[FR] Tough Love - 8 Warmth of the Fire (WIP)

>The loud music blared a fast and catchy beat as the young patrons were moving and grooving.
>Some were trying to lose themselves in the rhythm, while others were trying to get lucky that evening and hopefully wake up with a story to tell to their fellow peers.
>But, that didn't interest you.  Right now you needed a drink and this goggle wearing mare was doing her best to distract you.
“Listen, whatever you got I’m probably not interested.”
>”Oh, I don’t think you’ll be wanting to go anywhere anytime soon.”
“And what makes you say that?”  You asked while staring at your own reflection in her purple tinted shades.
>”Barkeep!  I’ll take beer, and give whatever my friend wants here.  Put it on my tab!”
>”Yes, Boss!  Right away!”  The bartender said.
>You raise your eyebrows.
“Another beer, please.”
>Looks like we can keep the party going after all.  Just be on the lookout for roofies and don’t accept any drinks from any mares.
>…Or colts.
“So then, I didn’t catch your name, Miss-”
>”Scratch.  Vinyl Scratch.  But you can call me Vinyl.”
“Anon.  A pleasure.”
>”So, Anon?  What brings you here to my domain?”
“I’m just here for a drink.  This is your club?  You own all of this?”
>”Yup!  I also happen to be the DJ here!  I have night clubs located in Canterlot and Manehattan, but I’m thinking of expanding a bit more and bringing the night life here as well!”
“In a small town like this?”
>”Look around you.  It seems like they enjoy it.”
>You glance over your shoulder and see that many of the mares here were having the time of their life.
“I won’t argue with you there.  It does give the ponies here something to do when they want to cut loose.”  You said while finishing your second beer.
“Barkeep!  More of the same!”
>”Formalities aside, what do you say we get down to business?”
>So, she did have a reason other than wanting to try her luck on you.
>”I could use somep0ny like you around here.  You seem to have a knack for communication with others.”
“What makes you say that?”
>”I saw you come in with a bunch of fillies.  Plus you’ve been getting looks by others as well.”
“Wait…  Fillies?”
>”Yep, they’re regulars here: the ones that were clinging onto you.”
>You look back at their table and you meet each other’s gazes.
>They wave while motioning over to you to join them.
>You return their gesture with a Miss Universe wave and a forced smile.
“Um…  How old are they?”
>”Four of them just started their senior year in high school.”
>Your eyes dart back to Vinyl.
”Really!?  Aren’t they a little too young to be in a place like this?”
>”Well actually, one of them isn’t really a senior in high school.”
“Okay, good.  Nice to know there’s at least one that’s acting as a chaperone.”
>”No, actually, one of them just started the eighth grade.”
>You perform a spit take with your drink and lose it all over the bar.
>The Bartender glares at you as he wipes the countertop.  You also hear him grumbling under his breath.
“Wait, WHAT!?  Are you bucking kidding m-  Mother of Celestia…”
>You facepalm.
“What the Hell kind of a daycare center are you running here!?  The bouncers here aren’t really doing a good job!”
>”They’re good for business.  Besides, they seem to take a liking towards you.”
“I really wish I could say the same.”
>You knew that mares here were going to grow up warped or lewd at a young age, but you weren’t expecting it while they were in middle school.
>That’s one of life’s mysteries solved.
>If Chris Hansen were here, he’d have a field day with you.
“As much as I appreciate the offer for employment here, I’m going to have to politely decline.  Thanks for the drinks though.  Later, Vinyl.”
>You start standing up from your seat and start walking away.
>”Oh come on!  It’s not that bad here!  I’ll make it worth your while!  Doesn’t freelancing get kinda old?  If you’re going to be busting your flank off, why not earn decent money in it?”
>You stop in your tracks.
>”I heard that you’re a hard worker and reliable.   I could use more helping hoofs around this place, especially yours.”
>You turn around and see her patting your empty seat.
>After hesitatating for a second, you give in to her request and order another beer.
>You were actually curious to see where she was going with her offer.
“Now why would I want to work at a place like this?  You have kids with milk still fresh around their mouths running wild!”
>”I know each of them and trust me; they’re mature and responsible young fillies.  They’re okay by me.”
