As the teleportation spell spewed me and Ruby out, the first sensation I felt was freefall, as if I’d just fallen from a great height. The new thing I noticed was a flash of bright white, red and green, then I landed on something that winded me and rolled down and it smothered me under it as the pile groaned.

Between Ruby and myself I think I got the better half of the deal, landing on Ruby… God I just imagined if she landed on me! Anyway, I managed to push the coils covering my head off and a pair of hooves took hold of my free leg. A grinning Pinkie Pie greeted me as I moaned from the slightly throbbing pain. Ruby turned her belly scales back down.

“Better move, your wagon is coming.” My eyes widened in realisation and I scrambled free pulling on Ruby with Pinkie and Twilight.

“Come on Ruby, the house is coming.” Ruby groaned but dragged herself over as the air flashed with magic.

I winced then sighed, the wagon got a nice landing, dropping much closer to the ground and just rolling on its wheels before stopping. Though we’d still have been squished.

Whilst Ruby recovered I pulled Pinkie aside and Twilight followed, having checked Ruby’s state. Pinkie grinned at me holding out a box “It came.” She said and I lifted up the lid.

Inside sat a nice golden shiny bracelet like ring, all around a snake twirled as if swimming along it, at the top where the snake stopped, was a single bright red ruby, a much smaller wing ring with the same pattern and gem made an odd set “It’s perfect.” I said closing the lid.

Twilight tugged on my leg “Bolt… I checked the bill you don’t have that many bits!” She said. I just smiled.

“I’ll figure it out.” I promised. Twilight looked at me “It’s alright I promise.” Twilight looked away guiltily.

“I know you’re proud but I can pay for it.” Twilight offered.

I shook my head “I’m not proud and I can pay for it myself, this is for Ruby I want to pay for it myself.” I said.

“She’s already paid for it!” Pinkie cheered hopping around me.

“Wh… What?” I asked lowering my voice as Ruby looked over.

“I saw the bill and didn’t want that shadow hanging over you on such a special day so…”

I cut Twilight off “I’ll just pay you back then, doesn’t matter.”

“I won’t accept your bits, no!” Twilight rammed her hoof into my mouth “Just accept help from your friend’s, Thundercloud. Everything is set, now get up that hill before Rainbow grows impatient.” Twilight said and Pinkie shoved me unceremoniously towards Ruby.

“Hay um… Ruby… Do you… Ugh just follow me.” I said softly and beckoned her on as my tongue began to twist like a pretzel in my mouth.

Ruby followed beside me with a gentle smile, at the top of the hill Pinkie, or one of her friends, had set out a basket and a simple blue blanket to keep the ants off the basket. I opened it, inside sat a various selection of food and cakes and as I glanced up, passing the basket over to sit between Ruby and myself, I could see Rainbow nestled in a set of clouds.

No time like the present.

Dash began to move the clouds slowly towards us, with the sun in position near sunset Ruby would notice the shadow in a minute “So Ruby…” I cleared my throat and she looked at me, attention fixed on me now “A while ago I said I had a surprise… A secret I was keeping from you. In about, forty seconds you’re going to find out what it is.” I said.

“What do you mean in forty seconds?” Ruby asked as her tail shifted, tensing in her eagerness.

I gulped and decided to ignore her, much easier “I had to ask your mum a couple questions… About lamia traditions.” I said giving her a clue “I had to buy something,” I held up the box showing her that it had arrived ahead of us and held it in my lap. Dash’s clouds were almost in place “All this, just to ask you one very big, yet simple question.” I finished.

Ruby waited for me to finish but I remained silent, Dash’s cloud finally covered the low sun and Ruby noticed the shadow. She glanced over in irritation then, as I looked at her, she turned her head back, since the blocked sunlight was such an odd shape.

Ruby stared up as her mind processed the words floating in the sky “Will you marry me?” Hung in the sky above and as Ruby let out a tiny gasp I held out the box.

Ruby looked at me and I shook the box before she accepted it. Ruby opened the box upward and took out the small golden bracelet ring. She looked between it, me and the message and I finally sat up and looked at her head on.

“Well… Will you?” I asked, my throat feeling like a desert.

Ruby nodded, then gave a laugh cough “O-Of course Bolt! I love you.” She managed in a shaky voice.

