At this point in life I was slowly becoming aware of a major flaw in how I had lived life before, namely my belief that my white lies and guarded nature was a boon to myself. But the more of my secrets that I discarded the easier it became for me to show my true face to the world. Of course there would be limits to what I could share depending on the nature of some of my past but a part of me had started yearning for the time where there was nothing else to share. In a sense I suppose you could say that I was looking towards what the future may bring.

It was almost as if time had frozen in that instant. With Celestia’s mischievous little smile, Luna’s slightly humored one and the Rustfeather’s expressions of varying degrees of shock. Part of me had time to wonder if Celestia and Luna perhaps had managed to find out that my guests were unaware of my relationship with Celestia before the silence was breached by a loud exclamation from Gilda.

“WHAT?!” She cried out, seemingly vocalizing the current thoughts of her entire family with that single word.

I couldn’t do more than sigh before attempting to explain myself. “I guess this may seem really weird but yes Celestia and I are currently a thing and yes I had every intention of informing you all but it may have slipped my mind.” I began a bit awkwardly.

“It slipped your mind? Cloud I love you like a brother but this is kind of a big thing to just forget!” Gilda ranted while jabbing an accusatory talon in my direction.

I held up my hands defensively towards Gilda and in my peripheral I saw Celestia’s rather amused look at my predicament. “Sorry, sorry, I know this is on my head but could I ask for a few more minutes of patience before I tell you all about it? I promised Tia a talk when I met with her earlier today.” I pleaded in a somewhat tired voice.

Gilda seemed as if she was about to answer but Ranger spoke first. “That will be fine Cloud, we can unpack what you bought while you do.”

I inclined my head gratefully towards Ranger. “Thank you, it shouldn’t be the longest of talks but it may take a while.” I said as I turned towards Luna. “Luna would you mind giving them some background information of my last time here to speed things up a bit? Just the more major parts?” I asked her.

“That I can do Cloud.” She agreed, before lighting her horn to levitate the groceries I had purchased to towards her.

“Thanks Luna.” I said before turning to my marefriend. “Okay let’s go have the talk I promised you.” I suggested and she responded with a small nod.

So as Luna started to spin my tale with the help of a grand display of some sort of illusion she had conjured I led Celestia to my bedroom, and once both were inside I closed the door just as Luna started to introduce the first time they had come face to face with me. When I turned around I found that Celestia had already positioned herself on my bed and was watching me expectantly. I braced myself for the tale that I was about to tell, for I owed her the full truth and the full truth she was going to get. I just prayed that what I was going to say wouldn’t drive a wedge between the two of us. And so I walked over and sat down beside her, a mere moment of silence was known before I began to retell my latest ‘adventure’.

For about forty minutes straight I talked, putting my focus on what I felt and how I had seemingly lost control over my emotions at times. I told her how I had felt fear and at times sick with myself for how I had acted, and lastly I told her about the rush of feelings and the sadness that had existed at the very end when I thought that I was once more at the ropes. From there I fell silent, just staring out straight ahead for I dared not turn my head to look at Celestia. Then she spoke breaking the silence before it was allowed to reign.

“Cloud, please look at me.” She said softly in the otherwise quiet room.

“Please…” She added just as softly as I reluctantly did not turn my head at first.

But slowly my resolve, or perhaps it was just simple bullheadedness, crumbled and I turned to face her. For a short time I just looked at her as she looked at me, her face betraying next to no emotion. Then she slowly lifted a wing to gently caress my cheek, a small smile forming on her lips.

“I don’t blame you for anything. I know I should probably be angry, that I should feel betrayed and that I should be giving you a cold shoulder, but I don’t want to do that. Too much time has been lost between us already for me to pick every fight possible. I’m not entirely happy with how things played out but if you’re willing to move on then so will I.” She said, continuing to speak in the same soft tone.

“I… I’d like that but I can’t help but think that you’d be justified in being angry with me.” I said, giving her a weak smile.

“Do you want me to be angry with you?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow as her voice gained a somewhat dangerous quality.

“No of course not! I just-” I started but was interrupted by her.

“Then shut up and kiss me you big dolt.” She ordered me.

