Octavia felt like she was in heaven. There was no other way to describe it.

She laid comfortably on the soft bed, warm, and held by her love. Snuggling back, she elicited a soft purr from Vinyl, raising butterflies in her stomach.

Sadly, she had plans for the day. Sleeping in was no option.

Groaning, she opened her eyes and slowly got up, careful to not wake Vinyl. She cursed under her breath as the unicorn stirred immediately upon losing her source of her warmth.

“Where ya going, Tavi?” she asked sleepily.

“Running some errands, my love. Your kitchen is a mess, and full of junk food. I need a few things for myself, I can’t live on bread and cereal every day,” she chuckled before gently kissing Vinyl on her cheek.

“Can I come with you?”

“Why, yes, certainly,” Octavia replied, surprised before getting up and to the kitchen, “Get ready, I’ll see if I can find something for breakfast.”

“Cereal?”

The grey mare stopped and rolled her eyes, but it turned quickly into a warm smile, “If that is what you want, of course, Vi.”

Octavia indeed found some bread that still looked good, and a glass of strawberry marmelade that wasn’t entirely empty. She had no problem with finding Vinyl’s cereal. After all, most of the upper cupboards were filled with the unicorn’s favourites.

While preparing everything, something hit her chest multiple times. It wasn’t annoying, but she wasn’t used to it. Yet.

The pendant Vinyl had given her the other day rested cooly against her coat. As she raised it, she smiled while her heart warmed deeply.

The pendant had a chain of silver, as well as the base and outline of the pendant itself. A red ruby, just like Vinyl’s eyes, shimmered in its middle in the shape of Vinyl’s cutie mark.

She had never received such a gift before, and it was so heartwarming, she couldn’t even begin to describe it. Octavia knew it had to be expensive, but she could care less.

The cellist was sure that she would love every gift from Vinyl, no matter how big or costly it was. The only thing she would ever need was the unicorn herself. That she was sure of. She knew that Vinyl was priceless to her.

There was just one thing she was worried about.

Wearing the pendant would show everypony that she and Vinyl were together. At the same time, not wearing the pendant wasn’t even an option to the mare.

Octavia shivered. It was so unlike her. She knew of the consequences, she knew what it could do to their careers, yet she didn’t care. She just hoped Vinyl would feel the same.

Smiling, she shook her head. No, Vinyl definitely feels the same.

Suddenly, something slightly damp wrapped around her barrel, startling her. As she turned her head, she noticed Vinyl clinging on her, her coat still wet in some spots.

“Vinyl! Did you even dry yourself properly?” she asked the unicorn, who was apparently fresh out of the shower.

“Mh, nah!”

“Sometimes you are unbearable, Vinyl,” Octavia sighed playfully.

“Aaand you love me for it!” Vinyl replied before kissing Octavia quickly on her cheek.

At least, that was her plan.

Octavia turned around and met her halfway, her hooves wrapped around Vinyl’s neck, deepening the kiss by a thousand times. She surprised the unicorn, but in a more than positive way.

Breakfast was held in a rather unique fashion after that, not that Octavia complained. Vinyl quickly prepared a sandwich for her while devouring her cereal quickly. Octavia wondered why, but she soon found out.

Vinyl lifted Octavia up to her, deeply snuggled on the small kitchen chair and holding her dearly, while the grey mare enjoyed her meal. It was a simple breakfast by her standards, but in Vinyl’s hooves it was more than excellent.

“Vinyl? Please be a dear and fetch the mail while I take a shower,” Octavia said as she finished.

The unicorn winced at first, but let her go, “Fine, have fun!”

Octavia felt it was the right time to tease Vinyl just a tiny bit, “My dear Vinyl, the shower is only fun if you are inside it with me,” she purred before flicking her tail over Vinyl’s muzzle and making her way into the bathroom.

Vinyl blushed heavily and blinked, but she quickly turned and dashed out of the door to get the mail. She had no idea if she would be able to behave if she waited any longer.