“I’m glad.” I said as I leaned in for a kiss and Ruby wrapped her hooves around my neck and dragged me down on top of her.

I can still remember the scent of grass and cakes mixing with Ruby’s mane as I fondled it with a hoof, her tail tip curling around my other as she ruffled my fur. The kiss was gentle, nothing lewd like it often was with us, no this time it was just love, simple and plain. It was certainly a highlight that I would remember.

I pulled back, considering I had too since I was squishing Ruby, and a cheer flew up and confetti fell on us in heaps. Ruby laughed, tears streaming in her eyes as she tried to cope, sitting up with my help.

“Thank you.” She managed.

I looked over and almost jumped back as Pinkie rocked on her hooves, face split in a grin “Alright Pinkie, fire away.” I said.

Pinkie cheered and screamed as the sky exploded with… Well I think the list is too long, so I’ll just say everything and I think that would be accurate (I saw a sink, a wardrobe and a trumpet… That was playing itself… I still never figured that out) Pinkie began dancing and cartwheeling around screaming “MARRIAGE PARTY! RUBY SCALES AND BOLTBLOOD THUNDERCLOUD WEDDING PARTY!” I just barely managed to decide that Pinkie was third highest on the list of most excited.

Ruby and I took first hooves and tail down.

When Pinkie calmed down, slightly, I managed to approach Twilight who was hopping on her hooves “Ooo, a lamia wedding, I can’t wait to see what happens.” Twilight noticed Ruby and I approach “Oh, don’t you two worry, I’ll have everything organised for you. First we’ll need to get you suited for the wedding, and we’ll need somepony to unite you officially, oh so much and then of course the honeymoon to plan.”

“Actually, Twilight, just plan the wedding, thank you… Ruby and I have something to do afterwards.” I said “An old tradition, a ‘marking’ if you will.” I said and Ruby smiled knowingly.

“Oh, okay of course, don’t worry it’ll be perfect.” Twilight said trotting away with a shout “SPIKE! GET ME SOME LETTERS AND QUILLS!” The small green and purple dragon almost rolling down after her with a groan.

“Were you going to argue?” Ruby asked.

“It crossed my mind, then something told me that I’d much rather try to stop Pinkie making a cake in a bakery than stop Twilight making a plan.” I said with a chuckle.

Ruby rested her head on my shoulder “Bolt…”

“Yeah?” I asked hugging my ‘fiancé’ close, my face split with a grin of excitement. Fiancé… I like that.

“For weddings you get gifts right, would it be rude to ask for one off you?” I shook my head smiling at Ruby “You promise?” Ruby asked.

“Ruby what is it?” I asked suspicious now.

Ruby swung her hoof forward and backwards staring at it “Why don’t I tell you afterwards, summer is on the way I have time to think about it.” Ruby said with a smile “Trust me and… Um… Can we see about getting Shady Grove built up…? I would like somewhere… Fixed to stay.” I nodded at Ruby’s request.

“Course, how about we get married there?” I asked. Ruby nodded with a wide smile.

“I’d like that.” She said.

Pinkie eventually convinced us, as the moon began to rise, to visit Sugarcube corner. Half the town stopped to speak to us and congratulate us, all ponies of different races and colours and genders blurred passed. Many simply walked up to Ruby and hugged her.

“The joining of tail and wing. Has a nice ring to it as an article, no?” Note asked as he walked up to us.

“Note!” Ruby slid up and hugged him.

“Hay wedding girl, how you doing? Don’t worry, the grey hair starts AFTER the wedding!” Note said with a grin and I shoved him with my wing as he chuckled.

“So did you see Ruby’s home?” I asked.

Note nodded “Oh boy, yes… I saw and experienced ‘everything’ it had to offer.” He proclaimed, then smirked “Everything.” He emphasised scratching a shallow scar along his neck, four slightly dragged lines. Love bites had a new term.

Ruby whistled and I facehoofed “Anyway, I was curious, I’ve heard a few words about some town lamias lived in once in this party. What do you two know about it?” I smiled sheepishly, we, Ruby and I, had spoken about it a lot when ponies asked where we planned to settle and Ruby had gone into detail about it, describing the sandy ground and warm rocks and mountains it was settled into as if she’d lived there herself, it was a story passed down though I was sceptical about its reliability in its truth “Do you plan to move all the lamias there?” Note asked and I noticed his hoof twitch.

