Nocturnes stopped and stared as a solitary changeling strolled into the market district, the strange creature returning the curious stares with a warm smile as it wandered from stall to stall. None of the bat-ponies went out of their way to impede his progress however, while the creature was strange it didn’t seem very threatening so most just looked for a few moments with interest before returning to their daily lives.

At one stall the changeling paused, the young mare behind it spruiking assorted trinkets and baubles that ranged from simple gold bracelets and ear-rings to jewel-encrusted necklaces and clasps that seemed designed to fit on wing tips. The changeling approached the stall with his coin purse jingling with an ample amount, the mare while nervous of the creature always looking out for a future customer. The shop owner, Amethyst Wind waited for a few moments as the creature browsed her wares and seemed to appraise a few items.

“Can I help you with anything?” she calmly inquired as the creature bit its lip in thought.

“Yes actually, I’m kind of looking for an apology gift for a young mare.” Amethyst winced internally; those gifts were always the hardest. She had a duty as a shopkeeper to assist her clients however, the thought of the money she would gain from the sale also encouraging her. The creature was a male going off his voice and would have most likely forgotten an anniversary or date, no doubt incurring the wrath of his marefriend. A couple of questions should provide her with all of the information required to make the sale.

“Well sir,” Amethyst started as she swept a purple wing over the items in front of her, “I have many items that could suit your needs; I do want to ensure that you get just the perfect gift for your special someone. May I ask what she looks like so that we can pick out the perfect item for her?” The customer quickly looked at her, nodding his head.

“She has the exact same coat and mane colour as you; however her mane is a little shorter with a little tuff coming up in the middle.” Amethyst was a little surprised that the customer’s special friend was a Nocturne pony; most Nocturnes didn’t date other species with that even including Equestrians. She wasn’t one to judge however, lacking a coltfriend herself she was hardly in the position to question the love between two strangers.

“I see, may I ask what it was that happened between you?” Amethyst moved in for the kill, her voice turning sympathetic as she gazed sadly at the creature. “Did you forget one tiny anniversary and she just went off at you?” The customer shook his head, his smile dropping for a second.

“Not quite,” he replied as Amethyst leaned in closer, “It’s less of a ‘Sorry of forgetting’ gift and more of a ‘Sorry for ruining your parents’ dinner party by beating the crap out of your sister’s annoying prick of a boyfriend who also happens to be a DJ, an occupation reserved for the very scum of existence that fail at everything else and contribute nothing to society and I’m also sorry for walking out and leaving you behind but I hope you understand that I just need some time to gain control of my recently troubled emotions in regards to our relationship’ problem.”

Amethyst’s jaw had dropped as the customer had calmly recounted his reason for seeking a gift; there was only one thing that could solve such extraordinary and serious problems. After taking a few seconds to recover from the explanation Amethyst pointed a hoof firmly at a silver necklace with a large diamond set in the middle, the changeling whistling at the item.

“That seems like it’s going to be awfully expensive,” he answered, “do you accept Equestrian bits?”

Amethyst nodded, “Yes I do, it will cost you five-hundred bits.”

“Three-hundred,” the Customer countered, “I can see a flaw on the third chain link there.” Amethyst swore silently, she didn’t expect the creature to pick up on that.

“Four hundred, the diamond is one of the best I’ve ever had.”

“Three-fifty,” responded the customer, Amethyst scrunching up her face in thought. She had acquired the necklace for cheap as part of a bulk order from an old supplier, it had only cost her the equivalent of two-hundred bits so she was still one-hundred-and-fifty up on the deal. She also thought of the fact that she would be helping two beings mend their relationship, the thought incredibly pleasant.

“Three Hundred and Fifty, just for you,” Amethyst accepted as the changeling beamed at her and retrieved the funds, the coin purse considerably lighter now that a large amount of its contents had been removed. Amethyst counted the offered money and found that it was two bits over, pushing the change back to the customer with a hoof as she used her wings to box the gift in glittering wrap with a golden bow at the top. Placing the gift in a small white bag provided free of charge she offered it to the creature who took it and placed the canvas strap of the bag around his neck.