So doing as I had been told I leaned in kissed her lightly, or it would have been light if Celestia hadn’t pushed back. For a moment I was stunned by her sudden eagerness but instead of breaking the kiss I leaned in further. For a few seconds we played a small game of dominance, before we were forced to break the kiss to breathe. I could still taste a hint of her lips, and her fragrance still lingered as my breath started to recover. My eyes drank in her form, from the slightly ajar crown and blushing cheeks. Somewhere inside I knew that I must look equal amounts disheveled but I didn’t care for I was busy staring at the mare I loved.

I settled down so that I was lying beside her, our respective cheeks still burning a bright red. “You had that planned all along didn’t you?” I asked her.

A small smile still played on her lips. “Maybe…” She said mischievously.

A humored chuckle escaped me. “I really wish we didn’t have a time limit right about now.” I told her with a grin as I lazily traced a finger along the coat on her closest leg.

Celestia released a small sigh before speaking. “I know what you mean, but it’s high time we returned to the others, isn’t it?” She asked and I only responded with nod before slipping off the bed.

“Let’s go back then shall we?” I said, offering Celestia my hand to help her get up from her position on the bed.

Accepting my offered hand she got off the bed and stood beside me, leaning her head against my arm for a few seconds. I took the chance to adjust her crown for her so that we weren’t completely blatant about what our last minute activities had entailed. In return Celestia lit her horn and helped me adjust a few bandages that had slipped out of alignment as well as quick run through my hair.

“Thank you Tia/Cloud.” We said at the same time, inciting a short laugh from the two of us.

“Okay then, shall we rejoin the others my dear Tia?” I said when the laughter died down.

“Yes, let’s go see what my sister has been telling your guests.” She agreed, walking up to the door with me.

So without delaying it further I pushed the door open, just in time to hear Luna describe how Celestia and I had started growing closer after the defeat of Rage. Part of me had time to wonder if she had mentioned anything about the time Celestia had spent on earth with me or if the story had been focused on something else, after all Celestia and I had been in my bedroom for almost an hour so Luna’s story should have come farther than this. But before I had time to delve deeper into that train of thought Stella spotted me and scampered over while spouting questions.

“Cloud! She’s saying that you were a Pegasus, is that true? Does that mean you really are dating princess Celestia? And does that mean that you’re a prince?” She asked in rapid succession.

I blinked at the sudden burst but quickly collected myself as I knelt down in front of Stella, her eyes betraying her excitement. “Well, how should I put this? It is true that I was a Pegasus the first time that I was here and that’s’ because I apparently had a pegasus ancestor long, long back in my family. Also what Luna says about me dating Celestia is true, although we only resumed our relationship quite recently. As for me being a prince that’s a definitive no, I don’t think I’d want to be one even if I was asked.” I told the almost bouncing Stella.

I looked over towards Luna who wore a bemused expression and almost stumbled forward when Stella spoke again. “Okay! So when are you two getting married?” She exclaimed innocently.

I felt my face heat up slightly from the unexpected question as I stumbled over my own words in an attempt to respond. “I- We- We haven’t really-” I tried to formulate.

Celestia decided to take that as her queue to come to my rescue. “We haven’t dated long enough to talk about that yet little one.” She told Stella, her tone taking on a motherly quality.

Stella looked a little disappointed but recovered quickly, something that I noted as I sign that she was recovering steadily. “Aw okay then. But let me tell you that my brother is really nice so you should marry him.” She persisted.

A humored smile split Celestia’s muzzle. “I’ll be sure to remember that.” She promised the young griffin, before winking at me.

A pleased smile made its way across Stella’s features before she ran back over to Gilda and Ranger, hopping up onto the couch between them. Next to address me was Luna, and given the tone she used she hadn’t minded entertaining the Rustfeathers.

“I see that you’ve finished talking with my sister young Cloud.” She started, and going by the way she had stressed the word; talking I had a sneaking suspicion that she knew more than she let on.

Turning to Celestia Luna continued. “I believe that it’s high time we leave for tonight sister as we have another day in Canterlot waiting in the morn.” She urged her sister.

Beside me Celestia spoke up. “As unfortunate as it is what you say is true Luna.” She agreed before turning to me.

“I’ll see you sometime later during the week okay?” She suggested, giving me a last nuzzle as I gave a nod in agreement before she teleported away.

