It was a pleasant morning for Balanced Aspect. A bit of a lonely one though, as none of his mares stopped by last night. Bon Bon had sent word that she needed to take care of Lyra after she twisted her hoof. And Rainbow and Midnight were otherwise predisposed.

The house was oddly quiet for a weekend though. The kids were likely still asleep and he couldn’t hear Luna’s usual racket either. So the stallion opened his door to pick up his morning paper. It hadn’t taken him long to change that aspect of the house. Rather than have a mailbox all the way at the end of his walk he’d quite calmly, one day, just picked it up and stuck it next to his front door. Seeing as how that was where the paper was delivered, it made mornings about five minutes shorter.

There was a curious sound, and he felt his fur stand on end as the sharp smell of burning ozone filled his nostrils…

He took a sudden step back as a bolt of lighting dropped down in front of him, exploding the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

When it cleared?

Midnight Song stood in a crouched position, holding Gungnir close as her form crackled with lightning.

“Oh good, you brought it back,” Aspect sighed, his heart stopping its beating of a hundred time a second thanks to the shock once he saw a familiar face. “And how did it go at the border?”

Midnight stood up, carrying the spear under her wing as she strode forward and pulled Aspect into a very deep kiss, her tongue beating his down for dominance as she moaned softly into the embrace. She broke it a moment later and stroked the spear lovingly. “Your future wife loves her new gift oh so very much~” she practically purred.

“It was more of a loaner than a gift,” Aspect pointed out. “Gungnir is the proper weapon of the Air aspect. Once we get a new one, it’ll go to them. It obeys me for now because I still am Air. And I told it to behave for you. I just knew that the featherbrains would actually listen if you held it.”

“Oh, they saw it and promptly laid an egg in fear,” she chuckled. “They brought up somepony named ‘The Allfather’ and I hazarded a guess and said I was married to him…” She let out a loud, barking laugh. “You should have seen their faces. They could not run away fast enough when I threatened genocide on them~”

“Dear lord, I’ve married someone half as crazy as me,” Aspect chuckled, before holding out a hoof. “Well if you’d be so kind, I’ll put it away again.”

The spear crackled angrily as he tried to take it and Midnight chuckled.

“Seems it likes me for the time being,” she mused as she gave it a twirl, the spear sparking as she did.

“Oh for the love of…” Aspect eyed the spear. “I told you to behave for Midnight, not become bonded to her. You know you’re meant to go to the next Air Aspect.”

“Oh, you don’t trust me to take care of him until one is found?” Midnight pouted, and she unleashed her Cute for the first time.

A batpony, plus the lip-biting, wide-eyed expression of Cute…

“Fine!” Aspect threw up his hooves in exasperation. “But if he gets out of hoof, I’m taking him back!”

“Such a drama queen,” Midnight kissed his cheek. “Aww, I forgot that Rainbow was away. Were you lonely last night?”

“I managed, I had the kids to keep me company,” the stallion replied, shrugging his wings. “It’s hardly the first time.”

“Hmmmm,” Midnight moved up under his wing. “So, you didn’t miss me at all? Nopony to cuddle with? Nopony to snuggle with and wake up with?” She inched closer, nibbling his neck.

“Okay, I didn’t say I didn’t miss you,” Aspect clarified. “Just that I managed. I won’t say no if you decide to stick around tonight, for instance.”

“Well of course I will,” Midnight smiled. “Actually, that brings up a topic I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Oh?” the stallion asked as he nuzzled the mare a little.

“Would you be adverse to the idea of…” she rubbed one leg with the other. “Of me perhaps…Mergând cu tine?”

“Dear, I wouldn’t mind at all,” Aspect kissed her cheek. “I would love to have you here more often.”

“I am most glad,” Midnight purred not unlike a cat as she nuzzled him. Okay, her little bat noises were seriously adorable.

“I just managed to put a serviceable breakfast together for the kids,” Aspect said. “It’s sitting on the dining room table. Out of all of the meals, I do breakfasts the best. It’s really hard to mess one up. Once they’ve eaten and gone on their way, I’ll make some for us so we can have some time toget—”

“Bye dad!” came a flurry of greetings as Realm, Artemis, Pupal and Nightmare ran past him and/or under him as they bolted for the front gate. The bowls on the table were still spinning as they tore off towards town, having planned to spend the day with some of their classmates.

“Aaand there they go,” Midnight giggled.

“Whelp, time for some food for us,” Aspect chuckled as he held the front door open. “M’lady.” He bowed for her, wings spread in an old pegasus show of reverence.

“Such a gentlepony,” she said as she entered the abode. First she’d have some breakfast… then she’d snack on a stallion for brunch~

A little after lunch, Aspect decided to pay Rainbow a visit while Midnight napped after her long trip. Though it was… rather odd when he arrived. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she was in a hurry to get rid of him. Any questions he had got single word replies before the mare claimed she was tired and wanted to sleep.

He didn’t question it, though. Rest was one of the body’s ways of fixing itself. So he kissed her cheek, told her he hoped she got well soon, and walked off again with a happy little hum.

Once he was gone, Rainbow waited for a few minutes before she smiled and grabbed the book she’d stuffed under her pillow with glee. “Now! Where was I…”

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful really. The kids had been out most of the day. And would be for the night as they’d planned a sleepover at the Crusader’s clubhouse on Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack promised she’d keep an eye on them the whole time, so that alleviated some of Aspect’s worries.

And in the late afternoon, he got a knock at his door. He opened it up to see a bandaged Rainbow Dash standing at his door awkwardly.

“Hey…” she murmured. “Do you ah… mind if I crash here. My house is kind of… out of reach for the night.”

“It’s fine, I honestly expected it at this point,” Aspect replied, opening the door wider. “Come on in and make yourself at home.”

“Thanks,” she murmured as she stepped inside. “So uh, how is everyone?”

“Midnight has a new toy, Bons is taking care of Lyra, and the kids are at the Acres with the Crusaders for a sleepover,” Aspect summed up.

“...Well, it was nice knowing the Apple fam,” she shrugged. “So… miss me any?”

“Well, it was pretty boring around here when Middy and Bons left last night to take care of things,” the stallion replied. “Guess it just goes to show that life will always find a way to intrude.”

“Aww,” Rainbow nuzzled him as she walked in. “Well, you still had all your painted pals right? And that Twinkle mare.”

“There’s a difference between having someone to talk to,” the stallion pointed out, before drawing close and bumping flanks with her. “And having a mare to cuddle with.”

“Mmm, so you just like me for my body huh?” Rainbow teased and nuzzled him.

“It’s one of your defining features,” Aspect teased back as he nuzzled her as well.

“I knew it,” she giggled and poked his nose with her good wing. “You really are a shameless pervert huh?”

“I blame you mares for bringing that side of me out,” Aspect retorted, before he wrapped a wing around her. Rainbow was about to reply when they heard two ponies land nearby. She turned and her eyes widened to sizable levels.

