Tattered Moon shuffled in his sleep, his eyes being pierced by the bright moonlight that cut through the curtains. His shuffling didn’t do much, so instead of that, his mind demanded he woke up. For which he did.

Yawning softly, he opened his heavy eyes. His vision was blurry so he moved his hoof to rub his eyes. He didn’t move from that position, knowing well enough that he would hear the knock on the door of his room from Midnight, telling him to wake up and get down to the courtyard for the drill schedule. The dream he had last night was bizarre. Him, being Midnight’s coltfriend? He sadly, mentally chuckled at himself

He waited there, yet, the knock never came. Confused he sat up on the bed and glanced around the room... this wasn’t his room. As soon as he figured this out, something strong pulled him back down to the bed. The grip was fierce, but, gentle, as if the pony grabbing him was asleep. The grip never loosened, even as he hit the bedsheets.

Something moved up to his chest, a soft amount of warm air striking it. His head moved down to look at what was snuggled up against him, and to his surprise, it was Midnight.

‘So, it wasn’t a dream after all,’ he thought to himself, his eyes scanning over the sleeping captain.

‘Everything that had happened last night really happened?’ he thought once more. His mind recounted last night’s haze. But, when his mind got past the bar memory, everything seemed to slow down for him, up until the kiss. Which had confused him greatly, he doesn’t know why she chooses him out of all the others. He thought she looked for the fierce, or ones who know how to play by her rules, and her rules only. He thought wrong.

Sliding his hooves around her, his eyes started feeling heavier the more his hooves reached around her. When he completely wrapped his hooves around her, she seemed to snort with amusement, tightening her grip on the stallion whilst also purring softly.

Even while sleeping, her mind whirled with many things. Finally, she had gotten enough courage to ask that question, even though she thought it could’ve gone better. She thought of all possible places this could’ve taken place, how many ways she could’ve broken it to him.

‘But, nooooo! You wanted to take him to your bedroom!’ her inner thoughts sneered.

‘Oi! FACK OFF!’ her mind exclaimed. Not realizing that she was shuffling back and forth in the hooves of Tattered Moon, who had just fallen back to sleep.

‘What is goin’ on with this mare?’ Tattered Moon questioned himself, his eyes now fully opened as Midnight softly twisted and turned in his grasp.

‘Shes probably having a nightmare, dumbass!’ His mind barked at him.

He sighed softly, holding the mare tightly. With one breath he half yelled, half groaned.

“AYE, THE GUARDS ARE DOIN’ SOMETHIN’ STUPID AGAIN!”

Like that, Midnight opened her eyes quickly, she half shouted half growled,” THE HELL THEY DO THIS TIME?! THEY BETTER NOT HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE FOOD RATIONS AGAIN!”

She scrambled out off his hooves and would have fallen face first onto the floor, if not for Tattered catching her at the last moment. He grabbed the end of her tail, his eyes darting away from her backside as she looked back at the now blushing stallion.

“Oh...OH! That’s how you wanna play it! I was about to win an argument!” the mare grumbled as she got back into the bed.

“With who?” Tattered asked.

“Myself!” Midnight stated triumphantly, a small smile on her face.

“So... did you enjoy the small look you got~?” Midnight teased, knowing well enough that this was how she was going to get payback.

“I-I, U-UM!” Tattered stumbled with his words,” W-we b-both know that you can’t d-do that b-be for you’re m-married!”

“Sad... but true,” Midnight hummed, giving him a cheeky grin.

“Be-besides! We just became coltfriend and marefriend!” Tattered huffed back, his cheeks a bright red, his head moved away from her eyes.

“Yes, we did~, so, I’m going to have fun with this, and you, you will be my little stallion~,” Midnight cooed back, her tone, teasing.

Tattered Moon looked back at her, sighing. He knew that this relationship, for the small amount of time he was awake for it, was going to be like this, a lot of teasing, and jokes.

...

He looked at the mare now laying next to him, his mind searching for something else to focus on. His eyes widened at the thought that now came to him.

“Midnight, we need to be down by the Courtyard or-,” Tattered Moon started, but, was abruptly cut off by two things. The first was a loud crack of lightning, the second was Midnight’s lips pressing against his. His mind whirled at the kiss, but, his fur stood on end from the loud cracking of the sky’s electric whip. But, he couldn’t fight off the kiss, so, he melted into, enjoying it greatly.

Midnight broke the kiss and looked out the window, Tattered Moon following her gaze.

Outside, lightning struck the earth, rain poured against the window, and he could now hear the faint sound of wind.

