Author's Notes:

You all just lost it, by the way.

Sorry for the nearly one-month delay. Midterms, Life, and upcoming finals tend to do that. At any rate, welcome one and all to the sixth part of this story. A thing of business to address foremost: this will not be a 'short' story. While this story shan't be 180,000 words, it shan't be where Fred finally takes the skin boat to tuna town and the credits roll either. No no no, this story is going to display an ever evolving relationship, one that can hopefully be relate-able in some ways while also exploring the sexier aspects of experimentation, mild fetishes, etc. etc. Shove politics into the mix and we've got a martini of sexual tension that's definitely been shaken a bit too much. If I had to stick a number to it, I'm going to tentatively say at least 16-20 parts in total. As always, do leave a comment if you feel so inclined as all feedback is appreciated. Enjoy this average-length chapter and I'm off to finish drafting Chapter 30 of Equis. Now, why are you still reading this? There's more exciting things below.

Part VI. Game

“Well, that ends the three week run,” Fredrick thought as Blueblood came completely into the light. As always, he was opulently dressed in a suit that was perfectly tailored to his body, his mane combed neatly and wearing a face that was one of business… a face that Fredrick had to admit that he had never had the pleasure (or displeasure) of seeing, considering he was used to the smug, arrogant, and downright contemptful features that adorned his muzzle. Deep down, something told Fred that this would not be like one of the usual meetings with Blueblood… although in all fairness, ‘meeting’ was a rather grandiose term for ‘unwilling exposure.’

“Fancy meeting you out here. I take it you were the one that ordered me brought here?” Fredrick inferred, wondering where this was all headed.

“Naturally, as I usually am not out at this time of night. However, there are more important things that merit some unusual activities in my daily schedule, this being one of them. Walk with me, Fredrick,” Blueblood beckoned, an odd sense of seriousness lacing his words, absent of the characteristic scorn. Fredrick internally shrugged to himself as he fell into step, feeling grossly underdressed next to the Prince. The two strolled at a comfortable pace into the Castle Labyrinth, a walk that Fredrick had taken many, many times. Blueblood, however, was being unusually quiet. Whenever he entered the rooms he tended to ensure that everypony knew of his presence.

“So… may I ask why I’m here?” Fredrick finally broke the silence as the two continued on through the maze.

“You may hear of me as one who is arrogant and self-serving… narcissistic, spiteful and hostile,” Blueblood began answering, his hands moving as he spoke but he himself did not look over towards Fredrick.

“And am I going to be lead to believe that those words are false?” Fredrick inferred sarcastically. The Prince finally turned towards the human and raised a humored eyebrow.

“Oh by the stars of course they’re true. I was merely using them to help advance the subject at hand,” he replied completely unphased. Fredrick had to resist the urge to laugh at how honest he was being. The two turned a corner in the maze.

Credit where credit is due.

“As I was saying, you may have heard all of these things which are completely true… but often you may hear something which is completely false. I may be self-absorbed, but I’m certainly not blind, nor am I stupid,” Blueblood clarified. Fred took his pause to get a few words in.

“Alright, then where’s this headed?”

“Simply put, you and Aunt Luna are not so subtle with each other. I, as well as many of even simple castle staff are assaulted with the sheer emotions you two radiate towards each other... It’s almost sickening.”

Big deal, it’s common knowledge we’re good friends and care dearly for each other.

“That, and it’s quite easy to deduce that you two have had intimate contact, though I’m not entirely sure how much or how far you have gone. Either way, most out of the ordinary for self-proclaimed ‘best friends,’ would you not agree?” he asked. Now, here’s where things undoubtedly became more interesting. While common knowledge that the two were nigh inseparable, it was certainly not common knowledge that the two had engaged in anything sexual in nature. Perhaps they overlooked the fact that ‘post-coital glow’ was somewhat easy to spot if one was looking for it. He had not been out and about since his little pseudo-romp with the mare of his affections… but Luna had.

“I have no comment on the matter.”

“Oh do not play coy with me, Human,” Blueblood replied humorously, not believing a single word. “It is well known that Her Highness does not delve into the realm of royal consorts nor has she given any potential suitors the time of day. Speaking truthfully, she really only trusts you, Aunt Celestia, and the Council of Military Advisors.”

“I honestly do not see where this is headed. Can she not simply be in a good mood?” Fredrick reasoned, really not wanting to get into this at the moment, let alone with Blueblood.

