Waking Eyes

Flare laughed as he recalled the memory. Usually most would be embarrassed after what happened to Arrow at the old party. Arrow didn't care, his reputation didn't matter that night. Arrow didn't care what happened that day each year. The day his parents banned him, The day he had his first drink. He wasn't getting addicted, but he didn't stop drinking.

-

"There is a party down this way," Arrow told Flare "open for every pony to come and have a good time." Flare didn't know why Arrow wanted to go. Arrow hadn't told him the date was painful to him, and he wanted something to wash it away.  Flare didn't want to argue though, maybe it would be fun.

"Alright, if you want to then let us go." Flare said, and the two started walking down that way. Arrow replaying the life changing scene in his mind. Arrow hid his hatred that day, usually he would be destroying anything in his way. Flare was with him this year, and he keep Arrow from destroying anything.

They walked in and were amazed on how big it was. Arrow looked for what to do, there were ponies dancing, romantic like. That was something Flare would argue to, if Arrow asked him. There were party games in one corner, but more for the young ones there. Flare also looked into the corner and watched as they laughed, smiled, and were having fun.

Flare thought back, before the massacre, and realized he didn't know how to play any of the games there, but the looked quite simple. A party for Flare was just his family, which is now a party of two. Arrow looked at Flare, and thought of interrupting him for his own good. Flare breaking down was not needed at a party.

But instead, Arrow continued to look for activities for they're ages. There was a few holding a hoof wrestling contest, but that wasn't fair for Flare. Flare was agile, not really too strong. He could hold his own in a fight, but was not one who could hold his own in every fight. Arrow might have been good there, though. Arrow spotted the refreshments.

"Want to get something first" Arrow said pointing at the table of foods and drinks. "Then we will find something to do." Flare just shrugged.

"Sure." Flare said, glancing one more time at the young one corner.

-

Good times, Flare thought. "You ready to get started?" Flare asked and Arrow nodded. Flare looked for the buckets, they were in the wagon. He placed them around a tree. "It is really easy, it just requires a little strength." Flare said knowing Arrow was stronger. Arrow heard this and thought this was going to be a breeze if Flare had enough strength to do it easily.

Flare bucked the tree and most apples fell into the buckets, he was still learning from yesterday, but almost had it figured out. Flare nodded as Arrow walked over and picked up an apple. He stared at it, and Flare stared at his, waiting to see Arrow take a bite. Arrow looked over at Flare.

"So, these apples are really that good?" Arrow asked Flare. Flare smirked and nodded, he also walked closer to Arrow and began to push the apple towards his face. "All right! I can eat by myself."

"Then why are you not?" Flare questioned, "You trust me, right? I wouldn't lie to you about the taste of apples." Arrow looked him in the eyes and stared at him.

"Again," Arrow said, "You wouldn't lie about the taste of apples again" Flare laughed in his face, remembering the first time he lied about apples. "You think it's funny, I still don't know how you ate one right in front of me, and then told me that they were great." Flare thought back to the apple moment.

-

Flare and Arrow got to the table. They looked at all the food, a lot of it being fancy and high priced food. The food itself was free, but it had a lot of things that 'added flavor' to it. Flare looked at everything, he saw everything as stuff to good for his likings. Arrow spotted a bottle of wine, and took a small glass near the bottle. Flare picked up an apple and bit it. It tasted so bad, but Flare was a good house guest. Flare also knew how to hid and fake many emotions, disgusted is one he could hide well. Arrow poured the wine with his magic, and looked at the glass full of wine.

Arrow had never drank alcohol before, because he heard how many different things could happen when drunk. He could get extremely mad at nothing and attack some pony, even Flare. He could get himself in trouble by ending up hitting on every mare in sight. On a day of depression, he might kill himself. All of these thoughts ran through Arrow's mind, but he drank the glass anyway. He turned towards Flare, who was just about to eat the last bite of the apple.

