Author's Notes:

I had a lot of doubts about continuing to write this story since, well, it's a self-insert that presents me as someone with a sob-worthy life story, and compared to quite a lot of people, my life is actually good, but... Well, I still have problems, hopes, desires, and my problems still matter in some way.

Judging by upvote to downvote ratio, people at the very least like this story despite its nature. So, enjoy a new chapter.

It was evening. Tired from crawling around all day, Elu was relaxing in a bath as his mother used a brush to scratch his back. He remembered his first childhood when his other mother sat by him as he took a bath, but it seemed like a very distant part of his past, something he could barely remember as he approached his twenties. That part of the past had been growing more and more distant with each passing year.

Experiencing this part of the childhood for the second time felt strange. It wasn't unwelcome, no, it was just something he would need to get used to again. After all, for the past eight years, he had been enjoying complete privacy when it came to bathing or showering. In truth, during the bathing, he looked away from his mother and didn't utter as much as a single sound as he was being washed. Thankfully, his privates weren't touched, which put big relief on him. Otherwise, it would've been even more awkward and embarrassing.

Up on the ceiling, watching him, the strange animal was hanging idly. Elu finally recognized what it was — a flying fox. A strange animal he had heard next to nothing about before, and now it was very close to him. He concluded that it was a pet of his family. An unusual pet by human standards, maybe, but Elu found himself getting used to the presence of the flying fox. It wasn't aggressive or overly intrusive, it was just watching over the foal with interest and curiosity. In turn, the former human found himself glancing at it fairly often, still not entirely sure what to think of it. At the very least, it seemed cute and relatively harmless.

Once Elu was done bathing, his mother helped him get out and wrapped him in a big, soft towel to dry him off. Being quite furry, the former human found himself taking more time drying off than before. The sensation wasn't unpleasant but it was odd and unusual just like everything else he had been experiencing with his new body.

He yawned quietly, his eyelids growing heavier. As any kid, he had much energy but he also needed a lot of sleep to replenish it and help himself grow up. Not to mention all the nutrients he needed to consume to be a healthy foal that would later become a healthy adult pony. He couldn't wait to try Equestrian food but he had to drink milk instead. Unfortunately, his teeth weren't as strong as he needed to be able to chew most of the available eatables just yet.

Fortunately, however, they were strong enough for him to eat some banana that the flying fox kept giving him on occasions. Elu's parents didn't seem to mind it at all as they watched the feeding process. Bewildered slightly, the former human could do nothing but accept the banana pressing against his muzzle. It was tasty, too! So, even with the weirdness the flying fox displayed, Elu could see himself getting used to it one day. Considering that this strange animal wasn't going anywhere, he had no real choice in the first place. At the very least, it didn't piss on things randomly like his cat did.

As he thought of the cat, his ears drooped. He would never see it again, and for all the things the cat did, it was still a cute animal worthy of keeping around as it brought joy and some form of happiness to Elu while he was still a human. He could only hope that it would live a fulfilling life of a normal cat. Or just do something else that the cats were supposed to do. The former human wasn't much of an animal person, he knew little of the wildlife or pets. At any rate, he was fine with either as long as they didn't disturb him in any unreasonably annoying or harmful way.

After the bath, it was time to dry off. Wrapped in a towel, Elu was placed in a crib and left there for some time. He didn't mind it at all — it was snug and extremely comfy being cocooned like that. Releasing another tired yawn, Elu closed his eyes, soon drifting off to a peaceful sleep. No chaotic dreams, no nightmares, nothing to disturb him happened during his slumber.

Meanwhile, Ring Keeper and Stellares assembled downstairs to discuss their foal and his future. After all, Elu was quite special to them in more ways than they expected to have with a foal at first.

"You know, I think we don't need to keep him in the crib," Stellares suggested. "He's calm and thoughtful. I thought that neither of us would get much sleep after the foal was born, but... Here we are, sleeping just as well if not better than Elu does."

"Yeah, I think we can let him explore the house," Ring Keeper nodded in agreement, a smile touching her face. "We'll take down the crib tomorrow and remake it into a small bed instead. I think Elu will like it."

Suddenly, the flying fox flew down to the two and landed on the mother's back.

"What do you think, Gray?" she asked, letting out a soft chuckle as she turned to the pet.

"He needs eat frut," Gray replied, touching Ring's muzzle with one of his wings.

"You always say that," Ring Keeper laughed. "Anyway, Elu is definitely much smarter than, well, pretty much any other foal," she returned to Stellares. "With that being said... How do we teach him the language?"