“I don’t know…”
>”Listen, this place isn’t all about sex, rutting, and stuff like that; it’s all about having a good time and letting loose!  It’s all about fun!  Good, clean, wholesome fun for everyp0ny!  I promise.  It’s not THAT sort of place.”
“It kinda troubles me that you have a bar here with kids running around.”
>”Family restaurants here in this town have bars also within their establishment.  How is my club any different from theirs?”
>The club here wasn’t really checking for minors.
“What was the drinking law in Equestria again?”
>”I forget.  They’re not really too strict on it.  I know it’s at least somewhere after they complete middle school or something like that.”
>You let out an exasperated sigh while pinching the bridge of your nose.
>”Look, how about this; you can drink as much as you want here as long as you’re not on the clock, you can get in anytime you want during your off days, and you can give this a shot for a two week trial.  After that, I promise I won’t bother you anymore and you get to keep whatever I vouch for and whatever you make.”
>Work was after all work.  And with work came the potential for new opportunities for bits.
>And with more bits came the potential for some freedom and choices.
“You know what?  Buck it!  I give up.  I’ll do it.  I need the money.  But the minute I don’t like something, I’m out.”
>”You will!?  I’m glad you were able to see things my way!  Barkeep, two shots of Applejack Daniels right here!”
>She raises her shot glass to the air as you do the same.
>”Here’s looking to you, kid!  Welcome aboard!”
“Thanks, but I bet I’m older than you.”
>The alcohol burns your insides as the both of you bask in its tingling sensation.
“Good stuff.  That Apple family knows how to brew some fine alcohol.”
>”Agreed!  Now then, how about you and I get to know each other a little better at a quieter place?  Hmmm?   Like, let’s say…  in my private and soundproof office?”  She said while lowering her shades and exposing her hopeful magneta eyes.
>The bartender purses his lips while raising his eyebrows at you.
>You make eye contact with him, but he suddenly walks away.
“Don’t you have to get back to work, Boss-p0ny?”
>”I have coverage.”
“I’ll have to politely decline.  It’s getting kinda late for me and I really gotta head out.”
>”It’s only 1 in the morning and you just got here!  What’s the matter?  Did Mommy give you a curfew and you’re afraid of breaking it?”  She said jokingly and nudging you with her hoof.
“…N-no…”
>MaximumPokerface.jpg
“Just tired.”
>”Aww, you’re no fun!”  She said with some disappointment in her voice.  “I guess I’ll leave you alone for now.  Also, you start Friday night, got it?  And wear something a little more…  appropriate.”
“Yes, Boss-p0ny.  Oh, and they’re called hands, not hooves.”  You said while waving your fingers at her.
>”I’ll remember that, and that’s Vinyl to you.”
“Got it.  Later.”
>Mom might not like it if you came home smelling like alcohol, so you head into the bathroom and start spraying yourself with enough cologne to drown a rat.
>You also grab a handful of breath mints and dart out.
>As you dash out, you feel the bathroom attendant’s eyes looks disapprovingly upon you as you leave without dropping a tip into his jar.
>Whatever.  You’ll make it up to him.
>After fighting your way through the dance floor of dancing, sweaty, borderline molesting mares, and “drifting” hooves, you pound your Cell-Tech ridden bro on the shoulder and give each other the bro treatment.
>”Well, hello there!  What long legs you have!  Looking for a good time?  If you get me and my friends into the club, we’ll show you one!  Teehee!”
>You stop in your tracks.
>You turn around and see a pony standing on her two hind legs with one of her hooves on her flank and one on her head.
>She starts thrusting her pelvis at your direction while humping the air.
>Note to self: get checked for air herpes.
“No thanks.”  You said while walking away.  “Also, stay in school, kid.”

----
***Fluttershy’s POV***
>Time: 0115
>Location:  Your cottage
----

>You sleep soundly on the couch.
>But then, you slowly open your eyes to see if your Anon has come back.
>The clock read a quarter past 1, and it doesn’t sound like he’s in his bed.
>You didn’t hear him come in through the door.
>You’ve been wondering where he’s been and you’ve been waiting for some time.
>He came by for dinner, but he said he’d be back after “taking care of a little unfinished business.”
>Is he working late again?  That sounds like him.  You really wish he would stop.
