Lilian breathed in deeply, letting the crisp, outside air fill his lungs. The songs of birds greeted his ears in the calm silence of the forest. The rays from the sun illuminated the medium sized clearing, the heat warming the drake's scales. He bounced lightly on his heels before closing his eyes to take everything in.

"...Yes, but that does push the total amount over what it needs to be... You think so? I don't want to hear you cry when it doesn't work..." Said Daemon, several yards away from Lillian with a coy smile on her face. " Alright. I'll talk to you again after the experiment is done."

“It’s not polite to talk behind someone’s back.” said the drake with a sigh, opening his eyes.

“That only applies to gossip and bad mouthing, Lili. It has no standing when one is talking about private matters with clientele.”

“Clientele or the voices in your head?”

“Neither, actually.” Daemon walked over and threw herself on the ground before the dragon. “They are going to be helping me in an upcoming...experiment. I really like the initiative their taking, but their calculations are off. A learning curve, I suppose...”

“And who exactly are they, then?” asked the drake, craning his neck to look back at her.

“A private assistant. The only one able to be of use to me in the immediate area really... Why are you so interested in my going ons?”

“It may have been two months, but I know you are going to try and bring Bakmah back. I am still not comfortable with the idea.”

“I will have nothing to do with Bakmah’s coming back. He can do that perfectly on his own. My attention needs to be focused on other matters at the present. I am sorry to disappoint you in that aspect, Lili.”

“How would he….nevermind.” The drake shook his head. “I just need to find something productive to do now. Snuffy has an excuse with taking care of a child, and you have your own agenda. I...have nothing.”

“Oh my. What an existential crisis you have going on! You are in no shape, way or form burdened by some stress inducing problem. Your greatest challenge is what to eat for breakfast in the mornings or which mate to take to bed. Oh, woe is poor Lili! How might he ever survive?” Daemon rolled onto her back and placed a hoof to her forehead.

“Fuck you.” said the drake with a huff, looking away.

“You’re ready to go again? I thought you said you needed rest after last night.”

“...You suck.”

“Quite expertly, I’m told. Wish to find out?”

“Just shut up.” Lilian sighed as he looked around the clearing that surrounded Bakmah’s grave. “Life is by far the most confusing, shittiest thing on the planet.”

“Then you haven’t been to some of the bathrooms I’ve been to. They
would change your perspective on that completely.”

“You never take anything seriously, do you?”

“I try not to. It makes life not worth living if you are too serious all the time...or even some of the time. You’re immortal. Just lay back and have fun.”

“I know I should, but after everything, I find it hard to anymore.” “He looked down at her sadly. “How the fuck do you do it every day?”

“How?” Daemon shrugged. “I just find the things I love and love to do and focus on that. If I get bored with a subject, I usually find something else to focus on. I am only able to do this because the world is ever changing. New things to do are always popping up and I find I enjoy trying out those new things no matter how small they may be. It’s simple really.”

“Not for me, apparently.” Lilian sighed as he plopped himself down, laying himself against Bakmah’s grave. “You, Bakmah, Snuffy, all of you push through life easily, and I struggle to get by. I just don’t get it.”

“Because you’re trying too hard. Stop trying to validate your existence and just exist.” Daemon stretched before sitting up, a stray leaf stuck in her mane. “Life isn’t meant to validate yourself through you. It’s meant for you to validate yourself through others. Or something similar to that.”

The mare sighed. “Just...stop worrying.”

Lilian just sat there. “I don’t know…” He blinked. “Can you...go check on Snuffy? I...want to stay here a little while longer…”

“Nope. Because I do not need to check on Snuffy. What’s going to happen to her? Get lost trying to find the bathroom? See, there is that worrying thing, Lili.”

“Well, um, just go check for me.”

“And now you’re pressing the subject. This means you want me gone for some reason. Why do you want me to leave?”

“I just...want to be alone.”

“Oh?” Daemon got up and walked over to Lilian. With a glow of her horn, she jerked his head over to make them stare eye to eye. “Alright then, Lilian. I WILL see you later. Don’t do anything stupid until then. Privy?”

