Another week or so passed where Dash wanted to hang out far more than before and she seemed much closer to me than before, she fell asleep on my stomach a few more times and seemed to want to show off tricks a lot more than she did. I mentioned it to Twilight one day who just smiled and told me it was just Dash being Dash, I didn’t really care whatever the reason, I liked hanging out with her regardless. Diamond did as promised and he and Lyra fucked off to Canterlot for a couple days, when he came back me and him decided to bum around in the library for a day, until both Lyra and Rainbow Dash turned up, both looked like they had had their hair done up and Rainbow’s looked a lot more groomed and was in a scrunchie close to the end of her hair and tail, giving them a cute pony tail, no pun intended for the tail part of her hair. There wasn’t much hair on her head besides the top, the rest was all on one side, she had yet to take off her necklace I found for her and was now wearing a strange ear covering, and it looked like a bundle of leaves, or more so two golden leaves connected to each other. I wasn’t sure what the thing did but I presumed it held her hair to one side. She also had two golden shoes on that kinda looked like the equivalent of high boots, there were lines of gold going up a lot of her legs but I really didn’t know fashion or any of that bullocks so had no idea what it looked like or what she was wearing. She looked good though. Lyra was pretty much the same, her hair was straighten as was her tail, and she had a pink beaded necklace on and a bundle of mint flowers. Which on reflection were probably just mint rose or something akin to that. Diamond was cursing up a storm to Spike at the time who had been asking about swears so we men didn’t look amazing when the two mares wondering into the library. Twilight was out somewhere, I think she said with Fluttershy but I didn’t care enough to remember. Diamond was naked and I was wearing some short sleeve top and jeans. It was still pretty damn warm but was coming up to late July at that point, so was going to get colder soon and I wanted to go through the summer supplies I had brought before the longer, warmer cloths. Anyway we both immediately stood up to greet the two mares and me and Dash did the ritual of bro-fisting and hugging. She held it for a lot longer than usual and I noticed she was wearing some sort of perfume. She smelt like fruits, which was really nice compared to the usual smell of dead tree and books of the library. Which I suppose is just dead tree twice.

“Hey Dashie, you look nice.” I said when she finally let the hug go, she instantly smiled which looked adorable.

“Glad you like it.” She replied, trying to sound casual and failing, she put a lot of emphasis on ‘you’ and gave a glance at Lyra who was standing next to Diamond.

“What brings you two here.” Diamond said, he had begun to not mutter as much now and emotion to his voice was definitely a thing he thought about late at night.

“Well we know you wanted to hang out here today but it is such a beautiful day, we thought we would come over so we could do something together.” Lyra replied. I nodded, as did Diamond.

“Alright well what do you guys wanna do?” I asked, Spike fled as soon as more people arrived, terrified that Twilight would be told he was swearing, I’d already told her twice now to see what happened and the tongue lashing both me and Diamond got was not worth it. Though Spike had to do extra chores for every swear he knew. Honestly I’m surprised he was still asking me about it after I’d ratted him out.

“We were thinking we could go get lunch together.” Rainbow Dash answered. It was around lunch and I had been about ready to tell Spike to go make us all something, but going out seemed fine.

“Alright gimme a sec, Diamond?” I asked, nodded towards my room, he just followed without word. One thing I had learned since the dragon attack, with Twilight’s unasked for help, was that the golden bag I had picked up was like the pony buildings, it had far more room than I thought it should have, I even tried putting my sword in it just to see but it didn’t have that much room. It worked as a kind of scabbard but I still needed to give the sword a scabbard, sure I didn’t have to wear a belt, just tie the bag to a belt hook in my jeans, but why bother when I have to get the sword out twice if I want to use it. So instead I just emptied the bag of money I’d taken and put it in the gold bag instead. I also found out pony money was called bits, a weird name but we used pounds as our money, which is also a volume of weight so who the fuck am I to say what was weird or not. I figured I had about two hundred or so bits from the looting which was a pretty big sum for my first raid, the most food every being about ten bits, and that was pushing it. I usually just carried it all around just in case but hadn’t had the chance to find anything I wanted. I asked if Twilight needed help with food and shit once but apparently Celestia was paying for all that so I just gave up asking.

“Alright, you wanna wear anything?” I asked once I had the bag tied on the opposite side as where my sword belt would go, I rarely took it out anywhere and until I started training I felt no need to. Rainbow had asked I take it out sometimes when our chats had lead us towards the Everfree or anything like that, I pulled the ‘anti-hero’ speech where I would just book it if anything actually attacked us but she just replied saying that I wouldn’t abandon her. Which was true enough I suppose. Diamond looked down at himself and gave a very confused face.

“Why?” He asked.

“Christ you’re more obvious than me. There are two mares out there heavily beautified to go on a double date out there, you can’t just go naked.” I replied, pointing outside my doorway. Diamond looked back for a second and turned back smiling.

