(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

The sensation of waking up with the feeling of warmth pressed against my chest was a welcome, the touch of soft fur rubbing against my bare chest with the tiniest of motions even more so. Yet as I forced my eyes to crack open, I felt a smile spread across my lips as I stretched out as much as I could, tensing my entire body and working the last vestiges of sleep from my tired mind. I felt well rested, ready to take on the challenges I would face today. Yet as I looked down with tender love for the mare still sleeping against me, I couldn’t bring myself to abandon the warmth I felt radiating from her body. Her back was to me, her body stretched out away from me, but as I lifted my head, I could see a content smile adorning her soft blue muzzle.

I couldn’t stop the soft rumbling chuckle from leaving my throat, though I didn’t try to. Instead I leaned forward and planted a kiss just below her ear, prompting a soft twitch from it as I did so. With my morning kiss given I laid my head back against the pillow and reached over my favorite mare. I playfully slid my hand along her side, pulling her closer as I did so. Spreading my fingers I gently caressed her soft fur, enjoying the softness and feel of her wonderful fur. Although my teasing caused her wings to twitch mildly against my arms and chest, her head rolled a bit in her sleep as she sighed softly. The covers moved above us a small bit before she once again settled down.

Smiling a bit more as I fought and failed to suppress a silent yawn, I buried my face into her mane; nuzzling into her neck as I did so. All was silent, the sunlight streaming in through the window behind us, yet bothering neither of us. Sleep was something I welcomed. Wishing to embrace it once more, wishing to embrace it once more, feeling content to pull my sleeping mare closer as she dreamt of alternate realities.

Everything began to feel fuzzy to me, sleep lurking at the edges of my mind like two lovers meeting beneath a silent willow before a passionate kiss; close, but not quite there. I inhaled deeply, breathing in the wonderful scent of my mare, a scent akin to fresh rainfall in a dim forest. I felt my heart skip a beat, slowing, yet beating stronger at the thought of my mare; her beautiful violet eyes gazing lovingly into mine. Her lips softly grazing my own as she continues to gasp, her wings twitching feebly at her sides as my hands clasp around the joints connecting to her body...

Feeling a sigh leave my lips, I took in another deep breath, filling my lungs with Dash’s scent, before pulling away reluctantly, knowing I wasn’t going to fall asleep now that I had fully awoken for the today. I felt a smirk stretch across my lips, looking at the tent that had been pitched by Dash due to my teasing fingers. I restrained a chuckle, eyeing my handy work. During my thoughts of the previous nights passions, namely our slow soft kisses and my grasping of her wings, I had unknowingly grabbed and started to play with her wings joints again; forcing her wings into a stiff erect state as she continued to sleep. Her breaths were deeper, soft little gasps emitting from her muzzle every so often now, before I heard her whisper my name in her sleep. My cheeks suddenly flared with heat as I looked at Dash, before looking at the tent her wing had pitched, although in her sleep. Who knew a female Pegasus would pitch a tent prouder than a pure blooded American man...

It’s a shame I don’t have a camera...

Pulling my hand away from Dash’s now tense joint, I rolled a bit to the side, knowing I may as well get up and get ready for my day. Today’s events were going to be something I wanted to be prepared for... it was going to be epic.

So as I pulled myself out of the bed, slowly and carefully to ensure my beautiful slumbering mare could continue to sleep, I felt a bit of the morning chill nipping at my heels and calves. As I quietly made my way towards the bathroom, I felt a cool breeze snaking its way up my back, bringing chills to my entire body as I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. I didn’t worry about locking it, I was fairly sure Dash wouldn’t waltz right into the bathroom. She still had yet to see anything more of me as I was still sleeping in shorts with her around. Yet as I turned the shower on, I shook my head as I leaned against the wall, feeling today I would need to plan for every step I was going to make. The first step being to prepare for the day, starting with the best way to wake up; a shower.

When steam began to lightly waft from the tub, I took off the only piece of clothing I had and threw it towards the hamper before making my way into the shower. The feeling of hot water raining down onto my body was heavenly, the aches and sores that usually accompanied sleep washing away and down the drain with every piece of dirt or grime on my body. The feeling of the water pooling along and then falling down my hair brought a brief thought to my head, before it was gone. I chuckled as I held onto the mental image that thought had brought, knowing full well that if I so wished, I could simply ask and witness with my own two eyes what it would look like. Though if I were to ask, then I would reveal my own body, a fact I wasn’t comfortable with doing just yet. Though the thought of seeing Dash in the shower, soft smile and partially extended wings was a welcome thought nonetheless.

Twisting my neck a bit, I felt a satisfying pop, before my body eased into an even more relaxed state, though I simply let my mind wander as I began to clean my body. As I worked, I couldn’t help but let another chuckle leave my throat as the smell of spiced apples wafted into my nose, knowing that yesterday it had been something like peaches, as I had three different bottles of cleanser. I couldn’t call it body wash, shampoo, or even conditioner, as Equestrians seemed to have made a single type of cleanser that was somehow all three together. It made sense, their bodies being covered in short hair everywhere, though the proper term was fur, it was essentially the same. I wasn’t complaining, though the wide variety in scented cleansers was what humored me greatly. When your entire body would yield the smell, there was no longer the need for perfumes or body sprays.

Reaching a hand forward, I turned the shower off; knowing that the shower was short yet effective. It was amazing how much you could get finished when you simply let your mind go blank with tasks you knew already how to complete in a quick efficient manner. I grabbed my towel and quickly dried myself, before simply wrapping it around my waist and going over to the sink. Luckily, by some miracle, this world of Equines and other mythical creatures had invented the holy deodorant stick... I wasn’t sure if musk was appreciated here, but I didn’t intend to find out.