“Fine.” He pulled his head away, looking down at the ground.

“Ta ta for now then, Lili. Think about what I said.” With a short laugh, the mare disappeared.

“Gah!” Crystal barely dodged the tree that flew past her. “Daemon...just calm down.”

“Calm down?! CALM DOWN?! How am I suppose to calm down? He is nowhere to be found when his children are BEING BORN!”

“Well...” Crystal scratched the back of her head. “You said she was just starting and everything right? Doesn’t that take awhile?”

“That’s not the point! He should be taking care of her right now!” Daemon gritted her teeth as she unearthed another tree, this time throwing it in the direction opposite of Crystal. “That lousy, no good piece of shit! Where is he?!”

“Um...I don’t know, but I do have one question.”

“WHAT?!”

“Who is watching her right now?” The look of dawning realization spreading across Daemon’s rage filled face was quite a treat for Crystal.

“Ihavetogobye!”

“Ah...” Crystal sighed in relief. “She’s gone...but what was she even talking about?”

“Snuffy!” Daemon popped out of the air near the hybrid. “How are you doing? Need anything? Warm towels? Water? Soup?”

Snuffy sighed from in her bubble bath. “Snuffy has told Daemon she is fine. The little ones will not be here for a while. All Snuffy needs right now is to relax...”

“Oh... Okay. I’ll just go somewhere...Find a book to read...or lie down...eat?”

“Snuffy does not like being cross with Daemon, but she must insist, thoroughly, that Daemon leave...now.”

“Alright.” Daemon pinned her ears back as she slowly made her way to the door. She looked back, only to find Snuffy ignoring her, before exiting and closing the door behind. “Well, that didn’t go so good.”

There was a loud thump, followed by a quiet groan coming from Bakmah’s lab. The sound grew into feet sliding across the floor, occasionally something falling and breaking. Finally, there was a solid thud, followed by a curse.

“If he has been hiding in there this whole time...” Daemon growled as she rushed towards Bakmah’s lab, bursting through its doors. “Now listen here, you little dick licker! How dare you keep us waiting this long for...for...” The rest of Daemon’s rant seemed to freeze in her throat as she realized the scene before her.

Bakmah, still coated in the juices from the orb that he crawled out of, struggled to pick himself up off the ground. His claws slid over the juice, making him fall right back down to his position before, causing him to groan in pain.

Daemon slowly relaxed, a smile making its way on her face. “Well then! What wet pussy did you just slide out of, Bakksy?”

"Daemon?" The drake looked up, his eyes a glazed over gray as they caught the light. "Where..." The mare walked softly over to the drake, wrapping her hooves around him.

“Here, you idiot.” Daemon squeezed him tight, not caring how messy she got. “I’ve missed you.”

"I missed you, too." said the drake with a smile, laying his head against her. "Also, where are the lights?"

“You’re blind... I could tell from your eyes. Don’t think that is going to make me change the way I act towards you. You’re still a dick licker for keeping me waiting this long.”

"Not my fault I had to wait for my magic to return fully." said the drake with a pout. His claw glowed red for a brief moment before his eyes slowly returned to their amethyst color. "Well, that will work for now."

“Bakmah...”

"Yes, love?"

“This stuff is really sticky...”

"I know..."

“Snuffy is in the tub and she isn’t coming out anytime soon...”

"I see...and Lilian?"

“The about-to-be-father is nowhere to be found...”

"That is...okay." He shifted. "What now?"

“Getting clean, I would hope.”

"Then finding Lili, yes?"

“Of course. And hopefully before his children are born.” Daemon loosened her grip enough to where she could pull back to look Bakmah in the eye. “I know a small little pond we could take a dip in and not be bothered...except for maybe a mint green unicorn.”

"I would like to see this pond." Bakmah grinned. "And a little extra company would be fine if she doesn't mind."

“I do hope you are using the word see rhetorically.” Daemon giggled. A split second later, they were in the crisp, cool waters of said pond, sitting not ten feet from said mint green unicorn. Said mint green unicorn had an expression of dull surprise locked on her face, the sandwich she was eating falling out of her magical grasp and into the water.

