Rumble stares at his bedroom ceiling. His world is grey bleakness, and all he feels is a dull ache inside him. The clock on his table had said 1:15 in the morning, the last time he looked at it. That had been ages ago. He can't sleep and can't get up, as if this horrible night wants to draw itself out as long as possible. Time will stretch on, until the rocks melt and the seas burn, and Rumble will be stuck in bed, staring at his ceiling and contemplating the last few hours.

The night had started perfectly. He'd lost his virginity to Lickety Split. So far so wonderful. It all went nimbostratus-shaped from there. They had destroyed Rumble's big brother's room with frothy used lubricant, vomited on the stairs, and outed Lickety to his boss and parents. Lickety had run off crying, and Rumble just trudged up to his room. Nopony stopped him.

There's a soft knock on the bedroom door. "Hey, uh, Rumble? Can I come in?" It's Thunderlane, speaking softly and tentatively. Rumble grunts, and the door opens. Thunderlane shuts it behind him, then sits on the bed next to his little brother.

"Hey lil' bro," says Thunderlane, his voice a light step on a rickety bridge, "You doing okay?"

Rumble grunts and stares at the ceiling, his face slack with utter sadness.

"So, you've..." Thunderlane looks around, as if unsure of his next move. "You've had a pretty crazy evening, huh?"

Rumble grunts again, though it sounds more like a squeak.

"That kid Lickety, I, uh, I guess he's why you've been so happy for the last few weeks, right?" He places a hoof on Rumble's left shoulder.

Rumble lets out a low, mournful wail, then rolls over and sobs into his pillow. "I've lost him," he cries, muffled through the down, "He's the cutest, sweetest, smartest guy I've ever met and I love him and I screwed it up and now he hates me and I'm never going to see him again! I got him outed in front of his parents and in front of his boss and her wife so he's fired and Rarity was there so I'm fired and dad's going to disown me and..."

He clamps the pillow into his face, sobbing hysterically. Thunderlane rolls his eyes. He grabs his little brother, rolls him onto his back and rips the pillow away.

"Rumble, listen, listen! Lickety Split is not getting fired. You are not getting fired. Nopony is getting disowned. I've met his parents, they're milder than semi-skimmed milk and won't care. And our parents? Dad will come around, and I'm pretty sure mom suspected it already." Thunderlane looks his little brother in the eye.

Rumble sniffles. "But in the living room-"

"But nothing," says Thunderlane. "Bro, I know Lyra and Bon Bon. I don't know if you noticed, but neither one of them has a dick. Both of them know what coming out is like, and Bon Bon had to come out to her parents who I've heard are crazy traditionalists. Geniunely crazy. Screaming-at-rocks crazy. Lickety is not getting fired. He'll probably get a day off and a raise."

Rumble nods, but still looks sullen. "Rarity saw me and she's really proper, there's no way she'll let me - ow!" He winces as Thunderlane slaps his ear with a wingtip.

"Sorry, reflex, I do that when I hear stupid things, can't help it. Because yeah, Rarity will just be scandalised by a gay stallion working in the fashion business," says Thunderlane. A tiny grin appears on Rumble's face, breaking through the frown. "Come on, dude, she knew already. And proper? Tits from Tartarus, you're a grown pony now, we'll have to take you drinking with her. You'll see how proper she is when she's ten shots in, screaming Equestria Girls with Pinkie at the top of her lungs, and waving her vagina at the bouncers."

Rumble giggles, his red eyes crinkling at the edges in a smile. "Really?"

"That's on her better nights. And don't worry about dad, either. He'll mutter some words to mom, mom will snap at him, and tomorrow he won't have a problem with it. The worst he'll do is give you an awkward lecture on using condoms. Exact same thing happened when I started dating two mares. Before I did it, I heard him going on about polyamorists being a bunch of base perverts who act like we're still grazing herds. That changed when he found that I was one. Kid, you'll be fine. Trust me."

Rumble stops sniffling, and sits up. "Th-thanks, Thunderlane. How come you're all cool, and not..."

Thunderlane laughs. "Not punching you for wrecking my room? I thought about it, but I've got a guilty conscience. Remember the Baltimare Music Festival I took you to when you were fourteen?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember how you said your pillow smelled funny?"

"...yeah?"

"That was me. I banged this mare dolphin-style in the tent. I might have used your pillow to prop up her butt. She wasn't clean." Thunderlane clears his throat, awkwardly. Rumble stares at him.

