He couldn't stop thinking about Baron, her purple eyes burned into his mind and he couldn't help but smile. The night before their date at his celebration of the day being named after him seemed to be what he needed for now to distract him. Luna, Lyra, and Derpy liked her as well and Grace absolutely loved her.

"Well, just be prepared cause you did promise to take her to your one year anniversary part," Lyra said breaking him out of his thoughts.

"It is really good to see that smile though," Luna said with a smile of her own, though Derpy wasn't here as she had to go back to her house to do some cleaning up. "Which only makes me like Baron even more."

"By the way, what kind of archaeologist is she?" Lyra asked.

"She studies prehistoric dragons, that's why she wanted that stuffed toy. But from what she told me that particular one is based on a comic she's into. About a prehistoric dragon who was frozen in an ice age and somehow lived through it for thousands of years, only to be released and used his prehistoric strength to become a superhero of sorts," Brandon said and he couldn't help but shake his head.

"It is a bit possible, while I don't know about thousands of years but I have seen dragons get frozen for a good ten years and still managed to survive. It's due to their fire magic," Luna explained making Brandon give a whistle, and Lyra stare in amazement.

"Wow, but anyway are you excited about your next date with her?" Lyra asked and both Luna and he heard a bit of jealousy in her voice.

"Yeah, I am, and how about I take you two on a date later?" Brandon replied making Lyra smile.

"Sounds good to me," Lyra answered and Luna nodded, and soon Grace was up and about.

"Hey Grace, would you like to join us on our date?" Brandon asked as the filly joined them at the table.

"Nope, can I spend the night with Dinky?" Grace replied.

"Of course, and I'm glad I'm back," Brandon patted her on her head and she gave him such a big smile it was impossible not to smile back.

"I'm glad you're back to... daddy..." Grace said which surprised all of them, as none of them thought she wouldn't call him that so soon. But before any of them could react she hugged him and went back to her room to get ready for going to Derpy's tonight.

"Brandon..." Luna said but as he turned around they could see he had tears going down his face, but despite his eyes being full of sadness, they knew that his tears were ones of happiness.

"I like the sound of that, and I know you like it too, daddy," Lyra teasing him though instead of making a comeback like she expected he leaned over and kissed her, and then whispered in her ear.

"Wouldn't mind you calling me that sometime yourself," Brandon said before moving away making Luna have to guess what he said, though it wasn't hard by Lyra's face.

After that, they finished their breakfast and cleaned up which didn't take long though he hated not being able to help with his shoulder bothering him. Once done though they began to talk about where they should go for their date and after settling on the place and time they started about their chores. It did feel good to be home which he was more than glad now more than ever he had someplace to really call home, unlike after his brother and mother died where he had almost nothing to call home.

"Why you making that face?" Lyra asked sitting down next to him making him give a sigh.

"Just thinking about my past is all, but by the way did anyone know what happened to Knuckles last night?" He asked changing the subject, and though he knew that the stallion and Bird were now using the last spare bedroom he didn't remember seeing them.

"He didn't want to make a scene, bat- ponies are feared throughout all of Equestria and thus looked down upon even worse than you. So, he and Bird mostly stuck to the shadows where nopony would spot them," Luna explained making him nod.

"I see, but I do hope that Ponyville accepts the two of you sooner rather than later," Brandon said making the two mare look at the door to see Knuckles and Bird standing there.

"Well, I have no doubt they would accept Bird here with no problem but as for me, it is more difficult. Just like your past limited you in your world mine does the same in this one," Knuckles said making Brandon give a look of understanding, but he also gave them a smile.

"At least it looks like you two had fun anyway last night," Brandon said making Bird give a deep blush and to his credit Knuckles didn't react.

"Yes, well if I heard you right earlier you are going on a date?" Knuckles asked changing the subject but making the three of them nod in confirmation. "Alright, I will follow in shadows as I did last night and might I mention you must savor any moment of happiness right now. It'll be one of the main things to get you through this time."

"I already figured that anyway tomorrow is my one year anniversary here and I will not take no for an answer," Brandon said locking eyes with Knuckles making the stallion nod in defeat.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Knuckles said picking up an apple and drained it dry.

After a bit, they decided to go into town before their date, and although Brandon could not see him he knew Knuckles was there. It was difficult to explain but it was as if he could see the stallion without seeing him, and to top it off every now and again it was like he could see these lines like a rope connecting different ponies to each other. But after blinking they were gone, though Luna did give him a concerned look telling him his eyes had glowed again.

"I'll tell you later, but hey why don't you two go on I want to look around here for a bit," Brandon said giving her a little kiss and doing the same for Lyra.

"Are you sure?" Luna asked.

