Love and Tolerance

The winter’s reprieve was dispelled momentarily as the suns fixated glance melted away the cold and damp on that January afternoon. Thomas was sitting in the living room watching sports highlights as he kicked up his feet on the ottoman, taking off his shoes by rubbing the heel of his other foot against the heel of the leather foot. He sighed contently as he watched the games highlights, while he slowly ate leftover food from last night’s supper. His parents were out on a cruise so he had the house to himself. He glanced around the empty room, where eerie silence was almost calming to him as he glances at the food he was consuming. He was real fortunate that he had the weekend off, so was able to watch some movies he rented from the video store. He sighed to himself again and clicked off the television in boredom. He groaned silently as he went to his room and plopped on his large bed. Thomas stared at the ceiling for the longest time; the images that hung on the cream color ceiling seemed to entice his interest as he began to think about High School. It wasn't even five minutes when he heard the knock on the door.

He groaned to himself as he sat up on the edge of his bed and made his way to the door. As he opened the door, he smiled a little to see his Aunt Flora and his Cousin Mike. "I am sorry to bother you," She began, "Would you mind watching over Michael for me, I need to run out of town on a important business call," Thomas couldn't help but smile as he looked at Michael and his disheveled hair. Although Thomas was younger than Mike was, none of that mattered since they practically got along like brothers. Thomas nodded as he opened the door for Mike to come in. Aunt Flora smiled gratefully and left the house, leaving only foot prints in the snow...

once Thomas closed the door he was surprised by a tackle-hug. "OH TOMMY! IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" he yelled laughing. He smiled and hugged him more. He missed his little cousin like heck. Even though they were cousins it didn't stop him from calling him his little brother sometimes. he chuckled one more time then let go, ruffling Tom's hair and sat down. "How you doing little buddy?" he asked. Thomas chuckled to himself as he sat up on the floor, leaning into the hug as he gently rubbed Mikes back.

"I am very good. How has Mike been doing? Have you been staying out of trouble I presume?" He gently got up from the floor and walked to the kitchen, his bare feet hitting the lament flooring came to a silent shock as he slowly opened the fridge and pulled out two sodas to drink. He grinned from ear to ear as he sat down on the chair and flipped on the television, but turned down the volume. Mike smiled and sat down on the couch. "oh I'm doing just fine" he answered, smiling softly "and yes of course I have so you presume correct." he chuckled as he grabbed one of the sodas and nodded. "Thank you" he said to him as he opened the cap slowly, carefully so the soda would fizz all over the place and sniffed the bottle cap then took a swig of the soda, he then looked up at his 'brother'. "Good year" he winked at Tom and chuckled softly.

Thomas turned his head toward the television, as he flipped through the channels, the remote landed on the Hub channel. It was not until his batteries died. “Ugh! Great, now I have to look for new batteries,” He soon got up from his chair. As he entered the kitchen, he could hear the next television theme song playing. Mike smiled big as the show came on. He really liked the series, but he watched it secretly because he thought everyone thought it was a girl’s show and thought it was for girls only. he frowned in a fake way and groaned "ugh....My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.....the worse T.V. show ever...since I've never saw the series I guess I should watch it to see how girly it really is" he said to himself regretting every word he said but he only did it to sound manly then kicked back, watching a new episode of the series.

Thomas sighed to himself. “None of these batteries work!” He continued to rummage through the drawers as the episode played. With every minute passing he was becoming more irritable. He groaned to himself as he tried to talk over the show in hopes of being louder than the show. "You know, I don't believe in the fandom, quite frankly I don't even believe in the ponies. I mean seriously how naive can you be to fall for this crap?" he said. "Ponies, Pah, what kind of shit is this?" he continued to rummage through the drawers but reluctantly came back and sat on the chair.

