Discord noticed his King was grinning to himself as they journeyed back to the Umbrum empire.

“Alright.” he said suspiciously after Sombra ignored his intense stare “you're being very smug, my love.”

“Me?” Sombra drawled in mock innocence, a grin on his face as he looked at his husband.

Discord gave him a “yes, you” look, which made Sombra laugh softly then nuzzle the Draconequus.

“It is a surprise.” he whispered “bear with me, love.”

How could he refuse the pony he loved? Discord mused silently as he gave a theatrical sigh.

“Oh, very well!” he declared, prompting more amused laughter from the pony, followed by a kiss that Discord could not resist returning.

Their eyes met as they parted and again, Discord seen just how happy Sombra looked. It was visible in the way he smiled, the sparkle in his eyes, the set of his wings. In short; he looked gorgeous.

Discord kissed him again, as if he could impart this feeling through the simple act of a smooch.

He must’ve succeeded to some degree, as Sombra uttered a soft moan before pulling Discord into his embrace and running his tongue along the chaos lords lips, grunting eagerly when he was given access. Discord slipped his hands under Sombra's cloak and massaged his wings at their bases, causing the feathery things to shiver then fluff up, one accidentally striking the side of the carriage and producing a soft thud.

“Everything OK, sires?” the driver asked from outside, slightly startled by the loud sound.

“Oh, we're fine!” Discord declared cheerfully and the driver simply shrugged and turned his attention back to the road. He wasn’t paid to wonder what those two were up to in there, not that it took much imagination. Probably lip-locking again…

The carriage arrived at the palace at last, forcing the newly married pair to reluctantly cease their little make-out dominance battle. Straightening his cloak, Sombra stepped down, Discord by his side.

A great many of the servants were lined up in neat rows outside the palace and they bowed now as their Kings stepped down from the carriage.

“Welcome home, your majesties!” they intoned joyously and Discord felt himself blush. He still couldn’t quite believe that he was a King now. Sombra had spoken to him about it during the honeymoon, describing how there would be an official coronation so he could officially be at his husband's side. Thinking about it now, Discord had to confess he felt pretty dang nervous.

He pushed that thought aside for now and joined Sombra in giving a grateful bow to the staff. Sombra made a short speech to them, then they headed inside.

As they walked through the halls, receiving many more greetings and good wishes as they went, Discord noticed how Sombra was back to grinning to himself, a grin that got even bigger when Corona greeted him, telling the King “the tasks” had been completed well within schedule.

“Excellent work, my friend.” Sombra nodded his approval.

“At your services, your majesties!” Corona grinned and gave the new royal a reassuring nod. He could see that the normally unflappable Draconequus looked just a little bit nervous at being referred to as “your majesty.”

Hopefully Sombra's plan would help calm his fears.

He watched them go, seeing Sombra incline his head to brush his cheek against his husbands.

“OK, now will you tell me what’s got you grinning like that?” Discord asked, more curious than ever after meeting with Corona. As he spoke, he was scratching behind Sombra's ear as they walked. Between greeting various members of staff and council, Sombra still only shook his head.

Discord waited, looking for any clue in his husbands expression. But the stallion had his best poker face on, so he was still in the dark.

They reached the throne room door at last and Discord wondered to himself why Sombra wanted to go there so soon? They weren’t due to start working until tomorrow!

“Close your eyes, my dear Discord.” Sombra requested smoothly.

Discord tilted his head curiously, but recalling how he'd done a similar thing with Sombra when he'd shown him that floral tribute, he nodded and promptly shut his eyes. He felt Sombra's warm hoof curl around his left hand and squeeze gently. Then the pony began walking, nudging the doors open with his magic and leading Discord into the big open room. His heart felt ready to burst in excitement, would Discord like the presents he'd had prepared while they honeymooned?

This one was the most impacting, what it signified…

He brought Discord close enough then released his hand, stating “you can open them now, Discord.”

Discord opened his eyes and blinked dizzily in the bright light that was streaming in through the stained glass windows. It took a second for him to clock what had changed, but when he seen it, he was almost overwhelmed.

For where once just ONE ornate crystal throne had resided, crafted from red and gold tinted crystal, there now sat two. The second was a blend of brownish gold, purple and blue, like Discord's body and wings. The room had also been altered to accommodate both thrones side by side.

“Is it...is this for me?” Discord could barely believe his eyes.

“Yes, my chaos King” Sombra moved to stand beside him “it is yours. This is your second home, your kingdom as much as mine. It is only fair that you have your own throne. Do you like it?”

Discord made a high-pitched “eee!” sound, then shot up to the throne, darting around it this way and that with a wide grin on his face.

“I have my own throne.” the chaos being whispered, feeling so happy that he could barely think straight.

He sat himself down in it, squeeing afresh at just how comfortable the seat was. Sombra strode sedately up to him as he celebrated and, bracing his hooves on the arm rests, stood himself up so he could nuzzle Discord's nose.

“You look resplendent on it.” the pony said seductively, a smile curving his lips.

Discord blushed, twiddling his fingers in that adorable “can't find the words to say” fashion of his. So he just settled for kissing the King deeply. Sombra's wings pomf'd eagerly and he returned the kiss, only parting from his fellow ruler when he needed a breath.

“I LOVE it.” Discord said, tears of joy in his eyes “I’ve never had anything so generous like this.”

Sombra kissed the chaos King's muzzle lovingly “You belong here, my love. Side by side with me, looking after our kingdom.”

The next second, he was kissed hotly and Discord's gentle hands settled on his shoulders and began gently rubbing them. They parted a minute later, both flushed and out of breath, but Sombra looked so happy.

His expression was mirrored in that of his love as the pony walked over to sit on his own throne. Discord mimicked how his lover sat, keeping his back straight and looking as regal as he could.

“Very good.” Sombra chuckled warmly, moving his hoof to rest it over Discord's hand. The Draconequus smiled happily, tail swishing eagerly. He had a throne~ The mere thought made him grin happily.

After they’d finished admiring the new throne room set-up, they returned to their bedroom to unpack, which was where the second surprise awaited Discord.

The bed that Sombra had previously owned had been a standard sized double bed. He'd noticed how half the Draconequus often seemed to be on the verge of falling off the bed, as it was a little short for him. So he'd commissioned a bed be made that meant his lover had plenty of room to stretch out.

“You made this-”

“For you, yes. I wanted it to be comfortable-ah!” Sombra cut off with a yelp as he was scooped up and deposited atop the freshly made bed. The cool sheets pressed against his back as Discord pinned him gently then kissed him.

“Nobody's ever gone this far for me before..” Discord whispered, looking at his husband with total adoration “I am the luckiest creature in Equestria. I have the most amazing husband...”

“As I said before, get used to it,” Sombra whispered back, stroking Discord’s cheek with one hoof “you brought me back from the brink, helped me mend and gave me a freedom I never dreamed I could have.”

Lost for words, Discord kissed and pressed his body closer to his husband. They indulged in several more kisses, relishing in the warmth of one another and the love they shared...

They finally decided to take a shower and go to see Umbra. The couple had brought back many gifts and souvenirs from Canterlot, as well as lots of photographs to show her. It'd been a wonderful trip...

Umbra seen how happy Discord was when he described the new throne, how her son watched his husband with an obvious love and pride.

In their own unique ways they'd bolstered each others confidence. Discord had taught Sombra to trust in himself and trust others around him, while Sombra had proven Discord could use his chaos to do so much good and win over the hearts of the citizens. Now her son was teaching the chaos being how to become a King in his usual gentle, loving way, guiding him step by step.

“I'm so proud of you both,” she beamed, hugging them as they left “this kingdom has gained a King, but I've gained a wonderful son in law and that's the best part.”

Her words made Discord flush and he rushed back to give her one last hug before floating after his husband.

That night they treated the new bed to its first romantic romp, a heated, hot session of very passionate loving.

“Mmm, that was a definite success.” Discord panted as Sombra settled down beside him, nudging Discord’s muzzle with his own.

“Indeed,” the Alicorn smiled “the first of many.”

“You read my mind.” Discord grinned, kissing him deeply.

Over the course of a month, Discord was taught how to walk through the coronation procedure. How to stand, when to bow his head so the crown could be placed open it and so on.

Discord was beyond thrilled to see his that crown was similar to his beloveds, reinforcing the fact they were both taking care of this kingdom. Where Sombra's crown had two pony wings either side of the central diamond motif, Discord's had two mismatched wings, exactly like on the necklace Sombra had once had, the one that’d been sacrificed to create the artefact to banish Chrysalis.

A few days passed, with Discord starting lessons on suddenly becoming a monarch and Sombra handling the regular duties around the kingdom.

A week into the lessons, Sombra came to find Discord at his latest “lesson” with Page Assist, who was trying to teach Discord about politics (and failing), carrying a neatly wrapped package. Discord perked up soon as he seen his husband, dashing over to hug him.

“Missed me?” the pony King chuckled as he kissed the Draconequus, who nodded rapidly.

“I was just attempting to impart some rules of political law, your majesty.” Page Assist said stiffly “we haven't made much progress however, for some reason my notes keep vanishing.”

Sombra raised an eyebrow and looked at Discord, who sighed after several seconds and reluctantly admitted his guilt.

“It's such a drone.” he complained. Page Assist looked about to explode, but was silenced when the pony King put a hoof up in his direction, shaking his head. Setting his hoof back down, Sombra nipped at Discord's ear to get him to relax, then spoke gently.

“I understand that it is complex my love, but I know you can do it. Tell you what, I will give you this-” he teleported a book he had dug out of storage just that day “this was given to me by Princess Twilight when I first moved to the building site. It still has all my notes and journal entries tucked away in there.”

Discord took the book from his love, opening it to see neatly written pages folded tidily inside, filled with his husbands elegant writing.

“You’re really giving this to me?” he asked, surprised and very touched “isn’t it an important memory, Sombra?”

“It is, but it taught me a lot and I believe it can teach you now, too. If you need anything explained, just show it to me. I can still remember it, so I can teach you to rule just like you taught me to trust.”

“By dangling me over a balcony?” Discord looked confused.

Sombra laughed loudly, the happy sound filling the room as he shook his head, nudging Discord's nose with his own. He couldn’t forget that day, when Discord had challenged Sombra to trust and start breaking free of his catatonic state.

“No, not like that. By sitting with you when it is at its most difficult.” he said gently. Discord beamed happily, hugging the book to his chest.

Page Assist raised an eyebrow, how did his majesty do that? Maybe it was just down to the fact that Sombra understood the chaos King's way of thinking.

“Shall I move onto another subject?” he asked the stallion King.

“What’s left?” Sombra asked. Page Assist rifled through his notes “mostly notes about council meetings and proper conduct in such.”

Discord felt his stomach sink, the uplifted feeling he'd had souring at the weight of what Page Assist expected. There was no way he could do all this. He couldn’t be so serious…

Seeing his husbands fidgeting, Sombra spoke to Page Assist;

“I will recreate my own memories so that I can walk him through it, if that is acceptable?”

“Of course, your majesty. I will resume my regular duties then.” the assistant said, trusting in the King's decisions. He could understand Sombra's faith in Discord, the chaos King was very intelligent, just not much of a student. But King Sombra seemed to understand the way that Discord learnt and viewed the world and instinctively altered the lessons to make it easier.

The King left with his lover and the secretively wrapped package still drifting alongside. Page Assist wondered what was in it? Another robe from Rarity?

That night, Discord sat in bed with his Alicorn lover cuddled up next to him, talking about the incidents detailed within Sombra's book. He found himself suggesting an idea for dispersing a crowd in a state of unrest and was pleased as punch when Sombra praised him for it.

“See?” Sombra said softly, closing the book and sitting himself so he was straddling Discord's lap. He caressed the Draconequus' face with one hoof, looking into his eager eyes with a gentle smile “you are learning a lot already.”

Discord let his hands roam down the stallion's sides as he spoke, coming to a rest on his cutie marks. He traced the shape of the crown that surrounded the horn and wings branding his husbands flank. Meeting the pony's eyes he again seen how pleased Sombra looked. His King was proud of him…

This made Discord determined to get good enough to work alongside him by the time of his coronation and sealed this silent vow by kissing Sombra. As his tongue investigated his lovers mouth, Sombra's fore-hooves moved to rub Discord's belly. When they parted, Sombra noticed his husband was already well on his way to aroused, so he rubbed a hoof along his member, asking did he want a little extra study?

Needless to say, Discord heartily agreed and was ordered to relax and let Sombra take care of him…

“Mmmm, I don't know where or how you learnt to do that thing with your tongue, but I wholeheartedly endorse it.”

Sombra sat back, licking his lips seductively and smiling. Discord kissed him gently, sighing happily as his fingers traced up along the curve of Sombra's spine, before tangling in the pony's luxurious mane as his husband returned his kiss. He smelled so good and his lips were so warm…

Reluctantly, he released the King from his passionate embrace and the pony smiled as he slowly slid off Discord's lap. He curled up under the plush covers, earning a sweet little kiss as Discord wrapped him in his arms and they soon fell asleep.

More lessons followed as the days passed, with Sombra walking his chaotic husband through all sorts of scenarios based on his own memories, quizzing Discord at every turn. Discord got frustrated, sulky and outright downcast sometimes, always fearing he'd never be as good as Sombra.

“I am not trying to make you like me.” Sombra told him as he paused the scene around them and sat in front of his husband. Discord was sitting hunched up, ears drooped and a sad expression on his face.

“I want you to simply be the same amazingly versatile and inventive person you are when you’re with me. All the kindness you showed me can be translated into helping run a kingdom. I know you can do it, my chaos King. I was scared when I began ruling again, remember?"

Discord sniffled faintly, then lifted his eyes, meeting Sombra's patient gaze. He seen the fathomless trust shown in their crimson depths and felt his anger subside. He wanted to make his pony proud, and if Sombra believed he could do it…

“Of course, my dear Sombra.” He murmured, drawing the King in for a kiss. Then a perverted idea popped into his head.

“How solid are these memories?” he asked.

“Almost completely, why do you ask?” Sombra was perplexed, although he had a faint “I should really shut up” sense blooming in his mind....

“...Wanna do it on the table?” Discord winked.

