The Hearth’s Warming party had been great. More so once Lyra and Bon Bon regained consciousness. Pinkie and Surprise had managed to throw one heck of a bash.

So Aspect was exhausted by the time he returned home. He could feel Cadence’s magic inside his home… and two others.

Celestia and Luna?

“I do not have time for this,” he grumbled as he made sure his door was closed before flashing into his Alicorn form, and starting to wink across the house until he reached his bedroom.

He landed in his room, only for his form to glow gold as he was teleported to the living room, where his two daughters were waiting for him.

“Father, that was most rude of you,” Celestia sighed.

“I’m worn out from the party,” he said. “I’d rather just sleep.” He was suddenly hugged by Luna as Celestia giggled into her hoof.

“I’d imagine so, if the Element of Laughter had anything to do with it.” She moved next to him and nuzzled the stallion. “However, I happened to mention something to Luna and she insisted on coming right away.

Luna kissed him on the cheek and smiled widely. “Merry Krismas father!”

“It’s pronounced ‘Christmas’ Lulu,” Celestia giggled. “But yes, Merry Christmas father.”

“And merry Christmas to the pair of you,” he said with a sigh. “Celly, check my right saddlebag. I put your and Luna’s gift in there before coming back.”

The alicorn nodded and floated the gifts out as Luna took some out of her own bag and held them up to him.

“You girls didn’t need to get me anything,” he said with a shake of his head. Luna just smiled and shook her head.

“Open it!” she grinned a little too widely.

The stallion let out a small, weary groan as he floated the package closer, before opening it with his hooves. It was… a rock. A small grey rock with some perforation in it.

“What...is this?” he asked.

“A moonrock!” Luna cackled and fell onto her back, giggling madly.

“I see,” the stallion said, pursing his lips. He wasn’t sure how to respond to this.

“She’s been giving them to everypony, claiming they’re ‘souvenirs’ from her vacation,” Celestia sighed. “Now give him the real gift Lulu.”

“Bah, Thou ist a pooper of the parties,” Luna muttered as she got out a second box. Inside was a glowing orb with some very old magic coming from it. “Tis a Wishing Star. Simply hold it and make a wish, if it is true to your heart, this Star shall grant it.”

“I...girls, do you know how valuable this is?” Aspect asked, afraid to touch it.

“Our dreams have already come true,” Celestia smiled as she opened her gift and gasped. She wasted no time in putting the jewellery on. “I think it is past due for yours.”

“Perhaps you could wish for that marefriend of yours,” Luna said and wiggled her eyebrows as Cadence started tiphoofing from the room.

“Cadence,” Aspect said in his ‘father’ voice. “Did you tell them anything?”

“T-Tell them what?” she squeaked.

“Oh, I don’t know, like anything I might have done today,” Aspect said. “For instance.”

“Dear Cadenza hasn’t said a thing,” Celestia said with a nod. “But it sounds like you are hiding something from us father dearest.”

“And what if I am?” the stallion grumbled. “Old stallion like me is entitled to his secrets.”

“True, but we’ll find out eventually,” Celestia smiled and kissed his cheek. “Still, we’ll let you get some rest for now. Come Lulu, Cadey. Let’s go home.”

“Fiiiiine,” the two mares pouted, though the pink one shot him a knowing smile.

“Take care,” Aspect said with a wave of one wing. With a flash of light, they teleported from the room, leaving him alone in the massive house once more.

“And that’s them successfully deflected for another day,” the stallion grumbled as he began the long, slow walk to his bed. That night, his dreams were filled with a sweet candy mare...

The day had finally come! Spring had arrived! Or was scheduled to, anyways. Spring was nearly here, and that was good enough for Aspect. He hummed happily as he bounced around in his house, a wordless tune stuck in his head.

There was a knock on his door and once he opened it, it revealed young Twilight Sparkle, who looked a little taken back by his jovial mood.

“Well, somepony’s looking chipper this morning,” she smiled. “Did something good happen?”

“Sorry, I just really like Winter Wrap up,” the stallion said. “It’s an invigorating time when ponies work together to get ready for another year. Makes me so...excited.”

“I know what you mean,” Twilight nodded and stepped inside. “And Ponyville still adheres to old traditions, so no unicorn magic to change the weather directly.”

