Chapter Fifteen – Risky Business

A pale white colt with dark hair streaked through the streets of Ponyville. He was doing his best to distance himself from the bakery called Sugar Cube Corner, but more precisely the fillies inside.

Though his leafy green eyes were no longer flooded with tears, the very real possibility of him crying again was threatening to return. Racing through his mind were hundreds of thoughts, each vying for its opportunity to fester in his mind. On top of that, he couldn't stop replaying his last conversation over and over again in his head.

Why Scootaloo? He thought to himself. Why had she done that to him? He thought he could trust her. Thought he could have something special with her. And then she ripped him open and tore through some of his deepest secrets.

He'd made a mistake, letting other ponies slide through the emotional walls he'd constructed. That's what it was… a mistake. Glass should have known that from the beginning. If there was anything his horrible excuse for a father had taught him, it was that relationships like these never worked out.

The white colt had been running for too long, so he cantered into a narrow alleyway to rest. The alley was just wide enough for him to stand with his head pressed against the brick wall. He did just that while stifling any more sobs that formed.

Breaking from his run turned out to be a bad idea. Shortly after he'd stopped, a certain orange pegasus filly pulled up on a blue scooter. She dismounted, flung her helmet off to the side, and ran up to him.

"Glass?" Scootaloo tentatively asked, placing an orange hoof on his shoulder. He shrugged it off, unable to look at her.

"Glass, I'm sorry." Scootaloo said, her voice shaking. Glass shut his eyes, forehead still pressed against the wall. He didn't respond.

"Please Glass, just… just look at me."

Reluctantly complying, Glass opened his eyes, and gave Scootaloo a sideways glance. Her face was a knot of concern, beads of sweat on her forehead from chasing him down.

"I'm sorry." She said. "I… I had no idea what I was forcing you to do. I should have seen you weren't comfortable talking this out." Glass thought she sounded genuine. But then again…

"I forgive you." He finally said, his voice not nearly as smooth as it usually was. Scootaloo's face brightened at those words.

"Really? You do?" The orange filly asked a notable rise in happiness in her voice.

"I do." Glass said, bringing his forehead off the brick wall. "But Scootaloo… I think we have to stop whatever it is we've started." Her face fell as he spoke the words, and Glass felt his heart sink along with it. It wasn't easy, but he had to say it.

"W-why?" Scootaloo asked. Glass took a deep breath.

"I can't…" the white colt paused, searching for the right words. The least painful words. "I can't be with you… right now. After everything that's just happened how can I put any trust in you? How can I know you won't tear through my emotions again?"

"I swear I won't!" The orange filly cried out. "I'd never do that again if I know I'm hurting you!"

"And if you don't know?" Glass asked. He let the question hang in the air for a moment. Scootaloo floundered for an answer, but ended up staring at him, mouth agape.

"I can't go through that again, Scoots." He whispered. "I'd prefer to just keep my emotions bottled up. It's better for everypony that way."

Tears began to form in the orange pegasus' eyes, but Glass found it too difficult to watch. He shut his eyes again wanting to run off again.

"Please don't do this Glass." Scootaloo said. "I know you don't want to do this."

"I don't." He responded. "But I feel like I don't have a choice. I can't be around you if all it's going to lead to is more pain like this." The white colt turned to face the long narrow alleyway, prepared to walk away.

As he started to, Scootaloo called out. "Wait."

The fresh cuts on his cheek throbbed. They reminded him that he took that beating to protect her. They reminded him why he did it too. Glass waited.

"I can't promise you that I won't hurt you." Scootaloo said. "Nopony in this world can promise that. Pain is a part of life, Glass… but I know I don't want to hurt you, and I know you don't want to hurt me. Especially not right now. Please give me another chance. Give us another chance."

Glass turned around, but his face still spoke all the uncertainty he had. Scootaloo seemed to see this, and gave a dejected look.