After I was finished with layering the area beneath my underarms with the scentless deodorant, I grabbed my toothbrush and began the process of getting it ready, and then brushing my teeth. My teeth were pristine white, had been ever since I was a child, and I intended to keep them that way for my entire stay in Equestria. The few times that I had smiled openly, I wasn’t self-conscious afterwards because of my teeth possibly being dirtied or yellow, rather I had seen a few of the ponies I smiled towards actually flinch. It hadn’t been made public, but the normally friendly and outgoing ponies tended to grow shy and cautious when the sight of my canines or serrated tooth appearance was seen. My teeth weren’t the sharpest of those that humans could have, but they were far from dull or flat.

Spitting and then rinsing, I smiled towards the mirror, feeling a grin come naturally from the sight of pearly whites flashing back at me, though my gaze lingered on my canines. Dash seemed attracted to them during our more than passionate kisses... her tongue roving and lingering on the pointed edges longer than anywhere else. Yet I closed my mouth, shaking my head as I turned and made my way back into the room, expecting to see my beautiful mare and her tent. That drew a soft laugh from me, though I only stopped with a wide smile and mild surprise when I saw a pair of curious eyes land on my own. It would seem my mare had awoken during my shower.

As her eyes began to rove down from my eyes, I noted the smirk on her muzzle growing as her wings twitched at her sides. While her eyes danced around my muscles, I reached down and held the towel tightly around my waist, before I asked, “Enjoying the view Dashie?”

I chuckled as her cheeks began to darken with a more than familiar red tint, before she said a bit hotly, though I heard the mirth in her tone, “I’d enjoy it if you weren’t hiding in a towel, big guy...”

Chuckling as I walked forward, I saw the blush intensify on her cheeks, her eyes glancing down, before shooting to my eyes. Her smile widened, her confidence seeming to bolster, though when I stopped in front of her, she sat up, a flame dancing behind her eyes, daring me to make the next move.

No move was made however, time passed slowly, and her cheeks seemed to darken a bit more, and I simply looked back into her eyes, a sly grin slowly spreading across my lips as I let out a puff of air. Dash stared back confidently, before I asked, “So, you really want to see the full package deal, Dashie...?” The grin on her muzzle wavered, some of the flame behind her eyes dying a bit, before I leaned down and whispered, “Too bad you’re not that cool however.”

I pulled away with a hearty laughter, Dashes eyes narrowing angrily, before she jumped into the air, hovering just in front of me as she said, “Oh yeah, and you think you’re cooler than me?” Despite her tone and the anger in her eyes, I saw the joy of the competition in her eyes as well as the tiny smirk. She leaned closer to me, hoof pressed against my chest, her voice sounding out, “You may have some fancy fingers, some muscles, and be the only human in all of Equestria, but you have nothing on me when it comes to who is cool! What you gotta say to that?”

Muscle one, primed and ready!

Muscle two, primed and ready!

Giving the confident mare a smirk, I said not a word... vocally at least.

Muscle one, FIRE!

Flexing my left pec, the one Dash was pressing her hoof against, I watched as Dash flinched, her hoof flying away from my chest and staring where her hoof had just been pressed. Yet as she did, I could only grin all the wider.

Muscle two, FIRE!

And then the right pec flexed, and Dash’s eyes only widened, before I said, “I'm so cool, I control my muscles. Can you do that?”

Muscles one and two, STAGGERING FIRE!

The feeling of, literally, popping my pecs was a bit strange, though the humor of seeing Dash’s eyes widen was well worth it. I only popped each pec twice, before I stopped. It felt strange to flex the muscles I used but hardly tensed like that. As I stopped, Dash landed, before she shook her head and said, “That isn’t cool Dom, that’s weird...”

“Then why are you blushing all the brighter, my dear beautiful mare?” I shot back instantly, knowing to her, it most likely was weird.

While she hadn’t been blushing from my popping pecs, she did brighten all the more now, before she huffed, storming past me and saying, “I don’t blush, I'm too cool for that. Now, if you don’t mind, I wanna take a shower to.” As she passed me, she flexed her wings, almost experimentally, before she stopped just inside the bathroom and glanced over her shoulders, her eyebrows wiggling in a suggestive manner as she said, “Unless you wish to join me, I’d be cool with that...”

Laughing loudly, I simply turned and made my way to my dresser, saying, “I’ll see you when you get out Dash... breakfast will be waiting for you.” And then I started to grab the clothes I planned on wearing for the day, only dropping the towel to start getting dressed.

...

Smiling as I walked to the table, I had a bowl in each hand, a simple yet a healthy meal prepared for me and my mare. Yet as I set the bowls of porridge down onto the table, I felt my stomach gurgle, though not from anticipation of the meal, rather from dissatisfaction of the meal. I did my best to ignore the feeling, the smile that had once graced my lips falling into a very unhappy frown, wishing that I could instead be eating something a bit more... forbidden. Yet I shoved those thoughts aside, making my way towards the kitchen once again and stepping up to the countertop, grabbing the two plates that had toast and apples that had been cut into six slices each. Yet as I turned and walked back into the dining room, I heard the sound of hooves on wood, and I looked over, seeing Dash step down from the last of the stairs into sight. Her fur shined in the morning light, gleaming brightly, and if I squinted my eyes, gave her a blue halo that fit her cheeky smile perfectly. Her eyes landed on my own, before she trotted to the table, hopping into a chair as she said, “Gee Dom, you know how to spoil a mare!”