“Sounds like a waste of time,” Spike grumbled. “Seriously, just use magic and get it over and done with.”

“It actually adheres back to Dream Valley traditions,” Aspect said. “When the only thing all Unicorns could do was wink. Anything more was the work of study, hard work, or your Talent. If we wanted the seasons changed back then, we worked for it.”

“Sounds like a pain,” Spike yawned and Twilight shook her head. She had no idea that the tradition went back so far.

“Well, this will be my first Winter Wrap-Up,” the mare giggled excitedly. “Do you want to come with me?”

“Would love to, but I’m not allowed to,” the stallion said with a shake of his head. “I’m limited to observation only.”

“Huh?" Twilight tilted her head and looked him over. “Why can’t you help?””

“My daughters told me, long ago,” Aspect said with a sigh. “That if I partook in any serious weather-shifting, it’d be cheating.”

“I’m sure we could find something for you do do,” Twilight replied. “Just… maybe avoid that unique magic of yours. I heard about that windstorm you cooked up the other day.”

“No, seriously, I don’t stop cheating,” the stallion said. “I might not look it right now, but I’m crazy strong in two things. Both with my wings and just general strength. If I helped out at all, it’d be classified as cheating.”

“You can’t just hold back?” Twilight inquired. “I mean, surely you could do that at least.”

“I…” the stallion lifted one hoof, worked his mouth, before putting his hoof back down. “I’ve...never had to before.”

“So… is that a yes?” the unicorn pressed. “Just think, you could help out Bon Bon then.”

“Just give me a minute,” he said, before walking into his room. A moment passed, before he dragged out the sword and held it so that he was looking directly at the jewel in its pommel.

Twilight watched him intently, curious as to what he was up to. Spike just yawned and lay on her back, wondering when they’d actually get to go.

There was a muted flash from the sword and Aspect’s form, before he staggered a little and exhaled heavily. “Wow,” he said. “This...is gonna take some getting used to.”

“W-What did you do?” Twilight asked, using her magic to steady him.

“Something I’ve never done before,” he said, finally getting his hooves steady. “I held back even more, while holding onto the form. I think...I think I’m just a regular pony now.”

“That must be such a shock,” Twilight giggled. “Welcome to the life of us regular ponies.”

“Well,” he said as he stood in the foyer, with his cape on his back. “What’re we waiting for? We have a season to wrap up!” He even posed dramatically.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, before giggling at him. “Applejack was right, you are a silly pony.”

“Hey, this might be the first time in ages I can touch clouds without them turning into storm clouds,” the stallion riposted. “I think I can be a little silly for that.”

“You’re going to have to tell me why that happens one day,” Twilight said as the three of them finally headed into Ponyville. And when they finally got there?

The entire town broke out into song.

“Now that,” he said, smiling happily, “Is the sort of teamwork I can get behind.” He waved at a chromatic mare flying by. “Ahoy Miss Dash! Any chance I could be a part of your team?”

The mare paused and gave him a worried expression. “Uh, no offense Aspect. But didn’t you say there was that whole thing about you turning whatever you touch into a storm?”

“Fixed now!” he beamed at her. “Turns out, I was using way too much Essence of Storm in my Pegasus form. I’m just another pony now.”

“Well, if you think you can handle it,” Rainbow shrugged. “Go and see Cloud Kicker up there. She’ll give you some directions on where you need to be.”

“Got it!” he said before turning to Twilight. “Best of luck,” he said, holding out a hoof to her.

“Aw, can’t I help too?” Twilight pouted and Rainbow stared at her like she’d grown a third head before giving a light flap of her wings.

“Oh. Right,” Twilight giggled awkwardly and bumped Aspect’s hoof with hers. “I’ll uh… just see if Rarity needs help.”

“Yes!” Spike whispered and pumped his fist.

“Take care,” the stallion said before taking flight. “Uh,” he said to Rainbow Dash. “Would you hurt me if I said I didn’t know who Cloud Kicker was?”

“Nope, it’ll hurt you more when you meet her,” the pegasus chuckled and pointed at a greyish-purple mare with a blonde mane and tail. That’s her. Good luck.”

Aspect blinked at that, before shrugging and flying over to the mare in question. “Hello,” he said to her. “My name is Balanced Aspect. Rainbow Dash told me to check in with you.”

