Silver Spoon opened the front door to her home and stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. Walking through the living room, she could see that nothing had really been moved, except now there were a few empty whiskey bottles sitting on the table in front of the couch.

On the couch laid a pillow and blanket with a book on top of them. The book was face down and open, it was one of her mom’s books. A certain book named Death of a Sales Pony, it’s not a bad book, though not something her dad would normally read.

Feeling a little unnerved by the living room’s scene, she continued on into the kitchen, Nothing was out of the ordinary, though the fridge door was cracked open and it’s light gave the room a dull glow. She sighed, closed the fridge door before leaving the room and heading up the stairs.

"Dad?" She asked, cracking his bedroom door open. The room was dark, but no one was inside. "Dammit, where is he?" she whispered to herself beginning to feel worried.

She heard a hammer on steel and her ears perked at the sudden noise. She went into her room, slid her saddlebags off before rushing out the door and down the stairs. She raced through the kitchen and out the back door, pausing outside the door to the blacksmith shop to catch her breath.

She opened the door to see Platinum standing near the ovens, the smallest of which was on. "Dad!" she shouted across the room, not wanting to enter.

When he didn't respond she yelled his name, this got him to turn and look at her. He placed the hammer where it belonged, hanging on some hooks above the anvils. Platinum walked over to the oven and turned it off before making his way over to her. “Silver Spoon, you’re home.”

“I’m home." She turned and started for the back door. "C’mon let’s get some dinner started and talk about this.” He nodded his agreement and followed her inside.

Once inside she opened the fridge to find there wasn’t much to choose from. A carton of milk, some carrots, a single head of cabbage, and an unopened box of cider brews. She pulled the cabbage and carrots out along with the box of brews.

She prepared the carrots and cabbage then turned and walked to the soup pantry. Inside it was overfilled with boxed mixes. Everything was there, cakes, brownies, muffins, strudels, cheesecakes, jello and even pudding and for some odd reason, there was even a case of cat food.

Silver Spoon sighed and looked over to her father, “Do we even have soup in this soup pantry?”

He just shrugged, “What are you going to cook? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cook before.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him, “Believe it or not, I do know how to cook. Mom obviously wasn’t the teacher, but I did learn how to cook. Same as Diamond did.”

“So who taught you?” he asked patiently waiting, his eyes focused on the unopened case of brews.

“Pinkie Pie taught me, that mare knows how to cook more than just cupcakes you know," Silvy said, frustration beginning to peek in her voice as she continued to dig through the pantry. Finally, she closed the door and turned back to her dad. "Well, how does eating out sound?"

"Nah, I'd rather see you cook something. Make some brownies if you want. I know I won't argue." He smirked and leaned on the table watching her.

With a twitch of the ear, she growled, "I saw pancake mix. How's that sound?"

"Pancakes sound good. Got anything to go with it?"

"Salad. I'll make some brownies for after dinner." She whipped around and set about gathering the stuff to make pancakes. A bowl to mix in, a pan to cook in, the milk from the fridge, and the mix from the soup pantry.

As she began to mix the pancake batter, she could hear her dad chuckling. "What? No vanilla extract?"

Silver spoon groaned, setting the bowl on the counter she set out to find the extract in one of the spice racks on the counter.

Her father spoke up, "Nope! Try again, dear."

She sighed, giving the spice rack a strong spin before pushing a chair against the stove and opening the doors above it. "Found it!" she said, as she fished the bottle from its hiding place.

While she mixed in a dash of the vanilla and began cooking, her father broke into the box and had pulled out two brews. Silver looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"For when you've finished," He answered with a chuckle.

"You sure? I don't believe we've ever had a drink together." She dumped two small pancakes onto a plate and put the salad into a bowl before setting the dishes on the table.

"Would you like syrup?" She asked calmly. She flipped her own pancakes and began preparing her own salad, with a pinch of basil and some oregano.

"Silver Spoon... I'm sorry," was all he said.

Silver stopped fiddling with her salad, turned and looked at him again. "Why?"

