“Oh relax, you look fine.” Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Magic Barrier stood in front of a mirror in the couple’s bedroom; he wore a black tuxedo-top, a white undershirt, and a red tie which was neatly tucked in.

“By the gods, this thing is miserable,” Barrier took a few steps, noting how his movement was restricted. “is there no way to remove the sleeves?”

“It’ll be fine, Barrier, and besides, you want to look good for your date, don’t you?”

Clearing his throat, Barrier spoke with the utmost professionalism. “Buck you, it’s not a date.” It was a half-hearted statement that came out as more of a pout rather than professional, though inside, Barrier found himself genuinely uneasy.

Barrier licked his lips, not really certain why they were dry. He was in a carriage with Octavia, and while she wasn’t particularly dressed up -only wearing her signature pink bow-tie- he still felt underdressed.

As the mare glanced over at him and giggled, he sighed and put a hoof to his face.

“Sorry, sorry, you just look so nervous.” The mare’s melodious giggle filled the air once more.

“I am nervous. I didn’t like parties like this a thousand years ago, and for some reason, I don’t think they’ve changed terribly much.”

“If you don’t like them, then why did you agree to come?” The mare locked eyes with him a slight smirk on her face as he squirmed uncomfortably.

“Couldn’t help it, I really enjoy being around you.” Barrier began, disregarding the slight touch of pink on the mare’s face, his own eyes meeting hers. “And besides,” Barrier got a grin of his own. “if you hadn’t asked me, another mare would have. I mean who could say no to this?” Barrier motioned to himself in the tuxedo top, causing Octavia to look at him as well. While Barrier wasn’t a giant, he was an impressively sized unicorn, what with his longer-than-average horn and the fact that he was notably bulkier than most ponies, while not being grotesquely so; Barrier was toned, handsome, and while he would never state it outside of a joking manner, he knew he cleaned up well.

Turning away with a slightly darker blush, the mare didn’t respond, instead turning to gaze at the castle that was rapidly looming in the distance; Barrier was glad that Octavia was performing; that meant he could get in and get settled before the vast majority of the guests arrived.

“I look forward to seeing you perform.”

The mare didn’t respond right away, instead licking her lips slightly, now with a nervous expression perched on her face.

Barrier inwardly chuckled to himself; he had seen this before. The mare was rather akin to a new guard, fresh out of the academy. She had been confident and capable until the moment she actually arrived, then the nervousness set in.

“Relax, I’ve heard you play. You alone could carry your ensemble through this should it come to it.”

The mare turned to him with a questioning glance.

“You’re nervous.” Barrier continued before the mare could argue the point, “I’ve seen it before, back in the guard. You put on a facade of confidence, but when the actual event rolls around -whether it be a mission or a concert- the gravity of it all hits you.”

The mare turned away silently, unable to really argue the comparison.

“Trust me, you’ll do wonderfully.” Barrier thought back to what Night Light had told him earlier.

“Twilight and all of her friends will be going to the Gala as well. Tell them we said hello, will you?”

Barrier shoved aside the feeling of dread in his stomach. “Just…make sure you’re ready to leave at any moment’s notice. I have a really bad feeling for some reason.

The pair departed the carriage and trotted up the stairs to the waiting Princess Celestia.

“Welcome to the Gala, Miss Melody, Mr. Barrier.”

“Princess.” Barrier tilted his head politely while Octavia bowed, before the couple departed into the Gala, Octavia to set up and Barrier to do…Barrier things.

“Don’t blink. If you blink I’ll have to tell Captain Armor.”

The guard swallowed nervously, glancing to his partner for help, only to receive none.

Barrier had decided to occupy his time before the Gala by staring down some of the guards.

“Good on ya kid, you didn’t blink.” He moved to the guard’s partner, putting on a particularly intense and soul-threatening gaze.

At the Gala

The hell? Barrier turned from the guards and listened intently.

I am here at the Grand Gala
For it is the best party

Barrier swallowed nervously as a feeling he had long-forgotten resurfaced in his gut and he began to get flashes of a gingerbread house.

“Good evening gentlecolts, I need to flee for my life.” Tilting his head slightly, Barrier trotted back into the main room where the musicians had just started their performance.

Marshmallow, Skittles, Barrier made a mental-note to see if Skittles were still a thing, and if not, to convince somepony to make them, Butter, Applebutt, Twilight, Barrier’s eyes fell to the last of Twilight’s friends and he licked his lips, trotting over to the refreshments table to get a drink. Cotton Candy…good gods why do you fill me with such dread?

The Gala was turning out to be as boring as he had expected.