“Thanks, it’s getting late so I’ll guess I’ll give it to her in the evening,” he acknowledged, Amethyst waving a hoof at him, “No, thank you sir, I’m sure it will help immensely.” The creature shot her a grin and trotted off, Amethyst watching him leave as he headed towards the city centre as Nocturnes shot him inquisitive glances. The shopkeeper sighed and went back to scanning for potential customers, maybe one day she’d get someone willing to pay hundreds for an apology gift for her.

Hopefully it would just be an apology for forgetting an anniversary and not one for assaulting a member of a dinner party. Amethyst didn’t want that much excitement in her life.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Nigel walked along the bustling street with the shops, Dayclubs and bars all buzzing with activity during the nocturnes’ equivalent of prime-time night life. The area was lit up with lights that hung from the cavern ceiling way up high, Chalmers able to glimpse multiple bat-ponies attending to the lamps as he continued down the street. He didn’t mind the stares and odd looks he received, most of them were filled with curiosity rather than fear and hate unlike in Equestria. Granted, he didn’t make the best first impression but the Equestrians seemed more intent on punishing him for the species he looked like and not his vulgarity and behaviour.

The bag around his neck was hardly a burden, the box within not heavy at all. He had purchased the gift in the hope that it would fix the guilt that was coursing through him at his rash actions. Chalmers was not used to feeling guilty too often; usually his actions could be blamed on orders or the fault of another but this time he had no excuse.

The DJ was a toss, that was a given but to fight him at another person’s house after goading them was poor form. It didn’t help that it was Midnight’s parents’ party that he had ruined and that he had left his friend behind after what must be a very upsetting thing for her to witness. Nigel smiled sadly as spotted a small inn located at the end of the street that he started to head towards, realising that this was the first time for days that Midnight had not been at his side.

He walked through the grey stone doorway into the inn, the reception area warm and inviting with wooden floors and ceiling while the floor was covered in a sea blue rug. No one was at the desk, a small silver bell alongside a sign declaring that there were rooms available for twenty ‘Luninmars’ or ten Equestrian bits a night. After taking a second to examine the surrounding room Nigel gently tapped the bell with a hoof, a soft ding ringing out as hoofsteps sounded from the doorway behind the desk.

A stallion, middle-aged from the looks of it poked his head around the door and gave him an odd look before the pony shook his head. The Nocturne trotted to the desk and gave Nigel a welcoming smile.

“Sorry about that, haven’t seen one of… whatever you are before friend.” The pony’s voice wasn’t harsh or condemning, his tone matching his smile as Nigel nodded.

“I can understand that, no offense taken.” The stallion grinned, the cheery pony’s tail giving a little swish at his new client’s answer.

“Well, that’s a relief! I assume you’re here for a room?” The Innkeeper questioned, his eyes lighting up as ten golden Equestrian bits were produced and placed awkwardly on the counter, the new creature seemingly not used to manipulating things with his mouth.

“Yes thank you, are you busy currently?”

“Not really,” the Innkeeper’s smile sagged a little as he replied, “in fact you are the only one here so far. Running an Inn in an isolated city that gets hardly any outside visitors was not the greatest idea I must admit,” the Nocturne perked back up however with his smile back in force. “The great thing is that I get to meet many interesting characters when they do arrive, such as yourself. The bar is also quite popular so I manage to make ends meet comfortably.”

“That’s good to hear,” Chalmers replied as the Innkeeper nodded. The Stallion collected the coins and replaced them with a key that he had retrieved from a board behind the desk.

“Every bit helps, room eight upstairs. If you feel up to it you should come down to the bar at eleven, that’s when it gets really popular. I’ll give you a free drink on the house.” Free alcohol sounded really good to Nigel right now, the changeling nodding in thanks.
“I might take you up on that, thanks.”

As the stallion gave a final nod Chalmers climbed the stairs carefully, taking care due to his new quadruped method of locomotion. Reaching the top with only a minor stumble Chalmers quickly found the room he was looking for, inserting the key into the lock and opening the door with much difficulty and cursing. He retrieved the copper key and shut the door behind him as he entered the room, a single bed and dresser sitting against the back wall with a window in the middle of the room.

