Thomas wished Talon luck as they parted in front of Luna’s door, him holding an overnight bag. At the Princess’ request, Thomas and Moonlight were to spend their first day off together, leaving Talon the daunting responsibility of satisfying an alicorn who saw little need to show her usual level of restraint to the relatively larger and stronger griffon. Talon’s final words were “If I don’t make it, tell Leste she’s got a fine plot.”

“I think she knows,” Thomas nodded as the doors closed with an ominous slowness.

As they walked through the halls back to Moonlight’s room in the barracks, Thomas desperately wanted to say something to break the silence. Damn it. Why can’t I think of anything to say? Thomas thought as he looked up at the mare walking beside him. Moonlight smiled down at him contentedly as she swung her tail just enough so that the way it brushed his legs looked accidental. Is this supposed to be one of those ‘nothing needs to be said’ kind of silences? If so, then why am I so anxious right now?

“Something the matter?” Moonlight asked in a chipper tone, oblivious to her lover’s internal dilemma.

“I… I’m not sure,” Thomas confessed. “Does this feel, I don’t know, are you alright with all this?”

“By ‘all this’, I assume you mean being herded?” she asked, to which Thomas affirmed. “I thought I said it was fine earlier,” she assured, bumping his side.

“You did, but…”

“Would you rather we discuss it inside?” Moonlight asked, indicating that they had arrived outside her room. She was looking forward to formally inviting her stallion back to her place for their first real night… day together.

Thomas agreed and they entered. The human slipped out of his loincloth and set both it and his overnight pack on a nearby counter. He took the seat Talon had occupied earlier as he watched the unicorn remove her armor. When Moonlight noticed Thomas gazing in her direction, she turned her back to him and slowed her pace as she carefully guided each plate off her body in what she was certain was an erotic dance. She grinned seductively at him over her shoulder when it came time to remove her trousers, sticking her butt out with a light shake as she slipped them off by hand. Her tail was raised just enough to cease its obstruction of her stallion’s gift. When she was done, she turned to present her body proudly to her stallion, only to find he’d been gazing off to the side.

“A-hem,” she coughed, startling Thomas back to reality.

“Y-yes?” Thomas blurted as he tried to recollect where he was. He then blinked in mild surprise upon noticing that Moonlight was naked in front of him. When did that happen? Oh crap. How long was I spacing out for? He continued staring at the mare, waiting for her to speak next.

“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” Moonlight asked as she walked up to him, a bit disappointed that it wasn’t a sexy swagger as she was hoping to do.

Thomas sighed. “I don’t know. I think I’m just being silly.”

“No pony’s silly while making a face like that,” Moonlight observed as she sat on the bed across from him. “If there’s something bothering you, I want to know about it.” She gave an amused smirk. “Herd-mates have to talk to each other, you know.”

“But that’s just it,” Thomas stated. “Is it really alright for us to be herded, you know, so fast?”

Moonlight blinked and flinched a little. “Well… of course it is. We love each other, and I can’t think of a single reason we shouldn’t be together.”

Thomas exhaled with a mild grin as he crawled across the bed and snuggled up beside Moonlight. “And the others?” He whispered as he rubbed his cheek along the fur of her arm. “The other harem members that’ve all had a history with each other… even you.”

Moonlight heard the unasked question and pulled Thomas tightly against her side. “What’s past is past.” She knew she couldn’t let herself sound annoyed, lest she aggravate his condition further. “At best, it means the other concubines and I will have an easier time getting along, but nothing will change how Luna or I feel for you. You’re my stallion. Never forget that,” she said as she held him close.

Thomas attempted to reason with himself, to argue that he really was just being stupid and should keep such thoughts to himself. However, the security of Moonlight’s grip caused his words to escape, jumbled as they were. “So it’s not… it doesn’t make us, er, less?”

Moonlight tightened her grip around her stallion. “Never. I’m telling you now that I don’t care about some past life I don’t even remember, and I’ll keep telling you for as long as you need me to.”

“Now you’ve lost me,” Thomas deadpanned. “I thought ponies were all about destiny and stuff.”