She turned and a smile crossed her lips. “Oh, I’d love to check you alright. What do you say. We find a nice secluded cloud. You. Me. We’ll bang okay?” Her voice was like velvet and her gaze was smouldering. This was a mare that knew what she wanted, and apparently right now? That was Aspect.

“Sorry,” he said, deadpanning at her. “I have a marefriend already.”

“Oh, who is she? She can play too, I don't mind. The more the merrier,” she smiled lewdly. “And the messier~”

“Can we focus on the job at hoof here?” Aspect grumbled. He was really regretting his choice of action already.

“Oh fine,” she shrugged and pointed in the direction of a grey pegasus mare and a black stallion. “Could you help Ditzy and Thunderlane? The last thing we need is that mare setting another tornado on fire.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen alright,” the stallion said. “What’ll I be doing when I get there? I’ve never actually participated in a Winter Wrap up before, I could use a little direction.”

“We need to dissipate the clouds slowly. Too slow and the snow won’t melt. Too fast and it’ll melt too quickly and flood Ponyville,” she clapped him on the back and smiled. “Easy right.”

“Should be,” he agreed with a nod as he flew over to the pair. “Hello,” he greeted them.

“Huh? A new guy?” Thunderlane looked up. “Sup bro?”

“Hi~” Ditzy smiled brightly and he noticed that while one eye was on him, the other seemed to be watching the sky above them. “I’m Ditzy Doo!”

“Thunderlane,” the stallion nodded.

“I’m Balanced Aspect,” Aspect introduced himself. “I hear we’re dissipating the clouds?”

“Yep!” Ditzy punched a cloud and it vanished. “But I gotta go and get the birdies! I love that job.”

“So it’ll be you and me to kick this into gear!” Thunderlane pumped the air with a hoof. “Are. You. Pumped!!”

“Yeah!” Ditzy said cutely.

“So long as ‘kick this into gear’ means ‘doing this in a reasonable and timely manner,’” Aspect said. “We can’t do it too fast or too slow. Just right seems to be the order of the day.”

“Bro, you gotta live loud and live fast!” Thunderlane said with a determined nod.

“Can I live loud?” Ditzy asked. “Except I can’t when Dinky’s napping. then I have to live loud quietly.”

“If you clear the clouds quickly,” Aspect pointed out, “All the snow will melt at once and flood Ponyville.”

“That’d be bad,” Ditzy nodded. “Sorry Thunderlane. We gotta live quietly this time.”

“Dang,” the stallion sighed.

“What the flipping feathers are you slackers doing!?” Rainbow yelled. “Less lollygagging, more cloud kicking!”

“You called~?” as said mare draped herself over Rainbow and kissed her cheek,

“Gah! Kicker!!” Rainbow yelled as the mare flew off, giggling and shaking that shapely flank of hers.

“Let’s just clear a few for now,” Aspect conceded. “Not too much, but not too little.”

The other two nodded and started work. When Aspect pressed his hoof against the cloud, he still half-expected it to start turning stormy, but it simply remained a steely-grey, spitting out a few errant flakes of snow.

“It has been far too long since I could do this,” he said, before turning and bucking the cloud out of existence. As he worked, he also noticed what was going on down below him.

Why was Twilight running away from a bunch of snakes?

“Well, that can’t end well,” he mused as he kept clearing a few more clouds before taking a small break. That’d be good for now, right?

“Hey bro!” Thunderlane called out. “Let’s go. Bon Bon’s giving out hot cocoa! I wanna get me some of that!”

Ditzy had left to get the birds back for Spring, so it had just been the two stallions for about an hour.

“Yeah, that sounds good right about now,” Aspect said with a bit of panting in his voice. Good lord, this was the first time he was normal and he was already exhausted?

Heaven help him if this turned out to be a regular thing. He didn’t think he was cut out for it.

Bon Bon poured another mug as Lyra handed out some cookies to restore lost energy. The candy maker suddenly ‘eeped’ as a certain stallion landed nearby.

“H-Hello Aspect,” she said with a small blush. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”

“Oooh man, she’s seriously cute~” Thunderlane whispered. “Wish me luck bro!” Before Aspect could respond, he walked right up to Bon Bon.

