"Still no luck," Braeburn said sadly.

"I know. We still have to keep trying, though. Somepony is bound to love you."

"Maybe we should take a break for a while? We can continue in two–four days," Braeburn implied. In a quiet voice, he added, "Or never."

"I guess we can take a break." At that moment, Braeburn's stomach growled. "Hungry? I have some bits left. Maybe we could get a bite to eat."

They walked towards a little restaurant. They ordered: two hay burgers, two sides of apple slices, a salad for Midnight, and two medium drinks of apple cider. A to-go order, costing roughly ten bits. They journeyed back to Midnight's home. Both munched on their meal, enjoying every bite.

A thought came to Braeburn, one he hadn't truly thought of until now. After swallowing the remaining food still in his mouth, he openly asked Midnight, "Why do ya do it?"

The sudden, and vague, question caught Midnight off guard. He sat still, perplexed on what Braeburn meant. Setting down his fork—which still had lettuce speared onto it—Midnight replied, "Do what exactly?"

"Sleep in the same bed as me. Ya coulda given me the guest bedroom, or ya coulda slept there. Instead, ya decide to get in bed with me."

A light blush crept across Midnight's face. As one hoof rubbed the back of his neck, he responded, "I was just... uh... tired. Way too tired to walk into the other room."

"'Too tired', huh? If I recall, ya have magic. Ya wouldn't need to walk anywhere, as ya could just teleport instantly."

The blush became much more pronounced. However, Midnight realized something too. Smirking, he questioned Braeburn as well. "Although I decided to get in bed with you, you don't seem to have a problem with it. You could've told me to stop, but you didn't."

It was Braeburn's turn to become red. "W-well I... ya see..." he stuttered. He couldn't piece together the words he wanted. He had the answer in his mind, but was unable to convert them into actual sentences. Changing the subject, Braeburn focused on Midnight's cutie mark. "What does yer cutie mark mean, anyway? It looks... odd."

Midnight smiled. Not because Braeburn took interest into his flank—or rather his cutie mark—but because he changed the subject, saving both of them from extreme awkwardness.

"Do you like it?"

"I think it's fascinatin'."

"That's all that matters then. I won't tell you anymore."

"Aw," Braeburn whined. "I won't tell nopony, I promise."

"Sorry, but that is a personal matter. A matter known only by me and my family," Midnight said in a 'that's that' tone.

Disappointed, Braeburn rose from his seat. He bid Midnight goodbye, and headed out the door.

"He's getting suspicious, Midnight."

"So what? He feels the same way," Midnight told Nightmare. After Braeburn had left, Midnight went up to his room and entered the dream realm to talk to Nightmare and Madness. They had been discussing Braeburn since Midnight and him first met. Only now it was a consultation.

"That isn't what I'm talking about," Nightmare said. It took a few seconds for Midnight to understand. This wasn't about how they felt about each other, it was about the cutie mark.

"Oh. What if we made it seem like I'm 'normal'?" Midnight suggested.

"'Normal'? What fun! We haven't been that way since we were in grade school." Madness had been silent for some time, but now he seemed keen on joining.

"You know we can't seem 'normal'. Braeburn would likely discover the truth and reject you," Nightmare stated.

"You're such a party pooper."

"Oh Birthday Boy!" Madness said in a singsong voice. Midnight and Nightmare looked at him, about to question him, then realized he's basically a mentally unstable Discord-Pinkie Pie mix. Meaning he does things that make only sense to him.

"Now isn't the time to be referencing, Madness. We are discussing Braeburn acknowledging Mid—our cutie mark," Nightmare said to Madness with a dark tone.

"Ignore him. We both know we can't get through to him."

"Whatever." Nightmare turned towards Midnight, not letting Madness's little outburst disrupt their dispute. "You need to face the facts, Braeburn won't stick around when he finds out."

"You're wrong! I'm getting to know him better. With my knowledge in psychology, I can predetermine how he would feel. It's simple." There wasn't confidence in Midnight's voice, only hope. Nightmare was done debating the topic.