The bed was in the back-right corner and extended halfway into the room alongside the back wall, the foot of the bed almost under the window. The sheets and two pillows were a plain white, a contrast to the brown wooden walls and the midnight blue curtains. A simple dresser was opposite the bed against the left wall, Nigel walking over to it and placing the coin bag and gift inside. A glance out of the window showed that his room overlooked the street, the changeling able to see a good part of the area from his room. Next to the dresser was a plain wooden door that he assumed led to a bathroom.

A simple wall grey clock ticked away, the time reading as nine o’clock. Sighing, Nigel headed for the bed and climbed on it above the covers. He lay staring up at the ceiling, something he had found himself doing quite a lot lately. The ticking of the clock became the only sound in the room; Chalmers feeling like something was missing. This feeling didn’t pass, even as he eventually drifted off to sleep.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

“Excuse me; have you seen a changeling around?”

Midnight was once again met with a head shake from another group of nocturnes, the mare dashing off to the next group as she tried to find any trace of Nigel. So far she had been directed to the main town but that was all, Midnight quickly becoming more frantic as time passed. Nigel didn’t know where anything was and she shuddered at the thought of what would happen if he ran into some ponies who disagreed with him or some of the more violent criminals.

Her wings fluttering almost enough to take flight she ran up to a stall selling snack foods such as fruit and fried morsels, flying through the city streets looked down upon due to the accidents that it caused. She was panting by the time she reached to stall holder, the elderly stallion staring at her worriedly.

“Ex-excuse me sir,” Midnight puffed, “have you seen a changeling recently?” The stall owner rubbed his chin with a hoof before his eyes lit up.

“Changeling? Oh! Do they look like a black insect with holes in the legs?” he answered earning vigorous nodding from Midnight. The stall owner pointed a hoof over towards a stall in the distance, Midnight straining her eyes to identify it as a jewellery stall. “Over there, he was talking to that shop keeper.” Without thanking him Midnight rushed off to the allocated stall, the stallion left behind shaking his head as he muttered something about the impatience of youngsters these days.

The frantic mare galloped to the stall as the mare behind it watched her approach with alarm. Skidding to a halt Midnight took a few breaths as the stall mare looked on confused. Midnight’s golden eyes stared pleadingly at the mare as she danced from hoof-to-hoof impatiently.

“Please miss, have you seen a changeling recently? He’s got a black body, green eyes, a horn and holes in his legs?” The shop keep smiled a Midnight, a nod of her head bringing hope.

“I did, he walked off to the centre of town down that way,” Midnight was just about to run off again before she was stopped by the mare. “Wait! He mentioned that it was getting late, there’s a small inn on Fourth Street that’s one of the only places to stay, give that a try.”

“Thanks!” was all Midnight said before she disappeared back into the crowd. She dodged ponies left and right much to their displeasure as she raced for the inn, knowing which one that the mare meant. The thought of what Nigel was doing at a jewellery stall was passed over her in her haste to find him, Midnight on her last legs as she rushed into the inn’s reception. She banged the bell rapidly with a hoof as her chest heaved with exertion, a beaming stallion appearing from a doorway behind the desk.

“Ah, another customer, you’ll be the secon-“

“No time,” Midnight huffed out, “changeling, where is the changeling!?” Midnight was practically begging the innkeeper at this point, the stallion quickly pointing a hoof towards the staircase.

“Room eight on the-“

The stallion was left mid-sentence as Midnight zoomed up the stairs. The inn keep took a second, wondering just why the mare was in such a rush to find the ‘changeling’ as she had called the nice creature that had booked room eight. Glancing up to the clock he realised that it was nearly rush hour for the bar, the stallion’s thoughts around the strange mare evaporating as he went over the many tasks he had to do to help out the bartender as he vacated the desk, not noticing the loud knocking coming from above him.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Nigel fell off the bed as someone tried to bust down the door, the wood creaking as strong rapid thumps rang out as the assault continued. Unprepared and unarmed, in more than one way the changeling scrambled to his hooves and moved to the door. He waited until there was a lull in the knocks before unlatching the door quickly and opening it, ready to defend himself from attack. This however still did not prepare Chalmers for the grey and purple blur that rushed in and talked him to the floor in a hug, a purple mane filling his vision and his chest became wet as his attacker sobbed into it.