Bakmah let out a yelp as his new body met water. "Holy fuck that's cold!" This only caused Daemon to laugh.

“Oh, toughen up. It isn’t that bad. Or would you rather get out now and not get...thoroughly washed?”

"H-hush. I-it has been two months since I used a body and this one is over a year old."

“All I am hearing is that something needs to be broken in...”

"...just hush and wash me."

“Um...” The once talked about mint green unicorn seemed to have gotten over her initial shock. “I think I should just leave now.” She said as she started moving towards the shore.

“No.”

“Okay.” That one mint green unicorn settled back into her spot in the water.

"You should let her leave if she wants to, Daemon." said Bakmah, looking back at her.

“But she doesn’t want to.” Daemon levitated a globule of water above Bakmah and let it go. “Believe it or not, this little pony could give me a run for my money in lewdness. She can just hide it better. That is why she is here. To relax” Daemon emphasized the word by locating a hind hoof of hers between Bakmah’s legs.

"I'm alive for three minutes and you are already trying to get me in you." said Bakmah with a chuckle. "Less emotional of a homecoming than I expected."

“I think you would be disappointed if greeted you any other way.” The mare nuzzled the dragon. “ And I would like to think that I don’t have to break down into a sobbing little filly so show you how happy I am to have you back.”

"At least you admitted that you missed me." He nuzzled back. "Did Lili have fun being the only male?"

“Heh. I doubt he could have handled me much longer. He is a frail little hatchling at times.” Daemon began moving her hoof up and down against Bakmah’s crotch.

The drake hummed softly. "It is funny how much more gall the younger sibling has, yes?"

“Gall or ignorance. I have yet to figure out.” Daemon laughed as she fell away from the drake, wading into deeper waters. “Now, are you going to come and claim what’s yours. or am I just going to have to have fun all by myself with our little friend here?” Daemon motioned at the all-but-forgotten mint green unicorn.

"I have to work to get laid? When was this a thing?" asked the drake, slowly swimming towards her, only to have the mare skirt away as he got close.

“When you just up and left me all alone for as long as you did. Especially with all that’s going on.” Daemon just smiled softly as she swam around the dragon, making her way back around to the shallows.

"Not my fault my health failed me." said the drake, turning around to head towards her

“I am just hearing excuses~” Daemon chuckled as she pushed the mint green unicorn onto her back and climbed on top of her. “I’m sure you could have found someway to get out of such an ordeal.” Daemon delighted herself in the excited twinkle in the other mare’s eyes as she wrapped their legs together, causing them both to be spread out eagerly for the dragon behind them.

"Trying to break me in or break me?"

“We know the answer to this, Bakksy.” Daemon smiled before pulling the mint green unicorn into a deep kiss, slowly thrusting her hips against the mare and earning a low moan from it.

Bakmah rolled his eyes as he waded towards them. Just as he was nearly there, he dove under the water, circling around them once or twice before surfacing. He rolled his shoulders once or twice before wading towards the edge and climbing out.

“You two have fun now.” He said with a wave of his claw.

“Hey!” Daemon jerked her head up to glare at Bakmah. “If you leave now I will never let you touch me again! I will seek alternative means and make sure you know every moment of it. I won’t touch you either, by the way.”

Bakmah paused for a moment. “Follow me, Daemon. Without your little friend.” With that he kept walking forward.

“Wait here.” Daemon booped her nose against the other unicorn’s before hopping off of her and following Bakmah. “So so, Bakksy. Why so secretive?” Without warning, Bakmah whipped around and captured her in a deep kiss, teleporting them just above their bed. The springs squeaked in protest at the sudden weight that was thrown on it.

Bakmah pulled back with a small pant. “I decided to hog you to myself for this, love.” he said with a grin.

“I do not mind in the least, but be a bit careful next time. You nearly broke the bed. Then what would we have done?” Daemon giggled.

"Fuck each other silly on the remains?"

