Just a week later, Praeratus was starting to regret accepting the job as guard for the school.

He should have remembered that the Everfree forest was completely empty of dangerous animals, and he was pretty sure that the last thing the psionic bioweapon wanted was to attack him when he was on high alert all the time.

High alert that was basically useless when monsters didn't attack, nor anything else for that matter. A couple manticores did come out one day, but they fled to Fluttershy's when Cyranus charged at them.

Well, there were several other incidents in Ponyville, but none involved the bioweapons, random creatures from the forest, or were that important: Pinkie Pie's sister Maud getting a boyfriend she didn't like, Fluttershy looking after Rarity's shop by faking several identities as assistants, Rainbow Dash looking after Applejack's grandmother and her friends, Cyranus nearly 'mating' with one of the aforementioned manticores, Discord and Pinkie taking a joyride on the Wedge (which he allowed), Rainbow Dash taking a short flight with the Eagle with Discord's help (which he didn't allow) that ended in a crashed snubfighter and a pegasus with broken arms and legs...

Aside from those and a small incident involving the new kids, Neighsay and the School of Friendship itself, which ended with the children as friends and Neighsay accepting the school reluctantly, nothing interesting happened. In paper that was very good, since even with his increased probing of Equus he hasn't seen any sign of the bioweapons.

In theory that was good, since there were no reports of strange sightings nor disappearances, and he was pretty sure the kidnappings and murders were finally over. In practice, though? It mean the creatures had decided to stop the abductions and hide, which was bad because they could still replenish their numbers and get smarter and more adept with their psionics, but Praeratus couldn't do anything about it: his probe was rendered useless, the ship didn't have a scanner, and he would have needed to be at least a green psionic to scan the whole planet. But at least he was prepared in case the things showed up again.

Right now he was on his 'Office of Praeratus' (essentially the janitor closet made, but of a bigger size. Alright, it was actually pretty damn small, so small that he had to lower his head if he wanted to move, and could easily break the walls if he wasn't careful, but he didn't want to dissapoint the builder of the place, and he didn't really mind), sitting on his desk and thinking about what he could do to pass the time since nothing of interest had happened for a few days. Cyranus wasn't with him, guarding the school from outside after the with Applejack's dog.

Also, he wasn't actually sitting on anything. There weren't chairs made for species bigger than ponies at the school, and even if there were none would be strong enough to support a normal therawyrm, much less an enhanced one like Praeratus. Hence he 'sat' on air by supporting his back on the wall. He didn't mind it since he was careful to not push against the wall and his knees weren't hurt by it, but while he knew therawyrms weren't supposed to pose like that, he refused to either stand up again or sit on the floor. Praeratus could get very stubborn.

'Patrol some more? Nah, I've just came from walking. Watch a recording of the last Behemoth Battle? No, I would need the HV to do that and I don't want to go back to Canterlot to watch a holo. Dammit, I never expected to say it, but I'm bored out of my mind. At least during in the War I had enemy fire as background sound, and the jobs and hunts were at the very least interesting... Hey, I've always wondered, why are we here?

'To seek and destroy unused bioweapons of the Confederation made for the Hegemony War.' Said Praeratus' mind. Throughout his very short career as guard of the School of Friendship it went from suggesting him to deal with Neighsay with his fists to simply keep him company when Cyranus was away.

'I not me, I mean life in general. Existence. How did it happen?'

'Well, I don't know what scientists or priests say about it, but it all started when a giant cloud of nothing farted enough energy to form-' It began to say before being rudely interrupted by someone kicking over the door of the room and screaming in joy.

“PRAERATUS!” It was Celestia. For some reason she was as excited and happy as the day he had taught her how to shoot a gun. So happy she was she either didn't realize the room wasn't made for alicorns her size since her breasts were pressed against the wall, or didn't care. “Praeratus! You will not believe what I will be doing in the next three days!”

“Mmm? What are you doing here Celly?” He asked her. While he and Celestia saw each other every day since his ship was still in Canterlot he had never gone to the school after Twilight officially opened it.

“I've been selected as the lead actress for a theater play!”