“So you admit to it?” He asked. “About Rainbow Dash.”

“I will kick you so hard in the dick Diamond.”

“Hey I am just asking.” He replied. “What would be good enough for a date then?”

“You’re older than me, and a pony, and have probably dated before. You fucking tell me, I just know enough not to go naked.” At least for the first date. Winky face.

“I’ll wear my armour, what of you?” He asked, looking me up and down.

“I’m lucky that I don’t have anything fancy to wear. I could change my top but it would be one improper teenager top to another.” He smiled again but just nodded.

“Alright, I’ll be out in a second.” He said and walked off, I still didn’t know where his room was and tried to follow, only to have a Rainbow Dash in my face, I didn’t see where Diamond went off to.

“So you really like it?” She asked, smiling. It was then I noticed both were naked besides the accessories and felt like a cunt for telling Diamond off for almost doing the same thing.

“Yeah you look great.” I said smiling, she really did too. Either I was insane for thinking a horse pretty or, well no. I’m just insane, but it was a good insanity.
Well that’s what I tell myself at night. She beamed at that and hugged me again. Lyra looked kinda awkward watching it but said nothing. When Rainbow let go I looked at the mint mare.

“Diamond’ll be out in a bit, putting his armour on.” I said, she nodded and looked me up and down.

“What about you, do you not have any armour?” She asked. I snorted a laugh.

“Gods no, I’m an alien here remember, and despite what Diamond told you of my greatness I ain’t no warrior. I don’t really have anything worth wearing to a public lunch so have to make do.” She smiled at that and nodded.

“Speaking of which, where are we going? I take it you two have decided?” I asked, they both nodded. Rainbow had the most ridiculous looking grin on.

“Oh nowhere special, just The Clos.” Lyra replied, Diamond walked back into the room in full armour, minus the helmet and spear saddle, it looked pretty funny without it. Him not having any real armour around his back or stomach. He nodded to me and I began to walk to the door.

“Alright cool, lead the way. I have no idea where we are going.” Well that was a lie, I think I had passed that place a couple times, it looked fancy as all hell and I felt like shit for not having anything to wear. I was glad I had two hundred bits on me. I held the door open for Dash and caught myself watching thy ass walk past me, Lyra then followed and I walked out, leaving Diamond inside to open the door. Until I got outside myself that was and held the door for him. He just smiled, rolled his eyes and went over to Lyra and put his hoof out for her. She took it and they started walking. Dash was flying at around my level watching the front pair. I just poked her until she looked at me and an outstretched arm, she blushed again and took it. Then hoovered next to me as we followed Lyra and Diamond.

“So, The Clos?” I asked, she nodded slowly.

“It was, er, Lyra’s idea, I was doing stunts at the time and she asked if I wanted lunch, then mentioned you two. Apparently she had to book this place out.”

“Yeah it looks that way, surprised there is such a fancy restaurant in a small place like Ponyville but whatevs. I feel kinda bad I’m so underdressed.” I replied.

“Aww don’t worry about it Aron, it was a bit of a spur of the moment thing, well for me. And apparently you two. Lyra had this all planned.”

“Well at least one of us looks nice.” I muttered, she squeezed my arm slightly.

“Thanks Aron. Seriously.” She said, I wanted to make a joke and say Diamond was the prettiest but didn’t want to ruin the moment. We continued in a collective silence for a second until Lyra turned around to look at us, being lead down the path by Diamond, it was pretty weird seeing that but I tried not to scream too much.

“Oh Aron, this is a couples restaurant, they make you share drinks and the like.” She said, smiling and looking between me and Dash. Oh you bitch. That I hadn’t thought of, I’d never been in this place so just presumed it was fancy and nothing else.

“Meh whatever, what they got?” I asked.

“Drinks wise or food?” Lyra asked, looking a bit confused.

“Food we can get when we get there, what about drinks?”

“Smoothies and old wine, you’ll have to see.”

“Alright coolio. Dash, you can decide what, I guess, we, have. I’m sure it’ll be fine, just try not to have flowers in it, or hay.” She beamed a little bit at that and nodded. We got closer to where I believed the restaurant was and found I had been correct in its location, the thing was decked out to fuck, with marble pillars and more Greek looking architecture and two big black stained glass doors with a Pony standing outside in a Tuxedo, he looked pretty threatening and knew instantly I wasn’t going to fuck around with that guy. He wore the most ridiculous fucking hat ever so I wasn’t sure what race he was. I presumed he was a dirty mud pony since those were meant to be the strongest. Though I don’t think I ever wanted to fight a unicorn who could kill me with magic, revive me and then kill me again with their fists. Or hooves I guess. There were a couple signs all over the shop with “NO SEATS FOR SINGLES AVALILABLE” Which I wasn’t sure how to take that, whether it meant no tables with one seat or they didn’t want singles here at all. I thought up a few loop holes to both scenarios but figured if this apparent date went well, I wouldn’t ever have to use them. Though I would never come here with someone, let alone on my own. We actually joined a line of ponies to get in the place, only two or three couples but it just increased my fear I was underdressed. There were copies of the menu attached to the wall and some stuck on the insides of windows. The first thing I noticed was that they served meat.

