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Hello, and welcome to the latest chapter!

I've decided to start Saturday with a bang, and uploaded a chapter that'll be nice for anyone either staying up late, getting up earlier, or soon to wake up! *chuckle* So, enjoy more pony drama and stay tuned for further installments!

If you have any comments, don't hesitate! All feedback is greatly appreciated. Also remember that all votes, faves and watches will help others to find these stories to enjoy as well.

Have a fun read!

*

"Jeff...would you mind if I came over for a little while?"

Water thrummed on the roof of the car. Jeff stared at the pony sitting on the driver's seat, his eyes widening a little, even if they had a sheen of water sticking to them, as he barely came to terms with what he had just heard coming out of the older male's maw. He sounded...almost nice, well, normal for Brand's kind of a thing, and most of all, shy, because there was that pause, followed by the unusually polite and ordered arrangement of his words. Brand usually commanded, even if he did it for fun and for little things of no importance, he was a big boy, he wasn't one for saying please, or being nice, but now he was...nice.

Still Jeff blinked and breathed out before he spoke.

"Adam's at work and he's going to be pretty late," Jeff replied, thinking that this must have been what it was all about.

His brother had a shift at McDonalds and wouldn't be home before eight pm. Probably that's what it was, what Brand was thinking, catching up with his real friend Adam, his best friend of so many years. Maybe he intended to do like he often did before the mess, come over well in advance, so that he could surprise his friend by being there when he came back from work. Jeff never minded that, since it had given him plenty of time to both ogle and tease the handsome pony and have him for himself while Adam was nowhere to be found, and Jeff was free to be just as bratty as possible to catch Brand's attention. Maybe what happened now was just Brand doing exactly what he had told them to do...to pretend that everything was exactly like it used to be, and that nothing had changed.

"Yeah, I know," Brand snuffled, watching Jeff still in the twilight of the car's damp interior.

Jeff blushed under the pony's gaze. Brand seemed to be intent on watching him now, and it made him feel self-conscious, and just a little scared. Was this going to be an interrogation, now? Was Brand going to ask him whether he had been a good pony and not spilled the beans about anything suspicious about Brand? Was he going to maybe threaten him again to make sure that the same silence would be maintained?

"Oh," Jeff managed.

Brand's hand fondled the car keys hanging off the ignition.

"If you don't want me to, I can go."

Jeff's heart leaped. Did Brand really want to come over to see him and not Adam? His earlier train of thought about possible threats and questioning rushed through his mind again, but in the end, the curiosity got the best out of him, and he spoke up, quickly.

"Okay, Brand, come in then."

"Okay," Brand nodded.

Jeff grabbed his back from the floor, between his legs, and made a run for it. The cold seemed to hit him double-fold as the new rush of water covered him, reducing whatever drying that had taken place in the car back to the original state. By the time Jeff had managed to fumble out his keys and open the front door, his head furs fell over his eyes, and he made wet marks on the floor. Jeff waited on the side until Brand had entered and then closed the door, and turned to see his guest.

Brand stood there, near the couch now, as tall and hunky as always, only highlighted by the fact that his t-shirt had received a mild dousing during his dash from the car to the door, and the black fabric clung to every curve of his body and made them all that more pronounced. Jeff tried not to look at that too much, and instead moved his attention to Brand's eyes, that looked back to him, one brow slightly cocked. The pony folded his arms over his chest, and flicked his ears.

"Go upstairs and change before that starts to feel even nastier, Jeff," Brand said. "No need to feel crap voluntarily."

"Yeah, sure," Jeff nodded, quickly, eyes flicking between the old pony and the stairs.

"I'll wait here," Brand said.

"Right."

Brand snuffled, and Jeff headed for upstairs, dragging his backpack on one hand as he made his slow, miserably wet way upstairs. Jeff knew that he was probably making all sorts of marks all over the carpets that covered most of the floor space in their home to prevent any excessive clip-clopping sounds from the hoofed family members. Jeff's heart raced, and it wasn't the shock of the cold in his system doing it, but this new development in the slowly unfolding drama of Jeffrey Jenner and Brand Rockford, which was now entering a new chapter. Jeff's tail flicked eagerly side to side when he reached his room and put his backpack down before he went into the bathroom. It was the most logical place to get his clothes off, since the tiled floor wouldn't mind some drippy water over it.