She came back, but took her time by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. There was a lot of commercial mail in her magical grip that quickly found their way into the trash. But there were also two letters. Just looking at the name on the first, light grey letter told her it was for Tavi. And that it was from her family.

“Anything interesting in the mail?” Octavia asked as she emerged from the bathroom, and Vinyl quickly hid the letter under the couch.

“Wow you were fast. Uh. Yes, there is a letter from Spitfire!” Vinyl answered quickly. Too quickly.

“Is there something wrong, Vi?”

Vinyl chuckled awkwardly, “Naaaah, all’s fine, Tavi. Just perfect!”

“Vinyl, what is wrong?”

“Nothing!”

“Tell me now,” Octavia glared at her.

Vinyl sighed and pulled the letter back up, “It’s from your family, I guess.”

Octavia froze before taking the letter into her hooves, “This is from my father. It’s his mark on the envelope,” She looked up at Vinyl, “Thank you for trying to help me, but I have to face him. Can we read it together?”

She smiled as Vinyl nodded and nuzzled against her muzzle. The unicorn pulled the envelope out of her hooves and opened it.

The letter wasn’t very long, but exactly what she had expected from her father.

Octavia, my daughter,

I cannot explain how disappointed we are. Your mother and I thought you were on vacation, since Toe-Tapper couldn’t reach you at your house for a few days. Now we know what is wrong. You are being impure. This unicorn witch must have cast a spell over you, and we will not watch it without stepping in. You are our daughter, you are better than this.

Expect us over in the next few days,
Your father.

And stay away from that unicorn!

“I had the smallest hope he would understand it,” Octavia said as she dropped the letter, her voice cold and hard.

Vinyl tried to comfort her and snuggled up to the morbid mare, but Octavia kept still until she suddenly picked the letter up. She destroyed the letter, tearing it apart before looking Vinyl straight into the eyes.

“I’m not going to give you up!” she spoke firmly, “I will not stand back and let anything more ruin our life together!”

“Tavi.”

“I will not leave you! Not now, and not ever!” The cellist’s voice turned into a deep growl.

She was about to continue her rant, but Vinyl silenced her as she leaned in and pressed her lips against Octavia’s. The mare was shut down effectively as her eyes closed and her heart fluttered, all anger leaving her body.

“Thank you, Vi,” she breathed gently and cupped Vinyl’s cheek as they broke.

“Anything for you,” Vinyl replied before lifting a yellow envelope up, “You want to read Spits’ letter with me?”

Octavia nodded and Vinyl opened the envelope, lifting the letter up for better reading.

Hey Vi, and Octavia, if you’re there.

The last few weeks were just amazing. Do you remember what I told you about the new cadet when I had to leave Trottingham? She’s here, and I don’t know how I should describe it.

She is simply wonderful. Yes, such words from me! Her name is Rainbow Dash, and she’s turning my world upside down. At first, I thought she would be just another arrogant filly, but she quickly showed me her potential, and that she can be as hot-headed as me. We just fit, you know?

Damn, Vinyl, I think I have a crush on her! What should I do? I also feel attracted to her in a more primal way, but I don’t know if it’s more, or if I just want to buck her brains out.

Other than that, life went and got quiet here. The shows are on hold while we train the new batch of cadets, so I don’t know when I can come and visit you again. I hope I can at least pull off a few days of vacation.

But I have some rather bad news for you as well. Yesterday, a letter from Sassaflash arrived. I don’t know what this pegasus has in her head lately, but it’s not a brain for sure! You should see the stuff she writes! Remind me to take the letter with me next time I visit you.

Please, both of you, be assured I support you. I’m so happy that you found a mare that makes you happy, Vi. And I can only agree with you, Octavia. I really hope you can teach her some manners!

In the hopes that you and Octavia are well and still as much in love as the first day.

Spitfire

“So she found somepony,” Vinyl smiled, “I’m happy for her, but this won’t be easy.”

Octavia tilted her head, “What do you mean?”

