Author's Notes:

A more light-hearted chapter for you today.

What is a family? It seems like a simple question, something a child would ask his parents. However, answering it is far more difficult than some might expect. Indeed, what is a family? Is it simply a system of blood ties that bind everyone together through biology? Is it the relationship between the members of the family? Is it a connection that pulls them together, something that can't be explained by simple blood ties?

You cannot choose a family you are born into. You can get lucky and be born into one that encourages exploration, personal development, and happiness. On the other side of the spectrum, you may be born into a family that treats you like a belonging, a thing, a pile of clay to be shaped, and not a living being. And, of course, you can get everything in-between the two ends of the spectrum of a family that is based on blood ties.

However, what if you are left without a family? Many children suffer through it in the human world, abandoned by those that brought them to life, sometimes even left to die and to never see the world. What is family for them? What is family for adopted children?

Fortunately, later in life, everyone can choose their new family. A loved one, children, some people even count friends as their family. Even the family of a loved one can become a part of your own family. The possibilities are endless, and some turn it good indeed.

A few hours into the afternoon, Sirius and Iclyn were walking through the street, heading to the house of the pegasus' parents. A smile played on Iclyn's face as she moved with a slight bounce in her step, her wings fluttering from time to time in excitement. Sirius, on the other hand, walked calmly, his gait having a limp he had earned when he fought Changeling Queen Chrysalis. His expression was neutral but he found himself looking at the ground quite often, his mind deep in thought.

Despite what Iclyn thought of him and how she loved him, the former human felt that her parents wouldn't be as acceptive towards him. He had put his loved one in danger multiple times and almost caused her death. If not for a miracle he couldn't quite understand, Iclyn would be lying in the ground forever and he would soon follow. He had hurt her and he knew that such things could not and should not go unpunished. However, even Princess Luna allowed him to stay free. She wanted to help him, but it still left Sirius confused.

The former human realized that it was his duty as Iclyn's partner to make a good impression on her parents, to prove himself worthy of her, to prove that he could protect Iclyn and never allow anything to hurt her. It was his responsibility to make sure that their relationship developed and improved, to make sure that the family he was making would be happy with him. Perhaps, Iclyn would want a foal later on, and despite a great many doubts Sirius had, he would still at the very least try to be a good father if he indeed became one at some point in his life. He had to make sure he would be a great husband. In truth, he wanted to marry Iclyn, to bring the relationship to the next level, but he was unsure of how to do it properly. Was it too early? Did he need to do something great for it to happen?

"Is everything alright?" Iclyn said, looking at Sirius with worry and cutting into his line of thought.

"I'm thinking about, um, our future," Sirius replied slowly, uncertain of if he wanted to reveal his thoughts in full just yet.

"Don't worry about it yet, we would have plenty of time to think about it and decide everything," the pegasus assured him, putting a wing over his back. "Let's focus on the present now, alright?"

Sirius nodded silently in understanding. He was so tangled up in the future he almost forgot that Iclyn wanted him to be with her here and now, not there and then.

"You're right," he said after the nod. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Iclyn replied. "We'll talk it all out a bit later."

Soon, they reached a certain house in the northern part of Canterlot. It was nothing big, just a usual two-storey house as were many others scattered across the city. Iclyn remembered visiting it just before the fateful day of the duel between Sirius and Luna. It was a calm, peaceful time, nothing seemed like it could go wrong, and yet it did.

She took a deep breath. Sirius was with her now, things couldn't go wrong. There he stood by her side, her loved one. She suspected he was even more nervous than herself but it was apparent he didn't want to show it. This time, he didn't even have a weapon by his side. His mane had grown longer and Iclyn helped him pick a shampoo and then comb the mane properly. Despite having some scars, he was still as handsome as ever to her. In fact, he seemed to gain a bit of weight, making his sunken cheeks less prominent, and his overall appearance gained some volume, making it less skinny than it used to be.

Finally, Iclyn knocked on the door. She let out an exhale and closed her eyes for a few long moments. That was it, she was going to present Sirius to her parents. Despite being quite confident, she knew that her loved one was much different than most if not all ponies.

Soon, the door opened, revealing Iclyn's mother, a pegasus of a similar fur color but much darker blue mane.

"Ah, hello, my dear!" she said and then her deep purple eyes turned to Sirius. "Oh, I see..." a smile appeared on her face. "Hello to you as well, Sirius! Come in, come in!" she opened the door wider and stepped back, allowing the two lovers to come in. She trotted deeper inside the house, calling: "Honey! Iclyn is here with her coltfriend!"

Wiping his hooves, Sirius blushed slightly. What Iclyn's mother said was so direct and open, he wondered how he'd be able to talk to either of the parents. Should he be just as open about his relationship? Unfortunately for him, he didn't have much time to think because the mother returned to the two, a beaming smile adorning her face.

"You're both very welcome today!" she said. "So, Sirius, I'm glad to meet you in person! I'm Aliya."

Sirius nodded, not knowing what to say.

"A shy one, I see..." Aliya said, her smile unfaltering, her words making a pink tint appear on the cheeks of the former human. "Anyway, why don't you two wait in the living room while my husband and I make something tasty for you?"

Soon, Iclyn proceeded to lead Sirius in the room. It was quite spacious, featuring a big couch, an armchair with a coffee table on the side, and a TV set. It wasn't as big as the one in the mansion and also not quite as thin, reminding Sirius of old TVs from the end of the twentieth century on Earth.