“I think I just came a little.” I said, out loud, much louder than I meant, I think I drooled a little as well. Obviously all three of the ponies with me turned to look at me. I coughed a little. “They serve meat here.” I explained, the reactions I got were mixed. Diamond looked unfazed, he already knew, Rainbow looked impressed and Lyra looked ready to throw up.

“Y-you eat meat?” She asked, quietly.

“Yeah, humans can, we are omnivores, can eat nearly anything. Well anything to an extent.”

“I was wondering why you had canines.” She muttered, then turned back and muttered something to Diamond. The line moved forward a bit and I got to a window that wasn’t covered in either a pillar or an empty table and got to watch some ponies eat, what Lyra said was very much true and ponies were sitting either next to or across from each other eating out of one large plate with a fairly large glass or something between them. I was pretty cute I’ll admit but again, I’d never come here willingly. I turned and caught Rainbow looking at me with an adorable smile.

“What’s up Dashie?” I asked. She blinked a few times but kept the smile.

“Nuffin’.” She said quietly. I just smiled back and gave her a quick side hug.

It wasn’t long after that when we finally got in, the guard gave me a glare that could kill lesser men but didn’t say anything besides a few replies to Lyra.

“Name.” He said, really deep ass voice. It scared me a little.

“Lyra Heartstrings, Rainbow Dash, Diamond and Aron.” Lyra said, then turned to me. “Sorry I didn’t know if you had a surname or not?” She asked, I smiled.

“Nah just Aron.” I confirmed, she smiled and nodded.

“Table for two, go right in.” The guy muttered after looking at me again. We just wondered in with little ceremony as I said. The inside was massive, but I wasn’t all that shocked at that anymore, the beauty of the place was amazing, pillars and leaves were dotted all over the place and there were paintings all over the place of various ‘cute’ or ‘romantic’ scenes on the walls. There was a small stand with photography lighting dotted around it and a couple ponies who looked very much like the cunt outside were standing in various areas of the restaurant. There was an overly happy looking white unicorn standing in front of us as we stepped inside and stood passively until we approached him.

“Your table is right this way.” The guy declared, in the gayest fucking accent I’d heard since meeting Steven. He lead the way to a table of four, the seats were fairly close to each. For each couple anyway, there would be a pretty big gap between me and Lyra but Diamond and Lyra would be almost touching for example. I pulled a chair out for Dash and watch Diamond do the same for Lyra. I was beyond tempted to dive over and take the seat so he pulled it out for me but managed to hold onto my sanity. I sat down and Rainbow immediately put her head on my shoulder and grabbed my hand with a hoof, it felt weird holding something with no fingers like that but didn’t complain, she held like that for about a minute before getting bored or uncomfortable and sitting like a big girl, still holding my hand though. The waiter came back and gave us some menus then looked me up and down.

“I’ve heard of you.” He said, his cheery voice almost failing.

“Not surprised, been living in Ponyville for a while now, recently helped send a dragon home and helped, vaguely in defeating Nightmare Moon.” I would have just said up to living in Ponyville but wanted to look more important than he was. The guy just looked me up and down and walked off. “I am so underdressed.” I muttered, Rainbow giggled at that for a reason, I heard Lyra and Diamond talking about meals. I still felt kinda awkward for coming into a couple restaurant considering I was still single. Dash was giving off strong hints of, something, but again I didn’t think much on them, I’d fucked up before and was holding back on flirts and stuff like that. Only hugging her when she brought it up. Hell I barely actually went looking for her, usually out alone or with Diamond when she would show up and ask to spend the day with me.

“So, what we having?” I asked Dash, I hadn’t even opened my menu and just spun it over to look at the drinks, turns out it was a good thing I was letting Rainbow Dash choose a meal for me because the menu wasn’t in English and just looked like symbols, except for the prices, where there was a picture of a bit and a number. The cheapest thing was fifteen bits but had no idea what the fuck it was.

“Can you eat chicken?” She asked, holding the menu, not looking at me. That caught me off guard slightly.

“Dash I ain’t gonna lie. If you order something with chicken in it I will love you forever.” I muttered, I saw a blush instantly form and she shut the menu, winking at me. “Though you can’t eat meat Dash, don’t be uncomfortable on my half.”

“That’s sweet. But I know what we’re getting and I will be fine. Just, eat the chicken quickly.” She replied, looking a bit ill towards the end.

“Dash just order something you’re happy with.” I muttered, she put her hoof around my arm and snuggled closer to me.

“I’m happy as long as you’re happy Aron.” She replied, I put my head on hers and almost immediately wanted to go to sleep, she was so fucking comfy and soft. I held it for a bit and then sat normally. She was blushing and I felt one forming as well.