“Really?” 'Why would anyone choose their princess, or any leader in any case, to be part of their production?' He thought before shrugging it off. “Congratulations for your selection then. You seem pretty happy about it.”

“Of course I'm 'pretty happy', and you have no idea how much I always dreamed of being part of a theatre play! It was my passion since before I became a princess!” She said before she started to sing... and hit her muzzle on the wall of the cramped space after bouncing on her chest.

By now Praeratus had discovered that ALL sophonts of Equus had something in common beyond their primitive societies and the fact that they inhabited the same planet despite that some of them weren't even mammals, was their propensity to sing in unexpected occassions to, for example explain things to children, complain about Applejack's overworking, show anger when Discord took his antics to a new level, or simply being happy, among many other examples. Celestia and the others were actually surprised when they asked him if it was the same in the Milky Way and he said that no, the phenomenon was specific of Equus (and maybe the Dwarf Galaxy, but Equus was the only planet he knew of).

One day they egged him to sing when Celestia revealed he had an excellent baritone voice, and after several ours of hearing a dozen people asking him to sing he accepted to make them shut up, but the result was not what they expected. Sure, his singing was above average, but the out of nowhere music that always appeared whenever a native sang didn't come when he did.

“It may have not looked like it, but that really hurt.” She complained while rubbing her sore mouth and breasts. “Praeratus, why did you choose such a small place to be your office?”

“I didn't, it was either this or walk around the school all the time, and I may be able to travel three hundred miles in less than twenty four hours and stay over a week without foor or water, but I'm no god, I still have to sit from time to time.”

“There's no chair.” Celestia said with a bit of shock when she looked over and saw that Praeratus was, quite literally, sitting on thin air.

“I'm not going to sit my ass in what would have been the janitor's closet. Now, do you want to talk about your future role here, or in a more comfortable place out of the school?”

“Out of the school.”

“Then you have to come out first, I can't do it with you in the middle.”

“Alright.” Celestia then tried to turn on the ... but found out she couldn't. Somehow, because Praeratus, despite being bigger, could turn. “Praeratus, I think my wings are stuck.”

'Oh, right, forgot hers were as big as her.' “So?”

“'So'!? Help me get out of here!” Celestia exclaimed.

“You can use magic to teleport yourself, remember?” He pointed out.

“When a lady asks a gentleco-man to help her” She began to say, rapidly switching out gentlecolt for gentleman. “, the duty of said gentleman is to help her. So, either you help me get unstuck, or we are staying in your office” She then crossed her arms over her chest. Praeratus, though, could see the small smile adorning her muzzle.

'Did she just decide to prank me with... Nevermind.' “Thought Praeratus before sighing in defeat and, careful to not press himself too much against the walls. “Okay, but I'm a bounty hunter and ex-commando, not a gentleman, remember? Gentlemen are polite all the time to everyone for no good reason, which I am not.”

“You don't treat me like a princess since I asked you to do so.” Said Celestia as Praeratus came to her and inspected her wings to see if they were in fact stuck on the door frame, which they were. At least her problem was genuine.

“I think you don't really know what a gentleman is, but that's fine. Now, I'm going to grab your wings and press them together so that they fit through the door. Say something if I hurt you.”

“How considerate from your part.”

Praeratus did as he told, making sure his grip didn't crush the alicorn's delicate and strangely wings. “How are you doing.”

“I'm fine, not really accustomed to having someone else grab my wings like that, but otherwise I'm ok.”

“Good, now you are going to step out of the room. But be careful, I'm still grabbing your wings and I don't want to rip them off by accident if you fall.” He couldn't see her face, but he did hear her swallow hard.

“W-why do you think it could happen? You aren't goint to pull, are you?”

“Of course not, but you have already seen how strong am I compared to ponies, you guys are pretty damn fragile compared to most species in the Milky Way, and I'm not taking any chances.” He said, making Celestia grunt in discomfort, which in turn made him smirk a little. He was only joking a bit, to get back at her for her 'gentleman' thing. “C'mon, you know I won't pull or anything!”

“I have the right of being scared for my wings if a being strong enough to rip metal apart with his bare hands is pressing them together. I can't avoid it, it's just-AH!”

