Corporal Butterscotch, Commander of the Pansy Brigade

Sergeant Buckler turned off the shower head and left the officers’ shower room. That idiot Sabre was really starting to get to him. He had been in the Royal Gardens looking for Butterscotch to advise him of the next drill exercise. Apparently, Sabre had been looking for him as well. He made his way to his locker to start getting ready for the night out. Luckily for him, all he really needed to do was toss on some cologne and he would be set. He looked at his reflection in the small mirror at the closely trimmed mane style which was just long enough to peek out of his helmet.

His mind turned back to Butterscotch. Buckler was disappointed not in Butterscotch, but in himself. He had approached the Royal Gardens just as Butterscotch had moved to attention. The only reason he didn’t stop it was because he wanted Butterscotch to finally take a stand. He had hoped that Sabre hurting one of the animals would have finally pushed him over the edge. Buckler would have given anything to see that canary colored stallion stand up for himself. Even when Princess Celestia accidentally called Butterscotch “The Smartest Soldier in All of Royal Guard History” when she thought nopony could hear, Butterscotch still couldn’t seem to get over his crippling fear of asserting himself. Buckler shook his head and slammed his hoof into the locker, leaving an indentation. Buck, he thought as he turned to leave the locker room.

The sound of a small gasp caught Buckler’s attention, and he immediately trotted to the other side of the locker room to the shower room of the enlisted personnel. As soon as he turned the corner, his breathing hitched. There, in the corner of the shower room, amidst the steam, stood Butterscotch with his forehoof just starting to coax his member from his sheath. Buckler watched on as Butterscotch’s damp mane pressed against his face. His wings slowly opened until they were on full display for Buckler to see. Buckler watched as Butterscotch’s slender body swayed under the hot water, his strokes increasing as his pink tail slowly lifted into the air. Buckler lifted his fore hoof to his muzzle and bit down to suppress the urge to grunt. It took all of his wherewithal to keep him from galloping over to Butterscotch and mounting him mindlessly until he could find release. A small moan filled the air as Buckler watched Butterscotch stumble forward and close his wings.

Buckler turned to leave, silently reprimanding himself for invading Butterscotch’s privacy like that. Besides, he was Butterscotch’s friend, and now his superior. On a further note, although Butterscotch was more sensitive than other stallions, that didn’t mean he was a colt cuddler. As Buckler thought about it, he never even recalled Butterscotch showing interest in any pony since he knew him. So even he was a colt cuddler, Buckler thought, there’s no way he’d even think about anything that I’d like to do to him. Buckler’s mind went to a small room at his house that he had converted from an office. Buckler mentally took stock of the things in the room: the stockings, imagining each color on those canary hued legs, the small riding crop, which he imagined using to add a little bit of cherry red to that flank.

Buckler shook his head as though to physically throw the thoughts out of his mind and fled from the locker room. He certainly didn’t need a sexual harassment lawsuit on his hooves.

*****

The Prancing Pegasus was almost filled to capacity by the time Buckler arrived. The remixes of DJ Pon-3 blasted through the speakers, and the sound of ponies laughing on the dance floor filled his ears. In the corner of the bar area, Buckler could see Morning Star waving a hoof at him, beckoning for him to come over. He smiled and made his way over, giving his strongest squad mate a hoof bump. Although one of a few female recruits, Morning Star had proven again and again that she could be just as brash as any of her male counterparts. As soon as Buckler sat down, Morning Star whistled at the server and batted her eyes. The young stallion’s eyes widened and he practically galloped over to the table.

“Hey cutie,” Morning Star said in an almost too seductive tone, “Can my sergeant and I get an Appletini and a Hard Apple Cider?”

“Anythin’ fer you, miss.”

“Star,” she replied, “Morning Star.”

The stallion smiled and immediately made his way to the bar.

“You know,” Buckler said, “If you keep leading him on like that, he may expect something by the end of the night.”