>Every time you see him come home, he always looks so tired.
>He always drags his feet home and you can see the fatigue in his eyes.
>He works so hard, yet he always keeps pushing himself.
>He always was a hard worker, but you can’t help but worry about him sometimes.
>He tends to put his own health behind his work.
>But as his mother, worrying about him constantly was just another day for you.
>What job could he be possibly doing keeping him this late?
>…
>What if he’s… dating!?  What if there’s another p0ny in his life!?
>No…
>He can’t.
>You were the only p0ny in his life and you made sure of it.
>He said he loved you and only you.  He looked you in the eyes and said it himself.
>But he called you mother.
>But why should that matter if-
>*Click*
>You suddenly started hearing steps just outside your house and locks turning on your door.
>You were familiar with that rhythmic stepping pattern which could only be made with two legs.
>As the door opens, you feign sleep as you hear your Anon come back home.
>You hear his usual sigh and grumbling when he comes home.
>”I swear, p0nies in this town are out to rob me.”
>He stops and kneels down before you.
>”Poor thing.  Must’ve been waiting for me this entire time to tuck her in.”
>He gently scoops you into his arms and cradles you as he carries you into your bedroom.
>”Let’s go to bed, Mom.” He whispered into your ear.
>Despite him always working so hard, he still found the strength to carry you to your bed every night when you fell asleep.
>He was always so strong, but even then you still can’t help but worry about his well-being sometimes.
>After he gently lays you on your bed, he grabs the blanket and tucks you in snuggly.
>You feel his palm gently stroke your mane to the side and his fingers delicately stroking your cheek.  That delicate touch of his was maddening and your body was screaming for more of it.
>He then leans in and plants a gentle kiss on the bridge of your nose.
>The soft breath of his delicate kiss tickled you as you make a scrunchy face while letting out a slight giggle.
>You couldn’t put up your charade anymore as you started feigning your wake.
>You slowly open your eyes and the first thing to come into your view was the face of your love with a warm smile.
>But like always, he was tired.
>”I’m sorry, Mom.  I didn’t mean to wake you up.”  He said apologetically.
“It’s okay, Sweetie.  I’m just glad you’re home safe and sound.”
>You wiggle out of your blanket stretch out your forehooves as though you were reaching out for him.
“Give Mommy a hug and kiss.”
>He leans in and wraps his arms around you in a tight embrace as he kisses you on the cheek.
>But as he pulls back, you tighten your hold around his neck and pull him back in.
>You lean in and rub your nose with his while peppering his face with gentle kisses.
>He makes a scrunchy face of his own while smiling and tries to break free from your grip.
>He takes a seat on the side of your bed as you gaze longingly at him.
>But something about him seemed off…
>He was wearing a lot of cologne, but he usually doesn’t wear any scented oils or fragrances.
>You also smelled a hint of perfume, and it was as though it was more than one kind.  There was also the feint scent of several other mares on him as well.
>Oh no…
>Is he really seeing somep0ny behind your back!?  Is that why he came home so late!?
>The very thought of your Anon with another mare made your heart sink.
>And yet, it almost infuriated you.  Who would DARE try and steal YOUR Anon away from you!?
>You had to find out about these other mares trying to take YOUR Anon away!
“Sweetie?”
>”Yeah, Mom?”
“Is there a special somep0ny in your life?”
>”WHAT!?  No!”
“…Are you sure?”
>”Yeah!  You of all ponies should know I’m not into p0nies like THAT!  Why do you ask?”
“You also seem to be wearing more cologne than usual.  Also, why do you smell like perfume and… other mares?”
>He pauses for a second.
>”…I was acting as a housekeeper today and I was doing some laundry for somep0ny.  She…  Um…  Had a mountain of underwear and dirty clothes.  I also wanted to cover up some of the smell and odor that followed me back here.”
>Made sense.  He has been a house sitter and performed these kinds of chores before as a job.
“Okay, I believe you.”
>(“Phew!”)
“Also, why are you home so late?”
>”OH!  Umm…  I just hung out with a few of the guys.”
>His breath was very minty fresh and yet there was also a hint of…
”Why does your breath smell like alcohol?”
>”…”
“You know, Celestia doesn’t like it when little boys lie to their mothers.”