“Unicorns and Alicorns have a much more noticeable ‘glow’ after intimate activities due to magical ability. It is still subtle, but much more easily noticeable. I happened to be passing through the Lunar Quadrant this evening when Aunt Luna exited her room and quite literally ran into me. Instead of the usual quips or contemptuous sneers she actually apologized, bid me a good night, and gave me a small grin. Most unlike her towards me,” he continued to explain.

“Gee I wonder why,” Fredrick looked to him with incredulity. Though in his head, this explained how he could have any inkling of what was going on without literally stalking his every move. The Prince gave a lopsided grin.

“You’re a sarcastic, cheeky little shit I’ll give you that. I can see why she would be enamored with you,” Blueblood responded to Fred’s quip in decent nature and with a subtle one of his own.

“I still did not have my question answered: where is this headed?” the Human repeated. Blueblood gave a little huff.

“Technically it was a statement, not a question… but I shall humor you. You can deny it all you want but it is completely clear, from a Unicorn completely familiar on this subject, that you two are enamored with each other enough where you two are proceeding with a physical relationship.”

“And? Is this your way of attempting to blackmail me?” Fredrick was becoming irritated, but his words elicited a jaunty laugh from the Prince.

“Do not flatter yourself, Fredrick. I only use information to my advantage when the potentially affected pony has something to offer me. I’m sorry to dash your hopes but there is really nothing of value you could offer me.”

“Then quit beating around the bush and tell me what the point of all of this is!” Fredrick had had enough. Right then, Blueblood decided to stop in his tracks, to which the Human imitated; the two turned towards each other.

“You may think I don’t like you… and you’d be right. However, I’ll have you know I hold much less contempt for you than in the past,” the Prince began explaining once more.

“Whoa I feel special!” Fredrick sarcastically remarked, a quip Blueblood chose to ignore.

“The reason being is that, even though you are a Human, to which I feel you little special over a hairless ape, you have somehow won Aunt Luna’s friendship… and it’s crystal clear that you have won her heart rather quickly. I may be self-serving but she and Aunt Celestia are still family. As such there’s little merit in my objections to what they see in you.”

“...Okay,” Fred spoke with some measure of confusion, urging Blueblood on with his explanation regardless of the less-than-veiled insults thrown at him.

“Of course, the press and general nobility would be in an uproar if you two were to engage in a public relationship… something I am most sure Princess Luna would settle for no less. Politics would serve to make both of your lives miserable.”

“Again, where is this all going?” Fredrick asked for the upteenth time, knowing that there had to be some catch to this talk.

“What I’m trying to say is that I can help… help persuade certain key figures that would cause problems in your vomit-inducing quest for happiness and freedom of being together. It is a game of politics in which I’m proud to say I’m quite fluent in,” he added smugly, tooting his own horn.

“And of course your willful aid in such endeavors would come at a steep price?” Fredrick again inferred somewhat sarcastically. Blueblood rolled his eyes.

“As I said before, there is nothing the likes of you could offer me of value. However, being in the good graces of both Aunt Celestia and Luna in light of recent events and previous… incidences… could only serve to benefit me. The only reason I’m consulting you is because Aunt Luna, despite her jubilant behavior today, harbors little in the way of trust in me. As such, she taking my words seriously would be dubious at best.”

“Implying I trust you, Blueblood?”

“Have you a reason not to?” the Prince cleverly rebutted, right eyebrow raised. On the outside and initially, that sounded like, hands down, the stupidest question that Fredrick could have ever been asked. But as he managed to piece together a rebuttal of his own, it appeared the situation was indeed more complicated than he gave credit for. Aside from snideful and contemptuous looks and comments, Blueblood made absolutely no attempt to swindle him, lead him astray, blackmail him, nor use him as a means to an end in the entire ten months he had been a resident. By technicality, there was absolutely no reason he shouldn’t trust him. As much as he hated to admit it, Fredrick had to concede that Blueblood did indeed make a point of playing a figurative game of Chess with ponies’ lives only if there was something they could offer him. This was corroborated by his limited observations as well as what other (more amicable) nobles, Celestia, and Luna have spoken of.

Summing it all up, Blueblood was a dick…. a complete penis; One of Equestria’s many schlongs that wanted to wave about in circles vying for the most attention in what one could consider a national cock-comparison spanning generations.

Yet there was little reason to distrust him.

