My heart slammed against my chest as I looked to the shadowy figure who stayed in the shadows of the base walls… for the moment.

“Who the fuck is that?” Red muttered as he squirmed to his feet, still bound by rope. Ever so slowly, the figure started trotting towards us. He had an olive green adventurer helmet and matching shirt.

Two shotguns were mounted into a battle saddle, both still smoking. Red shotgun cartridges littered the ground around his hooves as he paced forwards. He kept the brow of the adventurer headgear tilted low so that we couldn’t see his face, but I already knew who it was.

“Hey guys, sup?” He asked, almost carelessly. I gasped in shock.

“SUPP?! S…SUP… IS ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY!?” I yelled, almost in tears. He lifted his head and scratched.

“Uhm… I’m sorry?” He asked curiously, not sure what he had done wrong. How the hay could he not know!?

Red struggled. “Hey mystery stallion! Untie me would yah?” Red called out and our guardian angel trotted over before pulling out his bowie knife and cutting us all loose. Everypony was shocked but Red wasn’t. “Thanks… so uhm… what’s your deal?” Red asked.

“I had a promise to keep.” He replied as he looked to me and winked. My eyes teared up and I couldn’t stop myself from crying as I literally lept on him.

“JOHN! WHERE THE BUCK HAVE YOU BEEN YOU… YOU OLD COOT?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!” I sobbed and he let out an effortful grunt.

“I… hit my head on a rock… hey, you’re squeezing me pretty tight eh.” He commented but I didn’t let my grip on him loosen even a little. I didn’t want to let him go. “Alright…” He grunted.

“So… John huh?” Red asked and John simply nodded. “So what are you? Married?” He asked and John shook his head.

“Nah… just uhm… not really… sure on that… one.” John said as he tried to squirm his way out of my grip. I realized that maybe I was squeezing him really tightly. “Hey Daring… hun I love you too but… that’s really tight.” He chuckled.

I let my grip on him fade then slowly leaned back and forced my lips upon his. I knew that this probably wasn’t the best idea, considering that the rebel forces could easily just attack us again, but… I just… my mind seemed at peace with him here.

He eventually broke the kiss. “I know I made you a promise but… can we get something to eat? I’m starved.” John asked, resulting in a laugh from Elijah.

Hours later…

John set his empty plate aside in the small house we had once again rented. “So… When I fell off the waterfall I ended up hitting my head against… probably a rock or something, and blacked out. When I awoke I was still under water, don’t know how I’m alive but… I am. So I thrashed for the surface and paddled to shore before throwing up all the water in my lungs.” He began explaining.

“When I got back to town, Ray had told me you all had gone to Marexico to see the great rock arches. So I came here and started looking for you. Didn’t take long to find out where you guys had ended up. Found a rebel posse that said they were attacked by some ponies and a gryphon in their home town. Tracked you guys down like a tornado in Canterlot.” He continued.

“The president told me he had sent you to the fort and… guess I arrived… a little late… but just in time to save you guys.” He finished.

“John… I… I don’t know… what?” I asked, not sure how to take this. My emotions were running astray. I felt sadness, love, content… it was just too much.

“Don’t worry. Oh and hey, I think I saw Black Mane heading for the border so we’ll head that way in the morning… if that’s alright with all you?” He asked. Everyone nodded, even Red. “So uhm… how’d you lose your arm?” John asked, already taking an interest in our new… acquaintance.

“Was cut off by a savage… bastards are ruthless.” Red said scornfully, but it sounded like he was scornful towards John, not the savage who had cut off his arm.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” John apologized. Red just nodded and started sharpening the blade of his knife hand. John stood up and began to trot towards the door.

“HEY! Where do you think you’re going?” I gasped and John turned to face me.

“Just outside.” He replied casually. I lept up and rushed over to his side before he could say another word. He just shrugged and continued on out the door. How could he be so calm?! He had just…

I followed him outside, almost on the verge of tears again. He casually trotted over to some nearby rocks and flopped down on his flank, letting out a relived sigh. “John…” I tried to speak. He looked over then simply leaned into me and began to kiss me. I felt helpless, I didn’t know why. I just ended up leaning against him. I let him support my entire body weight as I let my body fall into his forelegs.

He pulled back from the kiss and looked down to me. “I’m sorry I gave you such a scare… I didn’t mean to… was just trying to save Bear. Hey, he looks well groomed huh?” John asked, getting completely off topic.

“John!” I exclaimed and he chuckled.

“Just saying.” He replied with a laugh. “So… that Red guy… he seems pretty cold.” John commented, again, straying off topic.

“John.” I said again, this time in a quieter voice.

“I was just wondering… Brixie and Billy doing alright?” He asked, again straying off topic.

“John.” I said, almost in a whisper.

“Right sorry.” He apologized. I lay in his forelegs, looking up into his beautiful brown eyes that seemed to gleam in the moonlight. “Hey Daring… have I ever told you that… you have beautiful eyes… that seem to gleam in the moonlight?” John asked.

“John…” I whispered as I wrapped my left foreleg around his head then pulled him down for a kiss.

Author's Notes:

I have a feeling... that they are... (Sighs) going to have sex... question is, should I do it from John's perspective or Daring's... or both?