Chalmers guessed who his ‘attacker’ was thanks to the colours and emotional state, the changeling quite surprised that the mare had tracked him down so quickly. He had assumed that she would have stayed home and hated him for what he did, had he’d been underestimating her the entire time?

Sighing he wrapped his forelegs around her, Midnight’s sobs slowing as she tightened her grip. She really needed to tone down this attachment thing, Nigel had assumed that after she was re-united with her family that she would become more confident with herself, apparently he was wrong. The two stayed there for what seemed like hours, Chalmers pinned under the upset mare as the sobs died down to light sniffles.

“I was so worried about you when you left,” Midnight choked out, Nigel surprised that she had been worried about him. “I didn’t know if you were coming back, if you ran into some ponies who don’t like changelings or if you got lost in the ci-“

“Hey hey hey, it’s okay and I’m fine,” Nigel re-assured as he gave Midnight a quick kiss on the forehead, “I can handle myself in a city and all of the ponies I spoke to were very nice, you didn’t need to get so worked up.” The mare began to calm down; finding that her special friend was okay waylaid her most dire fears.

“Why did you leave?” she asked, eliciting a sigh from Chalmers.

“I just needed some time to think about what I did, I acted immaturely in front of your parents and assaulted a fellow guest of theirs which I should have avoided. I took their hospitality and made them suffer for it, I decided to leave for the time being before I did anything else.”

“I understand that Nigel,” Midnight replied softly as she slid over to his side, kicking the door shut with a hind hoof. “I just don’t know why you left me behind.” Nigel winced; this was going to be painful.

“Midnight, we have to talk about your attachment to me.” Midnight’s head shot up, her eyes tearing up again as Nigel quickly moved to stop her from crying again. “No, I’m not breaking up with you so don’t react like that, I just need to sort something out to try and improve our relationship.” This did the trick, Midnight blinking to clear away the moisture as she stared at Nigel awaiting an answer.

“Now I’ve noticed that you are fairly clingy,” Chalmers continued, “I can kind of understand why of course, I just think that sometimes we all need a little space. Can I ask why you feel the need to constantly try to go where I go and follow me around? I just want to try to help you with anything that’s wrong okay?” He removed a foreleg from around her and started to rub her back with it, Midnight gazing at him with sadness before looking down at her own chest.

“I know that one day you’re going to leave and that I probably won’t be able to go with you,” the Nocturne mare said softly, “you mean the most to me out of anyone I’ve ever met and I want to spend as much time as I can with you before you go away forever.” Nigel was speechless, a very uncommon thing for him. When he thought about it her fear of him leaving her behind explained her neediness as well as prompting the thought that it may not be entirely unfounded, who knew when he would be found and called back to duty?

“That’s… a pretty good reason I suppose,” he conceded softly, “so you’re really that scared about me leaving and not coming back?” He was answered with a nod, Midnight hugging him a little tighter as he uttered ‘not coming back’.

“I don’t want you to go,” Midnight responded quietly.

“I can’t make that decision Midnight,” Nigel sighed, “I don’t even know when I’ll be found or what will happen after that. If I do have to leave then you have my promise that I’ll visit you as often as I can. You mean a lot to me as well and I won’t just leave one day without telling you.” Midnight smiled a little as she used her wing tip to wipe away her tears.

“I could always go with you?” she offered hopefully. “I don’t care if you won’t look the same and you could show me everything in space.” Nigel did not want to go down this path right now; Midnight coming with him was not likely to happen. He tried to compromise, even if he only temporally solved her fears.

“I’m sure that would be possible, I’d have to work a lot of things out though and you would be away from your parents for long periods of time. Also I’ll most likely be away for months at a time with no idea of when I’d get back.” Midnight’s smile started to wavier as Nigel listed the problems they would encounter. “Let’s just take things as they come and work it out when it happens. For now I want you to focus on adjusting to me not being around all the time, surely you had some friends before you left for Canterlot?”