"You bastard."

"Yeah."

"No, seriously bro, I got conjunctivitis from that pillow."

"My bad, Rumble."

"Mom thought I didn't know how to wipe my ass."

"I remember that."

"She kept waiting outside the bathroom to check that I'd washed my hooves properly."

"Yeah. That was hilarious," says Thunderlane. "Still, I think we're even after tonight."

"Yeah." Rumble smiles at Thunderlane. "Thanks, big bro."

"No problem. Now are you going to sit here and mope all night, or go out and get your boyfriend back?"

Rumble stares at him, confused. "What? There's no way he'll have me back, not after what I put him through..."

"Midden will he not. You're head over hoof for this dude. If he likes you even a third as much as you like him, he'll take you back in a second. Go round his, tell him you're sorry, tell him you're still into him, ask him where he wants to go with it. He'll take you back. He probably never let you go in the first place."

"You really think so?"

"Yeah, dumbass, you think he ran away because he couldn't bear being next to you instead of, I dunno, because his parents, your parents and his boss just saw him with a dick up his butt? Get up, clean up and go kiss and make up!"

"Yeah?" Rumble is sitting up now, no longer miserable. "Yeah! I'm going to do that, I'll go over there right now! Thanks, bro!"

"No worries, Rumble." Thunderlane grins, and bumps hooves with him. "Two things though."

"Oh?"

"Use less lube."

"Got it. And?" Rumble is off the bed, already starting to clean himself up.

"Stay the fuck out of my room."

Half an hour later, Rumble flutters outside Lickety Split's first-floor bedroom window. He taps a hoof on the glass, soft enough that only a pony in that room could hear. After a dozen seconds, a light flicks on and a figure trots toward the window. Lickety Split pulls the curtains open, and stumbles on the spot when he sees Rumble hovering outside. He opens the window so quickly that he fumbles the latch, then yanks Rumble inside, grabbing the pegasus in a crushing hug.

"Rumble I'm so glad you're here I'm so sorry it was my fault if I hadn't squeaked they'd never have found us-"

Rumble returns the hug, stroking a hoof down Lickety's neck. "It was my fault, Lickety, I got you into that room in the first place. I came here to apologise, Lickey."

"I thought you'd hate me," whispers Lickety. "You said your dad was all macho and always expecting you to have a marefriend. I thought you'd never want to see me again."

"Dad's cool with it. And even if he wasn't, I'd still stay with you." The hug softens but they stay in place, resting their heads on each other's shoulders. "...are your folks okay with it?"

"My mom already knew about it, and dad doesn't mind. Lyra and Bon Bon came round earlier, to tell me that it was okay, I wasn't fired or anything and that if I needed any help or advice I could come to them. They did take the syringe from my wages though, but I guess I had that coming." Lickety nuzzles into Rumble, who giggles softly.

They nuzzle more, softly rubbing faces against necks and withers. Lickety draws back and places a soft kiss on Rumble's cheek. Then two more, and three in return. They breathe fast and heavy, their noses an inch apart...

"We... we should wait," says Rumble.

Lickety blinks, as if snapping out of a trance. "Hmn? Yeah, you're right. We've done lots already tonight, and there's plenty of time later."

Rumble nods and kisses his coltfriend on the nose. "All the time in the world."

"So, have you got to head home, or can you stay the night?" Two bright blue eyes plead for Rumble to stay. Rumble grins.

"Sure, I can stay. What do you wanna do?"

Lickety glances at his well-stocked bookcase. "We could sit in my bed and read some comics together?"

"Sounds great."

They hop into bed after grabbing a few issues of Sampo, Consulting Reindeer. They lay down, and Lickety rests his head on the crook of Rumble's right shoulder, wrapped up in his right wing. Rumble holds the comic above them, using his left wing to turn the pages. They settle in and get comfortable.

Page after page they get closer and closer, until they can feel each other's heartbeats. As Rumble turns the page, he feels Lickety's muzzle against the side of his head. Lickety takes a soft sniff of Rumble's face and main. Rumble turns his head, pressing into Lickety's soft lips in a kiss. Sampo, Consulting Reindeer is dropped and forgotten.

They make out, frantic, desperate, groping with hooves and wings. Lickety parts his lips, not slipping his tongue inside, just an intimate, open mouthed kiss. The only noises are happy sighs and kisses.

Rumble breaks the kiss. "Lickey, can - can I go down on you, like you did for me?" Lickety bites his lip, nodding.

