Before going into this chapter, a bit of a warning. An event occurs here that unravels an established aspect of the story from much earlier on. As time goes by, changes occur. People learn more about subjects they had only a vague grasp of at an earlier time and even learn more about themselves. I recommend proceeding with an open mind.

This was...an interesting couple of days I had recently, to say the least. Even as I write this now, I can scarcely believe that everything that happened did in fact happen. I really do not have much to say regarding events prior to this. My birthday came and went, but just did not have anything occur on the day to really make me feel compelled to document it. Yesterday, however...

I awoke to the feeling of a tender kiss being placed upon my lips. It is not uncommon for Fluttershy to awaken me in such a fashion, but today felt special. And as I reached out and embraced her upon pressing into the kiss, I soon remembered why. It was Hearts and Hooves Day.

"Sleep well, honey?" Fluttershy asked as she gave me a somewhat drowsy, yet very endearing gaze.

"Mmhm... Looks like you did too." I replied while my hand caressed her cheek. I could not ask for a lovelier sight to wake up to.

Fluttershy sighed in quiet delight while placing her hoof upon my wrist. However, she soon stood up and began to walk towards the headboard behind me. "Somepony else wants to say good morning."

I could see who she was referring to. Within Fluttershy's heavily swollen belly was our daughter. And I could see that she was restless. The thinly covered flesh shifted and rippled with the delicate movements of an unborn filly. And I was tickled to see our child so active. I reached out and caressed my hand over my pregnant fiancée's belly, our daughter's movement responding to my touch as if she was trying to reach out and nuzzle me. "Good morning, sweetheart. You didn't give mommy a hard time last night, did you?"

"No, she didn't. She slept quite well." Fluttershy added with an adorable giggle. I noticed her blush proudly as my hand rested upon her belly. Even moreso when I placed a kiss upon it. "I can hardly believe it... Just a couple more months and she'll be here..."

"Doesn't feel like it's been all that long... I just hope we're ready for it when it happens." I replied with a bit of apprehension in my thoughts. I have seen what happens when a couple are given a child they are completely not ready for. I did not want to make the same mistake my brother made. I wanted to be ready. I wanted to be a good father to this precious little foal before me. And more than anything, I wanted to be a worthy husband to dear Fluttershy.

Fluttershy reached back and placed a tender kiss upon my cheek while smiling with subtle confidence in her eyes. "Me too. If nothing else... We'll get through this together. Right?"

"Right... I can't do this without you, honey." I whispered back before sharing a brief kiss upon our lips. Not wanting to get too distracted, I soon sat up in bed. Today was going to be a big day. "Well, how about we get freshened up? Still need to start on breakfast, right?"

"Mmhm. I'll go ahead and get started. You come on down when you're ready." As Fluttershy lifted the hatch to the stairs, I made my way to the bathroom to get washed up.

Little did I know, I was about to receive a guest. Not five minutes after getting in the shower, I thought I heard a knock on the window above the bathtub. I reached out to push it open as I expected to find maybe a bird or two pecking on it with the steam having fogged up the glass. The source of the tapping was not at all who I was expecting. "Good morning, big guy! Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!"

"What the... Rainbow Dash?! You know it's way too early for this!" I said rather loudly when I saw my brash and bold friend standing on the foliage-covered roof on the other side. Although I was not all that surprised by the fact that she was there. "Anyway, you're gonna have to wait for me to finish before I can give you your card."

"You got me a card?! Aw, you shouldn't have... Hey, did you get me some chocolate too? Or some fancy bath salts? Or maybe some roses?" Rainbow Dash retorted in delight before her ego started to get the better of her.

I just grimaced in amusement, not surprised by her getting a bit greedy. "Don't push it, Rainbow. You should be grateful for whatever you get on this holiday. I wasn't expecting anything in return. What're you doing out here anyway?"

"Yeah, yeah, I was just messing with you! Really, I'm touched you got me a card. Knowing how well you write, I know it's gonna be good." Rainbow replied with a laugh. She then stuck her head in through the window as she said, "As for why I'm here, I just had to stop by to give my stallion his Hearts and Hooves Day gift."

I felt a twinge of uneasiness fill me when I heard that term. Her stallion? I certainly knew why she called me that. "Really...? And what's that?"

Before I even knew it, she grabbed my face between her hooves and gave me a most whimsical smirk. "Pucker up, handsome."

Rainbow Dash all but jumped at me as she planted her lips upon mine in passion. I leaned back and was pushed down into the tub with Rainbow Dash atop me, her entire body getting soaked in the shower. While initially startled, I soon relaxed into the kiss as my eyes closed, my arms draping over her back as my thoughts went back to that magical night last winter. Rainbow's usual brazen bravado was gone, replaced by a sweet tender affection as she made out with me.

My hands roamed up and down her back as our tongues soon began to dance together. I recognized that flavor. A flavor that belongs only to my beautiful and bold friend. One hand stroked her soaked mane while my other began to slide over the curve of her flank. I felt Rainbow Dash cling to me with all four of her legs, almost as if she wanted me to go further. In response, my fingers began to caress her tender cutie mark.

A muffled moan rumbled in Rainbow's throat as she felt my touch on one of her most sensitive spots. Her right hoof rose to my other hand as she began to guide it low to her hips as she seemed to be encouraging me to use both hands. I obliged as I sighed into our kiss, both hands digging and kneading into her cutie marks. Rainbow Dash did not last much longer. With her moans becoming loud and high-pitched and the air becoming thick with a pungent musk, she soon let out a muffled shriek in my arms as her climax hit. My beloved friend soon ended our kiss while looking absolutely dazed from the rush of pleasure as she gazed into my eyes with a hazy stare. "God, I love you..."

"Love you too, beautiful." I whispered back to her before placing one more little kiss upon her lips. I knew we could go no further than that, but I felt happy I could at least bring Rainbow Dash such pleasure regardless.

Rainbow Dash stayed in the shower with me and helped me scrub my back. It went by much quicker with her helping me. Once I was all done, she gave herself a good shake to fling most of the water from her soaked coat and mane before hopping out of the tub and using a hairdryer to finish the job. I then asked while wrapping a towel around my waist, "You staying for breakfast? I'm sure Scoot will be happy to see you."

"Oh, you bet! I'll head on down and wait for you." Rainbow Dash retorted before trotting down the stairs as I started to put my clothes on.

However, after reaching the bottom of the stairs, I heard Fluttershy starting to speak from the doorway. "Good morning, Scoota... Um..."

Curious, I peeked down the stairs and could see Rainbow Dash standing frozen in place as she looked at Fluttershy in the kitchen's doorway. After a few seconds, Rainbow Dash stiffly lifted her hoof and waved in greeting. "Hey there."

"Um... Rainbow Dash? When did you get in here?" Fluttershy asked in bewilderment. I suppose it is not normal for Rainbow Dash to enter through the bathroom window when visiting.

Rainbow started to smirk a bit while looking a bit tempted to laugh. "Oh, maybe ten or fifteen minutes ago. Just came by to say hello to hot stuff up there."

I had to suppress a snicker while Rainbow Dash's brazenness was on full display. Fluttershy then gave her a dry stare while speaking in an equally dry tone of voice. "You came in through the bathroom window?"

"No... I mean yes... I mean maybe? The point is... I just came by to see James since it's... You know... And we... Back in winter... Uh... Dang it." I almost laughed again as Rainbow Dash's wings suddenly sprang open in an obvious wingboner. She must have been thinking back to that lovely evening we had at her place.

Fluttershy's expression softened while she also let out a chuckle. "Oh, I remember that day. And it is Hearts and Hooves Day. Of course you can come by and tell him how much you love him."

"Really?! Thanks! Although I kinda already did that." Rainbow replied while looking much more relaxed. "Anyway... Since I'm here..."

"Yes, you can stay for breakfast." Fluttershy said as she beat Rainbow Dash to the punch. Rainbow just chuckled while still trying to completely diffuse the awkwardness of the situation. She soon followed Fluttershy into the kitchen while I went back to getting dressed while fetching a number of greeting cards from a shelf.

I soon entered the kitchen and found Rainbow Dash seated patiently at the table while Fluttershy was preparing chocolate chip pancakes among other breakfast staples. "Good morning, ladies. And Happy Hearts and Hooves Day."

"Hey there, handsome! And... Ooh, is that for me?" Rainbow Dash replied as she noticed the cards in my hand. Fluttershy just looked my way with a smile while holding a spatula in her mouth.

I was about to pass out Rainbow's card, but was quick to check if Scootaloo was coming. I would not want her getting any ideas if she found Rainbow Dash smooching me as a response to the card, which I was indeed anticipating. Once I confirmed Scootaloo was not approaching, I held out her card. "Yep. Hope you like it."

"You almost write for a living, James. You bet I'll like this." Rainbow Dash said as she opened it and held it in her hooves to read it. I will leave it to your imagination as to what I wrote in there. My heartfelt sincere words had exactly the effect I was expecting. Rainbow Dash's smile grew gradually more crooked as she even began to tear up a bit. She finally let out a muffled squeal as she hugged the card to her chest. "Oooooh my gosh, James... You really know how to make a mare feel special! Get over here!"

I did exactly as she asked and found myself wrapped up in her arms while giving me a most impassioned kiss. I wrapped my arms around that beautiful daredevil and returned her kiss, making sure she knew how much I adore her. Fluttershy seemed to giggle in adoration as she read the card herself. "Oh my, James... You have such a way with words."

"Mmm... Doesn't he?" Rainbow replied after breaking the kiss while remaining in my grasp. Her eyes became lidded as she gave me a smile that left me feeling rather apprehensive. "This is why I can't stop loving you, baby. You're such a sweetheart... Hey, Fluttershy? How about you and I head upstairs after breakfast and show this stud just how much we love him?"

I honestly burst into laughter, not the least bit surprised that Rainbow Dash would be eager for a repeat of that night from not too long ago. Fluttershy just gave Rainbow a facetious smirk as she said, "Maybe in your dreams tonight."

"Awwww... Well, they better be some really nice dreams then!" Rainbow groaned almost playfully as if she was expecting such a response. I could only sit down and smile at the banter being shared between those two childhood friends. Once I was sitting, Rainbow then looked at me while tucking the card under her wing. "But really... Thanks, James. That was really sweet of you. Really made my day."

"Anytime, Rainbow. It's always a pleasure making you smile." I retorted while returning her smile. I felt really lucky having those two beautiful pegasi in the same room with me. It felt like having a close relative over for breakfast that we are always happy to see. No sooner had Fluttershy started passing out plates did we hear the little clips of a pair of small hooves trotting our way.

"Ugh... Do we have a guest this morning? So noisy... Huh?" Sure enough, Scootaloo poked her head into the kitchen and froze upon seeing her favorite person in the world. "Rainbow Dash!"

"Hey there, squirt! Just woke up?" Rainbow asked as her little friend came galloping over to her for a nuzzle.

"Yeah! You staying for breakfast? Awesome! Ooh, nice! Chocolate chip pancakes! Thanks, Mom!" Scootaloo went from once topic to the next, quickly shaking off her lingering sleepiness.

As breakfast got underway, the topic turned to the holiday. Fluttershy then asked, "So, Scootaloo... Got any plans for today?"

"Well, the girls and I were going to put together another awesome card for Miss Cheerilee, but we didn't want to give her more of the same thing. And it was really messy to make last time, so we're gonna give her cards from each of us." Scootaloo explained while pausing between bites of her pancakes.

However, Rainbow Dash then asked with a sly smirk on her face, "But what about you, huh? Got any colts on your mind?"

Being the tomboy she is, Scootaloo was quick to try and dodge the question while looking more than just a bit flustered. "Huh?! No way! It's not like there's somepony in my class that I think is cute! There isn't..."

Starting to feel a bit impish myself, I threw my guess out there. "It's Button Mash, isn't it?"

Scootaloo froze as her face became as flushed as the fruit of a blood orange. Her reaction was enough confirmation, especially since I have seen them spend time together at Sugarcube Corner now and then over the past months. "What?! No, no, no! Why would I wanna have anything to do with that nerd?! He's a year younger than me anyway and... And..."

"Awww, the squirt has a boyfriend! Good choice too! That Button kid is really cute, isn't he?" Rainbow Dash said, half messing with Scootaloo while half cheering her on. They have a weird relationship, those two.

"Rainbow Daaaaash!!! I... Ugggghh!!!" Scootaloo buried her face in her hooves, not able to bring herself to really deny the accusations.

Fluttershy just giggled at our daughter's reaction. "Oh, don't be so embarrassed, dear. It's OK if there's a colt you like. It's not something to be ashamed of. I fell in love with your father, you know. It's a good thing to experience!"

"But... But..." Scootaloo just sounded more confused than anything. Probably due to just starting to go through puberty ever since she turned 12 a couple of months back.

I reached out and patted the frustrated filly on her head. "It's OK to like colts, Scoot. And Button Mash is a good kid. I see why you like him. Not to mention he can be funny. Did you try trolling him in some of the games he plays?"

Scootaloo could not even vocalize a response. She just snickered and laughed, probably due to having messed with him while playing some video games together. I then asked, "Did you make a card for him?"

That caused her to blush again. I think it was not so much that she did not like him as much as it was she did not know how to talk about her feelings at the time. Finally, she bowed her head and said, "OK, yeah. I got him a card. Now, can we please change the subject?!"

"Sure thing, squirt! Now let's talk about my hunky boyfriend!" Rainbow Dash then said while still looking like she was eager to mess with her idolizing friend.

Rather than be eager to hear about her role model's love life, Scootaloo still seemed sore about the topic. "No! No more talking about romance! I'm feeling sick!"

"OK, OK, we'll try a different topic... Um... Read any good books lately?" Fluttershy then asked in a clumsy attempt to diffuse the situation.

"Oh yeah! I just finished the newest Daring Do novel! It was good! Even better than that last one. I don't know how the author puts them out at such a pace without hitting burnout." Rainbow Dash said as she jumped at the opportunity to gush about her favorite adventure series. Did a new book come out already after getting that last one over the holidays in winter?

I just sat there while listening to everyone talk, only speaking when spoken to. Breakfast was tasty and there was never a dull moment. Scootaloo was in a hurry to get out of there as soon as she finished eating, probably due to the lingering awkwardness of the topic of her having a boy she likes. She rushed back to her room to gather her saddlebags and safety gear before hurrying outside and buzzing away on her scooter. I have not been walking her to school all that often lately. I think that is just a part of her growing up and becoming more independent.

"So, what's the plan today for you two lovebirds?" Rainbow Dash asked while helping gather up the dirty plates.

"Well, I've gotta go to work, but my bosses are letting me out early. Business at the spa is a bit slow on Hearts and Hooves Day. Probably because most people are out and about enjoying the day with their significant others." I replied as I put away the condiments.

Fluttershy looked over her shoulder as she started to do the dishes. "Mmhm. We're going to meet up with Rarity and spend the day together."

Rainbow Dash just got a laugh out of that. "Rarity?! Ha, yeah, she'd love that. She always did have the hots for you, big guy."

I just grimaced in a failed attempt to hide a smile. There is no denying the mutual affection Rarity and I have for each other and today is a good way to at least indulge in it a bit. "Yeah... She does. You can relate to that, right?"

"Why do you think I'm here?" She replied with a noticeable smirk, her tail whipping across my waist. I felt a twinge of excitement surge through my body in response to her brazen flirting. "You sure we can't go upstairs for a bit of private time before you head out to work?"

Thinking that was a bad idea, even though I know I would've enjoyed it, I quickly made my way to the door. "Actually, I really should get going. Don't wanna be late. See ya!" I heard the two mares laugh as I hurried out the door and down the path towards Ponyville. Rainbow, you perv...