Jeff tried to keep his head from wandering into all sorts of weird and fantastic ideas when he took off his shirt and his T-shirt and then proceeded to remove his jeans, all the time with his tail flicking more and more rapidly. He wasn't so sure what to think about it, or even how it'd feel like to go down those stairs and face Brand again, and hear what he might have to say. The thought made him feel very nervous, even though Brand had been pretty nice so far, he 'd also been okay enough they last saw each other, and ended up in a shouting match that had left Jeff's chin hurting. He'd also cried for the second time in as many days in front of the very same cool pony, a memory that haunted Jeff almost as much as the rest of it. Gay or not, he didn't want to be a drama queen, a wimp, or appear camp and not in control of his obviously girly emotions. Jeff just wanted to be Jeff, and that happened to include liking butts and especially Brand's butt, and that had caused him enough problems for him to want to do anything to do with it.

Jeff slipped out of his boxers that were relatively dry, but still seemed to warrant a change along with the rest of his wardrobe. He stood there on the bathroom carpet, fully naked down, and caught a sight of himself from the mirror, and nickered, softly. He really was so ordinary compared to the tall and handsome and buff Brand...

Jeff shook his head and picked his towel from the nearby hook and began to energetically dry himself off. It helped to warm his skin up a bit, too, and he didn't feel too cold as he went over his head furs, knowing that they'd look a mess, but at least they wouldn't flop over his eyes and make him look like an emo. His thoughts were as busy as his hands were, engaged in excited wonderings about what Brand had in mind. Jeff didn't want this to end in tears again, nor another several weeks' bout of brooding, so at least he could plan in advance, just a little, and help them both out like that. He'd spent the past too weeks moping, sure, so he was pretty sure he had some perspective to it now, all that had taken place before, and what they were feeling. He definitely wasn't going to rub anything to Brand's face, the way he'd gone on doing it before, but he'd listen to him, and maybe, if Brand seemed to be open enough to talk, ask him about his feelings and thoughts and whatever that might be in his mind.

Jeff put the towel back to its hanging place once he was happy enough that he wasn't going to drip over everything in his path, took one more deep breath in the funky bathroom that smelled of a wet pony, and then went over to his room. He opened his wardrobe and quickly chose on some new boxers, a t-shirt and some pants, to make himself presentable enough, and again checked himself out, this time from the small mirror glued to the inner side of the wardrobe door. His ears were perky enough, he smiled a little for that, but his head furs were spiked and ruffled, not too emo, but still, definitely not the neatest they could be. Jeff considered giving them a quick combing, but he didn't really want to make Brand wait any longer...the pony might have too much time to think about this all, and come to have second thoughts and flee from the scene, and they'd be back to square one. Jeff definitely wanted any progress that was possible to happen right now, and not at some later occasion that might happen who knows when.

"Right," Jeff huffed to himself, aloud, "brave pony..."

He gave his head furs one more cursory tug before he walked over to his door, opened it, and stepped into the world of Brand.

Jeff only had the time to take a couple of steps before he smelled something in the air, unexpected, that made his nostrils flare as he took in a deep breath and sampled it further.

His ears flicked in surprise when he realized what the familiar scent was, and why it was now so out of place. Jeff hurried along the landing and then down the stairs, and stopped only once he reached the end and was now in direct line of sight with the kitchen that was manned by none other than Brand. The pony stood by the stove, one hand resting on the handle of mom's red saucepan, while his other hand was busy stirring the steaming liquid in the pan. Two green mugs and saucers were already placed over the kitchen island. The smell of hot chocolate rising from the pan was unmistakable and almost made Jeff's maw water, when he carefully made his way over to the kitchen and its busy occupant. Brand only barely spared an eye for the on-looking pony, and even then to wave a hand at him.

"Give me that oven mitten, would you?"

"Sure," Jeff kicked himself mentally in the butt for freezing again, walked over to the kitchen and picked up the striped oven mitten hanging off a hook attached to the wall next to the knife stand. The young pony handed it over to Brand's outstretched hand, and then watched how the big pony put the mitten on and then grabbed the saucepan again.

"Stand back a bit, this is hot," he spoke, all business.