"...I honestly didn't think much of that," the father admitted sheepishly. "Well, um... I think we'll do it like... Show him things and name them? There's no other way, really," he paused to think. "I'm sure he already knows a language, but I seriously doubt we'll be able to find a dictionary. "

"Alright. I think we can start teaching him tomorrow, and maybe Princess Luna can help us," Ring Keeper suggested.

"That's pretty reasonable," Stellares nodded, agreeing. "I think we can afford to spend some time together, alone," he smiled. "Just... go to a park, relax under the sun..."

"Just what I was thinking!"

Early in the morning, just as Stellares and Ring Keeper went to make breakfast, Elu woke up. After feeding him and changing the diapers once again, the parents let him out of the crib. And so, he explored everything freely, crawling around constantly until he grew tired. Despite not being able to walk just yet, he began to grasp the feelings of his movement. He could consciously move his muscles how he wanted them to, although combining the movements proved to be quite difficult. However, he was quickly understanding everything and was sure that he would be able to walk very soon. Perhaps not gallop just yet, maybe not even trot, but walking was within reach.

Once breakfast was done, both of his parents sat down with him and pointed out different items, saying their appropriate names. Elu nodded to each and tried to repeat, but his vocal cords weren't there just yet. However, he still learned a few words, including different furniture, food items, silverware, all sorts of household items that he was sure he'd learn by heart eventually.

"I," Stellares gestured at himself. He paused before tapping himself again and saying, "Stellares," he paused yet again before his hoof pointed at Elu. "You... Elu."

The former human nodded, thankful that the pronouns were pretty much the same in this regard.

"We," the father continued, pointing at each member of the family in succession. "Me, Her, You," he paused. "Stellares, Ring Keeper, Elu."

The same thing was repeated with Ring Keeper, and then it was Elu's turn.

"I, Elu," he said in his squeaky childish voice. "You, Stel-la-res," he gestured at the father. "You, Ring Kee-per," he gestured at the mother. "We," he gestured at everyone in succession. "Papa, mama, me," he went through the motions once again. Then, he smiled brightly, releasing a word: "Yay!"

Amused by the foal, the parents smiled, repeating the yay, for it was something they were already familiar with. Overall, everyone was happy with the progress, no matter how initially small it was. Each of the family members was sure that the pace would increase soon, and Elu would be able to speak if not fluently, then, at the very least, much better than the average foal his age.

Suddenly, a knock came from downstairs. Stellares went to answer it, and soon he returned with Princess Luna close behind him. Elu smiled as soon as he saw the alicorn, quickly shuffling over to her and giving her leg a hug.

"Well, it's time for us to go. We'll be back soon, Elu," Ring Keeper said, ruffling up her son's mane and then turning her attention to the princess. "I think he won't give you any trouble at all. He's a lovely foal, and I wouldn't ever wish to give him away for anything."

"I am very glad you think so," Luna nodded, smiling. "I see you're doing quite well with him," she looked at Elu and tapped his head slightly, eliciting a small blush. Unbeknownst to the parents, the princess had already cast the translation spell on him, making it very easy to understand the conversation.

"I love my parents very much!" Elu let out a few squeaks that turned into words for the parents and the princess alike.

"We love you too, Elu!" Ring Keeper couldn't help himself but lift the foal up and gave him a big, warm hug. Realizing that he could be understood, the former human blushed harder, not used to saying such words as he did and being heard and accepted.

"I'm happy to be present during the moments like this," Luna smiled in amusement, watching the scene with joy in her eyes.

"For now, we'll have to go, Elu," the mother said, putting the young colt down. "Have fun with Luna!"

The former human nodded, unable to express his joy in words. He waved their parents goodbye and was soon left alone with Luna, his favorite princess. He didn't fawn over her, he didn't worship her even though such a thought passed in his head on occasions, he didn't like her because she was a princess, but he always wanted to see her personality, to get to know her on a personal level. Finally, such a seemingly impossible wish was granted.

"Luna, I r-really, um, like you too," Elu admitted, stuttering in the face of the princess. "I want to say that... When I first, um, saw you, I kinda..." he paused, gathering his thoughts. "Just... something clicked. In the, uh, book, you are, for some reason I c-can't explain very... relatable," he tapped his front hooves together. "I kind of... felt connected to you."

"That's very interesting and quite surprising, Elu," Luna replied, sitting near him. "And judging by the blush on your face, there's more to it," she lay down, coming eye to eye with the former human.

"Well, yeah..." Elu looked away and then muttered something. Noticing no response, he repeated louder: "I, uh... sorta... had a crush o-on, well... you," his face burned with how the red his blush was.