Just before I could get very far, Fluttershy suddenly called out from the door and asked me to go around back to collect the eggs from the chicken coop. I was sure I had enough time to squeeze in a little chore before heading out. I headed around out back and fetched a pail that was lying around. Much to my surprise, the chickens were not yet milling about in their pen. Sleeping late, perhaps?

I grabbed some chicken feed from the tiny shed set up against the cottage and scattered some around in the pen to coax the chickens out. It would also save Fluttershy the trouble of feeding them later. Usually the sound of the feed hitting the ground is enough to get their attention, but the hens still did not come running. I then resorted to tapping on the side of the coop. "Rise and shine, girls. Breakfast is served."

No response. I could hear the hens lightly clucking inside the coop, but they still did not emerge. I then walked over to the entrance to the coop and knocked a bit louder on it. "Come on, girls. I need to get in there."

After some more knocking, I was given quite a shock when someone stuck their head out of the entrance and scowled up at me. And no, it was not Derpy Hooves for once. "Do you mind?"

I all but jumped back as I gazed in surprise at what was looking back at me while we shared a long unblinking stare. I had never seen them before in my life, but I could tell right away that I was looking at a dragon child. There was nothing else they could be. The facial structure was uncannily similar to Spike's, but I could tell by the voice and the eyes that this one was female. At first, I thought she was Scootaloo in dragon form. Her scales were a shade of orange and her spines were a purplish hue. Basically all of Scootaloo's colors, but with greater saturation. Even her voice was similar. Probably the most striking feature were the yellow fins on the side of her head. They were much longer than Spike's and curved upward to the point of looking like horns. Or were they actual horns? After taking a long moment to evaluate this unexpected guest, a dark thought crossed my mind on a possible reason as to why the chickens dared not leave the coop. "Please tell me you did not eat any of the chickens..."

The dragon kid's expression became one of bewilderment as if she had just been asked an utterly outlandish question. Her gaze wandered a bit as she said, "I didn't...eat any of the chickens...?"

Realizing that were a few window holes on the side of the coop, I peeked in. Indeed, all chickens were present and accounted for inside on their nests. Perhaps the dragon had simply been blocking the entrance with her body. I looked back down at her, still wondering just where in the world she came from since dragons are obviously not common citizens in Equestria's society. "Um... What are you even doing in there?"

"Catching some Z's, what does it look like? I needed a safe spot to sleep and this was the first thing I found." She replied back with an unexpectedly sharp tongue. Was she just a wandering vagrant?

"Fair enough, I guess... You're not the first person to use that chicken coop as a place to take a nap in." I retorted as I set my pail near the ramp leading to the ground. "So... Mind if I collect the eggs in there?"

"Well, it is morning..." The dragon child grumbled before she started to crawl out of the coop before standing up and walking down the ramp. Funnily enough, the chickens followed her right out. Did they think she was Scootaloo due to her color scheme and stayed as long as she was there? They always were fond of her.

I was a little enthralled at seeing only the second dragon I had ever seen in my life. And the first female at that. She was quite a bit taller than Spike, standing at nearly twice his height. Her spines stopped at the base of her neck instead of going down her back and brought to mind an uneven short mohawk. The spines even had a look similar to tightly packed hair fibers. Somehow. The spade on the tip of her tail matched the color of the spines along her head and her belly scales were a rather light yellow. Her eyes offset her warmer colors, being a shade of cyan. Most surprisingly, I noticed she had a pair of folded wings on her back. Why did she have wings and not Spike? Are they two separate subgenera of dragons? I think she must have noticed the very long stare I was giving her and asked, "What?"

Realizing that I may have been studying her for too long, I started to make my way into the coop. "Oh, sorry... It's just that you're only the second dragon I've ever seen. Your kind aren't exactly common out here."

I had no trouble crawling into the coop. I was tempted to ask the dragon girl to help set the eggs into the pail, but felt I should not pressure a stranger into helping me with a minor chore. She did not seem to be in the best mood anyway. I pulled the pail into the coop and steadily collected all the fresh eggs into it. I eventually crawled right back out and found my guest leaning against the side of the coop with her wings spread. She seemed to be soaking up the rays of the morning sun to the east.

The chickens had gone right to pecking away at the feed I had left in the pen. With eggs collected and the chickens fed, I started to walk to the edge of the pen. However, I paused when I took into account the dragon girl who was still nearby. She was just looking at the sky with her arms crossed. I could not just leave a total stranger in my backyard, but she did not seem to mean any harm. She was young. Older than Spike, surely. My assumption was that she was in her early teens. I tried to find a means to speak to her without triggering any sort of typical teenage angst. "You live around here?"

"Don't really live anywhere." She replied curtly without really looking at me at all. She seemed to be keeping an emotional distance of sorts. I would even say she almost seemed despondent if not for her mildly abrasive yet taciturn behavior.

Noting her youth, I tried bringing up an obvious point. "You seem a bit young to be out here on your own. Where's your parents?"

She did not even look at me, but her curt tone still remained. "Kicked me out of home a while ago. I've been wandering ever since."

That certainly sounded like a bad sign. My first guess was that she was a delinquent who got herself into a lot of trouble and her parents decided enough was enough. And yet... She did not seem the part. Distant with a bit of an acid tongue, yes. But not violent or disrespectful. She even respected the chickens enough to share their coop with them overnight and caused no property destruction. I was especially surprised that she did not even tear down the pen's fence to use it for firewood last night. Not feeling a reason to be wary of her, I asked, "Why...? You don't look like trouble."

"I'm not. It's just common practice to do that when kids get older where I'm from." She replied while maintaining an aloof stone-faced expression, but I was certain she was more than a little hurt to be reminded of such an event of her life.

Her response elicited a sense of sympathy from me and a sense of disgust to her parents, whoever they were. I turned away from her with pail in hand as I let out a sigh. "That's not a cool thing to do to your kids..."

"Tell that to my folks." The dragon child said with her voice having shifted to a monotone. She was not happy. And I was not sure of how I could help her. Before I could say anything else as I turned to her, her cool eyes glanced in my direction. "There somewhere you need to be?"

"Um... Yeah. I should be leaving for work soon." I retorted as I knew I should be going soon. But I still could not leave a stranger in my backyard unsupervised.

The dragon child seemed to know this too as she pulled herself away from the chicken coop's wall. "I'll go ahead and get outta here then. I know I'm not welcome here."

"Hey, I didn't say that. It's just..." I said before pausing as she took to the air with a flap of her wings. It was a very different experience to see a dragon take flight instead of a pegasus. She had excellent control of herself as she began to hover above the pen.

The dragon child looked down at me with gaze I would most likely see on Maud Pie. I heard her sigh before she said, "See ya."

The dragon child took off over the canopy of the nearby Everfree Forest and disappeared. I just stood there looking in the direction she had flown off to. I did not even get her name. Who was that? I am not expecting to see her again, yet a part of me hopes to meet her again. I hope she is all right, wherever she is. With nothing else to do, I headed around the back of the house. I observed the completed exterior of the new room. All that was left was to finish up the interior, although the construction personnel have the day off on big holidays. I decided to not mention the dragon child to anyone when I dropped off the eggs before hurrying on my way to work.

Being Hearts and Hooves Day, couples were everywhere. It really was a time of year that makes you smile to see so much love everywhere. Although I still had to make a quick stop somewhere before getting to work. I made a detour to the library. I had a couple of cards to pass out.

I checked the window upon arriving, having made a habit to make certain no one was approaching who would slam the door into me on their way out. Spike was there, but he was sitting on the floor while apparently being in the process of writing out a card. Was he planning on seeing Sweetie Belle?

I opened the door and stepped inside. Spike must have been quite distracted since he did not even hear me approach him. I looked down at the card, the text appearing to consist of flowery words and a vocabulary beyond his years. I guess that happens when you hang out around books long enough. "Oh, she's gonna like that."

My voice caught Spike's attention as he suddenly closed the card before looking up. "Huh?! Oh, it's you... Hi! Something you need?"

I just gave the kid a smirk. I could still remember what I saw back on Hearths Warming Eve in front of Twilight's fireplace. "That's for Sweetie Belle, right?"

"What?! No!" Spike yelped defiantly. I was not convinced and continued to smirk. Seeing that I was not swayed, he bowed his head and let out a sigh of defeat. "...Yes."

"Hey, no need to be ashamed. She's a sweetheart. And I know I ship you two." I replied while patting Spike on his head. "How have things been going between you two anyway?"

"Us? Well... We've been seeing each other after school for milkshakes sometimes... I've brought cookies over to their clubhouse for meetings, but Sweetie Belle always asks me to stay longer... I think that's it." Spike explained, apparently not being used to being in the closest thing to a relationship he has ever had with a girl. For him, it has always been a one-sided crush on Rarity. Now he has a girl around his age who likes him and vice versa.

"Have you two had your first kiss yet?" I asked as I thought back to that fateful night. She really must have been touched by that music box to have smooched him right in front of everyone like that.

Spike seemed visibly embarrassed by the question, but he still provided an answer. "Yes... Lots of times."

"Wow... I think you and her just might be made for each other. Just take it slow, OK? You're both a bit young to be in a serious relationship for the long haul. I just wish I could give you some actual advice for what to do. I've never known what it's like to be in love at such a young age." I said in return. Spike is a good kid and Sweetie Belle has always been a sweetheart. If those two really are meant for each other, I hope the future is kind to them.

Spike rubbed his hand over his head while looking rather bashful yet proud of himself. "Heh... Yeah... It's different from when I was always crushing on Rarity, you know? Like... With Rarity, I guess I kinda knew she was way outta my league... It was really just a fantasy, now that I think about it. But... To really have somepony in my life that it can really work with... Wow, I'm getting butterflies in my stomach again just thinking about it."

"Not used to really being in love, huh? It does take some getting used to. Take your time and take it slow. You should never rush a relationship." I said while not able to help smiling. I felt happy for Spike and did not want anything bad to happen to ruin this new budding love of his with Sweetie Belle. How should I ask her about it next time we meet? I doubt she will be as nervous of discussing the topic as Scootaloo.

"Yeah, I know. Sweetie Belle said she had something weird when she tried that with someone else. Or was it watching someone else do that with somepony? I dunno, it was a couple of years ago and I never saw it. But I think it involved Berryshine's house getting moved to the far side of town... Somehow." Spike replied while looking more and more perplexed the more he thought about what he was saying. But then he brought up a good point. "Come to think of it, did you need something?"

I had gotten so caught up in my conversation with Spike that I had completely forgotten about why I had even entered the library in the first place. "Oh, right! I was just here to see Twilight. And... Actually, do you have time to send a message to Celestia?"

Spike promptly replied, "Her? You can find Twilight upstairs. And sure! I'll get it to her."

I held out one of the cards I had in my hand, still tucked safely away in an envelope. I am sure she would be more than delighted to receive such a thing from her 'sunshine' on Hearts and Hooves Day. "Here you go. It's not much, but I'd appreciate it if she gets it right away."

"No problem. I'll get right on it." Spike said as he took the card in hand. While he approached the door, I made my way to the stairs. I still had one more card to deliver.

I saw Twilight immediately upon reaching the top of the stairs. With summer having just started, she was cleaning out her fireplace since she wouldn't need it for a while. She was using the levitation spell to lift larger chunks of charred wood and junk from the fireplace into a waste bin while using a vacuum cleaner to suck up the finer ash that was left behind. I walked right up behind her with the vacuum's roar masking my footsteps. Finally, Twilight set the vacuum aside once the fireplace was as clean as it was going to get. "Phew! That should do it. I really should've gotten around to doing that back in April."

"Is that so?" I replied while hugging Twilight from behind. She jumped at my touch, but then just giggled and smiled profusely once she looked over her shoulder at me. I pulled myself up as I held Twilight in a bipedal stance and nuzzled her head with my arms hooked over her chest. "Doing a little late spring cleaning?"

"Yeah, and I really should've done it sooner. Summer has a way of making you lazy, so I was procrastinating enough as is. What brings you up here?" Twilight explained while I released my grip and allowed her to fall back to the floor.

"Oh, a little something called Hearts and Hooves Day." I said cheekily as I held out a card to her.

Twilight stared aghast at the card before looking up at me in shock. "That's today?! I completely forgot! And... For me?"

I nodded without a word while continuing to hold the card out to her. Twilight gratefully took the card and trotted excitedly up to her bed in the loft. I followed as she sat on her bed and pulled the card from its sleeve. A moment later, I got a response I was not expecting. Was she crying? "Twi...? You OK?"

Big wet tears began to trickle down her face while she still managed to crack a crooked smile. She rubbed her wrist against her nose while still reading the card before her. "James, you... Nopony has ever given me something this sweet on Hearts and Hooves Day before... This is...too much... You really have a way with words. I love it...!"

My worries soothed, I sat beside her upon the bed. I suppose I should not have been surprised by then. If Twilight had no interest in friends through most of her life until she came to Ponyville, then more romantic relationships were definitely something she had never once experienced. She must have been very unpopular in school for nopony to take an interest in her. I put my arm around my brilliant and beautiful friend, knowing exactly what to say to her. "Love you, Twilight."

A ragged sigh escaped my friend's lips as she turned and wrapped her arms around me with her chin resting upon my shoulder. I could feel her tears dripping onto me. "Love you too, James... Thank you... I really needed this."

There were no more words for a while longer. And before long, our lips joined for a long tender kiss. Our eyes closed as Twilight gently dragged me down to her bed as we laid beside each other. Our lips soon parted as our tongues soon danced. Such a wonderful and sweet mare. I am so happy to have her in my life. And I could tell that the feeling was mutual as the kiss ended with Twilight gazing lovingly into my eyes. "I'm so happy to have you in my life, James... Never change..."

"You too, Twi. I'll always love you." I whispered back as we began to cuddle for a while longer. But we were soon interrupted by a loud cough.

The two of us looked at each other with wide eyes as we became perfectly still. Hopefully whoever was down there would not notice us and soon leave. No such luck, unfortunately. "Uh... Are you two done up there?"

Twilight suddenly sat up in bed while blushing heavily. "Spike! Uh... What's up? Oh, could you be a dear and take out all that ash and burned debris over there? Thanks!"

"Actually, I was looking for James." Spike replied dryly while not sounding all that bothered that he had likely just watched the two of us make out in her bed. Maybe because he knows what it is like to be in love or something to that effect?

Hearing my name, I sat up in bed and tried to act like nothing was amiss. "Me? Why, what happened?"

Spike then held up a scroll in his hand. "Well, I sent what you wanted me to send, but then this came back. I'm pretty sure it's for you."

I jumped down from the loft, which was not all that long a drop, and took the scroll in hand before unfurling it. It was from Celestia. It read, "Dear James. Where are you right now? And are you alone?"

A rather unusual question to ask, to be sure. I went over to a shelf to retrieve a quill and a small sheet of paper before jotting down a response. "In Ponyville's library on the second floor. And I will be in two minutes."

I walked over to Spike and handed the note to him. "Could you send that on back? And... I don't want to be a bother, but could the two of you head downstairs for a while?"

"Us? Well... OK, I guess. Come along, Spike." Twilight replied before she trotted down the steps to the lower section of her loft.

"Sure, I'll be right there." Spike said before opening a window and breathing a gout of green fire onto my note before it was reduced to smoke that was carried away on the wind. He then followed Twilight down the stairs, but not before revealing his suspicions on what he had witnessed. "So, did he get you a really nice card or something?"

Twilight let out a giggle that sounded somewhere between delighted and embarrassed. "Mmhm. And he wrote it all himself."