Luna however stayed behind for some reason, fidgeting in place in a manner I didn’t associate with the proud night princess. “Was there something you wanted Luna?” I asked, mostly confused as to why she stayed behind.

“Well, you know what Nightmare night is, yes?” She blurted out.

I arced a confused eyebrow before answering. “I’m relatively familiar with the concept as we humans have a similar tradition, why are you asking though?” I asked her.

“Well let’s just say that I have a small project that I’d like to do during the upcoming Nightmare night celebration in about a month from now but I kind of need your help for it to work.” She explained sheepishly.

A nightmare night plan put together by Luna? It’s not like I have any other plans for that holiday anyway. Flickered in my mind before I gave my reply. “Sure I’ll help, but could you tell me what you are planning?” I agreed.

Relief flooded Luna’s features. “Thank you Cloud I knew I could count on you for this, although I’m afraid that I can’t unveil my full plan to you yet I need to grab my notes back in Canterlot for that. Do you think we could go over it sometime during the week though?” She suggested.

Ignoring how similar it sounded to what Celestia had said to me mere minutes earlier I gave my reply. “That will be fine Luna.”

“Great! Then I will bid you all a good night.” She exclaimed happily before vanishing in a flash much like her sister had done.

I let out a deep sigh as I started to understand that Luna’s frequent visits to my home would seem to continue like before as if my trip to Gryphus had never happened. Collecting myself I turned towards the Rustfeathers and almost sighed again as I saw the expectant faces on my unofficial adoptive family.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose before speaking. “You want to hear the rest of the story that Luna started telling without finishing, right?” I questioned tiredly.

“Um… well, yes.” Gilda answered.

I lowered my hand so that I could look at them once more. “Aight, I’ll tell you the rest of what Luna began but do you mind if I start dinner while I do?” I promised and a low grumble from Gilda’s stomach told me that the suggestion of food was a welcome one too.

With a light chuckle I walked past the griffins and into my kitchen area. “Okay so tell me, did she say anything about the time when Celestia got pulled along to my home?” I asked, thinking that it would be best to start with a quick check which details Luna’s tale had focused on.

“Well yes, she mentioned it but it wasn’t exactly detailed.” Gilda supplied.

“Okay then I’ll start from there and you can interrupt me when I hit territory that Luna has already covered, okay?” I said over my shoulder as I paused for a second in my hunt for the ingredients that Luna and the Rustfeathers had put away.

“Well the events that took place in my home dimension all started with me appearing in my home after a successful teleportation spell…” I began to recount. For the entirety of the food being made and throughout dinner I continued to share how what had started out as infatuation had slowly blossomed into something more. Seeing how I only focused on the parts that had to do with my relationship with Celestia the tale was done quicker than if I would’ve have told them everything. Although a considerable amount of time was consumed by my tale nonetheless and when I finally had them up to date a small silence took the place of my voice until Stella decided to break it.

“So if you’re dating the princess and you’re kinda like my brother does that mean I’m kinda like a princess? I don’t want to be a princess.” She declared, looking at me sternly as she waited for my answer.

I had to hold back a smile before I could answer. “No it doesn’t mean anything like that, you don’t have to worry.” I ensured the smaller griffin.

Stella seemed happy with my answer and the rest of the evening the talks about my relationship with Celestia died down. Instead we talked about what there was to do in Ponyville and of memories from my time at the inn. The evening eventually turned into night and from there it came to an end when Stella started to fall asleep on her chair. Ranger took his younger daughter upstairs as she drowsily asked him where they were going, which left me and Gilda at the table. I allowed myself to study her in the electric light of my ceiling lamps, and if I read her correctly she had something she wanted to get off of her chest. I didn’t have to wait long before Gilda visibly collected herself before speaking.

“I don’t know where to begin Cloud… I have so much to thank you for that I don’t even feel as if I have the right to ask you for anything else at this point, and yet I could tell that there was more to the story you told us about you and the princess. Speaking of which all of a sudden I learn that you’re dating one of the most powerful beings on this planet I don’t rightly know what to say about something like that. I guess what I want to say is my curiosity can’t be sated just like that but I can’t-” She started to almost ramble before I held up a hand to silence her.