"Out of all the risks I've taken in my life," He said. "This one is probably going to be the biggest." Scootaloo's face did a one-eighty, immediately becoming brighter.

"Does this mean?"

"Yes."

The orange filly moved as a blur, hugging Glass tightly. Her tiny wings vibrated adorably fast with enthusiasm. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" She beamed. "I promise you won't regret this!"

Glass placed his forelegs around her, hugging her back gently and pressed his muzzle into her magenta mane. "Hopefully, neither will you."

Their hug was silent for a moment, Scootaloo ecstatically smiling while Glass still found himself in an air of uncertainty. Finally, the orange filly ended the silence, but not the embrace.

"I guess you can't really go home tonight." She said. His cuts throbbed again, the memory still fresh in his mind.

"No, probably not." He replied.

"You can stay at my place again if you want."

"I'd like that." He said. Scootaloo squeezed him even tighter, no doubt elated. Finally, they disentangled themselves, both blushing in a similar fashion.

"We should probably get going then." Scootaloo said, observing the time. Glass looked and saw that Celestia had already begun the sun's daily descent. With all the events of the day, the white colt had barely been aware that time had been passing.

"Sounds good." He said. He waited for Scootaloo to retrieve her helmet and leap onto her scooter. Glass trotted along at a comfortable pace that the orange filly could easily match. They didn't feel the need to talk much on the journey to Scootaloo's home, and ended up spending the entire time in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence by any means, but more of a peaceful, content one.

That ended when the made it to Scootaloo's house and saw a light on through one of the windows. The orange filly skidded to a halt, surprise covering her face.

"What's wrong?" Glass immediately asked.

"I think my dad's home." She informed him. "And at the worst possible time."

"Ah." Glass said, realizing what this meant. Scootaloo's father did even know he existed, and would definitely not approve of him sleeping over.

"You're going to have to find someplace else to sleep tonight." The orange filly told him.

"I can probably just sleep in Applebloom's barn again." He told her. Scootaloo looked content that he would have someplace to go, but still upset that it wasn't her place. "I'll see you in school tomorrow, okay?"

Scootaloo nodded, and he turned to start heading for Sweet Apple Acres.

"Uh… Glass?" The orange filly called out to him. He stopped and began to turn around.

"Yea-" Before he could finish speaking, Scootaloo closed the gap between them and planted a soft kiss on his cut cheek, causing a tingle to spread through the still tender wounds. Caught completely off guard, Glass stood in stunned silence.

"See you in school." Scootaloo said with her face beat red; though not quite as red as his.

The orange filly propelled her scooter over to her house, leaving Glass to ponder about what just happened.

---

Scootaloo made it to her house, her blush not receding. She quickly opened the door and bounced inside, leaving her scooter by the coat rack. Did I really just do that? She thought to herself. Yes, she had. Did he like it? Was that a good reaction? Oh, please tell me I haven't royally screwed up!

The orange filly was barely able to second-guess her actions before she started noticing the change in her house. Her father's suitcase was set up next to the coffee table. It was still packed.

Taking off her helmet and setting it by her scooter, the magenta-haired pegasus walked into the kitchen. In one chair of the kitchen table sat a reddish-orange stallion with a purple mane that held a few gray hairs. He wore a white button down shirt and a red tie. His Cutie Mark was a briefcase. He had a professional manner to his posture that seemed to dominate everything else about him. There was not doubt about it; that was Blank Check, her father.

Sitting across from him, was a wall-eyed, blonde mare that Scootaloo hadn't expected to see. Derpy Hooves was making small talk with her father while they drank coffee. She rubbed her eyes to be sure it wasn't some sort of delusion.

"Oh, hello Scootaloo." Derpy said, noticing her and confirming that this was reality. Check turned his head to see his daughter.

"Hey, kiddo." He said, using the same quasi-nickname he always gave her.

"Hi dad." She said. "Hi Derpy."

"I'm glad I managed catch you before I leave." Her father said.