“I would rather not have splinters and pieces of wood digging into my flank while we made love.”

"Fragile ponies"

“Yes, because the conversion of scales to flesh is applicable in this situation.” Daemon sighed. “So how long are you going to keep me waiting?”

“As long as I feel necessary.”

“Mmm. Why are you being so mean?” Daemon pouted, looking sheepishly at Bakmah. “I know you want it. Don’t you want to give it to me, Bakksy?”

The drake sighed as he nuzzled the mare. “The first thing on my mind after being dead for two months, barely making a seal with a body, is not to fuck you senseless as you imagine. I...I just want to lay here, holding you, acknowledging what I almost lost. Is that so bad?”

Daemon nodded. “I guess not. If that is what you truly want, then it is what I want as well.” Daemon nuzzled Bakmah. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes. Yes I am.” He kissed her brow softly, slowly getting up off her.

"I figured you would be." Daemon rolled off the bed onto her hooves. "I'll get you some food so just lay back and relax." Daemon winked at him before disappearing from the room.

The drake shook his head before laying himself on his back with a groan. He closed his eyes, listening to the sound of his own breathing as he waited.

“Funny how the first thing that happens when you get back is that mare wanting to take from you.”

Bakmah shot upwards, searching around the room for the source of the voice,only to find he was alone in the room. "It is expected." said the drake cautiously.

“Is it? Wouldn’t the first thing a loved one would want is to know that their partner is in full health before selfishly trying to satisfy their own needs?”

"Implying she didn't already know. She is a bit of an odd one in that nature." The drake slowly pushed himself off the bed. "As for selfish needs, I can't exactly blame her considering what she goes through."

“I can see some blame in it, though. Especially seeing as she just sated that need last night, but that is really not my place to talk about. I just thought it was rather rude that she tried to pull you into a threesome not five minutes after your returning and full well knowing you aren’t in perfect health. That seems more lust than love.”

Bakmah stood there for a moment. "Still can't blame her, though." said the drake with a shrug. "She knows I am in as much condition as I usually am in after switching bodies. And I have done similar, if not more, exerting acts with her in that state."

“So you’re saying it’s alright because it’s happened before? I don’t believe it should be. She expects a lot more out of you than you should have to give. And when has she given anything ,other than her body, that you enjoy?”

Bakmah sighed. "I'm going to see if my fiancé has anything made yet."

“Or you could just eat the gems I left on the bed.”

The dragon looked back, finding a pile of rubies sitting on the bed. He blinked before shaking his head. "Mum told me not to eat teleporting gems."

“That is up to you. I figure you’d want something more than the pony food she is making for you.”

"And I am fine with cooked food. I rather prefer it."

“Yes, but there is a difference between cooked food and the grass she is feeding you. Dragons need a lot more than that.”

"Grass isn't bad. I had to survive a month on it alone."

“But you don’t have to survive on it now. Your...fiance should have enough sense to know that you are not a pony. You need meat and gems, not grass and flowers. Don’t you ever wonder why she tries to feed you this kind of stuff when it’s obvious it’s not part of your natural diet?”

"She obviously has a perfectly good reason or she wouldn't do so." He let out a heavy sigh. "Are you just going to insult Daemon? And who are you even?"

“Trust me, it is not my intention to insult Daemon. I just don’t understand why you stay with a pony like her when she doesn’t see you for the dragon you are. And as for my name, it’s Tinder. My parents had an absurd sense of humor when it came to naming their children.”

"I see." The drake shook his head. "Besides, I am not a normal dragon. I am not technically a dragon at all. My diet is malleable."

“You are dragon enough. I just have a sense of...sadness when I see one as great as you get reduce to the station of mere pony. You are so much more than that.”

"I was nothing but a mere ambassador for my father, then a nothing but a mere hermit." He laughed. "You put so much faith in an old dragon."

“You doubt yourself. No doubt because of your father. You can be so much more than what you think you can be. Even much more than your father. But our time for talk is coming to an end. Your fiancee is coming. I will hopefully speak with you more, yes? Until next time, Bakmah.”