“Don’t ever feel like you can’t ask me for something Gil, it doesn’t feel right if you’re stepping on eggshells around me. You want to know the full story of my past here in Equestria huh?” I said, debating with myself if I should tell and if I did how much I should tell her.

Gilda watched me in silence as I pondered what to do. “Aight, fine. I’ll tell you my tale up until the point when I returned here, however before we begin you must promise me two things.” I relented.

“Okay name your conditions.” Gilda said sounding excited.

“First off I want you to keep what I tell you to yourself, my full tale is not exactly public knowledge and I intend to keep most of it like that, except for a select few individuals.” I declared, getting a nod in response.

“Second, I want you to try and integrate with Rainbow’s friends again but this time do it at your own pace. Take note that I’ not asking you to make friends with them I just want you to get along to some degree.” I told her, making her squirm a bit.

“Ah to Tartarus with it all! Okay I’ll try.” She exclaimed.

I stood up from the chair I had been sitting on. “Okay then help clear the table while I put on some coffee. This is going to take some time.” I said, causing the griffin to hop into action.

About fifteen minutes later I found myself seated in my couch, Gilda sitting in a recliner while nursing a cup of coffee.

“Alright, my tale takes its beginning about a month before my initial meeting with Celestia on a dark and stormy autumn evening in my home dimension…” I started my story for what now felt like the hundredth time.

From that night of brief passion and conversation I looked forward to things returning to their normal pace and for the most part it did. Well in some fashion at least, with the Rustfeathers living with me the day to day ambience became quite different.

The first week went by in a flash and although they still hadn’t quite acclimated themselves with life in Ponyville they were welcomed by most ponies. Gilda had taken the promise between us to heart and had steadily tried to build friendly relations with the ponies, but it was clear that she at times struggled with clashing personalities and other times with guilt from her last visit. Stella on the other hand had taken an extreme liking to Ruby, Berry Punch’s daughter. I rarely saw one of them without the other being close by, and at times I had dodge a torrent of questions or elaborate pranks during my working hours at The silver grape. A part of me was terrified for the time when she finally got to meet the crusaders. If just Ruby and Stella were this much a handful I was genuinely afraid of the havoc the five of them could potentially bring. When it came to Ranger though he seemed to mostly enjoy his time in Ponyville and I had a feeling that the fact that his daughters wellbeing played a big role.

Ranger and I still talked a lot of course, but seeing how I was balancing work with random visits from Luna and Celestia with the time I had for my guests our male to male time had suffered a bit. Although speaking of Celestia, much as I had feared rumors started spreading like wildfire the very next day after our ‘volatile’ meeting on the docks. And after the first week had passed the rumors and gossip had gone so out of control that Celestia had been forced to make a statement to keep the rumors somewhat reigned in so that it they understood that it was something between Celestia and me alone. Something that had been sorely when you took the rumors towards the end into consideration as it had been said that I was dating not only Celestia but also Luna and Twilight in some sort polygamous relationship. I believe that the term had been ‘a herd’ and I had only learnt what it truly was when I had gone by Twilight to ask later that day. On a side note Twilight’s reaction had been quite the show, with widening eyes, stammering and finally a massive, embarrassed, blush had come creeping across face. Overall though she had taken most of the rumors with stride seeing how she had been one of the few that knew about my previous relationship with Celestia.

One that hadn’t taken it as well had been Bonbon who had spent the last week avoiding me. Or at least I thought that was what she had been doing as she normally would come find me during working hours to have a chat. But then again it was possible that I was overanalyzing things.

So in short things looked like they were finally calming down and that it was time enjoy life with friends, family and loved ones. Oh and of course work on Luna’s Nightmare night project. That was going to something really entertaining for all of Ponyville’s residents to watch if we managed to pull it off.

Author's Notes:

Well well, chapter 22 is done and I can't help but feel that I'm damn rusty on the romance department. So I guess I'll have to write some more of that stuff to rectify my problem. On another note I have a another project brewing in the background that may or may not see the light of day, most of it hinges on if I can seem to maintain interest long enough to create a proper arc for this project to follow.

But enough of cryptic hints at potential stories I hope that this chapter was to your liking and as always you'll get the working title of the next one, Homebound.