“Hey babe,” he said, slicking back his hair. “How about you and me go-”

“Not interested,” Bon Bon said flatly and walked past the stallion, who resembled a stone statue.

“Bon Bon,” Aspect greeted her. “This is the first time I’ve helped with a Winter Wrap up. I could do with a pick me up, especially if it’s crafted by your hooves.”

Bon Bon nodded and poured him a mug of cocoa, before putting a pink and a white marshmallow in it for him. “One ‘Bon Bon Special’ for you,” she smiled and held the mug out. Aspect smiled and grabbed it with his hooves, pulling it in to taste.

It was like if you could distill sweet kisses and comforting hugs into liquid form…

He gently set the cup aside, before kissing Bon Bon in thanks.

Thunderlane just stared with massive, wide eyes as Bon Bon giggled and pecked on the lips back.

“Stealing kisses now are we?” she mused. “Such a bad colt.”

“I can’t help it,” he said. “I have to thank you for this somehow. This is what dating ponies do, yes? Use affection on each other in the form of kisses?”

“I believe that is the general consensus,” Bon bon giggled again. That was when Lyra pounced on the stallion and wiggled her eyebrows.

“Where’s my kiss lovercolt?”

“I was unaware we were dating,” he said, wondering what had gotten into the minty mare.

Bon Bon rolled her eyes and pushed Lyra’s encroaching head. “He’s mine.”

“We’re best friends, and friend share right?” Lyra responded and Bon Bon stared at her until Lyra shrugged and hopped off of Aspect, but then stole a kiss on his cheek before running away as Bon tried to swat her with a rolling pin.

“What have I gotten myself involved in,” the stallion sighed, before looking over at Thunderlane. “No, I can’t use him to distract her…”

“Harsh bro. That was cold,” Thunderlane replied.

“Thunderlane, didn’t you used to date Lyra?” Bon Bon deadpanned.

“Yup,” Lyra chimed in. “But I realised that his eyes wandered to other mare's flanks as often as they did mine,” Lyra said and whacked him on the head, the stallion wincing.

“Ah, I was warned about that,” Aspect said with a nod as he picked his cocoa up and started sipping. Oooh~ That’s the good stuff!

“So, why do you look so worn out?” Bon Bon asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you tired.”

“This is the first time I’ve ever helped with Winter Wrap-Up,” Aspect said, flaring one wing and stirring only a minor breeze for emphasis. Bon’s nose crinkled as some snow touched it and she sneezed cutely.

“So I see,” she giggled.

“Thunderlane, how long do you think we have until Dash decides to bust us?” Aspect asked conversationally.

“I give it…” the ground rumbled slightly and the pegasus blinked. “The hay was that?”

“Sounded like it came from Sweet Apple Acres,” Bon Bon pointed out.

“We should probably get airborne again,” Aspect pointed out, before sneaking another kiss on Bon Bon.

“Hey!” she giggled playfully and swatted his flank before he could get too high.

“Dude… do ya have to rub it in?’ Thunderlane groaned.

“We’re still just dating, but I’m optimistic,” Aspect said as they got a good view as to what had happened. “That...is a lot of snow.”

Thunderlane agreed as they saw Applejack yelling at the one responsible.

Twilight Sparkle…

“Oh geeze,” Aspect sighed as he facehooved. “She just couldn’t resist.”

“Oh man, Applejack looks steamed,” Thunderlane said and then flinched. “Heads up!”

“What the buck?” Rainbow looked at the disaster. “Great. Now what!?”

“Rainbow!” Applejack hollered. “We’re gonna talk to the mayor. Let’s go!”

“Whelp, looks like our record as being the last town to wrap up winter is on track,” Thunderlane said as ponies started yelling at each other for the littlest mistakes. It was utter chaos.

“It would really help if we had a plan,” Aspect grumbled.

Applejack, Rainbow and Fluttershy were involved in a three way argument as Thunderlane was talking with Cloud Kicker before he groaned and facehooved. He flew back to Aspect and sighed.

“As if things weren't bad enough. Ditzy flew north instead of south to get the birds…”

“Well ain’t this a right proper disorganized mess,” the white pegasus muttered before looking towards Canterlot. If it weren’t for the distinct presence of the laws of physics and magic, he’d almost think a certain someone had broken free…

“Honestly?” Thunderlane shrugged. “This is one of our better ones.”

