Solving problems and issues can be very tedious and long process, especially when it concerns mental health. Most people recover — at least to a certain extent — from things done to them. But some, a small amount of people, never do. They carry all their experiences throughout their lives, seeking help, sometimes getting it, but it is never enough. Nothing helps: not therapy, not medication, not even more obscure and questionable methods of religious and mystical nature. They search for a solution, for a way to become better, happier, and they search for it all their lives, failing again and again until they either eventually find what they were looking for or can no longer endure the pain.

One of those people was Sirius. At least his human self was — Stanislav. After his father's unfortunate and gruesome death, after what happened right in that moment, he was mentally scarred. Witnessing two deaths in the short span of time would leave anyone but the least emotional people damaged, and Stanislav was no exception. He felt emotions, sometimes even more so than other people around him, and so the even hit him hard, maybe harder than he would ever admit.

Many events followed after the death of his father, piling up until it was too much. Stanislav searched for help, searched for someone that he could talk about all of this to, and only after death and being reborn as Sirius was he finally able to find that soul-mate. It brought him relief, albeit much more time needed to pass for him to be free of the chains of the past. Breaking out of them alone was impossible, but he had help, and maybe it would work. Deep down, he hoped it would.

He walked outside the mansion, getting some fresh air after a short but intense therapy session. He unfolded his past for the first time in his life, allowing others to look inside him and see what lay there. His memories, his experiences, emptions, wishes, dreams, and desires began to show themselves.

Iclyn was at his side, walking along with him, keeping him close to herself, giving him warmth, reminding him that he had her support. No matter what his past was, she would always be there to support him. He had shown that he deserved support, deserved love, especially after what happened to him. She intended to fix him, make him a better person, and she would stay with him to the end. What end would it be? She didn't know. However, she was sure she could help Sirius shape it.

The former human stopped and sat down on the ground, his eyes watering. With old memories resurfacing, so did his feelings and emotions about them. Iclyn sat down with him as he let out a loud cry which turned into sobs as his body shook, his face firmly pressed against the shoulder of his loved one. He unleashed it all, not afraid to be vulnerable in front of her, not afraid to show her what he felt.

No word was spoken as Sirius cried, his sobs slowly fading as he found relief from his pain. He felt Iclyn's warmth, he felt her heart beating along with his, and now he thought. He realized something that made him stop crying.

He was alive and he was glad about it.

He raised his head and Iclyn was there to wipe his tears away. The corners of his mouth rose in a smile as he looked deep into her eyes. There was no harm in them, only warmth, the kind of warmth he always wished to see and experience. Slowly, he closed his eyes and kissed her on the lips, showing her that he too could give something. Iclyn returned his kiss, hugging him tightly. She unfolded her wings and wrapped them around him in an embrace, showing that she would protect him as much as he protected her before.

Not a word was said after they finally separated. Soon, the two stood up and resumed their walk, both of them smiling. Sirius was slightly bouncing as they went, his ears perked up, and energy in his every step. Iclyn was by his side, joyfully trotting alongside him, her side often touching his ever so slightly.

Luna was inside the mansion, looking out of a window. Her eyes glistened as a smile played on her face.

Wave Rider and Anastasia were near the pool, the latter cautiously approaching the edge of it while the former was already joyfully swimming in the water. He rolled in the water and looked at the girl, a smile on his face.

"Afraid of water?" he teased as he lazily moved his legs, keeping himself afloat easily.

"No. I was... swimmer." Anastasia replied, sitting down near the edge. "But... four legs. I need to relearn."

"Well, maybe you can try doing what you previously did." the colt shrugged. "Come on, Nastya! The water is good."

Reluctantly, the girl stepped into the water, going only knee-deep in it. She had never before thought about being afraid of water but she was quickly finding out many things, especially those things which existence was very questionable at best. She sighed, deciding to go along with this.

"You're doing alright!" Wave Rider encouraged her as she moved closer to the next, deeper step. He was nearby, ready to help her if need arose.

With hesitation, Anastasia stepped even deeper into the pool, the water coming up to her chest.

"A bit deeper and you can try swimming." the colt said, watching her as she stepped into the water with less hesitation, and this time it reached up her neck, almost touching her jaw. "Water's good, right?"

"Yeah..." Anastasia replied. "So, um... I'll try... things." she said with uncertainty and then cautiously tried a swimming move she remembered. Unfortunately, it turned into her face disappearing under the water for a split second. She resurfaced and coughed, getting the water out of her nose, her mane now wet and covering her vision.

"Easy, easy!" Wave Rider hurried to her and stood next to her. "Everything's alright?"

"I... I need, uh... time." she replied, a blush of embarrassment appearing on her face. "I used be good swimmer."