“So what do you want to do in Equestria Aron?” Lyra asked, about a minute had passed and I blanked out, I just happened to be staring at Rainbow Dash and was actually stroking her hair and messing it up a little bit around her hair pin. She had her eyes closed and a cute smile on her face.

“Huh? Oh right. Honestly I dunno.” I replied, jumping a little, I turned to Lyra but didn’t stop stroking Dash. “It seems fate wants me to follow Princess Celestia’s orders a lot but it seems she doesn’t know what orders she can give me at the moment, Diamond and I are in Ponyville on an indefinite mission in Ponyville, I’d like to travel a bit, see some other towns and cities and stuff but I’m pretty sure my place is in Ponyville.” Lyra nodded.

“Would you ever want to leave, permanently?” She asked. Looking between me and Dash, the mare next to me was too into me stroking her to even register the question, I thought she was going to start purring.

“Unless I’m ordered too no, I don’t miss Earth all that much and except for returning with Diamond one day to gather some knowledge on human inventions and show him some human tech I intend very much to stay in Equestria.”

“You seem to expect the Princess to send you away?”

“Do I?” She nodded. “Oh, I don’t mean it like that, I’ve only met her a few times and she seems like a decent person. I just don’t think she’s completely sure of me. She’s getting reports about me from at least two people that I can think of but I haven’t really done much to prove anything. Like the dragon, yeah I talked it out of the cave but I nearly died and I very much screwed up so charisma isn’t a thing, she knows I’m weak and no fighter so strength isn’t a thing. I’m not exactly healthy either, nor willing to do much manual labour. Until I prove myself more I reckon the Princess’ll just keep giving me tasks that align with whatever Twilight or Diamond have.” Lyra nodded.

“But you are a hero.” Lyra muttered, I snorted a laugh and stopped stroking Dash then leaned forward.

“I ain’t no hero Lyra, just a man getting by and trying to survive.” I looked to Diamond and then Dash for a second. “And thrive in some ways.”

“You’re a hero to me, you may not have done much but you helped defeat Nightmare Moon, and even if you did, screw up, you still got the dragon to leave. Alone from what Twilight told me.” Rainbow muttered, then leaned against me again. I smiled at that.

“If you say so Dashie. Though I would have welcomed Twilight’s, or anyone’s help during the dragon talk. It could have been handled so much better, hell the only reason the fucker did leave was because of Spiritus.”

“Who?” Lyra asked.

“Oh right, after Nightmare Moon Diamond and myself stayed in the old castle to find loot, I found a sword and brought it back and if rumours are to be believed then it’s a very enchanted sword that even dragons fear. It’s meant to be called Spiritus, something.”

“I thought you didn’t believe rumours?” Lyra asked, looking at Dash for a second, I had started scratching her behind the ear without really realising I was doing it, though Dash had a hoof over my hand so I didn’t stop again. I wasn’t really planning on it.

“Hey I have some evidence, a dragon fleeing from it because it didn’t want to feel the sword’s sting being a big point.” I replied, then looked to Dash. Damn she was beautiful. “But.” I said, looking back to Lyra. “Push rumours enough and sometimes they can become real.” Lyra smiled slightly at that.

“I see.” Lyra said. Which ended a major conversation, the waiter eventually came to take our orders; Dash ordered a large chicken salad and a banana milkshake for the two of us. Diamond and Lyra had what they called a Luna’s Night Salad and a strawberry milkshake. The Luna Salad I found out was basically the Blue Moon salad from Earth but with some more grass and flowers in it.

“Will you be having any wines this afternoon?” The waiter asked, his gay accent was still gay. Diamond looked to me, as did Lyra, I’m pretty sure Rainbow Dash was close to sleep at that point. She hadn’t let me stop scratching her even when the waiter turned up.

“Nah it’s far too early to be drinking.” I said, I didn’t actually know what time it was, I think it was around half two or quarter to three or something at that point but I honestly didn’t care that much. It was a good day thus far. It probably wasn’t too early to drink in honesty, but I still couldn’t read the menus so had that lie ready in case anyone asked. The waiter dude nodded and grabbed out menus with magic and walked off.

“Wow waiting must be so easier here than back home.” I muttered, Dash just made a noise to affirmative that but I didn’t get anything else from her, her hoof was slipping slowly so I quickly pulled my hand away, she just glared at me. “Hey you might fall asleep if I keep doing that.” I said. She smiled and blushed slightly.

“Heh, sorry. Don’t wanna miss any of this.” She muttered.

“Do you not have any magic where you are from?” Lyra asked.

“Nah, figured Diamond would’ve told you that but I very much doubt you’ve talked about me much if at all.” The share they looked wasn’t helpful. “But no, humans don’t have any magic, we invent things without it. Some things could be classed as magic I suppose but there is a scientific reason behind most if not all things that we have discovered.”