“I’m a pony; an Equestrian. Destiny is just part of our everyday lives. It’s even branded on our flanks, for Faust’s sake.” She indicated her hip. “If I knew a few months ago what I know now, I’d have probably been less of an idiot and started seducing you the first day we met.” She grinned.

Thomas grinned at her efforts to comfort him. “That’s nice of you to say, I guess, but that kinda makes my point. Aren’t we just doing this because we have to?”

Moonlight shifted a little. “And that’s why the secret exists, I imagine. Regardless of who we were or what we did in past lives, we’re still ourselves today and we all react differently. In truth, I don’t think it matters all that much.”

“How so?” Thomas asked skeptically.

Moonlight shrugged. “Well, it’s certainly a thing we have in common, but it’s like Luna said. Ponies fall in love all the time, only to seek out new lovers in their next lives. We might not have share affections in a past life, but I don’t see it as terribly different from how we don’t share all the same interests in this one. I have an appreciation for the military I don’t think you do, but it’s not like that’s a point against us. How we met and the time we spent together: that’s what defines our relationship now. In fact, even if we had known each other in some past life, that’s probably what would have defined our relationship then, and what would define our relationship in lives yet to come.

“Huh.” Thomas huffed. “But what about Silver and the other concubines? Isn’t it kind of like having an arranged marriage to someone you’ve never met?”

“Not really. Like I said, destiny is part of our lives.” She hummed in thought. “It’s kind of like our cutie marks. Most ponies have no idea what their cutie marks will be when they’re young, yet they still work hard to pursue them because, well, they have faith.”

“Faith?”

“Faith and trust that their cutie marks will reflect their talents and lead them to a happy and fulfilling future.” Moonlight inhaled his scent, humming in satisfaction. “I had faith, and was rewarded for it.” She patted her hip. “Now I’m asking you to have faith in us, and trust that you’ll be rewarded, too.”

“Why?” Thomas asked. “I know this sounds really bad, but… could you just try and explain why an awesome mare like you is with a shrimp like me?”

Moonlight sat on the edge of the bed as her legs hung over the edge. She motioned for Thomas to do the same as she firmly gripped his shoulder, letting him know neither of them was going anywhere. “Because I want you, silly.” She knew she was the silly one for forgetting that Thomas was a little thick and preferred when things were spelled out for him. Also, they were courting now, so she was allowed to call him thick, even if only in her head for now.

Thomas squirmed in her grasp until he was no longer at risk of suffocating on her side boob. He looked up at her, wordlessly pleading for her to go on.

“I think it was the ursa attack that finally made me realize it,” Moonlight said as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair and massaged his scalp. “When I thought something might happen to you, it got me thinking about what life would be like without you. No more shared meals, no more of our writing sessions, no more of your… smell,” she added with a bit of a blush, only to renew her determination at confessing her feelings. “You’re a stallion, but you’ve got this really coltish look that’s just so adorable. Everything from your size, to your shyness, your writing, and even your smell… did I already mention your smell?”

Emboldened by her words, Thomas nodded as he felt his hand glide up Moonlight’s back, causing her to shiver.

“Your just exactly my type. It’s like you’re a combination of all the best parts of every stallion I ever had a crush on. To be honest,” she increased the pressure on his back until she was certain she could envision every inch of his body pressed up against hers. “When I saw you with Luna, I had a hard time figuring out who I was jealous of more; you for being with the enchanting alicorn of legend, or her for being with such an adorable stallion.”

Thomas’ hand began descending south until it brushed the top of Moonlight’s tail, sending a stronger shiver through her body.

“A-and if it helps, I suppose I should point out that we’re not actually herded yet. Technically, we’re still courting. If the thought of destiny and doing only what you are told bothers you so, then pay it no mind. I’m the one who chose to court you of my own will. Destiny might have pointed the way, but I’m the one who chose to act. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make you comfortable with this until we’re both ready to call it a proper herd. Does that help?”

“It does,” Thomas smiled as he reflected on how much importance he was placing on labels. “When exactly does that happen though?”

“Whenever we choose,” Moonlight answered throatily.