“Well, it will be a while before I can look at that table the same way ever again..” Sombra panted.

He was balanced on his hind legs, with his upper body resting atop the table. Discord's hands were braced either side of his head, body pressed close to Sombra's. As he got his heart under control, Sombra was faintly aware of a trickle of overspill running down his thigh as Discord eased out of him.

The “floor” under the table, he saw as Discord stepped back and the pony stumbled back onto all four hooves, was splattered with the stallion's fluids.

Sombra let out a startled squeak as his tail was lifted and a finger swished up the inside of his thigh. He heard the Draconequus licking his fingers clean and his wings pomf'd up, a shiver tingling along his spine.

“Mmm, all clean my love.” Discord teased as Sombra gave him a look. He gave the pony's bottom a reassuring pat, then let his tail go.

Sombra sighed in amusement as he banished the memory scape, revealing the wide expanse of the chaos realm around them.

Discord snickered at the pony's expression “worth it. Doing your gorgeous self, surrounded by those frozen, stuffy goons was pretty hot!”

Sombra blushed. It was pretty funny, he had to admit, but he'd never do something like that anywhere else but in his husband's crazy chaos realm.

A week later and Sombra received an invitation from the leader of the Yaks. It seemed they'd heard about the super-tough crystal Sombra and his kind could create and wanted to strike up a trade in exchange for supplies of the material.

He did as much research as he could, including asking Celestia, for she'd dealt with them before.

“Play to their abilities, compliment their restraint and composure, that always helps.” she wrote back to the King.

As the day approached, Discord asked should he pack now or later and got quite a surprise when Sombra shook his head.

“Why not?” He pouted.

“Because, my love, I need you to stay here.”

Discord felt a jab of sadness. “You don't think I’m ready do you? Page Assist sure doesn't.”

Sombra shook his head, tutting softly.

“Not at all, my love.” He nuzzled against Discord's neck, defusing his anger a little “But this empire needs someone at its helm, we have some local dignitaries visiting, remember? I gave you the list of trade negotiations.”

“I know, I understood what to allow for each one.” Discord said, feeling Sombra kiss his neck and his upset faded a bit as he scratched behind the pony's ear.

Sombra lifted his head and kissed the Draconequus lovingly “This will be your first test, my love. I know our kingdom will be just fine in your capable hands. And if you need anything, Page Assist is staying behind with you. I will be borrowing Captain Corona for this trip, he is familiar with Yak culture also.”

“Alright.” Discord sighed nervously. Sombra bumped his muzzle against his husband's, smiling warmly. Just the simple gesture made Discord feel a little bit better.

Two days later and he waved goodbye to Sombra as the pony clambered into his carriage. He'd made sure to kiss the Alicorn several times before letting him go, which had made Sombra smile happily.

“Right, lets begin!” Page Assist said, as the carriage disappeared in the distance.

Discord scowled.

“Give me a moment to miss him why don’t you?” he snapped, his anxiety already starting to mount.

Page Assist gave him a stern look “we don’t have time for games, there are strict instructions that you must follow.”

He was determined that the King's husband was not going to cause an embarrassment, he just had to keep him under control, which in this case meant issuing very strict orders.

He could already tell from the childish scowl on Discord's face that it wasn’t off to a good start.

Sure enough, it started off awkward and only got worse. The two got steadily more angry at each other as the day progressed. Page Assist insisted he be serious and this just made Discord want to be more fun.

So he pulled out all the stops and the whoopee cushions, to amuse the dignitaries. Hearing them laugh as he snapped his fingers to make the cushions grow wings and flutter away, hooting merrily.

“How wonderful!” the stallion and his wife wiped their eyes, laughing softly.

“I haven’t laughed this hard in many a year! Did you say you owned a joke shop?”

“Yes, my husband built it just for me.” Discord beamed proudly “more drinks?”

From the doorway, Page Assist scowled.

“You cannot pull pranks on the dignitaries!” Page Assist yelled when they were alone.

“Why not? They were laughing weren’t they? They loved it!” Discord snapped back, folding his arms as he floated in mid air.

“That’s irrelevant-”

“How? If it made them enjoy the boring ass meeting-”

“Boring- this is vital work! Ruling a kingdom isn’t just about groping his majesty every moment you have spare, you have to act dignified. You’re SUPPOSED to be royalty-”

“Grope-shut up!” Discord snapped, temper rising “how dare you talk about him that way?!”

“Ruling a kingdom isn't a joke, Discord!” Page Assist snapped back, teeth gritted “its a vital role that you seemingly refuse to take seriously. A King or Queen must be dignified, like your husband-”

“You mean the pony who belched the alphabet at that party?” Discord smirked, but this only riled Page up even more.

Page Assist groaned, why did his majesty have to do that? Admittedly it had gotten a lot of laughs, but really...

“Discord.” the aide sighed heavily.

Discord noted how Page Assist hadn’t been using the same “your majesty” suffix he used so readily with Sombra. Once again Discord's temper rose, his fear of letting Sombra down warping to anger at this stubborn pony.

“Oh, just admit it!” he snapped, “you're only willing to play kiss-ass with my husband, you couldn’t care less that I’m here!!”

“Well it'd be a damn sight more sane!” the aide shot back.

Discord reacted as if he'd been slapped in the face. His chaos...was bad? He felt a funny chill spreading through him, and looked down at his hands. They were turning grey, and see through.

“Now what are you doing?” Page Assist sighed.

“I-i don’t..know.” Discord shook his head, panic rising. He tried to pick up a book but his fingers went through it….oh no.

Page Assist shook his head, muttered that he was going on break and left in a huff, hoping Discord would stop playing up. This weird behaviour was clearly a way of sulking, he'd seen Discord's odd biology act up whenever the chaos lord was bored or hungry.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Discord alone in the big room.

The Draconequus sighed, slumping miserably in his throne as he stared at his see-through hands. He looked aside, at where Sombra's throne sat vacant. In his mind, he pictured the stallion, with his handsome smile, those soft ears and the way he made Discord feel so special.

“I'm sorry my love,” he whispered to the empty chair “I’m a failure. You did your best, but I just don't know how to rule like you. You need to be the only King in this kingdom.”

But even as he spoke, his heart felt like it was breaking in two. He blinked back tears as his despair grew even more. He could see right through his arms now.

“Got a letter here and-whoa now!” Discord looked up, seeing a very alarmed Corona hovering in front of him.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Why can I see right through bits of you?” The Gargoyle titled his head to one side, setting the letter down. He sounded very alarmed.

Discord sighed, he liked Corona, he really did. So he blurted;

“I think that my dear Sombra should rule by himself.”

“What?!” Corona shook his head, really worried now “What on Equestria makes you think that?”

So Discord told him about the pranks and the Captain couldn’t hold back his amusement. He was giggling fit to bust as Discord finished telling the story.

“Oh man, that is pretty dang slick!” he laughed “so what’s the beef? They liked it, I’d say that was a success!”

“Not accord to Page Assist.” Discord grumbled and Corona pulled a face.

“Yeah, well, that guy's a fuss pot. He doesn’t like deviating from what he thinks is his “rules of royalty”. I recall him attempting to lecture Sombra back in the day, but your hubby wasn't giving a single damn. He told Page Assist to stop being so uptight and did whatever he felt like. Now Page just tries his best to keep up with him!”

Discord pondered this, sighing softly.

“Sounds like he's taking it out on you because he didn’t succeed with Sombra. I'm gonna go knock some sense into him-”

“NO.” Discord said loudly and Corona blinked, confused.

“But-?”

“He's right,” Discord sighed heavily “I'll just have to be different. There isn’t room for fun in running a kingdom. I don’t want my Sombra to worry, he said he was so sure I'd be a success while he was away, I don’t want to let him down. So I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.”

Corona was genuinely worried by this point, but when he made to object, Discord just kindly excused him, thus the Gargoyle drifted out the door, lost in thought. But as he floated down the hall, his anger only grew. When was Page Assist going to stop being so blind?!

With a growl of fury, he took off in search of the aide. Whether or not his majesty King Discord wished it or not, he was going to give that aide an earful.

Page Assist yelped and nearly choked on his coffee as a blur of fur and wings shot into his office.

“Captain Corona?” he asked once he'd got his breath back. In this interim, Corona had pulled up a chair and casually sat down, arms folded and expression stony. “Just what do you think you're doing?”

“Helping you keep your job, that’s what.” Corona said icily. Page Assist frowned, pushing his cup aside.

“And just what is THAT supposed to mean?” he barked, but Corona just met his glare steadily.

“If King Sombra discovers you've managed to derail all the work he's done with his husband, he will likely kick your sorry ass right out of here. If you want to avoid that, you'd best listen.”

“What makes you think that? And what're you talking about? All I did I was tell that carefree goof-off to take his job seriously-”

“You think he's not? I've seen how well he's been doing since his majesty King Sombra took over his lessons. Now, suddenly he's disappearing and turning grey-”

“Oh, that? He's just sulking!” Page Assist snorted derisively. Corona raised an eyebrow.

“What?!” Page Assist snapped.

“I was talking to Princess Cadance whilst his majesty was sick and she spoke about how Discord turned grey, she swore the edges of him were fading a little.”

“Get to the point.”

“The point? The POINT is this; when he was showing those symptoms, he was severely depressed and worried about King Sombra's condition. It cant be a coincidence you start going all rulebook on him and he gets the same way.”

Page Assist faltered a bit, was this true?

“I just went to see him and he barely seemed like he was there, spouting nonsense about changing who he was to make sure his Sombra was happy. Because of what YOU said to him! Sombra is the first real love of his life, he told me as such. He treats Discord like he's important, gives him the comfort he'd never had. Bear in mind he's been around a long time, been lonely for most of it. But for King Sombra, he's willing to do anything, even get over deep-set fears.”

--Could he be right..?-- Page Assist thought back to Discord's outbursts and realised they were more than they just appeared. His anger and petulance was covering for a terrified being who adored Sombra and would do anything to make the pony happy. Even change his very self.

“Ooh...fuck.” he said shortly.

“Yeah, exactly.” Corona shook his head “we're going to see him, now.”

But when they got to the throne room, Discord was gone.

“W-where'd he go? Did he vanish completely?” Page Assist panicked while Corona scratched his head. Flying back out into the hall, he located a guard and asked if he'd seen Discord...

Back in time a bit….

While Corona yelled at Page Assist in his office, Discord's moping was being interrupted by a guard knocking on the throne room doors. Discord told him to come in, hiding his vanishing limbs and pasting a fake smile on his face as he watched the guard approach.

“A package for you, your majesty.” the guard said, and thought he seen Discord flinch at the title, but it was gone in a flash.

“Yes, thank you.” Discord affected as cheerful a tone as he could, but as soon as the guard was gone, the colours in his coat faded a little further down. It'd reached his mid section now and he was rapidly fading.

Setting the package on his lap, he undid the string binding it. The wax paper fell open, revealing a beautiful plush velvet cloak with fur edging. It looked just like the one Sombra always wore when he was holding court this time of year. Just like the one he had worn to his meeting with the Yak's..

There was a note folded atop it, which Discord curiously opened, heart lifting when he seen it was from his lover.

Discord felt tears of affection well up, his dear Sombra had known how he'd be feeling. Setting the note aside, he lifted the cloak up before him. It was as long as he was tall, the fabric a rich purple just like the Alicorn's. There was also a matching neckband in the same style as Sombra wore. Discord put it all on as if in a daze and snapped his fingers, summoning a mirror before him.

He took in his reflection and straightened his posture, sitting up straight, his head held high. The cloak was soft and warm, just like the embrace of his husband's wings. It even held the faintest scent of him, Discord felt he could almost see Sombra wrapping the parcel, smiling as he ran a gentle hoof over the fabric…

There came another knock and Discord took one last look at himself in the mirror before dismissing it. He looked like a real King. Sombra was putting his faith in him and he'd had this outfit made specially. He couldn't fail his beloved now. He had to prove Page Assist wrong...

The guard did a double take when he seen the outfit, nodding in appreciation.

“Suits you very well, sire.” he said.

Discord grinned “courtesy of a very well-timed gift on my husband's part. Do me a favour and send someone to the bakery Sombra likes? Get the best, richest crystal berry cake you can.”

“Of course sire!” the guard nodded “by the way, the dignitaries from Cambridle are here.”

Cambridle? Discord nodded, he knew that one. They were scholars, devoted to studying history and wished to strike a deal for copies of the Umbrum records stored in the archives, records on culture and population. Sombra had okayed it with his mothers help, telling Discord to offer them additional book binding materials if the offer was appropriate.

“I'll be right down!” he declared and the guard trotted back out.

Discord gave a determined nod, he was going to prove Page wrong. He COULD be a king.

He strode out, the colour returning to his body, the transparency fading away.

He imagined his beloved's face, recalling his smile as Discord had succeeded at each scenario Sombra had given him.

So when he greeted the scholars, it was with his usual easy charm, smiling warmly. He offered them a tour of the kingdom's private book printing factory. He recalled what his husband had said, playing to their love of history by telling them about the Umbrum's.

They were delighted by the factory and charmed by the gift of a sizeable supply of crystal that could be shaved thin and used in the decorating process, along with some delicate paper with a very faint crystalline pattern on it.

“This is simply sublime!” The head dignitary said happily “these will make the most beautiful books!”

Discord had passed the factory foreman a note as he'd begun the tour, and now at its end he was handed a stack of notebooks. Discord gave these to the dignitaries, saying they'd make a great memento!

Needless to say, they were quite taken by Sombra's new husband, finding him charming and lively and he seemed to have such passion for the kingdom.

“This place truly is a jewel.” one of them remarked as they disembarked from the carriage, back at the palace.

“Indeed it is,” Discord smiled “and its most valuable stone is the one at its heart, my husband.”

“The two of you together are a priceless combination.” the head pony stopped to hold a hoof up to Discord “If you’ll accept, we'd be honoured to share our city’s wealth with yours. I hope we can form a strong bond.”

Discord shook the proffered hoof gladly “I look forward to it. You’ll be meeting Sombra's mother at dinner, she’s the one who helped recover all that history, I’m sure you’ll find lots to talk about!”

“Your majesty!”