“Are you interviewing us?” I asked.

Note trotted backwards “You saw nothing!” He said then popped up behind the table he’d snuck behind “But I’ll find it, and I’m moving there!” He proclaimed and Ruby and I burst into laughter as he stood up and walked off to join the party.

“Some adventure.” I said softly, glancing around the room… Equestria, and its newest allies; lamias. And I’d helped to build that bridge.

Several hours of stuffing our faces with food and drink passed, with a few games for Pinkie’s sake, before Ruby managed to sneak me away “So this is it… Our last adventure.” She said softly.

“I dunno, maybe it was just a first? I mean we still have a long time to put up with each other.” Ruby giggled softly “Thank you… By the way, for saying yes.” I added quietly.

“Why would I ever say no?” Ruby said hugging me “So… What next?” She asked.

“Bed… Then… I think we’ll head to Shady Grove after telling Twilight, I’ll ask her to invite my family. Digi can be my best man.” I said resting my head against hers.

“So he can remind you the whole time what I plan to do afterwards.” Ruby said nuzzling my side with her body.

I blushed “I also want to see if Shady Grove has a chapel… And you know… Choose where the house will be.” I said softly “Hopefully we’ll get the funds to build something up, I’d quite like to see it sorted soon, as a sort of, happy wedding gift.” Ruby cooed at my words.

“Yes, a house where I can fit my tail inside sounds nice. Let’s go there then.” Ruby said.

“Go where?” Pinkie asked “You guys just got here and the wedding will be hosted soon, Twilight already has half the list done, still writing it in there.” I chuckled, hardly knew her yet that seemed like Twilight.

“Pinkie can you do us a favour?” She nodded with a toothy grin “Tell Twilight to look up Shady Grove, the town. Maybe ask Celestia or Luna about it, we’d like the wedding to be there. Our new home, hopefully.” I said.

Pinkie nodded “Okie dokie! And you two have fun heading there, I’ll have a scrummy cake all set for you in no time!”

“And I’ll use the measurements to start on your wedding clothes, save you two time to spend together, though I will still need to catch you for a bit.” Rarity said ducking outside, followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow.

“I can um… Bring my birds… And do a song… If you like…” Fluttershy offered hiding her face in her mane like a veil.

“And I’ll get to do a Rainboom, making this dope fest cool!” Rainbow proclaimed.

“This isn’t about your fancy trick Rainbow!” Rarity groaned “It’s a unification of a mare and stal- Don’t you make faces at me!” I shook my head and chuckled.

“Hay, what’s this I hear about a wedding.” Ruby and I glanced back at the tan orange mare Applejack. She looked dead serious as she shoved her nuzzle up against Ruby’s “Now you be kind to Bolt or I’ll look you up myself!” She threatened.

“Isn’t this a bit backwards… Don’t you threaten me?” I asked.

“Nah, I threaten whoever’s dominant and in control of the relationship.”

…Was I just insulted?

Ruby traded hugs with the five mares, Pinkie promising Ruby to give an extra tight hug like she got to Twilight (She must have annoyed Ruby with her shouting) and with that we bid goodnight.

Ruby glanced at me as we walked “Hold on one moment.” She said and I stopped.

Ruby slid in front of me and I expected her to start her eyes up, instead the upper and thickest part of her tail whipped around my neck, curling over my shoulders and neck then around the front and curling to my back and around my body before tailing on the floor. Ruby pushed up and I grunted as she weighed me down, hanging in front of me. Ruby grinned, folding her hooves behind her back as she began to sway left and right in front of me, her tail making my head jerk about as I followed her movements.

“R-Ruby?” I noticed the stutter in my voice as she grinned, watching the pale moonlight dance off her ivory scales and fire coloured belly scales, her flowing mane and glittering purple eyes. My front legs quivered from the weight and Ruby smirked.

“Start walking Bolt…” She cooed and I nodded, feeling very much like a taxi Pegasus carrying one too many passengers.