"For doubting you. I didn't know you could cook. I didn't know how Gem Stone had been treating you, and I didn't know you were a lesbian. It made me realize just how little I know about my own daughter." Platinum took a bite from his pancakes and smiled up at her.

“Don’t worry, we can spend more time together now.” She sat down across from him, “You know, you weren’t always around when I was younger. Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t be closer together now that she’s gone.”

“I suppose you’re right, Silver Spoon,” he smiled and popped the top of the bottle open, letting the cider fizz before he took a drink. He smiled and licked his lips with satisfaction, “Well, I wish I had known what was happening… I shouldn’t have been so oblivious to how horrible of a mother she’s been. I wish you would have said something sooner.”

“Dad, what she did was wrong, what you did was wrong, and what I did was just as bad. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t easy. I mean you’ve been gone for the majority of my life, and she’s ignored my existence for longer than I can remember.” She sighed, opening her own bottle of cider. It fizzled for a moment but she took a drink anyways. “Look, all that’s in the past. I’m pretty much over it now. I’ve learned to live with it. And it’s thanks to those I’ve met… but Dad… I want you to be a part of my life.”

She took a drink and took a bite of her food, her eyes focused on her fathers. His were full of guilt and anguish as he took another drink. “Well, I suppose the first step would be accepting your sexuality, wouldn’t it?”

“Well it doesn’t change who I am, and certainly shouldn’t change the way you see me. I am still your daughter. Does it really matter who I like or what I’m into?”

“Not really. Though I had hoped to have grandchildren one day.”

“Who knows, I’m still young. Let me have my fun and worry about my own future.”

“So now I’m not allowed to worry about my daughter’s future?” he asked with a smirk.

She tilted her head to one side, “I said let me worry about my own future. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t too. Though, I do want you to meet Aura and the rest of my friends. Perhaps you’ll have more confidence in me once you’ve met them. I know Diamond Tiara has been a bad influence over the years, but she’s changed ever since her and Sweetie Belle began dating ab-”

Her dad suddenly choked on his food. “Wait, Diamond Tiara’s also a lesbian?”

“Yes… She always has been, I didn’t know it either though it wasn’t much of a surprised. Anyways, they’ve been together for about three or four months now. I really haven’t spent much time with Tiara lately... She’s been hanging out with Sweetie Belle and her friends.” Silver took a drink and finished off her dinner.

Platinum nodded, "That doesn't really surprise me. You have new friends, it's only expected that you spend time with them rather than your old friend. She's doing the same you know, she isn't trying to ignore you or push you away. She's just busy like you are."

"I know, I'm happy for her and she's happy for me." She calmly stood up and placed her deity dishes on the counter, near the sink.

"Silver, tell me about your friends. Who are they?" He had pushed his plate across the table and had already opened a new bottle.

"Well, there's Aura, Berry Pinch, Rumble, Shady Daze, and Button Mash, and by extension Dinky Do. Who should I tell you about?"

"All of them, I'd like to hear about who you're spending your time with." Platinum smiled softly.

"Well, how about I go get some of them and see if they want to come over here tonight, you'll get a chance to meet them. I'll only bring Shady Daze and Aura, okay?"

"Okay, but later. Silver, did she ever hurt you?" He asked sounding a little uneasy.

"Mom? I mean, Gemstone? No. Just ignored my existence. No harm was done."

“Good. Well, I’ll clean up around here if you want to fetch your friends.” He stood and carried his plate to the sink, turned it on and began cleaning the dishes that had piled up over the past few days.

“Dad? Please keep positive… I feel like I finally have you back, so try not to let it get to you, ‘kay?” Silver Spoon stood and walked out of the room.

Silver knocked on the front door of Button’s home. Shady Daze answered. “Oh, hello Silver Spoon, how’d the talk go?”

“He wants to meet some of my friends, I was hoping to bring you and Aura over, are you available?”

“One sec,” he cocked his head and shouted over his shoulder. “Eh, Mom! I’m goin’ over to Silver Spoon’s place for awhile. Might be back kind of late!” He stepped out the door and began walking.

Silver stood for a moment with a confused look on her face, “Wait you can come and go as you please?”