Jeff took a couple of steps back and watched how Brand brought the steaming pan over the few feet of floor in a broad circle, holding it away from himself to make sure of not accidentally getting it all over himself or Jeff, when he walked over to the kitchen island and began to pour the hot drink into the awaiting mugs. The scent got even stronger now, and Jeff watched in awe as Brand performed the act of moving the cocoa from the pan into the mugs, and then how he went over to the sink and made the pan sizzle by running cold water to it. Jeff watched how Brand's head became briefly engulfed in a cloud of steam, before the pony abandoned the kitchen utensil into the sink and made a quick detour over to the stove to turn off the gas range before he turned to face Jeff now, watching him watch him.

"Mom always makes it when it's cold," the pony snuffled, seemingly half-amused, half-bashful about his sudden kitchen invasion. "It's best when it's really hot, especially with this weather."

Jeff had to remind himself to swallow and to blink before he took a step forward, heading for the kitchen island and his usual spot next to it.

"Uh, yeah, that's what my mom says as well," he commented, eyes agape at the sight of the two pretty mugfuls of hot chocolate steaming over the counter.

Brand sat down on the other side of the island, making that familiar funny sound when his rump sat over thick leather. It made Jeff smile, maybe even against his better judgment, and his own tail flicked happily when he walked over and sat down himself, next to the green mugs that smelled so good.

Brand gave him a small smile, and reached over the kitchen island to drag his own saucer and mug to his own side. Jeff chuckled, briefly, and leaned closer to his own mug, to breathe in the scent and feel the warmth properly without having to risk burning his tongue.

"Go on," Brand spoke, suddenly. "See if it's nice."

Jeff's cheeks felt all too warm even without the hot chocolate steam rising to his face. He gave a quick nod and picked up his mug, carefully, since it was quite full, before he took the suggested sip. The young pony nickered happily and smacked his lips as soon as he had his mug down over the saucer again. The taste was great, not too sweet, and quite strong, since even judging by the color only, Brand had used a double dose of the cocoa powder in it. It warmed him under his breastbone as soon as she swallowed it down, and then it continued its work in his belly, and made his tail flick from side to side, happily. Brand chuckled, throatily, and took a much more measured sip out of his own mug, and licked his lips clean once he was done.

"Guess it's okay?"

"Yeah," Jeff smiled shyly.

"Cool," Brand rumbled.

Jeff felt shy again as he sat there, watching the fellow pony with curiosity. He surely did look as good as he ever did, especially now that he'd taken part in a makeshift wet T-shirt contest that left even less for Jeff's overactive imagination. He also seemed calm enough, which was a good thing...maybe they had a chance.

Jeff took another sip from his mug and wondered whether Brand would like to have some cookies with it as well, or whether that'd be overdoing it a little. There was also the inviting bowl of assorted fruit that was always kept full for snack-hungry growing pony Jeff, by his mom, who'd be always going on about the virtues of antioxidants and vitamin D.

"How was school?"

The question surprised him, almost making Jeff jump off his seat. Then again, almost everything made him jump nowadays, especially when it concerned Brand.

Jeff shrugged.

"Guess it was just normal," he replied, curling one of his hands around the mug. "Some Spanish and chemistry and math and stuff. Just the usual. Mrs. Anderson was boring."

"She only gets worse as you go up," Brand snuffled, his eyes mostly concerted on the swirl of foam on the top of his hot chocolate.

"Yeah, that's what everyone's saying."

"Not surprised, "Brand commented before another sip from his mug.

Jeff mimicked the gesture and got another warm mawful, and quickly rubbed his lips on the back of his hand.

"Do you still hang around with that fox much?" Brand asked.

Jeff's eyes widened with surprise at the question. That had to mean Marcus, he was sure, Brand was speaking about Marcus, one of the three foxes in Jeff's class, and Marcus was the only one who really did hang around with Jeff. Brand must have noticed them talking in the corridor, or maybe in the cafeteria...and he had watched careful enough to think about it, too! Jeff felt an odd sense of pride at being the subject of Brand's curiosity like that, but it was also strange. The cocky pony never really asked him things like that before, because it was not something that tough dudes did to their best friend's little brother. It would have been way too serious.

Jeff flicked his ears before he answered, mostly keeping his eyes in his mug, just like Brand had did before, so that it didn't become too close and personal.

"Yeah, Marcus and I are friends, I guess."

"That's cool," Brand answered.

Well he didn't really sound very jealous at least. Jeff wasn't sure whether he was happy or disappointed over the fact that Brand didn't sound too unhappy about someone else getting to spend a lot of time with him.

