"Tactical glomp incoming!"

I heard a high-pitched yelp from the couch as I jumped over the back of it, tackling the light yellow mare. She had been huddled under a brown blanket before I began Operation Tackle-Hug, and now the warm piece of cloth had been dropped to the floor in a heap. Neither of us paid much attention to it; she was too busy giggling, and I was too busy nomming her ear.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Asylum demanded playfully, squirming a bit in an attempt to get me out from behind her. I went along with it, letting go and hopping to in front of her.

"Because it's fun and makes you make cute noises!" I replied gleefully. I finally noticed that, in addition to the recently-abandoned blanket, she had sought out the warmth of a large purple sweater. I fought off a case of diabetes and hugged her again.

She shivered a bit before reaching down and retrieving the blanket, draping it over the both of us. "Well, if you say so..." She booped me on the nose. "Just keep in mind I can make you make noises too."

I blushed. "What happens in Alterspace stays in Alterspace."

She winked. "In Alterspace, no one can hear you scream."

"There is a difference between a scream and a moan!" I insisted.

"I know, I know..." She sighed and nuzzled me. "Calm down, snow cone...I'm just teasing you."

"Are you ever not?" I grumbled, but returned the nuzzle.

She giggled. "So, did you figure out why the house was so cold?"

I blinked, then realized what she was talking about. "Oh...yeah..." I sighed. "Some asshole threw a rock through our bedroom window...and it had one of those 'Imperium' notes attached to it."

"Oh..." Her ears flattened, and she looked away. "I wish they'd just leave us alone..."

I frowned and hugged her. "They aren't doing anything direct yet. As soon as they do, False will have the Royal Guard on their flanks faster than a cutie mark during a Sonic Rainboom. And if that doesn't work..." I growled lightly.

There was a small whimper, followed by quiet words. "Please...don't be like that..."

I sighed and took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Sorry...I'm just as worried about this as you are. I just show it in a different way..." I sighed again and nuzzled her, noticing she was still turned away. "Is something wrong?"

She turned back to me. Her mane had fallen down in front of her face, obscuring her eyes. I chuckled, lifting my hoof and brushing the mane aside. Her eyes came back into view, looking slightly damp, but contrasted by the small smile she had on her lips.

I smiled as well. "Heh...there you are."

She giggled, leaning in and pecking me on the cheek. As she tried to pull her head back, I grabbed her with a hoof and pulled her back in, this time letting her lips connect with my own. She seemed surprised, but definitely in no rush to pull away. I was in a similar state, happily letting our lips mash against each other.

It wasn't too long of a kiss, nor did it become a complete makeout session; we simultaneously pulled away slowly after what was probably only a few seconds, yet it felt like so much longer. We looked into each others' eyes for a moment before my awkwardness decided to show up and ruin it, making me suddenly feel self-conscious about my blank white eyes and forcing me to look away.

Kind of funny how something you've never thought about more than twice a month before can suddenly become a key factor in completely ruining the moment, huh?

Letting out a small yawn, Asylum decided to shift to a more comfortable position. Said position involved scooting closer to me and laying her head on my lap. Surprised, I looked down at her, staring into those adorable blue pools I had grown to love. She smiled, and I found myself physically incapable of not replicating it.

"Heh...what are you doing?" I asked playfully, booping her nose in the same way she had done to me before.

She let out another one of her melodious giggles. "I don't know." With that, she snuggled in a bit, sighing contently. I chuckled and slowly pet her head, allowing my lap to be used as her personal pillow for a while.

"Meet us outside the time library at five PM."

I recalled the instructions on the letter from the Imperium. I grit my teeth as it flashed through my mind.

Asylum had dozed off on the sofa, and would likely be out for an hour or two. It was four-thirty now.

I grabbed a quill and some paper, scribbling a quick note to explain that I was going out for an indeterminate amount of time, but if I wasn't back the next day, to call the Royal Guard. Placing the note on the coffee table (which, ironically, was never used for coffee) in front of the couch my girlfriend had temporarily claimed as her bed, I trotted towards the door.

Town library. Five PM. I'll be there, Imperium.

Author's Notes:

Thanks to Chaz for helping me with ideas for this chapter. I'm more of an action person than a cuteness person, so he really helped me out here!

Next chapter will end off this bonus chapter arc, but not the Imperium. Not by a long shot. Consider this as just being a little preview as to the Imperium's existence and what they may do in the actual story.