“Oh sweet Tartarus no.”

“MY LITTLE DASHIE!” a mare cried as Aspect’s fiance was pulled away from him, a light blue pegasus mare with a striped orange mane was pulling her into a hug. “Oh my little star. I’ve been so worried about you!”

“Gak! A-Aspect… halp…” Rainbow waved her only free limb.

Aspect merely turned to the stallion. “Parents?” he asked him.

The stallion was a large, well built pegasus was a buzzcut mane. And he also shared his daughter’s striking rainbow colouration.

“Sure am!” he nodded. “The name’s Bow Hothoof! And this is my wife Windy Whistles.”

“Hi!’ the mare chirped in a friendly tone, waving a hoof as she continued to smother her daughter with love and affection.

“Mmm. Well, you’re welcome to join me in my home,” Aspect waved a wing at the house behind him. “I’m sure Dash would like to rest her injuries off.”

“Aww, my poor little Dashie,” Windy snuggled her flailing daughter. “I can’t believe you got hurt. Don’t worry. A pony as awesome as our Dashie will be right as rain in no time.”

“Darn right,” Bow nodded. “Tough as nails that one. Even a dragon would go down easier than her.”

“Mmm, she did kick a dragon in the snout a while back,” Aspect mused as he held the door open for the family.

“That’s my Dashie, showing a big beast what’s what!” Windy smiled as the trio was led inside.

“So friend,” Bow clapped a powerful hoof over Aspect’s shoulder. “Who might you be?”

Aaaand that was Rainbow tensing up.

“Balanced Aspect,” the stallion replied. “I’m sure Dash has told you about me.”

Windy and Bow looked at each other with a confused expression.

“Sorry pal, can’t say that she has,” Bow nodded as Rainbow tried to make herself look as small as possible while she crept towards the door.

“Rainbow!” Aspect called out. “Come over here and introduce me to your parents!”

The pegasus mare flinched as she looked at them with a sheepish expression. “Um… Mom, dad? That’s Aspect. Aspect, meet mom and dad. Okaythishasbeenfungottagoba—”

“Daaaaaash,” Aspect said warningly. “You can do better than that.”

“Dashie?” Windy tilted her head. “Who is this stallion?”

Rainbow groaned and sighed. “Urrrgggh. Fiiiine,” she said and walked closer. “Mom and Dad? This is Balanced Aspect. He’s uh… sortakinda my coltfriend?”

The silence was palpable.

“You’re missing a term there, Dash,” Aspect pointed out.

Rainbow blushed and buried her face in her hooves. “Okay one, I am going to skin you alive later Aspect. And two…” Rainbow reached for her bag and slid her necklace on. “We’re… kind of engaged.”

Windy’s and Bow’s eyes widened more.

“Do you think we should hit them with the rest of it?” Aspect mused, putting a wing to his chin.

“T-There’s… more?” Windy said in a voice that would be generous to be called a whisper.

“Eh, I don’t know if they can handle it, Dashie,” Aspect hummed with a little smirk.

“Eyeyey, don’t be putting words in our mouths now,” Bow said. “But… my little Dashie getting married?”

“To... two other ponies as well,” she said in a low mumble.

And that was the sound of her parent’s jaws hitting the floor.

“...Think there’s anything left we could tell them that would shock them?” Aspect asked after a moment.

“Anymore and we’ll be planning a funeral,” Rainbow snarked. She looked at her parents and winced. “I’m.. sorry I didn’t tell you guys sooner. I… well I’m still getting used to it myse-ACK!”

She let out a strangled cry as she was smothered by her parents, squished between them.

“I think they forgive you,” Aspect spoke up from outside the hug.

“I… see… a light…” Rainbow wheezed as her parents snuggled her. “Bleh.” And that was all she wrote for the pegasus mare, death by snuggles.

“Hoh boy,” Aspect rolled his eyes. “She’s going to be insufferable if you keep it up.”

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Windy said as she nuzzled the limp pegasus. “Something as important as this?”

“Yeah kiddo,” Bow said and pulled back, looking at the stallion. “So, you’re the one set on marrying our little Dash?”

“To be fair, I was just happy with the mare I had, before Dash colluded with her and sprung the current arrangement on me,” Aspect replied. “Though I will take credit for the third one. That one was all me.”

“Three mares?” Windy giggled. “Our little Firecracker here isn’t enough for you? You must be one heck of a stallion.”

“Don’t. You. Dare!” Rainbow pointed her good wing at him.

“Let’s just say, that’s not all I can be,” Aspect replied smugly. He winked at Dash, ready at any moment to demonstrate what he meant.

“Aspect. I’m warning you,” the mare warned. “Your snuggle privileges are on the line here.”

“Alas, alack, it seems I will not be able to demonstrate my talents, for the mare forbids it,” the stallion swooned.

“Dashie?” Windy looked at her. “What’s going on here?”

“Aaaarrgghhh!” Rainbow dragged her hoof down her face. “Look just… Argh fine. Just show them already you smug featherhead.”

“Speaking of smug featherheads,” Aspect mused, before flashing into his griffon form. “Boo.”

“Eeeek!” Windy tumbled back as Bow flared his wings in surprise.

“Of course he goes with the griffon form,” she groaned as she walked up to him and cuffed him across the head with her wing. “Giving my parents a heart attack is not a good first impression idiot.”

“Well there’s hardly any other visually distinctive species, compared to ponies, that wouldn’t do that,” the griffon pointed out as he rubbed his head. “Although…”

Another flash saw him in a Zebra form, smirking at the pegasi.

“What the what?” Windy blinked. “Aww, the griffon form was more handsome.”

“M-Mom!” Rainbow blushed and facehooved. Ahh, so that’s where Dashie got it from.

“I am the original form-changer,” Aspect explained. “Do relax, there is no danger. For me, it is not a spell. Merely a skill that I use well.”

“Mom and Dad?” Rainbow said. “Did you read about the Princesses dad in the papers?”

“Sure did,” Bow nodded. “I mean, it’s nowhere near as exciting as any news of our Dashie. But we saw.”

Rainbow merely gestured to Aspect.

“Ooohhh,” her parents nodded in understanding.

“Well, if my Dashie’s gonna get married. A stallion like that would be a good fit,” Windy nodded. “He’s handsome too, so that’s a bonus.”

Aspect flashed back into his griffon form and used a hand to pick up one of the mare’s forelegs, kissing her hoof. “Your words do me credit, ma’am,” he practically purred to her.

“O-Ohmy,” she blushed and fanned herself with a wing, before Rainbow’s hoof found his ribs.

“Stop flirting with my Mom,” she growled.

“Can’t blame him,” Bow nodded in a knowing manner. “Windy’s the prettiest mare out there. Even Celestia herself can’t compare.”