I facepalmed while letting out a snicker. I was nothing short of flattered that Twilight was more or less bragging about my writing in that one little card. Now without anything to do, I went over to the newly cleaned fireplace to examine it. There really was not anything else to clean up aside from residual ash on the sides of the stone. But barely two minutes later, I heard a burst of magic from somewhere behind me akin to a camera flash. And then... That voice. "Two minutes have passed, my sunshine."

Tense in a special kind of anticipation, I hesitantly turned around. Sure enough, there she stood. The Princess of the Dawn herself. And that smile upon her face told me one thing. She must have really liked the card. "Read any good greeting cards lately?"

Celestia chuckled loudly while bowing her head for a few seconds. "One of the best I've read in years!"

She soon regained her composure as I began to approach her. Celestia reached out with one wing and draped it over me in a tender embrace as I put my arms around her. Her words were quiet and sweet as her head rested upon my shoulder. "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, my love. Thank you so much for thinking of me."

"I could never forget you on a day like this. I even wrote that card a week in advance." I whispered back while stroking my hand down her neck and over her shoulder. I wonder how many times someone has sent her a card on this particular holiday. Not many, I am sure.

Celestia sighed while her wing pushed upon my back as if to deepen the embrace if she could. She just sounded so happy in my arms. I was worried that I was butting into her schedule, but she seemed to read my mind and said, "Five minutes, James. That's all I ask."

I suppose I should have been disappointed, but I knew she is a busy mare most of the time. I just slid my hand down to the base of her neck and whispered, "Stay as long as you must, Celestia."

We just stood there. Holding each other and sweetly placing kisses upon each other. It was...a magical moment, as short lived as it was. To be with such a special kind of mare, one that I hold a most kindred connection to, is difficult to put into words. Unfortunately, time waits for no one as Celestia looked into my eyes with a profound look of longing. "I really should be going, James... But first..."

"One more?" I whispered as I felt tempted to kiss her. Celestia returned my question with an amorous smile before bringing her lips to mine. Both wings were draped over my back as I coiled my arms around the back of her neck with one hand upon the back of her head. Our lips soon parted as muffled sighs and moans rumbled in our throats, our tongues dancing together. Her taste upon my tongue... I never grow weary of it. With great reluctance, we soon pulled away while gazing into each other's eyes. We did not want to part so soon, but we had to. She had duties to fulfill. "I'll miss you."

"As will I, my sunshine." Celestia whispered to me while caressing my cheek with a feather as she stepped away. She soon folded her wings as her horn was engulfed in her golden yellow magic aura. "Have a wonderful day, my dear. Let's meet again soon."

With a flash, she was gone. It really was quite sad that we had so little time to spend together. But as my thoughts drifted to her royal duties, I realized I too had somewhere I needed to be. I hurried down the stairs, bid a quick farewell to Twilight and Spike, and hurried out the door while making a beeline for the spa.

Along the way, I came across a rather...peculiar encounter. Right as I was passing a narrow alley between houses, I heard someone call out to me in a hushed tone. "Psst! Hey, you! James!"

I came to a halt as I wondered if I had misheard. But when I glanced around, I saw someone standing in the shadows of the alley. It was not all that dark, so I could make out who it was. "Um... Bon Bon?"

While the two of us do not interact all that often, it is hard to forget a name like Bon Bon. Especially when she is Lyra's housemate. However, her behavior was...more than just a bit out of the ordinary at that time. "Are you alone?"

"Yeah...?" I replied as I turned to face her, her eyes covered by a pair of sunglasses. What was she up to?

"Good. I need you to pass this along to Agent Heartstrings. For her eyes only." Bon Bon replied while holding out a small package to me on her upturned hoof.

I just stared at her in bewildered silence for about five seconds before I took the package from her. Easily one of the most random and weirdest things I had seen in a while. I would have been less surprised to have seen Pinkie Pie pulling off such an act. "Uh...sure. I'll make sure she gets it."

"Good. One last thing." Bon Bon said as she started to back away. "You never saw me."

"Never saw... Huh?" She turned and ran before I could even finish my question. "Ugh... Didn't know she was such a weirdo..."

I had barely turned to continue on my way when I saw exactly who I was supposed to bring the package to. Lyra was trotting my way. I waved at her as she drew near and said, "Hey there, Lyra. How's it going?"

"Morning, James! I was just looking for Bon Bon. Seen her today?" She replied as she came to a stop before me.

Not entirely convinced that Bon Bon was a legitimate agent in service to the royal family, I was upfront with Lyra about what I just saw. "Actually, yeah. She was just here. And she wanted me to pass this to one Agent Heartstrings. That's you, right?"

"Agent He... Wait... Was she wearing sunglasses?" Lyra replied as her expression turned into one of mild irritation.

"Uh... Yeah. Why? This not the first time?" I replied as I became curious as to why Lyra seemed to know what was going on.

My unicorn friend sighed and held her face in her hoof. "And Bon Bon said I was the weirdo for studying myths about humans... Don't mind her. That's just a hobby she picked up a while back."

I then handed her the little package as I asked, "Hobby? Is there something I should know about her?"

Lyra let out a snort before she asked, "Are you familiar with Ogres & Oubliettes?"

"That weird role playing tabletop game Shining Armor and Spike play? What about it?" I replied while glancing down the alley to see if Bon Bon was there. I saw no sign of her.

My friend tried to contain a smirk and failed as she explained. "Yeah, that. Turns out it's not the only one. One other kind of game like that is a secret agent and espionage kind of game that Bon Bon is a big fan of. Calls herself 'Agent Sweetie Drops' when she's playing. She even joined up with the local club to join in with other fans. Just don't expect to find them. They tend to take that sneaky stuff very seriously. The only problem with Bon Bon is that she doesn't know when to stop sometimes. I guess she just forgot to turn herself 'off'' today. Don't mind her when she's acting like that. She's harmless."

"If you say so... Wait... Is that a Hearts and Hooves Day gift?" I then asked as I started to connect the dots. Why give Lyra a gift on that specific day? And in such a shifty manner?

"Probably. Why?" Lyra asked in return while not looking concerned at all.

I put the links together. Two close friends. Living in the same house. Giving and receiving gifts from each other on a holiday dedicated to love. My eyes narrowed as my lips curved into a smirk as I asked, "Are you two a couple?"

"No...?" Lyra replied nervously before giving up the ghost. "...Yes...? Well, OK, we're not married, but..."

Her hesitant responses only got a laugh out of me. "Ha! It's cool! I was just wondering. Anyway, good luck with that goofball. I need to hurry and get to work. Have a good one."

"Huh?! Oh, sure! Have a good one, James!" Lyra replied before I heard her open the package as I passed her. "Go left on... This message will self-destruct?! Oh, come on, Bon Bon!"

As I heard a smoke bomb go off behind me, I just snickered to myself as I muttered a little tune to myself. "Lesbians. Lesbians. Happy and free with each other..."

I reached the spa without further incident before I took my place at my workstation. I have to say Hearts and Hooves Day generally is not one of the better holidays for business. Most couples are out having fun on the town and time spent at the spa is usually for personal relaxation. We did get a few couples, but I counted less than a dozen customers before my lunch break came along. Either as a result of slow business or wanting to make sure I had time to spend with my own lover, I was allowed to clock out early to enjoy the rest of my day.

I waited outside the spa for Fluttershy to come find me. We were not going to dine alone. Someone else would be joining us. And sure enough, that beautiful golden pegasus soon came into view as she trotted across the town square to reach me. I waved at her as she approached and said, "Ready to go get Rarity, dear?"

"Mmhm. She should be ready by now." She replied while looking delighted. She was probably quite hungry as well since she was now eating for two.

We did not have to go particularly far to reach the Carousel Boutique. Before long, that elegant establishment came into view on the horizon. But as we drew near, a sign hanging on the doorknob could be seen. Closed. That was all that was on it. I was expecting something a bit more descriptive since it was a holiday, but I thought nothing of it.

The bell hanging just behind the front door let out a jingle to signal our arrival as I pushed it open. But as I was about to call out for Rarity, my voice was silenced as I beheld her primary workroom. Something was amiss. A number of unfinished ensembles had been scattered and a few mannequins had been toppled. Had Rarity been in a rush? Or had there been a scuffle? The fact that the lights were off did not help in giving the area a sense of levity. It felt dark and depressing. Mitta was nowhere to be seen either. Had she been allowed to stop working early for the holiday?

"Did something go wrong here?" Fluttershy asked as she walked ahead of me with her head turning to survey the area. Something did not feel right. And why had Rarity not come running when the door's bell chimed?

"Rarity?! We're here! You around?" I finally called out as I stepped forward. I was hoping no harm had befallen her, especially on such a pleasant holiday. My hopes were soon dashed. I found her as I stepped past one of the shades she uses to let clients try on their new outfits. She was lying silently on the floor, conscious yet motionless as if not really caring if anyone found her. "Rarity...? What's wrong? What happened here?"

My voice seemed to relax her somewhat as she responded to my presence without a word. With her mane draped over that side of her head, I could not get a feel for her mood. But I soon got an idea of what happened when she turned her head to look at me. Her right eyelid was swollen shut with quite a bruise covering it. A typical black eye. In contrast to her spotless white coat, its ugly purplish hue was only exaggerated to the point of making it look worse than it actually was. Even her baby blue eye shadow did little to hide it. Something or someone had struck her right in the eye. Had she been robbed?

"Oh my god... Who did this to you?" I whispered as my hand tenderly cupped her face as she looked at me in silence with such a look of stunned pain. She seemed to be in a state of shock, having likely been assaulted in her own home when she least expected it. But...I did not get the feeling that she had been robbed. The place did not look like it had been ransacked enough to warrant such a guess and Rarity is one of the wealthier mares in town. Only she had the answers, but no words came. She was too emotionally upset to bring herself to speak.

Fluttershy soon trotted over to me and found her best friend in such a sorry state. "Rarity...? Oh no... What happened, you poor thing?"

My fiancée was quick to come to Rarity's side and lie upon the floor beside her. She soon draped a wing over Rarity's back to pull her into a type of embrace. "What happened here? Did...somepony hurt you? And why?"

Rarity reluctantly turned her head away. She just could not find the words. No matter how confident and in control she always is, being attacked like that in the comfort of her own home would surely leave her nerves more than just a bit rattled. I looked around from where I was, trying to piece together what could have prompted someone to attack her. An argument? I could not expect anyone in Ponyville having the gall to try a life of crime. But as I observed the scattered ensembles, I started to get an idea. "A deal gone bad?"

That got a response out of her. With her face turned to the floor, Rarity just nodded. Fluttershy then tried to get a bit more information out of her friend. "Was it...a client from Canterlot?"

Another nod. I felt myself scowl in frustration. More than likely a member of the Canterlot elite dissatisfied over the results of an order. Possibly due to the price. Possibly because they made a last minute change in the commission details that Rarity could not go back and adjust. Whatever the case, it seemed Rarity had been assaulted by a disgruntled customer with an inflated ego. As tempted as I was to try and figure out who did it, I was more concerned about Rarity. We had plans for the day and she was supposed to be there.

"Here... Come here, m'lady." I whispered as I reached out and pulled my beautiful friend into my arms. She made no attempt to resist as she slouched on my lap with her head on my shoulder. I stroked my hand over her back as she immediately broke down into quiet shuddering sobs in the safety of my embrace. "It'll be OK, Rarity... We're here for you."

Fluttershy then stood up and gently nuzzled her friend's cheek while managing to show a tender sympathetic smile. "Let's get you out of here. It's so gloomy in here right now. And today's supposed to be a good day. You, me, and James on Hearts and Hooves Day, right?"

Tears continued to stream down Rarity's beautiful face as she seemed to try and find her composure. And yet, she could not. She really was quite shaken. She knew she was safe and in the company of those who adore her, but the emotional damage had not yet healed. Still, I did not care if she could speak or not. "Don't worry about words for now. Let's just focus on making your day better."

A long sigh came from Rarity before she very tightly threw her arms around me. As if she was desperately trying to stay as close to me as possible. I lightly patted her on the back at the base of her mane. I was not going to deny this elegant beauty the company of her beloved prince. "Shhh... It'll get better, sweetheart. We'll be right here with you."

Fluttershy then reached out and seemed to push around the hanging indigo curls that hung beside Rarity's face. "Hmmm... Could you give us a moment, James? We can't have Rarity going outside while looking like this. Come over here for a moment, Rarity. I'll fix you up so nopony has to see that horrible black eye."

"Sure, honey. I'll wait by the door." I said while I took Rarity's hoof in hand to help support her as she stood up. I then left her and Fluttershy alone as they went past the shades to apparently fetch some hairdressing equipment. I was expecting to hear a hairdryer while I stood by the front door, but they were surprisingly quiet. No more than three minutes later, the two of them stepped into view before approaching me. They stepped around all of the scattered objects in the room, probably to preserve evidence as the Carousel Boutique had become a crime scene.

"How does she look?" Fluttershy asked while extending a wing towards our beautiful friend. There was not much of a difference, but I did immediately notice one little change. The long curled lock of hair that always hangs beside Rarity's face was now hanging further in front of her face, carefully obstructing her eye from both the front and side. One would not be able to notice her black eye easily. "You haven't worn this look since that time on the train when you took a bite out of Pinkie Pie's cake, right?"

Rarity's exposed left eye glanced at nothing in particular as she seemed to be reminded of a little social faux pas. I then decided to give a little compliment of my own. Anything to try and get a smile out of her by that point. "I have to say... That looks good on you."

My words had exactly the effect I was hoping for. Rarity, her face still showing emotional turmoil, did show a small appreciative smile. There were still no words from her and I was not expecting her to speak until the following day. I then stepped towards the door and held it open for the two lovely mares. "Let's get outta here. It's too gloomy in here with the mess and the lights off."

We soon were on our way and walking along towards the café. Rarity stood between me and Fluttershy as the two of us provided a sort of security barrier with our bodies, keeping her safe and secure. I kept my hand upon Rarity's head at most times as I tried to keep her calm and at peace. Not a word was said during our trek. We soon arrived at our destination without ceremony and pulled up some seats. Our placement at the table was a bit unusual. Rather than be seated in a triangular fashion, we all sat at one side of the table with Rarity between Fluttershy and me.

Rarity did not seem very hungry as she lazily gazed at the menu that had been provided. Such a mood will do that to your appetite. I soon whispered to her, "How about something light? Maybe just an appetizer and some tea?"

I heard Rarity sigh as she gave me a weak nod. Good food does a lot for a bad mood, but it will not help if you are barely hungry at all. Once the waiter returned to take our orders and departed with our menus, I put my arm around Rarity and pulled her up against my side. My fingers gently and repeatedly stroked her side as I did all I could to make her feel safe. She sighed long and deep in relaxation while I looked at Fluttershy. She seemed to be at a loss of what to do or say. We both wanted to help Rarity, but there was only so much we could do aside from being there for her. However, her eyes soon perked up in surprise before she looked down at her swollen belly.

I could see it. Fluttershy's heavy pregnant belly was showing signs of movement. Gladesong was stirring within as the outline of a hoof slid under Fluttershy's thin yellow coat. This coaxed a smile from her as she seemed to know exactly what Gladesong was doing. "Oh dear... It seems Gladesong knows her Aunt Rarity is having a bad day. Rarity, would you like to come closer?"

Rarity turned her head to look at her best friend while her goddaughter stirred inside her. I released my grasp on her to allow our friend to draw near. Rarity's expression brightened into one of curiosity as she lowered her face to the side of Fluttershy's belly. Gladesong must have known she was there since she appeared to push the side of her head against Fluttershy's womb, stretching her mother's belly quite visibly towards Rarity. Our beautiful silent friend shuddered with a ragged and loud sigh escaping her lips as she seemed to be trying not to cry. She nuzzled the side of her face against Fluttershy's belly, silently saying hello to the child she personally named as tears streamed down her face. Fluttershy whispered words of tender encouragement to our friend as she sat there patiently. "Don't cry, Rarity... You have something wonderful to look forward to. And I know Gladesong is looking forward to seeing you."