"Oh? I'm flattered, truly," Luna's cheeks became slightly pink. "But is it had... Or do you still have a crush on me?"

"I dunno..." the former human replied quietly, already regretting his choice to be so honest with the princess. "All these years, I, uh..." he paused, knowing that what he was about to say was very personal. However, he believed Luna would keep it secret. Despite all the rational thought telling him that it might end up badly, he continued: "There was that girl... I loved h-her since I was, uh, eight or nine..." he paused to think. "So, uh... I always thought that I've been loving her since then, and, um..." he halted completely, unable to find the needed words.

"I guess it that the love was not reciprocated?" the princess suggested.

"Yeah..." Elu admitted, his ears drooped as memories flooded his mind. "I mean... We were friends for a long time, had some small pauses, and, uh... It's a bit complicated," he nervously fidgeted in place. "S-she was a pretty nice girl... Just pretty, too... And I, I think that, um... the things, the dumb things I did made it impossible for us to have, like, a real relationship," he kept looking away. "I thought she cared about me, but... but maybe I just pushed her away, and..." he sighed shakily, knowing that he couldn't stop his confession now. He knew he wanted someone to listen to him and to give him some advice. "I did dumb stuff and ruined everything for myself. I, uh... Maybe I saw something in you?" he paused once again, realizing how horribly blunt it probably sounded. "I mean, I do very much like you... M-maybe even in a romantic way, b-but... I know it's not happening," his whole body seemed to shrink as he hid himself from the curious gaze of the princess.

"Why do you think so?" Luna asked.

"Well, you're royalty, a princess, and I couldn't even get the nicest girl I knew to like me despite, uh... being very close friends since I was... seven and until, uh... I was fourteen," Elu explained.

"What happened between you two if you don't mind me asking?"

"I... don't want to talk about it. N-not yet..." the former human replied quietly.

"Alright, then," the princess nodded in understanding. "As for about you and me... I can say that I've not dated a stallion in quite a while. Perhaps, when you grow up... Things can happen."

"I, uh, don't know... I don't think so..." Elu said with great uncertainty.

"Why not?" Luna asked. "You seem like a nice person, Elu, and I've talked to you just a few times. I can see that you're troubled, but it's not something that can't be fixed," she gently tapped the colt, making him uncurl and look at her. "Besides, if things happen between you and a lovely mare, be it me or someone else... Love can make great things possible. For example, move mountains, sometimes quite literally, trust me," she let out a soft chuckle. "Now, how about we put some love and care into a tasty treat? Don't let Celestia know, but I know a fair share of cake recipes, and one of them just happens to be friendly to newborn foals," the princess stood up. "I believe that your parents have everything we may need to bake it."

Elu almost sprung up, standing up on all his fours, ready to do whatever Luna would say. A cake sounded lovely indeed. So, the alicorn grabbed the colt and placed him on her back. With great curiosity, he immediately reached for the starry mane. To his great surprise, it felt like usual mane but it more closely resembled long hair in the water. Flowing and very light.

"Be careful back there, Elu," Luna said in a cheerful tone as she descended the stairs to the first floor of the house. "Just don't pull."

"I know, I'm just looking. It's so... weird seeing it up close," the former human said, watching as the stars and constellations danced in the mane, looking like a real starlit sky if not even more beautiful.

"I'm not surprised," she chuckled. Soon, the two entered the kitchen. "Ah, here we are! Now, let me place you somewhere and you'll watch the process. By the way, what's your favorite cake flavor?"

"I like honey cakes," Elu said as Luna put him on a big chair. "I also really liked a cake my grandmother used to bake. I don't remember much, but it was so... light. There was a lot of cream on the top, too! My second favorite!"

"I'll remember that, maybe there's a similar recipe somewhere," Luna nodded, opening a cupboard. "The one I'm going to bake right now is called 'A Foal's Delight'. My sister would probably come up with something more elegant, but I'm content with this one," she placed a few things on the table. "Anyway, honey, creamy top, that's what you like? We'll see if something can be done to satisfy your tastes."

"Yay!" Elu couldn't help but release that simple exclamation, throwing his hooves up in the air.

Judging by this day alone, he was sure that his time with Luna would always be fun. At the very least, she could bake cakes! Not to mention that she was a great listener and didn't judge him. Maybe he actually got lucky and was finally receiving what he wanted. However, all he could do was wait and see where it would lead, and many doubts and dark thoughts remained in his head.

He hoped that they would be dispelled with time. At the very least, it was a reasonable hope, for once.