“Spoken exactly like a married stallion,” Aspect nodded once. Before turning to Dash and beating her to the punch. “And don’t even think of asking me which of the three of you is the prettier mare. That’s a trap and I know it.”

“Duh, Midnight is easily the hottest,” Dash waved a wing. “Bons is cute. Kinda has a… Filly next door kinda vibe. And I already know I’m the most awesome.”

“U-Um, Sir Aspect,” Windy blushed as she looked at the hoof he was still holding.

“Oh, my apologies madam,” the griffon dropped her hoof and bowed to her. “So, would you like to have a tour of the premises?”

"Hmm, that would be wonderful," Windy nodded and smiled at Rainbow. “We’re going to have a long chat later young filly.”

“Urk…” Rainbow winced and inched away. “Y-Ya know, I… forgot something at the hospital.” And like that, she bolted from the house as fast as she could on four legs.

“Eh, she’ll be back, she’s staying here while she heals after all,” Aspect replied. “So, what would you like to see first? Dining room, living room, ballroom?”

“Hmm, let’s see the whole place,” Bow said. “We’ll return the favour when you come visit us.”

“Fair enough,” the griffon replied, flashing into his pegasus guise as he began leading them through his home. He wondered, though…

When would they catch on that the art was watching them?

Aspect had been expecting to cuddle with at least two of his mares that night.

He had NOT been expecting Rainbow Dash to sneak out in the middle of the night. Wearing a black catsuit as she inched out of the window and dropping down to the ground, sneaking off towards town…

Then again, she was one of Ponyville’s resident prankers. Maybe she was just going out to play a prank on some unsuspecting pony. Or one of the nurses at the hospital for the food they provided. He didn’t put it past her.

...He would ask her to wear that catsuit again, though. It hugged her flanks just right.

After getting his fill of her backside, the stallion turned away from the window and sighed as he snuggled next to Midnight.

Sleep eventually came again, his eyes closing after a half hour of bat snuggling. He was just so comforta—

*knock knock knock*

Aaaannd that was the front door. At 3am…

The stallion grumbled as he got up and walked down through the house, eventually reaching the front door and opening it, giving his best death-stare to whoever was on the other side.

It had no effect on the Enemy Twilight Sparkle, the mare countering with her own as she floated up a Rainbow Dash in her magic aura.

“I believe this is yours?” she said in a tone so dry, it made the Badlands look like an ocean.

“Dash, why are you out and about at three in the bloody morning, and why is Twilight bringing you back?” the stallion countered, now looking up to the pegasus.

“I have a right to remain silent,” she quipped.

“Rainbow Genius Dash here,” Twilight deadpanned. “Was up trying to steal a book from the hospital. A book series I told her I owned. Now, I would normally be ecstatic that she found a love of literature. But now? I’m exercising all of my patience to not look up a Moon banishment spell.”

She dropped Rainbow onto Aspect’s back and turned around. “Have a good night,” she said and walked off without another word.

“Razzenfrazzen snarky ponies,” Aspect muttered as he closed the door and slid Dash off his back. “You good to find your way to bed?” he asked.

“I guess…” Rainbow pawed at the ground with a hoof. “Guess I’m banished to the couch huh?”

“At least for tonight,” Aspect agreed. “I cannot put up with you for right now. Maybe tomorrow you can influence me to not make it a week with that suit of yours at bedtime. But now I need sleep.”

With that, the stallion turned and began making his way, quite wearily, through his house. He walked through the halls and eventually pushed a door open, before climbing into the bed there and cuddling up against the pony he found.

Again. Sunlight streamed in through a crack in the curtain, striking the sleeping stallion right in the eyes. Aspect groaned and put a wing in front of his face, before nuzzling the pony he felt at his side. She was so soft and warm as he nuzzled closer, kissing her cheek and forehead, her horn brushing up against his jaw…

Waitwut?

Aspect blinked a few times as his eyes came into focus, before looking at the mare he was snuggled up to. Sure enough, it wasn’t Midnight. Nor was it Rainbow Dash. Or Bon Bon.

But Twilight Twinkle.

“Um...this is awkward,” the stallion murmured.

“I was unaware we had this kind of relationship,” she said back in a deadpan, her eyes locked onto his. “Permission would have been appropriate.”

“There was...an incident in the middle of the night,” Aspect spoke up, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “And I’m...not the best at directions when I’m half-asleep. I must have went left instead of right at one point and wound up here.”

“Is that so?” Twilight said with a small amount of amusement. “And yet here you are, cuddling me.”

“I’ll just...go,” Aspect replied, moving to get up. “Sorry for intruding.”

And that was when he saw his little morning problem…

“Hmm, what lucky mares you have,” Twinkle giggled, blushing lightly.

“I prefer to think of myself as the lucky stallion,” Aspect retorted as he walked out of her room, his tail flicking irritably.

“Hey Christopher,” Twinkle called out. “Hold up a moment. Can we talk?”

Aspect stopped, before turning back and looking at her.

“Come here,” she said and patted the bed. “I want to ask you something.”

The stallion sighed, walking back to the bed, before hopping up on it, looking at her with a bit of both curiosity and irritation at the same time.

“Yes yes, I know you’re tired,” she chuckled. “It won’t take long. I just want to ask how you’re doing? I mean, your life seems so… drastically different to what it used to be.” She sat next to him and rubbed his shoulder. “Engaged to three mares, no longer needed to use that sword of yours. Are… you doing okay?”

“...You know, if you asked me that question back in the valley, I would say I was enjoying the lull between storms,” the stallion mused. “But here? I’m actually relishing the peace. All that’s really left is to let Arabus accept his defeat at long last before I pass the essence of air to another, choosing a new Air Aspect. I’m...actually enjoying the world’s relative calm.”

Twinkle studied his face for a good moment or two, before sitting back and smiling a little. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.” She reached out and ruffled his mane. “You’ve matured a lot over the years you know. I still remember a little brat that get into prank wars with his even brattier kids back in the Valley.”

“‘S not my fault Dannie and Molly were less mature than me and held a grudge,” the stallion muttered. “It’s only cause of Megan those battles ever ended. Heaven help us if Surprise got involved.”

“I miss her,” Twinkle sighed and shook her head. “That was centuries ago though. This world has so many reminders, but none quite like those kids.”

“Mmm,” Aspect sighed, lost in memories for a moment. “Well...another day, eh?”

“Yes… another day,” Twinkle smiled. “Also, make up with your rainbow-hued mare. Unless you want to make crawling into my bed a habit.” She turned and flashed him an alluring gaze.

“She bucking left the house in the middle of the night to raid a hospital, when her friend owns the book series in her library,” Aspect deadpanned. “And then woke me up again when said friend caught her in the act and brought her back home. At this point, I’m considering leaving her on the couch for a week straight.”

