Lonely Nights

"Any luck finding a lover Braeburn?" Applejack asked.

Braeburn had met up with Applejack to discuss something. That something being how he felt about Midnight. He had no idea how to explain to Applejack that he wasn't dating a mare, but a stallion. Technically not dating, just in love with a stallion. Nevertheless, he was worried she'd be disgusted.

"I guess I did have luck," he said after a while.

"That's great. Are they perfect?" He had genuinely piqued Applejack's curiosity.

"They're something alright," Braeburn said dreamily. He hadn't remembered being this happy about being close to a stallion before. Then again, it wasn't a relationship thing.

"That's wonderful darling," Rarity said. The others had been with Applejack beforehand, wondering if Braeburn and Midnight were successful in their endeavors. Needless to say, they had their answer. "I do hope you two will have a lovely time together. After all, you and Midnight worked hard."

Each mare was happy for Braeburn, even Rainbow Dash—who had doubts about this entire thing. Pinkie Pie was planning a party for Braeburn, congratulating him on his success.

"Guess I owe you a cider," Rainbow Dash said to Applejack. They had made a bet, that one would buy a cider for the other. Applejack would win if Braeburn got a date by the month's end. Rainbow Dash would win if Braeburn gave up before then.

"No RD, I'll getcha a cider. As long as Braeburn's happy, I'm happy."

"Save me the sappiness. We can get each other a cider," Rainbow Dash said. The two of them had become friendlier to each other than the last time Braeburn saw them. Somepony could mistake them as in love. However, it was the fact that they both wanted cider, and buying one for each other made them happier. Another crucial detail was that they had a cider drinking contest before any of the others arrived.

Twilight, ignoring the two of them, turned to Braeburn. "What's she like?"

Braeburn snapped out of his daydream. He hadn't told them the date he and Midnight found was Midnight. He didn't know what any of them would say about it. Nopony knew he was... homosexual.

He tried thinking of a way to answer the question without giving away the actual answer. "They're a lot of things. Smart, cute, I love hearing them laugh, and they make me laugh. I can't imagine being with anypony else." Once more Braeburn daydreamed about Midnight. His mane, his laugh, his physique. Soon, his thoughts drifted downward. Very far downward, as he dreamed about Midnight's...

"What about Midnight?" Twilight asked, interrupting his train of thought.

Braeburn's heart skipped a beat as the image faded from his mind. "Wh-What about him?" Braeburn asked, attempting to hid his blush.

"How did he react when you scored a date," Rainbow Dash answered for Twilight.

Braeburn didn't know how to answer that. How would Midnight feel if he dated a mare and not him? It didn't take long before Braeburn came up with an answer. "He was happy for me."

"Really? I would've thought a stallion like him would've been jealous," Rarity said astonished. The mares all thought Midnight would be a bit jealous about Braeburn dating somepony else. However, they did not enlighten Braeburn on why.

"When do we get to meet them?" Fluttershy asked with curiosity. This was going too far. Braeburn wanted them to know who he was dating, but didn't at the same time. Before he could respond, Pinkie got an idea.

"I know! How about you bring them over to the party? That way we'll meet them, and get to party at the exact same time!" Pinkie Pie, like Fluttershy, didn't say 'her'. Instead, they both said 'them'. Although Braeburn wanted to understand why, he didn't bother asking.

"I'll have to discuss it with 'em. I'll see y'all later at the party, okay?" With that, Braeburn left to go figure this out. He would figure his answer, and later get Midnight's.

"This is a bad idea, Midnight," Nightmare told him.

"It is not! Braeburn loves me, and I love him. What could possibly be bad about that?"

"His chances of finding out have tripled, because now he has a better reason to visit."

"I don't care! I just want to be with him." Midnight was angry. Sure Nightmare is supposed to be a downer, but this was too much.

"He'll leave you the chance he gets after discovering us. That's the truth." Nightmare's tone was toxic. He wasn't keen on being discovered by Midnight's lover. In his opinion, that is a terrible way for one to uncover another's insanity.

"Nothing is true!" Midnight shouted. He wasn't one to shout. He was a quiet pony, even when the time required for him to speak up.

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted." Madness was casually flying as he pleased. Occasionally, under the right circumstances, he would say something that seemingly referenced something else.

"Shut it, Madness, or I'll crack your skull open!" Nightmare was seething with rage. He was growing tired of arguing with Midnight and of Madness spewing nonsense.

"Requiescat in pace," Madness said before falling silent.

Nightmare, who had calmed down some during his outburst at Madness turned to Midnight. "Stop dating him, or have your heart broken. Either way, you won't be dating him anymore." Both Nightmare and Madness left Midnight standing in the middle of their realm.

"How am I going to tell him?" Midnight wondered. "It isn't like I can just go up to him and say 'I have two other ponies living in my head. Do you still want to date me?'" Midnight returned to the waking world, still pondering his situation. Only when a knock came at his door did he stop.

"That's the predicament I'm in right now." Braeburn had just finished telling Midnight about the party, including the part where Braeburn had to bring his date with him. It was nearing nine o'clock. Braeburn had stayed for dinner since his arrival, as well as delay telling Midnight. Now, however, he couldn't hold it off any longer. "What do ya think I should do?"

"Why didn't you tell them the truth?" Midnight wondered.

"I didn't want them to know 'cause I thought they'd reject me." Braeburn was concerned. He didn't want to lie to his cousin—the Element of Honesty—but he didn't want to tell her the truth either.

"Why would they reject you? I know they'll still accept you."

"But I'm—" Midnight put a hoof over his mouth.

"You're perfect. Don't fear how others will act. You are you, and that's all that matters." Midnight brought Braeburn into a kiss. It calmed Braeburn down, he needed something to distract him from his worries. Once they broke away, Braeburn decided it best to tell Applejack the truth.

"I guess you're right. I shouldn't be ashamed of what I am." They kissed again, not caring if anypony was watching. Why should they hide this? Hiding from what you are is basically you hiding from yourself. An idea came to Midnight's mind, one that would... please Braeburn.

After breaking away, Midnight informed Braeburn. "I've got an idea."

"What is it?" Braeburn asked with a smile.

"Follow me," Midnight said with a smirk. Braeburn couldn't help but smile as well. Whatever Midnight had planned, Braeburn was sure he would enjoy it. Soon, he'll realize how right he is.