"How are the apples?" Arrow asked, Flare took the last and held out a hoof that said 'give me a second.' Flare swallowed the terrible thing and went to reply.

"It was really good, high price apples," Flare lied completely, "I haven't had apples in forever, but if I can remember correctly, these were the best ever." Maybe Flare just forgot to say worst, instead of best. It didn't matter what Flare said, most ponies would believe what Flare said sounding as convincing as he told them as many lies as Flare wanted. Flare didn't usually lie to any pony, but t was going to be funny to see Arrow's reaction, whatever it may be.

"I might try one," Arrow took the apple, Flare's face didn't change at all, he just looked at Arrow. Flare smiled as Arrow took a bite. Arrow spat it out, coughing heavily. Flare patted his back, to make sure he hadn't started choking, but he was. Flare didn't know how to correctly stop choking, so he did his best to get the apple out of Arrow. He raised his hoof up high and smacked down as hard as possible.

Arrow was smacked, chest first, to the ground. The apple spat out of him, he could breathe. Arrow was breathing heavily as Flare took his face near Arrow's. Arrow spat apple in Flare's face. Arrow stood up and was fine.

"Flare! How dare you lie to me, faking a good mood to say it was good." Arrow scolded, Flare wiped the apple off his face. Flare prepared to get into a lot of trouble, causing Arrow to choke hurt him already a lot. He didn't want anything that hurts Arrow. "And then I start choking! All you do is think I was faking at first. Then you slam me onto the ground!" Arrow yelled at Flare, successfully causing a scene for every pony. "You should feel lucky that the slam worked."

Flare felt a tear in his eye, he had to stop that. He wiped his eye, and stood. Flare was completely hiding his sadness for hurting Arrow, but showing weakness wasn't going to help either of them. "I'm sorry, Arrow," Flare said very calmly, insides wanting to burst and beg for Arrow's forgiveness. "I didn't think that you would choke over that apple. If I knew I would not have lied." Flare looked at every pony staring. Great, they now were popular, and not for good reasons. Flare pulled Arrow  into a hug. "I'm deeply sorry..." Flare was using a lot of energy holding himself together. Arrow pulled away from the hug, and busted out laughing.

"Oh, Flare, Flare, Flare, Flare," Arrow repeated his name a few times, "You aren't the only faker here." Arrow then started laughing really hard. Flare looked at him in surprise, his mouth was slightly open. Arrow faked the whole thing, Flare smiled. That smile turned into a cheerful laughter, Arrow was really mad at all.

Arrow rolled on the ground laughing, Flare jumped on top of him. "You dirty faker! I faked that an apple was good, you faked choking and being mad at me." Flare stopped for a second. "Good job." Flare laughed as he jumped off Arrow, and held a hoof to help him up.

"Okay, let's find something else to do okay?" Arrow asked getting up, and Flare nodded, Both were still laughing, Arrow looked at the wine. He filled a second glass, and drank it. "Okay I'm ready." Arrow said, Flare looked at him with worry. Flare didn't want to know what Arrow was drunk. He begged that Arrow was not aggressive.

-

Flare laughed at the memory. Arrow ate a bad apple, Flare got beat at his own game, it was funny if you thought about it. "Yea, I wouldn't lie a second time." Flare put his hoof on Arrow's shoulder. "This time, I swear, that they are fantastic apples." He took his hoof off his shoulder. Arrow bit the apple, and it was so good. Arrow smiled and looked at Flare.

"It's okay, I guess," Arrow said, "It is not the best apple I have ever had." Arrow faked a bored-like attitude and figure. Flare saw right through this one.

"Don't feed me these lies!" Flare declared, "I will not eat them! These lies, these lies!" Flare was yelling at this point like a crazy pony who had lost there mind. Flare laughed as he could not continue the act. Arrow continued to eat the apple, trying not to choke or laugh.