“Oh yes, because you never did anything foolish no?” Twinkle mused and a smirk crossed her muzzle. “Should I tell her about the time you nearly drowned when you went sleepwalking while visiting Neptune? Or perhaps when you decided to get a special flower to help cure Luna’s fever. You travelled across three mountains… before realizing you grew them in the gardens outside.”

“Okay, so maybe I’m not perfect either,” Aspect muttered. “Maybe sometimes I do silly things too.” He spoke up for the next part. “But she needs to learn it’s not okay to steal from the hospital. Remember, if she’d succeeded, it would still be burglary.”

“Yes I know, but if she’s that prone to drama and overreacting… well then she’s a perfect fit for you isn’t she? Good thing you have that Bon Bon mare to keep you grounded. Ahh, if only Written were still with us, I’m sure she’d scold you well and true.”

“Don’t...tempt her,” Aspect warned, looking to the artwork on the walls. He sighed in relief at there not being a certain painted alicorn among them before turning back to Twinkle. “Fine. I’ll come up with a way for her to make it up to me,” he begrudgingly answered.

“Good,” Twilight nodded and kissed his cheek. “Now, off you go colt. I’m sure there’s a coffee pot calling out to you somewhere.”

“Razzenfrazzen snarky ponies,” Aspect muttered as he walked off in search of the kitchen so that he could wake up and serve breakfast to everypony.

A little while later, the first to heed the siren song of breakfast was Rainbow, being the closest as she slunk into the room, head down and ears flat as she sat at the table.

“Do you understand why what you did was wrong?” Aspect asked from his spot at the head of the table in his alicorn form.

“Yeah… it was stupid,” she murmured. “I wasn’t thinking. And…” She sighed and looked away. “I just wanted to get to the end of the book. M’sorry…”

Aspect held his stern gaze for a moment...before smiling at her and levitating a hoof-made breakfast, complete with a cup of coffee, over to her place at the table. “Apology accepted. You can finish making it up to me later. You are no longer banished to the couch.”

“Really… cause that thing’s kinda comfy,” she said, her ears standing back up. “Though, I’d worry about leaving you all alone in Midnight’s hooves. She’d prolly eat you.”

“Eh, not literally,” the stallion replied as he used his magic to set the rest of the table up, before returning to his pegasus self.

“Oh I don’t know,” Midnight purred as she appeared on his back. Stars dammit! He needed to put a bell on her. “Ponies are pretty tasty after all~”

“Midnight, A), Don’t do that before I’ve had my coffee,” Aspect put a hoof to his chest to make sure his heart was still beating. “And B), I highly doubt you’d eat any of us. You love us too much for that.”

“Hmm, true enough,” she sand and nibbled his ear. “And A) I will not, because you are adorable when startled. And B)...” She paused and shrugged. “I already answered that one. Oh well.”

“MORNINGS AND SALUTATIONS!” Luna announced loudly when she strode in.

“Morning Lulu,” Aspect greeted her, waving a wing at his filly. “Come sit down. Your old warhorse father can at least make breakfast right. Not a whole lot even I can do to mess it up.”

“So, one can teach an old dog a new trick every century or so eh?” Twinkle snarked as she ambled into the room. “Who knew.”

“Watch it, this old dog still has plenty of bite to go with his bark,” Aspect warned her, before smiling at her to show that there were no hard feelings. “So, that just leaves...Dash’s parents. Think they know the way here?”

“I’ll go and get ‘em,” Rainbow said as she got up from the table. “What about the rugrats?”

“They’re at a sleepover at the Acres, they probably won’t be back until afternoon,” the stallion replied.

“Ahh, cool,” Rainbow waved a wing as she exited the room. As everyone else sat down at the table, there was a knock at the door, before Twilight Sparkle poked her head inside.

“Hello?” she called out.

“Just in time for breakfast, I made plenty!” Aspect called out, not using too much volume to get his message across.

“Thank you for the offer, I already ate though,” the unicorn said as she stepped inside. “I came for a few reasons… first are these.” She set a pile of books down next to the door. “All the Daring Do books I possess. For Rainbow, so she doesn’t raid the hospital again.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll appreciate that,” Aspect replied. “At least have a cup of coffee, it’s the least I can do as a host.”

“Now that’s something I’ll agree to,” she hummed as she sat down and lifted the mug with her magic. “And the second reason—aahh, that’s nice—was to invite anypony who wanted to come see the annual Dragon Migration.”

“Now there’s an offer I won’t turn down,” Aspect smiled. “That sounds like a good show...as long as you have a fireproof shield up.”

“I’ve taken the necessary precautions,” Twilight said with a nervous chuckle, mentally adding a shield to the list of things. “Anypony else?”

“I shall pass,” Twinkle said. “As fascinating as that would be, there’s more of the town I have yet to explore. I doubt dragons have changed much over the centuries.”

“And I wish to simply relax here,” Luna nodded.

“I think we better keep a certain club of children uninformed about there being dragons passing over as well,” Aspect pointed out.

“Yes, we’re not bringing any foals along for safety reasons…” Twilight’s ear flicked. “Speaking of foals…”

“I’m back!” Rainbow announced as she zipped into the room. “Hah! I win!”

“Aww,” Windy was close behind. “I almost won that time. This house is enormous.”

“I know,” Aspect groaned.

“Help?” a voice called out, Bow’s booming tone echoing from somewhere inside. “I think I’m lost.”

“Dang it dad…” Rainbow facehooved.

“So… normal morning in the Aspect household then?” Twilight giggled.

“Seems like,” the stallion agreed as he shook his head. “You know, some days I wonder if I ever left the bloody valley.”

“Like you’d have it any other way,” Twinkle said with an amused grin. Oh god, the Twilight’s were starting to combine their snark.

“Eh, at least the dragons passing over should inject a little of that Dream Valley-esque daily panic,” the stallion teased.

“That or a classic Twilight Freak Out,” Rainbow snorted and then blinked as the unicorn scowled at her. “Wait, Dragons? What dragons?”

“Dragon migration,” Aspect filled her in. “Happening today. Wanna come with?”

“Ooohh!” Rainbow’s cerise eyes widened and she beamed. “Sounds awesome!” Then she spied the book pile and that infectious grin grew. “Daring Do!” she squealed as she hugged the book pile, her tail wagging happily.

It took a giggle from Windy for Rainbow to realise and stood ramrod straight, blushing and coughing into her hoof. “You all saw nothing! Got that!”

“Lips are sealed,” Aspect replied, resolved to not tell her about the door in the basement’s properties even more now.

“Indeed,” Twilight stifled a giggle with her hoof.

After breakfast, Windy and Bow decided to accompany Twinkle on a walk around town, while Aspect followed Twilight. After joining up with a few of her other friends, (Aspect raising an eyebrow over Rarity’s attire) They found themselves in a large trench dug out in a field, surrounded by camouflage and a fireproof barrier.