No sooner said than tone. As soon as Celestia was outside the room, she promptly slipped on something and fell. Praeratus, despite not being the one pulling her wings, let go of them.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes.” Said Celestia as she rubbed her sore breasts yet again after helping stop her fall. It must be nice having nearly literal airbags on your chest to stop falls, even if it hurt if they did. “I just tripped over my hooves.”

“You know, you seem awfully clumsy today girl.” He told her as he helped her up.

“Well of course I'm clumsy today, I'm excited, and you already know why! Now c'mon, I know of a very nice restaurant in Canterlot to stay while I tell about it.” She said before grabbing the therawyrm's arm and dragging him towards the entrance.

Praeratus, despite letting himself be dragged, was genuinely surprised by her enthusiasm. Did she really wish to be an actress that much?

'Ohmyselohmyselfohmyself it worked!' Thought Celestia with glee as Praeratus ate his order, a simple salmon steak with some salt and pepper. She, on the other hand, had a much more luxurious menu practically built around a simpler daisy roll due to, well, being the Princess of the Sun. She actually asked for just the daisy roll, but couldn't say no when the owner of the locale practically begged her to take anything she wanted.

Around them, the other clients were not-so-discreetely looking at them and gossiping. Cyranus wasn't with them, having Praeratus left him back at Ponyville to guard it while he was away for the day. He did ask Fluttershy to 'take care' of him, but who knew.

“So, let me get this straight.” Began to say Praeratus (who fortunately was sitting on a chair specifically made for him and which she had brought from the palace) after swallowing a piece of salmon“It has been one thousand and a hundred eleven years since you raised the Sun for the first time, or 'ones-versary' as Twilight calls it, and she wants to commemorate the event by making a play about the event... and asked you to play yourself in it. In turn, you want me to be at the play to serve as further emotional support because you have a bit of stage fright, right?”

“You simplified it a bit, but yes, I want you to be there. Not just to cheer me on, but because I want you to see me. You are my friend after all.”

“I can understand that, but how the hell do you have stage fright if you're used to speeches and such?”

“Giving a speech to a crowd a hundred meters below you is quite different from acting in front of one that is mere yards away from you, and I've never acted before.”

“Ok then, shall we eat?”

“Of course!”

What Praeratus didn't know (and she was sure she asked him to not probe her mind) was that Celestia didn't bring to that restaurant just to ask him about the play. In truth, the restaurant was simply the beginning of something much bigger than simply asking him to come to her 'ones-versary'.

She was in love with Praeratus!

She didn't know when did she start developing feelings for him, but she was completely sure it started when he resurrected her after being mauled by that demon. What Praeratus did next (letting her sleep on his ship because of her nightmares, saving her yet again from the demons alongside the other royals, regrowing Twilight's eaten arm, being nice to Spike, forgiving Luna... and, of course, bonding with her) just made her realize she was in love with him.

Despite being a millenium-old alicorn princess skilled in socials, Celestia didn't know how to deal with these kind of things since she never had any romantic relationship before in her life, always refusing suitors for several reasons, the most common being their love of her image as princess, not her as a pony. And no, she had no loved Discord in the past, and didn't have romantic feelings for him, not after everything he did (and the fact he was plain old and ugly, although Fluttershy may not see him that way...) and despite forgiving him. He was her friend, and a dear one, but that was it.

And it wasn't just a need of affection from Praty either, she felt actual love for him. Just to make sure it was real she visited the actual love expert, Cadance, the day after returning from the Convocation of the Creatures. After assuring her niece and nephew in law she and Twilight alright, a short walk through the Crystal Empire, few 'tests' and some speaking Cadance confirmed that yes, she was in love with the xeno-hunter, and it wasn't a spur of the moment. It has been several weeks since then, and her feelings for Praeratus hadn't changed since then.

Now, all she needed to do was to know if Praeratus would reciprocate that same feeling. After all, even though he was a genetically engineered supersoldier slightly older than her, strong enough to rip monsters apart with his bare claws, intelligent enough that Twilight seemed dumb next to him, able to lift entire buildings and set forests ablaze with a thought, and with enough firepower to level all cities on Equus, he was also a hurt male that needed some love too.