"Hey Flare!" A voice came from behind the two. It was Derpy. What was she doing here? Flare blushed at the sight of the mare, Arrow caught it. "Is AJ here?" Derpy asked.

"No, Derpy," Flare answered "She is somewhere in Ponyville." Flare said trying to be calm. Flare never had experience with this so it was hard to try and stop it. But the blushing was obvious to Arrow. Flare looked away from Derpy, towards the ground. Derpy flew up towards Flare.

"Oh, well I'll find her." Derpy said reaching into her saddlebag full of mail. "But first, I have one for you, Flare." She grabbed the letter and placed it on top of Flare's mane. "There you go."

"Thanks, Derpy," Flare said, removing the letter from on top of his head. "I didn't know you were a mailmare, Is it hard? You know, because of your eyes?" Flare asked hoping not to offend. Arrow then realized one of Derpy's eyes was in a different direction.

"No, it is really easy." Derpy answered, and Flare couldn't detect anything that said she got offended, but then again he couldn't detect a lot about Derpy at all.  "Well, I have more deliveries to finish. I'll see you around, Flare!" Derpy turned away to continue on her way, but Flare interrupted with a question.

"Wait, how is Dinky?" Flare asked, both Derpy and Arrow were a little surprised. "I just wanna know how she is." Flare didn't know why he cared so much, he just knew he did. Arrow looked at Flare, then at Derpy.

"She is at a friend's house," Derpy answered happily, "She is so popular." Flare smiled at this answer, Derpy left the ground. "Bye Flare, and," Derpy looked at Arrow.

"My name is Arrow," He said calmly, "It is good to meet you Derpy, but if you have to go, then see you later Derpy." Arrow said this with a serious look on his face. A lot of thoughts were running through his head.

"Okay, bye Arrow!" Derpy said waving to them and flying off. Flare had a blush on his face when she was out of sight. Arrow looked at Flare, who was ready for some questions.

"So, the muffin monster is disguised as a mailmare." Arrow said, "Clever, I would not have seen it coming. I also didn't see that tough guy, Flare, would have a crush on a very goofy pony." Flare just waited for Arrow to continue. "Come on, Flare you can tell me, you can't hide it." Flare stayed completely silent, he smirked as Arrow looked towards Flare for an explanation. "I don't know why Flare, but you choose the most random mare you could find to fall for."

Flare attacked back on that sentence. "So did you," Flare said "and almost got into a fight over it. But instead I had to to convince the other to calm down." Flare hesitated recalling the moment.

-

Three hours since Arrow's first glass of wine, he was now at twelve. Arrow really had no idea what he was doing at this point. Flare watched as Arrow talked to a very pretty mare. She was giggling and Arrow was laughing.

"Hey!" A stallion walked up behind Arrow and turned him around. Flare shot up, ready for anything that happened next. Flare walked towards the three. "What do you think you are doing?" The stallion pushed Arrow to the ground. Arrow calmly stood up.

"I think I'm doing whatever I want." Arrow said with a smirk. "It is a party, right?" The stallion got up in Arrow's face.

"Do you want to get bucked through a wall, because that is what it is sounding like." Flare pushed between them and glared at the stallion, who tried to push Flare. Flare pushed back giving him full space between the two.

"Know, I don't know who you are, but you really should watch what you say." Flare warned him. "If you don't I will be forced to knock your teeth out." Flare threatened, "Know this is the first time my friend her has ever gotten drunk, so you should really forgive him. If you don't, you are going to start a fight with the wrong ponies. We have been through a lot more then you have in your life. Living daily is a challenge, but you get food served to you. Now, you seem like you have a fair share of bits, and I'm guessing that is your marefriend. Your life is fine, so just my drunken friend do as he likes for one night." Flare looked back at Arrow, and shook his head.

Flare turned back to the stallion, who got right in his face. "I am the one picking a fight here?" The stallion said trying to sound as loud as he could, "If you want to fight me in his place say the word!" Flare wasn't surprised to smell alcohol on his breath. Flare touched his head with the stallions, eye to eye, Flare gave a simple, easy to understand warning.

