Colby Jack attempts to brush Cheddar’s unkempt mane.
 
I meant to have this part somewhere in the last story, I could have slapped it on the end but it slipped my mind!
 

 
After Ric had left and the boys were done playing, Colby decided it would be for the best to tackle the issue of Cheddar’s matted mane sooner rather than later. He called for the two to go inside, as the sun was starting to go down. Monty gleefully lead Monty into the house, saying, “Come on, Cheddar! I’ll show you around!” Cheddar wasn’t incredibly enthusiastic, but he gave Monty a small smile and followed close behind.
 
Colby Jack gave them some time to let Monty finish giving a tour of the house, but eventually brought them both to the living room. He looked down at Cheddar, who shied away from his gaze. The large stallion leaned down to the colt’s level and smiled warmly. “Hey… I don’t think I learned your name. My name is Colby, what’s yours?” He spoke soft and patiently. He was aware that Cheddar’s first impression of him was probably not fantastic. “I’m sorry I seemed so mean out there… I don’t really… get along with my brother.”
 
Cheddar slowly eased himself into making eye contact with Colby. “I’m Cheddar.” He said briefly, scooting a little behind Monty to hide.
 
Monty nudged Cheddar gently. “Don’t be scared, my dad is really cool!” He whispered, a sincere smile on his face.
 
Colby laid on the floor and extended a friendly hoof in Cheddar’s direction. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cheddar.”
 
Cheddar hesitated, looking from Colby’s hoof, over to Monty for confirmation. The other colt nodded vigorously, urging him forward. He gulped, before stepping forward and putting his hoof on Colby’s. He was shocked as he was gently pulled into a hug. Colby’s hug was warm and soft and comforting.
 
Colby held Cheddar close, half expecting the colt to push him away. His ear twitched as he heard a sniffle. The sniffles turned into small sobs as Cheddar surrendered fully into the hug, burying his face into the stallion’s neck. Colby gently patted his back and cooed softly. “There, there… I know you’re confused and scared, but I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you.”
 
Monty looked at them, tilting his head in confusion. He didn’t know why, but obviously Cheddar was sad, and he wanted to help. He trotted forward and joined in the hug. “I’ve got you, too!” He said.
 
“Cheddar’s gonna be living with us, how’s that sound?” Colby asked, hoping Monty would take it well.
 
Monty stared up at Colby for a few moments. Then, a wide grin spread across his face and he hugged Cheddar harder. “Sounds fun!” He said, genuinely excited to have a new member of the family.
 
Cheddar still cried, but he laughed and sniffled as Monty hugged him. He held onto the hug for a little while longer until he could stop crying, at which point Colby released them both and gently wiped away Cheddar’s tears. The stallion stood up and smiled warmly. “Now,” he started, “would you like me to brush your hair?” The colt nodded quietly, rubbing at one of his eyes. “Alright, I’ll be right back.” Colby said, before standing up and trotting out the room. Sounds of shelves opening and closing could be heard from the living room, and then finally a faint ‘A-ha! There it is!’.
 
Colby came back into the room with a hairbrush in his mouth. “Alright, time to brush your~~” He looked down at the knotted, matted mess of a mane on Cheddar’s head. Oh, dang. He thought to himself. He took a seat behind Cheddar and sorted through his mane carefully, trying to see if it could be salvaged. He cursed under his breath, wondering if his brother had ever even bothered trying to brush this poor kid’s mane. Awkwardly, he leaned to the side and spoke to him. “Hey bud, I think we might have to get you a haircut.”
 
“No!” Cheddar exclaimed, surprising both Colby and Monty. When he realized he had shouted, he scrunched up apologetically. “I mean, no.. please..” He mumbled quietly.
 
Colby blinked at him. “Why not?” he asked patiently, sounding curious.
 
“I.. like my mane long.” Cheddar replied, practically hiding behind his mane as he pulled it down to cover his eyes.
 
Colby smiled sympathetically, and thought for a bit. “Oh, but…” he began, “If you let me cut it short now, it will grow even longer later!”
 
The colt looked back at him in disbelief. He wasn’t sure if he could trust Colby, after all, it wouldn’t be the first time an adult lied to him. He thought about it. “…Do you promise?” He asked cautiously.
 
“I can do better than that.” Colby said, much to Cheddar’s surprise. “I super-double-ultra-mega promise.” He gave a goofy grin, which earned him a laugh.
 
After the laughter subsided, Cheddar nodded in agreement and said, “Okay.”
 
 
Colby called a friend over that night to help cut Cheddar’s mane. He then made a special meal for the two boys as a welcoming gift for Cheddar.  
Cheddar’s mane eventually does grow back long as promised, with Colby’s help and proper care!
 
––––––––––––––~~
 
I tried making Cheddar’s mane look really snarled but I think the best I could do was bedhead levels of mess xD Just imagine it’s real bad okay?