“W-wait, how long has this been going on?” Tattered asked, staring out the window.

“Well, the storm was said to pick up around 5 in the morning,” Midnight responded, wrapping her wing around him and pulling him to her side,” Also, the lightning was said to be striking ponies, so, I called off training until the lightning stops.”

Tattered Moon sighed, wondering when the storm would lighten up. One day and he already misses being out in the courtyard training. Midnight saw his grim look and whispered softly,”Hey, don’t worry about it. Besides, I need to tell my parents the news!”

Midnight smiled an award-winning smile, Tattered, on the other hoof, looked out the window with fear covering his muzzle. Once again, Midnight noticed the look on Tattered’s face as she opened her eyes.

‘Okaaaay, I think that made it worse...,” She thought.

Acting quickly, she moved his head so that it was facing her and nuzzled his muzzle softly.

“Don’t worry, I know they’re going to like you,” Midnight stated in a comforting type of tone.

Tattered Moon said nothing, but, in place of his silence, he nodded, his frown turning into a small smile.

“That’s the Lieutenant I know! Now come on, it’s almost six, everypony is up and is heading to the dining hall.” Midnight replied, a grin on her muzzle.

Tattered Moon gulped, yet, nuzzled her back. The thought still made him uncomfortable for many reasons but, he couldn’t complain.

Midnight stepped off the bed, motioning for Tattered to follow her, and headed to the dining room. They took their time though, talking about what procedures they should put the guards through next and how to tell Midnight’s parents about Tattered’s new status.

“Alright, so that's the plan?” Tattered repeated to Midnight. He had to admit, the plan looked to be flawless, although it was rather straightforward.

“Yes, it is,” Midnight replied, her face hardening, she wanted to show her parents that she was serious.

The two nodded, both looking at the two oak wood doors that stood between them and everypony else.

...

Opening the door and walking inside, Midnight and Tattered Moon didn’t expect what they saw. Midnight’s parents smiled warmly at both her and Tattered Moon, and Midnight knew those smiles... they know about Tattered and her already.

Prim looked down at her bowl of cereal, shaking a little at each strike of lightning, as she sat close to Flare. Night was reading one of her many history books. Flare... Flare, on the other hoof, looked horrible. His eyes had dark bags under them, his hair was messier than usual, and his red eye glowed a lot fainter than it was before.

Midnight hadn’t noticed Flare as she walked over to her usual seat but, Tattered saw Flare and wondered what had happened to him last night.

“Good morning, Midnight~!” The queen hummed happily, her eyes shifting between Midnight sitting down and Tattered Moon standing up.

“Mornin’ mom, dad,” She said with an awkward smile.

“Good morning, Midnight! Oh, and you too Tattered Moon,” Night replied, her eyes never leaving the book.

“G-good morn-*CRACK* EEP!” Prim squeaked, latching onto Flare’s right foreleg, which caused the dozing stallion to look up in surprise. Upon noticing Midnight and Tattered Moon, he said, tiredly,” Mornin’ you two, had a good nights rest huh?”

Midnight finally took notice of Flare but didn’t say anything. Instead, she shifted her eyes to Tattered Moon, patting the open seat next to her.

Reluctantly, he moved forward to accept the seat. The king and queens eyes following him.

When he sat down Midnight cleared her throat, gaining everypony in the room.

“Mom, dad, you know Tattered Moon... well I wanted to make an announcement...,” Midnight said, her voice wavering slightly.

“Hmmm~?” Honey Glow replied, Blood Moon, said nothing, his eyes looking at Tattered Moon. With approval or judgment, neither Midnight nor Tattered Moon knew.

“I wanted to say that I and Tattered Moon are going out together,” Midnight finished.

“OH MY GOOD GOLLY GOSH!” Night yelled, dropping the book.

“YAY!” Prim clapped her hooves together,

“*CRACK* EEP!” Prim squeaked, now hugging Flare tightly.

“Congratulations!” Honey Glow smiled softly at her daughter.

She looked over at Tattered Moon,” I know you’ll treat her well~.”

Tattered Moon blushed and looked at Midnight, who was blushing as well.

Blood Moon chuckled, looking back down at his breakfast.

...

Without as much as a warning Flare’s head shot up, his eyes glowing with two red dots, he yelled,” 😐✋👎 👎⚐☠🕯❄ ☝⚐ ☠☜✌☼ ❄☟☜ 🕈✌❄☜☼☞✌☹☹ ☹☜👎☝☜✏ 😐✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋✋👎✏”

This startled everypony, Prim jumped back as an initial reaction to the weird language and his roar.