“Miss Applejack.” Barrier trotted up to where the mare had set her stand up, just in time to see one of the Wonderbolts leaving with his purchase.

“Howdy there, Magic Barrier, didn’t expect ta’ see you here at the gala. Hungry?” The mare motioned to her stand.

“A friend asked me to accompany her. Would’ve been rude to say no, so here I am.” Barrier glanced over the apple products, remembering the hoofful he’d had during his extended visit at Ponyville General. “Hm, just a fritter for now. Not certain whether Octavia will want to go out to eat after the Gala or not. Ah, if you could bag those as well, I’m not sure when her concert ends.” Barrier’s ears swiveled slightly as the mare proceeded to bag a pair of fritters for him.

“MY PIII-”

Shaking his head Barrier managed to tune the shout out in time to pay Applejack. “Well, best of luck tonight, Miss Applejack.”

Barrier arrived just in time to see Skittles save one of the Wonderbolts’ pie, followed by the Wonderbolt…good gods, that just looks offensive. Tearing his gaze from the disturbing sight, he watched Skittles talk to the other Wonderbolt, a mare.

Glancing over the mare in her skintight uniform a couple of times, only in a professional regard, Barrier smiled slightly. I’d hit that. Both of the mares as well as the pie-fiend departed behind the rope.

“I am Prince Blueblood…”

“...-rity”

Poor girl has no idea what she’s getting into. He trotted towards the garden to observe the night’s entertainment. Or rather, he would have, if the butter-pony, Fluttershy, Barrier thought her name was, hadn’t caught his attention. Had she always looked so psychotic?

This won’t end well. The mare was setting up a particularly sad box-trap. Glancing back to where Rarity and Blueblood had been, Barrier lamented that he had missed the pair wandering off.

Glancing around, Barrier decided to return to the provided refreshments; specially, he found himself gazing at the selection of various wines and other alcohols. With great reluctance, he managed to pull his gaze from the cure-all, just in time to see Cotton Candy -the pink one, that is- singing the pony-pokey and grinding awkwardly against various ponies, including most of the musicians.

“Haha, nope.” Barrier turned right back around and fished around underneath the table for a moment before pulling out several unopened bottles of wine. Pulling a final half-empty bottle from it’s resting spot on the table Barrier took a short swig and trotted back over the musicians. He could justify drinking at this particular moment, he felt; less than two hours into the gala and it was already falling apart, quite literally. Pillars and statues were crumbling, Octavia and her ensemble all seemed to have given up and were simply sitting around watching the carnage; crumbling structures and -called it, Barrier thought to himself- stampeding animals everywhere.

Trotting up to Octavia, Barrier smiled sadly when it became obvious that the mare was saddened by the turn of events. “Wanna go forget this happened?” Barrier held the wine up, his smile widening slightly when she sighed, packed her cello, and trotted off stage, out of bucks to give at that point it seemed.

As carefully as the pair could manage, they navigated their way towards the front gate, Barrier taking in their surroundings all the while; the screaming nobles and fleeing Elements of Harmony were far more amusing than they should be.

“Great Gala, Princess. Far better than the ones I remember.” Barrier waved to the large white mare, chuckling all the while as the pair left for the gardens.

“Our one chance to be famous! This event was going to secure our future…and she ruined it...that...that…”

“Cotton Candy?”

“That one.” Octavia slurred slightly, taking another swig of the wine.

“Well, there will no doubt be other opportunities for your ensemble and you to become famous.”

“Thank you…” The mare tilted her head sleepily. “You’re a good pony…”

Barrier chuckled slightly and emptied their last wine bottle. “Wine’s gone…” Barrier turned to face the mare when he felt something warm press into his side.

Well, didn’t get to have that talk but I suppose there’s always tomorrow.

With a grunt, Barrier hoisted the sleeping mare carefully onto his back and trotted off towards the Sparkle household, cello case levitating behind him.

The streets were moderately packed, dozens of ponies walking home, frustration clear on their face. Man, I’m glad I didn’t end up staying in Ponyville. Those ponies are crazy.

“You look like you had a fun night.” Night Light chuckled as he stepped onto the porch to greet the pair.

“I can’t complain too much. It was mildly amusing to watch the nobles scream and run after Twilight’s friends trashed the place.”

“Looks like Octavia had an even better time.” Night Light stepped aside to welcome the pair in.

“One of Twilight’s friends kind of killed their performance. She had good intentions, I think, but...eh kids will be kids. Going to go put her to bed. We’ll probably head back to Manehattan tomorrow. I really appreciate you letting us stay here as long as you did, especially given the circumstances.”

“Eh don’t mention it, you’re family.”