“I pay rent, so yes, I can come and go as I please. I just have to let her know when I may be out past curfew, or else I may get locked out for a night.”

“Oh, so why do you live with Button Mash?” she asked casually.

“Long story short, Button's mom treats me better." He tilted his head towards her and smirked, "you know. Aura's lucky to have you. You've changed so much in just the last week. You even carry yourself in a different way now."

“Really, and how is that?” Silver asked turning a rosy cheek towards him.

“Well, for starters, you’re not always looking at the ground or slouching.” He laughed. “So how did that conversation go with your dad?”

She looked forward as they walked, “Well, he’s not as depressed as we thought. He’s proud of me and wants to be a part of my life, and so he wants to meet my friends. I figured you and Aura would like to meet him. I know Aura wants to… and I wanted you to meet him too.”

He didn’t respond, allowing a comfortable silence to grip them. Silver glanced over to see him looking up at the sky. “It’s almost time for Celestia to be setting the sun, isn’t it?”

“Nah, we still have another two hours or so.”

“Well, we’re almost to Aura’s place. Hey, Shady… Can I ask you a question?” Silver came to a stop and turned to him.

“You can ask, but I can’t guarantee an answer.” He smiled and winked as he sat down in front of her.

“I think Rumble’s been rubbing off on you,” she laughed.

“How so?"

"For starters, you're being a smart ass. Anyways, I was going to ask you... What do you think of Aura? You've probably known her longer than I have."

He paused to think. "Well, I know she's honest and strong willed. She comes from a good home and she's a good student. Though she does get a bit wild when she drinks." He chuckled. "I remember this once at a party over at Berry Pinches she almost got dragged into a threesome with Berry and Rumble. I'm glad I was there to stop it."

Her eyes went wide with surprise. "Really? Wow, I'm glad you stopped that from happening too."

"It was the first time I met her, rumble had and I have only known the two for a month or two, but you know Rumble. Quick and to the point." He stood and continued in the direction they had been heading.

Silver stood and laughed before walking down a side road. "Aura's place is this way."

He spun on his hooves and followed her without a word. When they reached Aura's place Shady sat down near the steps while Silver went up and tapped a hoof on the door.

Silver heard someone bump a table and something glass break, a female voice cursed before shouting, “Sorry!” A moment later the door burst open and Aura dived out at her gripping her tight around the neck.

Silver lost her balance and stumbled backward a few steps before wrapping her hooves around Aura’s neck. “Aura! What’s gotten into you?”

“I expected it was you!” Aura answered loosening her grip. “How did things with your dad go? I assume everything went alright.”

“Of course, it did,” said Shady Daze from where he sat.

Aura glanced pasted Silver who twisted around to look at him over her own shoulder. “Oh yeah, Shady’s here by the way,” said Silver as she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Hey, Shady!” Aura stood and walked down the stairs, “And to what do I owe the honor?”

“Oh don’t worry about it, Silver Spoon did, after all, stopped by my place first. I feel somewhat special now.” He stood and dipped his head respectfully.

“Oh, shut up.” Silver followed Aura down the stairs. She walked passed them and winked to Aura. “Come with me now, ladies.”

Aura chuckled, but Shady just gave a sarcastic laugh but both of them followed her anyways. “So where we going?” Aura asked as the two of them took each side of Silver Spoon.

Silver Spoon smiled, “Well, my father wants to meet you.”

Aura paused in her tracks for a moment. Shook her head clear and galloped to catch up to them. “Wait, we’re going to your house?”

“Yeah, why are you surprised?”

“Well, because I’ve never actually seen where you live… and meeting your dad wasn’t something I really expected to be doing today.” Aura laughed. “I hope he’s doing alright after all that’s happened lately.”

“He’s doing better, and so am I. So Aura, Shady tells me you had a threesome with Rumble and Pinch, how’d that go?” She glanced over to see Shady’s eyes go wide but he smiled.

Aura sputtered again before catching up again. “Wait, how’d you even know that? Wait! Did Shady tell you?” She looked at Shady with fire in her eyes before looking back to Silver. “I swear, nothing happened!”