“Like gunpowder?” Diamond asked.

“Exactly, you haven’t seen it in use yet but that I suppose would be magic to those who aren’t chemists or anything.”

“Gunpowder?” Lyra asked.

“Jesus Diamond the fuck do you two talk about?” They shared a look again but didn’t answer. “Alright I don’t care anyway. Gunpowder is basically an explosive, well not basically. It IS an explosive, by mixing a few dusts and chemicals together it causes a reaction that can be used in blowing things up, or causing a small controlled explosive to propel something.” Lyra nodded.

“Seems fairly simple. What can it propel?”

“Alright, this is where it gets a bit more complicated, humans have invented this weapon called a gun, the reasoning is bullshit and why we use them is unknown to me but it exists. The gun is basically an upgrade to the pony crossbow, it fires a bolt like the cross does, but instead of a long stick with a sharp weapon on the end, the entire gun bolt is a weapon. It can be very dangerous and very deadly and without upgrades makes a noise like a lightning strike.” She nodded at that.

“You use these to. Hunt?” She asked, I smiled slightly.

“We used to, I think that was the original purpose but I don’t know that era of history, my knowledge stops at around the invention of the gun up to modern day. Which is a few hundred years, I know a lot before though.” I paused. “Anyway we did use them to hunt and special guns have been invented specifically for hunting, called rifles. They allow quicker, cleaner and less painful deaths.” I wasn’t sure if that was a lie or not but I sure as shit wasn’t going to go into battery hens or any cruelty to animals to someone clearly against it, and I didn’t blame her.

“You say used to?”

“Oh people still do, again rifles are used a lot to this day, but our goals of hunting food quickly changed to hunting each other.”

“I see, do you own a gun?”

“No, humans we never unified and there is always a war going on somewhere, generally we are an okay species but can fall short at times. We are split into countries, a term you ponies don’t apparently use, but say I’m from the equivalent of the Griffon Lands and there is another group of humans based in Equestria. That kinda thing. Anyway, the country I’m from banned guns to an extent, you have to be incredibly training or incredibly corrupt to be able to have a gun. Our military uses them, though all militaries do. But civilians like me and most ranks above aren’t allowed to use them. I’ve fired training weapons as well as the real deal a couple times but I would never use them against anyone. I don’t want the sword to be used against anyone but it might come to that. One day.”

“One day.” Lyra agreed. It was then the food finally arrived and we dug in. The salad me and Dash had was pretty big, I saw tomatoes, lettuce and a carrots, all vegetables I could eat, and the important ingredient. Chicken, I guess the chefs knew they were serving both a herbivore and carnivore as the chicken was all on one side of the plate.

“Tell the chef thank you for spreading the chicken around like he did.” I said to the waiter as he handed Lyra and Diamond their meal, he smiled and nodded. Then dropped the milkshakes off for us. Lyra started sipping on her drink pretty quickly. I deliberately waited. I didn’t have to wait very long as Dash soon moved in to drink some of our drink, and I joined her and we drank together, I watched the surprise on her face form and tried to smile whilst drinking what was probably the best milkshake I had ever tasted. Next was the food. Dash stopped drinking before me and I drank nearly half of it on my own. I held in the burp forming and grabbed a fork to stab a piece of chicken. It was uncooked, which I figured and had some fancy herbs on it but damn did it taste good. I didn’t see any mayonnaise and didn’t dare to ask for some so just made do.

“Holy shit I think I came in my mouth.” I muttered once swallowing the chicken. The one back in Canterlot was better but I figured they would have the best, everything, on hand so didn’t hold chicken against Ponyville.

“Glad you like it.” Dash muttered and bit into a piece of lettuce. We ate in mostly silence besides small talk and about half way through the meal the idea of doing that cute couple thing of feeding Dash came into my head but figured she’d be against that and I was pretty sure I was on a role at the moment with her so didn’t dare go too far and fuck up. I realised I was more into the fact that someone as awesome and pretty as Rainbow Dash seemed interested in me over the fact a horse was interested in me. But I had said it to the ponies before, I saw them more as people than horses.
We ate for about thirty minutes, Diamond and Lyra clearing their meal and me and Dash struggling. It was meant to be shared between two but I had all the chicken and then picked at salad and Dash seemed to be picking as well, though she ate a lot of the shit I wouldn’t touch but I don’t know if that’s because she preferred it or was eating it because I didn’t want to. We decided against any desert and Diamond and I paid the bill, like any guy not expecting a date does, I dunno how much it was but the waiter watched me grab the bag out and count out the money. I wasn’t sure how they did tipping and didn’t really ask, so just paid the bill, Diamond put some money in and we left.

“Diamond would you kindly walk me home?” Lyra asked, the named guard just nodded and they walked off, I looked at Dash who was already looking at me smiling.