"I, um, sure?" The drake blinked before plopping on the bed It wasn’t long after that Daemon popped into the room, carrying two bowls and a plate of sandwiches.

“Here it is, Bakksy!” Daemon trotted over to the bed. “I can easily make more if...” Daemon cocked her head when she saw the rubies on the bed. “Where did those come from?”

"Just...don't ask." said the drake with a sigh.

“Oh, with that kind of answer I can only wonder where you pulled them from.” Daemon giggled as she set the bowls and plate in front of Bakmah. “Hay porridge with some delicious daisy sandwiches!”

"My health isn't failing me THAT bad, Daemon." said the drake with a laugh. "Though thank you for the meal." The drake nodded as he grabbed a spoon and scooped up a bit of porridge.

“You're welcome, and I know your health isn’t that bad. It just sounded like a really good meal right now.”

Bakmah bounced his spoon on the bed a few times. "Daemon, why is it you only feed me pony food?"

“Hmm?” Daemon tilted her head. “I guess I really never put much thought in it. It really doesn’t matter, does it? You can eat it just fine all the same, right?”

"Yes, but I do need dragon food once in awhile."

“I suppose that is true... Would you like me to go out and find you something?” Daemon’s eyes slowly fixated on the rubies on the bed. “And what would you want me to get you?”

Bakmah blinked before looking back at the pile, groaning as he teleported them somewhere far away. "Damn dragoness." he muttered. "No, no I'm fine for now, love."

“You don’t seem fine...” The purple mare scooted up next to the dragon. “Something seems to be bothering you.”

"It's just..." He laid back with a sigh. "I...feel like a piece of meat more than a lover, Daemon."

“What do you mean, Bakksy?”

"The first thing you wanted was a threesome. Not to know if I was okay or anything. And you can't blame heat, because this room reeks of sex."

“I...” Daemon shrunk back a bit. “I just wanted to have some fun with you, Bakksy. I’ve missed you...”

The drake sighed. "I know, Daemon, I know." he said softly. "It's just been so...chaotic."

Daemon crawled up next to the dragon, carefully avoiding the food, and snuggled up against him. "It's fine, Bakksy. The only thing you have to do right now is relax."

"That seems harder than it should be." said the drake with a huff.

"Just relax and eat, Bakksy. If you need anything, I'll take care of it for you."

"I'm...I'm good for now." said the drake with a sigh.

"The same cannot be said for your brother. He has a lot to answer to when he gets back..."

"Why?" asked the drake.

"Because he is off doing Celestia knows what while Snuffy is in labor."

"And when was her first contraction? And how many contractions has she experienced since then?"

"A few hours ago. And she's only had a couple since then." Daemon shifted uneasily against Bakmah. "It makes me worried, how slow it's going. It is probably because she is a mix between reptilian and mammalian species. What if she is actually unable to give birth because of that? She could miscarriage and it'd be all my fault."

"Daemon, it usually takes twelve or more hours of labor before the child is born. It will be awhile."

"But I... I guess you're right. I do know one thing, if your brother misses his children being born, I'm going to cut his tail off."

"Um, ow. We...kinda need those."

"Well, he kinda needs to be here right now."

"Yes, but I doubt he predicted this happening, now did he?"

“Maybe not, but he knew she was close. Dammit all.” Daemon moved to lay across Bakmah. “Everything is happening at once and his absence is just putting all that much more on me.”

Bakmah chuckled as he ran a claw through her hair. “It’ll be fine.”

“Yeah...” Daemon sighed with a smile. “Yes it will.”

The drake let out a yawn. "Anyways, I need PROPER sleep."

“Then sleep, Bakksy. I’ll be here keeping an eye on things.” The mare nuzzled against the dragon’s stomach. “Just sleep for now...”

The dragon purred as he slowly nodded off into sleep.

A certain mint green unicorn sat in the small pond just inside the Everfree.

“The sun is going down.” She said as she sloshed the water around her with a hoof. “She told me to wait, but...” The unicorn looked to the shore. “I’m going to catch a cold if I stay much longer...”