“Nothing happened? So why the blush?” Silver Spoon said as she winked and smiled.

Aura’s ears fell back and she squinted at Silver. She looked towards the sky, watching the clouds pass. “Well okay, so Pinch was telling about a colt she had met and partied with, well we ended up going to her house to find that she had apparently invited him and his friend to her place to party. She didn’t tell me that. She was trying to hook up with him and hook me up with Shady here.”

Shady laughed, “Really? Was she trying to set us up? Rumble was pretty sure he’d get a threesome. He almost did too.”

Silver let them around a corner, “So what did happen?”

Aura blushed, “Well, By the time the action started, I was long drunk… I barely remember now. I just remember waking up on the couch in Pinch’s living room.”

“Perhaps I can clear up some of the night then,” offered Shady.

Aura looked at the ground, “Sure, I guess…”

“Well, you’ll be happy to know that nothing too intense happened. You made out with Rumble and Berry Pinch, but for the most part, the three of you more or less cuddled the entire night.” Shady explained before looking away.

Aura quickly switched sides, so she was standing on the other side of Shady, “What? You’re leaving something out, aren’t you?”

“Maybe, though, do you really want to know?” He said with a small smile.

“Yes! For Celestia’s Sake, it’s in the past, what’s done is done, so just tell me, what did I do that night we met?”

“Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He laughed and moved so Silver Spoon was in the middle again. “So, after a while of cuddling and teasing each other without anyone actually being too sexual; Rumble smirked at me and made his move. I went ahead and stayed just to make sure he didn’t go too far, with either of you, I didn’t and still don’t want to be that awesome gay uncle I know I’m destined to be-”

Aura’s tail flicked with frustration. “Just get to the point!”

“Ironically, you were the one who got to the point, That is, you blew Rumble.” Him and Silver Spoon began laughing uncontrollably.

Aura turned red and laid her ears back in embarrassment. “Does Rumble know?”

“No, he doesn’t.” answered Shady.

“Good, let’s keep it that way, that stays between us. Okay?”

Silver turned to Aura slowed their walking pace. “Sure, but don’t let it get to you, okay hun?”

Aura sighed, “I’ll try not too.”

Silver Spoon smiled and lightly kissed her lips. “Good. We’re almost to my house. Come on guys.” She turned and continued down another path with her friends in tow. Silver guided them up to her front door and slowly opened it, the living room lights were on, reflecting off the hallway mirror. “Looks like my dad’s been doing some cleaning,” she noted noticing that the floors were still damp from a mop.

“Silver Spoon? Is that you?” She heard her father's voice ask from somewhere in the house. Shortly afterward, he came trotting into the small hall wearing an apron.

Silver Spoon immediately began laughing. Her father looked at her with confusion, “What’re you laughin’ at?”

“You! You look so silly!” Aura and Shady had also started chuckling but tried to hide out of respect.

Platinum rolled his eyes and went back to the kitchen, “I was just making some muffins, or trying to at least.”

The three of them followed him into the kitchen, which looked nearly spotless except for the bowls, utensils, and cutting board sitting on the counter near the stove. The box of cider brews was where she had left it on the table. Silver reached into the box and drew out one cider, her dad had only had two while she was gone and one of them sat on the counter in front of him. “Drink up, loosen up, and have fun! It’ll be dinner time here before too long.”

Aura glanced at the clock hanging next to the fridge, "It's only five."

Shady laughed, "I could use one of those." He reached across the table and pulled one out.

"Whelp, now I feel left out," Aura said as she reached into the box and withdrew a brew. Cracking the bottle open, Aura took a drink and looked at Silver Spoon.

Silver gulped her drink quickly and hopped up out of her chair, she hurried around to stand near her dad. "Dad, these are my friends; Aura and Shady Daze."

Her father spun around and looked at the two of them. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Silver's spoken of you two fondly."

Aura looked at him with a smile, "Good to meet you, sir. I'm Aura, your daughters mare friend."

Silver looked at her dad looking for a reaction. Her dad nodded and looked at Shady Daze. "You must be Shady Daze."