Despite that, though, she wasn't just going to ask him for a date os something. Well, she was, but not a date outright. Cadance was the one who told her what to do: get him to a restaurant, talk a bit, go somewhere else to do stuff (she asked Luna and Twilight to cover for her, saying that she needed to unwind to prepare for the play; the perfect alibi!), talk some more, have a nice walk around the city, and then reveal her feelings to her. The only thing lacking was the 'catalyst', as her niece called it, a reason for him to go with her.

“So... how was your salmon steak?” She asked after they ate.

“Uh? Well, I can't say it's the best thing I've ever eaten, but it's more filling that most fish I've had before, and definitely tastier than any rations I've eaten in the battlefield. And your... whateved that thing is? How was it?”

“Oh, it was simply delicious! My congratulations to the chef, and thanks for the meal!” She said to the waitress that came to gather their meals, who smiled.

“Oh, no, it is you who must be thanked for coming for our humbled establishment your-”

“Humble?” Interrupte Praeratus rather rudely. “I haven't converted a bit to a credit, but I read your menu and I'm pretty sure that a salmon steak shouldn't have the price of a-” He began to say before being interrupted in turn by Celestia, who grabbed him by the arm.

“Thanks for the meal my little ponies bye!” She said before leaving, dragging Praeratus with her. Outside the restaurant she turned to him and exclaimed. “Do you really have to complain all the time!?”

“Well, yeah, I had to complain. Those prices seem to bee a bit high for just a simple fish.”

“It's a classy restaurant, they're supposed to be expensive.”

“My salmon was the cheapest dish on the menu, and yet it costed more than all of Sugarcube Corner's cupcakes together.”

“I just said it's because...” Began Celestia to say before sighing and rubbing her muzzle. “Sometimes you are impossible to deal with.” But then she smiled. “You know, you should make up for what you did to that restaurant.”

“I didn't do anything aside from complaining about their prices, and as client-”

“Exactly! Those nice ponies made us a feast and you criticised their prices! C'mon, I know just the perfect way for you to apologize to me!” She said, before grabbing him again (and before he could question why he should apologized to her at all) and dragging him around Canterlot.

First they hit the local bowling alley, where their stay was short due to Praeratus always winning.

Next they went to an arcade, where Praeratus was utterly dumbfounded by the existance of its machines. He already knew they had arcade machines, he just didn't understand yet how could they have things like them and yet no actual computers.

After that they visited the art gallery, not having to wait in the line because of Celestia. They... well, they went from picture to picture. Even Celestia, who was a pony, was a bit bored.

Following the art gallery they visited the Canterlot Museum. At first Praeratus seemed like he was actually interested by what they would see, but after a few exhibitions and pointing out several inconsistencies and (to him) glaring errors (like the universe being entirely composed of magic and only a billion miles wide, the Sun being a giant ball of magic and fire, or ponies being the most advanced species ever. Yes, ever), not being kicked out of the place partly because he came with the Princess of the Day... and mostly because he was the super powerful alien that saved the city two months prior and had a short fuse.

Finally they visited Canterlot Carousel, Canterlot's branch of Rarity's Carousel line of clothing shops, and the most popular of the city.

“Uh, didn't know that Rarity founded and owns a fashion chain.” Muttered Praeratus when they entered the establishment, seeing that the interior was a near-perfect replica of Rarity's. “I mean, I've seen this place before, but I thought the name was just a coincidence.”

The pair were greeted by a tall cyan unicorn with red-yellow mane and tail, Sassy Saddles, who freaked out when she saw Celestia and the savior of Canterlot on her boutique.

Why did Celestia bring Praeratus there? To buy him clothes. His wardrobe was very dull, and if he didn't wore anything from it he wore his xeno-hunter armor, which was simply intimidating. She could have asked Rarity back in Ponyville, but the melodramatic unicorn would have linked two and two together and blow her plan out of the window, whereas her employee wasn't as romance-obsessed as her.