A shrill whistle pierced the air and everypony fell silent as Twilight released the bird she'd near strangled.

“Right!” she called out. “What you need is organisation! Now!”

“She is methodical, I’ll give her that,” Aspect said.

A few minutes later, Rainbow flew up to them with a dumbfounded expression.

“She's crazier than Pinkie Pie,” the prismatic pegasus muttered. “Alright everypony listen up! When Twilight gives the All Clear, we're gonna make a horizontal tornado!”

“Never seen one of those before,” Aspect admitted.

“Well you're about to. Front row seats,” Rainbow said. “Now I want everypony in section 23b. Thunder, you get shaping! And Kicker, you're his backup. Flitter, Cloudchaser? You too.”

The four nodded as Rainbow directed some more to go and find Ditzy.

“Aspect, you’re with me,” Rainbow ordered. “Try and keep up.”

“Figured it would be like that,” the stallion said. “Go easy on me boss-mare. I’m just a normal pony now.”

“Normal is for wimps!” Rainbow said and smacked his shoulder with a good-natured punch. Normal Aspect winced at the strength behind it and rubbed his shoulder with a hoof.

“Yeah, I’ll be back to being whatever after Wrap-Up,” he said. “But I figured I could and should help if I toned it down a little.”

“Yeah, Ponyville’s a real stickler for tradition,” Rainbow nodded. There was a signal light from Twilight and Rainbow turned back to the other pegasi.

“Alright, go go go!!” she yelled as they started to fly in a large circular pattern. The winds began to pick up as Rainbow gave Aspect a wide grin. “Ready to punch right through the center?”

“After you,” he said with a wave of one hoof. “I don’t do much stunt flying. I’ll follow your lead.”

“Whoohoo!” Rainbow cheered and blitzed through the center of the ring formation, her drag pulling at the winds and… well damn, they actually did it, a horizontal tornado.

“Come on Aspect! Get those wings in gear!!” Rainbow yelled from the tornado’s apex. Well, nothing ventured, right? The stallion dove into the storm, trying to take the same path that Rainbow had. It was…

Hell, this was fun!

The powerful winds literally stripped the town of ice and snow, the change was almost instantaneous.

“Now that,” the stallion said, panting next to Rainbow Dash, “Was some fancy flying! Heck, I think even the old Firefly would be impressed by you right now!”

“Aw yeah! Who’s the best flyer in Equestria? Oh yeah, me!” Rainbow cackled as the other pegasi shook their heads. If it wasn't mostly true, they might have taken offense.

“That was pretty amazing boss,” Cloud Kicker moved up behind her. “I think I’m in love with you all over again.”

“S-Shut up!” Rainbow blushed as swatted the giggling mare with her tail.

The bright sun shone down as the sky was filled with hundreds of colourful birds. And a rather abashed looking Ditzy at the lead of them.

“Well, that was a success,” Aspect said. “Eventually.”

“Well, better late than never,” Rainbow shrugged. “Ponyville’s always late so…” she paused and looked at the setting sun.

The sun was still up.

“We’re… not late?” the pegasus mare blinked.

“Is that such a surprise?” Aspect asked. “Twilight is very methodical. I should know.”

Cloud Kicker wiggled her eyebrows and opened her mouth to fire a retort…

“Hey, y’all done up there?” Applejack called out. “Then go and get some rest.”

“Yeah, I’ll take that advice,” Aspect said, before holding a hoof out to Rainbow Dash. The mare grabbed it, flashed a wink to Cloud Kicker and then flew off, dragging the halpless stallion along with her.

“So…” the pair of them laid on their own clouds as they stared up at the sky. Rainbow Dash wasn’t overly tired, so she decided to see if he felt talky. “What made you wanna help out with Winter Wrap-up anyway?”

“Twilight asked,” he said. “Plus, this was a good test of whether or not I could tamp my abilities down. Makes it easier to go to Cloudsdale for that Best Flyers thing if I know I don’t even need a charm to stop from turning the entire city into a storm waiting to happen.”

“Oh, you still wanna come to that?” Rainbow asked hopefully. “I-I mean. Cool. Always good to have more fans cheering for me.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen what’s been going on in Equestria,” the stallion said. “I could do with getting out a bit more and socializing.”