“Tea?” Spike asked, holding out a teacup to the stallion as they waited for the dragon flock to arrive.

“Not yet, but thank you for the offer,” the stallion replied with a nod of his head. “Looking forward to seeing this?” he asked the young drake.

“I guess?” the stubby little dragon replied. “I’ve never met another dragon. So… I don’t really know what to expect.”

Anything else he might of said was cut off with a loud roar, before the sky was filled with hundreds of dragons of all shapes and colours. One bumped into another, causing it to lash out with a plume of red-hot flames. Ones that the shield thankfully warded off.

“Wow…” Twilight gasped, her horn aglow as she furiously took notes.

“Yup, it’s a sight most don’t get to see,” Aspect nodded. “You’d have to go to the dragon lands to actually observe dragons in their normal habitat.”

“Dragon Lands?” Spike asked with a sudden curiosity. “What’re those?”

Aspect hummed as he thought about it. “It’s been a while, but unless my sense of direction is failing me, they were roughly north-east of Equestria, in a region famed for its volcanoes. While I held Earth, I did my best to keep that molten blood flowing up there. There, the dragons roost, mostly. Though when any dragon comes of age and masters their magical firebreath, they can go anywhere and not be out of touch with those they know.”

“So… I’m not the only one who can send messages?” Spike asked, looking a little dejected for some reason.

“Eh, sometimes the magic I spread through the dragons skips a generation,” Aspect shrugged. “Or two...or three. Actually it’s pretty rare that a Messenger dragon is ever born. Something about how their scales and general magical nature makes it really hard for anything else to take root. Think of it as the most recessive gene that was ever tacked onto a species and you’re approaching how rare it is a dragon has magical firebreath in addition to their normal breath.”

“So what?” Rainbow caught the tailend of that conversation. “You saying Spike’s pretty rare then? Cause he has that kind of fire?”

“When I did it all those years ago, all those dragons gained the magical firebreath,” Aspect pointed out. “But maybe one dragon family out of a hundred was actually compatible with what I attempted, and passed it on. And you also have to consider that dragons don’t have kids all that often. Maybe a one in a million chance in the current age there would be a messenger dragon like him.”

“Ooh, neat!” Rainbow chuckled and rubbed Spike’s headfin. “Hear that shortstack? You’re special.”

“Yeah… I guess,” he said as he looked up at the flight of dragons soaring overhead.

“Hey, everyone is special,” Aspect said, using a wing to pull Spike close. “You might not be the only messenger dragon in the world, but you’re the only one that I know of that lives with ponies. When you grow up and get better control over your firebreath, you could put the pony post office out of business in an afternoon.”

“I wouldn’t do that to Miss Ditzy,” Spike grumped as he edged out of the wing hug. “And it’s not that okay. It’s just…” he sighed and moved to pack up his teaset, his frilly pink apron totally offsetting the funk he had going. “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”

“Spiiiike,” Aspect said warningly. “Don’t try to hide it from me, I’ve been down that road. You can tell me now or later.”

“Later then,” the drake said as he put everything into the picnic basket he’d made.

“Fine, but for now,” the stallion sat back and watched the display of migrating drakes.

Once the dragons had left, Twilight wished to hurry home with Spike to compile all the data she’d taken, whereas the rest of them wanted to head home. Rainbow was still with Aspect, as she wouldn’t be able to fly until tomorrow at the earliest.

“Hmm, wanna go find Bon Bon?” his pegasus mare asked. “I haven’t seen her for like… a whole week now.” The fact she also wanted candy had nothing to do with her motives.

“We can do that,” the stallion agreed. “Plus it’d give us a chance to see what’s keeping her so busy.” He began leading the way to the candy mare’s place.

When they got there, for one, they were rather surprised to see the adjoining shop closed. And given the layer of dust Aspect could see through the window, it had been so for several days now.

“Okay...what?” he asked, before knocking on the door.

It took a moment, before a rather dishevelled Lyra opened the door and her eyes widened. “A-Aspect?” she exclaimed, before clapping a hoof to her mouth. “You have to leave, Now!” she said in a loud whisper. “Before she finds out you’re here.”

“Not until I find out what’s going on,” the stallion replied. “It’s been days since she left.”

Then he heard a sound from deeper in the abode, the unmistakable sound of a pony purging their stomach.

“Nonono, you gotta go, trust me,” Lyra waved her hooves, trying to bar him entrance to the house.

“Lyra…” Aspect warned her. “You can either tell me, or I can go past you to find out. This isn’t like Bonnie to stay closed for so long, to stay away for so long.”

“I… well uh…” Lyra sweated nervously and Aspect used that to push past her and into the house.

“W-Who’s there?” he heard a groan from upstairs. “Lyra?”

“Bonnie?” Aspect called out.

There was a pause, before the following word turned his blood to ice.

“Aspect…” he heard Bon Bon growl and hoofsteps drawing closer. At the top of the stairs, she appeared. Her normally curly mane was a mess of tangles and her brow slick with sweat. And worst of all?

The pure rage her eyes showed.

“When I get my hooves on you…” she growled. “I’m going to wear your sphincter as a bracelet!”

“Bonnie, I missed you!” Aspect called out. “I was worried! We all were! Why didn’t you send a letter...or Lyra to tell us what was happening? I’d have come here to take care of you!”

“Oh, I’ll take care of you instead,” she said as she stomped closer. “Into an early grave for doing this to me!”

He saw that her belly had a slight pudge to it now, looking a little rounder as he heard another… ohholybuckinghorseapples!

A high-pitched whine of that crossbow, plasma cannon thing of hers powering up.

So Aspect did the one thing he could to defuse the situation.

He used his unnatural speed to close the gap and plant a loving kiss on Bon Bon’s lips, letting her feel his sincerity.

*thunk*

She dropped the weapon and once he broke the kiss?

She latched onto him, sobbing her eyes out?

Wut.

Amidst the heaving sobs, she mumbled out some kind of rapidfire apology to him, her tears and snot staining his chest.

“She’s been like this for days,” Lyra sighed as she flicked the lights on. “I mean, between the mood swings, the constant vomiting and the weird cravings…”

“Weird?” Rainbow asked.

“Rock candy dipped in peanut butter, cheese and hotsauce,” Lyar added.

“Eeewwwww…” Rainbow shuddered.

“Well she is carrying a kirin,” Aspect pointed out, stroking Bon Bon’s back. “That’s sort of expected.”

“I’m soohohohhoooorrryyyy,” Bon Bon still cried. “I’m fat an’ ugly an’ you don’t looooove me anymooooorreeee….”

Aspect sighed, before sitting Bon Bon on her rump. “Okay Bonnie, I want you to focus here,” he said, getting her attention. “You’re not fat, you’re pregnant. There’s a difference. As it’s something I did to you, I’m willing to accept responsibility for that. But I’m not just going to stop loving you because you’re carrying our child. Quite the opposite. And you’re not ugly at all. You’re growing more beautiful by the day as the young you’re carrying within you also grows. There couldn’t be a time when you’re more beautiful to me than right now...except for when you actually deliver it into the world.”