“Can’t exactly walk you to your door without wings.” I said, smiling, she laughed a big and flew up and looped her hoof in my arm, I then lead her in the direction that I sorely hoped was Rainbow’s house. She didn’t drag me off any other direction so figured I was on the right track, my thoughts were proven correct when I spotted the cloud house. I got about as close as I could without having to fly and looked at Dash, she looked somewhat sad.

“Today was a great day.” She said, taking her hoof from me and landing in front of me. I smiled, and held it for quite a while.

“Yeah it was, best in a while.” I muttered, she nodded and flew up to my face. And kissed me.

I hadn’t expected it at all and it was a full blown lip kiss, I didn’t really register it for a few seconds until I noticed I was kissing her back, holding her in place, she didn’t seem to want to escape. And neither did I, we held it for what felt like ten seconds but was more likely about a minute or two. I didn’t want it to stop and felt a huge blush forming on my face. It was weird kissing a horse but she was still better than some girls I’d known in the past. Eventually she was the one to pull away, I felt like shit when she did but she immediately filled the gap with a hug, which lasted not nearly as long. She pulled back, huge blush on her own face.

“I’ll, er. See you around Aron.” She muttered, I wasn’t sure what to say, I knew I didn’t fuck up and neither had she, but it just felt awkward enough to really talk about what just happened so I just nodded and watched her fly away. I hated myself for the next thought; I could love her. Like fully fall in love and stay with her. I always ended up like this with any affection I get, too lonely and too soppy. I stood and watched her fly all the way to her house and stood even after she had shut the door, I wasn’t overly sure what to do so just stood and thought, a million things were going through my head and I had no idea how to deal with any of them.

Eventually I came back to reality and just started heading back to Twilight’s, I caught Diamond walking towards me on the way back, he looked about as surprised as I felt, and probably looked as well.

“Aron.” He muttered, completely bewildered.

“Diamond.” I replied, exact same of tone.

“So, Dash?” He asked after a pause. I wasn’t sure what he meant but I figured he was just as shocked as me, that was, if Lyra had kissed him.

“Not yet, close though.” I replied, he nodded and we stayed in silence until we reached the library. Twilight was there when we got back, writing something down using her magic, she looked up when we walked in and smiled. Spike was in a ditch on the other side of the world after pissing off mobsters, or something.

“Hey boys.” She said with far more happiness and phrasing then I would have liked, if I wasn’t so shocked I would have dived out of the door we had just walked through.

“Twilight.” We both said, she laughed a bit.

“How was the date?” She asked, we both shared a look and I just shrugged.

“Great.” We agreed. She nodded and went back to writing. I just walked off into my room, not seeing what Diamond did and began to clean my sword. It didn’t need cleaning, I hadn’t ever used it, but I just felt like it needed the maintenance.

The next day I didn’t see Rainbow Dash, maybe it had something to do with the huge thunderstorm planned for that day because I didn’t even leave the house to find her, just instead sat at a window with Diamond and Twilight watching the rain pour down. Turns out Spike had been sent off to Canterlot sometime the previous day but I was never told why, something to do with never asking. We had had some conversations already and Twilight demanded details on the date. Diamond and I gave very different accounts of the date, though the only major differences are the conversations had between the dates and going home. Diamond could actually take Lyra home and as I had guessed she had kissed him and ran. I wasn’t sure what extra steps a pony made to get a girl but I know I was attempting to look decent, shaving and brushing my hair for once. It hadn’t grown too much and my fringe wasn’t too far down my face. I preferred short hair and a long fringe to give off the edgy teen look, but was thinking on getting it cut soon. If Ponyville had a hairdressers. I wanted to go see a doctor and dentist to see if they could do anything for my usual appearance, scar coverings and flavoured toothpaste and the like. I didn’t have many that were visible but had a few small ones on my face. I was just glad Dash hadn’t asked to go swimming with me yet. Twilight had been reading a scroll when I had gotten up that day and apparently had orders for a friendship report. So apparently Twilight wanted to have a girly sleepover. I figured me and Diamond weren’t needed for that so just told Twilight to invite some of her friends. Apparently Applejack and Rarity, the two most polar opposite ponies of Twilight’s friends would fit the bill. I didn’t really question it and started talking to Diamond for a while. Until she had sat down again and instead our echo was silence.

“Did you ever have sleepovers on Earth Aron?” She asked, I wasn’t sure why she called my name, she was looking right at me and anyone with a brain would know she meant me after saying my origin planet.

“I didn’t personally but they were a thing.” I replied.

“What were they like?” Twilight asked, pulling out a bit of paper and a quill and ink.

“Twi, there is no point asking me. I never went to any and I’m a dude, the best I can say is guys probably stayed up late and played video games, though I know ponies don’t have those. You’re best asking another pony.” She looked disappointed for a second before turning to Diamond. “A pony with emotions and isn’t a royal guard.” She looked disappointed again and stood up.