I could only smile in warm delight as I watched my beloved and beautiful friend try to bond with her unborn godchild. While she spoke no words, she still smiled a bit. Fluttershy even let out a soft giggle as Rarity placed a kiss upon her belly as if trying to give said kiss to Gladesong. Rarity was not alone. She had become a part of our family and she knew it.

Before much longer, the waiter returned with our orders. Fluttershy and I had ordered sandwiches, but Rarity had settled on what was basically a light snack. A wildberry scone and a cup of warm honey tea. She enjoyed her snack at a steady pace befitting a woman of elegance like herself, taking small bites before washing it down with a sip of tea with every few bites. Fluttershy and I were less modest in our rate of consumption and had our sandwiches polished off in just a few minutes. Fluttershy was especially quick in her consumption of her food, probably due to being quite famished as a result of her pregnancy. Gladesong was getting big, so her mother needed to provide her with adequate nutrition.

The two of us waited patiently for Rarity to finish her snack. It did not take all that long as Rarity soon let out a quiet sigh of satisfaction after sipping the last of her tea. With nothing else to do, I set a stack of bits upon the table, paying for Rarity's meal in the process. She looked almost guilty for not paying for her share, but did not protest. We soon departed, trying to figure out how to spend the rest of our holiday.

Fluttershy and I walked at Rarity's sides at all times. With no other plans for the day and any prior ideas having been derailed upon finding Rarity in the state she was in, we simply went for a quiet walk around town for a time. Couples were everywhere. It really felt like a lovely time of the year. But what a time for one to be a victim of assault. What could we do to have a good rest of the day on top of helping Rarity recover from such a jarring incident?

Of all places, we ended up passing by the outdoor arcade. One or two locals were playing around on the machines in it, but the holiday seemed to have most people preoccupied. An idea quickly came to mind. The situation with Rarity was remarkably similar to what Derpy Hooves was going through not that long ago when she and I visited the arcade for the first time. And our gaming session was very good for her mood. Perhaps a little co-op would raise Rarity's spirits as well.

With nothing better to suggest, I stopped and spoke to the two lovely mares beside me. "Excuse me, ladies. Would you care for a visit to the arcade?"

Fluttershy liked the sound of that. She too has visited once in a while and has become quite fond of Equestrian Heroes. "Ooh, that does sound fun! What about you, Rarity? I'm sure you would do well in Equestrian Heroes. I'm really good as the archer."

Rarity just gave us a perplexed gaze, apparently having never really considered visiting the arcade before. It certainly is not an establishment one would expect to find a noblewoman hanging around in. Still, she did not refuse and just followed us over to our favorite arcade machine. Equestrian Heroes is always best enjoyed with friends.

We all popped in a bit for ourselves and lined up in front of the machine. We let Rarity choose first since it was her first time. Being a magic user herself, I was expecting her to choose the mage. Much to my surprise, she instead opted for the knight. Perhaps she has a penchant for swordplay like myself. Fluttershy chose the little pegasus archer for her character. With my preferred character having been claimed by Rarity, I decided to try the axe-wielding barbarian. While I prefer balanced approaches, sturdy heavy hitters are another field I think I excel in.

The opening sequence played with our three characters bursting onto the scene. I have already gone into extensive detail on how the game works and what happens throughout the whole thing, so I will keep things brief this time. Needless to say, Fluttershy hung back while peppering all approaching enemies with arrows while Rarity and I served as the vanguard. It took some getting used to, having to lumber around with those two axes in my character's wings, but it was satisfying to take down those mooks with even fewer blows than it would require if I was playing as the knight. The sheer weight behind those mighty axe chops was invigorating. Speaking of which, Rarity was taking to the knight's role quite well. Once I instructed her how to use his unique tricks and button combinations, Rarity began to play just as well as I do. She must have some impressive ha... I mean hoof-eye coordination.

I could tell Rarity was starting to have fun once we got to the first boss. When Nightmare Moon brought out the Ursa Minor, I saw a determined smirk spread across Rarity's lips. She remained silent, but she was getting pumped. I was quick to warn her about the instant death attacks this boss could pull off, but we got through without a hitch. I then had to warn her how the deep water patches in the next level would drown her if her character fell in.

Oh, I am so tempted to gush about this game. So very tempted, it is that fun to play with friends. Still, it was harder to get through the game with just three players instead of four and we all promised to use a single bit so as to not spend too much time there. We ended up only making it to the third level before we lost our remaining lives. As tempted as we all were to keep going, we knew we should not spend the entirety of Hearts and Hooves Day at the arcade.

While still mute, Rarity seemed quite proud of herself as she stood up with some of her iconic flair back in her step. She really does have a knack for games. I suppose one would be if they excel at the levitation spell as well as she does. Fluttershy then stood up and flexed her neck. "Wow... That was fun. We should do this again sometime."

"Sure was. So... Where to next, m'lady?" I asked while also taking a moment to stretch after being seated there for so long. I think a good forty-five minutes had gone by.

Rarity's expression darkened somewhat as she was reminded of the day at hand. Not quite as much as before now that a fair bit of dopamine was flowing through her body, but the memory of being assaulted in her own home would not leave her immediate memory so easily. Of course, there was one place that was sure to be a good spot to hang out. The local park is always good for unwinding. I then turned south and asked, "How about a stroll through the park?"

Our beautiful friend seemed to like the suggestion and we all headed south. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones with that idea. The park was packed with couples. Some were having picnics, some were playing recreational games, but there were just too many ponies around to really enjoy time alone with each other. Fluttershy frowned as she walked beside me as she said, "It's...a bit crowded today..."

"Yeah... I was hoping for some quiet time for just the three of us... How about we try the fish pond? That's usually empty. And feeding the fish is always relaxing." I replied as I thought about my favorite spot in the park. I like to hang out there when I just want some time to myself and the fish are always entertaining.

Rarity's exposed eye perked up slightly at the suggestion. And so we all headed over the hills and dales to reach our destination. Unfortunately, I was quick to find out it was not only my favorite spot. Several couples were gathered around the water's edge and were feeding the fish. While the fish were certainly enjoying the attention, neither of us wanted to be there when Rarity's predicament required some privacy. "So much for that... Where to now?"

Fortunately, Fluttershy had a little idea. "Oh, how about we try that little path through the woods nearby? I don't think anyone would want to go there today since it's a narrow path through the trees. No real place to hang out at, right?"

"I don't think I've been there... I've always preferred the pond. What about you, Rarity?" I asked in return. Rarity seemed to smile slightly, although I am sure she was more than just a bit desperate by that point. We soon continued on our way to see what Fluttershy had in mind.

Sure enough, there was indeed a small forest at the far edge of the park that seemed to have a long winding path in it that looped around back to the park again. The canopy blocked out much of the sun with visible rays of light shining down through the gaps. With how quiet it was in there, it felt exceptionally magical and mysterious. Fluttershy led the way as she looked over her shoulder at Rarity and I. "This is where I took Maud on her first day in Ponyville."

"You picked a good place for it too. It's refreshingly silent out here." I replied while taking in the wind blowing through the trees and the occasional twittering of a songbird. Even Rarity, who is not that big on trekking through the wilderness, seemed to also be taking in the sights and sounds quite well.

I stayed constantly by Rarity's side and gently stroked my hand over her head. She would tilt her head towards me in response to my touch. Fluttershy picked up the pace up ahead, apparently to give the two of us a little quiet time to each other while she took the opportunity to indulge in one of her favorite places. I even saw little Hummingway flutter up to her. I have not seen that hummingbird in some time.

I looked down as I saw Rarity's eyes close. She seemed to be placing all of her faith in me to guide her and keep her safe. And I did just that. For the next five minutes or so, I walked at a leisurely pace with Rarity keeping the side of her head resting against my thigh. Not a word was spoken. The more I looked at her, the more I wanted to soothe her. I so very dearly love that mare. And I knew she loves me more than any man in her life. And so I broke the silence with a quiet whisper. "I love you."

Rarity's left eye opened upon hearing my tender words. She gazed up at me, a thin line of tears forming at the bottom of her eyelid. Several steps later, she reached out and pressed her hoof down on my foot to pin it. She wanted me to stop and her upward gaze was telling me to come closer. And so I did. I lowered myself to one knee while one hand caressed her face. Seconds later, our lips touched. Our arms wrapped around each other as our eyes closed. She kissed me oh so sweetly, ragged muffled sobs chirping inside her throat. I just wanted to be there for her. To love her and hold her. To let her know that even with such an unsightly black eye concealed by her mane, she was always beautiful to me and someone worth cherishing.

Minutes passed as we stayed there in each other's arms. I did not even notice that Fluttershy had approached us with Hummingway perched upon her head. She reached out and placed a kiss upon our cheeks before providing a reassuring nuzzle to each of us without saying a word. It was while she did this that I remembered I still had two cards to pass out. "Hey... Over here."

I guided the two beautiful mares over to a large rock at the edge of the path that I could use as a bench for the moment. I took a seat and reached into my pockets before pulling out the last two greeting cards in my possession. "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, ladies."

"Oh, James... You really shouldn't have..." Fluttershy replied while showing such a delighted smile. She opened hers first while Rarity watched patiently. A smile soon crept across my beloved's face before tears began to stream down them. Fluttershy is so easy to bring to tears of joy. She soon held the card to my chest as she looked at me. "Oh, James... I'd expect nothing less from you... Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Love you, baby." I said in return before Fluttershy all but jumped into my arms. Her lips found her way to mine as we indulged in a tender kiss for a moment. We did not spend too much time in each other's embrace since it was Rarity's turn to read her card. We looked on as Rarity held it aloft with her levitation magic. "Go on, m'lady. All yours."

Rarity silently opened her card and began to read it over. I was expecting an emotional response, but I still got more than I bargained for. Rarity's face began to scrunch up as she seemed to be struggling to hold back tears. Finally, she let out a wail before dropping the card and galloping right into my open arms. She sobbed uncontrollably in my embrace as I did everything I could to calm her. It was just a maelstrom of emotions all spilling out at once. She really needed that card and its contents and I knew it would do her a world of good to just let everything out.

"Rarity...? It'll be OK..." Fluttershy whispered in concern as she rubbed her hoof over her friend's shoulder. Rarity just had her eyes squeezed shut with her arms coiled around me like a constricting serpent. There was no way she would let go until she had cried herself dry.

I said nothing as I held my beautiful friend in my arms. My hand stroked her back from the base of her mane down to the base of her tail. Words were not needed. All I could do was hold and support Rarity until she finally stopped. Which she did after maybe three minutes. Her weeping turned into quiet sniffling as she tired herself out. She soon looked up at me with such a tired gaze with her cheeks soaked in fresh tears. And yet, she seemed very appreciative of what I had given her. I whispered to her, "Feeling better, beautiful?"

Rarity's response was a long sigh as she closed her eyes and rested her head against my chest. It felt like she was on the verge of drifting off for a nap. Rather than make her walk, I turned her over and cradled that beautiful mare in my arms. "Allow me, sweetheart. Rest all you need."

I stood up with Rarity in my arms as she surely fell into a light sleep. She would likely feel much better upon waking, so I was careful to not jostle her as I walked with Fluttershy by my side. I looked down at my lover as she looked up at me with her and Rarity's cards tucked in her wing and said, "I think she's doing much better now."

"Me too. Sometimes a good cry can do you a world of good." I replied while looking down at the slumbering unicorn in my arms and placing a kiss upon her forehead. I then noticed that Fluttershy was looking through Rarity's card. Probably just checking to see what caused her to burst like that. "Did I do something wrong?"

Fluttershy smiled very warmly as she looked through it. "Oh, James... This is beautiful... It's no wonder Rarity is so madly in love with you... I can see why she loved this. You did a good thing for her."

"Rather surprising that today's circumstances made it all the more effective. She really needed someone to be there for her today." I replied as I glanced at the black eye partially concealed by her mane. "She really didn't deserve that... You and her are some of the kindest sweetest mares in town. No wonder you're best friends. Kindness and Generosity fall from the same tree."

"She really is... I know she can be fussy and maybe even a bit greedy at times, but she never hesitates to give. Maybe that's why she's so concerned with being wealthy... It means she has more to give." Fluttershy whispered as she put he card away.

"She really is Ponyville's own generous angel..." I whispered back as I placed a kiss right upon Rarity's lips. The slumbering mare seemed to feel it as her lips curved into a slight smile. I hope she was having pleasant dreams.

The trek along the forest path was quiet and uneventful, but so very refreshing. I really should take another walk along it sometime. We emerged from the path to find ourselves within sight of Sweet Apple Acres in the distance. The position of the summer sun seemed to indicate that the evening was beginning. I then looked down at Fluttershy and asked, "Shall we do dinner?"

Fluttershy seemed on the verge of suggesting that we go out for dinner, but then looked up at me as she made an unexpected suggestion. "How about I make dinner tonight? I'll make some of my best dishes. Our place?"

"A candlelit dinner at home? Wow, sounds wonderful. Sure, let's do it." I said before following Fluttershy north. It has been a long time since Rarity visited us in the evening.

Things were fairly quiet around the house when we arrived. Remembering that Fluttershy would also have to feed her many animal critters, I decided to do it for her so she could focus on making dinner. I tenderly set Rarity upon Scootaloo's unoccupied bed with her head rested upon the pillow and quietly made my way outside to start my rounds.

Fluttershy provided me a list of tasks for me to do since I very rarely do her work for her. When was the last time I did that anyway? Regardless, the many animals that make their homes near Fluttershy's cottage were grateful for their evening meal. I saved the chickens for last as I eventually made my way to the back of the cottage.

"Evening, girls. Time for din din." I said as I saw the chickens milling about in their pen. They came scurrying up to the edge of the fence when I approach with a sack of feed over my shoulder. It was while I was pouring some out the feed that my thoughts went back to that morning. That dragon girl. Who was she and where did she come from?

I let out a melancholy sigh as I thought about her. I sat myself down upon the nearby wooden fence that encompassed the backyard and just looked at the edge of the Everfree Forest nearby. "Who are you...?"

I felt a strange sense of longing and curiosity. A dragon. Here in Ponyville. And she had no connection to Spike. What kind of dragon just shows up out of nowhere like that? I have not heard the best opinions about dragons from everyone I have spoken to who have encountered them, but she seemed quite cordial if not somewhat bitter. "I didn't even get your name... I hope you're OK out there."

Wherever that girl is, I hope she is doing fine. She seemed troubled when I last saw her. I almost feel guilty that I did not offer her any sort of support when she clearly was not very happy. Still, no point in musing over her now. Knowing I had nothing else to do, I stood up and walked back around to the front before going inside. I could already smell dinner.

I peeked into the kitchen and saw Fluttershy was hard at work on the stove. A large pot of pasta was boiling, Angel was tossing a salad on the counter nearby, and Angela was stirring some sort of mushroom dish in a skillet that reeked of wine. Since when did Angela even know how to cook anyway?! Before I could duck away, Fluttershy noticed me and asked, "Oh, James? Could you please move the table and stools into the living room? I think it'll be more pleasant to eat in there for all of us."

"Good idea. Sure, I'll be just a minute." I replied while taking note of the more spacious conditions in there. Moving the table by myself was not a problem since it was a bit small. I set it and our seats in the middle of the room before putting one of Fluttershy's relaxation records on the phonograph to play in order to enhance the atmosphere. While I stood by it, I then peeked through the window that used to overlook the backyard that was now separating the living room from the nursery under construction. All that was left was to wait for the carpenters to finish the paintjob and we could start putting the furniture in it.

