Work Text:
The peaceful rhythm of soft breathing was the only sound in the living room where Softlock was napping. The plush couch’s comfort was hypnotic to the Unicorn who seemed to always be itching for a nap. Though, her afternoon snooze was cut short by a frantic Pegasus. Stumblebum tried to shake Softlock awake as carefully as she could, but there was no hiding the sheer panic in her movements.
“Honey, I…. I can't find Golden Brain anywhere!” Tears were welling up in her eyes as Softlock rubbed her eyes into alertness. “She got out again? Well.. I did have Sugar Syntax put a tracker on her for this reason… maybe we could call them up and have them tell us where she is?” Stumblebum frantically nodded as Softlock got up from the couch and stretched a little before using her magic to open her nearby laptop.
She quickly opened the video messaging program and went to Sugar Syntax’s profile to start the call. In no time at all, the call was picked up, and Sugar Syntax popped up on the screen and gave a smile. “Hey guys! What's up?” “Hey Hey, sorry for bothering you, but it seems like Golden Brain has wandered off again and we can't seem to find her. Can you lend a hoof in helping us?” Before she even finished asking, Sugar was already typing away on another monitor Softlock couldn't see. “She got out again, huh?” Sugar Syntax giggled a bit as they continued to type. “Not surprised about that one- Oh!” The typing stopped and Softlock gently rubbed an eye with her hoof. “Hm? Did you find her?” “Yeah she’s… actually in the junkyard down the block from us.” A squeak escaped Stumblebum “She we-went that… that far??” Stumblebum started shivering over the thought so Softlock brought her closer and groomed her cheek to calm her down before Sugar Syntax spoke back up. “Yea, must've been set on what scrap she could salvage. We can go get her though and bring her back safely for you! It’d be much easier since we’re closer.” “That would be amazing, thank you, Sugar.” Softlock smiled at the screen where Sugar Syntax smiled back. “Alright, we’ll be there soon then!” They waved their goodbyes and Sugar ended the call. Stumble was still shaking with worry, so Softlock asked her to lay down on the couch where Softlock snuggled up to her and covered them in a weighted blanket for comfort. Softlock swiftly fell back asleep and due to the weight of the blanket, Stumblebum was quick to follow into a nap.
Time passes quickly before they both woke up to the doorbell ringing. Stumblebum wriggled out from under the blanket and made her way to the door as Softlock sleepily followed. The door opened to Moral Compass gently holding a small Golden Brain in his mouth by the scruff of her neck, Hot Rod and Sugar Syntax beside him. Golden Brain’s fur was covered in soot and there were a few cuts all over her, but she still wriggled in Moral’s grasp, looking for escape. He gently set her down in front of her mothers, and before she could make a break for it, Stumblebum knelt down and wrapped her wing around Golden.
“There you are, we were worried sick, sweetie! Now, what happened to you??” Moral Compass spoke up when it looked like she didn't want to answer for herself. “We found her at the scrapyard like Sugar told us, she seemed to be tinkering with something and it uh…” “Blew up in her face, launching her backwards a bit. Didn't seem to stop her though.” Hot Rod added on, chucking a bit as he seemingly replayed the scene of the filly in his head.
“Golden.. you know you shouldn't run off like that without permission.. you got hurt and we weren't there to help.” Softlock softly scolded, though had no harshness in her tone, not that she ever could have any. Golden Brain pouted in her mother's hold and then looked away in guilt. “I just wanted to make something cool to help mama while she napped..” She buried her face in Stumblebum’s feathers where Stumble nuzzled her for reassurance. It was then when Stumble fully realized the amount of cuts Golden had and she quickly picked her up and rushed to the bathroom in a panic to patch her up.
Softlock turned to the three that helped and she gave them a tired smile. “Thanks for all the help, guys.. Sorry I had to call you so urgently.” “Hey, it's no problem sis!” Sugar Syntax returned the smile. “We know how it can be, so we know how much help is needed sometimes.” Hot Rod stretched his wings a bit and made a grunt from the action. “Speaking of which, we should probably head back now before Shooting Star wakes up.” “Ah! Yes, besides we should leave you two to tend to Golden Brain now that she’s back home.” Moral Compass gave a stern but well meaning nod before they all said their goodbyes. Sugar Syntax gave their sister one last hug before following the other two. Softlock then closed the door and rushed down the hallway to check on Stumble and Golden.
She turned into the bathroom to find Golden in the bathtub covered in bubbles. Instead of her pout from before, she was giggling as Stumblebum carefully washed the little remaining soot from her fur. Softlock knelt down next to Stumblebum and used her magic to grab a nearby towel as Stumble began rinsing out the shampoo. Golden Brain winced when the soap hit her cuts despite trying to appear unphased, both her mothers learned to recognize her hidden emotions. To help soothe her, Softlock leaned forward and groomed her cheek as she softly wrapped the towel around her while the water drained.
Stumblebum got up and grabbed one of her first aid kits and sat back down next to the bundle of towels that Golden Brain resided in. After softlock gently scrubbed the water out of her fur, Stumblebum carefully applied rubbing alcohol to the cuts to try and clean them. This time, Golden couldn't hide her low pain tolerance, and yelped out while struggling in Softlock’s hold. Stumble kept softly apologizing as she quickly finished dabbing on the alcohol. Once that part was over, she set aside the rubbing alcohol and gave a reassuring kiss to Golden’s head while she pulled out the bandages from the first aid kit. She wrapped them around the wounds the best she could, all while Softlock brushed Golden’s mane.
Once Stumblebum was finished, Golden Brain shot up and excitedly tried to make a quick exit, but Softlock gently pulled her back with her magic. “Hey hey, come on now, you need to relax, honey..” Golden Brain sat down and looked to the ground as her silent apology. “I understand you're so driven, dear..” Stumblebum gently tilted her chin up with her hoof. “But you must promise us you’ll be more careful.. We of course want you to continue tinkering, but we need to make sure you're safe..” Golden’s sparkling blue eyes looked back up towards her mother, glancing over at her other mama who was smiling back at her. “You know your uncle Gearhead is happy to provide parts your mommy’s clinic can't provide, you don't have to run off without our permission.” Golden’s eyes lit up at the mention of her uncle. She rapidly nodded her head and couldn't stop her excited giggle. Both mothers looked at each other and smiled as Golden Brain weaved between their legs and nuzzled against them. “Now.. can you promise us you’ll ask before wanting to go someplace?” Stumblebum petted Golden Brain with her wing as Golden nodded again. “Okay! I pwomise! Can I go work now?” She smiled back up with a full smile until her mothers nodded their permission. Golden scampered down the hallway with a giggle, leaving Stumblebum and Softlock cleaning up the mess left in the bathroom. As they picked up everything, Softlock leaned with affection on Stumblebum, both nuzzling into each other's touch. They heard Golden’s noises of excitement from her room, and they basked in the sounds as they relaxed in their setting.