Vinyl sighed, “She’s the Captain and supervisor of the academy, and that mare is her cadet. Imagine the rest.”

“Oh, I understand,” Octavia whispered after a few seconds, but she quickly smiled, “But I’m sure they will make it, just look at us two.”

“There’s still your family,” Vinyl objected, but smiled back, “I hope you stand for us, even if your father stands before you.”

“I will, Vinyl, because I love you with all of my heart.”

“And I love you, too,” Vinyl replied, before leaning in for a long kiss.

They both embraced each other deeply as they slowly reached for the couch, sinking down for it. The kiss deepened, coat rubbing against coat as their muzzles opened slightly, tongues passionately attacking each other.

As much as she wanted to continue, Octavia broke away after what felt like hours, just to meet Vinyl’s muzzle scrunched in a pout.

“You’re cute, but not that cute,” Octavia teased her, “If we continue, we won’t leave this spot for the day, and we really should.”

“Aww,” Vinyl increased her pout, just to get a very wet lick across her nose, “Ugh, hey!”

“Get up. We run all the errands, and then we talk about continuing this,” Octavia winked. “Deal?”

“Deal!” Vinyl said before jumping to her hooves, nearly throwing Octavia to the ground, “Let’s go!”

Octavia smiled at how eager Vinyl suddenly seemed. But of course, by now, she knew how to motivate her marefriend.

“So where do you want to go?” Vinyl asked, snuggling against her grey mare as they stepped out of the apartment complex.

It was a rather cold and fresh day, a soft chill hung in the air indicating that winter didn’t leave all that long ago.

“A few things from the market. You might live of sweets and cereal all day, but I need my salads and vegetables,” Octavia chuckled.

Vinyl frowned, “I just don’t like the fact that we’ll be near her home.”

Octavia gently nuzzled into her side, “I’m here, and I won’t leave you alone.”

“I know that, but thanks.”

“Always,” the cellist smiled as they shared a small kiss.

They both drew more than their fair share attention on the way to the market. One reason was that they walked closer together than usual, white coat touching grey. The second reason was the nuzzles and small kisses they shared now and then. The last reason being the eye-catching pendant Octavia wore. It didn’t take two guesses for anypony looking to see that they were a couple.

Still, neither of the two mares cared. Vinyl didn’t care what others thought or said about them anyways. Octavia didn’t care anymore because of her promise to Vinyl.

She would fight for their love and stand up against everypony that dared to try and break Vinyl apart from her. Even if it was her family or friends, she had the intention to hold onto her promise by any means.

“Are you alright?” Vinyl asked her, gently nuzzling along her muzzle.

“Yes. Just thinking a bit.”

“About?”

Octavia grinned as she gently nuzzled back, “About how I will buck anypony that tries to bring us apart in the chest.”

Vinyl raised an eyebrow in slight surprise before grinning, “Hey, I really do rub off on you.”

“And I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Octavia sighed, “Vinyl, you made my life livable again. To be honest, I was alone, bitter, disappointed. Everything I did was about my music, about the orchestra, and the rehearsals,” The grey mare stopped and looked directly into Vinyl’s eyes, “And then you came along. At first nothing more than a huge annoyance that I wanted to get rid of as soon as possible, but soon an object of my curiousity. Vinyl Scratch, I love you, and everything you made out of me in this short amount of time.”

“I love you too, Tavi.”

“Even if you can still be annoying and a pain in my shoulders from time to time,” Octavia added playfully.”

“Well, wouldn’t be me otherwise,” the unicorn smirked.

“You really think you are cute.”

Vinyl held a hoof to her chest, “Hey, by now you should know I’m adorable!”

They both reached the market where Octavia bought everything she needed. Normally, she would pull the bags home on her shoulder, but this time she was glad to have Vinyl. Without even saying a word, the unicorn lifted the bags and held them for her marefriend, all the while taking looks around to make sure nothing turquoise and flying got in the way.

It was somehow guaranteed that the peace wouldn’t hold long.