“F-Flare, are you okay?” Prim whimpered softly.

Flare started breathing softly after this random outburst. His hoof touched his temple, rubbing it softly as he started to recover.

With a shallow breath, he said,” Ye-yeah, sorry... just a nightmare...”

Prim gasped at what she saw, a giant bruise now appeared on Flare’s neck. She reached out and softly caressed it. Flare flinched at the touch, he looked back at her.

Her eyes met his, Prim was about to speak, but Midnight beat her to it,”Flare!? THE FACK!?”

...

Night had fallen out of her chair, the book she had resumed reading on her face.

‘Ya know,’ Her mind started,’This floor... is rather comfortable!’

Night snorted, removing the book off of her snout. She got back up and sat back in the chair. She removed a hair strand that had covered her eye.

Getting up from the floor, she looked at Flare her smile fading at the sight of the bruise.

“Was that bruise always there?”

“No...,” Flare sighed, rubbing the injury.

“Where... where did it come from?” Prim asked softly, scooting closer to him.

Flare was silent for a moment, then sighed loudly,”It came from me... or my mind. We monsters have a problem with emotions, if one gets ahold of us, it can literally damage the monster's body.”

“O-oh...” Prim responded.

“Jeez, that's why I have never seen ya cry,” Midnight replied.

“H-how exactly?” Night questioned.

“As to why... I don’t know much. But, It has to do with magic being controlled by emotions and our bodies, monsters, being made of magic...” Flare said, then concluded,” Let’s drop the subject at hoof... I don’t feel comfortable talking about it...”

And like that, the subject dropped like a lead weight. The group of mixed ponies started chatting about different things. Flare congratulated Tattered Moon and Midnight on them becoming closer, Prim was dropping hints for Flare, Night was talking to Tattered about something that was making him blush heavily, and the king and queen asked the typical questions about Tattered to Midnight.

After the uncomfortable breakfast, Tattered Moon and Midnight headed up to her room, she wanted to get to know him better. He couldn’t object, he too wanted to learn about her and her family.

...

Midnight and Tattered entered her room, Midnight jumping on her bed and patting the spot next to her. Tattered Moon blushed and looked away, Midnight frowned slightly, rolling her eyes a little.

“Listen, this is looking far into a hopeful future, but, if we get married, you need to understand that this is the bed you’re going to share with me, understand, Moony?” Midnight huffed, Tattered Moon’s blush started to spread like a wildfire in a dry forest across his face.

*CRACK!*

Tattered Moon jumped at the lightning strike, Midnight even flinched at how close the lightning struck.

Sighing heavily, he walked to the side of the bed. Hesitating for a bit, he climbed on the bed, positing himself next to her, his blush never leaving. Midnight only chuckled, wrapping her wing around him.

“I know you’re new to this, but, I’m just going to keep doing this. Anyways, I want to know why you’re so interested in the royal guard,” Midnight mused.

“W-well,” Tattered Moon started,” My mother works in a greenhouse. I grew up around plants, always fascinated by how they looked, and, well, how some can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.”

“Wow! What types of plants do you like?” Midnight questioned further.

“I like Moon Lilies...!” Tattered replied without thinking first. Midnight blushed slightly at his comment. That was one of her nicknames her sisters called her.

“O-oh, I-I’m...” Midnight started, this time, however, it was Tattered Moon’s time to cut her off. He lunged forward, kissing her softly on the cheek. Her blush now growing as well.

“Now who’s the one blushing?” Tattered Moon asked, a smile on his muzzle.

Midnight huffed at his remark saying softly,” I’m still your captain...”

“Anyways, I do like Moon Lilies, they’re beautiful, even more so if there’s a full moon out,” Tattered Moon continued,” And... and they remind me of you.”

“Well, I got to say, I got more than I bargained for, but, I’m happy you think of me as the precious flower. But, I am not a flower anypony can just step on, I fight back!” She said, lunging forward at him, kissing him softly, leaving him speechless afterward.

“Now that we got that out of the way, I want to learn about your family history,” Tattered Moon inquired Midnight.

“Well, there isn’t much to tell. My Father was a prince, my mother was a commoner. My father fell for her, they dated, got wed, and had three daughters, one who found love and told the one she loved about her feelings. One of the others found love, but, still hasn’t confessed it to the stallion,” Midnight finished, Tattered taking a second to let the information sink in.