Praeratus naturally didn't want to at first, but relented when Celestia went to her knees and cried. In the end, the therawyrm got a nice black suit that covered his body and remarked his muscles, while Celestia got a beautiful sundress that showed all her curves... and both walked out of the boutique wearing their new clothes because Celestia threatened to have a tantrum in the streets if Praeratus didn't put his suit on. Childish? Definitely, but she wanted to make him wear something else.

(Of course they had to go back to the ship to leave the bounty hunter suit, but that wasn't important)

By the time they were simply having a walk around the city, it was already night in Equestria.

“So... I think it's getting late.” Said Celestia, in a bid to start the last part of her plan to reveal her love: ask him to accompany her to the castle. To make it seem like she was tired, she faked a yawn. “And I'm getting tired. Praeratus, would you mind accompanying me back to the palace?”

“Of course, although I'll have to park the car first. Don't want to be guilty of a thief getting himself turned into a strainer.” He said as he walked before stopping and looking at her. “The ship is in the airship port though. Do you want to wait here, or come with me and walk back to the Castle after getting I back?”

“I'm coming with you.” 'YES!' She screamed mentally as they went to the car. “Walking a little more won't hurt, especially in a lovely night like this.”

While in the way to the Wedge, Celestia realized that she hadn't thought of what would Praeratus do when she opened her heart to him, but shrugged it off.

'He'll probably freak out or something.' She thought with a small smile as Praeratus and her walked to his car.

As Praeratus was driving through the not crowded, yet not deserted streets of Canterlot, Celestia prepared herself mentally for what would she do.

'Okay Celly, it's actually pretty easy. Wait for him to get out, stand next to him, ask him what he feels about you, then you do the same, finally admit you love him and wait for his reaction.' She thought before realizing something that filled her with dead. 'But what if he doesn't love me back? He has to, no? I mean, he DID let me sleep on his bed when the nightmares returned...' She thought before seeing the airship port just in front of them. 'Nevermind, It's too late to go back now.'

“Here we are.” Informed Praeratus as he parked the Wedge under the ship.

Both occupants got off the vehicle. While Praeratus lowered the ramp, Celestia took advantage of him being distracted to discreetly stand next to him.

“So” She began to say. “, how was this day for you Praeratus?”

“Good, good. I got to be for you alone, although I fear what is Cyranus doing back with Fluttershy.” He said without turning to look at her.

“Well, for me it has been one of my best days of my life.”

“We just walked around Canterlot.”

“Yes, but I did with one of my best friends... and savior.” She said, saying savior in a kind tone.

They way she spoke made Praeratus turn to her with a raised eyebrow.

“Praeratus, not only did you become a new friend for me after having only Spike, Luna, Twilight, her own friends and Discord, but also you saved me. You saved me when you didn't have to do it at all.”

“Well, one has to have standards you know.”

“Not only that, you also agreed see me perform in Twilight's play in three days.”

“You asked me, remember?” He pointed out just as the ramp came down.

“I know, but you didn't have to say yes. And you didn't even grunt when I dragged you along to wherever I liked.” She said, slowly getting closer and closer to the confused therawyrm. “The only reason other ponies wouldn't do that if they could is because of my rank, soemthing you ignore.”

“Celestia, where are you going with that?” Praeatus asked as she was mere inches away from him.

Instead of replying with words, Celestia decided that it was time.

She carefully grabbed his muzzle, looked at his eyes with all the love she could gather... and kissed him.

It wasn't a kiss with tongue, but it wasn't a simple peck on his rough lips either; just to show Praeratus she loved him.

Praeratus himself was too stunned to do anything as she kept the kiss for over half a minute.

Celestia, kiss ended, looked up at him with a blush adorning her face and a smile on her lips.

“I.. I love you Praeratus.”

She didn't know what to expect from him. A splutter of confusion? A heartfelt speech with the same message? Him kissing her again?

Praeratus' surprise slowly gave way to... sorrow.

“I...” He said as he backed away. He was scared, but... “I would love to love you... but I don't think I can. Or should.”

With that he turned and ran at full speed into the night.

And leaving a confused and heartbroken Celestia behind.

And we've finally arrived at the romance!!

... which is kind of sappy. I know, it's probably not the best way to develop the romance of the story, nor a good deliverance, but you guys could help by writing some advice.