Realizing what needed to come next, he smiled up at her. “My turn,” he declared softly as he began tracing around where her tail met her tail bone. “Even if you weren’t my bodyguard, I think I’d still feel safe with you around. I’ve been pretty scared since coming to this place, surrounded by all these super-sized mythical creatures, and you’re on the short list of locals that have not only been welcoming, but made me feel safe.”

“B-but…” she whimpered as he teased just above her plot. Her tail swiped softly at his arm, pleading for mercy. None came.

“Even with that crap in Ponyville, just having you nearby made me feel like nothing bad could happen; at least before the ursa, but that’s probably an extreme we shouldn’t count.”

“If you s-say so,” she stuttered, only to gasp as Thomas maneuvered the tip of his finger between her sensitive butt cheek and the erogenous zone of her cutie mark.

“I do say so,” Thomas added confidently as he manipulated the mare now in his grasp. “I love our writing sessions too. It reminds me of when I would bounce ideas off an old friend of mine, only this is actually leading to something. Also, with or without the armor, I’ve always thought you were pretty cool. Plus I’ve always had a thing for taller girls.”

“B-but the P-Princesses are taller than m-me,”

“There’s only been one alicorn I’ve ever cared about,” he said to her boob, teasing the nipple with a gentle blow. “Now I think I’ve got two Princesses.”

Taking a moment to swallow his implication, a very flushed Moonlight moved her free hand up to Thomas and began tracing around his nipples. She’d heard that, while not as sensitive as a mare’s, a stallion’s nipples were a good place to explore while he was already aroused. As it turned out, this advice extended to humans as well. “I… I’m your P-P-Princess?”

“My fine-assed Princess,” Thomas corrected as he finally let his hand fall upon her tushy.

Moonlight’s words momentarily caught in her throat. “Celestia’s flank! D-do you really think my plot is… fine?” The word felt lacking, but at the same time she could detect the innuendo.

Thomas chuckled as he tightened his grip around her butt cheek. “A fine ass for a fine mare.”

Moonlight squealed as she pulled Thomas into a two armed hug, this time threatening to suffocate him between both breasts. Just as stallions could sometimes get insecure over their penis size, mares tended to feel insecure about their plots. In fact, a large percentage of methods a mare used to attract a stallion involved plot appeal. And while he didn’t know all this, as the mare bounced up and down on the bed with the human locked in a death grip, Thomas was fairly certain his compliment was very much appreciated.

When Thomas was finally able to breathe again, he found himself sitting on Moonlight’s lap, his erect cock pressed tightly between their bellies. With her breasts pressing into his upper chest and a little over his shoulders, he looked up past the gorgeous mounds and into the gorgeous blue orbs of Moonlight’s eyes. Her expression was a mix of contentment and excitement. The more he looked, the more Thomas was able to detect a more animalistic hunger behind her peepers. This look, which reminded him quite a bit of Luna, both frightened and excited him. She had him, but she also wanted him. “Now Moonlight,” he sheepishly began as he brought his hands around her back to better brace himself. “Such a lovely mare with such lovely eyes,” he smirked as she began fluttering her eyelids, “wouldn’t be allowing herself to give in to temptation with the innocent young colt, would she?”

“And if she is?” Moonlight smirked as she closed the gap between their faces, but stopped short of contact. “What will the helpless little colt do to stop the big bad guard from devouring his scrumptious cock with her hungry pussy?” With the heat now radiating from her loins, Moonlight hadn’t expected to arouse herself so quickly. Was Thomas’ small, helpless frame really such a turn on for her?

Thomas gave a brief approving hum at how well she’d used the recently learned words, only for his mouth to curve into the saddest frown he could muster as he gave her his best pleading look. “Could I ask her to pwease be gentle?” he said with a babyish voice.

By Faust, Moonlight was afraid her heart would burst from her chest. She’d always known she liked the younger looking stallions, but had Thomas just tapped into her inner foal-fiddler or something? He was the right size, and his facial features were much less pronounced like a colt’s, and that voice… The mare dove in and claimed Thomas’ lips for her own. As the pair attempted to eat each other’s lips, Moonlight felt confident that the only colt she’d be fiddling with any time soon was the one currently being levitated out of her lap by her magic.