Once it has, he focused on the “sister who found love, but never confessed it part”. A small frown on his face, he asked,” What do you mean, another found love but never confessed it to the stallion?”

“Oh no, you caught me, I promised that I wouldn’t reveal it, but, you caught me red hoofed!” Midnight confessed, a mock frown on her face.

“It’s Prim, she loves Flare but won’t tell him for some reason. I know she’s shy so don’t make that a point,” Midnight said rather bluntly.

“Wait... so Prim loves Flare, but, she never told him?” Tattered asked.

“Yeah, she says she is waiting for “the right moment”, but, I think she is trying to have him say it to her,” Midnight said, rolling her eyes at it.

“Huh, should I tell him, or...?” Tattered asked.

“Nah, she’s going to do it on the night of the gala,” Midnight replied,” Speaking of which, you might want to find a nice suit to wear, because you’re going to be on there, next to me.”

Tattered Moon wanted to object, but knew he couldn’t, she had won the one-sided argument as soon as it was mentioned. He shrugged, knowing now that he needed a nice tuxedo for the night, three weeks from now.

“ Anyway, what about any hobbies you have?” Midnight asked.

“Really, I don’t have any hobbies, other than walking around and looking at flowers, but I don’t think that’s considered a hobby...,” Tattered confessed, once more as he shrugged,” How about you?”

“Well, I like to read, maybe play video games, you know, typical stuff,” Midnight replied.

...

After a short interview, the two of them ran out of questions a typical coltfriend and marefriend would have, some questions didn’t even make sense for the current situation. So, instead, the two just laid next to each other, enjoying one another's company.

The rain hit the window and the lightning cracked every few minutes now. Midnight looked over at her digital clock, which read 11:26 a.m.

“Hey, we should grab some lunch, I’m kinda hungry, even though all we did is snuggle,” Midnight said, her hoof laying atop of Tattered’s.

Tattered Moon nodded, slowly getting off the bed as Midnight started to do the same. Once both of them had gotten off the bed, they stretched and headed towards the kitchen to grab something to eat. The two chatted happily away about funny things they had seen the soldiers do.

...

As they left the kitchen, the two vamponies had their meals. A simple ham sandwich for Midnight, and some chicken for Tattered. The sight of the two walking into the kitchen had caused Lemon Zap to congratulate them on their first step of a relationship, whilst the other chefs remained silent, working but also peering back at the two as they left.

Not much was said on the way back to the Midnight’s room since they both started to eat their respective meals.

Once the two had reached the Midnight’s room, Tattered Moon felt Midnight’s eyes land upon him as he opened the door for her.

“Well, well, such a gentlecolt, eh~?” She cooed, her tail brushing his side as she walked in.

He followed in after her. Midnight was laying down on the bed. She was on her back, facing him. His blush could have been visible from space at her request.

“Moony, come ’ere, I want to try something,” She said, waving her hoof over to her side.

He couldn’t back out, so he followed the order, and laid next to her. A large grin on her face.

“I want you to do the same thing I’m doing, I’ll explain more once you’ve done it,” Midnight said, Tattered Moon, did as she asked.

“Good, now the reason I wanted to do this is that I wanted to see which position you’re most comfortable in. And I think I found out you like laying on your back,” Midnight said, flipping over onto her stomach.

Tattered Moon thought of doing the same, but, she was right, he was rather comfortable in this position. He shuffled around a little. Just as he got into a more optimal position, he felt Midnight’s hoof wrap around his midsection and pulled him closer to her. She pulled him right to her side, soon a wing fell over her hoof.

“I wanted to do something Flare always did,” She said,”I want to take a nice, long, nap.”

“Wait, you’ve never taken a nap before?” Tattered asked

“NO, I’ve taken a nap, just, it was a long time ago. Besides, I’ve never had a real day off! So, will you be my little snuggle buddy today?” she asked, fluttering her eyes. Tattered Moon sighed softly, but agreed,”Alright, I will.”

“YAY!” she squeaked, hugging him softly, laying her head on his chest.

Tattered Moon wrapped a hoof under her, saying to himself softly,” I resign myself to my fate...”

“Good, now shush, and relax~,” Midnight cooed.

Tattered Moon sighed for the one-hundredth time that day, he closed his eyes. He listened to her heartbeat as he began to doze off.

The two sept through the afternoon and deep into the night. Enjoying dreams of their own futures. Both never knowing how overworked they really were, until they rose in the morning.

Author's Notes:

This took way too long! Sorry for that!

Next Chapter:
The Big Night