“Who said I’m leading him on?” Morning Star deadpanned, “Sweet Celestia, that’s one thick muscled earth pony. You know what they say about earth ponies and plowing.”

The young stallion returned with their drinks, and Morning Star made sure to place the bits directly onto his outstretched hoof so that their hooves touched for a moment. The stallion raised an eyebrow for a moment, smiled, and then went back to work.

“So,” Morning Star said, “What did you say to Butterscotch to finally get him out of his flat?”

“He was just having a bad day is all,” Buckler, “Sabre was giving him a hard time again.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?” Buckler asked.

“Well, I know that you’ve always been protective of Butterscotch.” Morning Star replied, “Even in training, when we first became a squad, you always instinctively protected him.”

Morning Star let out a sarcastic huff.

“As a mare," Morning Star said with mock hurt, "Just know that it hurt me that your first instinct wasn’t to protect me.”

“How could I find time for that when I’m too busy trying to protect the stallions from you?”

“Touche. Besides, I…”

Morning Star paused. Her eyes widened and her muzzle slowly fell open.

“You… have got… to be bucking… kidding me.”

Buckler turned around to see what had caused the look of fear and confusion to appear on Morning Star’s face. His answer lay at the entrance to the bar. Flash Sentry stood at the front door and held it open as a purple alicorn walked through. He watched as she leaned in and gave Flash Sentry a peck on the check before they continued in together. A few ponies began to bow to the princess, but she immediately laughed and shook her head. Her mouth moved, and the ponies stood upright again. Buckler waved his hoof to get their attention.

“Your Highness,” Buckler said.

“Please, just Twilight Sparkle,” the purple alicorn replied, “I just want to be treated like any other pony.”

“Oh,” Flash Sentry said, “This is my squad leader, Sergeant Buckler.”

“We’re off hours, Flash,” Buckler said, “Just Buckler will do.”

“And we call this creature Morning Star.”

Morning Star’s muzzle finally closed and she cautiously lifted her hoof to Twilight Sparkle.

“I can’t believe it. Flash wasn’t lying.”

“Oh?” Twilight Sparkle asked, “And why would he lie about me being his special somepony?”

“How about a drink?” Buckler said a little too loudly, “Hey Star, get that server you’ve been eyeing to come over here. Butterscotch should be here soon.”

Morning Star huffed and then smirked at Buckler before tossing back the Appletini in its entirety before shuffling to her hooves. Buckler turned back to the front of the bar, and that was when he saw Butterscotch.

Butterscotch’s pink hair lay nearly flat on either side of his face, just long enough on one side to cover one of his eyes. He wore the same small necklace with the eagle talon that he always wore. But what caught Buckler’s attention was the tan colored vest. It reached down half of his back and ended right at the midsection of his barrel. His pink tail had a small tan band at the end to keep it from fraying. As soon as he entered the bar, he glanced around nervously until their eyes met. Buckler smiled when the pegasus visibly sighed in relief and then trotted towards them a little too quickly. As soon as he saw Twilight Sparkle, however, he immediately bowed to the floor.

“Y-Your Highness,” Butterscotch said, “I had no idea you’d be here.”

“Hello, Butterscotch, correct?” Twilight Sparkle said, “Please stand. I don’t really feel comfortable with ponies bowing to me. And you can call me Twilight.”

“Of course, Your High- I mean, Twilight.”

With the introductions out of the way, the four ponies arranged themselves in the circled booth. Flash Sentry and Buckler sat on the edges of the booth, putting Butterscotch and Twilight Sparkle in the middle.

“So Butterscotch,” Twilight Sparkle said, “Flashy tells me that you’re the guard of the Royal Gardens? I bet it must be very peaceful.”

“Oh, yes, most of the time,” Butterscotch replied, but then started to fumble his words, “But n-not all the time. It’s not like I’m wasting Canterlot resources. There are a lot of things that can go wrong – vandals, especially in Luna’s Garden, but also poachers. There have been some instances where I’ve had to stop ponies from stealing Princess Celestia’s rare animals.”

