Cure for Pain

A brief little anecdote:

I was going to submit this section of the story, entitled "Brothers," as its own fanfiction. But it failed moderation, under the claim that I couldn't put separate chapters of a story as their own respective story. I truly get it, and I just made this note to explain why I added "Post-Nothing" to the first 29 chapters; I consider them their own separate story, and I consider what I am starting ("Brothers") to be its sequel. Post-Nothing is now the first Story Arc, and Brothers will be the second.

Part 1: Little Acorns

“Rarity, could you hurry up, please?!” I asked, exasperated. I was at Rarity’s boutique, getting my suit tailored for Coleton’s wedding. Ever since news of the wedding between Coleton and Dash reached Rarity, she was working overtime to make sure everything was perfect. Not that she complained; now she had something to gossip about.

“Sorry, darling! This takes time!” She said in a fed-up voice. I sighed. I knew it would take time, but this was ridiculous. “Yeah, but not five hours!” I yelled, trying to make my point.

“Well, don’t you want to look perfect for your best friend’s wedding?” She asked. I knew her intent was to silence me, and I wasn’t going to satisfy her. “Actually, I could show up in a paper bag and he would be alright with it.”

Rarity simply chuckled, the measuring tape shaking with every laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous, darling, he would obviously be embarrassed!” I opened my mouth, but she silenced me with a face over my mouth. “Don’t try to prove me wrong.

“And besides,” she said, continuing her work. “Aren’t you his best stallion?” I cringed; the phrase sounded so weird to me. “Call me his best man. And yes, I am.” She gave a giddy laugh. “I’m so happy about the entire situation! You know Dash hadn’t really shown any interest in love until Coleton came along?”

I simply shrugged. “I didn’t actually. But what does it matter? I mean, they love each other, that much is obvious.”

Rarity sighed. “Do you not thing she’s rushing things a bit?” I laughed. “I guess I wasn’t the only one thinking that? But don’t worry; it’s early, but I don’t think anything will happen. The love is obviously there, and they'll mature as a unit, and not as individual ponies.”

And so came the awkward “ran out of topics” silence that had happened many times prior. I guess there was nothing to do but sit there, waiting awkwardly for her to get done.

“Hey!” I yelled to my friend on the day of the wedding. He was looking nervous, not that I expected anything else. “What’s up?” He looked up and smiled. “Not much. Just been thinking.”

“Well…” he said, awkwardly poking at the ground. “What if things don’t work out?” I went up to him and patted him on his back. “Don’t worry, man. I understand your concern, but things will. You guys just click in a way that works.”

He looked up and smiled. “Thanks, man. I’m still concerned about something, though.” Great, more counselling. But he was my friend, so I bit the bullet and asked. “What about?”

“We don’t have anyone back from Earth to see me get married.” I hadn’t acknowledged that before, but he was right; there wasn’t any old friend or family to see this. No bachelor party was complete without parents, seething ex-girlfriends and old friend to mess with you, but Coleton didn't have any of that. Sure, I was a friend, but I was just one; Bryan and Hannah would have made this wedding interesting, especially Hannah.

“Well…” I said, walking away to make preparations for the wedding. “I hate to sound so cold, but we stayed here knowing of the consequences. It’s not their fault our friends aren’t here.”

With that, I walked to the spot where the best stallion is supposed to stand, awkwardly waiting for the organ to play the familiar tune.

And so the time came that Coleton and Dash walked down the aisle. Dash looked beautiful, wearing a white dress with obvious influence from Rarity. It complemented her multicolored mane, streaks of color making the dress look as if someone had taken the sonic rainboom and laid it neatly on a white canvas.

Coleton’s outfit wasn’t bad either; A simple tuxedo complimenting his blackish-brownish mane. His outfit did have one atypical feature to it; a simple cutie mark onto the chest of the tux. it was Dash's, there was no mistaking it. It looked perfect; everything was perfect.

“We are gathered here today…” droned the monotonous officiant as I quickly lost interest. I looked around the room; aside from the mane 6 and Octavia, there weren’t many people I recognized. As I looked around, a couple caught my eye. They were a middle aged couple, a stallion with a grey coat and a black mane sitting next to his wife, with a blonde highlighted mane and a simple white coat. They looked familiar; I could’ve swore I had seen them before!

“I now pronounce you stallion and wife.” The officiant finally concluded. “You may now kiss the bride!”

“Eh, Walker?” Coleton said at the reception. “Don’t you think you should hold off the alcohol tonight?”

I looked down, noticing what I was about to drink. “You’re probably right.” I said, giggling nervously and putting the bottle down on the table. “Thanks.”

He laughed. “I just don’t want you shitfaced for the speech the best man gives.” He said. My mouth suddenly went dry. “Wait, I give a speech?” A serious look washes over his face. “You DID prepare a speech, right?”

Shit. I messed up BIG time. I simply scratched the back of my head nervously. “You seriously didn’t prepare one?!” He yells, borderline screaming. “Why in CELESTIA not?!”

“I don’t know, man!” I said, simply avoiding death at this point. “I seriously don’t.” He got at eye level, and I felt like I was looking death straight in the eye. “Your wit BETTER give you a damn good speech tonight, or so help me, Celestia.”

HE walked away, maintaining his cheery attitude to everyone except for myself. I slumped down in my chair, face white as a ghost. “I’m fucked.” I said, sighing and accepting inevitable bombing on stage/death by Coleton. Probably both.

“Long time, no see, Walker!” I heard a voice say from behind me. I looked up to see the couple from before; how did they know me?!

“Uh… hi?” I said in a cautionary tone. “May I ask how you know me?” The stallion simply laughed. “I forgot we’re in these bodies now! Sorry about that, Walker.”

“What do you mean ‘in these bodies’?” I asked suspiciously. “Who are you?” The mare laughed. “I’m Tammie, and that’s Kasey. Coleton’s parents, remember?”

“HOLY SHIT!!” I yelled, before covering my mouth with my hooves. “Sorry. Seriously, though, WOW! Never expected you two to show up!”

WE sat down and talked for the next couple of minutes. Apparently, when they heard Coleton tell them he was on a business trip, they didn't believe him. After we left, he asked Bryan and Hannah, who eventually cracked and told them the truth. They were coming with the only intention of seeing Coleton again, but to figure out he was actually getting married was just a bonus.

“So…” Tammie said, taking a sip of her drink. “Coleton’s marrying a pony?”

“Well…” I said, trying to muster an explanation for what they asked, but not finding the words. I felt like the only thing I could say to justify it was, “They've already done it!” but I would never say that to his parents. Luckily at around this time, Coleton returned to the table. “Uh, Walker?” He asked, pointing to his parents. “Who are these people?”

“Dude…” I said, laughing. “You don’t know! That’s hilarious!” While I was laughing, Tammie went to her son and hugged him. “It’s great to see you again, son.”

“The look on his face was priceless. It was a mixture between happy and surprised, and his feelings were manifested in tears. “Mom… Dad…”

Many tears were shed. Much happiness was felt. Much conversation was had between the four of us in those next couple of minutes, with Coleton’s mom refraining from mention the marriage part like she did with me. Gee, thanks, Tammie.

“Anyway, we’re gonna go sit down. The best man’s speech starts in five minutes.” Tammie and Kasey kissed Coleton and sat down at a table around the stage. Coleton looked at me. “You’ve got five minutes, dude. Make them count.”

Then he walked away. I laughed. I was certainly going to make them count. I went to the bartender and sat down. “Hey man, give me a couple… or 3… or four ciders! And please make it quick!”