"Don't worry, Knuckles will be with me," He reassured them and after a little more prodding the two mares went on. "Alright Knuckles, come on out."

"Are really sure you would want me to be seen with you?" Knuckles asked from nearby.

"Yeah, besides I need the company other than them. Not that I don't appreciate their company..." Brandon started as Knuckles came out of the shadows which he seemed to melt out of.

"But it can be suffocating?" Knuckles finished making Brandon nod.

"Now come on, I want to look around for a minute before we catch up," Brandon said beginning to walk.

As they did ponies around them tried their best to give them a decent berth without trying to make it obvious, which even a blind pony could see what was happening. Brandon only caught snippets of their conversations and he knew Knuckles could hear every word. Which so far from what he heard it wasn't that bad, yet anyway as he knew they were probably saving the worst for when they got home.

"Oh, hey Knuckles?" Brandon said as he stopped at a booth.

"Yes?" Knuckles replied staying alert.

"I'm gonna go get a surprise for Grace," He said making Knuckles lock eyes with him and making the stallion sigh.

"Fine, but do not take long, and is this about what she said this morning?" Knuckles asked.

"Yeah, and I know she was trying to cheer me up by calling me that which is why I want to give her a surprise," Brandon replied as he began toward a music shop. "I'll be back in ten minutes, if not less."

Knuckles went to a little corner while keeping an eye on Brandon as he walked into the store and then started to scan the crowd. As he was doing so he spotted a cream-colored mare who was trying to balance about a dozen or so boxes on her back. Though he didn't know why but he had a tough time removing his eyes from her, his instincts were telling him to monitor her.

Which after a moment he managed to look back at the music shop and started his scanning again. Though as he found the mare again it seemed her path was being blocked by a stallion who seemed like he was in a horrible mood. This made Knuckles start to move quickly and before he got to them the stallion pushed the mare making her land on her flank and the boxes she was carrying spilled everywhere.

"Just face it, a mare like you is nothing more than a whore!" The stallion was saying making the mare seem to shrink, though that's when that stallion noticed Knuckles approaching with a stare that looked murderous.

"I suggest you apologize to her now and pay her for the merchandise you just made her spill now," Knuckles said though the stallion stepped back in fear and then started to run away leaving behind a trail of piss as he did so. This just made Knuckles sigh and began to help the mare try to salvage her candy.

"Um, uh, thanks for that..." The mare said and she finally saw the pony who had stood up for her. "Oh, you're a bat- pony?"

"I am sorry if I scare you ma'am, and here this will cover the cost of the candy," Knuckles said bringing out a bag of bits and gave it to the mare before turning away.

"Wait!" This made him turn his head to look back at her. "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean for it to come out like that, and um, thanks for the help really. Also, before you go my name is Bon Bon."

"Knuckle Shadow, and it was no problem ma..." Bon Bon gave him a look he knew meant not to call her that. "...Bon Bon."

"Well, Knuckles I hope to see you around," Bon Bon said as she started picking up the candy that was no longer edible and taking them to a trash can.

"Yes, well we'll have to see..." Knuckles started but Bon Bon didn't seem to have any of it.

"I will see you around okay?" Bon Bon said making him sigh and nod, though as he walked away he felt the small smile at his lips. Though as he looked at the music shop Brandon was watching him with a strange look.

"I see that you met Bon Bon," Brandon said as he approached.

"Yes, and how do you know her?" Knuckles asked making Brandon's shoulder sag a bit.

"Our relationship is complicated, but she started out as my boss for a time and also she is Lyra's ex," Brandon replied making Knuckles take a mental note. "Though I am glad you helped her out there, she's been having a bit of trouble since everything that happened between us. She probably needed a knight of sorts."

"I think we better catch up to the mares before they start to worry, and I hope you got what you needed," Knuckles said making Brandon give a little chuckle.

"Yeah, I think Grace will love what I got," Brandon said as he began to walk and that's when Knuckles noticed the case.

"If you don't mind me, but what exactly did you get?" Knuckles asked.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if you or anypony else knew. Which is why I want to ask if you can do your thing and carry it so the mares won't ask?" Brandon replied making Knuckles nod.

"I will also assume you do not want me to look in it?" Knuckles replied making Brandon shake his head.

"You better not, but here you go," Brandon said giving him the case, and Knuckles nodded going back into the shadows. "Wonder how he does that?"

"It's a trick that bat- ponies can do once they've made it past a certain age and had training," Luna answered making Brandon give her a big smile. "What were you two talking about?"

"Oh, just making some plans but where's Lyra?" Brandon asked making Luna sigh.

"She wanted to go into a store I didn't want to step into," Luna replied with a deep blush making him raise an eyebrow.

"I hope she's shopping for you mares," Brandon said laughing a bit.