"If you swing first, then it is self defense." Flare said calmly, "I will not be afraid of any charges at that point. What about you? What will happen if you get in trouble?" Flare tried drilling some logic into his head. "I am not afraid to fight, but I would to just talk out our problems." Flare pulled away from the other's face. "Alright? I can get my friend to leave her alone, and we can forget this ever happened." Flare said trying to convince the stallion.

They both turned to look at Arrow, He stared back. "What I am in trouble now?" Arrow asked, the stallion went to speak, but Flare stopped him. Flare walked up to Arrow, and looked at him. Flare could smell alcohol. He hated that smell already.

"Arrow, you need to leave this mare alone." Flare said and Arrow went to reply, but Flare stopped him with a hoof over his mouth. "Look, yes it is a party, and at a party you should try to have a good time. But that doesn't require this mare, do you understand?" Arrow nodded, and Flare was going to release him hoof, but didn't. "Okay, If I let you talk we are not going to say a word, and we are going to walk away from this problem without making it worse." Arrow nodded, he didn't realize that he could just push Flare's hoof away. Flare let his hoof drop. "Come on." He said, tugging at Arrow.

The two began to walk away, and Flare looked back and nodded at the stallion. The stallion nodded back, that would confirm their agreement.

-

Flare thought that it could have gone a lot better than it did. "Okay, another question," Arrow said bucking a tree, "Do you plan to ever tell her?" Arrow knew Flare would need a second to think "Also, did she miss the bandages? Or did she just disregard them?" Flare wondered, Arrow had a good question.

"I think she just ignored it, she better at seeing emotional and mental pain, anyway." Flare told him, "I know because I broke into tears and she could almost read my past, when I talked to her. And as for why I like her, I don't know, but I am glad I do. I also wouldn't know how to tell her." Flare looked at the letter, it only said three words, To Thunder Flare. Arrow looked at Flare after he showed Arrow it said his real name.

"No return address, so who sent it?" Arrow wondered out loud, only a hoof-full of ponies knew Flare's full name, most didn't know anything about Flare's real name. "There are not a lot that know your real name, or even half your name." Flare looked at the letter, he had no idea who sent the letter.

"Only one way to find out who sent this." Flare said beginning to open the letter. He pulled out the letter, letting the envelope fall. He opened the letter and began reading out loud for Arrow. "Dear Flare, remember to be at Sugarcube Corner at noon today, but no earlier. If you don't come I'll be really really sad, so don't be late. Your friend, Pinkie Pie." Flare paused for a second reading the letter again in his mind, "Really? Well, Arrow we can't have that happen can we? Pinkie Pie doesn't like to be sad, so Arrow what time do you think it is?" Flare looked towards the sun.

"Maybe close to nine, so we got a while to work." Arrow said "I guess we are going to a party then." Arrow looked at Flare, who nodded.

"Arrow," Flare said, "Can we not end this party the same way we ended our last?" Arrow looked away from Flare. "Arrow, please do not drink this time. I don't wanna end this party covered in vomit and dragging you on my back." Arrow looked towards the ground. Flare walked over to him and made him look into his eyes. Flare then hugged him. "Arrow, for your good, do not drink. For your reputation, for your honor, for you. I didn't care that I had to carry you out, I cared more about the fact you let yourself get like that."

"Did you remember that date?" Arrow asked, and Flare knew now it was the date of Arrow's release. "I would normally be destroying everything in my path, but I had you that year. So instead, I tried to block out those feeling with a party, and alcohol. That didn't end up good for either of us, we separated and stayed away from each other. You were always watching from a far, making sure I was okay." Arrow paused, and pulled Flare off him. "Flare, I will not let this party end the same way, I swear." Flare nodded in agreement.

"We have work to do, for another two hours or so." Flare said, " So let us just focus on that." Flare said trying to not replay it in his head, but he couldn't stop it.