Discord turned on impulse as he heard a voice call out. He realised a second later that it was Page Assist, he was standing inside the palace door with Corona hovering beside him. The Gargoyle winked and gave a thumbs up.

“Ah..” Page Assist smiled and trotted out to meet the group, bowing politely “I hope you enjoyed the excursion?”

“It was simply fabulous!” One of the visiting group said proudly “the factory is a marvel, and the materials his majesty here showed off to us are even more stunning then we imagined. We'd like to start discussions right away.”

Page Assist nearly fainted in relief, also joy. They’d secured the deal, and it was all Discord's work.

Corona offered to escort the dignitaries to the conference room, where Page Assist assured him the paperwork was all ready and filed away in one of the drawers.

This left Discord and Page Assist alone, standing on the driveway leading to the main doors.

Discord had a million things he wanted to say, but couldn't voice a single one. He made to walk past Page Assist, his fancy new cloak brushing against the pony when the aide blurted.

“Wait!”

Discord stopped, but didn't turn around.

“I was wrong,” Page Assist said with a heavy sigh “his majesty, King Sombra, he knew you'd be fine. I never made any attempt to get to know you, just assumed you were a distraction. That you only had time for romancing his majesty. Yet you made that deal without my interference and you did an excellent job. I could tell from their responses that they want the trade link based not just on your gifts to them, but on YOU.”

Discord felt slightly appeased, but still a little bitter.

“Your tactics work better than any of mine and your husband knew that. He was smiling at me as he left, I think he knew we'd fight, but that you'd prove to be better at this than I estimated. He sent you that outfit, didn't he?”

“Yes, it arrived after you left,” Discord said softly “he said not to forget what he taught me and that he loves me.”

He felt unexpectedly like crying. Had he finally done something good?

He felt a hoof tug on his cloak and looked down at Page Assist. The aide looked sincere and a little worried. He could see just how much his harsh words had taken out of Discord, knew now just how insecure about his new job the new King was.

“Even though I didn’t feel ready, Sombra believed I was. That was all I ever needed, now I think about it,” he sighed “he's never stopped trusting that I could do this.”

“I know, I didn't listen to him. I made a bunch of stupid assumptions, thinking you couldn’t be serious because I’ve never seen you act it. But you’ve more than proven me wrong. I hope you can forgive me, your majesty.”

Discord closed his eyes a moment, faintly wanting to let his anger out. But when he thought about his husband, imagined that loving smile he gifted whenever Discord made a big step forward in understanding the magic of friendship and love, he couldn’t keep hold of the anger. He gave a sigh, feeling it leave his body as he turned to meet Page Assists gaze.

“Alright, you’re off the hook. I did the job right, you learned not to be a goof, I'd say were even.”

Page Assist absorbed this and surprised himself by chuckling. When Discord held out a hand, he gladly shook it.

“And hay, any time you wanna know about me or my species, just ask. Fair warning, we're a weird bunch. Did you meet my sister?”

A long way away, Sombra felt a wonderful shiver run over his body, like a happy feeling. He smiled, gaze drifting out to the window as he strode along the spacious hall.

“Shadow King smiles.” Prince Rutherford watched the sudden brightening of his guests expression as they walked “shadow King has happy feeling?”

Sombra nodded “Yes, Prince Rutherford. I was thinking about my husband, he's back home, learning how to strike up deals between our kingdom and outlying areas.”

“King's husband learns from King?” Prince Rutherford asked and Sombra nodded.

“Then Chaos King will make Shadow King proud, Yaks sure of it. Yaks also wish to meet Chaos King.”

“He'd be thrilled to meet you all, you are always welcome to visit our kingdom your highness.” Sombra smiled warmly, and the Yak prince smiled in return. He liked this pony King, Sombra was easy going and in a way quite rambunctious like the Yaks. He'd joined them in a game of Yak Football, not minding the rough and tumble nature of the sport one bit! He'd been laughing in giddy abandon, happily talking tactics after the match.

The day after, he left to return home, graciously thanking the Yaks for showing him their culture. He looked forward to their continuing relationship! The Yaks had given him quite a few gifts to take home to Discord, including some traditional sweet!

As the time drew near for his beloveds return, Discord dressed in his new outfit and went to wait outside. He paced anxiously, Page Assist watching him, head swinging back and forth like he was watching a very slow tennis match.

“Please relax, sire.” he said eventually “he'll be here soon-”

Barely had he spoke than he heard a trumpet blare from up ahead. That was the signal, his majesties carriage was approaching!

The staff filed out, lining up neatly to await the King's return. The carriage pulled up, a respectful hush descending. The door opened and Sombra stepped down, smiling at the crowd there to greet him. They bowed deeply, welcoming him home!

Sombra bowed his head in gratitude, then his eyes focused on his husband. He trotted eagerly forward, the excited Draconequus meeting him halfway. Discord clasped the pony's hoof in his hand, raising it and kissing it, before brushing a thumb over Sombra's cheek. He took in the sight of the stallion he was so happily married to, his heart pounding. Sombra kissed him, feeling a much treasured sense of happiness as he was reunited with his husband. They parted at last, heading inside together, whereupon Page Assist greeted them, eager to tell his majesty the events of his absence.

When Sombra heard what had happened, he was first concerned, then relieved when Discord explained how they'd patched things up.

“I am so proud of you.” Sombra murmured, nuzzling Discord's muzzle.

“Indeed you should be, King Sombra, sire.” Page Assist said honestly “they made a very generous offer, for they were very charmed by your husbands showcase of the kingdoms history.”

Discord flushed a little and Sombra kissed his cheek gently. Discord snapped his fingers and the book Sombra had given him appeared now. He showed Sombra the new pages he'd added, filled with a mix of his and Page's writing. Sombra shot Page a happy, thankful look that made the aide flush. His majesty had foreseen this, hadn’t he?

His trip had been as much an effort to let his husband flourish on his own as it was an opportunity for the two of them to work out the tension that’d long lingered between them. Page Assist understood now just how good a diplomat Discord could be, with his carefree and easy going nature, he was able to talk anypony into hearing him out.

Sombra rested himself against Discord, who began petting the King's ears gently. They looked so content.

“I'll see you tomorrow, your majesties.” Page Assist excused himself with a bow, sending an extra nod to Discord, who gave a thumbs up shortly before Sombra snared him in a kiss. Page Assist left before they got too amorous...

The day of the coronation dawned, with Discord naturally being a bundle of nerves. Sombra sat on the bed, watching him bustle back and forth, panicking and muttering to himself.

--I need to get his mind off this…-- no sooner had the words formed, then the perfect idea struck him and a grin spread over his face.

When Discord noticed his husband had fallen silent, he looked over at him and seeing the King grinning ear to ear.

“What’s gotten into you, handsome? I'm about to embarrass myself and our empire here!”

Sombra leapt down from the bed and walked over to where Discord sat, arms folded over his chest. He chuckled and kissed the chaos being.

“You need to relax, you are far too tense, my love.” he grinned.

“And how do you propose I do that?!” Discord said in confusion, so flustered he didn’t see the obvious innuendo. He got the idea pretty fast however, when Sombra kissed him and stroked a hoof along his shaft at the same time.

“S-sombra!" Discord yelped, biting back a groan “I’ll get my outfit all messy-”

“Oh, I intend to take care of that.” Sombra smirked “catch my drift?”

Discord squeaked in response, realising what his husband was offering. Once again, Sombra's lack of fear with doing whatever he wanted made Discord love him even more-

That thought was cut off as the impeccably dressed King shifted back so he could dip his head and suck on the tip of his lovers member. The Alicorn uttered a soft groan, it was so hot and hard under his tongue, its musky scent filling his muzzle as he took more of it in.

He felt Discord's fingers tangle in his mane, rubbing the back of his neck as he swallowed another dose of pre-cum. He took his time, moving from just the tip to taking it all in. Slipping one shoe off, he moved a hoof to rub and caress the chaos lord balls. The heat from them told the pony King just how anxious his doting husband really was. Both of Discord's hands were tangling in Sombra's mane, urging the monarch on.

“Sombra- ohhh yes-!” Discord groaned, feeling the pleasure building. Seconds later he hit orgasm, feeling his husbands throat constrict time and again as he swallowed every drop. Untangling trembling fingers from his lovers mane, Discord sat back as Sombra sat himself up, licking his lips and grinning.

“See? All taken care of.” The Alicorn's mane settled back into place, not a hair out of place. As he'd said, he hadn’t gotten a single drop on either of their outfits. Discord's heart fluttered as Sombra licked his lips again, a sultry smile on his face.

“You amaze me.” Discord said bluntly.

Sombra grinned and nuzzled his ear, whispering “feel better?”

“Yes, my sweet King.” Discord murmured gratefully. His heart was racing, but not from nerves this time.

Sombra smiled, reluctantly moving away from his husband and pouring himself a glass of water. He tipped his head back to gulp it down in one go and Discord seen a single drop run along his jaw, then down his throat….

--That pony is a distraction on legs.-- Discord returned the smile Sombra shot him as he set the glass down.

“Now, I must go,” Sombra said gently. He had to be sitting at his throne when Discord was crowned, for as the chaos King's husband he'd be doing the honour, backed by his mother.

As he set a hoof on the door, he paused to look back at Discord.

“Do not fret, my love. You are already a wonderful King, this just makes it official and gives everypony a chance to celebrate you the way they did for me. I love you for all you’ve accomplished, so don’t be nervous. You belong with me...”

A farewell smile and Discord watched his husband slip out of the room, his hoofsteps fading into the distance. He was to sit and wait until Page Assist and Corona came to fetch him. He still felt a little nervous, but Sombra's words made him feel at ease.

--You believe so strongly in me, my King. I wont let you down..-- he vowed.

When Page Assist and Corona came to escort him, they seen the new King was smiling faintly.

“Nervous?” Corona asked as they walked along, Page Assist glancing over Discord's outfit and checking nothing was out of place.

“Yes, but not as much as I expected.” the Draconequus smiled knowingly.

As they approached the ornate doors and the guards pushed them open, Discord heard the same music he'd heard when he'd attended Sombra's coronation. The room was full of many of the same ponies as he'd seen at Sombra's coronation. The Princesses, the rest of the harmony mares, many Umbrums and of course, a disguised Eris.

She'd arrived earlier that day, greeting them both with a big hug, for she'd really taken a shine to Sombra. In return, the King enjoyed getting to talk to his husbands sister, she was as bubbly and giggly as Discord was, and unfortunately just as dirty minded, to the King's amusement.

Sitting on his throne now, he recalled she'd told him Discord was getting a case of the fidgets and suggested Sombra go see if he could help. He somehow pictured she hadn’t included a stress-relief head job in her list of techniques. He had to sit on the urge to chuckle, he'd look like a loon if he bust out giggling now.

The giggles faded as the doors opened to a fanfare of music and Sombra sat forward in his chair a little as his eyes settled on his husband. The Draconequus was walking on all fours, his fancy cloak trailing behind him, eyes bright as he took the next step in his marriage to the Umbrum King. He held his head high, looking confident and bold.

In the crowd, Fluttershy was already crying, she was just so proud of how far Discord had come. Finding the love of his life, marrying said love and now being crowned as the kingdoms newest royal.

Sombra bowed his head to his husband as he came to a stop at the front of the steps leading to the place where their thrones sat. Umbra stood beside Discord's throne, upon which rested a crown, gleaming in the light.

Luna bounced slightly in her seat, beaming. She'd helped these two get married, being the master of ceremonies at the event and now she was getting to see a coronation!

Next to the royal sisters was Cadance, Twilight and Shining Armor. Also in attendance were many dignitaries, including Vorak and Haydon of course.

The crowds and the music fell silent as Sombra spoke;

“Ladies and Gentleman, it is my honour and delight to welcome you here today, to officially mark my husbands ascension to the throne!”

The crowds cheered, everypony angling for a look at the proceedings. As with Sombra's coronation, this was all being broadcast to those outside via a spell. They could see the pride on Sombra's face, see the love in his expression as he addressed those assembled.

Discord flushed, heart pounding. He'd never dreamed he'd be so...welcome in Equestria. He'd gone from a troublemaker imprisoned by Celestia and Luna, to a lover then married partner to an amazing stallion. A pony who, like him, had battled to regain Equestria's trust.

Sombra's eyes met his as the pony spoke next.

“He has worked alongside me to learn how this empire works, to get to know you all as a whole. He saved me from the darkness that threatened to cull my second chance here, showed me I belonged here. He has proven how much he cares for this place, building new links with other areas during my absence. Now it is his turn to join me in being a central part in ALL your lives, keeping this empire safe and happy.”

He looked to his mother, who levitated the crown over towards her son in law. Discord bowed his head as he'd been taught, one hand pressed to his heart. He felt the weight of the crown as it settled atop his head, umbras magical aura fading. His ears twitched, relishing the feel of such an important piece of stunningly crafted metal, what it symbolised. Discord raised his head, seeing proud tears in Umbra's eyes, she was smiling so happily. Sombra stepped down from his throne, stopping at the top of the steps.

“We welcome now, our kingdoms newest ruler, King Discord!!”

The cheering was deafening, the ponies almost leaping from their seats (Pinkie literally bouncing so high that she cleared the top of the crowd) as they cheered for Discord's good fortune. Discord blushed deeply, this was beyond magical for him. He met Fluttershy's eyes and she held up a banner with the word “YAY” written on it, smiling through happy tears as she cheered as loud as she could!

Rainbow Dash managed to salute him with her wing and all his friends met his eye and smiled or nodded to show their pride. He turned his glance back to the gorgeous stallion stood atop the steps.

Sombra looked so proud and Discord could see the start of tears gathering in the Alicorn's eyes, he looked so happy.

He held a hoof out to Discord now, guiding him to his new throne. They sat down, hoof and hand still linked as the crowds cheered.

“Say something.” Umbra whispered to a stunned and dazed Discord as he waved to Firefly and Excel.

“Oh! Of course,” Discord lowered his hand and coughed, feeling his husband's hoof squeeze his hand reassuringly.

“Thank you, all of you.” Discord said solemnly “for not just welcoming me me as a fellow monarch, but for accepting me, flaws and all. When I met my husband I was restless, only had a handful of loyal friends and little to no faith in myself. I seen how lost he was and I understood how he felt. My future always seemed uncertain too, so I resolved to help him through it, attain what I felt I never could. Acceptance.”