“Yeah… I did have a few,” Midnight answered, “why do you ask?” She looked at the changeling curiosity.

“Maybe, and bear with me here okay, maybe once every few days you can visit them or go out into town by yourself for a few hours while I spend some time alone. That way we can still spend time together but we can also have some time to ourselves.”

Midnight bit her lip in thought, staying silent for a few moments before looking at him again. “Do you promise that if you have to go that you’ll talk to me first?”

“As I said before, yes, I promise.” He was rewarded with a happy hum; Nigel relived when the mare dropped the issue and just lay their embracing him. He hated making promises he couldn’t keep, he was many deplorable things but lying to Midnight filled him with guilt. A few minutes passed as they just lay there, not talking but just enjoying the company of the other. Nigel glanced at the clock, the time reading as eleven-twenty-four. Going to the bar seemed like a good idea right about now.

“Come on, the innkeeper said something about a bar, I could use a drink. Want to tag along?” Nigel was met with the expected answer, Midnight nodding her head with a smile. With a groan, Chalmers picked himself off the floor before helping Midnight up to her hooves. He was just about to head to the dresser and retrieve his coin purse but was stopped when Midnight stuck out a purple wing, the mare blushing as the changeling looked at her curiously.

“You, um, might want to clean up a bit first,” she softly said as she pointed at Nigel’s chest, Chalmers looking down to find that a mixture of Midnight’s snot and tears were caked on his chitin. He looked at her with a grin on his face as he gestured towards her chest, bits of the same substance covering some of her fur.

“I’m not the only one that has to clean up,” he chuckled, Midnight joining him in mirth as the tension in the room was broken. Chalmers looked towards the clock as he reined in his laughter, “it’s getting late so we’ll have to be quick, do you want to have the shower first?”
“Well, you see,” Nigel noticed that Midnight’s blush deepened and she had started to rub the back of her foreleg with another.
‘Do not like where this is going,’ the changeling thought as the mare looked him in the eyes.

“I was wondering,” Midnight continued on, “we could solve that problem and save some time if we… took a shower together.” She ducked her head and her voice lowered in volume as she finished, Nigel staring at her as he processed her idea.

Midnight had already informed him during their trip to Nocturnia that even though most ponies wore no clothes except at fancy parties or special events it was considered an embarrassment to be caught in the shower by another pony. Going off this Nigel deduced that what the mare was asking was considered very intimate. He was going to decline but stopped, given what had happened maybe accepting would cheer her up a little bit and help her forget her fear of him leaving.

“If that’s what you want,” he answered after a pause, Midnight looking at him with surprise at his acceptance.

‘Huh, guess that she expected me to say no. Am I really that romantically cold to her?’ he thought as Midnight let out a little cheer under her breath as she made her way to the bathroom. The mare was obviously trying to act calm and collected however the changeling could see her shaking with excitement as her wings fluttered in small bursts.

She checked behind her as she opened the door with a wing to make sure that Nigel was following her, the changeling soon walking up to join her which only increased the mare’s joy. She hurriedly entered the bathroom as Nigel stopped at the threshold, knowing that if he walked into that room he was only going to be digging himself further into Midnight’s life. The sound of water hitting tiles as the shower was turned on splashed out with a steady rhythm, the changeling taking a deep breath as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The two were sharing a corner table down in the lively bar, Nigel nursing a peach cider as Midnight was holding a glass of plain apple juice due to her condition. The fact that she couldn’t drink alcohol was almost overlooked until that last second, the pregnancy forgotten in the middle of the drama between the two.

Midnight was still a little giddy about the two’s shared shower, it was the first really romantic thing that the two had done together. Sure, they had spent most of the time cleaning her mucus off of each other but it still hadn’t spoiled the mood. She was glad that the human-turned-changeling was starting to do more intimate things with her, his reluctance seemed to be fading the more time passed.

She glanced at him again, Nigel already on his third cider which according to him tasted a little bitter which was strange. He had shared his theory that really sugary foods might be the ones that he would have to avoid, not that he needed solid sustenance anyway. That was another thing that was bothering the pair, when changelings fed off ponies apparently the ponies were left feeling drained and tired all the time. She felt the exact opposite, the more time she spent with him the more energetic she was.