However, as I looked through the window, I could see through the window at the far end of the empty room. And it seemed that it was getting darker faster than usual. It was not even 6 PM yet. I went back to the kitchen and asked, "Hey, honey? Is it normal for night to come early on Hearts and Hooves Day?"

Fluttershy did not seem surprised at all. "Oh, that's completely normal. Princess Celestia set that in practice a long time ago to help couples enjoy a quiet night together today. Candlelit dinners under the moon are always so romantic, aren't they?"

"Huh, that's a really good point. Speaking of which... Excuse me for a bit." I went through some drawers and cupboards nearby to retrieve some little tea candles and some votives to set them in. I set out three of them in a triangle formation on the table. They were lavender scented too, although I doubt one would notice the smell through the aroma of Fluttershy's cooking. However, I soon heard the faint clopping of hooves before I saw Rarity wander out of Scootaloo's bedroom. She still seemed a bit groggy and even looked quite surprised that she had woken up in her best friend's house. "Good evening, m'lady. Would you care to join us for dinner?"

It looked like the trauma of that morning had still not quite worn off since Rarity was still mute, but she seemed far more at peace than a few hours earlier. She approached the table and seemed to evaluate the setup before glancing back at the phonograph playing delightful soothing music. No sooner had she looked back at the table did Fluttershy emerge from the kitchen with a large bowl of pasta on her back. "Oh, you're awake! I hope you've worked up an appetite, Rarity."

I looked on in hunger as Fluttershy set out our meal. A large glistening salad, a plate of mushrooms sautéed in a marsala wine sauce, and carbonara pasta. She really went the extra mile to prepare something impressive. Rarity too looked on with a gaze of hunger as her stomach grumbled quite audibly. I promptly took my seat as I said, "Man... Better save some for Scoot. She'll want some of this."

Among the glow of the candles and the gentle hum of the phonograph, we all engaged in a quiet and delicious dinner together. Rarity remained silent as she dined, but she would always look at Fluttershy and I whenever we conversed. She especially seemed to have a hearty appetite by then, especially after such a light lunch. Definitely a sign that her mood was improving in leaps and bounds.

I really wish I had more to write about with that meal. Aside from a brief discussion about the progress of the new addition to the house, nothing of any significance came up. But maybe that was the simple beauty of it. It was literally nothing but us and each other. And that was all that we wanted.

Everything that we ate was absolutely delicious. Fluttershy never disappoints with her cooking and last night was no different. Rarity even unwittingly let out quite a belch that drew a laugh from Fluttershy and myself. She must have been satisfied, even if she did cover her mouth while looking simply mortified afterwards.

Rarity silently helped us tidy up the table once we were all done, although we made sure to save some for Scootaloo when she got home. She must have been out with the rest of the CMC and maybe Button Mash and Spike too. Rarity even used her levitation magic to place the furniture back in the kitchen. With that all done, all that was left was to escort Rarity back home. Before long, we were off with the moon hanging above us in the night sky.

Fluttershy and Rarity stayed by my sides at all times as we passed through Ponyville. Even though night had come early, there was quite a bit of activity going on in town. If there was a dining establishment with outdoor seating, there were plenty of couples present. It really is just that kind of holiday. It brings lovers together.

Even though Rarity was definitely in better spirits, her mood seemed to darken as we neared her home. She even seemed hesitant to approach the door once we got there. And I could see why. The main workroom was just as we left it. Still a crime scene. And just seeing it made her shrink back into the same uneasy wreck as when we first found her that morning. Still no sign of Mitta either. There was no way I could leave her alone. Not when she was in that condition.

With some hesitation, I turned to Fluttershy. "Hey... I know this is Hearts and Hooves Day, but... I really don't think it would be a good idea to leave Rarity alone in this condition. Do you think it would be best if I stayed overnight with her?"

I expected Fluttershy to look absolutely disappointed that I would not be there with her tonight in bed. However, she seemed to be quite understanding of the situation. "Hmm... That probably would be best. I wouldn't want to leave her alone either, but I have to look after the little animals around my house in the morning... OK, James. You stay right by her and I'll come by in the morning to check on things."

"Thanks, honey. I'll make sure nothing happens to her." I replied as I stepped aside. Fluttershy walked up to Rarity and the two shared a tender hug.

"Don't be afraid, Rarity. James will be right here for you until morning." Fluttershy whispered quietly before the two mares released each other. "I had a wonderful day with you two. I hope we cheered you up too. Have a wonderful night, OK? Bye bye."

Rarity could not shake that look of guilt from her face as we both bid Fluttershy farewell for the evening. I know she desperately needed my company, but did not want to take me away from my future wife. I would just have to spend extra time with Fluttershy the following day. I looked down at Rarity and stroked her head until she looked up at me. "Hey, it's OK. Fluttershy knows you need someone special with you right now. There's nothing wrong with that."

She still did not say a word. Maybe she just needed to sleep the day off. With night having fallen early, the day felt later than it really was. I picked Rarity up in my arms and carried her out of her messy workroom and into the kitchen. Some warm tea would surely help.

While I set the kettle on the stove to boil, I went across the hall into the room that I was sure Mitta used as her bedroom to look for anything that could play music to lighten the gloomy atmosphere. It had been so long since I last stayed so late in Rarity's house that I had to reacquaint myself with the layout of the side rooms. However, I found no trace of Mitta or any guest at all having stayed in the room. Not that I was not appreciating having some time alone with Rarity, but did she move out? I knew Rarity was not in the mood for conversation, so I was not going to pry for answers.

Regardless, I did find what I was looking for. A stereo was set against the far wall. Definitely fitting for someone with a more chic sense of interior design. I lifted the lid on top to set a vinyl record on the turntable and set some smooth jazz to play. It seemed appropriate for a quiet evening under the moon. I could almost imagine a saxophonist jamming away with a massive harvest moon in the background.

Rarity was quietly waiting for me at the kitchen table as the water inside the kettle began to bubble. I went about gathering up the cups and saucers, the honey for sweetening, and the tea itself. Chamomile seemed like the best choice since it has a calming effect when consumed and would surely assist in a peaceful sleep for Rarity. She watched me constantly while I went about her kitchen, her eyes only occasionally glancing away as if distracted by an unpleasant thought. I soon heard the whistle of the kettle and poured the water over the teabags and took a seat, waiting for the water to cool as it steeped.

My eyes fell upon Rarity. I did not look away even as she seemed to become uncomfortable with my gaze never straying. I so very much wanted to help her, but I was at a loss of what to do aside from giving her my company. I had spent almost half a day with her and never once heard a word out of her. A sense of disappointment coming over me, I let out a sigh. "I miss your voice."

Rarity's eyebrows rose briefly as if she was not anticipating such a statement. She looked away, almost as if she was ashamed of herself for denying me the sound of her beautiful voice. Seeing that staying at opposite ends of the table was doing us no favors, I stood up and walked to the other end. Maybe I could coax her into speaking. Conversation is good for one's emotional state.

I kneeled beside Rarity's stool as she averted her gaze once more. I reached out and cupped the side of her cheek and turned her face to make her look at me. I tried to find tender words to say, words of elegance that she would truly appreciate. "Where has that voice of an angel gone? Will it never return to this mortal plane? Do you feel I am not worthy to hear that heavenly hymn, you beautiful creature without equal?"

Her eyes began to quiver. She was struggling to hold back her emotions. Every word danced along her heart as they whittled away at the shell she had erected over herself. I leaned closer and whispered into her ear to push her over the edge. "My love. Please. Let me hear your call. Say something. Anything. Anything that you wish me to know."

That did it. She let out another loud sob as she fell into my arms. Before any words could be spoken, the tears had to flow. I put my arms around her, caressing her back much like before. I was there to heal her and I would not dare leave her side until that moment had arrived. In moments, her weeping ceased. And I heard the three most beautiful words I could ever hope to hear as they were whispered into my ear. "I love you..."

My embrace only tightened. They were the first words I had heard from that wonderful mare all day. And it touched my very heart. Over and over, she whispered those words to me. Words that were meant for me and no one else. I felt so elated to finally receive vocal confirmation that she was finally starting to heal. When her words finally ceased, I felt her lips upon my neck before they caressed my jaw. And when I pulled my head away to look at her, they found their way to my lips.

I made no attempt to object. I closed my eyes as she did too and pressed into that wonderful kiss. The most beautiful mare in Ponyville was in my arms and we were sharing our love with each other. Such a sickeningly sweet kiss... Rarity truly is a mare without equal. Such elegance. Such beauty. Such generosity. Such love. I felt beyond honored that it was I that she had fallen so very much in love with. And I silently vowed to never betray that love.

We very reluctantly ended the kiss and gazed into each other's eyes. Her bruised right eye was still concealed behind her curled lock of indigo hair, but I hardly minded. In the end, our reluctance won out. Our lips returned together, our muffled breathing belying our passion for each other. Our lips soon parted as it became our tongues' turn to dance. They reached out and touched, twirling and caressing each other as I felt her taste upon my tongue with mine upon hers. God... I was so in love with her... And her with me... And I knew I always had been. But never like this.

What felt like an eternity passed before we finally ended our kiss. A thick trail of our shared saliva connected our lips as we gazed at each other in a haze. No words were spoken, but I could see what she wanted to say in those beautiful azure eyes. The pain was still there, but only in the background. A sincere gratitude was now standing before it as well as a powerful adoration. Rarity was right where she wanted to be. As was I.

Neither of us could find any words to say. We just stood there, holding each other in our arms. Her hooves rubbed over my back while my hand did the same to hers. I did not want to let go and neither did she. I wanted to just stay there in her embrace for the rest of the night. Unfortunately, we could not. Putting logic before my heart's desires, I finally released my grip on her to return to my stool. But Rarity would not have it. As I tried to release her, her grip on me only tightened as she let out an adorable little whine. "Noooo... Not yet..."

I granted Rarity her request and remained where I was. For another ten minutes or so, I remained in her embrace while she stayed in mind. The music coming from the next room over only added to the deeply romantic atmosphere, thus helping the time pass. Eventually, Rarity did release her grip, although she felt like she was forcing herself to do so. I returned to my stool and found that our tea had cooled just enough to consume without pain. We removed our teabags and stirred a dollop of honey into our drinks in the hopes of cooling them further. As I took a sip of my tea as it was full of the taste of honey, I turned my gaze towards my beautiful best friend. "Feeling any better?"

"Somewhat..." She said softly in reply as her cup floated to her lips for a quick sip. She was not entirely recovered, but she was getting there.

I tried to think up a conversation topic in the hopes of getting her to speak further. The more she spoke, the more she would relax and open up. "Where's Mitta? Does she not live here anymore?"

Rarity took another sip of her tea before directing her gaze at me. "We found her a home in an apartment complex not far from here. She is still my assistant, but she has a place of her own now."

"Really?! That's great news! I'll have to ask her for her new address sometime." I replied with a smile upon my face. I was not expecting Mitta to get a place of her own. Although it has been roughly a year since she started living in Ponyville, so it definitely felt like the right time for her to get her own home.

"Mmhm. I'm glad for her." Rarity muttered before again falling silent. She still seemed reluctant to talk.

With some hesitation, I decided to bring up a difficult topic. The only way she was going to overcome her trauma was if she confronted it. "Rarity... What happened this morning?"

My friend set her cup down slowly with her gaze directed to the table. Despite my expectations of her doing all she could to avoid the topic, she surprised me by getting right to the subject. "A new customer... She commissioned a dress and came by to collect it... Said there was a mistake on it... I offered to adjust it and she refused... Tried to steal it... I..."

I could see that Rarity was becoming unstable the more she spoke and hurried to her side to grab her up in my arms. "She assaulted you and stole a dress she didn't like... Almost sounds like a con artist."

Rarity fell silent in my embrace as she leaned against me. Tears slowly trickled down her face as that memory resurfaced. I stroked her head as I tried to comfort her any way I could. "Hey... Let's forget about that for now. How about we get you ready for bed? You've had a long day and could use your beauty sleep."

She nodded and mumbled in agreement. I returned to my side of the table and gulped down the rest of my tea while Rarity did the same. She rose to her feet unsteadily with that trauma at the forefront of her mind. I knew she was going to have a hard time climbing the stairs, so I quickly went to shut off the stereo and returned to the kitchen to pick Rarity up in my arms. "Allow me, m'lady."

"My prince..." Rarity whispered as she closed her eyes with her head resting against me. I carefully ascended the stairs leading to the loft and proceeded down the small hallway to the bathroom door.

I carefully set Rarity down beside the door and stepped back to let her wash up in privacy. But when I stepped away as Rarity pushed the door open, I noticed her give me a pleading gaze. She reached out with her hoof as if beckoning me to take hold of it. I quickly realized what she was requesting and asked, "You...want me to join you?"

All she did was nod. I stood still with conflicted feelings rushing through my mind. Taking a shower...with Rarity? I never expected her to even entertain the thought. Still, I knew she did not want to be alone tonight. With some reluctance, I agreed. I followed her into the bathroom and began to undress.

Rarity turned on the shower from outside the stall as cold water began to hit the tiled floor inside. I stripped down to just my boxers as she stepped inside while steam began to rise. I waited a minute for Rarity to get comfortable before sliding off my boxers, holding my breath, opening the door, and stepping inside with the glass door closing behind me.

The room was immediately filled with an awkward silence that was broken only by the sound of falling water. Rarity could not help blushing as she gazed up at my bare form even as her mane and coat was soaked and weighed down by the water. I too just stood there, unsure of what to do or say. Or even how to start bathing. Eventually, I managed to make the first move. "May I...wash your mane?"

Rarity said nothing at my offer, although she did hesitantly nod. I took a seat by her and began to scrub shampoo through her flowing mane as she sat beside me just outside the falling torrent of warm water. It really is no different from Fluttershy's when all wet and falling to the floor. They must have similar grooming habits.

As she leaned her head into the falling water to rinse her mane, I began to scrub shampoo into her beautiful flowing tail. I held the dock of her tail in one hand and dragged my fingers through her long indigo fibers to scrub them. I must have tugged on it a few times since I heard her grunt a bit, although I think almost enjoyed it and did not protest at all.

I remained seated at Rarity's side as she turned around to let her tail rinse in the water. I put my arms around her as she sat there, soaked to the bone, and brought my lips to her ear to do all I could to soothe her further in this moment of respite. "I love you, baby. You're always so beautiful."

"Thank you, my love..." Rarity whispered to me as her face turned to meet mine seconds before our lips joined once more. I heard a faint moan deep in her throat as we pressed firmly into the kiss for a moment while my hands reached for some shower gel to lather up her coat. My hands began to caress and scrub over her shoulders and back, a long sigh hissing through her nostrils as she arched her back at my touch. But when I reached her flanks, she quivered as my fingers glided over her cutie mark.

I froze as our kiss ended abruptly, the blush on Rarity's face only deepening as I caressed a very sensitive spot on her body. She let out another sigh as she gazed at me before whispering, "Please... Don't stop..."

I could not bring myself to deny her this precious request. Pleasure is a natural counter for negative emotions. An orgasm would likely do wonders for her mood and would make her even more relaxed for a good night's sleep. I just smiled as my hand began to rub firmly over the three diamonds on her flank while my other arm embraced her against me.

Rarity closed her eyes as she leaned against me, quiet little whimpers squeaking from her lips as her mouth remained slightly agape. My lips kissed her cheek as my fingers went to work to bring her sweet delicious pleasure in a way only I could. It must have been working. I could detect a faint musk filling the steam around us. The scent of a very needy mare.