-

Two hours after the almost fight. Flare was completely across the room from Arrow. Flare poured himself a glass of wine, 20 minutes ago. He still had it in his hoof, it was completely full. Flare had gotten it and was going to drink it, but every time he looked at Arrow and couldn't push himself. Arrow was across the room leaned up against the wall. Looking like Arrow was about to fall asleep Flare went over to him.

"Are you gonna drink that?" Arrow asked when Flare walked up. "If not, then let me borrow it." Flare looked at him, and that the full glass. He didn't want to hand it over, so he didn't. He drank it, for Arrow's safety. It tasted terrible, but Flare downed it. Flare then handed Arrow the glass the glass, which was now safely empty. "I saw what you did."

"Not like I hid it," Flare said, "Anyway, are you ready to go?" Flare was ready, and Arrow was going to be leaving soon anyway.

"Why are you ready to leave? You have just sat around the entire time watching the filly corner." Arrow said "You know, if any pony else would of noticed that, you would be proclaimed a freak for fillies." Flare was attacked by this.

"What is wrong, Arrow?" Flare asked, "You aren't yourself today at all." Flare was concerned for Arrow. "You need to tell me so I can understand and help you." Flare needed to know

"Okay then, today is the day my parents abandoned me." Arrow said with appearing no emotion, Flare saw through him and saw his sadness and anger. "Every year, I don't act like me at all. But I think this is the best year, getting drunk is way better than destroying stuff." Right after saying that Arrow vomited. Flare was right in his way, and he got hit in the upper chest. Flare looked down and saw he was covered in Arrow's vomit. "Oh sorry, Flare, I just couldn't hold it back." Arrow then layed his head on Flare shoulder. Flare waited a second and heard snoring.

"Goodnight Arrow." Flare said lifting Arrow up on his back, Arrow was pretty heavy for Flare. Flare slowly made his way out the door, when someone stopped him. It was the stallion from earlier. He was holding a bucket of water. Flare looked at him and said, "Yes?" The stallion just splashed Flare's chest with the bucket of water, washing most of the vomit off. "Thank you, for everything tonight." Flare said.

"No problem," The stallion said and walked back into the party. Flare walked outside, and didn't have any idea on where to go.

"Arrow, I'm sorry," Flare stopped and thought about it.He had no reason to say sorry, but he would if he didn't find a good spot to sleep at night. He walked down the road looking for the right spot to sleep.

-

The two worked for a couple more hours then pulled the wagon into the farm. They took a few apples from the top. They didn't count how many apples they got. The main reason was because they didn't care. They left Sweet Apple Acres and continued towards Ponyville.

"So, ready to test your mother's story?" Arrow asked Flare.

"I don't doubt any part of it." Flare replied "Not after meeting the pink pony. She almost crushed me, well what I am saying? She did crush me, that it how I met her."

"Well, It going to be fun to meet her." Arrow said. "Hey do you think Derpy's going to be there? Do you know who is invited at all?" Flare shook his head, he had no idea what was going to happen. Flare hoped Derpy was there, maybe he could meet Dinky. Flare had to think for a second, he was a freak for fillies. Flare stopped in his tracks. "Are you okay?" Arrow asked, "Flare?"

"Huh," Flare regained his grip on reality "Oh, yea I'm fine I just realized something." Arrow didn't have to ask what, giving Flare a second would also force him to tell him. "I just might be, a freak for fillies." Arrow stopped him from continuing.

"Flare, you aren't a freak for fillies." Arrow told him. "You only want a second chance at childhood. You want to spend most of your life while your parents are alive. Yet, inside you know you can't. But if you can't get a second chance, you want to make sure every filly or colt has a great first. You are a freak, but not for fillies. You only want to make sure that every filly and colt is happy for their entire childhood." Arrow had to think of what to say next. "Even if you were dying Flare, if you found a young one with no family, no home, you would treat it as a son or daughter. You would jump through hoops to make sure he or she wasn't hungry ever, that they had a safe place to sleep at night. You, Flare, would give up so much to make sure that a filly or colt was happy all the time." Flare looked into Arrow's green eyes, and began to tear up.