“Vinyl!”

The unicorn looked over her shoulder to see Silver Wings, the club’s main guard rushing towards her, “Vinyl, we’ve got a huge problem!”

“Silver, what’s wrong?”

“Well, Neon wants to talk to you. Now.”

Vinyl shared a look with Octavia who nodded before looking back at Silver, “Alright, let’s go. It can only be something bad if it is that urgent,” They started walking, but for Silver to turn the wrong way, “Where are you going? The club is the other way.”

“We have to catch Baritone first,” Silver replied.

This time it caught Octavia’s attention, “Baritone? Why does he want to talk with him?”

“Because it’s a matter about both of you. Now come on, we’re already late.”

Neon looked up from his desk as they all came in, showing surprise upon seeing Cloud Kicker in the room, “Take a seat, or try to make yourself comfortable. This will be a long talk,” he said without even a friendly welcoming. Once they all settled down, he spoke up again, “I think you all can imagine why you’re here. We’ve got a big problem.”

“Sassaflash,” Cloud Kicker chimed in, “She is on a rampage, and uncontrollable.”

“That’s no newsflash, Kicky,” Vinyl cut her off, “And what are you doing here anyways? You were on Sassa’s side, even lied for her, so what-,” she stopped short as Octavia pecked her cheek, begging her to calm down.

“Cloud Kicker made a mistake, but she already paid for it,” Neon said calmly, “We have to discuss what to do now. I don’t think Sassaflash will simply go on with her life and forget you two.”

“I do not understand why you need me for this,” Baritone coughed.

Neon glared at him, “I need you because you’ve know Octavia for a long time, and since I don’t think that Sassaflash will restrict herself to Vinyl’s direct contacts and surroundings!”

“She won’t stop until you are truly done with Octavia; she cares for nothing other than to get you back,” Cloud Kicker said bitterly.

“And what should we do now?” Vinyl asked.

“We are together in this. Vinyl, I’ll ask you for the last time, just like I did a few days ago. Are you sure about this, do you want to take this further, continue your journey with her?” Neon asked seriously.

Vinyl glared at him before kissing Octavia and gripping the pendant in her magic to show it to everypony in the room, “I am. I won’t leave her, not for anything in the world. There is nothing more important for me than Tavi and I love her with all of my heart! She opened my eyes to the world, made me realize I’m not alone and that I can do anything.”

“Vi-,” Octavia started, tears dwelling up in her eyes, but Vinyl cut her off with a kiss.

The kiss was long and passionate, making her first hesitate in front of the others. However, as it went on, she soon dove in, her heart melting upon the strong feelings that she received from the unicorn. It was like her world was in bliss, that nothing could hurt her as long as her mare was at her side.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Vinyl said as they broke, “I won’t let anything happen to you. You are my treasure, the mare that is worth more than my own life to me. I shall always treat you the best, even if I can be dumb and forward at some time,” Then she surprised everypony by standing up from her place and kneeling down in front of Octavia, “Octavia Philharmonica, may I ask you to go this way together? To stand side by side against everything, in our love?”

“Are you?” Octavia shrieked, the question unspoken.

Vinyl blushed, “That might be a bit early for that, but I meant what I said.”

Octavia hesitated for just a moment before leaning in for another long kiss. Vinyl was her everything, the one holding her up. Her life had another reason to be anymore, other than music and to make her image shine. She had Vinyl and a million reasons for her heart to jump in her chest for that mare.

“I will go this way with you, my love,” She spoke softly as they broke.

“Now that this is settled,” Neon coughed slightly before continuing, “What are we going to do about Sassaflash?”

“Well, we won’t let her into the club anymore,” Silver Wings said with a shrug.

Baritone smiled at Vinyl and Octavia, “And I can also vow that you two are safe in the concert hall, all the time.”

“That leaves our home and Tavi. I can defend myself, but I doubt she will be after me anyways,” Vinyl said before looking sadly at Octavia, “She’ll be after you.”