Between my precise touch and my kisses upon her face, Rarity did not last much longer. She began to grind her rump against the floor as if trying to welcome something into her between her flanks. Her quiet whimpers began to rise in frequency and volume as she began to gasp and moan. And then it happened. Her body tensed up as she yelped right into my ear. Moans of release burst from her lips as she began to relax in my grasp. Her gasps of delight turned into pants of fatigue as she whispered sweetly to me, "Thank you... Thank you, my prince... I needed that..."

I returned the favor with a kiss to her cheek as my hand caressed the curve of her flank. "I know you did. I'm glad I could help."

As Rarity sat there basking in the afterglow of her orgasm, I finished rubbing the shower gel over the rest of her body. Once I was done and she began to rinse herself clean, I began to wash my own hair. However, only a moment went by as I closed my eyes to keep the stinging shampoo out that I felt some sort of sensation between my legs. What was it?

A thought suddenly passed through my mind that coaxed me to rinse the shampoo from my hair as quickly as possible so I could visibly see what was happening. It was exactly as I feared. Rarity had taken my length into her mouth and had begun to very slowly suck me off. "Ra... Rarity?!"

Her left eye opened and looked up at me without ceasing her tender affections. I was not expecting her to do something like this for me at all, even though I should not have been surprised. She has been very deeply in love with me for roughly a year by this point. Maybe longer than that. She would do such a thing for me if the chance came along. Her beautiful azure eye watched me constantly as she slowly and expertly used her mouth and slick tongue to bring me pleasure. My length was already as hard as it could be in her grasp as she pulled back while tilting her head upwards, lifting my shaft until she looked like she was both sucking on the tip and placing a loving kiss upon it.

I could not bring myself to tell her to stop. I loved her too much to say no. Instead, I brought my hand to her head and caressed it to silently encourage her. A deep blush glowed from her face as Rarity used her slow elegant movements to bring my arousal to a fever pitch in mere minutes. I knew this was only going to be a short quickie with how she was trying to bring me to climax with minimal work.

Just to add to my pleasure, I saw her horn light up as it was engulfed by her light blue magic aura. And I soon found out what spell she was casting and where. I felt an unseen hand beginning to caress the two orbs below my shaft as I began to groan and pant. I was not going to last long. Moments later, I gritted my teeth as my legs tensed up just as I began to release my seed into Rarity's waiting maw.

I looked down out of the corners of my eyes as my head tilted upwards. Rarity gulped down some of my payload, but then pulled back and closed her eyes as she let the rest of it splatter onto her face. How lewd for such a mare of refinement! She panted momentarily, as did I, before licking her lips to show that she enjoyed the taste of my sweet and salty sperm. She then opened one eye to gaze up at me as my creamy white seed clung to her coat. I only had one question on my mind. "Why...?"

My beautiful and loving friend averted her gaze for a moment before she sheepishly glanced at me. "I felt...I should. I felt I...needed to."

With the tension having once again become palpable, we both fell silent. I began to apply shower gel to my body to hurriedly clean up while Rarity washed my seed from her face. The shower soon fell silent before Rarity stepped out to use a hairdryer to dry off while also putting curlers in her mane to regain her signature indigo curls once her mane dried. All I could do was wrap my myself in a towel around the waist and step out into the hall. Rarity would take a bit longer to finish prepping herself for bed, so I went on ahead into her bedroom to help get things ready for her.

I flicked the light switch on to bathe the room in light. Nothing was amiss, although I felt the ceiling light was too bright and would not be good for the minutes before I went to bed. I turned it off and flicked on the lamp on the nightstand beside Rarity's bed. I had forgotten how spacious Rarity's canopy bed is. I would be able to fit in it just fine. But would Rarity want me to join her in bed? I shook my head at such a question. Of course she would be happy for me to join her in bed for the night.

No sooner had I thought that to myself did I hear the door close. Rarity stood before the door, faintly bathed in the light of the lamp beside me with the curlers removed from her mane. She looked the way she always does sans her eyeshadow with not a drop of moisture in her mane and her black eye on full display. However, she did not seem to be as aware of it as before. Perhaps she was just too tired to care as she watched me from where she stood. I found the will to speak as I asked, "You ready for bed...?"

"Mmhm... And..." She began to walk towards her bed with her eyes upon me. "Would you...please join me?"

"I would be honored." I said softly as I sat upon the edge of the bed while Rarity went to the other side. I watched as her beautiful white coat almost seemed to glow in the light of the lamp. Her horn's magic aura flared up for a few seconds as the drapes closed over the windows. As she climbed in bed, I offered another compliment to soothe her bruised ego. "You look lovely in the night."

Rarity cast me an uneasy smile as she rested upon the bed. Her hoof patted the spot between us, coaxing me to crawl closer to her. When I drew near, her hoof rose to my cheek as her smile became more sincere. "James... Truly, thank you so very much for being here for me when I needed you most... You've really done a lot to turn my day around in spite of everything..."

"Glad to be of service, m'lady. Someone with such a beautiful heart should not be tarnished on such a special holiday." I whispered back as I gazed into her eyes, even if one was partially swollen shut. I did not care about that large purplish bruise over her eyelid. She was still the most beautiful mare in all of Ponyville to me.

The two of us just gazed into each other's eyes for longer than we probably should have. Her hoof stroked my cheek while mine rubbed over her silky smooth chest. We could not resist each other for long. Our faces soon neared and our lips touched as we began to kiss once more. The kiss soon ended, but our eyes locked once more before our lips reached out to each other. And again. And again. So many soft tender kisses were given and received as my fingers dragged themselves over her silky smooth coat. We needed this.

Rarity soon rolled onto her back as my hand remained upon her chest while we continued to wordlessly kiss each other. I could not resist myself as I began to kiss her chin and then down her jaw. Rarity shuddered as she tilted her head back, tiny little whimpers rising from her lips as she submitted to my touch. I loved her... I wanted her to know I was there for her and always would be. I was her prince. The man she loved more than anyone else in her life. And she was putting all of her faith in me as my lips slowly moved down her body to her chest.

Her chest heaved with long deep breaths, her eyes closing as she savored my tender touch upon her body. I kissed her meticulously smoothed hooves as her limbs curled near her chest. Her firm pectoral muscles. Her slender smooth belly. Her long breaths were uneven as she continued to whimper in need and delight as my lips continued to kiss down her body. However, I hesitated when my face was between her hind legs. Right before me were her twin teats.

I knew I should not. I am getting married next month. And yet, something compelled me to not restrain my tender affections to my beloved friend. I inhaled sharply as I shuddered with a growing need in my body. I knew where this would likely end up going as I beheld Rarity's soft mammaries, but I could not stop. My heart was dictating my actions now. My lips soon rested upon her tender teats, kissing them softly and repeatedly as Rarity arched her back upon feeling my touch. "Ja... James...!"

It was all she said. She did not lash out. Did not command me to stop. The sound of my name was an invitation. A plea for more. And so I continued. I kissed her beautiful teats over and over as I strove to bring sacred pleasure to the mare before me who pined for me. But as my lips kissed her upon her slightly darker nipples one more time, my lips parted and closed over them before I began to suck on them as if I was a hungry foal.

Rarity's response was immediate. She gasped loudly as she arched her back as I began to suckle from her. Her little whimpers turned into high-pitched moans. That beautiful voice was music to my ears as I closed my eyes, sucking on her tender nipple. Her cries of delight most likely accompanied precious thoughts of motherhood as she was likely imagining a child of her own feeding from her teats. I know Rarity has longed to have a family of her own someday and my tender touch was most likely fueling that desire.

Back and forth, I suckled on her teats as her scent began to emanate from somewhere below me. A scent that quickly drew my attention. Realizing what I was doing, I pulled away and looked down. Between her flanks, Rarity's dark vulva was glistening in the soft light. It was winking at me, inviting me. But my attention was again interrupted as an unseen force on my back pushed me forward until I was looking at Rarity. She was gazing back at me, panting lightly with such a look of need in her eyes. I froze, unable to bring myself to speak as I knew exactly what it was she wanted. Even though we both knew we should not. And yet, her words came. "James... Please... I... I need you..."

My hands betrayed my intentions, removing my towel as it fell to my feet and revealing my own eager erection. I could not believe what I was seeing. What I was experiencing. The most beautiful mare in Ponyville laid out before me. Begging me to take her and make her mine. It almost felt like a dream, but I knew it was real. Her eyes still pleaded with me as my gaze wandered, unsure of what I should do. "Please, darling... Please... Just this once... Even if never again... I love you... Please..."

I could not say no. My heart was telling me... No, commanding me to do it. To make love to this most precious woman in my life. We were equally nervous, but our love for each other was true. I began to crawl over her, aligning myself with her as I prepared for the inevitable. "I want this too... Are you sure?"

"Yes... Never have I been more sure..." Rarity whispered as she placed her hooves upon my shoulders while never looking away. I lowered my torso until I was all but touching her as she continued to whisper to me. "Be gentle, my love... You are my first... Please... Kiss me while you start?"

"Gladly..." I whispered back as I brought my face to hers. As our eyes closed and our lips locked, I very slowly pushed forward to ease her into it. I felt her slick wet warmth engulf my shaft as I soon felt some resistance and immediately pushed through it. Rarity yelped lightly in our kiss as I hilted myself to her. She panted as our kiss ended, face twisted in a mixture of pleasure and pain. "Ugh... That...wasn't too bad..."

"It'll only get better from here, m'lady..." I whispered to her as I began to pull back before thrusting back in, repeating the process over and over as I felt myself embrace the pleasure. Rarity tilted her head back as she sighed in euphoria. It had finally happened. She gave herself to me and let me take something from her that could never be given back. Something she loved me enough to let me own forever.

I slid my chest against her silky smooth coat as we made love, the many smooth fibers caressing my skin as my own tool caressed Rarity from within. For as wrong as I knew it was, it felt right. Right in ways I struggle to describe. I could feel it in my heart. I needed her. She needed me. We are meant for each other. And it took me so long to finally see it. My heart swelled in my chest as I looked at the beautiful mewling face of the beautiful mare before me. We were so in love... So very in love and finally doing what lovers do.

My arms slid under her back as I embraced my lover, holding her against me as she too held onto me. I was slow and methodical with my movements, wanting to make Rarity's first time as delightful as possible. No rushing to reach orgasm. No sudden jolts to make her pleasure spike. Just long slow thrusts as deep as I could go until she said otherwise.

"James... Oh, darling..." Rarity whimpered as I reached deep where no man had ever touched her before. Where no other man would ever touch her. I knew she was mine. I knew she would never allow another stallion to ever touch her in the way I was then. And it filled me with such pride to know she had such faith in me. I returned her love for me the only way I could, my lips caressing her neck as she tilted her chin back to give me full access to her bare throat. She whispered sweet words of love to me while I drank it all in. "My love... Oh, my love... My prince... My most precious gem... My stallion... Hold me... Hold me and never let go..."

I began to thrust more firmly as I felt the time was right to begin to apply more effort. Her body shifted forward under me with each deep thrust as I picked up my pace slightly. I whispered back to her as her eyes peeked at me, my eyes gazing back at her, "I will, dear... I'll always treasure you... You beautiful creature... Beautiful without equal... I feel so honored that I'm... That I'm the one you want..."

I could see tears of pleasure forming at the edges of her eyelids as her lips curled into a smile. She was so happy. So joyous that something she had likely dreamed of many times was finally happening. "I could never choose anypony else... You... You are the... The only one my heart as ever truly pined for... You touched my heart long ago... And now it is yours forever, my beloved..."

Her hooves further hooked over my shoulders as I pushed deep, her eyes gazing at me with not a single glimmer of lust. Only purest love. "Keep going, my love... Do not stop. Make me your mare... Make me yours forever... From now...until the eternity beyond..."

Such powerful words. They only drove me onward to do all I could to make this an unforgettable experience for both of us. I began to thrust harder and faster, but not too fast. Not in a desperate flurry of thrusts. But a steady rhythm as our bodies danced together in subtle gyrations. Rarity groaned and cooed, adoring every touch and every caress inside and out. Her inner walls kissed me back, massaging and coaxing my shaft as she prepared to milk me for everything I had.

I felt a surprising sensation over my lower back. Rarity locked her hind legs over me to keep me from pulling out entirely. There was no way I was not going to leave my mark inside her now. Just to be sure, especially now that I was feeling the telltale pressure in my loins, I whispered out to her. "Where... Where should I finish?"

Through her little squeals and joyous panting, Rarity gave me a most obvious reply. "Inside me... Every last drop... Right where it needs to be..."

Her words of encouragement only made me all the more determined to give her the result she wanted. I sped up even further as I felt the pleasure rising. The pressure in my loins as my precious seed was being prepared for my beloved. I began to groan myself as I panted, ready to give her my gift. "Rarity... I'm almost there..."

It was time. There was no turning back. I was going to make her mine. And she called out as she held me against her. "Yes... Yes...! Do it, James...! My love... Make me yours! Make your mare!"

And so it happened. Moaning her name, I pushed as deep as I could and left myself hilted to my beautiful lover. My shaft throbbed as her walls quivered around me in a surge of fluids as she shrieked in delight. Spurt after spurt of my seed flowed forth, pooling right in her very womb for the first time. I think she nearly fainted as she was touched in a place that had never been touched before. And by the man she loved most.

My climax ended as quickly as it came as I just lied there upon Rarity, panting as I basked in the afterglow while trying to process what I had just done. I really did it. I made love to my best friend. And she clearly thoroughly enjoyed it. Her chest heaved under me with each heavy breath she took with her head all but upside-down as she lied on her back under me.

A thought occurred to me. I had come to know that a mare's inner walls are much warmer while in heat. But I had to be certain. I wearily whispered to my exhausted lover, "Rarity... Are you in heat?"

Her senses slowly returning to her, Rarity tilted her head forward until she was looking ahead at me. Still panting, she spoke an honest response. "No..."

It was enough to set my concerns aside. However, she then gazed at me with a much more loving expression as she whispered tenderly, "Although I wish I was."

My eyes opened wider at such a wish. The look she was giving me. The way her legs were still holding me. I knew she wanted me. She wanted my child. And I confess... It was a most beautiful thought. The thought of Rarity and I... Having a foal together... She would be such a wonderful and extraordinarily beautiful mother...

With great reluctance, I pulled back as Rarity released me from her grasp. My softening shaft was soaked in her fluids, but I hardly minded. And neither did she. Rarity used her magic to pull down the covers of her bed and set herself on the sheets, her gaze never leaving mine. "Come to bed, darling... Stay with me tonight?"

"Absolutely, dear..." I wheezed in sexual fatigue as I lied down beside her. The covers slowly fell upon me until it stopped at my neck while Rarity scooted closer to me. I turned to look at her as I felt her hoof touch the side of my hand, the lamp turning off beside me as Rarity worked her magic one last time. I lifted my hand and gently set it atop her hoof, smiling as I held hers in my hand. "Feeling better, Rarity?"

"Hmm... Best Hearts and Hooves Day ever..." Rarity whispered back to me while looking the happiest I had seen her all day, even with that black eye on display. She reached out and kissed me upon the lips as she set her head upon her pillow. "Sweetest dreams to you, my love."

"Only the sweetest dreams for you, dear... Good night, Rarity." I whispered back as my eyes closed. In mere minutes, I drifted off to sleep with Rarity's hoof in my hand.

I know not what I dreamed of, but I awoke feeling exceptionally refreshed. At first, I was confused as to why I was not in my home at the western edge of Ponyville. But then I remembered what happened last night and turned my head to see the beautiful face of Rarity sleeping soundly beside me. Under the covers, my hand was still resting upon her hoof.