"What?" She asked mood taking a turn for the worse. "You're leaving again? But you just got back." Blank Check flashed a sympathetic smile.

"Yeah, I know kiddo. But the bank's opening up a new branch in Saddle Arabia in a few days, and I need to be there."

"How long?" Scootaloo asked, concealing her disappointment.

"Two weeks." Her father said. Scootaloo's eyes widened. He'd never been gone that long since… since before her mother died. Did he just expect her to live on her own for all that time?

Before she could voice that question, he answered it. "It's probably not a good idea to leave you on your own for so long. So I've talked it over with Derpy, and she's all right with having you move in with her for the next few weeks. If that's okay with you, of course."

The orange filly was surprised that he'd even bothered to ask her opinion. However, one reassuring look from the kind mare across the table was all she needed.

"That'll be fine." She said. Derpy smiled, and her father nodded.

"Great." He said, checking the clock mounted on the wall. "I've got to run or I'll miss my train." Standing up, he walked past Scootaloo, barely taking the time to playfully ruffle her hair. "See ya in a week, kiddo."

"Bye dad." She replied half-heartedly. Blank Check grabbed his suitcase from the living room and was out the door. She watched it quickly shut behind him before turning back to an empathetic Derpy.

"I'm sorry." The gray mare said, walking over to her.

"I… I had so much I wanted to tell him." Scootaloo said recalling what an outlandish weekend it had been. "It's like he never has time for me anymore."

Derpy took her hoof and patted Scootaloo's mane back to its original style much like a mother would. "I know it's hard." She said. "But I'm sure he's trying. Maybe some day soon you two will be able to sit down and talk about things without him running off."

"Yeah." Scootaloo replied doubtfully. "Maybe." Derpy sensed the disappointment in Scootaloo and brought her in for a warm hug. Scootaloo did not hesitate to return it.

---

The road to Sweet Apple Acres was dusty and long, but Glass didn't mind either characteristics of his walk. He was more focused on all the conflicting emotions that were whirling in his head.

The white colt was not sure if he should be hanging his head low, or have a smile plastered on his face. His cut cheek tingled in remembrance of the spot were Scootaloo had kissed it. The memory brought a smile to his face, but it also reminded him of the several new scars he bore on that cheek and the smile fled his face.

Glass grunted, angry with himself for not knowing what to feel right now. He was glad to have patched things up with Scootaloo. He was upset that his friends had found out about the secrets he constantly attempted to keep hidden. He was… confused.

Trails of dust were kicked up from behind him as Glass made his through the gates of the apple orchard. The sun was much lower in the sky, bathing the farm in a golden glow as he meandered over to the house.

He tapped on the screen door twice, unsure who would answer. A yellow filly with a bow in her hair appeared on the other side, a surprised look on her face.

"Glass?" She asked, the screen door creaking open.

"Hey Applebloom." He said.

"How are ya feelin'?" She asked.

"Tired." He responded. "Is it all right if I sleep in your barn again?" The red-haired filly winced.

"Ah'm sorry Glass, but mah brother's been in the barn since noon repaintin' the inside. He tends ta work really late."

"Oh." Glass said, understanding.

"Can't ya go to Scootaloo's place?" Applebloom said, then backtracked, realizing what she just said. "Ah mean, have the two of you… made up yet?"

"We have." Glass assured her, and the yellow filly responded with a relieved sigh. "But her dad's home, so I can't spend the night there."

The gears in Applebloom's head turned for a moment, before she offered a suggestion. "What about Sweetie Belle's place? Can't ya go there?"

"I could try." Glass said. Applebloom offered a nod of confidence.

"Ah'm sure she'd let ya stay the night." There was a brief pause. "Ah'm glad ya worked things out with Scootaloo. She was awfully hurt when you just ran out like that."

Glass eyes sunk, recalling the memory. "Yeah…"

"Ya like eachother, don'tcha?" Applebloom asked.

