this.

Braeburn woke up groggy, having sleeping the entire night. He hadn't even realized Midnight was sleeping next to him. Upon the awareness of the situation their arrangement portrayed, he came to the conclusion that one would misinterpret them to be together. Creeping out of bed, so as not to disturb the individual who laid beside him, Braeburn made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He prepared the two of them breakfast: waffles, scrambled eggs, toast with grape jam, and apple juice.

Soon after he finished setting out the food, Midnight came down the stairs—looking as if he got more sleep than he usually does.

"I thought ya said ya only get three hours of rest," Braeburn pointed out.

"I said that is the minimum. There are times I sleep the whole night away, and this was one of those times."

"Right," Braeburn said, unconvinced. "Anyway. While I was waitin' for you to wake up, I made us breakfast."

"Looks good."

"Thanks. I learned how to cook 'fore I started living all by my lonesome."

They sat down together, and started eating. Not another word spoken until after both finished the meal. After taking a sip of his apple juice, Midnight asked, "How is it you don't have a marefriend yet?"

"'Cause I didn't want one til now."

"That doesn't matter."

In utter confusion, Braeburn replied, "I don't understand what ya mean."

"You can cook and you're cute—" Midnight cut himself off. Both he and Braeburn sported a blush on their cheeks. Midnight actually called Braeburn—another stallion—'cute'. Trying to correct himself, Midnight stuttered, "I-I meant... um... handsome! Th-That's what I meant to say."

"How 'bout we move on?" Braeburn suggested. "Maybe a mare does fancy me. There's just one problem: I can't ask her out. I have a hard time asking somepony I like if they want to go out."

"You worry too much. Even if one says 'no—which I doubt anypony would—there are many other mares to date. You just have to find the right one."

"If ya say so."

"I know so," Midnight stated.

They both got up to get ready for today. Midnight bought Braeburn some cologne, as well as some shampoo and conditioner. After a long day—part of which involved Braeburn and Midnight brainstorming pick-up lines—they both got ready for another night's sleep.

As it was Saturday, Midnight had no homework. He shouldn't at least, but he still had work to do. Braeburn, once more, got into Midnight's bed. Midnight sat at his desk figuring out the equation of a precalculus, unaware that Braeburn had a burning question in his mind—one he had been thinking of all day.

"Midnight?" Braeburn said to his... friend.

"Yes?" Midnight responded, not bothering to look in Braeburn's direction.

Braeburn took a brreath. This would be the most uncomfortable question he would ever ask a stallion. "Do you really think I'm cute?"

Midnight looked up from his work into Braeburn's eyes. Brown eyes met green ones, both gazing into each other's soul. Midnight took a long pause before replying.

"Yes."

Braeburn said nothing more. Even if a mare said 'no' to dating him, Midnight always knew just what to say to make him feel... happy.

Just as Braeburn shut his eyes, he heard one voice speak.

"Ti amo."

Author's Note

"Just a little some thing we call 'Our Little Horror Story'."

November, Oscar. Romeo, Echo, Golf, Romeo, Echo, Tango, Sierra. (I don't know, I'm bored.)