“Fine, I’m sure I have a book on sleepovers somewhere.” She declared and stood up to walk off. I looked to Diamond who seemed unfazed by it all.

“So Diamond, what should we talk about?” I asked.

“Mares?” He asked back. Jesus Diamond.

“Fucki- fine, whatever. What about girls?”

“Have you had previous relationships?” That I didn’t expect, after that I kinda expected questions on how to keep relationships going, which I sucked at.

“Yes I have, and am probably the worst person to ask about relationship advice to.” He snorted a laugh.

“I wouldn’t dream of it Aron. Just curious.” I smiled.

“That was slang mate.” I mentioned, pointing at him.

“Previous relationships?” He asked. I rolled my eyes and leaned back again.

“Fucker. Alright, I’ve had two technically and four unofficially.”

“Un, officially?”

“Yeah, there is a sort of unspoken rule that girlfriends don’t really count when you are younger. I was telling people I had two girlfriends, which I did, whilst I was in year three, er, about eight.”

“Two? Must have been interesting?” His eyebrows were raised.

“Humans from my country aren’t legally allowed to mate or have sex until they are about sixteen, and smart people don’t do it until much longer. But I knew a fair few idiots, where I was from had one of the highest teenage pregnancies in the world.” Which was probably a lie but it was full of scum so fucking sue me. “But yes, it was kinda interesting. I only remember really focusing on one and I still sort of think about what she is doing today, just curiosity ya know?” He nodded. “So there were those two, can’t remember their names really. So long ago. Then in High school, so around thirteen to sixteen, had one girlfriend for quite a while, she was a bitch. Should’ve seen my mistake far sooner than I actually did. We broke up on a bad note and I don’t really count her as a previous girlfriend to people who know me. Then I had another.” I paused, just thinking on her was hard. “Hold on.” I muttered and stood up, then walked into my room and grabbed the picture of her. Then re-joined Diamond, handing him the photo. “Then there was her, we weren’t together very long but it was my best relationship I’ve had and I will never stop thinking about her.” Diamond nodded and very gently put the picture on the table, I quickly snatched it up and put it in a pocket.

“What of mares, er, women that you liked on Earth?” He asked after a time, I had blanked out at that point and had to shake a little before answering.

“Oh gods yeah, plenty of girls I was interested in, I would, and do, latch onto any affection I get from people, I’ve somewhat done the same with Rainbow Dash but she either hasn’t noticed, doesn’t care or I’m holding it back enough for it not to be complete cringe.” He smiled slightly and nodded.

“She could do you some good from what hints you’ve given me of your past.” I smiled back and nodded myself.

“She really might. I’ll see where things go, but I have such a fear of fucking things up I’m going to let Dashie start anything, if she does want to start anything.”

“Aron. I may be fairly useless at things like this but even I know Dash is interested in you.” I snorted slightly.

“Yeah sure whatever. But just getting conformation from others ain’t gonna do it.” I replied. “What about Lyra?”

“I’m still unsure, she is a nice mare and all but I really don’t know. I don’t want to commit if I’m going to end up going back to Canterlot. I haven’t yet retired and am sure Princess Celestia will call eventually for something. Either with you or alone.”

“That is a good enough reason, how about this, I give Dash a chance, maybe even try and push for something. If you at least give Lyra a go, live a little. She is as healthy for you as Dash might be for me.”

“You still haven’t told me what happened to you.”

“Do we have a deal Diamond?” He paused for a while and leaned in to take me in.

“Alright, deal. Next time you see Dash you, do whatever you will do to court her. And I will let Lyra into my life more.”

“Awesome. It will just most likely be awkward flirting.” I muttered, he laughed a bit.

“Seems to have been working so far.”

“I mean, yeah, but now I can do more and it will be deliberate rather than the accidental shit like before.” He smiled again.

“Like calling her beautiful?” He asked, I flinched slightly and Diamond started laughing.

“H- how did you know that?” I asked, he burst out laughing even more.

“I- I did not know. Just seeing what I could dig up!” He declared, I wanted to punch the fucker but started laughing slightly as well. Twilight picked her time to walk into the main room and head towards the door, she smiled as she walked past.

“Glad you two are getting along, what are you talking about?”

“Girls. We’ve come to an agreement about certain females we both know.”

“This mean you’re going to give Rainbow Dash a chance?” Twilight asked.

“How did everyone know about that?” I asked. She held her smile.

“Rumours, and nopony hangs around with someone else and does some of the things you two have done together.”

“That’s true enough, Vinyl mentioned rumours going around but never specified and I wouldn’t normally any of the shit me and Dash have done, I wouldn’t sleep in public like I have been with her and probably wouldn’t hang around with the same person alone so long, especially the opposite sex.”

“I’m surprised it’s taken you this long to notice.” Twilight said.

“Well for one I’m beyond oblivious with shit like this, you people are horses and I haven’t quite got your facial features correct yet. Plus I’ve presumed things like this far more in the past and I don’t want to fuck up my chances.”