As the two sat in a brief lull in conversation a stallion and mare approached their table. Both Midnight and Nigel recognised the innkeeper, however the mare was unknown.

“Mind if we join you?” the Innkeeper asked.

“Don’t see why not.” Nigel answered as he took another drink, his glass nearly empty. Midnight moved from sitting opposite Nigel to beside him, the innkeeper and the mare sitting down opposite them on wooden stools. The Stallion reached a hoof across the table in greeting at Nigel, the changeling taking a second to pick up on the gesture as he placed his hoof against the innkeeper’s. Chalmers was surprised when the two appeared to ‘grip’ and the stallion gave Nigel a hoofshake while nodding at his companion.

“Great to see you decided to come down friend, I’m Nightwish and this is my wife, Willow Wisp. The middle-aged mare smiled at Nigel and Midnight politely, Nightwish raising an expecting eyebrow aas he looked at the two opposite him.

“Pleased to meet you,” Midnight greeted much to the surprise of Chalmers, “I’m Midnight and this is Nigel,” she moved a little closer to the changeling as she said this. If the two innkeepers noticed this then they didn’t show it, the mare scanning Nigel curiously.

“’Nigel’, what a unique sounding name, I assume that you’re from outside Nocturnia?”

“I am,” Nigel replied to the mare, “I’m probably going to stay here a while from the looks of things.” Wisp nodded with a smile on her face, Nightwish waving a grey hoof in the air that summoned a waitress, the young dark-blue pony rushing over to the table as soon as she saw her boss.

“Just the usual for me and Wisp please Morrow,” Nightwish turned to Midnight and Nigel, “what about you two? On the house of course.” Midnight politely declined with a wave of her hoof, barely having started her juice due to being so caught up in her thoughts. Nigel on the other hand quickly finished his drink and slid the glass across to the waitress, the young mare staring at him for a second before a look from Wisp prompted Morrow to pick up the glass with a wing and store it on the tray that rested on her back.

“I’ll just have another cider thanks, surprise me with the flavour,” Nigel ordered, the mare nodding as she looked at her employers.

“I’ll be back right away,” she said nervously, Nigel noticing that many ponies tried to order as she rushed past them on her way to the bar.

“Low on staff?” he questioned as he looked back at Nightwish and Willow, Nightwish scrunching up his face while Willow simply appraised the changeling with a knowing look. Chalmers made a note to be careful with what he said around the mare, Nightwish was kind but seemed rather ditzy while his wife had the mannerisms of a schemer. Nigel wouldn’t be surprised if the mare was the one doing most of the management duties, Wisp apparently catching on that Chalmers was looking for employment.

“I’m afraid so,” Nightwish answered dejected, “not many ponies want to wait tables I’m afraid. Morrow is only doing it because she’s going through medical school and the bartender; Comet works here for a few hours every day during the rush.”

“Why do you ask, are you looking for work?” Wisp chipped in, Nightwish perking up as he imagined what it would be like to have a changeling working for him. He’d be the talk of the town and his business would no doubt soar. He also thought that Nigel was incredibly interesting; he would love to be able to ask the changeling all sorts of different questions about where he came from. Nigel nodded his head, Midnight surprised that the changeling was looking for a job, the mare not expecting him to be so willing to work in a bar.

“I was on the prowl for some part-time work actually,” Chalmers replied, “I was looking for so-“

“You’re hired!” Nightwish exclaimed happily, receiving a light tap in his side courtesy of Willow.

“It’s rude to interrupt Night!” Nightwish appeared sheepish at the reminder, Willow turning to Nigel as Morrow returned with a tray loaded with drinks. Nigel observed that instead of using her wings this time the mare used the crook of her hoof to transfer the full glasses to the table, Chalmers receiving what smelt like pear cider while the two innkeepers held glasses filled with a light brown liquid.