Aura looked at her and shrugged before taking a drink of her brew. Shady nodded, "What kind of muffins are you making?"

"They're vanilla with chocolate chips, would you like to taste the better before I pour them?" Platinum offered and stepped to the side.

Shady stood and walked over. "These are going to be delicious, Mr. Spoon," he said as he continued to lick the batter from the wooden spoon.

Platinum laughed and began pouring the batter into the two pans he had prepared. "I'm glad I don't need that spoon anymore."

Aura and Silver Spoon shared a laugh watching Shady lick the spoon in a rather seductive manner.

Platinum turned around just in time to see Shady lick the last of the batter off. "You can keep that spoon."

Platinum put the muffin pans into the oven and took a seat at the table. Grabbing a fresh brew he looked at the Aura and then to Silver Spoon. "So how'd you girls meet?"

"Well, we just ran into each other and decided to go to lunch," answered Aura.

Seeing a spark of thought on her dad's face, Silver decided to clarify for him. "Yes, we literally ran into each other."

Aura laughed and so did Platinum. “Hey Silver, didn't you get comics from Button Mash the other day?"

"Oh yeah! C'mon Aura, they're upstairs." Silver Spoon stood up and headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs, Aura closes behind her. As the pair got to her room, Silver Spoon hurried over to her bags and opened one of them when she felt a hoof touch her shoulder. She paused and looked up, just as her eyes met Aura's she felt a set of lips press against hers.

Silver kissed her back, enjoying the feeling of Aura's warm soft lips pressed against her own. Her eyes closed and she felt Aura's hoof wrap around her neck, pulling Silver closer to her. Silver Spoon felt her legs go a little weak under her crouched body so she rolled off them and laid on her side, her front hoof holding her up.

The kiss broke and they smiled at each other. Aura kissed Silver's nose before jumping onto the bed and pulling the blankets over her. "Your blankets are so warm!" she exclaimed as her head poked out from under them.

Silver Spoon smiled up at her before climbing into the bed next to her. Silver laid her head on the pillow and felt Aura pull at her side. Silver complied and moved closer to her, wrapping her hooves around Aura's neck.

Their lips met again for a brief moment before Aura broke it and pressed her forehead against Silvers. "I'm so glad to see you smile. It's an adorable smile and I want you to always wear it."

Silver smiled at her and with a giggle she replied, "only if you can smile too because yours is truly fitting and it's one of the things I love most about you, Aura. So keep smiling and so will I."

Aura pressed her hoof against Silver's heart. "As long as I'm here, that shouldn't be too hard."

"Don't worry, you are and always will be," Silver whispered, raising her chin so Aura could lay her head down on her chest.

Silver felt Aura rub her cheek against her chest. She smiled and wrapped her hooves around Aura’s back and neck, stroking her mane slowly. “I can hear your heartbeat, it’s so slow... so calming,” said Aura before quietly yawning.

“Silver Spoon! Aura! Muffin’s are done!” came a shout from somewhere in the house.

Aura groaned and slowly sat up, “I don’t wanna…”

Silver Spoon leaned up, wrapped a hoof around her neck and kissed her deeply. After a moment, she broke the kiss and rolled out of the bed. “C’mon, it smells like they managed to burn those things.” Aura whimpered for a moment before she rolled out of the bed and followed Silver Spoon into the hall and down the stairs.

They were met by Shady. “Silver, your dad kinda burnt his hoof and the muffins.”

Silver Spoon sighed and continued into the kitchen to find her father running cold water over his hoof. “How bad is it?” she asked him quietly approaching him for a better look.

“Not bad actually, Just stings a little, I’ll be fine. I don’t know how I managed to burn the muffins, though, I thought I had hit the muffin button.”

“Wait, your stove actually has a muffin button?” asked Aura taking her seat at the table and looking at the pile of burnt muffins.

“Yes, it also has a cake button and brownie button, why?" Platinum sat down at the table and picked one of the burnt muffins up. He bit it but couldn't even leave a dent in its blackened exterior. He then threw the baked good at the wall, leaving the wall cracked.