Both Flash Sentry and Buckler turned to each other in confusion.

“Poachers?” Buckler asked, “How come you’ve never mentioned these things before?”

“Oh, usually when it happens, the Princesses are able to deal with the issue directly, so that way I don’t have to waste your time with filling out paperwork.”

Buckler placed a hoof at the bridge of his muzzle. Flash Sentry just looked at the pegasus.

“Scotch,” Flash Sentry said, “Why do you do this to yourself?”

“Yeah,” Buckler added, “It’s important that you let me know when you do good work. You need to let everypony know. Maybe if you do, then we can work on getting Sabre off of your flank once in a while.”

“I’ll… I’ll try.” Butterscotch replied.

“Where in Tartarus is Morning Star?” Buckler asked, “We need to get some drinks here.”

“Maybe she’s in the filly’s room.” Twilight Sparkle offered.

“Twilight,” Butterscotch said, “Maybe you can search there, and I’ll look everywhere else.”

In a matter of moments, Flash Sentry and Buckler were the only ones left at the booth. A small grin appeared on Flash Sentry’s face.

“What?” Buckler asked.

“Oh nothing,” Flash Sentry said, “It’s just that when I had left the locker room, I had realized that I forgot my bits bag. I went back to retrieve it and I couldn’t help but notice you were staring into the enlisted shower room with a look similar to how a timberwolf looks at a wounded manticore.”

“Buck off,” he replied, “What were you doing watching anyway?”

“I just thought that maybe you had finally grown the balls to tell Butterscotch how you feel.”

“And you thought I was going to do that while he was showering?”

“Hey, I’m not caught up on the courtship customs of colt cuddlers.”

“Very funny.” Buckler took a swig of his cider.

“But why haven’t you told him?” Flash Sentry asked.

“First of all, there’s the fact that I’m his superior.”

“Princess Twilight’s my superior.” Flash Sentry replied.

“You got me there.” Buckler laughed.

“Asshole. But that doesn’t answer my question now, does it?”

“I don’t even know if he’s a colt cuddler.”

“Are you serious?” Flash Sentry asked.

“Hey,” Buckler replied indignantly, “Just because Scotch is sweet and caring, and just because he doesn’t go around flaunting any sexual conquests, and just because he has a slender body and curves that are-”

“Oh sweet Celestia, stop!” Flash Sentry shouted as he covered his ears, “Dude, you have it bad.”

“I know,” Buckler slumped in the booth, “But I just can’t. There are a lot of risks.”

Buckler turned to see Flash Sentry, whose eyes had taken a knowing glow. He slowly nodded his head.

“You’re scared, aren’t you?”

“What?” Buckler asked.

“Admit it, Buckler. During training, you were always right there at the front during the real world experience training sessions, unless you were worried that Scotch was in trouble. You faced down everything the officers threw at you without blinking. You were instantly recognized as leadership material because of that.”

A mare server approached the booth and set down a series of drinks and shots. The two stallions looked up to the bar and saw Butterscotch and Twilight Sparkle waving at them. Buckler held up one of the light drinks, and Butterscotch simply shrugged his shoulders. Flash Sentry held up the shot, to which Twilight Sparkle grinned evilly. The two stallions continued their conversation.

“Admit it,” Flash Sentry continued, “You’re terrified.”

“Why would I be scared of telling Scotch how I feel?”

“You’re not scared to tell him.” Flash Sentry replied, “You’re scared that he won’t feel the same way.”

Buckler tried to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he looked back down at his cider and gulped the rest of it down. He finally began to give an answer to Flash, but Morning Star galloped to the booth before he could speak.

“Howdy y’all.” Morning Star shouted, “Ah tell ya, workin’ the fields makes a mare thirsty.”

“Oh, for the love of Luna’s Night.”