“D’aaaaawwwww!” Rainbow and Lyra cooed together.

Bon Bon sniffed, wiping her nose with a hoof. “I…” she sniffled again. “Guess I’m a silly pony huh.”

“That depends,” Aspect mused, before looking over at her shop. “How long have you been closed?”

“The shop? Um…” Lyra counted in her head. “Like… a week?”

“A-A week!?!” Bon Bon yelled, making Aspect wince from the sudden volume. “Lyra!”

“Hey! I tried to tell you,” the unicorn defended herself. “You were too busy flooding Ponyville’s sewerage system with your morning grossness.”

And that was Bon Bon sniffling again…

“Lyra,” Aspect chided her, before holding Bon Bon close. “How about we all help you open back up?” he offered.

“Sounds good,” Lyra nodded. “I’m sure between the three of us, we won’t burn the place down.”

“And I am suddenly instilled with so much confidence,” Bon Bon said dryly.

“Let’s see if we can’t get you in working order before the next school day,” Aspect mused as he flashed into his alicorn form.

“What are you doing?’ Bon Bon’s eyes went wide, backing up a little.

“Oh...I just figured if I used a little magic, it would go faster,” Aspect sighed, looking a little forlorn. “If you don’t want me to…”

“What do you mean magic?” Bon Bon asked. “What exactly are you planning to do Christopher?”

“Just a few cleaning cantrips, to help us with the dusting and the like,” the stallion replied. “It’s not like I’d be able to think of all the spots where the dust is myself.”

“Ooh,” Bon Bon nodded. “Well, that’s fine.”

“Ooh, fancy magicks tiem?” Lyra perked up. “You gonna make the brooms dance again?”

“Oh hey, I forgot you could do that,” Rainbow nodded.

“Just gonna make the dustpans do that this time,” Aspect replied as his magic sought out the cleaning supplies. A beat started to dance on the air, as Aspect began his rhyme.

Mold and mildew, dust and grime,
Let’s get them cleaned up in time.
The mare I love has been worried sick,
So let’s get this place to tick
Once again, and show her just how
Much her stallion loves her now.

From a closet, Bon Bon’s cleaning supplies danced out without any magic surrounding them...before they began their appointed task. Making Bon’s shop sparkle again.

“Aww, that rhyme was adorable,” Bon Bon cooed and kissed his cheek and… yup, her breath was kiiinda rank.

“You, ah...might want to freshen up before you open up,” Aspect pointed out diplomatically.

“O-Oh…” her cheeks turned pink and a dotted outline was all that remained as the mare vanished upstairs and he soon heard the shower running.

“And while she’s taking care of that, my magic will ensure that these implements will get her shop sparkling again,” Aspect noted with a nod of his head. “Honestly Lyra, you should have told me.”

“Well, I was worried she’d kill you, or you’d get mad over her being kinda all over the place,” she said with a sigh. “I’m worried about her. So, looking after her was kinda my priority.”

“Was a letter too much to ask?” the stallion mock-griped as he held a hoof to his heart. “It’s like you don’t trust me.”

“No, it’s not that it’s just…” Lyra paused and sighed. “Yeah, I got nothing.”

“Let’s just chalk this whole thing up to everyone involved being silly and move on,” Aspect suggested as he supervised the instruments of cleaning.

"Agreed," Lyra hummed as she started to check the shelves for anything that expired and tossed it, before pausing. “Uhoh…”

The stallion turned to her at that one. “What?”

“We don’t have much fresh stock. Bon Bon kiiiinda hasn’t made anything for a week straight.” Lyra explained as she looked at the shelves. “I mean, most of this fresh stock is unusable now. All that’s really left is the packaged stuff.”

“Hmm,” Aspect mused. “She’ll not take that well, will she?”

“No, she’ll either just give up, or work herself into a frenzy to cook everything…” Lyra sighed and sat on her rump. “What can we do? I dunno about you, but I can’t make what she does.”

“This requires the big guns,” Aspect mused, before turning to Dash. “Is Pinkie free? We could pay her to help out Bon until she was restocked.”

“Um… maybe?” Lyra shrugged. “I haven’t left here in a week, so you’d know more than me.”

“I’ll go and check,” Rainbow said. “Even on hoof, I’m still the fastest.” With that, she opened the door and galloped off.

“Always playing the hero,” Lyra chuckled. “So uh… how’s things?” she asked him somewhat awkwardly.

“Oh you know, Dash’s parents are visiting, Midnight got a new toy,” Aspect replied casually. “The kids and the CMC’s are having a sleepover at the Acres.”

“Geeze, are you trying to destroy the town,” Lyra shook her head. “I guess… have we even talked lately. You know…” She blushed and looked away. “Since the whole… shower thing.”

“Nope, and we should fix that soon,” Aspect replied.

“Well… we have time now,” she said. “Though…” She looked down at the floor. “I, have no idea what to talk about.”

“To be honest, neither do I, but it’s not like we can’t find something to talk about,” the stallion returned, keeping only one eye on the implements.

“I guess,” she replied as she shuffled awkwardly. “So um… how’s the engagement going?”

“Well the framework is laid out,” Aspect replied. “It’s just a matter of getting all those things together at the same time.”

“I guess,” she said. “You gonna wait until after Bon Bon’s had her little… whatever it is?”

“Ehhh...I’ll leave it up to her,” Aspect replied. “If she wants to wait, we’ll wait. But if she wants to get married quickly, we’ll put the wheels in motion.”

“I guess,” Lyra sighed. “Even so, it’s pretty fast. I mean, you guys haven’t even been dating a year. And yet, you’re having a foal and planning marriage?”

“Well I did the act of knocking her up, I should take responsibility,” the stallion pointed out.

“As well you should mister,” Lyra said and paused. “You’re… a good guy you know. Not like her asshole ex…” She paused and looked away. “Er, forget I said that.”

Aspect raised an eyebrow at that.

“Aaand you’re not gonna let it go are you?” Lyra sighed. “Look, I dunno if Bon Bon told you anything. But you’re not the first stallion she’s dated.”

Aspect merely shook his head to indicate that he hadn’t heard this before.

“He seemed alright,” Lyra said. “A pretty unicorn stallion from up in Canterlot. Came down here for… some reason or another and found Bon Bon’s shop. The two just kind of… hit it off so to speak. A lot like she and you did.” She sat down on one of the clean chairs and sat upright, not unlike a human would. “I approved, cause he was hot. And the two dated for a while. Eventually, he paid for a lavish trip to get her up to Canterlot…”

“I think I can see where this is going,” Aspect sighed. “And why she doesn’t like the place anymore.”