Glass blinked, curious as to how Applebloom came to that conclusion. "Yes, we do" He said, seeing no reason to conceal it from his friend. Applebloom got a wide grin on her face.

"Ah knew it! Scootaloo never was good at hidin' things like that."

Glass offered a small smile in return. "I should get going." He said, beginning to turn away.

"Uh, Glass." Applebloom said. "About yer parents… Ah didn't mean ta–"

"Applebloom." The white colt said, cutting her off. "I'm not really ready to talk about that yet."

"Ah understand." She replied. "Good night, Glass."

"Night." He said, watching his friend shut the screen door. He trotted off, and started down the path to Sweetie Belle's house.

The walk to the unicorn filly's home was much shorter than the walk to Sweet Apple Acres, but by the time Glass had reached Carousel Boutique, Luna had finished raising the moon, and it was dark out.

There was only one light on in the building, which Glass guessed was in Sweetie's bedroom. Picking up a small stone, he lightly tossed it at the window that the light was coming out of. It pinged off, and fell back to the ground. Two seconds later, Sweetie was at the window to investigate the source of the noise.

She opened the window upon seeing him. "Glass?" She called out. "What are you doing here?"

"I need a place to sleep." He yelled up to her. Even though the white colt was two stories below the unicorn filly, he could practically see her weighing her options.

"I'll be right down." She said, and disappeared inside. Glass trotted around to the front door. A moment later, he heard the tumblers unlock and it opened up.

"Come on in." Sweetie Belle said, slightly hesitant.

"Thanks." He replied, walking in. Sweetie Belle shut the door behind him.

"You're lucky my sister is still out making a dress delivery in Canterlot." The white unicorn said.

He nodded. "I'm just glad to have somewhere to sleep tonight."

"I guess Scootaloo and Applebloom couldn't take you in?" Sweetie asked. He shook his head. "You're not still mad at Scootaloo… are you?" The unicorn asked cautiously.

"No. We talked it out." He said, and felt his cheek tingle again.

"Okay then." Sweetie Belle said. She moved towards the stairs and motioned for him to follow. He did, and at the top of the steps he followed the unicorn filly into her room. She begain digging around in her closet, looking for something.

"I know I have an old sleeping bag in here from the last time Rarity and I went camping." She mumbled to herself. "You can use it for tonight." Glass thought back to the posh indigo haired unicorn from earlier that day.

"Really? She went camping?" He asked her. Sweetie Belle half-smirked at him as she continued to rummage around.

"It was a while ago… and I practically had to beg her to do it. Oh, here it is!" Sweetie Belle's horn lit up in a light green aura and she struggled to manipulate a rolled up pink floral sleeping bag out of her closet. She offered it to Glass, who eyeballed it.

"Pink flowers?" He asked. Sweetie Belle groaned.

"Oh, colt up." She said. "It's flowers or the floor." Begrudgingly, Glass accepted the wad of a sleeping bad.

"Thanks." He said earnestly. He unrolled the pink flower pattern, with the head coming to rest near Sweetie Belle's nightstand. As his gaze shifted upwards, Glass noticed a small square board on top of the stand, with several oddly shaped wooden figures. "What's that?" He asked, pointing to it.

"Oh, that's just my old chess set." Sweetie Belle explained.. "Rarity used to play it with me all the time, but ever since she started the Boutique she's been too busy most days. Hey… do you know how to play?"

"No." Glass replied, shaking his head. "Chess is a two pony game." He said with no more elaboration needed.

"Oh." Sweetie Belle realized. "Well… I could teach you."

Glass's line of sight shifted from the chessboard to Sweetie Belle. He was tired, but knew he wouldn't be falling asleep for a while anyways. The white colt also needed something to distract his mind from his befuddled emotions.

"Sure." He responded simply. Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up and she smiled.

"Great! I think you'll like it. You see, the object of the game is to use your pieces to capture your opponent's king…" For several minutes, Sweetie Belle laid out the basics of the game to Glass. He didn't find it particularly difficult to grasp, and eventually agreed to play a round with her.