*****

The remainder of the night passed on, and soon it was time for the ponies to go their separate ways. Butterscotch, however, found himself at Princess Luna’s Royal Garden. As he sat by the Moon Flowers that had bloomed, a squeak called out from the tree above him. Kinks scurried down the tree and sat next to Butterscotch.

“No, Kinks,” Butterscotch said, “I’m not here to play. I remembered that my armor is still around here somewhere.”

Kinks squeaked a few times and pointed to the castle.

“Yes, I’m sure the Princess Luna will make sure Sabre doesn’t come near here anymore.”

Another series of chitters made Butterscotch laugh.

“Yes, I did go out tonight. And yes, Buckler was there.”

Kinks squeaked and raised his eyebrows.

“No,” Butterscotch replied, “I didn’t tell him.”

A single squeak escaped.

“Why? Sometimes it’s best to keep some things secret. I already get the treatment from the other guards, if I say something and he doesn’t feel the same way, what if he turns on me, too?”

Kinks placed his claws against his cheeks and shook his head. Butterscotch looked down in amusement as the little kinkajou sighed and placed a claw on Butterscotch’s flank. They both leaped when they heard a voice behind him.

“Though technically trespassing, I can let it slide since you are the only pony my sister and I know who can truly communicate with the animals.”

“Princess Luna!” Butterscotch squeaked, “I apologize, I just… needed somepony to talk to.”

“And so you chose the kinkajou?”

“No… well, yes. But I just… that is, I-”

“This is in regards to your feelings for Sergeant Buckler, I presume?”

Butterscotch’s eye’s widened.

“You were listening to me?”

“Of course not,” Princess Luna replied as she trotted over to stand by Butterscotch, “But since I am the guardian of dreams, I know which ones cause my subjects the most heartache.”

“I don’t want to risk what I have with him, Your Highness.”

Butterscotch looked up and saw Princess Luna looking up at the sky. Together, they watched for a moment as the stars twinkled in the distance. It was midnight, and Princess Luna’s garden had fully bloomed. The white petals of the flowers glowed in the moonlight.

“What do you have with Sergeant Buckler?”

“He’s been one of my closest friends since recruitment. Ever since we were placed together, he’s always had my back. And I helped him when he was having trouble with the RSVAB.”

“Do you think that your feelings are important to you?” Princess Luna asked.

“Well, I know that it would be looked down upon by a lot of the guards.”

“But are your feelings an important part of who you are?”

“If I let him know, it could make him uncomfortable.”

“But are they important to you?” Princess Luna asked yet again, “I’m not asking about how others will react. I’m asking if you feel your feelings are important to you.”

“They are.”

“Then if you don’t trust your closest friend with something you feel is important, what do you have?”

Butterscotch remained silent and turned to Kinks, who had taken up residence on his back and began to nuzzle his neck.

“I’m obviously not going to tell you that there is a right or wrong answer.” Princess Luna continued as she stood up to leave, “Just know that as long as you keep what you have inside, the dreams that you have will continue.”

Princess Luna placed a hoof on Butterscotch’s shoulder. Her body began to emit a deep blue glow. A moment later, she was gone. Butterscotch turned to Kinks and smiled at him.

“I should tell him how I feel. Or maybe I could just play it safe and just admit that I’m a colt cuddler. That way he knows and then if he feels the same way, he will tell me. Yes, that’s definitely a good plan.”

There was a small splash in the nearby lake, and Butterscotch trotted over to it, only to see three small frogs playing in the water. Butterscotch sighed in relief and began to speak to them. But his relief turned to terror as he watched the frogs leap out of the water and change shape just as they tackled him to the ground. Gods of green goo hurled through the air and landed at Butterscotch’s hooves, trapping him in place. He began to open his muzzle to yell out, but another gob of green goo covered his muzzle, leaving only his nostrils open to breathe.

The three frogs had transformed into changelings. They smiled with the fangs barred. Butterscotch watched helplessly as a dark cloud filled with changelings lowered down the mountainside.

"Canterlot will be ours."