>”Well, I haven’t got caught yet.”  He muttered under his breath.
“Anon…” You scolded as you narrow your eyes at him.
>”Okay.  I MIGHT of had a beer or two.”
“Sweetie!  I thought I told you I didn’t want you drinking!  It’s very bad for your health!”
>You were becoming upset and he was starting to pick up on it.
>”It was only a few beers, plus it was really watered down stuff.  I used to drink a lot back in my old world so it’s nothing my liver can’t handle.”
“That’s not the point!  What if something happened to you!?  What if I never saw you again!?”
>”Wow, really?!  Are we seriously going to have this conversation again?”
“I mean it!  I worry about you!”
>”You worry too much.  You need to start worrying about yourself and start trusting me.”
“I can’t if you’re always running wild like this!  You keep risking your health!”
>”It was only a few beers!  Sometimes you just need to stop caring about me.”
“How can you say something like that!?”
>”Because it’s making you go crazy!  Do you seriously need me to be there for you like every waking moment?  I can look out for myself, you know.  I thought I made this clear with you several times in the past.”
“Sweetie, you love me right?”
>“Yes, Mom…  Yes…  Yes.  Yes.  YES!  YES!  For the millionth time, YES!  Goddamn!”
>He throws his hands up in frustration.
>”Like clockwork, every freakin’ night!  Oh, my goodness!  You’ve got to be kidding me!  We ARE doing this again, aren’t we!?”
>He lets out an irritated sigh as he started pinching the bridge of his nose.  “Mumblemumble.” (Fucking A, man.”)
>You didn’t take too kindly to Anon’s outburst as you started sitting upright on your bed.
“Oh…  So for me to care about your well-being, you see it as a burden!?  You don’t even appreciate what I do for you!”  You said as you started raising your own voice.
>”Listen, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.”
“No, I don’t!”
>”Really?  D-Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“Please do!”
>”Okay look, we practically do this every single night and the answer is always the same.  You seriously need to get off my back, okay!?  I am honestly getting sick of you smothering me all the goddamn time!”
>Your ears flatten as he starts he continues raising his voice.  He continues yelling at you as you cower slightly behind your forehooves.
“S-Sweetie please, you’re being awfully loud and swearing a lot.  I-It’s really frightening me and-“
>“Can’t you just once think for yourself?  Just once, it’s all I ask.  My world doesn’t always revolve around you, you know!”
>You suddenly start feeling sharp pains in your chest as those words started cutting into you.
“W-Wha…  What?”  You said as you started choking on your words.  “B-but I thought I was your whole world…  You said it yourself when-“
>“I have my own shit to take care of and I have my own problems to deal with!  The last thing I need is trivial shit like this added on top!”
>You started wiping your tears as you bite your lip stifling your sobs.
“…I-I’m so sorry, Sweetie.”  You said while doing your best to hide your weeping.
>He turns around to face you, but what he saw was something he always dreaded.
>His eyes widened as he lets out a slight gasp.
>”Oh…” He muttered.  The aggressive tone in his voice suddenly vanished.  “Mom, I’m so sor-!”
“I didn’t mean to be such a burden on you.”  You said as he stared into your mournful eyes.  “I’m sorry that I wasn’t a good enough mother to you.  I promise that I’ll be a better mother and I won’t be such a big disappointment to you ever again, okay?  Now if you’ll excuse me I think I need to be alone…  Oh…!  Dear Sweet Celestia…”
>After that the only sounds that could only escape your mouth were suppressed whimpers and cries with a futile attempt.
>Your wailing becomes louder and louder until it finally made it almost impossible to talk.
>He tries to lean in and give you a hug, but you whip yourself away from him as you shove him away.
>You then start dashing for your bathroom.
>”Wait!  Mom!  Come back!”  He said as he started chasing after you.
>After making it into the bathroom and locking the door, you collapse to the ground and start crying hysterically into your forehooves.
>Why did he yell at you?  He’s not supposed to yell at you.  He NEVER yells at you.
>There have been times when he did raise his voice, but it was one the rare moments where it was directed at you and you alone.
>It was almost unimaginable, the unthinkable, inconceivable for him to act out so viciously towards you.