“Don’t worry, Fredrick. I can wait,” the Prince crossed his arms, knowing that he had won. After a while of just glaring daggers at him, Fred finally conceded with a sigh.

“Alright, so you want to do this. Where do I come into all of this?” he asked, not really sure of his role in this whole scheme.

“I want you to be a mediator between myself and Aunt Luna and Celestia, at least for right now. Due to the aforementioned ‘incidences’ I am one of the last ponies they would willingly see at present time. Help get me an audience with them, or at least Aunt Luna, and we shall plan from there. I would also need your help in convincing them to let me have free reign on my ability to ‘work’ so to speak,” Blueblood explained, happy that he could get down to business with the human… well, as content as he could be in working with the human he held questionable regard for.

That, and the fact that Fredrick was, as far as he knew, banging his aunt was a somewhat unsettling theme.

“Alright, but may I ask why you’re being somewhat particular about this?” Fredrick asked for clarification. It was late and he was exhausted because of reasons.

“I’ll need a ‘technical’ blessing from them to work. If they bar me from doing certain ‘things and stuff,’ I legally cannot act and all of this will be for naught.”

“Can’t you just be discreet? They don’t necessarily have to know,” Fredrick reasoned, but Blueblood’s gaze turned into one of incredulity.

“Indeed? Then pray tell how will I get in their good graces if they never know what I did?” the Prince rebutted sarcastically with a hint of annoyance. He did have a point there… as odd and inappropriate as the situation sounded, Fredrick was having trouble finding a demarcating line of moral low ground.

“Fair point. But okay, I’ll see what I can do. I wasn’t aware of the entire extent of their irritation at you, but now that I know, I’ll approach the situation with some more appropriate discretion,” Fredrick explicitly agreed to the task. Blueblood gave one of his characteristic grins when something finally went his way.

“Splendid. In that case, there is little more for us to discuss at the moment. When the deed is done, find one of the castle staff or a runner and pen a simple message letting me know of the essential details. They’ll know where to find me, but be discreet with how you proposition them. With Parliament meeting soon, the Castle and its surroundings will be bustling with more Legislature, Senate, and standard Noble activity than normal, and as such, it is best we are not seen with each other,” Blueblood instructed curtly, adjusting his suit-coat a tad. Fredrick nodded in acknowledgement.

“Alright. Expect to hear from me soon, then.”

“I expected no less. Have a splendid evening, Fredrick,” the Prince bade the human goodbye before turning on his heels and walking down a dead-end path of the labyrinth. Once he reached the end, magic instantly enveloped his form and he teleported out, leaving Fredrick to himself, though he knew exactly where he was in the maze.

Fredrick still did not entirely know what to feel about the situation. What Blueblood offered, much unlike him, was a way out of a potential stagnation of Luna’s and Fredrick’s relationship. Essentially, they could have a solid chance at being ‘officially’ together, though he was sure that there would be more to this whole story later on. Nevertheless, he would do as requested and hopefully something good would come out of this whole experience. Regardless, he intended to enjoy every minute he could with this mare.

First things first: it was time to get back to his room.

Fredrick opened his door and dropped all of his clothes where he stood, kicking said door back closed and just wanting to drop into bed. The talk with Blueblood did not take that long… but finding his way out of the damn maze still took a while even if he knew exactly where he was going. At the present moment, he also knew where he was going:

The fuck to sleep.

But of course, in the wonderful land of Equestria, few things go as planned (though not necessarily in a bad way). In the current sense, Fred stopped in his tracks when he found another mass lying in his bed. However, the mare taking up space on his sanctum was far from unwelcome, but even so, the candlelight combined with the moonlight from the outside painted a nice picture: the Lunar Princess was on his bed, arms behind her head and legs crossed. Her eyes were closed but she was not completely asleep, as evident by the gentle bobbing of her muzzle. The reason for that was that her ears were plugged with quite familiar-looking earphones which were connected to a painfully familiar device.

When Fredrick was ripped from his own world and dropped in this one, he still had everything that he had on him at the time, including his cell phone, or his smartphone to be more specific. It was not destroyed in the process and still retained battery life but was, by and large, useless. However, there was one thing of value left on it: his entire music collection. With two simple spells, the phone and earphones were kept safe from decay and destruction while the phone itself was able to have nearly infinite battery life. As Luna’s and Fredrick’s friendship strengthened, he introduced her to his music collection… and to say that she fell in love would be an understatement. While Equestria had wonderful styles of music not dissimilar to Earth, said styles just sounded different, though in a good way. Luna ended up taking to the Human genres of Rock and Metal quite nicely while enjoying the subtle contrasts of Classical and Swing between her species and his. As such, she often ‘requisitioned’ his phone for her own use and he was all too happy to comply.