Sombra's heart pounded achingly in his chest as he listened to this, felt Discord's hand clutch his hoof tightly.

“In the end, we saved each other. I offered him a friend he could depend on and in return, he offered something even more valuable; love.”

Rarity sniffled, taking the proffered hanky from Pinkie Pie without missing a beat.

“It's thanks to the support of him, my mother in law and many others that I’m here now.” Discord met his disguised sisters eye, seeing her beaming proudly “this is more than I ever thought I deserved and ill never stop being grateful to you all.”

More cheered rocked the roof as his speech finished. Sombra leaned across and brushed the Draconequus' cheek with one hoof, drawing him into a kiss. The ponies clapped and stomped their hooves as the couple parted. Umbra watched her son and in-law, so happy she couldn’t speak. Those two were all the proof anypony ever needed, that any pony could start anew.

Sombra smiled at Discord, close to bursting with happiness. Discord grinned back, the crown looking so at home on his head.

The party afterwards went long into the night, as the whole kingdom celebrated their new King's official crowning.

“That was perfect, you didn’t miss a step.” Page Assist said to Discord later on, which made the Draconequus smile.

“Thank you,” Discord smiled in relief “I wont lie, I’m still a little nervous, but ill do anything to make Sombra and this empire proud.”

“You wont have an issue, so relax your majesty.” Page Assist bowed respectfully and Discord could see the sincerity in the ponies eyes as he straightened up. He grinned, indicating the drinks table…

“Mmm, that was sublime.” Discord flopped onto the bed beside his husband.

“Indeed it was. You make it hard not to just orgasm as soon as I start feeling it building,” Sombra rolled onto his belly, placing a hoof on his husband's chest, kissing him deeply.

“Says the cutie who got me off without spilling a single drop!” Discord chuckled, caressing Sombra's cheek, gazing into those deep red eyes. The faintest trace of a green glow could be seen at the edges of his sclera, as he'd been using his magic to entertain his husbands wildest fantasy.

Discord kissed him again, feeling happy and content.

He wondered what the future held for them? This was only part of the most amazing journey he'd ever been on after all, he felt like he still had a lot left to accomplish…

He got the answer to that thought roughly a year later. He and Sombra received news that Cadance was having a crystalling for her newborn baby and of course they were invited! She looked forward to seeing them both again, it'd been awhile.

Discord had gotten used to his crown by now and had discovered he could be an excellent diplomat. His charm and sense of humour broke even the most stoic pony's defences, making them laugh and see the kingdom in a happy light. Sombra had taken him to meet the Yaks and he'd enjoyed every minute, they were wonderfully destructive, but a lot of fun!

They were delayed a little by the sudden snow storm that kicked off party way there. They struggled through it however and as they reached the palace, a guard directed them to go instantly to the upstairs library. They walked by the Crystal Heart whereupon Sombra realised it was no longer whole and felt a jab of dread.

“What has happened to it?” Sombra asked as he set a hoof on the first step.

“The kid, she was fussing and some magic went off- I'm afraid I didn't see it for myself...”

“What?!” Sombra turned pale. Panic rose in his chest and he took off, hooves pounding the halls as he made a beeline for the library.

“Gah!” Starlight Glimmer flattened herself to the floor as the baby shot over her head. The pint-sized Alicorn giggled and burbled merrily as she evaded her parents yet again. At last Pinkie Pie caught her and returned her to Cadance.

“Thank you Pinkie..” Cadance sighed wearily.

“What are we gonna do without that book?!” Twilight wailed. In her exuberance, the baby had blasted the one book that may have helped them fix the heart!

“What about-” Starlight Glimmer, Twilight's new pupil, squinted as she wracked her brains, then her eyes went wide “didn't you say you retrieved King Sombra's journal? Maybe he knew something?”

“We checked,” Twilight shook her head. She wasn’t actually aware that Starlight didn’t know about Sombra. Having lived in a remote village for some years until very recently, then being consumed with her reformation and friendship lessons, the unicorn hadnt exactly had time to read a paper! Twilight had just assumed she knew…

“We can ask him though.” she added absently.

“How? By holding a seance?” Starlight cocked her head to one side, not hearing the doors open behind her, nor hearing the slightly out of breath stallions hoofsteps.

“I mean, he was totally noddle-doodle, right?” Starlight stood on her hind legs and mimed being loopy, hooves twirling either side of her head.

“Gotta admit, she's nailed you there.” a voice piped up from behind Starlight.

“Get her to cross her eyes and she will be a perfect countenance of you, smart ass!” came a retort. Starlight shrieked, almost jumping into the air as she blundered round to face the source. Her jaw hit the floor as she regarded the massive Alicorn and the other creature with him. There was no mistaking Sombra.

“Habuhh?” she pointed at him, unable to find the words “buh?” she asked her mentor.

“Didn't you know?” Twilight asked and Starlight shook her head emphatically. Twilight came over, setting a hoof on her students back. Starlight was still frozen in place, hoof pointing at the dark King in astonishment.

“Well then, Starlight Glimmer, I’d like you to meet the Umbrum ad Infinitum, King Sombra. A LOT has changed since you read that history book...”

“I literally...papers….didn’t get 'em where I lived.” Starlight blurted as she set her hoof down.

“No need to worry, miss Starlight,” Sombra smiled warmly, holding out a hoof to her “As Twilight pointed out, I am indeed THAT Sombra.”

Starlight Glimmer nodded as she shook his hoof, her eyes moving to the chaotic creature hovering beside Sombra. She noticed they wore similar crowns to one another, were they-?

“This is my husband, Discord.” Sombra added, with a confident smile as he indicated the chaos King.

“Hey there Glimmy Glam!” the chaos King shook her hoof with a grin, snapping his fingers and plucking a purple rose to match her mane from behind her left ear. He tucked in into her mane, which made Starlight feel better.

“I-it's nice to meet you both!” She said as she regained her voice. She realised a second later they were both royals and hastily bowed, adding “your majesties!”

Sombra smiled kindly as she stood straight and she was amazed at how totally opposite he was to the history books.

“Once this crisis is over, I’m sure Sombra and Discord would be willing to tell you the story?” Twilight interjected, getting nods from the two in question.

“What happened to the heart?” Sombra asked now the surprise was over “the guard mentioned your little one-”

He cut off as a bundle of feathers and big blue eyes appeared, clinging to his face.

The baby Alicorn burbled and giggled gleefully as she clung to this new pony. She sensed a warmth and intriguing power and wanted to investigate as best as her young mind could.

“Heffo?” Sombra said around the chubby forelegs clinging to his muzzle.

“Aw...she's a cutie!” Discord tickled under the filly's chin, making her shriek joyfully. She let Discord pick her up, waving a foreleg at him and booping his nose. Discord crossed his eyes and pulled faces, making her roar with laughter.

Cadance chuckled, speaking to Sombra as Discord entertained her daughter. The others came over to greet the Kings, including Luna and Celestia.

“Her crying reached such a pitch that she shattered the heart, I don't suppose you know anything about fixing it, Sombra?” The crystal Princess asked pleadingly.

Sombra shook his head. “I am afraid that I do not, for it was never damaged. Even in the midst of my madness, the worst I did was lock it away, I never tried to shatter it. Maybe I knew the disaster that would befall the empire? I regret to say I am not sure...”

He sighed heavily and Starlight felt a sense of sympathy. It was hard, living with regrets….

Spike tugged at her tail as she watched the Alicorn.

They'd just come back shortly before Sombra's arrival, having visited a childhood friend of Glimmers, named Sunburst. It had been so awkward seeing him again, she'd ended up fidgeting and blurting out her lame small talk…

She sighed, looking down at the small dragon.

“We gotta try your friend again!” the baby dragon insisted “c'mon Starlight, he's a wizard!”

“Did you say Wizard?” Cadance was all ears suddenly. Starlight fidgeted, then awkwardly explained about Sunburst.

“You gotta go get him!” Twilight Sparkle said “he may know something!”

“A-alright!” Starlight gathered her courage and bolted back out the door, with Spike in tow…

The others, the new baby alongside, went back down to the shattered remains of the heart, which were hidden behind a curtain. Sombra felt a pang of worry, seeing it like this. He touched a hoof to a shard, seeing it glow faintly beneath his hoof a moment.

“Ooh, something!” Pinkie Pie pointed.

“I think it is reacting to the bond it forged with me, both when it made me immune to its influence and when I cleansed it of a corruptive darkness before.” Sombra guessed. Discord scratched behind his husband's ear, earning a worried smile from the King.

Starlight barrelled through the curtain shortly after, with another unicorn following in her wake.

“I'm not sure how I can help Starlight- whoa, Sombra!?” Sunburst did a double take as he seen the Alicorn. He had read about him in his studies, but he'd never seen him up close.

“Uhhh….boo?” Sombra joked, smiling in bemusement.

“Sorry, your majesty, I didn't mean to be rude!” Sunburst said, flustered as he bowed.

“You know about...” Starlight trailed off, looking from Sombra to Sunburst.

“Of course!” Sunburst said “He's astonishingly complex! I studied many books on Umbrum, you see and as the Infinitum, King Sombra is a wonder of magic and crystal energy! He's married to the lord of chaos, King Discord.”

“'Sup?” Discord appeared beside Sunburst, making him yelp in surprise.

Starlight did a double take as she looked at Sombra now, seeing his crystalline coat. She honestly hadn’t noticed it before, she'd been too surprised by his mere existence!

“Wow, that’s beautiful..” she said to the Alicorn king. He smiled, explaining it was a look native to all Umbrum, that the version of him that she recognised had been an illusion. He changed into it and back again to demonstrate.

“Ooh, do the super version? Please??” Pinkie Pie asked.

“The what now?” Starlight looked quizzically at the pink pony.

Sombra accessed his magic and Pinkie Pie clapped her hooves as he became the glittering light-and-shimmer form he'd displayed when he'd saved his kingdom and again when rescuing a kidnapped son of a dignitary.

“Sweet Celestia..” Sunburst was gaping at Sombra now “how..?”

“I have spells to control it.” Sombra smiled and Sunburst had a spark of an idea..

He realised that he COULD help them, he knew just the spells to help temper the baby's magic and stop her blasting the castle apart every time she sneezed!

Shining Armor gave Sunburst the shard of crystal he'd picked for the crystalling and the parents, their giggling child and Sunburst all slipped through the curtain and back into the freezing storm. All the Alicorns, Starlight and a chaos King gathered around the shards of the heart.

“Together, everypony!” Twilight Sparkle declared and as one they poured their magic into putting the heart back together. From in front of the curtain, they heard the crystalling ceremony going ahead, heard the crowds cheering and felt the magic in the air. The ground shone under their hooves, then disappeared again as on the other side of the curtain, Sunburst channelled the love of the crystal ponies into the special shard of crystal.

He leapt from the stage with it, racing through the curtain and tossing the shard filled with love magic into the fractured heart being held aloft by the magical ponies. The heart shone, then shuddered as it reformed, becoming whole once more. It spun rapidly, blasting out its warm light and shielding the empire from danger once more.

Sombra looked at himself and smiled. He had been granted a crystal ponies appearance once before, after saving the heart. Now it was back, his mane styled and twined with ribbons, coat patterned with the crystal look. Looking at his husband, the Alicorn seen him admiring how he looked as a crystal Draconequus.

“You look very handsome.” Sombra smiled. Discord's normally mohawk-style mane was slicked down and had shades of grey and white running throughout. Ribbons and little crystals adorned it in a simplistic but stylish pattern. Discord flushed at the compliment, his dear Sombra looked cute in this getup...

“Really?” he asked, still a little shy of thinking of himself as how his adoring husband viewed him.

“Yes.” Sombra said insistently, smiling wryly then kissing Discord to back it up.

“Your majesty-oops!” Sunburst looked over just in time to see them smooch. There was a very obvious romance between them and he knew that Umbrums were quite open in their feelings, but he still felt rude for staring. Starlight went pink...but kept right on staring.

“My apologies,” Sombra chuckled as he released his precious Discord “the heart is fixed, I can hear it once more.”

“Hear it?” Sunburst asked.

“Yes, it has communicated many times before.” Sombra walked over to the repaired heart and set a hoof atop it. Sunburst and the others seen it glow and Sombra smiled as his lips moved, saying something to it.

--Thank you-- the heart replied, this time loud enough for them all to hear. A faint blue aura shimmered around Sombra, leading Sunburst to realise it was channelling itself via the stallion's magic.

--The love I gained from you two brings me great joy, Sombra.-- the heart said gently, referring to the Alicorn and his husband –you have made such progress, since last we met.--

“Hey, heart!” Discord sat beside his husband, pressing a finger to the heart. A shimmer of the same aura surrounded him and he giggled gleefully.

“Tickles!” he squeed and Sombra chuckled at the chaos being.

--Thank you, all of you.-- the heart addressed everypony now –your combined love and determination has rebuilt me. Your love has given me fresh life. I must sleep now, but I will always watch over you, my ponies.--

Then the glow faded and the heart was a slumbering, floating decoration once more.

“That was amazing.” Sunburst said at last. He'd never seen such a bond and was extremely curious to learn how Sombra had done that.

That evening as promised, Sombra took the time to tell Starlight and Sunburst his whole story, about his species and his home.

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to visit, I just never get a chance!” Sunburst sighed “I’d need to arrange a residence with a school and they’re always fully booked.”

“I am sure I can arrange something, you can stay at the palace if you wish? In fact, my mother would greatly enjoy the company of one such as yourself.”

“Lady Umbra?” Sunburst's jaw was practically on the floor, to Starlight’s amusement “I’ve read so much about her! She's the memory keeper."

“I will discuss the matter with her when I return home and will send correspondence if you could provide me with your address?”

Starlight giggled to herself at how majorly Sunburst was geeking out over this magical mystery of a King.

As Sombra got down from his chair to grab some parchment from his bag, his cloak, which had gotten nudged aside, failed to slip back down, meaning Discord got a nice view of his husbands rear.

--Nice.-- he thought.

“There, all done!” Sombra finished, tail swishing as he set the address back in his bag.

“I will endeavour to set this up for you as soon as I can. Also, Discord, kindly stop staring at my rear.”