“I’m just a normal earth pony. I can’t give her more than a good buck to her chest,” Octavia said, much to Vinyl’s amusement.

“I had no idea how you can be,” Baritone chuckled.

“Wait, I’ve got an idea,” Octavia suddenly shouted, “Lyra!”

“What about her?” Vinyl asked hesitantly.

The grey mare squealed before coughing, “She was at Canterlot’s school for gifted unicorns! She knows much about magic, even shields and protection spells. I don’t remember everything, but she told me about it a while ago!”

Vinyl still wasn’t sure what to do with that information, “So?”

“So we ask her to teach you.”

“What?!”

“She will teach you how to protect me,” Octavia nuzzled into her cheek.

“Tavi, I don’t want to crush your dreams, but my magic isn’t that strong. I never learned anything other than the most basic spells, and the rest I taught myself for my work,” Vinyl sighed, but stopped short as she looked into her love's eyes, “But for you, I’ll try it.”

Neon hummed before smiling, “Well, I don’t think we can do more than try our best to support you and keep you safe. After what Cloud Kicker here told me, Sassaflash truly went insane. I don’t know what she’ll try.”

“Vinyl, are you okay if some of our clubs guards check in on you every few hours? Just to make sure,” Silver Wings spoke up.

“As long as it’s not in the middle of the night, we’ve got other business to handle then,” Vinyl grinned.

“Vinyl!” Octavia called out, a furious blush burning on her face as she nudged the unicorn hard.

“Heh, sorry, just speaking the truth,” Vinyl blew her a raspberry.

They all chuckled or laughed at that display before Neon spoke up, “Alright, I think we’re done here if nothing else is up. Vinyl? I see you tomorrow, and don’t forget our deal.”

“Won’t leave ya hanging, Neon. Promised,” Vinyl smiled before nuzzling Octavia, “Let’s go home.”

Vinyl was in the middle of trying a new set as she was tapped on the shoulder. Looking up, she found herself muzzle to muzzle with Octavia.

“Vinyl? Where did you put my salad?”

“Fridge?”

“Fridge?! Vinyl, it will loose all it’s vitamins by doing that!” Octavia growled before breathing loudly, “Please, my dear, next time let me put away the groceries.”

Vinyl kissed her gently, smiling sheepishly, “Will do. Just wanted to help you, since you looked exhausted after the talk.”

“I am, Vinyl,” the cellist replied before sitting down on the couch, “I don’t know what she will do, but after the talk today, I’m afraid it will be bad.”

Vinyl could see that she was more worried than she was letting on. Standing up, she walking over to settle down next to her mare, “I’ll always be at your side. No matter what. I won’t leave you.”

“I know that,” Octavia smiled, “But you can’t be always here. You have work and other things to do, as do I with my rehearsals and concerts.”

“I will learn those spells from Lyra, and then a part of me will always be with you,” Vinyl said gently, delivering a small peck to Octavia’s muzzle, “When do we ask her, by the way?”

“Tomorrow. Today, let’s just be together.”

“No objection to that,” the unicorn smiled before gently adding pressure against her lover, making her lay on the couch.

Octavia shrieked surprised, “Vinyl, what are you doing? I’m-”

She was stopped shortly as Vinyl laid down on her, delivering gently kisses and nips all over her muzzle and neck. The touches were enough to make her heart flutter and calm her frazzled nerves. She felt protected, cared and loved for.

“Vinyl.“

Vinyl shushed her, gently nipping at her lover's neck before coming up and looking directly into those beautiful, lavender eyes she loved so much, “Don’t say anything. Today and tonight, just let it be us two. No worries, no enemies, nothing. Just our love, our bodies, and our souls to be loved.”

It was those words that made Octavia’s heart flutter, that made her heart melt with desire and her entire body warm up like being on fire.

“Take me,” she whispered gently into Vinyl’s ears.

It was a demand Vinyl couldn’t deny.

Author's Notes:

There you go with the weekly chapter.
Next one is a full clop with sweet, sweet love!