“And cheer for your favourite pegasus,” Rainbow added.

“Favorite current pegasus,” he said. “Though you might already have competition.”

“Wait, what?” Rainbow jumped to her hooves. “Who could be better than me?”

“Apparently, one from Surprise’s bloodline,” the stallion mentioned. “She showed up and, well, surprised me the other day. The Surprise of old was fun to have around, a great friend, and a masterful pranker. No idea how the current model stacks up though.”

“Surprise? As in… the Wonderbolt Surprise?” Rainbow replied and shook her head.

“SURPRISE!” the blonde mare’s head burst through Aspect’s cloud and stared at him..

“Hello again,” he greeted her.

“Aww, you weren’t surprised?” she pouted.

Rainbow was clutched her cloud like a terrified cat, her wings standing up straight and her eyes were wide.

“It’s a delicate mental state,” Aspect said to Surprise. “Expecting it and not at the same time.”

“Heehee, you’re funny Aspect,” Surprise giggled and ruffled his mane. “I’ll get you one day. I know it.”

“S-She’s like Pinkie Pie with wings,” Rainbow gasped.

“A highly apt description,” the stallion agreed.

“Yup, Pinkie’s like my sister from another mister,” Surprise smiled widely. “Buuuut I should probably go. Spitty gets real mad when I ditch practice. But, she’s also kinda cute when she’s mad. Kay, laters!” With a flap of her wings, she took off at tremendous speeds.

“Has today been exciting enough yet?” Aspect asked only semi-sarcastically.

“I need a vacation,” Rainbow sighed. “Urgh, let’s go find Applejack and help with the planting. I need a big dose of normal right now.”

“In a town with Pinkie Pie in it on a regular basis, I’m starting to wonder what normal is around here,” Aspect joked as he rolled over on the cloud. “These things are seriously comfy,” he observed.

“Well duh, why do you think my whole house is made from them?” Rainbow said and then gasped. “Oh, I can totally show you my digs now. You should come by sometime.”

“I’ll remember to tamp my abilities down before I visit,” Aspect agreed as he continued to lay there.

“You know, you and me still need to race sometime,” Rainbow said. “But, I’d win anyway. So as long as you try.”

“Yeah, I am definitely not built for speed,” the stallion agreed. “Not unless I’m cheating, anyways.”

“Hah, cheat all you want, I’ll still win!” Rainbow said confidently. “Anyway, I’m still gonna help out AJ. Later slowpoke!” she flashed him her confident smiled and blasted off, leaving a rainbow contrail behind.

“Man,” he sighed as he lay there. “I wonder if I can get...a bed made out of this stuff…” He rolled over again before shaking his head. “Nah, that’d be too tempting. I’d never leave it.”

He never even noticed a pink tail bouncing away. Now she had a birthday present idea~

Later that afternoon, Winter was officially declared Wrapped Up and Twilight was even given the position of All Team Organiser, along with a spiffy vest to go with it.

“So,” Twilight asked as she walked with Aspect. “What are you going to do now?”

“Well, now that I know that I can tamp my abilities down,” Aspect said, “I’ll probably be able to get an actual weather-working job with miss Dash. That’ll probably take up a good portion of my time.”

“Oh right, you still don’t have any work huh,” Twilight adjusted Spike, who was sleeping on her back. “So, if I may ask. Why a pegasus form? Is that the only kind of pony you can become?”

“No, I just like being a pegasus more than most,” he said with a shake of his head. “It lets me take to the skies to detect incoming threats far quicker than an Earth Pony or a Unicorn might. Plus, not all the monsters in the world can fly, either. Or can deal with a pony that can.”

“Do you think the world is still so threatening?” Twilight asked him. “I mean, sure, we had Nightmare Moon, but she’s better now. And aside from the occasional monster in the Everfree. Well, there’s nothing like what you had to deal with.”

“True, but the ponies here have also already seen me as a Pegasus,” Aspect pointed out. “If I were to suddenly show up as something different, then they’d probably wonder just what was happening.”

“Maybe you could live a second life, like one of Celestia’s secret agents,” Twilight giggled.

“My daughter has secret agents?” Aspect gasped. “Why don’t I get any?”

His luck must have been the worst, because Cloud Kicker happened to be flying past at that point and her ear flicked.