Sunburst went red and clamped a hoof over his mouth to stifle his laughter. Starlight didn't fare so well, snickering briefly before shutting herself up.

“How can you tell?” Discord said, looking affronted.

Sombra rolled his eyes and gestured at the pane of glass on the bookshelf doors behind Sunburst's chair “I could see your eyes tracking my tail. Given that it is attached to my bottom, it did not take a genius.”

“You sure about that?” Discord asked.

“Sure about what-Hay!” Sombra did a double take as he realised Discord had taken his tail. The Draconequus grinned, wearing it like a feather boa and striking a pose.

“Discord!” Sombra glowered at him.

“Oh, alright.” Discord relinquished the soft black tail, reattaching it to his husband with a snap of his fingers.

“Thank you.” Sombra crossed the floor to Discord, lightly butting his muzzle against the Draconequus'.

“This. Is. So. CUTE.” Starlight whispered to Sunburst. He shook his head, she'd been reading too many of those novels that were so popular these days.

Cadance and Shining Armor held a party the next day to celebrate the baby’s crystalling, deciding on the name “Flurry Heart” for the little tyke.

Mid-way through the party, Sombra chuckled as Flurry ambled over, rolled herself up in his long flowing tail and fell fast asleep.

“Aww,” Shining chuckled to Sombra “she's snug as a bug in a rug!”

“If you rug has bugs in it, you need an exterminator.” Discord said with a snicker.

Sombra gave his husband a “don’t be a goof” look, smiling wryly. Discord grinned back, scratching behind his beloved's ear.

Flurry seemed quite curious about Sombra, for later on, she teleported onto his back and began playing with his mane. Sombra didn't mind in the least, even using his magic to boop her nose with a section of his flowy mane. She shrieked in delight, trying to gnaw on it…

He was sad when time came to return home, Flurry had been such a bright little thing, he'd loved entertaining the kid.

Sombra was unusually quiet on the trip back, like his mind was roaming elsewhere. Discord didn’t push it, however, simply figuring the Alicorn was processing the days events, he'd snuggle him to distraction later…

--Family...hm..-- Sombra wondered about his family. He had a husband, but what about-?

He shook his head, telling himself that he shouldn't be letting his mind wander like this. He had a kingdom to care for, subjects to look after and trade agreements to set up. Alongside his dear Draconequus of course~

He broke out of his stupor and surprised Discord a little by wordlessly pulling him into a deep, but gentle kiss, uttering a contented murmur.

Sombra promptly set up a study arrangement trip for Sunburst, writing a letter to the unicorn to let him know. It was always nice to meet someone with such enthusiasm for Umbrum culture, his mother was looking forward to meeting the wizard!

But as more time went by, he found himself returning to the idea of family more and more often. It was as if the world around him was trying to persuade him.

He was musing over the simple idea of it as he sat in an expensive coffee shop, at a nicely secluded table. It still gave him a little view of the rest of the pleasant little café, however.

A foal and a filly raced across his field of view for the third time, giggling as they chased one another.

“Cant catch me!” the girl cried, scrunching her face and teleporting herself-

-but she wasn’t experienced enough and overshot where she'd been aiming for. She appeared atop a light fixture to the left of where the Alicorn was sat, promptly realised where she'd landed and clung to it with a shriek. Concerned she could fall, Sombra immediately lifted her with his magic and set her on the plush seating next to him.

“Are you alright?” he asked, peering at her.

“Y-yes your majesty.” She said shakily, tears welling up.

“Strawberry Field!” Her mother and father, the other little foal in tow, all came rushing over in the direction of their daughter's scream.

“Oh, sweet Celestia-” The mother panicked, seeing her daughter had somehow managed to inconvenience his majesty!

“I am so sorry, sire,” the father strode over, looking sternly at his daughter “you shouldn’t be messing about like this-”

“We were just playing, daddy!” The little filly teared up and sniffled, feeling upset and a tiny bit scared as she got down from the seat.

“You disturbed his majesty, for pity’s sake-”

Seeing how downcast the little one was and her brother too, Sombra got down from the seating, sitting himself down in front of the two little ones.

“You kids do not need to worry. You are not disturbing me at all, if anything I was spacing out from a lack of things to focus upon.” he gave them a grin and they giggled.

“But your father is right, you need to be very careful when your magic is still young.”

“But it always feels like I’m gonna just explode if I don’t do something!” Strawberry piped up. Sombra considered this for a moment and had an idea.

“What about a tutor? There are many who help teach young ones like yourself-”

“Oh we couldn’t your majesty...we uh-” the father began.

“We can't afford it.” Strawberry piped up “we only came in here because its a special occasion, its daddy’s birthday!”

Sombra smiled at the pony in question, hoping he had a wonderful day of it!

“That’s kind of you your majesty, thank you.” The father flushed, he hadn’t expected to meet one of the kingdoms rulers. He'd seen photos of the married couple ruling side by side, he admired how quirky the chaos King was!

“Well...” Sombra had an idea. Sunburst was at the palace today, Sombra had overhead him telling the staff he'd be in the library, going over his notes. So he wrote a quick letter and dispatched it.

“I may be able to help,” he explained “if my associate agrees.”

“You don't need to do that-” The mother blustered “we don't want to impose on you, you have such a big job to do-”

There was a puff of smoke and a scroll appeared, Sombra opened it with his magic and beamed.

“My plan is a success,” he announced “if you are willing, your little unicorn can attend lessons at the palace. There is a unicorn called Sunburst-”

“Sunburst!?” the girls eyes went wide “I heard about him, isn't he the crystaller for Princess Flurry?”

“He is indeed,” Sombra nodded “he's an excellent wizard. He'll be able to help you learn your magic.”

“Can I, pleeease mommy?” Strawberry pleaded at her dumbstruck parents, who were gawking at the King in shock.

“N-not to be ungrateful, your majesty-” the wife said “b-but we cannot afford to-”

Sombra waved a hoof, dismissing the matter.

“There is no charge for this schooling. Master Sunburst is working towards being a magic teacher and this would be invaluable experience for him! If you agree, of course?”

The parents nodded and little Strawberry gave the King an unexpected hug, beaming ear to ear, babbling about how cool this was gonna be!

Flank deep in paperwork back at the palace later on, Sombra thought about how happy he'd felt to see the kid overjoyed, that he'd made her smile.

“Why can I not stop thinking about this?” he wondered aloud as he packed up his ledgers and prepared to meet his husband for dinner. He did his best to push the matter from his mind and by the time he reached the dining room to be greeted with a loving kiss from Discord, he'd done just that.

He threw himself back into his work, aided by his rapidly learning husband. Discord was getting a very stellar reputation as a negotiator, he was a big hit with the dignitaries, as well as visiting lords and ladies.

“That went exceedingly well,” Sombra smiled at Discord as they walked along the halls towards their bedroom.

“Excellent!” Discord beamed, kissing his husbands cheek as the pony opened the door to the bedroom, floating in behind the pony and settling on the bed. Sombra set the ledgers down on his desk and came to settle on the bed beside the Draconequus.

“Do you think I’m almost a real King yet?” Discord asked as they snuggled. Sombra chuckled, pulling back to observe him.

“You’ve been one since DAY one, my love.” the Alicorn told him firmly, straddling the Draconequus' lap and setting his hoofs either side of Discord's head. He leaned in, a sultry smile curving his lips.

“You’re the best diplomat this empire could have, you have succeeded in netting us the best trade links with every single one, since that first meeting with the Cambridle scholars!”

Discord flushed, but Sombra wasn't done yet.

“You have proven you can handle this empire in my absence. The guard respect the buck out of you, the public love you- you have been amazing since day one, my love. OK?”

Discord nodded. He knew Sombra was right, but he still got a little insecure at times, worrying he'd been a bit too OTT. But looking into his husband's eyes, he seen the firm belief in the pony's eyes and felt his heart ease.

“Thank you, my dear Sombra.” he whispered, bestowing a kiss upon the pony. Sombra sat back after the kiss, his eyes straying down his partners body.

“Now how about we negotiate over something exciting?” the Alicorn teased, stroking his hoof down his lovers shaft, making Discord moan urgently. Sombra leaned in and nipped at his ear, making him even harder.

“Lets begin.” he purred, as Discord kissed him hungrily.

The idea of family was forgotten for now and Sombra had almost convinced himself, after a few weeks had passed, that it was merely a passing whim..

But it wasn't so easily removed. Two weeks later and he was off visiting the Crystal Empire to pick up some supplies, but also to see Cadance and her family.

The guards greeted him with smiles and deep bows as he dismounted from the carriage steps and strode over, pushing open the doors for him. They told him the Princess would be there to meet him shortly, so he took a look around the massive entranceway.

Sombra was absorbed in a display of newly discovered art, when there was a poof of air and a familiar bundle of fun appeared in front of him, somehow inside the case. She pressed her face against the glass, poking her tongue out. Sombra chuckled, magicked Flurry out of there and she nestled into the crook of his right foreleg.

“Hello little one.” Sombra smiled down at the little Alicorn “my, how you’ve grown!”

Flurry burbled up at him, her chubby cheeks crinkling in delight as she batted at his mane. Sombra found himself pretending to not see her, so she fluffed up her impressive wings, waving them at him.

“Ah, there’s the little Princess!” Sombra declared, making her beam happily. She wrapped her little legs around him in a hug, giggling happily.

Cadance watched this from the end of the hall. She'd been on her way with Flurry to meet Sombra, when the baby had suddenly scrunched her nose and teleported away. Cadance had started to panic when she'd heard her daughters laughter from up ahead and a familiar deep voice answering.

She crept stealthily into the hall, a smile appearing as she seen Sombra playing with Flurry, making her laugh and hug him.

“Cadance!” Sombra looked up as she approached “I have had the honour of being greeted by Equestria's littlest royal!”

Cadance chuckled as her daughter clambered over Sombra's shoulder to trot across his back and jump into her mothers back.

“She’s full of beans, that’s for sure!” the Princess chuckled as they set off down the hall “Shining's out in the garden, we have a picnic prepared. Flurry Heart just loves the garden, she keeps trying to eat the flowers though, so we gotta keep an eye on her.”

Flurry hiccuped to back this up as they entered the private gardens. Shining Armor greeted Sombra and asked how business at his kingdom was going?

“Is Discord settling?” he queried. Sombra smiled and nodded, detailing the work his husband had done and everything he'd accomplished since the wedding.

“That’s amazing!” Cadance said happily “I know he was worried when we seen him at the wedding.”

“Yes, he was fretting that he wouldn’t be able to live up to me. I told him I didn’t want him to, I wanted him to be the same as he'd always been, with me...”

Cadance squeed happily as she heard this. As they spoke of other matters, Flurry Heart pottered around them, playing with her toys and investigating the grass for awhile. Then she dropped everything to watch Sombra's tail swish back and forth. It was mesmerizing…

Sombra made a faint squeak as something pulled on his tail. He peered round, laughing softly as he observed Flurry Heart scaling his tail. She made it onto his back, then tripped and rolled into the spot between his wings. She gurgled, curling onto her side and falling asleep with a big yawn.

“That is just. ADORABLE.” Shining said, watching his daughter.

--She really likes Sombra.-- Cadance observed with a smile. She watched Sombra's expression, seeing how he seemed oddly melancholy for just a second.

When Shining Armor went inside to put a very deeply asleep Flurry down for a nap, she asked Sombra to accompany her for a walk around the gardens.

“Sombra,” she began “have you ever considered having a child?”

She knew about his Infinitum ability, how he'd be capable of creating a child via his abilities. It was how his mother had created him, after all. But whereas she'd only been able to do it with the knowledge her kind was in desperate need, Sombra could choose to initiate it during a yearly mating season he went through.

Sombra flushed, but something in the way he glanced away, then back at her, told her she was right. That he'd already been considering it..

“Have you brought it up with Discord?” she asked. Sombra shook his head.

“I am not sure I am ready to look after a child. Plus, I do not think he wants one just yet.”

“Nopony feels fully ready, I sure didn’t,” Cadance smiled “but it's a marvellous thing. You learn as you go, but I can already tell you’ll be great with a kid. Flurry is generally very shy around anypony besides me, Shining, Sunburst and Twilight. But she adores you, I was watching you playing with her in the entrance hall.”

Sombra smiled, recalling how happy he'd felt to play with the little one. Hearing her laugh….

He realised he really did want a child.

“I- you are right,” he sighed anxiously “I have been preoccupied lately with the idea of a complete family for Discord and I. I do not know how he'd feel now though, last time we spoke of it he was not even close to prepared to think about kids. Neither was I, technically.”

“Talk to him.” Cadance said softly, patting his shoulder as they returned to the garden “he loves you deeply and who knows, maybe he won't be as adverse as you think?”

Sombra nodded, feeling cheered by this idea.

He ran through potential ways to break it to Discord, everything from blurting it out to drawing a picture. But none of them felt right…

So it was that he didn't say anything as they drew closer atop the bed, back in the Umbrum palace that night, their hands and hooves touching and caressing. Discord's hands squeezed the stallion's rump and he gave an eager groan, pressing closer to the Draconequus.

“Shall we?” Discord winked, making Sombra grin. They had what Page Assist had not so subtly referred to as an “(over)active sex life”. Sombra had been standing just outside the door, preparing to knock and had very nearly burst out laughing as he overheard his aide's rant.

Sombra's wings pomf'd as Discord rubbed his bottom again and he eagerly made the first move. Given he was already practically sitting on Discord's lap….

Discord lay back, propped up by a multitude of pillows, his hands resting on his lovers hips and tracing the outline of his cutie mark as the King rode him. Oh, his precious stallion was very talented at this-

All thought ended there as he felt the climax building. Sombra felt it too, for he picked up the pace, wanting it just as badly…

Discord was entranced by how gorgeous his husband looked as the powerful climax ran through him. The way he arched his back, the manner in which he flapped his wings, fluffing them up as much as possible.

Sweet Celestia, he was amazing.

There was a brief flicker of light over the pony’s coat as the orgasm began to fade and the Alicorn's wings relaxed.

“This looks familiar.” Discord noted breathlessly, as he brushed a hand over Sombra's chest, feeling how fast his heart was racing.

