Decisions Decisions

Five years had passed, since Anon had made his fateful decision, and he couldn’t be happier. Having steeled his resolve and informed his friends of his choice, things had worked out surprisingly smoothly. Not a single one of his companions had abandoned him, taking his selection in stride. As time passed and the various students graduated, he kept in contact with everybody; it wasn’t that difficult either, considering most of them lived in or near Ponyville. Hell, Twilight had even decided to free Cozy Glow, although she was placed in the newly minted Friendship Gulag near the Crystal Empire.

After Ocellus had finished up at the School of Friendship, Twilight had given her and her human lover the caverns below the university to live in. Anon thought the decision was somewhat odd, although things quickly made sense. Having been woefully ignorant of changeling breeding habits, it didn’t take him long to learn why they’d been gifted the expansive grottoes under the institution.

…

Knock Knock Knock

“I’m coming, hold on!” Anon bellowed, trudging towards the front door.

The entryway was the only formal access point to his home, although there were untold numbers of tunnels which led to the surface. Residing in a labyrinthine cavern took a bit of getting used to, yet he’d adapted rather quickly. After ensuring the creature comforts were all accounted for, adorning his earthen abode with the basic amenities, his home had become quite pleasant. That being said, being the co-ruler of a hive of changelings wasn’t the easiest thing.

Shortly after he’d begun cohabitating with his shapeshifting lover, he’d discovered how absolutely prolific changelings could be. Discovering that he could successfully mate with a bug-horse was surprising enough, yet he’d had no way of knowing he’d sire a small army of the adorable creatures! It was a juggling act - quite literally, at times - but he had no regrets.

“Yeah?” Anon asked, throwing the door open.

Twilight stepped back, as a trio of young changelings scampered out the entrance; watching them run past, laughing as they bolted towards the stairs, she shifted her attention to their bipedal patriarch. Cradling a grub to his chest, with no fewer than four of the little shapeshifters clinging to his frame, he impassively looked down at her.

“Afternoon, Anon! Uh...Do you need me to…?” she trailed off, pointing back at the three escaping youth.

“They’ll be fine. Besides running amuck in the school, they aren’t going to cause any problems. Come on in,” he intoned, motioning for her to enter.

Trotting inside, Twilight casually inspected his home; not much had changed since her last visit, though she did her best to routinely check in on the multitude of changelings residing beneath the academy. Lit by a number of softly glowing crystals, the network of tunnels and alcoves were astonishingly warm and inviting.

The environs of the hive, as inviting as they were, didn’t hold a candle to the denizens who haunted them. Not much had changed about Anon, and the little changelings were all healthy and well cared for, yet Ocellus had blossomed into an impressive young matriarch. Not only had the new queen grown substantially in stature and maturity, but she’d become far less timid as well.

“Honey, is someone at the door?” a demure voice called out.

As if sensing she’d been summoned, Ocellus trotted into view. Nearly as large as Thorax, her frame had filled out rather extraordinarily well over the years. Tall and well built, yet retaining her tranquil demeanor, she’d become quite the attractive matron - one whom Anon seemed more than pleased with indulging. Though she’d only birthed a clutch of eggs two months prior, her belly was already distended with eggs once again.

“Hey babe,” Anon murmured. Walking over, ignoring the offspring latched to his person, he gave his wife a peck on the cheek.

Interestingly enough, he’d found himself taking to fatherhood like a fish to water - sure, being a dad to over two-dozen kids could be a chore at times, but he’d loved every minute of it. He’d kept his job as a janitor, his betrothed was a tutor and diplomat, and everything had been going swimmingly. As far as he was concerned, the fact that Ocellus had flowered into a drop dead gorgeous MILF was just a fringe benefit.

“How’s my little love bug doing this morning?” he asked, stooping down to sweetly embrace his bride. His affection was rewarded by a heartfelt giggle, leaving him to tenderly caress her back.

“Better, now that I got my morning hug,” Ocellus purred, passively feeding on his love.

Though his passion wasn’t expressly needed, the additional nutrition had certainly bolstered her and their childrens’ health. She’d known he was kindhearted and caring to a fault, though she’d failed to fully realize just how plentiful his love really was. Throughout all of Equestria and the lands beyond, she couldn’t imagine a more perfect mate.

“So, how have things been going?” Twilight inquired, as the couple’s hug concluded.

“As far as I can tell, it couldn’t be better,” Anon responded, strolling over to a nearby sofa. Plucking a little one from his back, he plopped onto the couch. “Miss Cheerilee might be pulling her hair out with how big her classes are now, but she seems to be wrangling them all pretty well. With Thorax’s help, giving us a few sitters to look after the younger ones, things have been going really well,” he added, gazing fondly at his wife.

Though he’d assumed Ocellus would make a good mother, she was even better than he’d expected. She was kind and sweet with the kids, only being firm when she absolutely had to, and her love for him had never waned. He’d watched her grow from a timid little changeling into a beautiful queen - his queen - and he was all the more appreciative of her for it.

“Mmmhmm,” Ocellus hummed, snuggling up beside her man. “It was kind of hectic at first, after the first clutch hatched, but everything worked out just wonderfully. Thank you so, so much for all the help, Twilight.”

“It’s been my pleasure!” the Princess merrily replied, beaming at the couple. “Thanks to you two, relations with the changelings have been better than ever! The school is flourishing, Ponyville has a whole host of new residents, and I don’t think anycreature minds having so many gosh-darn cute kids around!”

Holding one another, Anon and Ocellus cuddled lovingly on the couch. Years ago, before they’d ever met one another, neither one of them would have figured their lives would take such an extraordinary turn, yet they couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. They’d found love, they’d made a family, and their lives were practically perfect. Their happily-ever-after was everything they could ever dream of, outshining any possibility of what could have been…