"Fine. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

Braeburn returned ten minutes past eight. Since his departure, he had been pondering what Midnight's cutie mark meant. He hadn't figured it out, though. He knocked on the front door. It opened, a unicorn standing in the doorway.

"Braeburn? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you. It's getting dark soon, so I thought maybe ya would let me stay the night again."

"You left hours ago," Midnight recalled. Braeburn couldn't help but blush a little.

"I know." Braeburn wasn't comfortable being put on the spot. True he had left hours prior, but now he was back.

"Why didn't you go home? Or to Applejack's house?"

That question only made Braeburn's blush deepen. In his mind he thought about doing exactly that, but his heart—unbeknownst to him—had other plans. He just knew he wanted to spend the night with Midnight and nowhere else. Midnight noticed his silence, for he had gestured for Braeburn to enter.

The two of them went upstairs to the same bedroom they had slept in before. Braeburn climbed in first, as he expected Midnight to follow. However, Midnight—instead—laid his head on top of Braeburn's belly, between his legs. Braeburn's heart beat rapidly as Midnight stared into his eyes.

"There's a reason you came here. You had hours to go home, but you didn't. Why?" Midnight asked with sincere curiosity.

Braeburn didn't answer immediately. He hadn't really gave it much thought. Why did he return? He had an opportunity to go home, but he stayed where he was: near Midnight.

"I guess it's because I like being with ya," Braeburn finally said. There was a hint of sincerity in his voice, though Braeburn was oblivious to the fact.

Midnight stared at Braeburn, gazing into his soul. A thought came to Midnight, one that would—hopefully—prove him right.

"Do you mind if I try something?" he asked with a calm, soothing tone.

"Go ahead," Braeburn said, not giving it a second thought. Midnight smiled, causing Braeburn to smile too. Lowering his head, Midnight licked Braeburn's belly—inducing him to giggle a little.

Midnight continued licking, making Braeburn laugh harder. "St-stop that," Braeburn managed through laughs.

"You said it was alright," Midnight replied before continuing. Midnight held Braeburn down with his hooves, licking Braeburn's belly. Soon, Midnight replaced his tongue with his hooves.

Braeburn couldn't breath, as Midnight continued his onslaught. Braeburn thought of something while laughing. If he could get Midnight under him, he could repay the favor. As Midnight was about to return to the licking, Braeburn sat up quickly and pinned Midnight down.

It was Braeburn's turn to tickle Midnight. He started with his hooves on Midnight's belly, making sure to show no mercy. He decided to use his tongue to lick Midnight's neck, causing him to spasm with laughter.

"Braeburn," Midnight said while laughing. "Pl-hehehease, I yield." Braeburn loved hearing Midnight laugh, it made him happy. Braeburn, in one movement, licked from Midnight's lower belly all the way up to his neck.

This continued for ten more minutes, during which both got a chance to torment the other. Their fun ended when Braeburn was atop Midnight, both breathing heavily trying to catch their breath. Braeburn may not be laughing anymore, but his heart was beating crazily. Something made Braeburn do something he wouldn't normally do, something one would do to a crush or date: he kissed Midnight.

A long, passionate kiss that lasted for two minutes, or that's what it felt like to the two of them. Realizing what he had done, Braeburn broke away and stared at Midnight, studying for any signs of discomfort. Midnight showed no signs of disgust at what Braeburn had done. Actually, Midnight brought Braeburn closer. This time, Midnight was the one who locked their lips together.

They both broke away, and repositioned themselves. Braeburn laid on his left side, Midnight being between his forelegs. Midnight nuzzled up to Braeburn's chest, feeling Braeburn's heart beat against his back was oddly soothing. That's the position they remained in, even when neither feel asleep for some time. Tomorrow marked a new day for the two of them, and they had achieved their goal: get Braeburn a date.

Author's Note

" . . . said in a 'that's that' tone."

That's all folks!

(I got bored during study hall.)