"Oh, hey Brandon you ready?" Lyra asked as she came up with a smile of her own, though as he returned her smile she started to avoid his eyes a bit.

"Yeah, let's go and find someplace to eat. Other than a little bit last night, I haven't had anything that wasn't hospital soup in days!" Brandon said and lead the way.

"You seem to be in a better mood..." Lyra said though as he turned his head to look at her she saw something was bothering him a bit other than what happened to him. "What?"

"Well, Knuckles met Bon Bon earlier," He answered.

"What do you mean by that?" Lyra asked as she tried to look for the stallion.

"He helped her out with a stallion that looked like he was harassing her," Brandon explained making Lyra look down.

"Oh, h-how did she look?" Lyra asked making Luna give them both a shake of her head.

"Looked busy, though she did lose some of her order she was delivering because of that stallion," Brandon answered and that made Lyra lift her head up.

"Serves her right," Lyra said picking up her pace and getting in front of him and Luna.

"I think she needed that, hearing about Bon Bon," Luna whispered.

"That's why I brought it up because she still cares even if she doesn't show it," Brandon said the sadness in his eyes popped up again. "Trust me, that can make a difference when it comes to exes..."

"Yes, well she has us just like you," Luna said extending her wing brushing it against his making him smile, though she could tell it was a bit forced.

"I am trying, you know," Brandon said as he returned his gaze to what was in front of him. "Trying to stay focus on what's in front of me rather than what's behind me."

"That is good to hear, I just hope we're in that line of sight," Luna said making him nod though he did somewhat jump a little when he felt something brush near his dick. Which out of the corner of his eye he saw Luna's horn flicker out and look the other way like she was window shopping.

"Hey, you two! Come on, I found a place we can eat!" Lyra called out from in front of them, though before Luna could respond or react he made her look him in the eyes before he locked lips with her. This took her by a bit of surprise but leaned into it as well, and after a moment he broke the kiss and whispered in her ear.

"I have been thinking about that other way of taking out my anger you know," Brandon said before pulling back meeting her eyes once more, and once he did her blush only deepened as he winked at her. Then he went to go catch up to Lyra.

"Oh, what no passionate kiss for me?" Lyra asked as he came up beside her.

"Don't worry, your time will come," Brandon replied but still leaned over to give her a kiss.

"Fine, that'll do for now but I expect more later," Lyra said making him laugh.

Soon the three of them were in a little cafe type of restaurant where they took an empty booth in the corner. Lyra and Luna on one side as Brandon on the other, and he could see Luna still seemed a little flustered from their kiss. Though that quickly faded as the waitress came and took their orders.

"You know Brandon here has a little fetish for a mare in a waitress outfit," Luna told Lyra after their waitress left.

"Oh yeah, I remember you were working part-time as a waitress. But at least now I know what to be on Nightmare Night," Lyra laughed as his face turned red but he smiled.

"I wouldn't mind that, I think all of you would look good in a waitress uniform. I mean I already know Luna does, though she looked better once it was off," He laughed at once again Luna was the one who gave a deep blush.

"So that's what happened!" Lyra said laughing with Brandon.

"Alright, here we are huns!" Their waitress said and placed their food in front of them. "Is there anything else?"

"I think we'll be good for right now, thank you," Brandon replied as the waitress nodded and gave them a smile before going onto the next table.

Once she left Brandon once again felt the familiar feeling of magic traveling up his thigh and just as quickly disappeared. Though this time he had a little bit of trouble figuring out which one did it. That was until he saw Luna giving him a little wink and judging from how Lyra was acting he just had the same treatment.

"So, are you excited about taking Baron out tomorrow?" Luna asked after swallowing her food.

"Yeah, I actually am but I hope you guys aren't jealous," He answered with a little smile.

"I'm glad, because after everything you deserve to have fun and don't worry we're only a little jealous," Lyra said returning his smile with a bigger one. "Eep!"

"What's wrong?" Luna asked with genuine confusion until she felt something brush against her flank. When she looked she saw something retreating under the table making her look at Brandon who didn't seem to of moved.

"What?" He asked, with what she knew was false concern. "Are you two feeling okay?"

"Y-yeah, I think we're fine but how is your leg?" Luna asked.

"A bit sore still, but I think it's about time we head home for some sleep," Brandon said and by the tone of his voice, both mares knew he meant it.

"So early?" Lyra asked.

"Well, you two don't have to but I'm feeling a bit drained myself," He said and they could tell just by how he stood up how drained he must be.

"Alright, I'll take care of the bill real fast and then we can head out," Luna said waving their waitress over and getting their bill. After paying and leaving a nice little tip they started their way back to the house, which Brandon seemed almost ready to drop he was so tired.

Author's Note

I hope you guys enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!