All I could think about was what happened last night. And I could scarcely believe it. We were no longer friends. We could never go back to just being friends now. We had become lovers. And I felt a warm sense of happiness in my heart. I so very do love my dear Rarity.

I could not bring myself to disturb Rarity as she slept beside me. Her black eye had not healed at all, but I hardly minded that. I closed my eyes as I attempted to go back to sleep. But as I was started to doze off, I was brought back to my senses by a sensation upon my lips. Upon opening my eyes, I saw her. Rarity was planting a kiss upon my lips with her eyes closed. As the kiss ended, her eyes opened slightly to show a most loving and amorous gaze. "Good morning, my love."

"Good morning, my dear." I whispered back before I returned the favor by rolling onto my side and pulling her into my arms for an embrace. We began to kiss again, raining many soft kisses upon each other's faces. We were like a pair of newlyweds on the first day of their honeymoon. We were just that happy to be together.

As we kissed and caressed each other, I looked into Rarity's very happy eyes. Her right eye was still swollen shut, but she seemed oblivious to its presence. Fingers caressing her cheek, I whispered to her. "How do you feel today? Any better?"

She sighed happily as a tender smile spread across her lips. "Better than ever, my love. I can't recall the last time I woke up feeling this relaxed... This rested and happy. You make my world complete, dear."

Her words touched me as I reached out and kissed her upon the lips. "You make me happy too, love. Very happy."

"Mmm, I'm so glad I do... A wonderful man with a beautiful heart like yours deserves to be happy and loved. And you have so much love to give." She cooed back to me while placing a kiss upon my bare chest. Her words were like ambrosia to my ears. Every word was sincere and oozing with tender love. Before I could word a response, Rarity began to push the covers off of herself. "Pardon me for a moment. We really should be getting up now."

"Yeah, don't want to lie in bed all day." I retorted while giving Rarity some extra leverage to stand up. She soon walked to the edge of the bed, but instead of hopping down, she began to stretch. She groaned as she pulled her body forward, lifting her head high while keeping her hooves firmly planted on the bed. She then pulled her body backwards, bringing her chin to the bedspread. However, her rump was lifted high before me as I sat up in bed, giving me a full unobstructed view of her dark nether lips.

I was initially stunned. It was the first time I had ever been given such a brazen view of Rarity's exposed backside. Even her tail had moved aside to avoid obstructing my view. While Rarity seemed oblivious, I knew she was merely teasing me. And I truly appreciated the presentation. A slight smirk spread across my lips as I reached out and caressed my hand over the curve of her flank's backside before moving it inward and sliding my finger against her lips.

"Ooooh... Hmhmhm, you enjoying the view, darling?" Rarity said with a chuckle as she began to sway her gorgeous hips before me. Indeed, that was no accident. Especially when her vulva began to visibly wink at me. My body responded in kind, an erection forming under the covers that coated my pelvis. Rarity seemed to notice this too and spoke as she pulled herself back up to a standing position. "Oh, but not here. Let's not make a mess in bed, darling. Join me for a morning shower?"

"Best way to start the day, m'lady." I replied with a smile as I began to stand up from the bed. Rarity's eyes scanned me constantly and I swear she licked her lips once I was standing bare before her. My clothes were still in the bathroom where I had left them, so I had no means to dress myself. Not that Rarity minded. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the view as my lover.

I followed Rarity out into the hall as I saw that she kept her tail swaying side to side to put on a show for me. Such a flirt. Soon, we were standing in the shower with warm water falling all around us. But we did not take long to sit upon the floor. And we could not keep away from each other. Rarity fell right into my arms as we began to kiss each other with such tender passion as her soaked mane and tail hung down to the floor. We could not even focus on bathing. We were just too enthralled with each other.

"Mmm, my prince... My everything..." Rarity whispered to me between kisses every few seconds. I could not find the words to respond, but she knew I loved her. She soon turned around with my arms crossed over her chest as my hands began to feel up her soaked silky coat. With one hand rubbing over her chest as she cooed softly, one hand reached low and began to tenderly grope and knead her soft sensitive teats.

"Ooh, yes... Yes, right there... Mama needs..." Rarity whimpered as I rubbed, fondled, and squeezed her tender mammaries. My fingers squeezed her nipples as if to coax milk from them, even if there was none inside. She was putty in my arms, letting me do what I pleased with her.

I whispered sweet words to her as her head leaned back against my shoulder even as my hands felt along her underside. "And a beautiful mama you are, Rarity..."

"Mmm, not yet, at least..." She whispered back with a faint giggle as I began to slide my hand away from her teats. But when it began to glide over her belly, I felt her place her hoof over it. My hand was pinned to her belly, right over her womb. And then she turned to look at me with her left eye as a loving smile spread across her lips. "Why don't we fix that?"

I felt my temperature spike as a surge of nervousness and excitement filled me. I could see more than just passion in her eye. There was an earnest and precious desire in it. She moved her hoof around, dragging my hand with it as it rubbed over her belly. She was very clearly communicating to me her desire to experience pregnancy as a blush began to set into her face. She was ready. She was ready to become a mother. And wanted me to be the father.

I could not speak. Never before had a woman made such a sacred request to me, all without words. But when I did not respond, Rarity began to grind her rump against my belly even as my own erection throbbed below her. "You know what I want, James... My prince... My love... And I know you want it too, Daddy..."

She hooked her arm around the back of my head to hold herself up as her tongue reached out and caressed my chin. "Do you like it when I call you that, darling?"

"Yes... Very..." I whispered back as her words danced through my ears. There was so much sweet love in her voice. I could not get enough of it.

"Mmm, and I love it when you call me Mama..." She cooed as she made my hand continue to rub over her womb. As she slid her rump up and down my belly, she then asked, "Do you want me to make you a daddy for real?"

God, I wanted her so bad... It was a wonderful thought, having a darling foal with her. She would be a wonderful mother and our children would be beautiful. I spoke my heart's desires as I panted at her touch. "Yes, baby... I wanna father your foals..."

"Then let's not waste any longer, my love..." Rarity cooed as I began to straighten my knees, my hips aligning with her own. My hands crossed over her torso, ready to make sweet love to her once more. "I'm ready for you... Let's...make a family..."

"Yes, dear..." I whispered to her as I placed a kiss upon her cheek. As I did so, I pushed in deep. She let out a shrill gasp as I went as far in as I could go with my arms holding her up. I could tell she was not in heat, so there was no chance of her falling pregnant. But that was not going to stop us from trying.

Rarity was in utter bliss, knowing that this was not simple lovemaking we were engaging in. We were trying to make a baby. Her panting quickly turned into squeaky panting as she yelped and cooed with each thrust I made into her. That beautiful angel of generosity held onto me however she could. I panted next to her head as she closed her eyes to savor every caress my shaft made against her inner walls. Never before had I been so determined to get my lover pregnant. And I know she wanted it too.

"Oh, darling... Yes... Yes, my love... Mmmmm, Daddy... You're wonderful..." Rarity groaned as I did all I could to make her feel bliss in this sacred moment between us. If she was going to have my child, it would be nothing short of a delightful experience.

She was not the only with thoughts of a future family. I too had such thoughts flowing through my mind. I wondered what our foal would look like. Would it have its mother's eyes? It's father's mane? I could see images in my head of Rarity beautifully swollen with child, beaming in motherly pride. I could not help whispering to my beautiful precious lover, "Oh, Rarity... Make me a father, honey..."

My honeyed words did not fall of deaf ears. Even in the throes of passion and pleasure, she heard me and called out to me. "Yes, darling... I shall... A darling colt... A beautiful filly... I don't care what it turns out to be... I'll gladly bear your foal... I'll be a mother to your child, James... My love... My prince..."

She was so passionate about it... She has always been good with kids. Even younger foals. And her patience with her occasionally bumbling little sister speaks volumes of her patience with youngsters. There was such confidence in her voice. She knew she was ready. And I was ready to give her that foal.

"Rarity... Oh god, I love you..." I groaned as I began to thrust ever harder into her with increasing frequency. I was rougher than last time. This time, we had an objective we both dearly wanted to fulfill. I was not going to stop until my seed was planted firmly in her womb.

Rarity yelped and gasped with each slap against her soaked hindquarters. She remained locked in my arms as she squealed in utter delight. "Yes... Yes! Oh, James...! Don't you dare pull out! You know where I need it... Where we need it!"

I had no intention of going against her wishes. My thrusts were quickening, but I never fully pulled away. I began to thrust harder and faster, making my beloved squeal and shriek with that angelic voice. I could feel that telltale pressure building in my loins. I was close. "Rarity... I... I'm about..."

She knew I was nearing climax. And so was she. And she made her intentions known to me. "Do it, my love... Fill me... Sire my foal... Breed me!"

Together, we did it. I pushed as deep as I could as I groaned and all but yelled loudly as my seed burst forth with unexpected force and vigor. Rarity all but collapsed in my embrace as she quivered in orgasm. As quickly as it came, it was over. My seed was pooled in her womb as we both panted in blissful satisfaction. We could barely think. We could scarcely move. But we were happy.

"James..." Rarity whimpered as her head turned as she could look at me. An uneasy exhausted smile crept across her lips as her hoof rose to my cheek. "Thank you... Even if...it doesn't happen this time... I...really would be honored...to have a family with you someday..."

"Sounds like paradise..." I whispered back to that wonderful mare before our lips joined once more for tender kisses as we basked in the afterglow. I remained inside her for a while longer to make certain nothing leaked out. Just... Such a wonderful thought. She really would make a loving mother.

Eventually, we had to start washing up proper before the hot water supply could run dry. We helped bathe each other, feeling even more like a couple after trying to make a foal together, but as the minutes went by, reality started to catch up to us. We became silent and began to seldom acknowledge each other while our minds were elsewhere. We were in love, that much is certain. And yet, we made a grave mistake.

Eventually, the shower was shut off before Rarity eventually wrapped my mane and tail in her curlers before using a hairdryer to speedily dry herself off after stepping out of a towel. I rubbed a towel over myself before I began to pull my clothes on. We just stood there without a word as the hairdryer broke the silence with its roar. Someone was going to have to bring the question up at some point, so I did. "What're we going to tell Fluttershy...?"

The hairdryer soon feel silent as Rarity stared at herself in the mirror without even bothering to apply her eyeshadow. She never blinked as a look of dread filled her eyes. "I don't know... I really don't..."

Now that I was much more fully aware of the situation and not blinded by love, a pit began to open in my stomach. Did I really just cheat on Fluttershy with her best friend? And did I really try to get her pregnant, even if it was impossible at the time? My thoughts last night and throughout the morning were exclusively focused on Rarity. Fluttershy never even crossed my mind until halfway through our morning shower. I felt so unclean. So ashamed that I did such a thing, even if it was out of purest love.

I leaned against the wall with my face in my hand, trying to comprehend the situation and how and if we should tell her. "Should we even tell her...?"

Rarity's voice soon reached me. "We have to, darling. If we hide it, it will only hurt her more when she finally discovers it. And... I can't tell that sort of lie to her... I just can't. Not to my best friend..."

"It felt so right... But why does it now feel so wrong...? I love you, I know that. But I love her too... I'm marrying her next month..." I began to mutter as I started to feel confused on top of being very afraid. What sort of damage were our actions going to do once they were discovered by another?

I felt something tap me on my leg and looked down to see Rarity beckoning me to sit down. I did just that, sliding to the floor before she gently embraced me. "Darling... Leave it to me... I'll tell her everything. And if there are consequences... I will take the full blame. I'll tell her I seduced you. I don't want to see your relationship fail... Not when you both have a daughter on the way that you're both excited to meet... She needs you."

"Rarity... I..." I could not find the words. I wrapped my arms around her as I felt tempted to cry. I did not want to lose her anymore than I wanted to lose Fluttershy.

"Don't say anything, my love..." She whispered before bringing her hoof to my lips as she too seemed to be holding back tears. "I love you to the moon and back and I always will. But...we're...just not meant for each other... No matter how much we want it to be. Let's just...go downstairs and hope for the best. Fluttershy will be by soon. Just...brace yourself. We don't know what's going to happen."

I felt my heart on the verge of breaking at her words. Depression began to set in as I followed Rarity downstairs after she removed the curlers from her mane and tail. Once in the kitchen, Rarity went about preparing omelets for breakfast along with a side of hash browns. I was expecting the worst.

Right as Rarity finished setting out our morning meal, we heard the sound we were both dreading. The jingle of the bell hanging before the front door. And then, the voice. "Hello? Rarity? James? Am I too early?"

Fluttershy. Right on time. Rarity and I both froze as our gazes turned towards the doorway leading out to the hall. We then glanced at each other without a word. This was it. Nowhere to run or hide. With some hesitation, Rarity forced herself to wear a calmer expression as she called out in a deceptively happy tone. "We're in the kitchen, darling! We even prepared breakfast for you."

"Oh! Why, thank you! I'll be right there!" My fiancée called back before we heard the tempo of a trot coming our way. I took my seat at the table and inhaled sharply. This was going to get ugly. Best to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. Rarity then took her seat as well, only to turn to look at the doorway and see Fluttershy step into view. She beamed happily at us while she stepped into the kitchen. "Good morning! You look like you're doing much better. Did everything go well last night?"

I could only bring myself to nod while forcing a smile. Rarity did a better job at forcing herself to maintain a happy facade, although it was not perfect. "Oh, he made all the difference. I'm so glad James stayed with me. His company was just what I needed to lift my spirits."

Fluttershy took a seat at the only remaining stool by the table. She inhaled the scent of the omelet Rarity had prepared for her and smiled gratefully. "This looks delicious... I already had breakfast, but Gladesong must be famished. I'm amazed I still feel a bit hungry."

"Oh my, then it's a good thing I forgot all about the possibility of you having breakfast before heading out. Dig in, darlings!" Rarity replied while managing to give a brief chuckle. Fluttershy began to dig into her omelet, clearly enjoying it.

Unfortunately, our jovial facade began to unravel much sooner than expected. An unexpected enemy gave it away. Our appetites. I could not bring myself to eat at all as the anticipation of what was to come sat on my shoulders. Rarity barely ate two bites of hers before she had to set her fork down. Sure enough, Fluttershy was quick to detect something was not right as she glanced up from her plate. "James? Rarity? Is something wrong? Did your omelets not turn out very good?"

I let out a long sigh, unable to bring myself to speak. Rarity was the first to break the silence as she frowned at her best friend. "That obvious, is it? No... No, things are not all right at all... We...have something difficult to tell you, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion as she held her hooves to her mouth. "Oh no... Did they come back? Did the one who did that to you return to the scene of the crime?"

"Her? Oh, no, not at all. It has nothing to do with that, dear. It's...just about James and I..." Rarity replied as I felt that pit in my stomach open up again.

"The two of you? Why...? I thought you said you had a good time last night." Fluttershy said as she seemed legitimately confused. What was about to be said would surely be a shock to her, but there was no way we could hide it forever.

Rarity looked at me as if asking if I would tell her. All I could do was bow my head in shame. I could not bring myself to speak. And so Rarity spoke for me. "Yes... It was a delightful time... Too delightful, even..."

"What do you mean...?" Fluttershy asked while never looking away from us. She did not seem afraid. Only curious of what came to pass in her absence.

With a long sigh and a temporary aversion of her gaze, Rarity began to tell the tale. "As I said... James made my night... I needed him more than ever before last night... And he never left my side... Even when I bathed..."

Fluttershy watched in silence, allowing her friend to continue. "We shared many kisses last night. Many embraces. Oh, how I've always loved him... And how he has always loved me... And... This is difficult for me to say, but... That love...finally boiled over last night... He and I... Together... We..."