Shrugging my shoulders, I set a plate down near Dash’s chosen bowl, before I placed the other near my own, walking back into the kitchen and fetching some spoons. As I came back into the dining room, I said, “I try... you are a special mare after all.” Dash, for her dignity or self-confidence, didn’t blush this time. She was growing use to my comments, as I was for hers. Yet when I set a spoon in front of Dash, she instantly grabbed it using her mystical hoofs of no-fingers-grip magic, and began to dig in. I went to my own seat and sat down, beginning to eat at a much more refined pace, though with just as much of an appetite. I may not wish to continue eating my Vegetarian, borderline Vegan diet, but it was all I had available at the moment, so I ate without complaint. The porridge, while simple, was still far from bland by a long ways. It was bland in texture, but it was rich in flavor, proof by a content smile from Dash, her cheeks stuffed as she continued to chew. I had given us each two pieces of toast, one of hers already gone.

I felt a start all of a sudden, and I quickly swallowed and said, “Oh hey, Dash! I forgot to mention last night, but today you and the girls are going to be going to the spa today. I will need to leave soon to go to work, but I wanted to give you a heads up.” I got one of my slices of toast, placing a dollop of porridge onto it and taking a bite, eating with a renewed vigor as I had slept in a bit later than usual this time. I tended to try and be awake by seven, getting to work by nine-thirty, yet the clock inside the kitchen had said it was already past nine. I was lucky the thought passed me when it did.

While I ate with a vigor to be finished quickly, I remained refined and clean, being sure to keep my clothes clean from crumbs or stray porridge. Yet as I did, I looked up as Dash made an audible gulp, her eyes narrowing questioningly, before she said, “How do you know of that?”

“I needed to buy some groceries yesterday, and I ran into Rarity. She was returning home, so she decided to walk and chat as I shopped.” As I got another dollop ready, I paused, before I cursed beneath my breath, “Damn, I should’ve asked her to make me a backpack...”

The suspicion in Dash’s eyes lessened, but she asked another question as I took another bite, “What’s a backpack?”

While I worked on chewing on my food, Dash took another bite of her food. When I finally swallowed, I chuckled, before saying, “Imagine saddle bags, but meant for my back. Instead of resting on my back, it hangs against it using my shoulders.” Dash’s eyes seemed to look down as she thought about what I just said, yet as she did, I found my eyes looking towards the kitchen clock. I was running out of time.

Finishing my toast and porridge together, I stood up and quickly went to the kitchen. I placed my plate beside the sink, washing my bowl and spoon quickly so that I could walk instead of needing to run to work. Yet as I washed the dishes, a new idea came to mind; a way to get my prank to run all the smoother for when it would come up. So as I finished washing my bowl, I placed it in the drain rack, rinsing the suds from the spoon as well while placing all my apple slices on the countertop. I did so quickly, rinsing the plate and placing it the drain rack as well; not bothering to truly wash it as it didn’t really get used or dirty extensively.

“Hey Dash... about the prank war,” I grabbed the apple slices, before making my way into the dining room. I stopped and leaned against the wall as Dash looked up at me with a devious grin, I shook my head and said, “I know it would take something big to win against you, so I already have it planned out.”

Dash swallowed, before she grinned widely and said, “’Bout time Dom! And what do you have planned, huh? I will simply dish it right back at you all the better anyways!”

Grinning to myself while I looked up at the ceiling, I took a bite out of an apple slice, playing with Dash and the time I had remaining available for getting to work. So when I looked back down, I gave my own evil stare, displaying my teeth as I smiled on one side of my mouth, before. I tilted my head down and spoke clearly, “Remember this Dashie... you may rule the sky with those wings of yours... but the spa is my territory.” Turning around, I made my way to the door, opening it up and looking back at Dash, before I said calmly, but ominously, “You can’t always watch your back Dashie... but I can.” Smiling, I gave her a softer smile and a wink, before I closed the door. Laughing as I walked across my porch, down the steps, and into Ponyville. I nodded towards passing ponies that looked over as I had laughed, many of them smiling and greeting me as I passed. Though the house was behind me, the image of Dash’s confident smile vanishing, and her starting to look nervous was still stuck in my minds eye. Today was going to be a good day!

Placing the last bottles of mane conditioner on the cabinet I turned and looked in the direction the front door was located as I heard it open, giggles loudly sounding from the lobby. Despite not being able to even see the lobby, I still looked in the direction anyways, knowing full well that there was a high possibility that it was going to be Rarity and the rest of the mares, all ready for a day of pampering... all except one. I wasn’t sure when Rarity was going to get onto Dash’s case, but for today, I already had my prank ready. Dash was going to learn the lesson of expect the unexpected at all times today, and she would learn the meaning of always expecting the unexpected at anytime, all the time. It was foolproof!

Yet that would only be implemented the moment they stepped in through the door, and I wasn’t even sure if it would be them. It had been two hours since I left home, and the spa had already received a few stragglers. I heard one of the spa sisters greet whoever it was that came through the door, and as they had it handled, I went back to working, stacking the rolled towels neatly alongside the baths on the small coffee tables. I had learned only the spares get placed on the shelves, while there would need to be three for every coffee table. last time there had been none; a mistake that was understood and corrected.

Yet as I heard the musical voice that only one mare I knew could emit, I grinned widely, finishing my current job, and walking between the mineral baths and into the center of the main atrium, watching as a group of six mares entered the main room. In the lead was Applejack and Twilight, both smiling as they talked, behind them walked Pinkie and Fluttershy, the latter giggling softly as the former laughed loudly. The last pair was Rarity and Dash, and I noted with humor that Dash appeared a bit nervous, her eyes darting this way and that quickly, as if searching for something that is hidden.

Welcome to my world, you beautiful devil you...

Even though she stressed me to the ends of my ropes, I couldn’t help but look towards her endearingly, feeling warmth spread through my chest just at seeing her; even in her nervous state. Never had I been in love with someone that loved me just as much, nor that was so loyal. It was refreshing.