He suddenly had a pretty mare draped over his back as she whispered huskily into his ear. “Aww, I’d be glad to give you some~” she purred.

Aspect had no windstorm-like power to call on, no super strength. He merely looked to Twilight with what he hoped was a pleading expression.

Twilight didn’t have to do anything, a cream-coloured hoof took Kicker’s and Aspect found his back vacated as the pegasus mare was whimpering under the leg-lock that Bon Bon had her in.

“Oh Kicky~ You wouldn’t be pestering my special somepony… would you~” Bon Bon smiled cheerfully as she tightened the grip, the pegasus tapping the ground as she shook her head.

“You’re telling me how you learned that later,” Aspect said.

“Sure~” Bon Bon smiled as she let go of Cloud Kicker. “Now Cloudy, he’s off limits okay.”

“Oh, you could have just asked,” Cloud Kicker winced as she rubbed her shoulder. “Fine, no more teasing the sexy stallion…” She moved up next to Twilight and ran a wing along her back. “Now this cute little bookworm on the other hoof~”

Twilight ‘eeped’ and with a flash of light, she teleported away.

“I’m sexy?” Aspect asked Bon Bon.

“Apparently,” Bon Bon shrugged. “Who knew?”

“Well, I’ll trust the expert on this one,” the stallion said, using a wing to indicate Cloud Kicker.

“Yeah Bonnie,” Cloudy said and put a hoof around the mare. “And colour me surprised. I totally had bits on you and Lyra hooking up.”

“Why does everypony keep thinking that!?” Bon Bon yelled, clearly that topic was a sore spot.

“Note to self,” Aspect whispered not-so-softly. “Never bring that up.”

“Darn right you better,” Bon Bon nodded and pushed Cloud off. “Geeze, I mean, Lyra! Really?”

“Hey, don’t blame us,” Cloud responded. “You two do everything together, you live together and you always make these weird bedroom eyes at one another.”

“We do not!” Bon Bon exclaimed.

“Okay, color me curious,” Aspect said, perking up a little at that.

“You mean you haven’t noticed?” Cloud Kicker laughed and flew out of Bon bon’s range. “Just pay attention where they’re together, you’ll see what I mean.”

“I’ll pluck you bald!’ Bon Bon yelled at her as Cloud just blew her a kiss and flew off. Bon Bon huffed and sat down, folding her forelegs.

“Aww, I’m sure she means well, and I don’t mind,” Aspect said as he drew a little closer. “It’s just playful teasing on her part, surely.”

“Stupid feather head,” Bon Bon pouted. She sighed and got to her hooves. “So, what are you up to tonight?”

“Not much, just recuperating from being normal for the first time in a long time,” Aspect groaned. “It’s exhausting.”

“You’re a human under that fuzzy pony exterior,” Bon Bon giggled. “You are far from normal. Buuut, if you’re not doing anything. Do you want to come over for dinner?”

“Food sounds good right about now,” Aspect said as his Ursa of a gut agreed with him. The mare giggled at his growling belly.

“Alright, let’s go and fill you up—”

“That’s what he said!” Kicker called out from somewhere. Bon sighed and facehooved.

During dinner, Balanced Aspect realised a great truth. With newfound perspective thanks to a flirty pegasus, he started seeing things… differently.

“Aww, you made my favourite,” Lyra hummed as Bon Bon served up a delicious looking pasta salad. “I knew you were my best friend for a reason Bonniebons.”

“Only because you’re utterly hopeless without me,” Bon Bon giggled as she set the plate down.

Aspect studiously said nothing, though he did keep watch on the pair of them. Specifically, when they looked at each other. Cloud Kicker had been right, they really did make bedroom eyes at each other, but neither of them seemed to notice.

He could only hope that perhaps, one day, Bon Bon might look at him that way.

“Aspect!” Bon Bon’s voice snapped him out of it. “You okay? You’re awfully quiet.”

“Nothing,” he said with a shake of his head. Though he did whisper one other sentence. Something about Cloud Kicker being right.

“I heard that!” Bon Bon said and pointed a hoof at him. “No candy dessert for you mister!”

“Heehee, I bet the only candy he wants for dessert is on you butt Bonnie,” Lyra cackled as the earth mare turned a deep crimson.

