I remember it.



———



“Flam?” Remember this picture? remember it.———“Flam?”

The two unicorns sat upon the hardwood floor, each using the other’s back to keep themselves propped up.

“Yes, Flim?”

“Did you think fatherhood was going to be like this?”

Flam glanced down at the red foal in his hooves.

“Not entirely,” he answered, shrugging. “I imagined a wife, for instance. Frankly, I didn’t think you would be involved at all. I didn’t imagine so much uncertainty around which foal is actually mine, or who their mother is... some uncertainty, but not this much. I didn’t think—”

“Yes, I get it,” Flim interrupted, slumping further onto his brother’s shoulders. He looked down at the blue foal he held. Smiling in his sleep, the tiny unicorn looked absolutely peaceful. Almost as if it hadn’t been screaming for twelve consecutive hours, stopping only minutes ago.

“So, have we come to the conclusion that going to the bar with those mares was the most stupid decision of our lives?” Flim asked, casually.

“I’m still on ‘falling for Gladmane’s tricks’ as the most stupid. At least the time spent with those spa ponies was based on something concrete; hormones.”

“Can’t argue that. Say, do you think it’s too late to drop these two on some wealthy pony’s doorstep?”

“We’re some wealthy ponies, they were dropped on our doorstep.”

“How about if we leave them on a... wealthier pony’s doorstep?”

“Like who?”

“One of the princesses’, for instance—how about Princess Twilight?”

“Well, I hear Princess Twilight has been wanting to raise the children of the old enemies of her best friends,” said Flam, stroking his mustache in pretend thought, “A very peculiar pastime.”

“Flam,” said Flim, looking over his shoulder to meet his brother’s eyes, “Honestly... do you think either of us can actually handle this?”

Flam again looked down at the foal in his arms, his red eyebrows knit in consideration.

“We’ve handled worse,” he replied, eventually, “The incident with the Apples, the other, more dangerous incident with the Apples... What’s a tiny pair of colts compared to what we’ve gone through in the past?”

“There’s more screaming and vomiting in this case than I’ve ever experienced,” said Flim, “And I remember sleeping through the night, in those cases.”

“Well, alright, that’s true,” Flam chuckled, “But I still think we can handle them, together. Besides, I couldn’t give them up now, I’m already too attached.”

“Hmph, sure you are. You’d just feel guilty if we didn’t keep them.”

“You’re not feeling attached?”

“Hardly.” He turned away from the foal clutched to his chest, and closed his eyes. “All I am is exhausted.”

“Well, I can’t help it, they may be loud but they’re sweet. Besides, they actually like me,” Flam nuzzled his snout against the red foal’s, who giggled, grabbing at the older pony’s face playfully.

“H-hey, they like me too!” Flim protested. At that moment, the blue foal in his forelegs gave a loud yawn, stretching out dramatically before curling up into the crook of Flim’s neck. “See?” Flim added, petting the colt’s mane instinctually.

“They do like you,” Flam grinned, “And you’re attached!”



Flim blinked.



”...Alright,” he said with a groan, “I’ve decided we won’t leave them on any doorsteps.”



”Meaning we’re officially dads?”



”Yes, I think we’re officially dads.”





————





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