The girls then noticed me, and Applejack smiled widely. She made her way straight towards me, breaking away from the other girls as they went towards the baths; all of them smiling as they took turns greeting me.

“Good day Dominic.”

I smiled, clasping my hands behind my back as I inclined my head towards her, greeting, “Good day to you as well Twilight.” Next came Fluttershy, her smile coy as she timidly looked towards me. I gave her a gentle smile back, saying softly, “Good day Fluttershy.”

Just that little greeting caused her soft yellow cheeks to burst with color, her eyes falling to the floor as she quickened her pace and her walk taking her closer to Twilight. Pinkie bounced along behind them, eyes closed as she said happily, “Hiya Dommy Wommy!”

Giving a soft chuckle, I shook my head, “Hi Pinkie.”

Applejack stopped directly in front of me, her smile wide, her muzzle closed. It was instead Rarity that spoke next, “Such a professional gentleman, Sir Dominic.” She giggled, and she winked towards me, something no other mare noticed, before she turned and walked past me, Dash at her side as she steered Dash towards the mineral baths.

“Nice to see you Rarity, and thanks.” I turned my eyes to Dash, giving her the warmest and cheesiest smile I could, “Good day Dash, I hope you enjoy your time here.”

Dash seemed to only glare at me, though her gaze was nervous the entire time. She soon disappeared past me, and I looked back down at the mare directly in front of me. Her gaze was one of appraisal, her smile wide and happy, before she said, “Howdy Dominic! I’ve been hearin’ good things ‘bout you! I want to see if half those things are true myself.”

“Howdy, Applejack. I'm sure many of those things were simply exaggerations... but what did you wish to have today?”

Applejack smiled all the wider, displaying a toothy grin as she turned and walked towards the massage tables, “I’ve been working a mighty ton, and I jus’ gotta see if yer magic fingers are just that.”

Following behind the eager mare, I turned and saw the three other mares just entering the larger mineral bath, Aloe dumping small crystals into the water as she did so, causing the water to bubble, though not producing bubbles. I felt my eyes widen a tad bit, my eyebrows rising.

Jacuzzi bubble bath without bubbles from crystals... no shit...

Disbelief was now at a maximum, thought I averted my eyes, my old saying coming into effect once more, ‘just go with it.’

Turning and walking up the table as Applejack laid down, I saw her sigh as she slowly eased herself into a lying position. I was no expert, far from it actually, but her muscles looked tense... extremely so. So as I stepped up beside the apple farmer, I looked at her as she titled her hat down in front of her eyes, before I asked, “I haven’t really worked on an Earth Pony before... is there any spots I shouldn’t touch? Pegasi is wings, Unicorns is horn... anything for you?”

Applejack sighed, before she shook her head, speaking softly, as if just lying there was soothing, “Nah, just take care though partner, my legs have been hurting a storm.”

Despite her not even being able to see, I nodded while placing my hands gently on her withers; easing my way against her body’s muscles so that I didn’t potentially hurt her. She said her legs hurt, but her other muscles could possibly be tense without hurting as badly. I pressed my hands up and along her withers, feeling tight cords of muscle in her back where she was tensest, a tiny groan actually leaving her muzzle already. I felt a bit out of place, unsure with not knowing if I hit somewhere I wasn’t supposed to. My hands were where a Pegasus’ wings would be; but it never bothered Unicorns. I continued on, rolling my hands over her fur, working on the cords as I went.

Once I had a rhythm going, and my confidence was back up, I cleared my throat, deciding to engage in small talk. It prevented many of those I worked with from falling asleep, as well as seeming to make better acquaintances as ponies seemed like a very social species as a whole. “So... how is it farming? Aside from being very stress inducing?”

I worked my hands further up, working above her forelegs primary muscles, using my fingers to feel around, and then using my palms to alternately work the stiffness from her withers. She groaned again, keeping it soft and quiet, before she surprised me by speaking, “Ah, that feels wonderful partner.” There was a softer sigh, before she continued, “I enjoy farmin’. It’s the family business after all. It is also tough... but that makes it all the more enjoyable if I do say. Easy work never was fun for me. Iffin easy, then I don’t like to do it much.” As I rolled my hands down, intent on following the strand of tense muscle down, she spoke again, much tenser, “easy, easy! Right there is where it starts to hurt... now, how ya enjoyin’ Ponyville? Nobody giving you a rough time, are they?”

Smiling, I went a little gentler and slower, though I kept the firmness in my movements, easing my way down against her legs, directly over the primary muscles. Here the muscles felt swollen almost, a testament to how tense her muscles really were. The cords here overlapped, many of them rippling when she shivered from my touch. It was a wonder she was still walking, showing just how tough she was, or how resilient she really was. I could feel it though, the muscles slowly relaxing beneath the ministration of massaging fingers, and then slow but firm rolls from my palm, using my fingers to even roll the muscles about a bit, easing the stiffness a bit before I continued on.

As I continued to work along her shoulders, I let out a sigh, before I said, “Ponyville is wonderful, lots of friendly ponies no matter where I go, many good shops with fair prices... though I must say, it is interesting to have to haggle for a price. It isn’t too strange though, when considering most stores back home have set prices that are unfair to the general public.” Pausing in my speech to work a particularly tense muscle with both hands. Once I worked the kink out, I continued, “None of the locals have given me much trouble, aside from those that are still cautious, but that is to be expected. I am the first of Humanity to ever step foot in Ponyville, much less Equestria. If it wasn’t for this job and my, well, ‘talents’, I don’t think the town would have warmed up as quickly as it did to me.” Bringing my hands back up, I began to softly work on her neck, knowing I would come back to finish on her forelegs once I finished this area. I assumed since those muscles had been the tensest, they would require time to relax a bit after the work I had just done on them.