"I think you'll get a gist of it soon, don't worry." the colt pat her on the back. "I'm not a teacher for sure, but... maybe I can show you a thing or two."

Together, the two started the process, beginning slowly. Wave Rider held Anastasia with his magic, trying to help her understand how to move the legs correctly. At first, it was only splashes that were the result of the learning struggle, but then things became progressively better. In the end, it only took around half an hour, and it was enough to get both of them soaked completely.

"It's good." Anastasia said, slowly swimming around, some tiredness showing.

"That's great!" Wave Rider replied joyfully, using magic to comb his mane back so it doesn't block his vision. "So, wanna spend some more time here or nah?"

"Swimming is good." the girl replied. "But where next?"

"I don't really now..." the colt tapped his chin. "You know..." he became nervous all of sudden. "Maybe we can go to a diner together?" he paused, a blush creeping on his face. "Just... eat some food and talk stuff."

"Yeah, sure." Anastasia nodded, not minding it at all, oblivious to Wave's blushing.

Taking things back under control, he continued swimming with the girl, his mind turning to think about the upcoming... date? He didn't know if he wanted to call it that way. Sure, he liked Anastasia in a friendly way but nothing more. He knew she could use someone to be there for her. He did find her beautiful, even though her otherworldly form he had seen on the photo was weird and unusual. However, now she was just another pony, at least in most ways.

So, it wouldn't hurt to try dating her. Maybe something would work out between her and the young stallion. After all, things happened between Iclyn and Sirius, and the two were at the very least content with each other.

"So, shall we continue?" Luna asked once Sirius and Iclyn returned to the mansion after their walk. "Or should we pick another day for it?"

"I feel good now. Much better, actually." the former human said. "So... I don't know."

"Tell me, what did make you feel better?" the princess said softly.

"Well, um... Just this... realization that, uh..." Sirius stuttered. "That the past is the past. It happened as it did. Now... things are different." he glanced at Iclyn. "I have... so much more. I can let it in."

"What made you realize it?" Luna asked another question.

"Iclyn." was his simple answer as he hugged his loved once close. "Her being here... just seeing her makes me feel better. She has been there for me ever since she met me. And... and I thought it was fake..." he chuckled, understanding his faults.

"Can you tell me about the first time she showed care for you?"

"Yes, of course." Sirius nodded, a recent memory resurfacing. "She... she followed me during the first night. I wanted to get some fresh air, and she saw to it that I was alright. I didn't understand it back then, but now... It's clear she cared." his smile widened. "When I had a nightmare, she woke me up. Once again, I... didn't react well, but now... Now I see that she cared." he paused to kiss Iclyn on the cheek. "There wasn't a time when she pushed me away. She was always there for me."

"It's very good, Sirius." Luna said joyfully. "May I ask... when did you start having feelings for her?"

"I, uh... don't know." he replied, a light blush on his face. "They just... appeared. I realized that I had feelings for her after some time. Well, it happened after she confessed hers." he kissed her once again. "I'm happy with her."

"And you will be even happier once you resolve all your issues, Sirius." Luna nodded. "I suppose it should be everything for today. I will visit you two during the same hours tomorrow. If it's fine, of course."

"I suppose it's alright." Sirius nodded and then turned to his loved one. "Iclyn, what do you think?"

"I wouldn't mind." she nodded as well.

"Then it's settled. I will see you tomorrow, lovebirds." Luna giggled girlishly, eliciting blushes from both ponies in front of her.

The alicorn could barely contain her joy as she happily trotted out of the mansion, deeming her day's job a success. She was finally able to help Sirius, and she saw how well things were already going for him. With more time and work, he would become much happier, much better, and eventually he would become probably the happiest person Luna had ever known.

After all, to know true happiness, one has to know true sadness, the worst of life. Luna hoped Sirius would never have to experience anything even remotely close to his past ever again. He had already been through many bad things, and it was time for him to know what happiness is.

Just a few minutes after Luna's departure, Sirius was lying on the bed, Iclyn giving a massage to him, easing his tense muscles just as she did once before. She slowly went from his neck to his backside, making him moan in pleasure as he felt his body metaphorically melting under the hooves of his loved one.

"Feels really nice, Icy..." he muttered, his hind legs and tail slightly twitching as Iclyn massaged his backside.

"I like how you call me." she smiled. "Hm, what should I call you, then? Sirius seems a bit too serious." she paused for a second. "Sir? Too short... Maybe Siri?"

"I dunno..." he muttered softly, still under the influence of Iclyn's relaxing moves. "Not Siri, though..."

"Well, I guess I'll just call you Sirius." the pegasus shrugged. "Speaking of... Why did you choose it?"