Sweetie made the first move, sliding a pawn two spaces forward with a nudge of green magic. "So, if Scootaloo's not mad at you anymore, how come you couldn't spend the night at her house?" The unicorn asked with curiosity.

Glass maneuvered one of his own pawns forward a single space. "Her dad was home."

Sweetie Belle brought out one of her knights and said, "Oh yeah, that makes sense."

Glass launched his bishop forward, taking Sweetie's knight. She retaliated by knocking his bishop over with a pawn. The two traded pieces back and forth for a while, as both numbers slowly dwindled, Glass could tell Sweetie Belle was getting even more curious.

"So Glass," She said, sliding a rook into one of his pawns.

"Hmm?" He asked, moving his king to safer grounds.

"Is the reason you don't want your Cutie Mark somehow related to your father?"

Glass looked up from the board as Sweetie repositioned her rook. "What would make you think that?"

"Well, before we were attacked by that timber wolf, you told me all about how my differences make me an individual, but you're the most different pony I've ever met and yet your bent on not getting what would mark you as an individual. The only reason I can think of were you wouldn't have a Cutie Mark would be something to do with your dad. Check by the way."

Glass glanced down at the board to see Sweetie's rook was poised to take his king. He shoved a pawn in between them rather sloppily. "I don't really want to talk about it, Sweetie Belle."

The white unicorn knocked away his pawn with her queen. "Does that mean I'm right? Check again."

Glass gritted his teeth, and moved his king towards the protection of his last bishop. "You wouldn't understand." He insisted.

Sweetie's knight took Glass's bishop. "Try me."

Glass's king moved backwards. "No."

Sweetie's rook chased him. "Just tell me."

Glass's king took a diagonal leap away. "I'd rather not."

Sweetie's queen cornered him. "Checkmate."

"Fine!" Glass yelled, jolting Sweetie's pupils into shrinking. "You're right okay! My lack of a Cutie Mark has everything to do with my father. I don't want one, because I don't want to look anymore like him than I already do!"

Sweetie blinked in surprise. "Oh."

"Yeah." Glass said, calming down some. "I know I'm different from that bastard now, but we look so similar. What if that's a sign that I'll be like him one day?"

"Glass…" Sweetie Belle said, standing. "If you really believe that, then you're not nearly as smart as I thought you were." He looked at her, eyebrows raised. "You helped me see that everypony is different in some way, and that means they're unique. So what if you look like him? You're different on the inside, where it counts."

Glass stood up to be on the same level as Sweetie Belle. He stared at her for a while, before finally saying. "Thank you, Sweetie Belle. I needed that." The purple haired filly smiled warmly.

"Thank you for playing chess with me." She responded. " It feels like it had been forever since I gotten to play this."

"Really?"

"Yeah. This is just something I only ever done with Rarity, but... well, you know how it is with sisters."

"Actually I don't." Glass responded.

"Oh."

"What is it like? Having an older sister an all?"

Sweetie Belle smiled, probably remembering some fond memories. "It has its ups and downs. But I think in the end it's pretty great."

Glass offered a half-hearted smile, and the action was not lost on Sweetie Belle.

"You know, for what it's worth, you would make an awesome brother."

"Thanks. Congratulations on your win by the way."

"I'll be honest, I forgot how good I was."

"You know, you only won by distracting me." Glass accused.

"Am I going to have to beat you again?" Sweetie Belle sarcastically asked, already resetting the game pieces with magic.

"Bring it on Sweetie Belle."

The white filly began by moving her knight out first. Glass played this time with a smile on his face. He was genuinely happy, and hoped it would stay that way.

---

Yah, new chapter! As promised this one was told from Glass's point of view (with one cut-away POV but still). Feel free to leave a review and give me your honest opinion on this story. Next time around I'll be getting started on a few subplots that involve Diamond Tiara and Dinky, so be sure to check in in a few weeks for that.