Giving a bit more effort, I rubbed her neck, feeling it vibrate as she began to hum softly, clearly enjoying herself. I had more questions, but I didn’t want to force her to talk when this was probably a part that would be most enjoyable for her. I knew when I finished a hard day’s work back on the base; my shoulders and neck were the sorest things on that side of Florida. Yet I ignored that thought process as I gently worked on the area of the back of her head, but below her ears; as this was as far up as I would go. I only worked around the forehead when requested, as I had needed to ask that from the sisters as I wasn’t sure if that was a no-go zone how wings were. Turned out the horn was an absolute no-go, the magic focal point -horn-, being a highly sensitive region that reacted to stimulation in different ways; magic apparently having a direct influence to the brain.

Here was another part that was good to let my mind wander. As I continued to ease the stress from Applejacks neck, I thought back to the explanation Twilight had given me when I asked her about it. The horn, being linked to a Unicorns magical and electrical nerve points not only acted as a stimuli based on situation or mood, but could also hurt if it was touched wrong or during the use of magic. That had actually given me a level of interest. If, let’s say, I poked a horn that was currently using magic, it would be like poking someone in the eyes; painful. But if let’s say a mare liked the stallion, and he touched it after they kissed, it would cause something a little short of a jolt of pleasure. Interesting results, vastly different scenarios.

I can still see it. Sisters or brothers just poking the others horns... not sure if that is worse than poking them in the actual eye or not, but siblings can be brats to one another. Thank god I was an only child...

Returning to the task at hand, I returned to Applejacks withers, easing my way into her muscles once more, while asking another question, “I been meaning to ask. How is selling only apples a reliable and or profitable business? Does it wane and increase with demand?”

Though her eyes were covered and much of her face, I could see the soft smile that spread across her muzzle, before she said, “It’s a pretty stable business really. We save up them apples for when winter comes round, and we sell excess year round. Business never really lessens, as we ship our apples across all of Equestria when we have a particularly high harvest. What we make from sales we put back into the farm... ta make it simple, the apples pay for the farm an more.” She let out a little laugh as I worked on one of her hooves, it twitching to the side a bit, before she seemed to calm down, and she asked, “How in tarnation didja get so good at this Dominic?”

She trailed the last part out a bit more, making it sound almost like she said Dom and Nick in one go, but I simply shrugged, taking my hand away from her hoof closest to me and working on the other one, giving it the same treatment. “I don’t know. I wasn’t trained for massages, but I wasn’t ignorant as to how it was done either. I went to a masseuse maybe twice... but that was simply because I earned it as a sort of reward for my hard work.” Looking over her and towards the wall, I could remember that time, but there was another, though I don’t know when I had went, or the details really for that matter. “Enough about me and my training from personal experience... how are you?”

Applejack smiled a bit more, before she said quietly, “I feel like a gosh darned princess, that’s what I feel like.” She yawned at the end, before she asked quietly, her voice dropping as if trying to keep a secret, “I been meanin’ ta ask Dominic. How have you been enjoyin’ ole Dashes company, eh? She keepin’ you nice and comfy in your home?”

“!” I stopped my work on her hoof, feeling a sharp chill race through my body, almost as if someone had dropped a bucket of cold water all over my body at once. I felt my jaw open, but all that came out was air. Everything felt cold, my heart was racing, and my breath was shallow. I resumed working, before I said quietly, “I d-don’t know what you are talking about AJ... you must be mistaken or something.” My voice had dropped as well, accommodating the fact that less than a dozen feet behind me there were four mares behind me, with god knows where the other spa sister was.

Applejack laughed softly, though it turned into a groan as I hit another tender spot, the stress almost evaporating in waves from her body, before she said, “It is no secret Dom... me an the girls are the closest friends this side of Equestria. An when Dash ain’t doing weather duty, or you ain’t at work, you two are nowhere to be found. Plus... I don’t need to look at you to know when you be lying between your teeth; I saw how you were lookin’ at her earlier...”

When she finished, she laughed softly, before she added, “Besides, its not too hard to figure somethin’ was going on between you two. Dash never trusts stallions, yet we found her sleepin’ with you that one night, remember? Whoo-wee... now that was interesting. Now, you can keep playing dumb, or you can stop beatin’ around the bush... so...?”

...
(Rainbow Dash’s P.O.V.)

I had a horrible itch in my wings, now it wasn’t only because of what Dom had said earlier, but now added because Rarity was looking at me with that smile of hers, and it hadn’t lessened for the entire time we been in these blasted baths. That smile, it was making me feel even more nervous the longer she looked at me. It was the smile of someone that knew something that I didn’t want them to know, even if I didn’t know what that something was. It was making me uncomfortable, my wings twitched again, and I felt them rise out of the water. I wanted to fly, I wanted out of this building. I wanted a cloud that I could put between me and everypony on the ground.

“So Dash,” Rarity began, making my nerves fray even more as I looked towards her, putting on the best smile I could as I did so, feeling it twist from how fake I knew it was, “enjoying Dominic’s company, are we?”

The warm water around me suddenly grew unbearably hot, and I stuttered, before saying quickly, too quickly maybe, “W-What!? What gave you that idea, huh?” Did he tell her? I felt my wings shoot up, suddenly wishing to Celestia that a window had been open nearby.

I leaned against the back of my tub, while Rarity simply did the same, though much more relaxed as she sank into the bath more. She smiled a bit wider, before she said, “Darling, no need to get so worked up, I was just seeing if my assumptions were true. By the way, thanks for confirming them. Nopony has seen you for over a week... it wasn’t too hard to guess where you went.” I had been played! I felt my anger boil, though my shame at being tricked overwhelmed that before Rarity asked, “So dear, tell me, what have you and Dominic been doing all alone in his big empty home? Nothing scandalous, I hope.”