Ruby’s tail was heavy and kept squeezing, making me short of break and working the tension so my legs wobbled under me, but still I walked. I couldn’t see anything, Ruby’s tail squished my face into only being able to see her, and my eyes remained fixed on her swaying figure, I was helpless in the sense of navigating this odd ride. I was just glad it was late… This would’ve been a real sight.

Finally, Ruby stopped swaying and turned back, fumbling with the wagon door and opening it, the light bulb inside lit up and in the warm spring air it felt very much like a holiday. With a small wooden house. I managed to convince my body to heave Ruby’s tail up the step into the wagon and was rewarded when Ruby grabbed my neck with her hooves and dragged me down. She laughed and I joined her as best I could as her tail followed me in, pressing against the wall and burying me. The door closed and only my right eye could see, my left hoof hanging out and holding Ruby’s as she made it rock left and right.

It felt nice, laying there in her coils, a sweet perfect moment. Ruby reached under her coils, shifting to allow the movement of her hoof, and I felt her caress my cheek, running her hoof down under my neck like a puppy. She pulled back and her whole tail squeezed and I sighed.

“I love when you make that face…” Ruby whispered, squeezing me again, so I did it again.

“I love… When you cuddle me…” I mumbled softly, my voice muffled in my coil pile.

Ruby glanced up as a coil slowly slipped downward. I felt a weight on my free eye, forcing it to close as Ruby’s tail fell on it “I love you Bolt… I promise always to love you because I know you will… And thank you. I’ve never had anything like this.” Ruby said, squeezing her tail around me so my whole body lifted up slightly before falling back down, every muscle melting.

“Welcome…” I sighed as Ruby’s coil forced my eye shut.

“And I promise… To be gentle.” Ruby cooed.

“What…?” I managed as my mind began to swim.

“Nothing Bolt… Just sleep… Be a good boy and ssssleep.” Ruby hissed quietly and my ear managed a slight twitch before I complied.

The sound of the bed creaking from a heavy weight shifting barely reached me, I knew why but refused to acknowledge it. I couldn’t move, didn’t care. I was ready to wake up yet wanted to sleep…

“Want to be my little puppet.” Want to be Ruby’s pup- Hang on…

“Ruby!” I tried to sound angry but the sound just came out like a tired groan.

The sneaky lamia burst into giggles as she lifted my limp form up “Come on Bolt it’s midmorning now, get up!” She pleaded.

“If I say no will you let me go back to sleep?” I asked “Guess not.” I mumbled as I was rolled off my own bed.

Twilight and Pinkie greeted us as Ruby and I climbed out the wagon, the pair taking turns to hug Ruby goodbye “Tell us what it’s like, I know it’s very old and has likely seen little care but I’m sure the girls and I can whip it up into shape!” Twilight promised.

“Yeah! I mean, Twilight can rework entire festivals for others cities that haven’t existed for thousands of years before, she’s a pro!” Ruby and I shared a look at Pinkie’s statement and Twilight smiled sheepishly.

“I’ll take care of everything, you two head over there, Princess Luna will want to know you’ve arrived soon!” Twilight then paused “Oh right, map… Erm…” Twilight lit her horn and a rather crumpled piece of paper flashed before her “Okay… Right… Ah, here, just follow the markers on the map, easy to find from here!” Twilight stated switching the map over to me.

“Thanks.” I looked down at the map as I took it from her, it marked the start, Ponyville and followed alongside the main train tracks down to Appaloosa, but before it crossed over Ghastly Gorge it turned downward, Southwest skirting around the gorge ending nestled just under the largest mountain in San Palomino Desert, Southwest of Las Pegasus… Least we didn’t have too travel to far for good fun!

I looked up and smiled at Twilight and Pinkie “Thank you… So much, both of you, this means more than you realise.” I said.

“Oh we have an idea, now go, get some distance, we’ll be getting ready to set off after you soon as well!” Twilight promised.

It was kind of sad, leaving Ponyville, it had offered so much and changed quite a big thing in my life… I was going to get married, and the sudden wandering of my mind as we passed the streets into open country again let me think of the future…

Would I become a father someday?

Author's Notes:

There are only two more chapters left, I have actually reached the end just have to proof read them... That realization confuses me and excites me. :) Anyway, as always, enjoy!