"Great. You’ve weaponized muffins," Silver Spoon stated sarcastically.

Aura laughed but Shady touched the older stallions shoulder, "It's fine, Mr. Spoon. Weaponized baked goods are the best in home defense. Just scatter these bad boys around the house and no one will dare to break in.”

Platinum's ears fell back as he turned to look at the clock. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for bed. You going out, Silver?"

"Yep! Gotta go find Berry Pinch and Rumble, you know, to make sure they haven't gotten into trouble." Silver watched as her dad stood and began cleaning the mess he'd made. She stood and led her friends outside. “Where’d Berry Pinch be right now?” she asked turning to Aura for answers.

Shady Daze shrugged and also turned to Aura who smiled, “I think I know where she’s at. Let’s try the Horses Mouth. C’mon.” Aura smiled before taking off down a street leaving Silver and Shady to gallop after her.

They sped down the street, dodging ponies and carts as they made their way towards the bar. Aura finally slowed down to catch her breath. Silver stopped and panted while Shady just casually slowed down and took a seat on the ground.

“Hey, Silver Spoon!” a voice echoed from somewhere behind them. Silver turned to see Diamond Tiara trotting up to them. “Silver Spoon! I’ve been trying to find you all day! Do you realize how much you run around now? It’s hard to find you when you’re constantly on the move.” Diamond Tiara sat down seeming a little out of breath.

“Sorry, Tiara. Hey, you busy? We’re trying to find Rumble and Berry Pinch. We think they might be at the Horses Mouth.”

"Well, I have nothing to do, I just got done walking Sweetie Belle home, so my night’s open." Diamond smiled sweetly. "So how's Platinum doing?"

Aura stood up and arched her back as she stretched her hind legs. "Well, he managed to weaponize muffins, oh and Sir Queer over here managed to make him laugh and offered to be his new cooking buddy.”

Shady jumped to his hooves, “Hey! I didn’t offer to be his cooking buddy! I told him I could get him an amazing recipe from Button’s mom, nothing else.” He paused for a second, touching his chin in thought. “Though, it’d be nice to have a cooking buddy, seeing as both you and Silver Spoon are handicapped when it comes to cooking.”

Silver Spoon just shook her head, “Anyways, Diamond, would you like to come with us then? We’re probably going to go to Berry Pinch’s and have a little party.” She paused looking back at Aura and Shady, “I’d like it if you came with us. You’ll get to meet my friends and me and you will actually get a chance to talk.”

Diamond tilted her head, “So much has changed...” she looked as if she were ready to cry, her head drooped as she looked at the ground. As Silver stepped forward Diamond looked up at her smiling and tears rolling down her cheeks. Diamond pulled her into a tight hug.

Silver hugged her in return, “Is that a yes?”

Diamond let her friend go and nodded, wiping her eyes dry on the back of her hoof. Shady Daze leaned towards Aura, “So… which one of you is dating Silver Spoon?”

Aura laughed, “I am, those two are practically sisters. There’s a difference.”

“So... can we go find Rumble now?” Shady asked, raising his voice a little so Silver Spoon would her him.

Silver turned and nodded, “Diamonds going to come with us for the night, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Aura chirped as she spun on her hooves and started towards the bar again.

The other three followed her. Shady had somehow ended up in between Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. “Well, this is a position I never thought I’d find myself in. Between the two beautiful bullies.”

Silver Spoon laughed, “Too bad you’re gay because you are quite handsome.”

Diamond’s ears drooped, but as soon as Shady noticed he bumped his rump off her flank, “Lighten up, I was only joking, when was the last time a colt stood between Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?”

Diamond looked insulted for a moment before she began to giggle, “I suppose you’re right, Shady.”

Aura stopped, “We’re here!” she said in a sing-song voice as she spun to face them. “Place is looking pretty bus-”

The sound of the bar’s door being thrown open had cut her off. Outcomes multiple stallions carrying a certain pegasus they all knew. The pegasus was thrown to the ground and one of the larger stallions spat on the ground, "Don't come back until you've learned some manners!"

Diamond leaned towards Shady and whispered, "Is that Rumble?"

"Yup."