I knew her voice, and I saw it in her eyes. She said one thing, but she was suggesting another, something I knew she would do if she knew! I knew it!

“How has Dom been dear? Is he really a gentlepony to heart, or is he just that way around others? How has he treated you? Is he like a real Prince?” I felt my muzzle open, leaning forward to hope and quite Rarity down, her voice growing louder each question. “Do you like him?”

.

.

I snapped my muzzle shut, not trusting my voice, and suddenly feeling like I was on the spot, Rarity’s eyes widening as her muzzle hung open. Then she did the uncoolest thing ever; she squealed loudly. Her eyes widened, before she said loudly, “I knew it!” Her eyes widened, before a white hoof was brought to her muzzle, but she soon leaned forward, her eyes sparkling, “Dear, really, if you like him, you must ask him to be yours!”

“No way Rares, that isn’t cool to do!” I said, hoping with all hope she would drop it and leave me alone so I could forget what she tricked me into revealing.

Rarity leaned forward, looking around the weird portable walls, before she pulled her head back and said, “Rainbow Dash, don’t be foolish!” She leaned closer again, whispering loudly, “He is kind, smart, and quite a dashingly handsome fellow, wouldn’t you say?” I didn’t want to agree, but I felt my cheeks warm with even more heat, knowing each and everything she said was more than true. “Dash, he speaks very fondly of you, do not let this opportunity fester and disappear, how many stallions must you meet and not know, he is a fine one!” He speaks about me?

My cheeks warmed greatly, glancing at Rarity and seeing she was looking at me, but I slowly leaned around the corner, taking a peak towards my Dominic, seeing Applejack lying motionless as he worked. Yet as I watched him, I felt my heart racing, remembering the passion we had shared a night before. I didn’t want the others to know how much I liked him, but I did. I wanted them to know he was mine, but I didn’t want them to think I was weak because I was the first to have a coltfriend. But I wanted them to... but I didn’t.

“Dashie, it is only a matter of time before another mare grows interested, and then they ask him instead of you. If that happens, you will lose your only opportunity!” Rarity said, her tone sounding close to pleading. She sounded like she wanted me to be with Dominic...

But she said somepony else might ask him before I do. The fact that I had already asked him, in private, was lost to me when I thought of what Rarity said, and I had to bite back the anger and scowl, No, he is mine! No other mare can have him except me, It wouldn’t be cool if another mare took him from me!

Frowning, I felt a bit of anger grow in my chest, before Rarity said softly, “Dash, ask him to be your coltfriend. He can be like your prince... not like the prince I found, but a true prince. True love at first sight.” Now I felt my frown deepen, though for a different reason. Rarity read too many of those books sappy books.

“I will ask him when I'm ready Rares.” I said, if only to stall her. I felt foolish, remembering that if a mare did ask, he would decline. He even said it, I'm his mare. And he is my stallion.

There was a tsking sound, before I heard Rarity say, “If you do not ask him before we leave the spa Dash, I will simply ask him for you.” I shot my muzzle in her direction, feeling my disbelief showing, before Rarity put her nose in the air saying, “This is clearly something the self-proclaimed cool and significantly brave Rainbow Dash cannot handle, so I, the true lady, will need to do it where you cannot.”

“Is that a challenge?” I found myself asking, knowing only Applejack was the only one who dared challenge me.

“No dear, it is not a challenge, we both know you don’t have the courage to ask him to be your coltfriend. Much less before we leave this spa...”

“Oh yeah?” I found myself saying, a tiny part of me calling from the back of my head, “Challenge accepted!” That tiny part of myself groaned, before Rarity quickly shoved her hoof towards me.

“Shake on it!”

Smiling, I reached a hoof out, placed it against Rarity’s own soggy hoof, and shook it firmly. When I pulled away however, I felt a bit confused as to why Rarity seemed so smug all of a sudden. Yet as I thought about the challenge to see how she thought she could even win, it was then that the obviousness of it smacked me across the muzzle. Glaring at Rarity, I felt my face heating up, before I said, “That doesn’t count; you have nothing to lose if I do!”

“Oh, don’t I? You accepted the challenge, so it is valid, my dear.”

“N-No it isn’t! You have no proof!”

The smug smile on Rarity’s muzzle didn’t disappear, rather it grew instead. I felt a bit worried now, and that was when Rarity said in a sing song tone, “Oh Lotus... you were a witness, were you not?”

No...

“Yes, thee challenge, eet ees valid perhaps.”

Looking over my wing, I saw the other spa sister looking across a few mineral baths, her cheeks a shade of darker pink than normal. I turned and looked back at Rarity as she began to get out of the bath, and as she did, she levitated a towel to her, and then began to dry off as she said matter of fact, “We have all seen how he looks at you Dashie, and he speaks so highly of you anyways... it shouldn’t be too hard for you dear.”

Buck you all...

...
(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

Applejack released one last sigh, her muzzle curled into a dopey smile as I finished her massage; a massage that was well deserved as much as it was needed from what I felt. Yet as I slid my hands back up to her withers, checking for any knots that I may have left behind, I felt none as I went, but the added motions weren’t lost on the mare in front of me. While my hands left her back, I looked to my side, finding a sight that was unexpected, but not surprising; unless I considered the initial jolt.

“My turn!” Squealed Pinkie, her smile as wide as it could physically be, and then some. She was hopping in place, and she made for one of the other tables.

While I took a few steps back to make room, Applejack slowly pulled herself free from what many others had turned into a bed from my massages. I heard and saw her yawn widely, and as her hooves made contact with the ground, she let out a deep chuckle, before she turned and looked at me with wide eyes and an appraising smile. She fixed her Stetson, before she nodded towards me, “Thanks a ton sugar cube... I think those rumors didn’t exaggerate enough.”