Thomas frowned at the mare as she levitated him back down to the floor. The room was decently warm, but he still felt a chill where his body had previously been warmed by her fur. “Something wrong? Did I misread a signal or something?”

“Honestly, you have less patience than some of my old fillyfriends,” Moonlight scoffed as she stood and turned her back to the human. She bent over, bracing her elbows on the mattress as her tail raised and fell to the side, giving her lover a clear view. “Can’t even wait for a mare to get into position for a proper mounting,” she laughed as she invitingly swayed her rump from side to side.

Thomas began laughing to himself. “Ya know,” he said as he swaggered up behind her and beheld the exquisite masterpiece that was her tight and perky ass. “Not to complain, but we could have done it as we were.” He bent forward slightly and set his hands on her rump, savoring the warmth and texture within his hands.

Although she gave a squeak at his touch, Moonlight looked over her shoulder with questioning eyes. “As we were? You mean belly to belly?”

Thomas chuckled again. “Is it really so weird that you have to describe it like that?”

“It’s not weird. It’s just, how do I put it?” Moonlight hesitated. “A little kinky.”

“You sucked Princess Luna’s cock,” Thomas deadpanned as he ceased his massage of her rear. “I think being face to face is actually a step down on the kinkometer.”

“Well that’s just because…” Moonlight trailed off as she considered his words. She had taken Luna’s cock in her mouth, all while Thomas had mounted her. She’d taken two penises at once for her first time. All things considered, she’d started pretty high on the… kinkometer? Whatever. The mood was dying. “Next time,” Moonlight promised. “For now, just take me from behind like a proper stallion,” she growled in frustration.

“I thought I was supposed to be the helpless colt,” Thomas said cheekily as he moved his thumbs agonizingly close to her moistening vagina. “Shouldn’t you be the one to…” But he was unable to finish.

Moonlight had had enough. She’d poured her heart out to him and him to her, only he did so while working her up. Lighting her horn, the unicorn took hold of Thomas’ pelvis, lifted him up a ways, took aim, and slammed his waist into her backside. It was only at the last possible second that Moonlight’s face paled in horror as she remembered why she gravitated more towards defensive spells as opposed to offensive techniques in school. Her aim sucked, and now her stallion’s stallionhood was lodged halfway up her butt.

Thomas’ eyes bulged in shock when he realized where he was. Moonlight’s magic had evaporated instantly upon contact. Careful not to make any sudden movement, he lowered his gaze down to where their bodies met. “Oh dear,” he stated worriedly as he felt the anal cavity clench tightly around him. “Are… are you alright?”

“Ju-just give me a second,” Moonlight panted, also trying not to move around too much. However, with each breath she felt the human’s penis shift around inside her. “I, heh…”

“Want me to pull out?” Thomas offered.

“P-please…”

Nodding, Thomas braced himself to begin extraction.

“…n-no,” Moonlight finished breathlessly as her tail wrapped around Thomas’ back, just in case he tried to pull out.

“No?”

Moonlight gritted her teeth. “I-I want this. J-just give me a second.” Lifting her head, the mare lit her horn and Thomas’ eyes were drawn back down to the glow emanating from her rectal cavity. When the glow faded, Moonlight let out a long sigh of relief. In doing so, her body shifted and Thomas felt his dick slide out a bit from the much wetter anus.

Thomas glanced rapidly between Moonlight’s lowered head and butt until he felt confident enough to state his theory. “Did you just lubricate your butt hole?”

“Y-yes,” Moonlight grinned back at him. Her face was so flushed that Thomas couldn’t tell if she was horny or exhausted. Probably both. “That feels so much better,” she heaved as she clenched and relaxed her anal muscles around their welcome guest.

Thomas also took a few experimental thrusts of his cock in her butt, each one eliciting moans of joy from the mare. Still, better safe than sorry. “You sure you’re alright with this? I didn’t hurt you, right?”

“Y-you didn’t,” she sighed. “But it would have been my fault anyway. Besides, I want you to be the first one inside my butt. Your, ehm, cock feels amazing inside me.”