He had a golden opportunity at the moment and despite just wanting to pass out, he would not let said moment go to waste. He could deal with why she was here (but certainly not unwelcome in any case) after the possible consequences of the actions he was about to perform. Even though he knew that Luna liked her music loud, Fred still felt the need to be cautious with his movements and creep over to the right side of the bed where she lay, a devious smile on his face. Sneaking around the foot of the bed towards her bare hooves, he lifted his hands up and wiggled his fingers. By now, his fingertips were barely an inch away from Luna’s hooves.

Hmmm, could this possibly backfire in any way?

He hesitated for a moment before another thought entered his head:

Lol I’m gonna tickle the shit out of these hooves.

The fact that he actually pronounced ‘lol’ in his head should have been indicative of not thinking properly, but nevertheless he went for it. Right when his fingertips made contact with her hooves and began intensely tickling them.

“AAAAAAHAHA!!!” Luna screamed in a terrified laugh as her legs, by instinct, retracted… however also by reflex, she kicked her legs forward, one of her hooves connecting audibly and squarely with Fredrick’s forehead.

Lights out.

“Fredrick!!” Luna fearfully exclaimed once she finally gained a bearing on her surroundings. She hopped off the bed and went to his prone form where she hunched over him, dreading that she accidentally killed him; alicorns and their earth-pony strength and what not.

“No no no no no… Fred??” she repeated the mantra while cupping his face, his forehead quickly bruising exactly where her hoof made contact. A quick check showed that he was indeed breathing… but regardless, she knocked him the fuck out. Luna sighed audibly in relief and picked him up off the ground, laying him in bed and quickly snuggling next to him. To make news even better though, he began coming to not even a couple of minutes later.

“H-Holy fuck…” he uttered out, Fredrick’s right hand going straight to his head. He hissed out in pain when his palm made contact with the affected area. Once Luna knew he was back in reality, she slapped his chest hard, the effect being him yelping out and doubling over.

“I stand by what I said earlier: you’re an idiot.”

“Hey, you’ve surprise-attacked me in the past. This isn’t any different, but there was a consequence I should’ve considered.” Luna ignored his comment but instead straddled him so she could give him a once over. Fredrick was clearly developing quite the lump on his forehead but that was the least of her worries. She wanted to make sure there was no visible bleeding in his eyes as well as how severe, if any, of a concussion he had. After a couple of minutes of her checking him out and applying some localized healing magic (with little objection from Fredrick as he got a nice view down her shirt), she finally spoke:

“Well… maybe there is a problem,” she stated seriously, her face forming into one of sternness.

“...What?”

“Indeed. It appears you shall become a unicorn if this lump of yours continues to get larger. I’m sorry, but it is terminal,” Luna joked, pursing her lips and stifling her giggling fit that threatened to spill over. Fredrick only wore a deadpanned expression and that was all it took to incite Luna’s full-blown laughter. While she was distracted, however, is when he struck.

Fredrick’s left hand went straight to her neck and tickled relentlessly, Luna recoiling with a shriek of laughter and attempting to squeeze his hand between her jaw and shoulder.

“NO NO!!! HAHAHA!”

And so it began… the greatest tickle war of our time. Fredrick forced Luna off of him and attempted to pin her to the bed by tickling her neck and using his right hand to tickle her sides. She squirmed and writhed involuntarily as she squealed and guffawed under his hands’ torture techniques.

“You will break, alicorn!” Fredrick proclaimed with a ‘powerful’ and exaggerated voice (praise be to soundproofing), continuing his onslaught but switching the roles of both of his hands. He straddled her two legs but Luna countered in kind, reaching for his neck and his equally ticklish sides.

“Nay, THOU!”