"I... I remember looking at Luna's mane." he recalled the events. "Many stars... I remembered that one of the stars is called Sirius. I liked it."

"Hm, I can call you Star if you want. 'My lovely star', heh." she giggled. "Cheesy but hey, we're a couple now."

Iclyn gently flipped her loved one and got on the bed with him, standing above him. She lay on him, her chest against his, and kissed him on the lips, her eyes closed in bliss.

"You know, I wouldn't mind some fun." Iclyn winked, grinding her lower body against his. "If you're up for it."

"I want to do something for you." Sirius said. "You did a massage, and... maybe I can try one, too?"

"Hm, that's not a bad idea." the pegasus agreed, getting off of him. Soon, the two switched placed and it was now Iclyn lying on the bed. She spread her legs and wings, waiting for Sirius to take action.

Reluctantly, he used magic near her neck, massaging it with the hands he conjured.

"Oh~" Iclyn moaned, raising her head. "That's good..."

Encouraged, Sirius continued, slowly making his way to the base of her wings. There, he carefully pressed between their bases, eliciting a slight yelp and a twitch of hind legs and tail from his loved one.

"Oh, right in the spot!" she said in a half-seductive, half-relaxed tone. "For someone inexperienced, you sure are good!"

Sirius smiled, enjoying the praise Iclyn was giving him, and he gave her a few squeezes here and there, making her moan quietly. Once her wings were limp in relaxation, he moved to her back and then went down right to her backside. He was especially reluctant there but her moans made him rethink, courage taking the place of uncertainty as he rubbed the area of her special marks. An idea sprung inside his head.

"Icy, I want to do something special for you." he said lowly and seductively. "I need you to be on your back."

Iclyn did as instructed, rolling on her back. Seeing where the gaze of Sirius went, she spread her hind legs. Against her expectations, he didn't get up on the bed. Instead, his muzzle got closer and closer to her teats and vagina. Deciding to let him do what he wanted, she relaxed, watching as a bright blush took its place on Sirius' cheeks.

Suddenly, he made a long lick along the opening. Iclyn gasped, her legs quivering as sudden pleasure took place. Sirius was satisfied with the result, pressing his muzzle against her folds, breathing in her powerful and sweet scent. He looked her in the eyes, and in them, he saw approval and desire to continue.

Remembering what he learned long ago as he browsed the internet, he parted his lips and let his tongue out. At first, he started doing circular motions, stimulating Iclyn well, making her moan softly and cutely. She was looking at him with a bright blush, their eyes connected, and neither was willing to look away.

Being inexperienced and slightly reluctant, Sirius just continued what he was doing for some time before he changed the pattern of his tongue-work. He pushed against her, his tongue going deeper in her, feeling her inner texture. He drank her sweet nectar from where it came, enjoying it even though it felt somewhat weird. He giggled slightly when he realized that she tasted like vanilla ice-cream.

He was already erect and full of lust and desire but he decided not to stop until Iclyn was pleased. He started drawing Commonlang and English alphabets with his tongue, remembering the lessons he looked up on the internet a long time ago. It was tiring but it was so much worth it for Sirius as he felt Iclyn shivering from pleasure, moaning along the way.

"S-Sirius, I... I..." Iclyn gasped. "I— AH!"

Unable to contain herself, she came, her juices flowing out onto and into Sirius' muzzle. He almost pulled away from a strange sensation but made himself stay, and soon he was enjoying it as Iclyn rode out her orgasm. He licked off everything to the best of his abilities and smiled, knowing that his loved one was pleased.

"On wow..." Iclyn said, lying on the bed breathlessly. "That was... awesome."

"Mh-hmm." Sirius replied, wiping his muzzle clean with tissues. "Feels good, right?"

"Definitely!" she replied, grinning. "And ponies say first experiences are awkward..."

"Well, uh..." the former human blushed. "When I was younger, I, uh... trained... Kinda... on fruit and stuff." he turned away.

"Aww, that's cute!" Iclyn giggled, looking at Sirius with happiness in her eyes. "And hey, now you get a reaction! Isn't it nice?"

"Uh, it is." he nodded, still blushing.

"My parents will love you! Not in this—" she wiggled her hips suggestively "—sense, of course, but still... Hm, how about we go meet them tomorrow?"

"I think... I wouldn't mind." Sirius replied with some uncertainty.

"Don't worry, it'll be good!" his loved one encouraged him. "For now, let's go take a shower. That'd be nice, and... maybe we'll have more fun, huh?"

Author's Notes:

Slowly but steadily, Sirius is healed through love, care, understanding, and support.

Here, have a cute picture of Iclyn made by skunkdinner