Rumble kisses his way down, shuffling along Lickety's chest and stomach, until his chin bumps the tip of Lickety's achingly hard cock. He holds it in his hooves, kissing it, licking it, listening to every quiet little moan from his boyfriend. Lickety gasps when Rumble takes the head into his mouth and sucks it hard, bobbing his head and flicking his tongue against the stiff prick. Rumble is amateurish and halting, but Lickety couldn't care less.

Rumble pulls off the cock with a *pop* and looks up at Lickety. The earth pony is breathing hard, his blond mane flopping over his face. "Lickety, do you wanna fuck me? Like I did to you earlier?"

Lickety looks unsure. "That doesn't really do it for me, I only like to, uh, take it. But..." His blue eyes dart to the bedside table, and the small bottle of grapeseed oil on top of it. "I'd love it if you fucked me again." He sits up and pulls Rumble towards him, then starts kissing his grey face. "Will you do that for me, Rumble?"

"Sure? Even after tonight?"

"Yeah. Can you do one thing for me?"

"Anything."

"Can we do it face to face? I want to look you in the eyes while you fuck me, Rumble."

Rumble quickly assents, grabbing the lube and coating his cock in a slick layer. Lickety Split lays back on the bed, his hindlegs spread wide. He bites his lip and rubs his cock, displaying himself for Rumble.

Rumble climbs over Lickety, and presses the tip of his cock to Lickety's asshole. He pushes his cock inside Lickety as he bites down on Lickety's neck. It's blissfully hot and painfully tight. Lickety's head goes back and he moans, high and soft.

After a few thrusts to get them both comfortable, Rumble is completely inside his coltfriend. It's tight around the base of his cock, so tight, Lickety could probably take his pulse. Rumble's wings twitch and flutter. They won't even stay fully extended; he's too excited.

Rumble pushes himself up on his forelegs, so he can look Lickety right in his big blue eyes. Lickety's face is scrunched up in pain and pleasure, his mouth slack in a dopey smile, grunting softly between panting breaths. He lifts his hips up and wraps his hind legs around Rumble, grinding onto him.

"That feels good, oh, that's good, oh, oh, ohhh..." Lickety's eyes go lidded from the sensations. Every thrust into his ass makes him clench around Rumble, and sends incredible pulses through both of their cocks.

Rumble pulls his hips back, then slams forward. Lickety squeaks in pain and ectasy. Not to be outdone, Lickety reaches up and ruffles Rumble's wings.

"Oh! Damn!" A shiver runs through Rumble's entire body as Lickety plays with his feathers.

Lickety sits up, peppering Rumble's face with kisses, letting out little moans and squeaks as Rumble's hips slap against his own. Rumble shifts his legs and hips, sitting up straight. He trails a hoof down Lickety's chest, down to his erect cock, and starts to stroke him off. He pushes his hips forward as he plays with Lickety's shaft. With every thrust, he runs his hoof up and down his boyfriend's cock.

"Fuck me, Rumble, fuck me, hard, fuck fuck fuck me please oh fuck me Rumble please!"

Rumble starts fucking faster, stroking faster, stroking twice for every thrust. They sweat and grunt, never once breaking eye contact, sharing each other, joining together as completely as can be, each desperate to please and love their partner.

"Rumble - oh! - are you, mnh, close?"

Rumble grunts and nods, his eyes glazed with concentration. Lickety sits up and kisses him, then nips his ear.

"Come for me, Rumble," whispers Lickety.

"Nnh! Lick- FUCK!" With a shout, Rumble comes inside Lickety. He can feel every jet go through his cock and into his lover. His heart thuds in his mouth, head spinning, Lickety's heart beating against his. He frantically works his hoof up and down Lickety's cock. Seconds later he feels the warm splash of his jizz, smearing between their two bellies.

The pair collapse. Rumble pulls out of Lickety. Rumble has enough wits to grab some tissues from the bedside table and pass them to his lover, who accepts them with a blush and cleans up a little. They then cuddle into each other and sip water from the glass on the bedside table.

Rumble speaks first. "That, uh, that was good."

"Yeah, it was. We should do it again. Uh, later, sleep first..."

"Yeah..."

They both look at each other, dazed smiles on their faces. They last a few seconds each before they burst out giggling, drunk with hope and joy. When they found each other, it was like a great weight had been lifted from them. After tonight?

They're damn near weightless.