Making my way towards Pinkie, I turned my head and said with a small laugh, “Just doing my job.”

Applejack smiled a bit wider as she shook her head, and she turned and made her way towards the big mineral bath that Twilight and Fluttershy were still in; the former seeming to keep glancing at Pinkie. Yet I simply shared in Applejacks smile, making my way towards Pinkie with an intent to turn another mare to putty. I couldn’t find it in me to laugh or chuckle that the proud and strong Applejack looked like she was ready to pass out, as she had given me much to think about. And much of it I hadn’t known until now that was extremely true. The newest addition to the town is seen roaming about, and only when he disappears does the Element of Loyalty.

Stopping beside Pinkie, I saw her nearly vibrating in place, before she said in her bubbly voice, “Okie Dokie Dommy Wommy! Do your worst!”

Shaking my head, I felt a soft smile spread across my lips, before I reached my hands over her, and I set them on her withers, doing the same I had for Applejack. I immediately noted a huge difference, something I hadn’t noticed ever before. While Applejack had been tense, her muscles were still stiff and lean afterwards when I had finished working on her. Yet as I began to roll my hands down Pinkie’s back, I felt not flab or fat, rather just a squishy mare. “So Pinkie, how has your day be-”

“SSnnnrK!”

Yanking my hands back, I felt my eyes widen, looking towards Pinkies face to see why she had made that noise; from pain, joy, or something else. Instead, I found her eyes closed, her ears sagging, and her muzzle closing as she let out a breath. When she inhaled again, I recognized the sound not as something of discomfort, rather it was a loud, if somewhat obscene, snore.

“The Cakes said she was awake for three days, baking and doing many chores nonstop. I can’t say I am surprised to see that it has finally taken her toll...”

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Twilight had made her way closer to me while remaining in the tub, Applejack having joined them. Yet as Applejack looked my way, she smiled before she said, “I nearly fell asleep too if you hadn’t stopped when you did.”

Glancing back at the sleeping mare, I found myself unsure of what my next course of action should be, before I looked over my shoulder and asked, “Should I continue...?”

Twilight looked thoughtful for a moment, until she shook her head and said, “It probably would be best if you didn’t... she needs her sleep, and I'm worried she might wake up if you continue... even though highly improbable from your reputation.” There goes the mention of me having a reputation again. Have I really made that much of an impact?

I literally made Pinkie into putty before really getting started... so I shouldn’t be too surprised...

There were a flash of colors from the corner of my eye, and I turned and looked to see both Rarity and Dash were walking towards us. Rarity was smiling widely in contrast to Dash’s small frown and twitchy demeanor. Rarity was positively beaming, and if it was another pony, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trotting; Rarity had a refined walk though. Dash was beside her, though she seemed almost reluctant to be approaching me, much less walking. When they were only a few feet away, Rarity spoke, “I believe it is time that Rainbow Dash finally gets a chance to experience a massage from Dominic Wild... what does everypony say, hmm?”

The frown on Dash’s muzzle deepened, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Rarity, and she opened her muzzle to refuse I could only assume, before the sound of murmuring agreements from the others came. And then Applejack laughed loudly, and then she said, “Take my word for it Dash, you will not regret it! It was entirely worth it.” Dash stopped her movement, looking over to glare at Applejack as her wings fluffed out. She looked cute with that pissed off look in her eyes when it wasn’t directed at me.

“It wouldn’t be cool to ju-”

“Nonsense darling!” I then watched with a bit of humor as Rarity threw her foreleg over Dash’s shoulders, and then began to somewhat forcibly lead her closer to me, each step bringing her closer. Rarity looked towards Dash, whispering something into her ear that brought a bright red blush to her cheeks, and I felt something ‘click’ in my head. Rarity took my false confession to heart, and she spoke with Dash... either on the way here or during that short time they were in the baths.

Moving away from them and towards the first massage table, I felt my grin widen, before I turned around and saw the two mares once again moving; one towards me and the other towards the larger mineral bath. Yet as she made her way towards the table I was standing beside, Applejack called over, “Say Dom, maybe you should give extra care this time...”

Despite the teasing tone, or the way Dash looked up at me, I saw the discomfort in her gaze as her feathers ruffled again, her ears partially laying back. She almost looked like she was pleading for this to be over quickly and painless, and just seeing that in her eyes, I couldn’t help but soften my smirk into a gentle smile, giving Dash as subtle a nod as I could while saying, “Anything for a friend.”

What did those two discuss...?

While Dash placed a hoof onto the table, I found her nervous gaze looking up into my own, and I couldn’t help but remember the night before where her eyes had held passion instead. Yet as she looked up, she cleared her throat, before she said, almost like she was making a point, “You are the first stallion that has been allowed to touch me... you should count yourself lucky...”

Feeling the soft smile grow into the smirk from earlier, I chuckled a bit deeper than usual, before I gave her a coy look, “It isn’t luck, my fair mare...”

That response not only got me a glare from her, but also the loud raucous laughter of those present. I glanced over to see Aloe actually covering her muzzle as she seemed to try and stifle her giggles.

Dash hopped up onto the table, before she eased herself into a position that I know wasn’t comfortable for her; her wings twitched every other few seconds. So when I did drop my smile, it was entirely because I didn’t like her feeling this exposed. I leaned forward and said as softly as I could, “Hey, Dash... just relax... it will be ok...”