“I’ll be back down in a moment after I put her to bed. Run you through the highlights of the night.” Being careful not to jostle the mare, Barrier made his way to the guest room, gently rolling the mare off of his back and onto the guest bed. “There we go…” Barrier reached down and took the blanket between his teeth, pulling it up over the mare. “Sleep wel-” Barrier choked slightly as the mare’s hooves shot out and pulled him into the bed.

Mare’s got a death-grip… Barrier thought to himself as he tried to wiggle loose; everytime he tried to pull away, the grip seemed to tighten. Well, buck.

Octavia blinked several times before she yawned and made to stretch both forelegs, only to find one trapped underneath of Barrier. Scrunching her eyebrows up in concentration, the mare began to shake the unicorn awake.

“Barrier, dear friend.”

“Wassat?” Barrier rolled over to find his muzzle centimeters away from Octavia’s.

“Would you care to explain why you’re in my bed?” He couldn’t resist; the flat expression was too perfect.

“Damn, I knew I was out of practice but you don’t remember anything from last night? You were pretty loud. We actually drove Night Light and Twilight Velvet downstairs.”

The mare’s eyes narrowed and a look of pure death perched itself on her face before Barrier chuckled.

“Relax, nothing happened. Except you spooning me. That was a bit weird, but surprisingly pleasant.”

“Barrier, I can and will hurt you.” Neither pony moved, their muzzles still nearly touching.

Well this is awkward. Barrier found his heart beating slightly faster, a slight blush rising to his face. Can’t have that. “We got drunk.” After a moments thought, “Scratch that, you got drunk, I got buzzed. You fell asleep on me -you’re absolutely adorable when you sleep by the way, you do this little running thing- and I carried you back here.”

“That doesn’t explain why you’re in the bed with me.”

“Well, I tried to leave and you jumped my bones.” Another deadpan, no-nonsense expression. “You’re no fun. I tucked you in and you latched onto me. Everytime I tried to move your grip got tighter, so finally I stopped trying. Seriously, your grip is stupid strong.”

After nearly a minute of silence where the two stared at each other and processed their individual thoughts. “Can I tell you something that might run you off?” It wasn’t the same joking tone as usual.

The mare’s eyebrows raised in questioning.

“I meant to do this last night but we were drinking and it wasn’t really the time for it, but…” Barrier fell silent, chuckling instead. “I can’t actually think of words to describe it. It’s…well, buck. This is honestly harder the second time around…” Taking a deep breath, Barrier opened his mouth once more. “This is a really awkward thing for me, with my past and all, but I think I’m developing feelings for you. It’s…kind of difficult for me to try and decipher them because I was married less than a year ago and I just….he-”

Octavia cut the stallion off when she leaned forward and pecked his nose, a slight smile on her face.

“Sorry, I ramble a bit. I like you, a lot...and I would really like to attempt to court you, it’s just weird for me, with my former situation and-” He fell silent when the mare pressed her lips to his once more, slightly firmer this time.

“Relax, Magic Barrier, I understand. You were widowed both a very long and very short time ago, I wouldn’t expect any pony to be over it this quickly. Perhaps we should try it, but take it slow, hm?”

Barrier didn’t reply, instead choosing to curl up with the mare and rest his head on top of hers, the mare’s responding in kind; for nearly fifteen minutes they simply laid there and enjoyed the others presence…until Barrier decided to ruin the moment.

“You know, your hooves are stupid capable with your cello. Wonder what else they’d be good for…” He flexed his eyebrows and grinned slightly, pulling back just enough to see the mare’s annoyed expression.

Almost casually, Octavia curled her legs up and launched them out like pistons, all but catapulting Barrier off of the bed with a grunt.

“I’m okay!” He called from his spot on the floor, waving at her with a hoof..

“Honestly, you’re insufferable.” The mare rolled off of the other side of the bed, a smile present on her face and amusement clear in her voice.

“Hey ‘Tavi.” Barrier called out from his spot on the floor as she made her way towards the door.

“Sorry that last night went so poorly for you. Also sorry for…ya’ know, being me.”

“Don’t ever change, Barrier.” The mare held her hoof out to Barrier, the same smile still perched on her face.

Author's Notes:

Believe me, I know how terrible I am at writing romance. It very well may be left out of any future fics lol.

No joke this time sadly; still pretty depressed over my dead computer, so...yeah. Will hopefully have that up and running again in a week or two [CPU's are damn expensive] and all will be well. Til' then, thanks to Alticron and Izanagi for editing/proofreading and also for holding me while I sobbed uncontrollably at my dead CPU. Seriously, go check those guys out and surprise-hug them with your clothes off. I know I did, I still have the restraining order to prove it.