Mike moved his eyes away from where Tom was and acted innocent for a moment then went back to watching the show, grinning. Thomas sighed to himself and sat through the show unamused. He groaned and clicked off the television when the show had ended. He scoffed and got up to stretch. That was the worst half hour I have EVER spent. How people can watch that show, I mean seriously! Mike turned the TV back on when he noticed the last part when the show ended. It was commercial for a bronies convention, and it was not too far away from where they lived! Mikes eyes widened "oh my freaking gosh....." he got up and danced a little with excitement and grabbed his brother "TOM! TOM! TOM! LOOK! LOOK! LOOK!" he pointed to the screen, acting like 4 year old. "THEIR HAVING AN MLP CONVE---!!" he stopped and his eyes widened....he let the cat out of the bag. Thomas He blinked for a few moments, then stared at Mike wide eyed. He could not believe what just happened as he smirked slightly with a playful glare. "What is this? Do I spot a pony lover amongst my midst?" he chuckled softly as he glanced at the commercial, then at Mike, "Seriously?" Thomas asked. Mike gulped and took a long step back, holding his ear out

"Oh, would you look at that! Aunt Flora's calling! I'd better sally forth on my way" he said before making a run for it but tripped over his suitcase and it spilled out filled to the brim with My Little Pony toys he had been hoarding. he looked down and his eyes widened "oh, crap" he whispered as he grabbed the toys and tired to put them back into the bag "you saw nothing!" he yelled as he kept trying to cram them back into their spots without hurting the paint or the hair. Thomas stared wide eyed at the suitcase then at Mike...as he put a hand gently on his shoulder, trying to hold back a laughter. He got up and step around the suitcase as he went into his room.

He rummaged through his desk drawers for something, as he sat down at his desk and looked in each compartment Mike blinked and watched Tom, wondering what he was up to. Thomas smiled as he appeared before Mike gently kneeling down to his cousin and handed him a small envelope. He grinned as he knew that his birthday was coming up, but wasn't sure how to even explain the present. Tom knew that deep down Mike was a Brony. I mean, who else names their cat Celestia? He knew for a while that this "Brony" convention was coming up and knew that'd he'd be the only one who would be willing to take him since his parents didn't believe in the Brony garbage.

Mike looked down at the small envelope then up at Tom, he wondered what it was. Was it money? Nah, that wasn't like Tommy. A birthday card, perhaps; nope, it still didn't sound like Tom. in suspense and impatience he quickly opened the envelope and looked inside.
Thomas sat down silently as he watched him open his birthday card. he grinned at the anticipation, but also felt unusually warm, as his face blustered into a deep red blush. Mikes eyes widened and he looked at the tickets to the Brony convention. He looked at Tom and blinked "But...how did you...?" he was truly shocked but was about to erupt with happiness.

“Well, when I was looking up high lights of a game, I noticed the ad on television for Bronycon. I knew that'd be something you were interested in. I mean....who can explain your ringtone as the theme song? Mike chuckled softly and nodded "Guess, I can't argue with you there," he smiled big and hugged his little brother "This is like...the best birthday present I've ever had" he told him, smiling bigger. Thomas grinned and looked at his watch, eyes widen. “We better get ourselves cleaned up, we wouldn't want to be late for Bronycon. Mikes eyes widened as well

"Oh my gosh your right, should you take the shower first or should I?" he asked. Thomas shook his head. “No, No you go ahead. I have to check the oil in the car,”
Mike nodded and walked to the bathroom to get ready but before he did it he poked his head out "See you in a few minutes" he smiled then closed the door. Thomas Brae He grinned to himself, knowing he made the choice, but then groaned to himself as realized that he would be in a giant room full of male pony lovers talking about a show that was intended for little girls. He shuddered at the thought of a thirty-five year old man 'clopping' to one of them.

Mike soon came out in his clothing he always wore. He wore his black shirt, blue coat, blue jeans, red on the top and white on the bottom tennis shoes and his red and white baseball cap. "Well, I'm here" he said to Tom with a small smile. "How’s the car doing?" he asked. Thomas glanced up as he smiled. “Car is running just fine; we should be there in no time. He glanced at the clock then at Mike. Let's get going, we don't wanna be late for the convention. I hear that Lauren Faust will be holding a contest for a new voice actor in the show,” Mike nodded and smiled softly, heading toward the door.