>This was something you hope you would never have to deal with, and now it’s happening this very moment.
>You weren’t ready for this and it almost seemed to have been something you never had to give any second thought to.
>Did you do something wrong?  All you ever did was love him and you did everything you could to make him happy.
>Every night, you ask him to tell you that he loves you just to make sure that he does.
>He said it just now, but he sounded as though he didn’t mean it.  He’s acting as though it’s some kind of mundane chore.
>What if he never meant it at all?  Was he just lying to you this entire time!?
>”Mom!”  Anon said as he started pounding on the bathroom door.  “Please, come out!  We can talk about this!  I didn’t mean what I said!”
“Yes you did!  Why else would you say it?  You would NEVER yell at me like that!  You’re…   Y-You’re…”
>You pause for a second.
>Then suddenly, it all made sense.
“You’re not my Anon!  My Anon is kind, caring, and he NEVER treats his mother like this!  He doesn’t yell at me, he doesn’t demean me, and he doesn’t hate me!”
>”Wait, what!?  What are you talking about?  I don’t hate you!”
“Yes you do!”
>”I never said anything like that!  When did I say that?  When!?  Tell me!”
“Well, you’d might as well say it!”
>”That’s crazy!  I’d would NEVER in my life ever think or say that!  If I thought that for a second, then I would rather-“
“JUST GO AWAY!  LEAVE ME ALONE!”  You screeched incoherently.
>He still continues to knock loudly on the door, and you can hear his hand being dragged across the door as he falls to his knees.
>“Please…  I beg of you.”  He continued with his voice lowered and sounding desperate.  “Just let me in and let’s talk like we always do.”
“Why!?  So you can yell at me again!?  And tell me that you hate me!?”
>”No…”  He continued while speaking in a more hush tone.  “Mom, do you want something to eat?  Something to drink?  What about our favorite tea?  Would you like that?  I can make it and get some snacks for the both of us.”
>He finally stops pounding on the door.
>”If you want, you can yell at me, punish me, whatever you want to do to let your frustrations out.  But please, just come out, look me in the eyes, and talk to me.  Come out and let me hug you and kiss you.   Let me look you in the eyes and let me tell you how much I love you.  Let me make everything right again, but please just come out!”
>A moment of silence passes between the two of you.
>”Mom?  Are you okay in-“
>*CRASH*
>You pick up the trash can and throw it against the door.
>The loud noise was enough to startle Anon and make him collapse to the ground as he falls back.
“You have no right to EVER talk to me like that.”  You said with anger clearly hanging on to your words.  “If you ever talk to me like that again, then don’t even bother looking at me at all.  In fact, don’t ever talk to me at all.  Period.  I never want to speak to you ever again.”
>Another long and painful moment of silence stands between the both of you.
>”…”
>Anon doesn’t say anything as he stands up.
>He leans close to the door.
>“Fine.  If that’s what you really want, then that’s what you get.”  He said with no emotion in his voice.
>You can hear his footsteps fading into the distance as he drags his feet to his bedroom.
>But unbeknownst to you, he stops before his bedroom door and turns his head to his side in your general direction.
>“Sleep tight, Mom.”  He gently whispered as tears rolled down his cheek.
>He walks into his room and sits on the side of his bed with his face buried in his hands.
>As he wipes the tears from his face, he picks up his favorite photo where you’re kissing him on the cheek from behind.
>”I’m so sorry, Mom.  Please don’t hate me.”  He said while running his hand gently over the frame and photo.  “I’ll find a way to make things right again.  But, how?”
>As you feel the presence of Anon disappear, you grab a towel, fold it, and start sobbing with your face buried within it.
“Anon… Please.  Don’t go…  Come back…  I love you…”  You muttered under your breath.  “Did you hear that, Anon?  Anon!?”
>You did your best to muffle and cover your weeping as you lie on the floor contemplating the loss of your loved one.
>Eventually, slumber claims you as you start drifting off into a more comfortable restful state.
>But before your eyelids close, you managed to utter out a few words.
“You too, Sweetie.”
>But did he say those words that you yearn to hear every night before you sleep?
>Maybe.  Maybe not.
>Right now, this was all too much to take in and think about.
>Hopefully, things will look brighter in the morning.