“Well I think you’re perfect for each other.” Twilight declared.

“What of Lyra and Diamond, can’t you ship them for a second and stop bullying me?”

“But it’s so cute!”

“But, Diamond!” Twilight started giggling at that, as did Diamond. There was a knock on the door and Twilight walked over to get it, in walk in a very soaked Applejack and Rarity. This’ll be good.

“Oh hello Diamond dear. I didn’t know you would be around for this, sleepover.” Rarity said, smiling. I leaned back in my chair and put a hoof out for Applejack to bump it.

“Hello Rarity and Applejack, we were just talking about Rainbow Dash with Aron here.” Twilight declared, looking to me with a huge shit eating grin.

“I think we were actually talking about Diamond’s relationship with Lyra.” I replied.

“I do not remember that Aron.” Diamond pitched in, smiling.

“Relationship?” Rarity asked.

“What do y’all mean about Rainbow Twi?” Applejack asked. I face palmed.

“Well you know there are certain, rumours, going around?” Both ponies nodded, looking at me, I felt a blush coming and wanted to run away.

“So you and Rainbow Dash are a, thing?” Rarity asked, I shrugged.

“Not officially but it sure looks like it’s gonna happen, though I’mma gonna leave it til Dashie says something before presuming anything.”

“Yeah sure Sugarcube, presume. This storm is a week late because of you two.” Applejack muttered.

“I don’t control the weather Applejack.”

“No I know you don’t. But Dash sure does and she’s been skippin’ out on it to be with you.” She replied, sounding kind of bored. “I ain’t saying it’s a bad thing, ah respect her decision, and honestly think y’all would be cute together.”

“We had a double date organised by Lyra yesterday.” Diamond muttered, oh you bastard. That queued the questions about what happened, mainly focused at me. I didn’t expect Applejack to be much for gossip, Rarity sure, Twilight maybe, but I found AJ asking a lot of questions. It got weird and I don’t like thinking back on some of the things said that night. Eventually they got bored of torturing me and went upstairs to be tortured by Twilight for this ‘girlz onli’ sleepover thing. Diamond and I just fled into my room. We didn’t really say much to begin with, just mentally repaired ourselves from the bombardment we, more me, had just received. Though Rarity had seemed pissed Diamond was on the verge of a relationship.

“You never told me what happened during you past.” Diamond muttered after a time. I was laying on my bed wishing for death when he said that and turned just enough to look at him.

“I didn’t, I’d prefer if we could sit at the dinner table and drink until it doesn’t hurt as much, but I figure I might as well explain some of it.” I said, getting up. I took my zippy jumper off and began to pull my top off.

“I feel like I need an adult. Should I be worr-” He started, he got interrupted when I pulled my top off and showed off the various scars across my stomach and chest area. I turned around and showed him more from my back. I’m surprised Celestia never mentioned them when we met but I guess she was so unsure of me.

“What. What happened to you?” He asked, actual fear and concern in his voice. I turned back and looked down.

“My mum was not a great woman.” I began, he looked like he was about to cry, or hug me. Or both. “She didn’t do this, well, most of it herself.” I added, touching a burn scar about the size of a cigarette butt near the top of my stomach. “The guy who did this, a lot of bad things happened to him apparently. I never saw it, just heard rumours. I didn’t really like my dad the older I got, but damn did he get shit done.”

“So you were abused?” He asked, quietly. I started pulling my top back on.

“Heavily. It was the first stain on my soul and hasn’t been the last, working for the military and/or government was another. But that is definitely a story for another time. I’m just gonna grab some food then go to bed dude.” I started walking to the door and was blocked by Diamond.

“You need to trust more. You need to let, at least, me and Rainbow Dash in.” Diamond muttered.

“What’s done is done, it left me a smoking mess and beyond fucked up, but I wouldn’t be where I was if it wasn’t for my refusal to talk about the past. But I’m safe here and in good company. I will try Diamond.” He nodded.

“For what it is worth Aron. And I figure very little. I’m sorry this happened to you.” I smiled slight and tapped his shoulder. It really wasn’t much, but it still helped.

“Thanks Diamond. I promise I’ll talk about my past with you soon, just. Painful ya know. If Dash wants to get involved with me I might be with her for a bit and drop the whole thing on you both. Just so you know and she knows what she would be dealing with. Baggage can be a deal breaker in relationships, and I carry more than some.”

“I understand Aron, now go get some food. I will be here when you’re ready.” I smiled slightly and nodded.

Turns out Spike had died in his sleep after being poisoned by a flying T-rex or something. Either way he was coming back tomorrow and Twilight wanted to take me and Diamond to pick him up at the train station.
Bastard.

Author's Notes:

dayum that got almost dark towards the end, though im not a good enough writer to have any kind of emotional manipulation in my stories. carry on.

Dash during the double not a date thing. well the hair style and shoeses anyway