"You hang around with Adam a lot?" the answer came out of his muzzle without much thinking, and for a while Jeff dreaded what Brand would say.

The pony did frown, briefly, before he spoke.

"Sure, when he has the time from work."

"Yeah, he works a lot," Jeff replied. "For the car."

"Yeah, I know," Brand noted.

"Yeah."

Jeff wasn't sure if this was going too well, now that Adam had been mentioned. The big brother pony's presence seemed to have descended over their little hot chocolate moment, possibly turning it sour, too, in case Brand was going to start getting the wrong ideas over it.

"And...you're okay, yeah?" Brand spoke again.

Jeff's brow knit at the sudden question. It sounded a bit forced, yeah, and Brand wasn't smiling when he asked it, nor meeting his eyes properly, but it was there, and demanded an answer. Just like Brand in general. He commanded, not asked, not really, not with a please.

"What do you mean?" Jeff asked.

At least he deserved a bit of a clarification on what this was going to be about. If it was about THAT, at least he could have a few seconds of time to prepare after an affirmative answer from Brand, and he would not be as prone to suddenly melt down again, like he had done before.

Brand rubbed his folded arm, across the table, with the knuckles of his opposite hand, held into a loose fist that made the muscles nonetheless bulge out a little.

"Well...about yourself, I guess."

Jeff couldn't believe what he was hearing, coming out of the big pony's muzzle. That was an all too sensitive a question, a clear jab at him and his confirmed homosexuality and all the mess it had gotten him so far. He was starting to feel uneasy in his stomach, both from the question and the looks the pony was giving him, as well as the general weird feeling that was starting to get the hold of him. He was no longer sure how good idea this was to begin with, to let Brand come in...so that he could mess up with Jeff's mind again.

Jeff took a deep breath and held his head up.

"About me being gay?" the word still felt odd in his maw, but Jeff was determined to make this right.

Brand flinched, visible, but did not turn his eyes away.

"Yeah, I guess."

Jeff let the breath he'd been holding pass before he spoke again, his heart jumping against his ribs.

"Why do you ask?" he stated matter-of-factly.

Brand was quiet for some time. It probably felt longer than it really was, but Jeff was really starting to feel nervous when the pony didn't answer immediately, but let him sit there in silence for quite some time before he took a sip out of his hot chocolate and then speak up. Jeff's eyes mostly followed a few milky brown droplets that had gotten stuck to the cute stubble on Brand's chin.

"Guess...uhh...," Brand scratched his head behind his left ear, making it flick in the process. "Guess I've been thinking a lot about what you said. About being lonely and stuff."

Jeff knew that very well, and it made his belly clench almost painfully as he recalled his teary-eyed rant spat accusingly to the older pony's face when they had argued in this very same question, almost three weeks ago. It was a painful memory, mostly because the emotions were so raw, and since he had embarrassed himself so very completely by crying, pointing fingers, and running upstairs like a horror movie heroine about to be slaughtered.

Jeff wanted to ask Brand just why was he suddenly so concerned about it all, but decided not to push his luck too far at this point.

"Guess nothing has changed about whatever I said," he answered and took his escape in his mug, to catch a few seconds without eye contact with Brand, while his own heart hammered with his nerves.

The silence felt like it was stretching forever, until Brand spoke, quietly.

"Guess I...understand."

Jeff chuffed as he raised his head to look at the pony seated in front of him, properly now, ears and all full and proud.

"I'm not sure whether you do, Brand," he said.

Brand's ears flicked back.

"What do you mean?" he replied, terse now.

Jeff knew he was going to regret it, but he had to say it, the words were so clear in his mind now, that he had to get them out before he'd go mad with them.

"I'm not sure if you can say that you understand unless you're willing to tell me that you know what it's like to be..."

His courage waned for just a moment, and there was a small pause, allowing Jeff to breathe out, raggedly, and husk...

"...to be like me, Brand," he added, and felt his ears flop as his cheeks exploded with heat.

Jeff's breaths sizzled out of lungs and made him sound like a broken coffeemaker, as he sat there, feeling embarrassed and nervous and pretty sure that Brand was going to start shouting, arguing, or, even worse, just walking out.

*

Thank you for reading my story. If you have any comments, don't hesitate! Also remember that all votes, faves and watches will help others to find these stories as well.

Cheerio!