“Amazing? What’s so amazing?” Thomas asked evenly. “Is it amazing when I do this?” he said as he pushed himself the rest of the way in, which went remarkably smoothly, until his balls touched her vulva.

Moonlight had groaned the entire time and even let out a squeak when she felt his testicles. “Y-yes. That is…”

“What about this?” Thomas grinned as he clenched his left hand around her cutie mark and used his right hand to reach around her leg and between her thighs, carefully exploring her fuzzy groin until he found her clit and gave it a light pinch. She clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a yelp. “Oh my,” Thomas said in an impressive impression of George Takei. “I do believe the mare is enjoying herself.”

“J-jus-just shut up and buck me already!” Moonlight demanded in what sounded like anger, but was just excessive sexual frustration. Her stallion’s cock in her ass had been an accident, but now that it was there, she was going to make him earn his keep. “Plow my plot and fill me up.”

“As the fine-assed mare says,” Thomas affirmed as he pulled out halfway, only to slam back into her plot with a resounding smack. Pulling out much more slowly this time, Thomas savored the warm tightness of his lover’s plot, as well as her moans of delight, before slamming back in all the harder.

Moonlight propped her butt up and tried to match his movements, slamming into him as he slammed into her. The tickle of his balls brushing against her vulva sent a tingle up her spine while the dick in her ass caused her body to radiate with heat. Then there was the reassuring pressure on her back as he lowered his torso upon her. She was supporting her stallion’s weight while he rutted her, making her feel full and whole. No matter which hole they used, “This is amazing!” she declared.

Thomas continued forcing himself into Moonlight’s rear. “Moo, Moo, Moon,” Thomas panted in a desperate attempt to call out his lover’s name, causing her to smile. “Your ass is amazing.”

Her juices were now spraying across his thighs with each thrust. He was doing his best not to cry out anymore as he let his left hand sink into her toned flank while his right continued to play with her clit. Moonlight was tight, but her lubrication spell made it so that he was sliding in and out with considerable ease, making both of them moan and grunt in delight. Thomas felt himself grow inside her as he remembered that this was her first experience with anal, at least with a real dick. He’d been the first guy to stick it in her mouth, her pussy, and now her ass. He had laid claim to each of her orifices and that thought was edging him closer. He was so close now, but he’d hold out until she was ready.

As Moonlight rode the pleasure of Thomas riding her butt, she felt the familiar twitch of his dick inside her. Her own orgasm was also close. She slammed her rump back into his lap with ever greater force. Her ever tightening clenching was also slowing his movements inside her. As her stallion tenderized her rump with his groin, she called out “Cuumiiiiing!” and spilled her mare juices all over his thighs and hand. Not a second later, the human released his load into her tightly clenched rectum. Moonlight hummed in ecstasy as she felt his warm seed fill her ass.

Unremarkably Thomas fell onto Moonlight’s back, panting heavily after his long day’s work of plowing mares and griffons. The unicorn wasn’t much better off, or else she might try extracting a few more spurts. Clenching her sphincter around the appendage still imbedded in her backside, Moonlight held onto the human with her tail and carefully maneuvered them both onto the mattress and under the sheets. Laying on their sides, the mare was confident that Thomas would continue impaling her for the remainder of the night. It was his stallion’s duty, after all. And as his mare, it was her duty to ensure that their shared bed was warm enough to keep them both happy. All things considered, neither party had reason, or coherence, to object.

“Love you,” Moonlight panted, feeling Thomas grin into the back of her neck. In the afterglow, she realized that he was right in that they’d been setting up for her to dominate him, only for her to mess that up by sending him into the wrong hole. Oh well. Next time they’d do it right.

“Awesome,” Thomas said into her fur as he slung his hand around her stomach and pulled her close.

This was a chapter that almost wasn’t. It took quite a bit of rewriting, originally being set as 56, just to let you know how long these ideas have been rolling around my head. This time around its strictly focused on Thomas and Moonlight bonding, the latter saying what needs to be said and the former doing what needs to be done. Good times for all!