She turned her head towards me, and as I set my hands onto her back, her wings flexed into a half extended position, before they resettled entirely, and she offered only a weak smile, before she closed her eyes. They say if you treat yourself to something rarely, it is special, but if you do something that is usually special so often, that it gets old. Well. I give Dash a lot of massages, and I suppose now I could change it into something that was unique, but special still in its own way. My hands moved on their own, roving across her back and over her primary muscles, working them the same way I had for Applejack; firm and solid to ease any tenseness from her muscles. Yet as I pressed my palms against her back, I didn’t just pull away or twist my hands out, I trailed my fingers away from the spot I worked on, knowing full well I was going to be leaving trails of sensitivity where I touched. Yet as I did just that, I kept a close eye on where I was going, making sure to overlap just enough that I wouldn’t miss a single inch of her body.

Each hand roll and successive drag of my fingers across her body sent not only pleasured shivers racing through her body, or even a smile that grew wider with not only every second, but instead memories for me that I had earned over my time here in Equestria. From the first time I was flying my jet in Equestria, fighting to end the life of another, to the suspicious yet friendly conversations afterwards. The craziness that had ensued in the hospital those few days we were there, all the way to the departure to an even crazier town. None of the mythological craziness I had heard about has happened yet, but the stay here was just as crazy, each day a new adventure.

Our first kiss, the awkwardness and strangeness of Dash being my own personal stalker, to her slowly becoming my best friend. Yet even after everything, she didn’t stop there. No, far from it. I could remember each detail painfully clear, to the forced make out sessions slowly becoming more passionate and willing, and even the brief pockets of information that I had gained and then used against my fair mare. Each day had its own highlights, its own cons, but each and every day I was granted a memory of this imperfect mare, with her perfect traits.

My hands roved dangerously close to her wings, but I simply circled them, straining to get as close as I dared without actually touching them or seeming obvious. From jet pilot all the way to a masseuse and personal slave for this one mare...

I still wish I had a camera though.

The soft smile on Dash’s muzzle began to waver, her wings twitching once more, and her eyes sliding open. She didn’t look at me, but she flared her wing that was facing me and swatted my hands away, before she began to sit up. the soft conversation that had been audible from the mineral bath from before hushed up rather quickly, and Dash turned to face me, her violet eyes showing a tired embarrassment, before she reached forward and wrapped her hooves around my back, her muzzle sliding against my cheek and on the opposite side so that the others were looking at my face instead.

Dash let out a sigh, and I wrapped my own arms around her back, pulling her against me as her own hooves tightened around my back. Yet when she shifted her head a bit, she said in a low whisper, “It’s time to come clean Dom...”

I waited, feeling my heart skip a beat as she said that. I hadn’t ever assumed I would ever hear those words come from her lips, much less thought of the possibilities. It was so sudden, that I had asked a bit in surprise, “Are... are you sure Dash?”

Dash nodded her head, before she said a bit quieter, “Yeah... not like I have a choice though...”

Before I could ponder what she meant, I felt her pull away from the hug, and I looked over to see her eyes close as she pressed her lips flush against my own, her hooves tightening against my neck to deepen the passion. My heart skipped a few beats, my face felt full of additional heat, before I felt her pulling away so soon. As I looked into the eyes of my mare, I saw her eyes crack open, her eyes shining as her hooves slid away from my neck, and pressed against my shoulders. I found myself smiling widely, looking into those deep brave eyes of hers, and I slid my hands to her cheeks, before I said quietly, “I love you, my beautiful mare...”

Her smile widened as she blushed in such an adorable manner, and she leaned forward, though she only pressed her nose against my own as she stared deeply into my hazel brown eyes. She gave a soft breath, the heat washing against my lips as she said, “I love you too dude.” Her eyes fell, before she pulled away a few inches, and said just as quietly, “I guess I will see you in a few days...”

When she said that, I felt her hooves slide away from my shoulders, her wings opened wide, before she turned and flew straight out of the spa, a rainbow colored streak leaving the only trail to be seen. I heard a few whispers, before the sound of a less than subtle giggle reached my ears. I didn’t bother trying to listen to what was being said, the only thing I knew was today history had been made. Made by Dash and I.

Glancing over towards the bath, I saw the other mares staring intently at me, all with varying levels of blushes and smiles on their faces; though when I looked over towards them, even the normally shy and reserved Fluttershy began to giggle, and I knew without a doubt, gossip was about to spread through town like a wildfire during a drought. Today history may have been made, but today was going to be the start of so many rumors as well.

Turning and making my way past to the reception area, I stopped and looked over the counter, before asking Lotus, “Would it be alright if I take an early break today,” taking another brief glance at the mares in the main mineral bath, I felt my cheeks heat up a bit more as they burst into more giggles, “I need to get some air.”

She opened her muzzle to say something, and it was then her sister pranced over, before whispering into her sister’s ear. Instantly, it seemed the news had spread, with so few words, and now I had the curious and somewhat bubbly smile the others had looking back at me. Lotus smiled as she nodded, before she said, “Take as much time as you need.”

“And congratulations Mr. Wild.” Aloe finished, and I gave a small smile as I quickly turned around, and left for some needed air...

Author's Note

Hello everyone, and welcome back, a week after I had posted chapter 18! I bet all of you thought I was bullshitting when I said chap 19 was going to be longer than the one before it, huh? Well, even if you didn't, I must apologize, as after I gave this here chapter to my Editor, he... well, he improved it, but the end result wasn't at 10k words; I promise it was before he got his hands on it though!

Either way, hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Now, time for me to work on chap 20... unfortunately, I hit a little block, and it is still at 2.4k words. Hopefully though, now that I have discussed some issues with my editor, that number will increase, and drastically.

If any of you are waiting for updates to Crash Course or Luna's Week Off, I will apologize, as those stories are currently not getting any love from me, though Crash Course is of course, having ideas pop up to me, so it is being written bit by bit. LWO however... not so much...