Flare learned that his parents did a lot of those thing for him. They would go hungry, as long as Flare ate. Flare never asked for much, but every now and again Flare would ask, and one day get whatever he asked for. Flare never asked for expensive stuff though, so he felt better about himself about that. Most young ones would ask for a lot and some being expensive. Flare really only wanted a family to love him, even if he had to starve with them. But Flare was never hungry, he always had food. Flare felt a tear fall out of his right eye, he had realized his parents were the best he could have. Arrow wiped the tear for Flare's cheek, and pulled him closer to hear anything Flare had to say.

"I'm so weak," Flare said, "I wanted to protect them, but I didn't and I couldn't avenge them either." Arrow knew Flare was trapped in the thoughts of his parents death. "I was so stupid, and didn't even risk my life for theirs. I should of, Arrow, I should have died first! Not them, they should be the ones alive now not me!" Flare was angry at himself, he didn't do anything but run! "I'm a terrible son. I couldn't hold on to anything to remember them by even, that is how weak I am." Arrow was more mature then Flare, he would never cry when thinking about his past. Arrow didn't blame himself, but Arrow couldn't tell Flare to stop blaming himself. Arrow lost his parents, Flare watched his die right in front of him.

"Flare," Arrow said gently, "You still have your mother's necklace. It is still in a safe spot, trust me." Flare looked up and got even angrier.

"No Arrow! I don't have my mother's necklace, you do! You were strong enough to keep it safe, and protect it. Those things I can't seem to ever achieve! You say if I had to raise a young one I would be great, but that is not true Arrow! We would probably be hungry constantly and he or she would never feel safe enough to sleep, ever!" Flare said, inside his body was screaming. Arrow hugged him.

"Flare," Arrow said sounding calm, but demanding, "Silence these lies. You know that is not true. You thought of Derpy's filly, when I mentioned Derpy didn't you. You thought you might get a chance to meet her. You are already worried her, you want to know if she has a good life. You trust Derpy, completely I bet, but you know somethings you can not so alone, so you want to help Derpy make sure Dinky is happy." Flare pulled away and began to calm down, realizing what Arrow said is true.

"Derpy isn't Dinky's real mom," Flare said, "Dinky was abandoned, and Derpy found her. I want to know if Dinky ever thinks about this, is she possibly as strong as one of us about this situation? She had help for Derpy, I don't know if that makes her as strong as she is or what." Arrow then realized why Flare liked Derpy so much. It was easy, Flare had found some pony who cared, He had found some pony that had had not found when it was necessary, Arrow had not either. Flare needed a minute to breathe and completely calm down. The two continued down towards Sugarcube Corner,

When they reached it, Flare saw Rainbow Dash standing outside. "Hey Dash," Flare said "What are you doing?"

"Hey Flare," She turned to look at him and saw all the bandages. "What happened to you?" Flare completely forgot that he was all patched up still.

"Answering a question with a question, are we Dash?" Flare said, "Fine, I hurt myself while doing some really stupid things. Now, can you my what you are doing, and maybe the time." Flare had no clue what time it was.

"Yea it's..." Dash said peeking into Sugarcube Corner to see the time. "11:59, and it looks like my order is done I'm going go get it." Dash walked into Sugarcube. Flare and Arrow sat there.

"Remember not anytime before noon," Arrow said smiling. Flare looked at Arrow, and laughed.

"I have a minute to spare, it appears." Flare sat there and count sixty seconds. He then stood, but was stopped by Arrow. "What is wrong?" Flare asked.

"Let's be fashionably late." Arrow said with a smile. Flare sat down, he didn't know why, but he totally wanted to be just a minute late.