“It’s just, you both make the most interesting expressions when you look at one another,” Aspect said. “Is it wrong of me to notice that?”

Lyra froze as Bon Bon blinked. “But, isn’t that how best friends are supposed… to look…” She turned to Lyra and glared. “Lyyyyyraaaaaa!!”

“Dang it Aspect,” Lyra yelped as she ducked a thrown cushion. “I was two days away from having the record as Ponyville’s longest running prank.”

“I was just having difficulty telling what sort of ‘best friends’ you were,” Aspect said. “Best friends, or best friends with benefits.”

Now it was both mares that turned a deep red, not having expected that to come from him. And worse, they couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not.

Then Lyra decided to roll with it. She moved next to him and licked her lips. “And if we were~?” she purred. “Would you play with us too~?”

“L-Lyra!” Bon Bon yelped.

“Yeah, see, you kinda sabotaged yourself long ago for me to believe that,” Aspect said before eating a bite of his pasta salad. “Mmm, good stuff Bon Bon. But yeah, that whole ‘you jerk, you stole Bonnie’s first kiss,’ implies that not even you’d gotten that far with her.”

“Dang,” Lyra pouted. She really needed to plan her jokes in advance. “Hmm, hypothetically then?”

“Gosh darn it Lyra!!” Bon Bon hid her blushing face behind her hooves.

“Hypothetically I would ask why now of all times,” Aspect said. “I’m already with Bon Bon, you could have told me at the outset.”

“Ahhhh, you’re driving me nuts,” Lyra groaned, scratching her head.

“Noo, you’re doing a great enough job on your own there,” Bon Bon smirked. “Aspect is my special somepony by the way.”

“Ooh, possessive,” Lyra smiled. “Still early days and I don’t see a band on that hoof,” she smirked. Bon Bon just flexed her leg and the unicorn shrank back. “Never mind.”

“Good girl,” Bon Bon rubbed Lyra’s head. “Now go fetch the ice-cream.”

“Ice cream?” Aspect perked up.

“Homemade,” Bon Bon nodded as Lyra left the room, returning a moment later with a small metal bucket. She pried the lid off with her magic and Bon Bon served it up. It was… rainbow coloured?

“You made an ice cream based on Rainbow Dash?” Aspect asked with a raised eyebrow. “How do you know if it-” he suddenly choked up with laughter.

“What?” Bon Bon asked, though she had a sinking feeling she didn’t want to know the answer.

“How do you know…” Aspect gasped out. “If it tastes right?”

“Of course it tastes right, I checked it myself,” the mare said, figuring he was questioning her cooking ability. It took Lyra a second too, before she started giggling. “Argh, you too Lyra? Come on. I don’t make it often, but I know for sure it tastes just fine.”

Aspect redoubled in his laughter, before motioning Bon Bon to come closer so he could explain the joke. Bon Bon frowned and scooted closer.

“What?”

He then told her a little of the knowledge Cadence had passed on to him. About how a stallion could ‘taste’ a mare. And how it related to this rainbow-colored ice-cream.

She sat there with an open mouth as she added that to what she’d just said.

“Heehehe, so did you taste the Rainbow Bonnie?” Lyra giggled before a ballistic pillow smacked her in the face. Then the mare turned her attention to Aspect…

The stallion had slowly calmed down from his laughing, though he did still have the widest grin on his face.

“I’m thinking you don’t get any ice-cream now,” she said softly. “I think I’ll make you eat this pillow instead.”

“Aw, well, I can tell when I’m not wanted,” the stallion sighed. “Would it help if I said sorry?”

“Oh no, that’s not going to save you~” she purred. Ooh, that gaze… she was using it on him now.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t like the idea of what’s about to happen,” Aspect said, before dodging over to Lyra’s form and picking the pillow up to defend himself with.

“Oh?” Bon Bon asked and licked her lips. “You mean you don’t want kisses and to be hoof-fed ice-cream~?”

“I wouldn’t mind those things, but I don’t think you’re going to do that,” Aspect said as he kept the pillow close.

“Well, Lyra’s now ‘napping’,” Bon Bon giggled and set her pillow on her back. She took the tub and two bowls before heading for the staircase, her tail swishing to and fro.

“Coming,” Aspect said, before slipping his pillow under Lyra’s head and following after her.