Hushed voices emanated from the drawing room of the Sparkle family home, the door was left ajar but only just so, with only a sliver of lamplight emerging from within. Inside, two college students sat necking on a chaise.
“Nightlight,” said Velvet, her muzzle pressed into the dark mane of her partner as he brushed his lips over the fur under her chin. “My father will be home soon.”
Nightlight sighed, smiling into her neck. “I’m not afraid of him.”
They were supposed to be studying. But other things quickly became more important than Velvet passing her upcoming star-charting exam. Nightlight was supposed to be tutoring his marefriend, showing her how to read the night sky like a map. But teens will be teens, and soon Nightlight found himself crowded over Velvet on the deep purple chaise of the Sparkle family library.
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“Nightlight?” Velvet asked, standing outside of Nightlight’s apartment. She levitated an umbrella in the blue aura of her magic as sheets of freezing rain poured down around her. “I need to talk to you.”
Nightlight stood in the doorway, his mane licked up on one side from sleep. He held a cup of tea in his own golden aura of magic. “Oh, fuck. Come in.” he said, holding the door open and letting her scoot past him. He playfully flipped her tail with his magic, and Velvet whipped her head around at him, uncharacteristically miserable looking. Nightlight flattened his ears.
“Nightlight, I’m pregnant.” said Velvet. Nightlight hadn't even shut the door yet. When Nightlight turned around to look at his marefriend, her face was contorted in misery. “I don't know what to do!” she wailed, breaking into an ugly sob.
“Velvet, baby.” said Nightlight, stepping over to the white mare and leaning against her, pressing his muzzle into her mane. “We’ll figure it out, I've got a job now, and you can come stay here if you need. We’ll be alright.”
Velvet sniffled, leaning into the blue stallion. “I haven't even told my parents. Mom’ll probably be okay, but I don't know about Dad.”
“Can I help?” he asked. “What can I do to make it better?” “I could never ask you,” Velvet sniffled. Nightlight nudged her and smiled reassuringly. “You need to marry me.”