And just like that, their positions were once again switched after they rolled over each other, fighting for dominance and laughing the entire way through. However, it did not end there! After surviving Luna’s relentless counterassault to which he was subjected for nearly two minutes, Fredrick went all out and wrapped his arms around her torso, quickly pinning her to the bed in a surprise bout of strength. He pinned both of her legs to the bed with is own while quickly pinning her arms above her head with his hands. There they stood still for a few moments, catching their breath and letting a few more giggles escape their lips as they stared each other down. Said stare quickly turned from competitive determination to reassuring smiles. The sight of Luna’s pearly whites was never lost upon Fredrick, who eagerly returned the gesture as their heart rates finally calmed down and their eyes never leaving each other’s.

Personally, they did not mind the position they were in, and Luna, clearly submissive in being pinned, lowered her eyelids just a tad as she shot her best friend above her a sultry gaze. Fredrick released her arms and Luna held them out and open, silently beckoning him, to which he immediately obliged by falling into her embrace. Lifting his trunk just a bit, her breasts pressed invitingly against his own chest, he stared down at the unquestionably gorgeous mare below him, and Luna stared back in kind. Her arms were snugly wrapped around his upper back, their faces having closed some distance to barely an inch apart from each other. Luna decided to close the remaining distance and rub her nose against Fred’s, the human eagerly returning the favor but also closing the distance entirely and pressing his lips to hers.

“Mmmmm…” Luna moaned sweetly once she deepened the kiss. Her fingers gently traced lines up and down his back while his hands softly stroked her face. Their lips moved in perfect tandem with each other, working together and separating for only fractions of a second when air was required… the soft, sexy sounding ‘smack’ of said separation driving them both wild for each other. Their kiss continued for who-cared-how-long until Fredrick separated himself and dove for her neck.

“Oooh…” the Lunar Princess cooed, leaning her head to the right and allowing him better access to her sensitive neck, where Fredrick continued to plant gentle kisses, nips, and the occasional lick which would follow a particularly rough nip.

“I was having trouble sleeping tonight, so I came back to find you,” Luna began speaking, eyes closed and fully enjoying the attention her neck was receiving. Fredrick did not cease his actions and her gentle hums of approval urged him onward.

“I’m glad you came back,” he replied, ever so gingerly sinking some of his teeth into her neck, not enough to leave a mark by any means but enough to send a shiver down her spine.

“Hehe… Where were you, if I may ask?” Luna asked, leaning her head left so Fred could tend to the neglected right side of her neck.

“I was called for an impromptu meeting,” he answered, kissing her jawline from her chin down to her collarbone. Luna sighed out blissfully.

“Oh? At this hour?”

“Indeed, and in fact it concerns both of us, as well as Celestia.” Fredrick became just a tad more adventurous and gave her left breast a gentle cupping, aligning his hand with the bra underneath. For Luna, the gesture was surprisingly forward but not unwelcome in the slightest. “Remind me tomorrow to tell you about it, there’s something I want to talk to you and Celestia about, and don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.”

“Mmmm… okay Fredrick,” Luna replied, eyes still closed and a goofy smile etched on her face. Separating momentarily to gaze down upon her, Fredrick was taken aback by how gorgeous she looked under him, and it got him going even more at how much pleasure he was bringing her from just simple little acts. As much as he wanted to slide his hand all over her perfect D-cup tits, down her toned stomach and between her legs, the unexpected expenditure of the last bits of energy he had on the tickle war were starting to take effect on him… both of them actually if Luna’s gleefully tired expression was anything to go by. As the adrenaline reabsorbed back into their bodies, he could think of nothing better than snuggling up to this mare and falling asleep.

As if reading his mind, Luna tightened the hold around his back and pulled him onto her fully before rolling enough where they were laying side by side, like a typical cuddle fest they had become so accustomed to the past few months.

And as such, they were in their usual, favorite positions, with Luna on top, face in his neck, while his right arm was wrapped completely around her, holding her close. With a little bit of magic, Luna put out the candle-light completely, shrouding them in darkness and making for a much more conducive sleeping experience.

“Freddie?” Luna half-whispered.

“Hmmmm?”

There was a pause, as if the alicorn was trying to gather her words, but Fredrick did not need to wait too long.

“You are my best friend…” she muttered, her words dripping with gratitude, respect, and love. But of course, deep down, Fredrick knew what she was trying to say; the real meaning behind those words that had been shared between them many, many times.

I know that tone.

“You’re mine too, Lulu,” Fredrick replied with equal endearment and emotion, using her pet name, to which he could feel her grin.

God this is so sweet and sappy I probably have diabetes.

… and I love it.

The two fell asleep unceremoniously in each other’s usual embrace.