“Turns out the guy was some big company CEO,” she said dryly. “He’d invited her up there to… ergh, consummate the relationship. He wasn’t looking for love. Just a Celestia-damned trophy mare to show off to his snooty highclass friends.” She frowned and grit her teeth. “Naturally, Bon Bon refused and he decided that not only did they need to break it off, he embarrassed her at a rather public event to boot.” She rest her hooves on the chair. “Bonnie loves making her candy. So at some charity event, he had her make a bunch… only to give it away because and I quote ‘Nopony in their right mind would actually pay for it’.”

Aspect let out a little growl at that. “What is his name?” he asked lowly.

Lyra paused and looked at him. “Oooh no. If you do something, then Bonnie will get mad at both of us.”

“You’re not helping by keeping it secret,” Aspect warned. “I could go look it up. I very well might.”

“Of course you would… I should have kept my mouth shut,” Lyra sighed. “His name is Jet Set. His family owns the largest airship production factory in Equestria.”

“Airships, huh?” the stallion mused, the gears already turning. “Okay...I think I have the beginnings of a plan.” His grin grew malicious. Oh, he had the perfect plan for this pony. He knew exactly what he would do.

“Look, it’s all in the past,” Lyra sighed and waved a hoof. “No sense in dragging it up. You got the girl and all is well right?”

“Oh no, it wouldn’t be right to not make her dreams come true,” Aspect replied. “Even the ones of revenge that she’s too good to enact.”

“I sometimes wonder if you’re a hero or a supervillain,” Lyra chuckled. “Well… I can’t say I wouldn’t like to see it. As payment for the info.” She leaned closer. “I want in on this. I may not look it, but my family is Canterlot nobility.”

“I’ll let you in when I have a concrete plan,” Aspect mused. “Though...if you could find a way to arrange a nice lunch between me and him, and slip the restaurant staff some of Bon Bon’s chocolates to serve as a finisher, that’ll be part one done. Part two will be a little more...fun. After all, I am Air still...and if I say his airships don’t go up and stay there, they won’t.”

“O-Oh dear,” Lyra giggled. “Still, don’t financially ruin the guy… as much as he bucking deserves it… A little humiliation will suffice.” She leaned back in her chair and hummed, crossing her hind legs. “I’ve missed hanging out with you Aspy.”

“Mmm, you’re fun,” Aspect nodded as he began going over his plan in his head. A little runic to imprint every airship produced by his factory...no, better just make that every airship he produced. Give them all a little rune to mark them...then what? Simply make it so they couldn’t ascend? Or perhaps...yes, just that. Making them lightning bolt attractors would mean deaths. So much more simple if they never got off the ground at all.

Oooh! Or perhaps make them all humiliating when they did fly!

“Hmm well, you certainly though I was fun in that shower~” Lyra cooed, throwing that screaming wrench under the wheels of his train of thought.

“Aaaaaand that’s that train of thought thoroughly derailed, thanks Lyra,” Aspect replied dryly.

“Anytime,” she giggled and blew him a kiss. “What are friends for right? Gotta keep you tethered to us mortals every now and then.”

“Well hopefully I’ll remember that plan later,” Aspect sighed as he looked around, wondering which mare or mares would arrive first.

Lyra just giggled as she hopped off her seat, swinging her minty butt at him as the door opened, Rainbow and Pinkie walking in as the pink mare looked around.

“I sense a disturbance in the candy force,” she said with a rather serious tone.

“Bonnie’s been experiencing the joy of pregnancy and hasn’t been open for a week straight,” the stallion replied, pointing out the empty jars and displays. “Everything’s gone bad. We need somepony to help her so that she doesn’t overwork herself trying to replace it all, or give up hope halfway through.” Right about then, the implements went back to the closet, which closed with a click. Everything was clean. Empty, but clean.

Pinkie looked around and a rare moment of seriousness crossed her muzzle. “Okay Aspect,” she said. “Can I be serious with you for a bit?”

“...I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not,” the stallion replied, taking an unsteady step back.

Pinkie rolled her eyes. “Look. My specialty is baking. Cupcakes, pastries, that kinda thing. I can make chocolate. But it’ll be nowhere near as good as Bon Bon’s. I don’t know if I could insult her business by making subpar treats.”

“I’m not asking you to restock Bon’s shop,” Aspect replied. “I’m asking you to be the high-energy, direction-taking assistant she needs until she is restocked and ready to open again. The pony that’ll inspire her to keep trying no matter how hopeless it seems. The ray of sunshine she needs right now.”

Pinkie looked at him… and he swore her coat turned several shades brighter as she gasped and stretched her legs out, pulling him into a bonecrushing hug. “Ohmigosh! That’s a the most superfuneriffic idea EVER!!” She then dropped the dazed stallion and bounced away into the kitchen, pulling a chefs hat and apron out of… somewhere and donned them.

“...I think Bon’s livelyhood is saved,” the stallion gasped out. His ribs on the other hoof…

“Her sanity… not so much,” Lyra giggled as she helped him up and cast a small healing spell. Wait, Lyra knew healing magicks?

“Okay, that’s...a little better,” the stallion grunted as the wave of magic washed over him. “So...what next Dash?”

“Well… I dunno,” Rainbow shrugged. “I don’t work here.”

“Well we need a friendly face to tend to the counter, somepony who’s good with foals…” Lyra trailed off as she and Rainbow slooowly turned to Aspect with bright smiles.

“Ohhhh no,” Aspect backed up. “I see where this is going.”

“Well don’t look at me,” Lyra said. “I just sit in the corner and play music. And let’s be honest. Do you think Rainbow Dash has the patience and attention span for behind-the-counter work?”

“Hey!” Rainbow huffed.

“The one thing she’s got going for her right now is that she has a longer attention span than those she’d be serving,” the stallion admitted.

“I hate you both, go suck an egg,” Rainbow pouted and folded her forelegs, the Pout increasing in intensity.

“Oh woe is me, the Fair Lady Rainbow Dashie has been slighted by our jests,” Lyra swooned and put a hoof to her forehead. “Oh Lord Aspect, whatever shall we do to recompense?”

“I dunno about you, but I’m prepared to stand behind a counter for Bon Bon’s shop while she and Pinkie create a storm of delicious treats,” Aspect replied, sighing as he walked over to the register. “As for Dash, I dunno. Maybe she could check out Middy’s new toy that I totally just loaned her but is totally not listening to me anymore.”

“...You have absolutely no sense for drama,” Lyra sighed and picked up her clarsach before heading to the stall stage at the rear of the store. She plucked a few idle strings, checking the tuning of the instrument before starting to play an alluring, peaceful song.

“No, I do, it’s just, there’s a time and place for it,” Aspect replied. “Right now isn’t one of them.”

Lyra just shrugged as she kept playing.