“Please forgive my husband,” Willow continued, “he tends to get fairly excited. I must admit however that I do share his enthusiasm in finding a new potential employee, especially one who could really give the bar a unique exotic factor.” Nigel was impressed that the mare didn’t tip-toe around the fact that his species was seen as a business boon, he had always preferred people being straight with him. The waitress, Morrow, seemed quite shocked at the offer. The young mare almost dropped the tray she was balancing earning her a warning glare from Willow for her reaction.

“I’m certainly considering it, I assume that it would be primarily waiting table and mixing drinks?” Nightwish leaned forward to take charge, grinning as he excitedly pictured the changeling working at his bar.

“I hope you accept!” the excitable stallion gushed, “I’m willing to offer you some very good terms!”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

“They were really nice ponies weren’t they,” Midnight commented as Nigel and her walked into their room, the changeling in good spirits due to a combination of a light alcohol buzz and the prior conversation.

“They gave me a job, of course they are,” Chalmers replied as he closed and locked the door. “Part time work for a few hours every day will definitely make me feel like less of a bludger.” Midnight grinned and hopped onto the bed, it was only made for one but she was sure that they could make it work.

“I’m so happy for you, it’s really great that you got a job with such nice bosses!” she exclaimed as she started to slip under the covers in preparation for slumber.

“It certainly was one of the easiest interviews I’ve ever gone through,” Chalmers responded as he trotted over to the dresser to deposit the coin purse in the draws. He paused as he saw the gift box, now was a good a time as any. He pulled it out with his mouth, Midnight’s eyes lighting up as she saw him bring the box to her. The mare took the box from him and began to unwrap it with her wings as Nigel watched on from the side of the bed.

“I just wanted to apologize properly for what I did back at your parents’ house and for leaving you behind; words aren’t enough so I hope that this shows how much I regret treating you like that.” Midnight finished tearing off the gift wrap and opened the box, the mare staring into it after she had removed the lid. Carefully she removed the glittering silver necklace with her wings, the large diamond set in the middle sparkling as Midnight looked at Nigel with wide eyes.

“Is this a real diamond?” she asked, Nigel nodding in response. Midnight turned back to the necklace and put it over her head, the silver chain complementing her coat nicely as the pendant nested right in the middle of her chest. “I don’t know what to say, this is too much,” she re-focused on the changeling smiling at her positive reaction, “thank you Nigel, this is a really great gift.”

“No problem, I’m glad you like it,” Nigel replied as he got into the small bed, Midnight dropping the empty box on the floor for now as the two found a comfortable position in the cramped space they had to work with. The mare pressed herself against the changeling as they lay together belly-to-belly on their sides, Midnight boldly leaning forward and pressing her mouth against Nigel’s.

Rather than fight it Chalmers leaned into the kiss as Midnight murmured with contentment. Tongues danced and inter-twined as the two beings lost themselves to each other. Midnight’s face soon became covered with a furious blush, Nigel breaking the kiss with a trail of saliva trailing from Midnight’s mouth to his. The mare noticed this and used a wing to wipe it away, her chest heaving as she panted from the love-filled contact.

She briefly considered taking it further than it had already gone; right at this time she felt that her love for the changeling had never been stronger. It didn’t have anything to do with the gift, that fact that Nigel had responded to her advances so eagerly really spurred on her confidence. She knew however that the changeling would most likely decline her suggestion to take things further tonight, Midnight reminding herself that it would only be a matter of time before he was ready for that stage.

She snuggled into him as a compromise, the changeling beaming at her with warmth as he gave her a short kiss before he lay back in the bed with Midnight pressed up against him. The changeling chuckled lightly, Midnight able to feel the movement of his chest as she lay beside him.

“What’s so funny?” she murmured happily, Nigel nuzzling her awkwardly, the action obviously foreign to him.

“Oh, I was just thinking about an old advertisement that seems to perfectly fit this situation.” Nigel paused, Midnight waiting for him to continue as the two prepared for sleep.

“Diamonds do make everything better.”

Author's Notes:

Well, that's another chapter away. I feel the need to apologise for my shoddy romance writing here, still not too confident with it here. I know the fic has started to veer away from the comedy aspect but I aim to remedy that.

Once again thanks for reading and i hoped that you enjoyed it.