Sombra looked down at himself and panicked. This was indeed the same sheen his coat had taken on right before he-

“-in heat, right?”

“Ah!” Sombra's mind went blank and he hurriedly stood up, biting back a quiet moan as the Draconequus hard, throbbing shaft was freed from his body. Little echoes of the climax hit him and he stumbled back, barely keeping on his feet.

Discord was a little alarmed by Sombra's response, why was he afraid?

“Don’t look like that, handsome,” he teased as he sat up “I know what you need, remember?”

“I-i...” Sombra tried to think of a way to explain it “I didn’t mean to-”

“Cutie, you’re worrying me. What do you mean, you didn’t mean to? Your heat is random, isn’t it? I mean, sure its awoken by a particularly strong desire, but you don’t need to feel ashamed of that.”

Sombra closed his eyes, he may as well be honest.

“Yes, I do.” he said heavily. Discord was all set to object when he realised this was something big.

“Tell me.” he scooted forward, lifting the stallions chin so their faces were level “open your eyes.”

Sombra reluctantly did, but his husbands gentle expression only increased the guilt.

“Just come out with it. I wont be angry, my precious Sombra.” Discord said firmly as he set his hand back down.

Sombra looked so heart-achingly apologetic that the chaos King was starting to really fret.

“Its...I...” Sombra shut his eyes and blurted “I think that I want a child, Discord!”

Scarcely were the words out of his mouth, then he regretted them. He heard the silence in the room and upon opening his eyes and seeing his husband's frankly startled expression, he panicked. He tried to bolt off the bed, but Discord was faster. He pounced his King, pinning him to the bed on his back, so they were nose to nose.

“Is that what’s eating you?” the Draconequus asked “Why didn’t you say so- well, I mean you DID, but why so worried?”

“I, last time we-?” Sombra winced. The close proximity of their bodies was starting to turn him on all over again. He uttered a barely audible whimper.

“We'd barely had time to be together,” Discord scolded “we were still exploring what we desired. Neither of us was ready. Just because I said no then, doesn't mean I will now.”

Sombra flushed, still unable to look directly at his husband.

“I don't know what kind of father I’d make, if I’d even be a good one. But, I can see from your eyes that you really want this. So I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy-”

“No!” the gesture made Sombra's heart ache in a bitter-sweet way and he shook his head then nuzzled the confused Discord “I do not want you to feel as if you have to because of me. I would have gone into heat anyway, it is obviously the right time. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Cutie?” Discord looked sceptical.

Sombra forced as sincere a smile as he could, insisting it was fine. He made up a lie about him getting too sidetracked making a fuss of little Flurry Heart, she was an entertaining little child, it was probably just that he couldn’t recall his own childhood very fondly...

Discord could see it wasn’t related to any of this stuff that his husband was saying, but he relented, sensing Sombra felt mortified enough that he'd even blurted it out. Maybe he just needed time...

“Alright cutie...” he kissed the stallion gently, “now, I do believe you’re not tuckered out yet.”

Sombra flushed, remembering how close they were and his heat.

Discord scooted back, grasping his lovers shaft and stroking gently as he went further down and pushed his tongue in.

Sombra moaned urgently, body tensing around the probing tongue as he shuddered in bliss. He gave in to the need and pleasure, letting it blot his worries from his mind.

The next morning, he didn't mention the last nights awkwardness.

Discord wanted to, but deep inside he knew he didn't want to push the pony, not after he'd been so flustered last night. But while they snuggled and kissed under the shower spray, it felt like they were just a little further apart then before…

Discord hated to see his King sad, but he didn't know what to think about what Sombra had said. Would he, a crazy bundle of chaos, truly be good around a small child? What if all he did was teach it bad habits??

So when they parted ways for the day, they were both pretty distant, lost in thought.

Discord was handling court that morning and Sombra was entertaining some guests, showing them around the kingdom in a carriage ride tour.

Every minute that passed, it felt like he was struggling more and more to focus. Mercifully, his guests were too busy admiring the empire to notice their host spacing out now and again.

He forced himself to not think about his stupid outburst last night, hoping Discord would just forget about it. He hated hiding anything from his husband, but he didn't want to make him feel like he HAD to do it for Sombra's sake.

--What should I do..?-- he wondered as he and his guests headed back to the palace. He answered their questions with a smile, telling himself to keep focus.

Discord, meanwhile, was wondering about his husbands freak out last night even as the day ended and he met with his love for dinner. But he could still see the worry in Sombra's eyes as they walked to their room.

“Sombra, please...” Discord spoke up as they stood outside the door, Sombra's hoof resting on the handle.

“I...” Sombra felt his chest constrict. How could he have embarrassed himself like that? Sounding like a fool and foisting his daydreams onto his husband, making him agree simply because he, Sombra, had looked so worried. “I would rather not talk about it any further, my love. It was just a mix of the visit to see the new baby and everything that has been happening lately. I am sorry if I alarmed you, I do not know what came over me.”

“I think that may have been me-” Discord said glibly, then realising he'd just given his husband an opportunity to sidestep, he mentally face palmed.

Sombra burst out laughing as he nudged the door open, a laugh so genuine that it made Discord pause a moment. He was happy to hear his beloved laugh-

Sombra was at the bed now, shucking his cloak and shoes as he clambered onto it. Discord's eyes roamed over that lovely rear of his and he groaned softly.

“Boing.” he sighed absently.

Sombra looked over his shoulder at him, swishing his tail across said rump. He was flushed faintly, his desires had been bothering him all day and with the suppressor spell keeping it in check, he needed release.

“My love?” he asked, hoping Discord wasn’t upset at his refusal to discuss the matter a moment ago. Discord read the worry and apology in his lover's eyes and drifted over to sit beside him.

“It's alright, my dear Sombra. If you don’t want to talk about it, we don’t have to. We all have impulses now and again, you’re so cute when you get one in your head.” he kissed the stallion even as his tail curled round to caress Sombra's member. The pony gasped softly, body shivering in anticipation.

“I want you to promise me you wont feel guilty, alright?” Discord asked, twitching his tail again as he kissed his lover.

“Y-yes, Discord.” Sombra said huskily as they parted.

“Good pony. Now...” the Draconequus grinned “what to do with you..?”

As Sombra slept in his arms, a drowsy Draconequus tried to think of a way to ease the burden of self-imposed guilt Sombra had forced upon himself. It came down to a very obvious question; what did HE think about kids? Sombra clearly longed for one, with a passion that was bordering on breaking his heart.

He needed to reach a conclusion soon, for his husband's sake.

The next day, Discord ruminated over it at every opportunity.

--Does he want a kid or not? Why did he insist we drop the issue?-- Discord sighed heavily.

“Something wrong, chief?” Corona asked, seeing how deep in thought Discord was.

“Yes, I’m worried about Sombra.”

“I must confess I am also. Is he sick? He looks kinda peaky.” Corona said uneasily, brow furrowing.

“He's not sick, he's worrying again. There’s something he wants but when I tried to broach it, he suddenly got scared and clammed up.”

“Really?” Corona frowned “that's unlike him...”

“Exactly,” Discord said “that's how I know its important. He still carries a little of that uncertainty that makes him deny himself what his heart wants. He's improved immensely since we announced how we felt about one another to the kingdom, but now he's retreated into himself.”

Corona frowned, thinking back to what he'd seen of the King lately. “If I were to narrow it down, I would say he's been quiet ever since he came back from that visit to see Princess Cadance's baby...” he trailed off, looked at Discord and opened his mouth- could it be?

“Yes, he wants a child.” Discord confirmed.

“Do you?” Corona asked, seeing Discord's hesitation.

“I'm not sure. I don't think I’m good around kids.” Discord sighed “Sombra is, I’ve seen it time and again. They love him.”

“What makes you think they wouldn't like you? His majesty has talked about how you entertain the kids at the joke shop numerous times. He always said he mostly stayed back and just let them engage with you.”

Discord blinked, he hadn’t thought about that. He remembered making faces at flurry heart. She hadn’t been afraid of him, she'd given him a big beaming smile and tried to chew on his goatee.

“See? I'm sure you'd be fine with a kid of your own. I got friends that are married with families and they all say the love is even stronger because you're helping guide and mould their future. I can imagine you and your husband making great parents, if you want my opinion!”

“Thank you, Captain.” Discord heaved a big sigh “Sombra's right. It's time to take the next step. I wont lie, I don’t know how good a father I’ll be, but for my dear Sombra I’m willing to try. The idea of having a little one of our own, it does intrigue me somewhat.”

“There you go,” Corona nodded wisely “you already there. Your as ready as you can be for the first step.”

“You are a life saver, Captain.” Discord grinned at the gargoyle.

“All in the line of duty, sire.” Corona grinned.

“Eh, just call me Discord.” the chaos King shrugged. Corona was pleased, very few were allowed to address the Kings by their names.

The Gargoyle went with the King to take a walk around the streets and grab some lunch. Then Discord stopped so suddenly that the Captain bumped into him.

“Everything OK?” Corona asked, peering round Discord.

“Look.” the Draconequus indicated a gathering ahead of him. They'd paused at the exit from an alleyway and up ahead was Sombra, surrounded by a group of mares. Their uniforms indicated they were nannies and carers and their charges were gazing up at the King in curiosity and adoration. One of the littlest was clambering up Sombra's mane and Sombra was clearly trying not to laugh, it had to tickle.

At last the little tyke reached his gaol and perched atop Sombra's head, clinging to his crown and giggling.

“I’ve been defeated!” the monarch declared “you’ve grabbed the crown, my little friend!”

The little tyke giggled and reached a chubby hoof up to pet the pony’s horn.

Discord studied Sombra's expression as the went on. He seen how delighted the King looked, how genuine his smile was, the sparkle in his eyes as he reluctantly floated the little one down from his head, tucking the child back into his stroller as the nannies prepared to depart. He smiled warmly at the children and they returned it, waving goodbye to the King as they were guided away.

Discord silently motioned Corona to follow him back into the shadows of the alley.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you wish to say good afternoon?” the guard frowned.

“I don’t want to disturb him. If he sees me now, he'll know I was watching him and he'll get all guilty and clam up. I don’t want him being unhappy, he has enough on his plate.”

“I understand sire,” Corona followed Discord as he finally wandered into a restaurant “I hope you two can sort things out, yours is the strongest bond I’ve ever seen.”

Discord was again very grateful for the Gargoyle's honesty, his straight forward way of phrasing things.

Once his duties were finished for the day, Discord shot off to find his husband. He came across him in the library, shelving some reference books on the first floor. He drifted silently up to the stallion, waiting until Sombra noticed him.

“Yes.” he said.

“Yes...what?” Sombra looked at him, puzzled. What was Discord grinning about?

“Yes. To your little statement on first heat night.”

The penny dropped and Sombra blushed bright red.

“D-discord?” he stammered, did he really mean-?

“Yes,” Discord said, caressing his beloveds cheek with one hand “I want us to be a family. You, me and our future little one.”

Sombra's heart leapt but also twinged, what had prompted this change? He stepped back, expression crumpling a little in anxiety “Discord, I don't want to pressure you. I'm sorry if I did-”

“Please calm down, my sweet Sombra,” Discord said gently “just hear me out. I had a talk with Corona today and he pretty much read what was on my mind. He reminded me of all the time I spent playing with the kids at the joke shop. That I could be a parent if I believe in myself. I realised I was just scared of being a bad influence, but then I thought about everything you've taught me since we met. I've been a friend, I’ve been a lover and now I’m a husband. I think I’m ready to be a father too. I admit I don’t know anything about raising a kid, but we'll learn that together.”

Sombra eyes widened in hope, heart rising. Did he really mean-?

Discord kissed the Alicorn King's muzzle gently “I’ve been thinking about it ever since you shied away from the matter that night. I wont lie to you and say I’m not scared of goofing up, but you make me want to be my best. And together, I think we can help each other. What do you say, cutie? Want to have a kid with me?”

Sombra's eyes went wide as this sunk in. Then he uttered a happy cry, standing on his hind legs to wrap his forelegs around Discord's neck and hug him tightly.

“Thank you, my love.” he whispered shakily. Discord rubbed his back gently, just holding him in his arms..

Down below, the librarian had been distracted from her task of shelving some fiction books when she heard the pony King utter a strange cry. Poking her head round the shelf, she seen the two embracing. Discord must’ve snuck in while she was distracted, for he was now holding his husband close, with the King somehow balancing on his hind legs to hug the chaos being.

They drew back, their eyes meeting and she seen how happy and excited they looked. She wondered what it was about…?

She chuckled as the two shared a deep, obviously loving, kiss. She turned back to her task, humming softly.

Page Assist walked in at that moment, nose in his diary. He spotted a flash of black mane and automatically headed towards it.

“Your majesty-” he began, only to realise the both of them were there, and just parting from a kiss. Too late...

Sombra's wings pomf'd up to full height, promptly overbalancing the duo. Discord fell over backwards, with the alarmed stallion landing atop him.

“Page Assist!!” Sombra blurted indignantly, glaring up at his aide.

“S-sorry your majesties..” the aide stepped back, blushing “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“That much is clear. Please refrain from giving me such a fright!” Sombra said with an annoyed chuffing noise.

“O-of course..” Page Assist nodded. "I did not intend to cut short any..personal matters."

“That’s very nice you two, but whilst you’re very warm and soft my dear Sombra, this floor is the total opposite.”

“Ah!” Sombra looked down, coming nose to nose with his husband and realising he had been conducting that whole scolding whilst pinning his beloved to the floor by way of lying on him. He shot up so fast he wound up balancing on the tips of his hooves. His face went bright red, wings twitching.

“Oh, dear love.” Discord sat himself up, setting his hands on Sombra's shoulders and settling him back on all four hooves again. “You’re so cute when you get flustered.”

“That’s enough of that!” Sombra declared, but the corner of his mouth twitched and soon he was laughing. Discord wasn’t far behind, their laughter filling the vaulted room.

Page Assist relaxed, seeing them so happy.

“Are you both alright?” he asked.

“Yes, we're fine.” Discord assured him. He glanced at his husband, seeing the ponies eyes light up. Should they..?

The pony nodded and Discord made a happy noise.