The two hopped onto the couch and Iclyn lay almost on top of Sirius, placing her head on his neck. He blushed harder, not used to this kind of public display. It wasn't exactly public, but Iclyn's parents would be able to see it soon and the former human had no idea how they'd react to it. For all he knew, it could be negative. And besides, personally, he was just not very ready to share how he spent or would spend his time with Iclyn. After all, things had come much further than snuggles and hugs.

True to his thoughts, the parents of Iclyn came in. Sirius blushed intensely but didn't dare to push his loved one off of him. He was glad that it wasn't a compromising position.

"You two sure look cute together!" Aliya commented and Sirius could swear he heard a tiny squee come out of her mouth. "So, Sirius, this is my husband and the father of Iclyn, Tal."

A stallion of a smaller frame than Aliya was the father of Iclyn. What he lacked in height, he had in his wings, which were almost one and a half times bigger than those of his wife. His mane was purely white while his fur was a shade of gray, although no signs of aging were present.

"Good day to you, Sirius," Tal said in a soft tone, making a polite nod. The former human replied by returning the nod. "I do hope to get to know you better, and today is definitely a good day for it! Well, I have to cook now, but I hope you'll enjoy the company of my wife."

Tal soon left, disappearing into the kitchen, and the two lovers were left with Aliya. She sat in an armchair, her posture relaxed. Then, she looked at Sirius.

"I can see it in your eyes that you've been through some not very nice things," she said. "I can also see that Iclyn has helped you a lot in overcoming those difficulties," she changed her position slightly, turning more to Sirius. "You have already proven that you'd do a lot to protect my daughter... I'm very happy to know it, Sirius!" she smiled at him. "I hope I'm not too intrusive, but... just how close have you been?"

Blushing even harder than before, Sirius couldn't do anything but avert his gaze in shyness. To Aliya, it spoke more than words would.

"I'm even more happy for you now!" she said. "I'm glad to know that you have found a love of your life, and I am glad for you, Iclyn, as well!" she pressed her hooves against her cheeks. "You both are adorable!"

It was time for both lovers to blush and avert their gazes from each other and Aliya. The mother stifled a giggle while looking at them but regained her composure soon, understanding that she would only embarrass the two if she continued her approach, and it wasn't something she wanted.

"Forgive me, it's just I'm so happy for my daughter!" she apologized to Sirius. All he could do was nod, a blush still present on his face. "Sirius, may I ask... why don't you have a special mark yet?" a look of concern passed on her face. "From what I can tell, you have a talent in using swords. Maybe you could join the Royal Guard someday, considering that you fight better than even the top of the Guard."

"I... I don't know," the former human replied. "Never really thought of it..."

"Oh, that is alright. All of us tend to think of something only when it hits us," Aliya let out a short and soft laugh. "Back when I was slightly above your age, Tal and I were together, and we didn't know much about anything. Trust me, it is a path of trial and error, and it is worth it," she paused for a moment. "I'm sure you will find your talent someday. With or without it, you are still the same person, and I have a feeling you would make my Icy happy!"

"Mooom, not the nickname..." Iclyn moaned.

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear!" the mother was quick to apologize. "I'm just so excited about seeing you two! I want to dance around and sing, to be honest! But, well, we can all enjoy a little calm once in a while," she let out another short laugh. "Anyway, I think I should help my husband. I'll call you once it's ready!"

With that being said, Aliya stood up and left, which elicited a deep sigh from Sirius.

"Sorry, I'm just... not used to this," he apologized, hoping that what he had just done wasn't insulting.

"That's fine, Sirius," Iclyn said, nuzzling him. "My mother can be a bit overenthusiastic sometimes. But don't worry, she knows when and where to stop to not go too far."

"At least she, uh, didn't ask about how, um... you know..." Sirius trailed off.

"Yeah, that'd be the worst!" the pegasus laughed. "Speaking of that... I'd like to do it once we're all alone. But for now..." she rose slightly, Sirius' ear in her sight. "Nom!" she bit on it slightly, making it twitch. To her surprise, Sirius giggled. She released the ear and looked at him with a broad grin. "What was that?"

"Uh..." Sirius hid from her gaze. "Um..."

"I'm happy to hear you giggle!" Iclyn said. "I don't think I've heard that from you before."

"I, uh..." having no idea where to find the needed words, the former human could do nothing but blush intensely and stutter while avoiding the gaze of his loved one. "Uhm..."

"Just relax..." Iclyn nuzzled his chest, pushing him slightly. "You know, we can cuddle for a bit right here if you'd like."

"Uh, uh-huh," was Sirius' only response as he placed his front leg on Iclyn and hugged her close, giving her a nuzzle of his own. "I love you," he said quietly, feeling the need to release those words, to let Iclyn know that he indeed had deep feelings for her.

"I know, and I love you, too," she replied and kissed him on the lips. The two closed their eyes and relaxed, enjoying the sensation.

The doubts Sirius had were mostly gone. Perhaps, he would find acceptance in this family. At the very least, Iclyn would definitely stay with him as the taste of her lips told him.

Now, he only had to convince her family that he was likable. Despite having made some considerable progress, he still had some thing to do to show the best of himself, and he was sure that the family dinner would give such an opportunity.