Deathlight

Anton Post - 'Toni' to his friends - lay on the bare mattress in his basement, watching motes of dust flare into points of light as they floated past the window. The sun was well on its way to noon and the small square of blue sky he could see promised it would be another hot, summer day. He'd eschewed a blanket, partly on account of the heat, and partly because the purple, furred body draped across his midriff provided plenty of insulation, even during the night. One of his hands idly caressed an ear, while the other rested lightly on a star-shaped cutie mark. He glanced down briefly to reassure himself that Twilight Sparkle was still asleep, then returned his gaze to the tiny window near the ceiling. It was by no means early, but he didn't have anywhere to be so it was okay to lounge around a little. Particularly since it was probably the last day he could enjoy the company for a while. He looked at the sleeping mare once more and spotted a fleck of dirt. His hand left the ear it was scratching and slid down to Twilight's muzzle. He tugged whatever it was free from her fur and flicked it away.

Probably a bit of dried snot, he told himself. Toni wasn't squeamish, not after so many other unsavoury fluids spilled and cleaned in the past. His action did, however, wake the sleeping mare and she opened one eye. The iris appeared gray in the dim light and her pupil was round and large. Twilight blinked a few times and focused on him. Then she breathed in, a long, luxurious inhalation which caused her fur to slide across Toni's bare chest. She stretched out her hind legs, but soon curled them back up and tried to shuffle her hooves under his body.

"I'm cold," she said. "Where's the blanket?"

"I'll go grab it. Slept well?"

She shook her head a little. "I didn't sleep, but it was still relaxing. Don't worry about it. Blanket?"

Toni looked across the room, but couldn't spot it anywhere. "Must be on the couch again. I should probably head out soon, anyway."

Her ears folded back as she considered those words, and her eyes seemed to shimmer with quiet pleading. "Already?" she asked. "Must you?"

Toni traced his fingers down the lines of her face and brought his other hand closer to cup the purple muzzle for a moment before answering: "It's nearly time, you know that. I'll sleep upstairs until you're back."

It wasn't what Twilight wanted to hear and she averted her gaze. Her mouth curled with the beginning of a whine, but she stopped herself and sighed instead. She plopped her head back on Toni's belly. "I know. I just wish I didn't have to go."

"You don't. I mean- you could be back tonight. I really don't mi-"

"No," she interrupted in a flat voice. "Heartswarming. We said after Heartswarming and that's what it's going to be. It's been hard enough as it is."

"I know, I'm just saying-"

"Please stop trying to talk me out of it, Toni. You know I don't want to go, but I have my-" Her voice hitched and Twilight let out a shuddering breath. "I have my subjects to consider," she finished.

"Okay," Toni gave in, just like each time before. "I guess I'll see you then."

Twilight scrunched up her muzzle and her ears flattened even more, but she didn't argue.

"Want some breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry," she replied, sounding distant and disinterested. Toni understood why she was in a bad mood, but he also knew there was no point in trying to argue. The best he could do was to give her room to work it out on her own. Twilight was a... complicated pony. Instead, he twisted away from the fuzzy body, making sure to carefully lower her down to the mattress. He pushed himself up to his knees and adjusted his boxer shorts into a slightly more comfortable position. His hand went out to give Twilight a friendly pat, but Toni paused before he touched her mane.

"I wish I could sleep in a real bed, with you," she murmured without looking up.

"Yeah, me too, but you know we can't risk letting anyone see you upstairs."

"I know." With that he closed the last bit of distance and patted the side of her head. "We'll figure it out soon, you'll see. It's just a problem we have to solve, you said so yourself."

This time she did twist on the mattress so she could look up at him. "I'm no longer so sure. I- I forget a lot when I leave, and it feels like I have to learn everything again when I'm back. Besides-" She didn't finish the last sentence and instead bit her lip. Instead, her gaze slid away from Toni's face and her ears lowered. It was obviously an unpleasant thought for her and he could guess what she was afraid of.

He finished it for her, making sure to keep his voice gentle: "You're afraid your mind is starting to go." He'd been listening and heard her breath catch. He also felt the mare tense under his hand.

She didn't deny it. "Yes."

"Don't be. You're still the most brilliant person I know, either pony or human. I don't think that's going to change."

She didn't exactly beam at him, not like the first few times he'd told her that, but Twilight's mouth still quirked up into a hint of a smile, which was good enough. She brushed her face against his palm and gave it a lick. Her tongue was raspy and very dry and Toni resolved to bring her some water before he left. "You're working today?" she asked him.

"No, it's Saturday. I think I'll walk down to the swimming hole and cool off a little."

"I wish I could come with." Before Toni could say anything, Twilight added in a disappointed tone: "I know, I know, nopony can know. Maybe someday, when- when this is over."

"Yeah, I'd like that. I'll check down here when I'm back, but just in case you're already gone: I love you."

These words did make her smile, even after all this time. Twilight caught his hand with her hooves and placed a few kisses on his palm. "I love you too. I'd give you a real kiss, but..." she indicated her mouth with her hoof.

"Breath."

"Yeah." She poked him in the ribs with the edge of her hoof. "Your morning breath isn't much better, you know?!"

They both laughed and Toni leaned down to place a kiss at the tip of her nose. "That should tide you over until you're back."

She closed her eyes and let his hand go. "Mmm, thank you. I'll see you."

His keys clinked as Anton threw them into the bowl by the front door. He felt his way along the shelf until he found the familiar plastic rectangle and turned on the light. He heaved a sigh and kicked off his shoes, which still felt like they were filled with hot coals. Sometimes he envied the ponies their hooves, especially on these searing, summer days when the ground itself felt like a stove top. He'd checked the calendar by the city hall and there would be no rain to relieve the heat until the weekend. At least the inside of his house wasn't stifling hot, thanks to a combination of the architect's skill and a bit of magic Twilight had added to the wooden interior walls. Toni laid his palm on the rough, whitewashed surface. It was cool to the touch. It wasn't quite like air conditioning the humans had invented, but it was a lot better than nothing.

He shuffled his way to the combination kitchen and living room and gave the bookshelf a distrustful glance. Twilight had made him promise he would read while she was gone, but Toni didn't feel like it, not today. Ponyville was far less cut-throat than New York, but he still had to work. These days it meant standing under the too-small shade of the Apples' stall in the market and being his cheerful, charming self to customers.

Instead of a book, he needed a shower, but even that sounded like too much effort. It was best to simply head to bed. He didn't have to work the next day, which meant he could go jump in the lake and cool off.

Toni heaved a sigh and turned back to the narrow corridor and its quaint staircase to his bedroom in the attic. His gaze went to the door at the end of the hall, the one which led into the basement. She was gone, he knew that. Even the house itself felt empty. Toni shook his head and muttered to himself as he began to climb.

"Don't need a reminder..."

At least tomorrow promised to be better.