“What's-?” Page Assist got the impression they had a big announcement brewing and glanced from one to the other. Sombra stood side by side with his husband and smiled at his aide.

“I need you to do something for me, Page Assist?”

“Of course, King Sombra. What is it?”

“I need you to find the books about the Infinitum breeding season. This time, Discord and I, we've decided to set the process in motion as soon as we can.”

Page Assist's jaw dropped as he processed it, seeing how content they were.

“Your majesties- that's wonderful!” Page Assist recovered his voice “of course, right away! Follow me.”

He led them towards a heavily locked room. This was the royal documents library, only able to be opened by the most trusted. This included both Kings, Lady Umbra, Page Assist himself and a scarce few others.

While Page Assist unlocked the door, Sombra kissed Discord quickly. Discord smiled at him, feeling the same excitement he seen in his husband's eyes.

“This is so exciting~” he whispered to the Alicorn.

“I know, I must confess I’m rather nervous. How long will this take, for instance?” The pony murmured back, nuzzling the chaos being.

Page Assist got the door open and ushered them inside,. He looked up the correct books, writing down which pages would be most relevant and of course advised the King to inform his doctor so he could begin preparations.

While the King was in his crystal stasis, creating the new life, he would need to be monitored closely. His magic levels would be key, if they tanked or spiked too high it could indicated a problem. Such a thing was by no means complication free.

“How long will it take?” Discord asked and Page Assist tapped a hoof against his chin, thinking about the information he had.

“At a guess, about a month? It's short, but very intensive, sires. I suggest you enquire about magic donation, to give you a boost before your stasis.”

“I have been studying the magical retention properties of my own crystals, maybe I can create one to store magic that can sustain me?” Sombra mused.

“See? I married a genius!” Discord smiled at Page Assist while indicating his hubby.

Page Assist nodded and they left, locking the room behind them. The married couple went down to dinner, Discord leafing through the books idly. There was a lot to learn here…

“Soo, basically I need to supply you with ample amounts of uh….myself?” Discord quirked an eyebrow at the pony lying beside him. They'd spent the evening reading the first of the books, amazed by just how complex the process was.

“Mmm, indeed you do.” Sombra purred, smiling languidly as he traced a pattern on Discord's chest with one hoof “the best time would be on the day I initiate the stasis, but I’m more then welcoming of any early practise-”

He was kissed hotly, the book tossed to the side as Discord pinned him gently to the bed.

“As you wish, my love...” the Draconequus grinned. He loved how excitable Sombra was when he was on heat...

The doctor did a double take the next day when the Alicorn walked into his office, sat himself down and calmly said he wanted to have a child. It took the doctor a spare minute to recollect this was the Infinitum he was talking to. He nodded at last, pulling a copy of the same book Sombra and Discord had been studying last night.

“I assume you have read this, your majesty?”

Sombra nodded “yes, myself and my husband both have. We wish to go ahead with it, doctor.”

“Of course, your majesty. I wish to discuss the risks with you, however. This isn’t the easiest process, even your mother ran that risk when she had you. As half of this kingdoms heart, every precaution must be taken to safeguard you.”

Sombra noted this indication towards Discord being the other half and smiled softly.

“Should your husband not be present for this?” the doctor asked.

“Oh he'll be along shortly, he's just finishing up some work with Page Assist.” Sombra looked very proud, leading the doc to glean that the newer of the monarchs was advancing ever more to being as capable as his stallion partner. He nodded, instead asking if his majesty had any questions for the meantime?

Discord arrived a minute later, greeting the doctor with a wave and his husband with a kiss before settling himself in the chair.

“Not to cast doubt on your wishes sire, but I have to be absolutely certain this is what you want.”

Sombra flushed, being reminded of his attempts to downplay his desires to his own husband. Discord chuckled and scratched behind Sombra's ears as he met his eyes “we're sure, aren’t we, my Sombra?”

The King nodded, determination filling his eyes as they looked back at the doctor.

Assured that this was not just some passing fantasy, the doctor consulted the list in front of him.

“Well, then I suggest you return when your next heat cycle starts-”

He stopped as Discord coughed and Sombra went red again. The King was still oddly sensitive about this knowledge and had been trying to keep it as tightly hidden as he could.

“I see, it's already started then? Very well, we'll speed ahead. How long was your previous cycle?”

“Well,” Sombra forced himself to speak “I am unsure, I did not keep records.”

“The Chrysalis incident was a bit muddled thanks to what she did to my Sombra,” Discord scowled briefly “bitch. Anyway, I think it was about a solid fortnight the second time?”

Sombra unfolded a wing to wrap it around his husband's shoulders. Discord relaxed at the warmth, smiling briefly at the stallion. He chanced placing a brief kiss on Sombra's muzzle before the doc spoke up, turning to face the medical pony.

“Well, I will assume its been a few days. I had intended to discuss your next check-up with you prior to today, King Sombra sir, but your aide said he'd seen you both returning to your room and not to enter if he heard any loud noises-”

THUNK.

Sombra had done his head-desk routine just like the incident with Feather.

“Y-your majesty?” the doctor asked.

“I am going to clobber him.” Sombra snarled into the desk.

“Nah, leave it to me, I’ll give him a good pranking, my love.” Discord chuckled. He leaned in close and murmured something in Sombra's ear that made the stallion lift his head and glower at the Draconequus, but he looked a little less peeved. His expression was so cute, with the way his nose was scrunched, that Discord had to sit on the urge to kiss him there and then.

“I apologise if I said anything untoward your majesty. My wife has chastised me on a similar matter..” the doctor raised an amused eyebrow and the King blinked at him before relaxing a little and even uttering a soft chuckle.

“Back to the matters at hoof, I can assume its been a few days?”

“Yes, since it began.” Sombra went back to being serious as he calmed down.

“I would suggest in the final quarter of your heat cycle. It doesn’t leave much time, but such is the matter. You intend to make a formal announcement to the populace. They will need to know why you are absent.”

“Of course,” Discord said and Sombra nodded silently “we'll do it as soon as possible.”

“Doctor.” Sombra bit his lip anxiously “what are the chances of success?”

“Well,” the doctor wondered how best to phrase it “in a way it's all down to your body's capability, sire. You will need a lot of magic in order to best support yourself, but magic can be donated throughout the process.”

“I'll give you whatever you need, love.” Discord assured him “your body has always adapted to chaos magic well. I'm sure Eris knows a thing or two, she's good at this stuff.”

Sombra nodded, feeling a bit better.

“We'll get you everything you need, your majesty.” the doctor promised “there no need to worry. I recommend you rest as much as you can and avoid any overuse of your magic.”

Sombra nodded again, feeling light headed. This was really happening!

They made the announcement from the balcony of their palace the next day, standing side by hide, hoof and hand clasped. The crowds cheered loudly when they learned their majesties were going to try for a child using Sombra's Infinitum abilities. As the only male capable of having children in this manner, via the crystal magic he was made of, many envied their luck. This child would be born royal, a fusion of two strong types of magic.

“I apologise in that this will keep me away from you for upwards of a month,” Sombra said into the mic “the stasis is very heavy duty and will require me to remain in a sleeping state, at a rare level of awareness.”

“Is it safe, your majesty?” one reporter called, voice magnified by a spell.

“We are working to make sure its as safe as can be for my husband,” Discord said in response “Most of the process is handled by Sombra's mind and body, so I have no doubts he will be just fine, but we will do everything we can to ease the burden.”

Sombra flushed happily and smiled at his beloved. Discord squeezed his hoof reassuringly, the motion captured by the spells magnifying and displaying the two to the crowds below. They cheered at the closeness and ease the couple shared.

“Will the child be a mix of both your traits, or will it be solely inherit Umbrum magic?” another asked and Sombra smiled as he answered.

“We have discovered how to infuse our magic so that it can be worked into the process. It is my sincerest hope our child will inherit the best of both our abilities. It will be quite simply, in my mind, a marvel.”

Discord flushed, recalling Sombra's words that occasion when he'd been doubting himself. The stallion had called him a marvel and declared it was part of why he loved him…

More cheers from the crowd below, they were all very touched by this sentiment.

“Do you have a name chosen yet?” came the next question from a local paper.

“Not yet,” Discord spoke up “we figured we'll work that out when our little one is born.”

They answered a few more questions before calling an end to the announcement. Loud cheering followed them as they stepped into the corridors of the palace. Sombra beamed up at Discord and was kissed lovingly in return. He gave a happy sigh as they parted, his contentment clear in his eyes.

Two nearby guards stared enviously and Sombra asked were they alright?

“Yes sir, just very envious sire.” the first chuckled, nodding at the two.

Sombra smiled warmly, wings fluffing up as he felt his lovers hand settle atop his back.

As the days passed, Sombra worked on his proposed “crystal battery” plan. He used his own crystals, building them as strong as he could. He moulded them into the shape of the gem that usually resided in his necklace, so they could be switched out as and when needed.

He tested his prototype out, discovering it did indeed work, but the energy needed a time release spell if it was to be effective in stasis.

“Hows progress?” Corona floated into the King's workshop, studying the gem as Sombra removed it from his neckplate, setting the original gem back in its slot.

“Good, so far. It still needs a spell to control the magic’s release,” Sombra frowned “otherwise it’ll absorb too fast. I need to attune it to my biological wavelength. There has to be a way?”

“Well, dinners ready and your husband insisted I go fetch you and drag you down to dinner, if need be.”

“I would like to see you try,” Sombra chuckled and Corona grinned.

“OK, I surrender!! Your strength is far higher than I expected Captain!.”

Sombra's sides ached from laughter as the Gargoyle let go of him. Corona had grabbed the back of his cloak and managed to drag the King across the room, the stallion laughing fit to bust the whole time, before letting go.

“Thank you, Sombra sir.” the Gargoyle winked at the stallion and laughed. Chuckling, the monarch accompanied his friend down to the dining hall where his husband awaited.

A scant two days before the day was due for the stasis to begin, Sombra finished the spell on the gem. He ran tests as best he could, deciding it was as good as it was going to get. It was thus installed in his necklace in place of the regular gem.

On the day itself, both royals were off duty, with Sombra's mother taking over. The would-be parents were cosied up atop the bed in Sombra's room, sharing a bottle of (non-alcoholic) wine and a great many kisses. The shield surrounded the bed, keeping them private from the rest of the palace.

They parted at last, Sombra flushing softly.

“Nervous, love?” Discord asked, massaging his stallions stomach and making him moan softly.

“A little, yes” Sombra admitted “but excited also.”

“Me too, my love. And I don’t mean just emotionally.” cue the eyebrow waggling. Sombra burst out laughing, kissing the Draconequus fiercely.

“Shall we begin?” Discord whispered, letting the hand rubbing the King's belly slide further down. Sombra nodded, stomach fluttering anxiously.

“Relax my love...” Discord whispered, then snapped his fingers as he sat back. Sombra uttered a surprised yet also aroused yelp as those vines from before made an appearance. Trussed up and incapable of moving, his heart hammered in his chest as Discord sat in front of him…

His wings pomf'd out to full as soon as he felt those slick lube-coated fingers thrust into him, the familiar yet always welcome sensation making him moan eagerly.

Discord hand circled the tip of his partners shaft, squeezing gently with every flex of his fingers, his tongue lapping up the drops of pre each time. Eventually he removed his fingers from his husband, bracing his hands either side of his head as he pressed his hard, urgently throbbing shaft against the pony’s rump.

He kissed Sombra at the same time he thrust into him, muffling the pony's moan of pleasure. He deepened the kiss, their tongues intertwining as he pulled back slowly and thrust in again, fully hilted inside his King. He only ceased kissing the stallion so as to pick up the pace, aiming for that sweet spot with each deep, penetrative thrust.

“Discord….yes..” Sombra growled deeply, clenching his body around the sizeable member filling him, revelling in the sensation of the organ rubbing his inside walls. This made Discord groan deeply, shifting back so he could grasp the Alicorn's hips tightly, then tug the pony’s tail with one hand. This sent a delicious jolt of desire up Sombra's back, triggering the start of his climax and it mounted rapidly with each passing second.

With a loud cry, he could no longer restrain himself and came. He was aware of his lover climaxing seconds after, ever mindful of the thick fluids filling him now, what they were for…

Discord pulled out with a grin, admiring the stallion, with his forelegs bound above his head by the vines. He motioned one of them to lightly tease the King, watching as they did so. One slowly traced a pattern down the King's belly, while another teased the pony's shaft.

Noticing the overspill staining the sheets between the King's thighs, Discord had an idea. He lay himself down, ordering one of the wines to assist HIM this time as he began using his tongue to please the King.

“Ahh..” Sombra shuddered and moaned, he liked this little treat “right there- mmhh...”

He squirmed against his bonds, but he was at Discord's mercy and the Draconequus was aiming to blow his mind. Feeling the tongue pushing into him, spreading him just enough to tease, he gave in to the need welling within him as his husband ate him out.

But there was a twist to this plan, for just as Sombra was on the verge of coming, Discord ceased what he was doing and sat up. Sombra looked breathlessly at him, licking his lips…

They were soon claimed as Discord kissed him right as he thrust his cock into Sombra. This sent a mind blowing jolt up Sombra's back as the bigger, hotter mass plunged into him now.

While he'd been pleasuring his beloved, Discord had told one of the vines to work on his shaft, just enough to get him close enough to come, but not reach it. Soon as he'd detected Sombra was about to climax he ceased teasing and went for the finale. So he thrust his endowment into the King, thrusting hard and fast while Sombra moaned into the kiss. Sombra bit on his lip gently and his body bucked in the vines hold as he blew his load. Discord held back as long as he could then gave his King his reward, filling him a second time. The choice to allow the process meant that Sombra's body would, to put it bluntly, store the genetic material via magic. So Discord aimed to give him plenty.

He released the stallion from his kissing so he could hear him cry his name as he hit his peak. This time, he ducked his head, lapping up the cum as it spattered on Sombra's coat. The pony was breathing rapidly as he lapped up the last drop, murmuring his husband's name.

“How are you feeling my love..?” Discord asked as he pulled out “that got you a full tank, or do you want me to top it off?”

Sombra flushed, happily accepting the glass of ice water Discord held up to his mouth.

“Yes,” he said croakily “I want to be absolutely certain it will be enough..”