“Fine, I’ll go and check on the half-pints then,” Rainbow said and turned. “You sure you’re gonna be okay here Aspect? In the same building with Pinkie and Lyra?”

“I’ll survive,” Aspect waved her off with a wing. “Seriously, go check up on Middy. She has a spear made of lightning now.”

Rainbow paused… before bolting from the door and galloping full tilt towards his home.

“And that’s all the kids distracted,” Aspect chuckled.

“You’re marrying that kid,” Lyra oh-so helpfully pointed out. “And do weird butt stuff with~”

“She’s more like a cat than a pony,” Aspect mused. “Plonk something sufficiently shiny in front of her, she’ll try to play with it.”

“Hah, maybe you should roll around in glitter then,” Lyra chuckled and inside the kitchen, a pink mare’s ear twitched. She had a great idea for a prank.

“I’d rather prefer to keep myself glitter free, thanks,” Aspect dryly replied. “In any case, any minute now Bons should be…”

“Here~” Bon Bon strode into the room, positively glowing as she carried a tray of sweets on her back. “I made a few of my staples to start with.” A dozen lollipops that matched her mane colours, some candy canes that matched Lyra and…

Oooooh, she made some of her namesakes. The first treat of hers he ever tried and had his brain promptly melted.

“That looks like a good start,” Aspect nodded. “Fortunately I was able to enlist the services of one Pinkus Pieus to serve as your assistant while you make more.”

“Yes, she’s been a wonderful help,” Bon Bon nodded. “I did have to make her do a Pinkie Promise to not copy any recipes… or eat the ingredients… or the finished products… you know what, I think I’ll have her make a few more to be on the safe side.”

“Fair enough,” Aspect chuckled. “Still, I just know you Bonnie. You’ll persevere.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about acting crazy before… can’t promise it won’t happen again… and I am sorry I pointed a weapon at you… I’ll try really hard not to do that again…”

“I’m sorry I ignored you for so long,” Aspect replied, pulling her into a chaste kiss. Once it broke, he nuzzled the mare. “Forgive me?”

“Only if you forgive me,” she nuzzled him back.

Lyra made some not so subtle gagging noises.

“Yes yes, you weren’t complaining earlier,” the stallion looked up and mock glared at her...undercut slightly by his waggling eyebrows.

“You know it honey~” Lyra waggled hers back.

“Get a room,” Bon Bon rolled her eyes.

“Can we?” Lyra beamed.

“No.”

“Spoilsport!”

Bon Bon shook her head. “Our relationship is so weird.”

“Easy fix. Wanna marry me too Aspect?” Lyra asked.

“Do you honestly think you could stand the crazy that is my family?” the stallion fired back.

“I’m me, do you think I’m crazy enough?”

“Do not answer that,” Bon Bon sighed. “Honestly you two. We’ll open soon, try and keep things professional.”

“Darn, no mid-work trysts for us,” Aspect sighed, almost sounding like he was actually looking forward to that.

“...You need to stop sounding so convincing,” Bon Bon shook her head as she headed back towards the kitchen, her creamy-coated rump swaying back and forth almost hypnotically, her sugary scent wafting in his direction.

“So,” Aspect said as he stood behind the register. “Let’s get these kids served.”

“It’s your funeral~” Lyra sang as she started a more upbeat tune, her horn glowing to add an electrostatic tone to the chords, her hooves tapping against the floor to add more beat. As she did, Pinkie suddenly evacuated the business, shouting something about a new pony.

“I’ve faced down some of the worst horrors in Pre-Equestrian history,” Aspect scoffed as he stood ready. “What will a horde of munchkins do that they couldn’t?”

Oh he really should learn not to taunt Fate like that…

The tide was relentless, foal after foal descended upon the store like a loud, giggly horde of the undead. It was unending, and they weren't his kids, so disciplining them was out of the question. He just had to smile and bear it.

And Bon Bon did this every day?

He suddenly had a lot more respect for the mare.

Eventually, the nightmare came to an end, the last child leaving and the shelves almost as empty as when they first began. Lyra set her instrument aside, having provided quite the soundtrack for the chaos and he swore she played Rise of the Valkyries when the kids first showed up.

“Never again…” Aspect groaned out as the last of the kids left. “Grogar was less soul draining than that.”

“Oh, now he gets dramatic,” Lyra chuckled as she trotted over to him. “I’m sure you’ll live, It’s not like you can actually die.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Aspect grunted. “If Bon ever threatens to make me do that again, I might try.”

“Uhuh,” Lyra rolled her eyes as her horn lit up, two glowing golden hands kneading his shoulders and neck. The stallion let out a pleasured groan as he closed his eyes.

“So, Bonnie’s job not as much of a cakewalk as you expected?” Lyra mused as she worked down his spine.

“Remind me to never get a job in retail again,” Aspect moaned out.

“Ahh, the woes of actually working for a living huh?” Lyra mused as she continued to massage him with her magic.

“I have a job. I have multiple jobs,” Aspect pointed out. “I do many things for a living. Mostly to fill my time, but I do them.”

“Mhm, and yet here you are, complaining about this one after only two hours,” she giggled, and those magical hands gave his rump a good squeeze.

“It felt like two years,” Aspect moaned, laying his head on the counter.

“Dramallama,” she rolled her eyes as Bon Bon walked back into the room. “So, what’s-ow!”

“Stop feeling him up with your pervy magic,” Bon Bon said as she tucked the rolling pin away. She kissed Aspect’s cheek and smiled. “You okay there hun?”

“Kill me,” he croaked out.

“Oh buck up,” Bon Bon giggled. “Hmm, however shall I make it up to my weary stallion.”

“Just leave me to die of having no soul anymore,” the stallion intoned, flopping lifelessly on the counter.

“Well, if that’s how you feel,” Bon Bon shrugged. “Well, I guess Lyra and I will head out then and leave you to wallow in your drama.”

“I need a nice, relaxing...something,” Aspect muttered. “...Actually, now that I think about it, I should check on Dash. Make sure she didn’t bite off more than she could chew...again.”

“Hmm, you suure,” Bon Bon mused. “I’m feeling a little peckish at the moment. I think my cravings are coming back~”

Aspect blearily opened an eye and looked at Bon Bon.

“If you’re going to head out,” she hummed as she eased him against the counter and kissed his neck. “Let me give you a little energy first.”

Aaaand that was her kisses roaming lower.

“What was it you said about keeping it professional?” Aspect asked. “Or leaving Pinkie unsupervised?”

“Pinkie left a while ago,” Bon Bon said as she knelt down. “Now hush and let Bonnie take good care of you okay~?”

“But what if someone—” Aspect managed to ask.

Lyra hummed as she locked the door and drew the curtains.

Well…

This was...unexpected. Not unpleasant, but unexpected.

Author's Notes:

Golly, it's gonna take a lot to pull all these threads together in a few chapters, huh?

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