I looked away. Hand over my face as Rarity held her face in her hooves. "I am so sorry... We shouldn't have, I know, but... Our love was too strong to deny... We...made such wonderful passionate love last night... For the first time... I know he is yours to wed, and yet... Oh, darling, forgive me..."

Rarity sobbed bitterly as I too struggled to hold back tears. The truth had been spoken. But there was nothing but silence aside from Rarity's weeping. I was expecting Fluttershy to burst into tears. Accuse Rarity of trying to steal me away for herself. And yet... No such sounds came from my beloved. Cautiously, I removed my hand from my face and turned to look at Fluttershy right as Rarity did as well. To my confusion, she did not seem upset at all. Instead, she was holding her wrist to her chin while looking calm and contemplative. What was she thinking?

"So... You're saying... The two of you...made love for the first time last night?" Fluttershy asked frankly as she never looked away from us.

I just nodded, wondering why she was withholding her emotions. Rarity seemed equally confused as her weeping ceased even as fresh tears stained her face. "Yes... We did... Quite passionately... Are you...truly not upset about that?"

Fluttershy averted her gaze as her hoof lowered away from her face. She seemed equally unsure of what to say. However, her response was a surprise for both of us. "No... I'm not... In all honesty? I was...kind of expecting that to happen."

"Wait... Seriously? You anticipated this?" I replied, bewildered that Fluttershy would go so far as to expect us to do such a thing in the privacy of Rarity's own home.

"You... Really?! But... Darling, are you certain you're thinking right? You're...not the least bit upset about that?" Rarity asked while just as bewildered as I was. This was too good to be true. Fluttershy has always had faith in me, but... It would be unrealistic for the woman I was on the verge of marrying to be completely OK with me having sex with another mare without her knowledge.

"Maybe I would have been under most circumstances..." Fluttershy said before pausing. She still seemed unsure of how to respond, but still found the words she wanted to say. "But yesterday... While we were together... I remembered something. Do you remember that conversation you and I had in private right here? Right around this time last year?"

I had no knowledge of what she was speaking of, so I just waited and listened. Rarity seemed shocked by those words as she seemed to recall exactly what Fluttershy was referring to. "That?! But... We talked that over and... We both agreed it was for the best that we did not pursue it, did we not?"

"Yes, we did... But..." Fluttershy said before turning to me. "We never asked James for his input on it, did we?"

"I don't follow... Am I missing something here?" I asked in return as the tension in the air began to slowly fade. It seemed that there would be no dire consequences for what happening, shockingly enough. Instead, it had given rise to a new revelation to me.

Fluttershy took a deep breath while looking quite nervous about what she was about to discuss. "Well... Um... Please bear with me. This may sound a bit crazy to you since...I don't know what you're comfortable with..."

"It's OK. I'll listen." I said softly as I finally began to relax. What happened back then that I was not aware of?

My heavily pregnant lover coughed to clear her throat along with trying to build confidence before speaking. "Well... Rarity and I ended up discussing the topic of a man...being able to be in a relationship with more than one mare at a time."

My eyes opened wide. Such a radical subject. And I never once imagined either of them would even consider it being possible. "You... You're serious? That's why you're not bothered?"

"My thoughts on it were different then compared to what I feel now... I felt you had the capacity to do so, but lacked the confidence to attempt it. Although... We made a mistake in not asking you yourself what your thoughts on it were... We were afraid of what you would say..." Fluttershy said calmly yet cautiously to me. I could understand why. And I was still unsure of what to say to it.

Rarity seemed much calmer then as well. She then added, "Yes, you did say that... But...what changed, dear? What made you reconsider?"

Fluttershy sighed as she looked at nothing in particular for a few seconds before she continued. "Events over the past year... You'd be amazed what can change over the course of just a year... And...you're not the first mare he's made love to besides me, Rarity."

Our beautiful friend's eye shot open with a look of shock. With a louder voice than she normally uses, she called out, "You... He... What?! With who?! And when?!"

A much more comical type of tension filled the air as I gritted my teeth in an awkward grin and let out a bit of a groan while looking away. Fluttershy seemed equally embarrassed to have to bring up an event from our sex life as she said, "This past winter... With Rainbow Dash..."

If it could have, Rarity's jaw would have dropped to the floor when she heard that. She just stared at us in stunned silence for a good fifteen seconds. "My word... Rainbow Dash... She...actually did that... But...why did you agree to that?"

"Um... We actually had been discussing and planning it for a while. It was a surprise and... Um..." Fluttershy began to say before pausing. She motion with her hoof for Rarity to approach her while glancing at me briefly. I just sat there in respectful silence as Rarity trotted over to her friend.

Once beside Fluttershy, their faces were obstructed as Fluttershy lifted a wing between us while she whispered. I soon heard Rarity speak quietly, "Ooooh... Yes... Yes, I see... I can understand why you both felt that was in his best interests... Did you all enjoy it?"

Apparently having no sensitive information to hide, Fluttershy lowered her wing as her whispering ceased. "Oh, very. He made Rainbow Dash very happy that night. It was her first time and she loved it."

Rarity then gave me a smirk as I tried to avert my gaze in sheer embarrassment. "Oh my, you were her first as well? Who would have thought that tomboy would give her virginity to the sweetest most tender man in town?"

"Rarity, you're not helping..." I groaned as I tried to maintain my composure. The two mares just laughed it all off.

"Yes, quite... So sorry..." Rarity said while trying to regain her composure as well. She then glanced at Fluttershy and asked, "But as you were saying... You've rethought your views on such a lifestyle?"

I saw Fluttershy smile very warmly as she put a hoof on Rarity's shoulder. "I have... And I really want you to be as happy as can be, Rarity. James has faced temptation before. Just yesterday last year, to be honest. I only have the utmost faith in him now. Just look at him now. Even after last night, his love for me has not changed."

I just watched and listened. She was right. Once the passion between Rarity and I died down, I immediately thought about Fluttershy and the affects our actions would have on her. I still loved her and dreaded the thought of harming her. And she knew that. Fluttershy then turned to me and asked, "And so... James? Do you think you have what it takes to do that? Do you think you can love us both equally? Without picking favorites and neglecting the other?"

She was certainly right a few minutes earlier. It was not something I would ever see myself as being capable of doing. But after what happened between us and Rainbow Dash... And with Rarity just last night... I was starting to rethink things. I do indeed love those two mares very dearly. I will be marrying Fluttershy next month and we are both looking forward to the birth of our daughter. That alone says how we feel for each other. But Rarity... I cannot imagine life without her. We share a connection. Mutual virtues and an appreciation for the arts. And I would be lying if I said I do not sincerely love her more than I should as a friend. As I crossed my arms and thought this over very carefully, I looked at the two mares before me. "If you asked me this last year, it would have definitely been no. But now... With the benefit of hindsight and experience... I think I can... And I might be willing to try it."

Fluttershy just smiled supportively at me while Rarity brought a hoof to her lips in joyous shock. "You... You would? As in...we can be together? As lovers?!"

Unfortunately, there was another factor I had to take into account. One that I knew Rarity would not be happy to hear. "Well... Under different circumstances, yes. However... I'm going to have to say that when it comes to us... You and I really shouldn't do that again, Rarity."

Needless to say, I could almost hear her heart sink even as Fluttershy looked on in disappointment. "What?! But... You just said... Why not?! Whatever could be the problem, my love?!"

I decided to be as forward with her as possible. "Just one problem. And it's a big one. What would your associates among the elites of the fashion industry say if they found out you were in a relationship with a married man?"

At those words, Rarity's eyes opened wide in horror as her face froze with mouth agape. Rarity has always been rather pale, but now she was so pale that se almost looked like a corpse. Fluttershy too looked at her friend with a look of deep concern, knowing exactly where I was coming from. Sad as it is to say, even among the fashion elite who are not outright fops, people in those lofty positions of society and various classy circles of various industries tend to be highly conservative in their outlooks on the world. And they would not think highly of more experimental relationships. Rarity would undoubtedly be ostracized right out of her circle of elite fashion designers. The very level of fashion design she excels in. Her career would be nothing short of destroyed and I dread ever seeing that happen to her.

Fluttershy gently placed a hoof on Rarity's shoulder to offer some semblance of emotional support. I could only watch and wait for her response to this fact. Eventually, Rarity bowed her head without blinking once as she began to regain her senses. That revelation must have shaken her to her core. "My stars... You're absolutely right... I can't even imagine the scandal that would come out of that if they found out. One wrong move... One wayward whisper heard by the wrong ears... And my career is over..."

I could tell it was not an easy choice for her. As much as Rarity wanted to be with Fluttershy and I as a family, she was not willing to sacrifice a career she adores and excels in. What would she ever do with herself if her public image was so thoroughly tarnished in such a way?

With a long sigh, Rarity lifted her head to look at me with a look of acceptance. "I understand what you mean, my dear. Yes... They would never understand, no matter how I try to explain it to them. It...would be for the best that we do not repeat what happened last night..."

I held out my arms to comfort her, an offer Rarity accepted all too readily. She trotted right over to me and held me in her arms as I held her in mine. "But that changes nothing about how my heart feels for you. I will always love you as my prince..."

"And I'll always love you, m'lady." I whispered back to her before our lips joined one last time for a long tender kiss as Fluttershy giggled nearby. I knew she was watching. And I now knew she felt no fear or worry from what she was seeing. She knows I will never leave her. And so do I.

However, once Rarity and I released each other from our embrace, Rarity suddenly gasped loudly. "Oh! Speaking of elites..."

A look of smug determination set into my beautiful lover's face as she hurried out of the kitchen. Curious, Fluttershy and I followed. We soon found Rarity hard at work in her main workroom, using a camera to photograph the bits of scattered ensembles and toppled tailoring equipment that her assailant had left in its wake. Fluttershy spoke first as she asked, "Um... What are you doing?"

In her usual confident flair, Rarity spoke without once being distracted from her work. "Gathering evidence, darlings! If that wretch thinks I'm going to just cower and do nothing after being assaulted and robbed in my own home, she has another thing coming! Miss Rarity does not suffer fools lightly! I'm going to take every last bit of evidence, including this black eye, straight to the royal guard in Canterlot this afternoon and have her arrested! I'll have the last laugh, just you wait!"

Man, it felt good to see Rarity back to her old self. She has a much stronger will than her elegant appearance lets on. Now that she had recovered from the shock of yesterday morning, she was surely going to give her assailant hell once she got in touch with the royal guard. I could only smirk and cross my arms as I watched her gather the evidence that remained untouched since yesterday.

Once she had snapped enough photos to get the job done, Rarity trotted back over to us. "I'll be just a bit longer, darlings. I need to go prepare to head out. The sooner I get to Canterlot, the better. And... Did you not touch your breakfast, James?"

"Come to think of it, you hardly touched yours either... Yeah, I'll go finish mine up. I've got some of my appetite back now." I replied before hurrying back into the kitchen with Fluttershy. We both finished our omelets, which were quite tasty, and waited by the front door before Rarity came trotting our way with a pair of saddlebags on her sides after hurrying to the kitchen and scarfing down the rest of her meal.

Once we stepped outside, Rarity held us both in an embrace. "The two of you truly made my day yesterday. Thank you. It was the best Hearts and Hooves Day of my life. James, thank you for being such a wonderful prince to me. And Fluttershy... I can't thank you enough for being the very best friend I could ever ask for..."

"Oh, Rarity... Everything's going to be fine. I'm just glad you're all better now. You be careful up there, all right?" Fluttershy whispered back as she held Rarity in her arm.

"It was a pleasure, m'lady. See you soon." I whispered back as I too held that wonderful mare against me.

"I shall. And you two have a lovely day. Now, I must be off! Ta ta!" Rarity said with a smile as she galloping off with a spring in her step. She must have had quite a story ready for the royal guard.

Fluttershy and I soon continued on our way, but remained silent for a good while. I still could not believe how well that discussion at the kitchen turned out. Does Fluttershy really hold that much faith in me? She seemed to notice that I was quite lost in thought since she soon asked, "James...? Is something wrong?"

"Oh... Well... I'm just...wondering about everything that we just talked about... Still trying to wrap my head around it." I replied has I remembered her words to me. It was such an outlandish suggestion, and yet it still sounded appealing.

Fluttershy fell silent as I noticed her glance up at me periodically. As we neared the town square, Fluttershy soon turned and began to head south. "Let's go this way."

"Um... All right then?" I muttered as I followed without protest. Fluttershy led me right to the park. Unlike yesterday where it was packed with couples enjoying the holiday, there was no one to be seen on a lazy Sunday. Before long, Fluttershy took a seat on a bench and I joined her.

For a minute or so, we sat there in silence while just gazing at our surroundings with the silence broken by the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind or the twittering of a songbird. Finally, Fluttershy whispered to me as I leaned back with my arm draped over the bench's back, "Is...something wrong? You've been quiet ever since we left Rarity's house..."

I let out a long sigh as I wondered how to talk about the subject in mind. "I know... I'm just... I was terrified of what would happen once we told you about what happened last night... I still can't process that things turned out as well as they did... Are you sure that you weren't hiding your true feelings?"

Fluttershy's eyes opened a bit wider as she said, "Hiding? No, I'd never do that! I swear I wasn't upset or angry at all." She then reached out and touched my cheek with her hoof as she whispered, "I know you, James. I know what you will and won't do. And I know you won't ever betray me. You didn't cheat on me, James. I know most others might not agree, but I know how your heart works by now. What you did last night was something out of true love. And I know Rarity appreciated it."

I felt myself become tingly all over as I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. If I had any doubts in my heart over whether or not Fluttershy was hiding some deep disappointment, they certainly were not present after that. I bowed my head and even chuckled slightly as I said, "Honey... I'm amazed by just how much faith you have in me. You're a marvel, you know that?"

"Oh, James... If anyone is a marvel here, it's you." She said with a giggle and even a bit of a blush on her cheeks. But she soon leaned against me while turning her gaze to the trees. "Rarity really does need you in her life too. You've both always shown such great chemistry together. I think you two were made for each other."

"I get that feeling sometimes too..." I muttered in response as I thought back to last night. Such a wonderful experience we had. Would we ever repeat it? "Honey... Were you being serious when you said you... Well... When you said you think I have the capacity to...love more than one mare at a time?"

My beloved turned her face to look at me out of the corner of her eye. "I wouldn't have said so if I had any doubts. But what about you? Do you think you have what it takes to do so?"

I put a good minute of thought into my response, trying to really summarize where I stood on the subject. "Well... I... I dunno... I mean... It sounds like a very fulfilling lifestyle and that I would be very happy with it, but... I just... I don't think I'm ready to try it yet... It would be risky for Rarity's career, I don't know if Rainbow Dash would be able to avoid developing jealousy issues, I don't think Twilight is really looking for a relationship while caught up in her studies, and... I just don't think I'm ready yet. Maybe someday, but not now."

"I understand. It's...more than just a little unorthodox. But... I know you're not the kind of man who goes after any beautiful mare he sees. You're not like that. You only feel that way towards mares you have a strong connection to. But please, if you do find somepony who think you can do that with... Please let me know. We both need to be on the same page, dear." Fluttershy replied while placing a kiss on my cheek. "But enough about that. Wanna take a walk along that forest path again?"

"Sounds lovely. Let's go." I said before we both stood up and made our way to the woods nearby.

Even now as I write this... I am still having difficulty processing all that happened over these past two days. I still cannot believe Rarity and I did that... And that Fluttershy not only was not bothered by it, but even endorsed it. Still... Will a day come where I feel ready to try and...start a second relationship?

Maybe I am just thinking too hard about this. It may be best to just wait and see where things go from here. Who can say how things will turn out a few years from now? Anyway, tine for bed. Fluttershy is waiting for me and it is her turn for some hot steamy love tonight.