“As you wish my love.” Discord smiled.

“I would like to feel your warmth awhile first.” Sombra asked softly.

With a snap of his fingers. Discord released his husband from the vines and drew him into his arms. They kissed slowly, their body heat keeping them cosy while they caught their breath…

“I'm going to miss you, my love.” Discord whispered as he stroked Sombra's mane. Sombra smiled up at him, nuzzling at his muzzle.

“As I you, my dear Discord. I will dream of our nights together as I sleep, I promise you that. It will keep me company until I can touch your face again.”

“Oh I’ll be needing you to touch more than just that.” Discord quipped, making Sombra laugh happily.

“It is a promise,” he said, eyes twinkling in amusement and was thanked with a deep kiss from Discord.

Feeling his body aching again, the longing stirring into its final stage, Sombra nuzzled Discord.

“Before we begin the final contribution, I want to give you a little thank you.” the stallion whispered.

He lay Discord on his belly and gave him a good rutting, once more using his shadow tendrils to tease and toy with him. It was a seductive thrill, hearing Discord begging him to go hard and fast, really take him-

Sombra used his magic to mimic the sensation of his fangs biting on Discord's ear. Discord moaned loudly, clenching his body around the stallion's shaft with each eager thrust.

With one final push, Discord felt his lover climax, hearing him moaning eagerly. Silence fell and he felt the warmth of Sombra's body as the pony rested atop him for a moment after climax.

Somehow, with the help of Sombra's shadow tendrils, Discord had kept himself from hitting orgasm and intended to put it to good use. When Sombra pulled out, he realised this and happily let Discord lie him on his back.

The final bout of love making was a more gentle, more adoring affair as Discord kissed and nuzzled his lover's sensitive spots, from ears to neck to chest, taking as much time as possible to please his King. He held Sombra close as they came, feeling the final load of cum fill his precious King.

Panting heavily, he gently pulled out, kissing Sombra on the forehead. The pony looked so content, eyes shining in the light and ears trembling happily.

“Time already?” Discord asked and the pony nodded, drawing the Draconequus into a deep, passionate kiss.

“You’ll be fine, my love.” He said reassuringly.

“I know, but I’ll miss you.” Discord whispered.

“I shall miss you too, but we wont be apart for long, when I return we will have the third member of our family. He or she will be excited to meet their chaos father.”

“I'll have everything set up. A crib, some supplies, all of it. You just relax.” Discord traced the shape of his husband's face, running his hands over a pony he'd be absent from for a month. Sombra nuzzled against him, planting a kiss on Discord's palm.

“I love you, don't forget” he said firmly, kissing Discord's lips once more.

“I love you too...” Discord said, using one last spell to clean his and his lovers coat off, so he wouldn’t feel all sweaty. Sombra smiled at the sweetness of the gesture, and curled up atop the bed. Discord backed away, and Sombra closed his eyes. He felt a surge of power run through him as the world began to go distant.

“I'll see you soon, love.” were the last words he heard from Discord then he fell into stasis sleep and the world fell away.

“Come back soon, my dear Sombra.” Discord whispered, resting a hand on the solid lump of crystal that surrounded his husband. He hoped he'd be alright on his own.

He stepped outside into the hall, where the doctor was sitting in a chair several meters away and reading a magazine. He looked up as the Draconequus approached.

“Is he..?” the doc asked and Discord nodded.

“In full stasis, yes.” he sighed heavily.

“It'll be alright, your majesty. He'll have every available expert keeping tabs on him, and you are free to visit whenever you wish. If you'd feel better, i'll have a spare travel bed set up in the room, so you needn’t stray far from him.”

“I'd appreciate that, thank you.” Discord said softly.

With a shiver and a shudder, the crystal atop the bed began to tremble.

The diary dropped from Discord's hands, the pen rolling away under the camp bed. The anxious chaos King dove onto the bed, gaze darting this way and that over the crystal.

Unnoticed by him, the equipment by the bed sparked and powered down and the windows rattled in their frames.

The doctors were on break, Discord had taken over guarding his beloved while they took a well deserved rest and had some food. They’d been monitoring Sombra every spare minute of the day, now that the due time was so close...

There was a glow from the crystal that was so bright it forced discord to scramble back, shielding his eyes. His heart pounded, what was happening..?

At last, silence fell and he chanced opening his eyes. His heart leapt to his mouth when he seen Sombra, curled up in the same position he'd been in when he'd said goodbye. But his wing was curved across his body, hiding most of him from view.

“Sombra...” Discord whispered, why wasn’t he moving…?

Just as he took a single step closer, Sombra took a deep, rasping breath, as if surfacing from water. He coughed softly and Discord didn't falter any longer. He gently moved the King's wing aside, his eyes meeting his husband's.

Sombra smiled up at him, sitting up shakily, revealing what he cradled in his foreleg.

“Discord.” he said weakly “say hello...to our son.”

Discord's eyes fell upon the bundle in Sombra's hold. He had a Draconequus' body, with wings just like Sombra's, their crystal melding with his fur. His mane was jet black like the stallions and he had a unicorns horn too. Two deer-like antlers, thin and elegant, poked up from beside pony ears. His was a round, innocent face, with a muzzle that was a perfect balance between his fathers features.

Discord felt like his whole world was this adorable little being. The childs eyes opened and he uttered a whimper, closing them again against the light. Discord watched, almost holding his breath as the little one opened his eyes again, their deep orange depths seeming to focus on him. Discord held out a finger and his heartfelt about to burst with joy as the little dracon-pony grasped it in one chubby hand.

“He has hands just like yours,” Sombra smiled “gentle, kind hands. Go on, hold him.”

“A-are you sure..?” Discord asked, suddenly shy.

“Yes, my love. He has recognised me as one half of his world, now its time he meets the other half.”

Discord swallowed nervously, hands shaking a little as he took the baby from Sombra's arms. The pony sat back, watching his husband as he marvelled at the little life form he cradled so lovingly.

“Hello, little one..” Discord whispered, gaze locked with the baby's “I’m your other dad, Discord. Your father and I, we've been so anxious to meet you. We have so much to show you, the world we live in, the kingdom you are born into, there's a whole world out there for you to meet. You have magic born of so much, just waiting to be learned...”

Tears welled up in Discord's eyes as his son burbled softly and stuffed a chubby hand in his own mouth. But his wide eyes remained fixed on Discord, like he knew this was also daddy.

Sombra's heart ached from the sheer, pure happiness of this moment. Seeing his son meet Discord. Seeing the love and joy in his husbands eyes. Discord's happy tears mimicked his own as he sat there.

“He's- he's wonderful.” Discord whispered, gently stroking the childs face with one fingertip. The child cooed softly, eyes already drooping closed, cosy and warm in Discord's hold.

“Yes,” Sombra croaked, vision blurring “he's a marvel, just like...you...”

He realised his vision wasn’t blurring just from tears. He was falling asleep, the world fading at the edges…

Discord felt terror claw at his heart as Sombra abruptly collapsed. He looked to the machines, but they'd been blasted by the energy surge resulting from Sombra's return.

Instead, he aimed a hand at the doors, throwing them open and filing the hall with a bright light. This had the doctors come running from where they'd been sat in a little alcove down the hall.

They raced in, seeing a frantic Discord, something in his arms, looking at a collapsed Sombra.

Everything after that was a blur, to the chaos King. He was ushered to one side, dimly aware of one of the unicorns asking to see the child? Discord set him down in the crib, the panel lowered so the doctor could check him over. His gaze darted from the crowd of ponies around his precious Sombra, then back to the child so new to this world.

At last the ponies stepped back, sighing in relief. Discord's heart lurched and he blurted “is he?”

They stepped further back, revealing that they’d attached a drip to Sombra, along with an oxygen mask over his mouth and muzzle. The Alicorn's eyes were closed, breathing slightly rapid. He was connected to a repaired heart machine, which was beeping erratically.

“He went into shock, sire.” the lead doctor explained “he's stabilised now, thankfully it was only a minor attack. He needs rest, and magic.”

“I will give him whatever he needs.” Discord said, striding over to the bed. Sitting down at its side, he clasped his husband's left hoof in a shaking hand and closed his eyes.

He felt them connect, felt how low an ebb his husband's power was at. He fed his magic slowly through the link, sensing it bolstering Sombra's weakened body.

The doctors heaved a collective sigh as the ECG steadied out, the Alicorn's breathing settling into a more normal range. Some colour even returned to his face…

Discord let go of his hoof, head swimming. One of the aides rushed to steady him as he looked ready to black out.

“Your majesty- are you alright?” the worried pony asked. Discord regained his composure, lifting his head, looking down at the pony slumbering atop the bed. He snapped his fingers weakly and the blankets tucked themselves gently around Sombra.

“I'm fine, just drained. I gave him everything I could. He needs it.”

“You must rest, sire. Your husband will be fine, he just needs sleep.”

Discord nodded, stumbling over to where the doctor was tucking the blanket Luna had made around the child.

“Well, good news. I'm happy to announce, by all accounts and tests, that you have a healthy baby boy.”

Discord nodded, eyes resting on his baby. The child was sleeping peacefully for now, no doubt he would be hungry soon. Formula needed to be mixed...

Discord realised he'd needed an extra helping hand.

“One of you, please fetch Umbra. I need her assistance.”

Umbra came running soon as she was summoned, Page Assist beside her.

She was concerned by her sons weak state, but Discord assured her that he was going to be alright. He just needed rest.

Together, Umbra and Page Assist got their first look at the new royal baby.

“He's beautiful..” Umbra squeed softly.

“He's got many traits from you both, sire.” Page Assist said softly, smiling as he looked at the baby.

The baby whimpered, stirring awake, hungry. Discord picked up a bottle of formula, made from a recipe Eris had dug up for him. He'd gone over it with the cook, creating a mix that combined vitamins and minerals for a pony too.

Discord scooped his son up ever so gently, cradling him against his chest with one arm whilst guiding the bottle to the baby’s mouth.

The baby’s whimpers and cries died down as he got to work having his first ever meal.

“Awww...” Umbra said ever so softly “he's just so sweet!”

“Have you named him, sire?” Page Assist asked.

“Not yet, I intend to wait until my husband is well, it is his choice as much as mine.” Discord said lovingly.

“I'm sure my son will be up and about soon.” Umbra assured him “that child will be anxious to see you both.”

Discord asked if she could help him write a letter to Eris, they'd developed a secretive way of communicating. He needed her here, asap…

Discord stayed by Sombra's side as much as he could. Umbra took over running the Kingdom, leaving her son in law to spend all his time with his husband and son. Two days passed and still Sombra slept..

By the third day, Discord was tired, so very tired. He'd been giving as much energy as he could spare to his beloved between feeding, changing and caring for his son. Sometimes he took a break, allowing the kindly nurses to take over. They fussed over the baby, cooing and smiling.

“He's just the cutest, your majesty!” the nurse declared, smiling at Discord, who was sat by his husbands side once more. Gently stroking the sleeping pony’s hoof, hoping for him to wake…

“He's got his fathers eyes...” Discord said proudly “I can just see the smarts behind them.”

The baby let out a fairly colossal belch for one so small.

“That, that can be blamed on my side of the family.” Discord said apologetically and the two nurses chuckled.

“If he starts doing that with the alphabet, be concerned.” the Draconequus quipped, smiling at a memory from not so long ago.

But his thought train was derailed when Sombra gave a sudden gasp, heart rate speeding up. Discord just ducked in time as the startled and disorientated pony’s wings shot up in defence.

Ducking under them, he quickly pulled his husband into his arms, stroking his mane and whispering in his ear.

“It's alright my love, just breathe.”

As he'd done the day Sombra had defeated Chrysalis, Discord kissed him gently once he'd pulled the mask out of the way, to bring him under control. Sombra's body went limp, the tension evaporating, wings slumping down….

They parted with a soft gasp, Sombra's eyes clearing of their haze, a more lucid look on his face.

“D-discord?! I- where am I?” he asked, as he recognised the sight of his partner.

“It's alright, you’re in your room. In your bed. In my arms. All three are safe places, so don’t fret. You’re alright, you passed out after you returned.” as he spoke, he stroked long strands of mane away from Sombra's face, pressing a hand to his cheek.

“Relax, my love.” he insisted, and eventually the stallion allowed himself to be set back against the pillows. His breathing was still a little ragged so Discord gently pressed the oxygen mask back over his muzzle.

Sombra was on the verge of relaxing when he suddenly went tense again.

“M-my baby-” he stammered “our child, Discord-”

“It's alright, he's fine.”

Discord gestured to the nurses to bring him over.

“Are you sure you should be moving about, sire?” the first nurse asked Sombra.

“I want-” Sombra rasped “to see my child. This very instant!” his voice was bordering on upset.

Discord looked sternly at the nurses “if you want to get between a father and his child, you’d better be crazy. You heard him.”

The nurse nodded, gently levitating the whimpering child to his parents. Discord took him and gently set him in Sombra's arms. The baby calmed down, recognising both his fathers. Sombra relaxed visibly, letting his body sink back against the pillows. The child burbled softly, nuzzling against the Alicorn's soft, fluffy chest, the scent of his fathers coat a reassuring thing.

“Isn’t he amazing,” Discord rubbed behind Sombra's ears “do you have a name yet, love?”

Sombra smiled. Despite his exhaustion, he'd dreamt of this moment for a long time. He looked up at his husband, a name from the books Eris had given him springing to mind.

“I was thinking...how about Loki?”

“Loki..” Discord whispered, touched by his beloveds decision “a name from chaos' history.”

“Exactly,” Sombra smiled “you and I, were very similar. Darkness can be chaos too, but it can also be exciting. They both can, we are proof of that, what we can do. This little one is a new, unique being, so why not the name of the figure your books described as being the spirit of wit and wisdom?”

“It's perfect.” Discord smiled tearfully. They looked down at the child sleeping in Sombra's arms “hello, Loki.” they said as one.

The nurses watched this in silence, proud that they got to witness such a wonderful occasion. Prince Loki, of Umbrum and Chaos lineage. Son to two very proud parents….

Discord kissed Sombra deeply, whispering words of love in his ear, making him blush softly, he looked so happy.

Author's Notes:

Cambridle is based on Cambridge, where my big sister lives! ^_^