Of Bells & Sports

1, 2

"Ceremony and Ritual"

They wasted no time. Invitations were passed out as plans were drawn up. Bubble Berry and Butterscotch had the former, while Elusive and Dusk Shine took care of the later. Mere months later, it finally happened:

Two well-dressed stallions stood beneath a podium with Lord Solaris by one side and Prince Artemis on the other. By their sides were Sweepy Belle, holding the Ring Bearer's pillow, and Prince D'Amore Temporus respectively. In the middle stood Dusk Shine, dressed in an outfit finer than that made for the Grand Galloping Gala, beaming proudly at his two friends. He nervously glanced up at Lord Solaris, who bowed his head reassuringly:

"You can begin, Dusk Shine..."

Behind the two stallions sat all their friends, many of Elusive clients, a number of Butterscotch's more sentient animals... and about every pony in town who supported their Union... including their fillies and colts. The place was packed.

Dusk Shine began:

"Marriage is the everlasting Union between two ponies, while love... love is Magic. It never depletes, dilutes or quits, and it only grows stronger with time. Love never wants, it just is. I know this because of my sister's closeness to Prince D'Amore Temporus... my own witness to its Magic. We're here to celebrate the marriage of our friends, Elusive and Butterscotch...."

The two well-dressed ponies just stared at each other, a look of wonder and contentment spread across each face. They would not be Special Someponies for much longer.

"We've come to celebrate their love -- a pure emotion that knows no bounds, no gender. It can not be turned off like a switch or scared away by social pressures. When buried and repressed, love will always find its way back to the top." Dusk Shine glanced at his sister in the front row and the two smiled. "These two are among the kindest stallions I've ever known, and when I look into their eyes I see nothing but love growing with each passing day... they share it with us all; it inspires them both to do such fantastic work!"

It was true -- both Elusive's que of clientèle and Butterscotch's roster of animals had grown substantially over the past few years. It was effortless for them to expand, and they continued to be inspired... they thought nothing of it. It was just the way things naturally worked out at the time.

Prince Artemus shouted in the Royal Voice:

"Should anypony object to this Union speak now or forever hold thine peace!"

The entire gathering stood silent.

Dusk Shine turned to Elusive:

"Dearest Elusive... do you take Butterscotch in marriage throughout life... be he rich or poor, sick and lame or healthy, stand by him in times of trouble and joy for all your worth?"

"I do."

Elusive remained stone-faced and Butterscotch had up to this point... as Dusk Shine turned to him and repeated the same question, tears began to flow freely. Elusive squeezed his own hoof in anticipation, as the moments passed and Butterscotch spoke only a few words:

"Yes, I d-do."

With that meek utterance, Sweepy Belle approached from the side... carrying two rings on his pillow. He stopped short of Elusive... one of those rings was on a chain.

"Pick up the ring, Elusive...," Dusk Shine quietly said, "and repeat after me."

The posh Unicorn physically picked up the object, as was the tradition for non-magical ponies. He looked into Butterscotch's eyes and as he placed it around his neck:

"With this ring, I thee wed...," said Dusk Shine aloud.

Elusive repeated the exact phrase, continuing to gaze into Butterscotch's tear-soaked eyes as the chain was placed. It hung loosely around his neck... both ponies looked down at it, then up at each other.

It was now Butterscotch's turn. Elusive's ring was not on a chain, bright blue-green as was the Unicorn tradition, to match Butterscotch's eyes... what would be his magic, should it ever take that form. Picking it up, Dusk Shine told him what to repeat:

"With this ring, I-I th-thee wed.."

The ring was slid into place. Elusive tried to look up at it, but could only feel it.

There was a bit more to tradition than just the ring for a pegasus. Butterscotch slowly craned his neck backwards and grabbed hold of a lesser feather with his teeth, and plucked it out. Though it was a lesser quill it hurt no less. Wincing in pain, he looked up at Elusive with two eager green eyes. He spoke through the feather, not parroting the practitioner, as was also the tradition:

"With this sacrifice as testament, I-I promise to always be there for you. Clouds, nor wind, or snow and hail will keep me from being with you."

Elusive bowed his head as Butterscotch stuck the feather behind his left ear, wrapping it tightly in his mane. This feather would soon be preserved amongst Elusive's most prized possessions. Should it remain throughout his life, as was the Pegasus tradition... Elusive would be buried with it.

Lord Solaris now spoke up, his voice clear as a bell:

"Then by the power invested in Us all We now pronounce you United by this sacred Oath, 'til death do you part!"

"You may now kiss to show your love," said Prince D'Amore Temporus in closing.

The two stallions did so, with great passion, as their friends looked on. Elusive tasted tears, his own and Butterscotch's. It had been a long day for them all, a long couple of months... but they had finally done it before their friends and the deities high above. They were filled with joy, love for each other, and many, many good things... they were complete.

* * *

Under the shady canopy of trees, in the great garden by the castle of Canterlot... there was a reception.

A velvet cake, almost twice the size of Macareina, was taken inside by the great muscle-bound mare, and had every on-looker licking lips in anticipation. The red earth pony tugged it in slowly, with Bubble Berry wearing a construction hat right behind, Rainbow Blitz holding it up high above, and Cream Cake hyperventilating a few steps back with her more relaxed husband Coffee Cake there by her side... ready to pick up the pieces should it all collapse before it found its mark.

Once there, and on display for all to see... the guests gathered around as the two stallions un-ceremoniously shoved red chocolate into each other's maws... all in good fun, of course. Elusive shook his hoof following the taste of rick velvety goodness, only to give return the favor with an even bigger piece of the desert. Their faces were quite dirty by the end.

Elusive and Butterscotch danced soon after having their fill, despite Butterscotch's timid reservations. He did it because of what it said about about them mostly. This was not like dancing with their friends anymore, this felt much more private... but Elusive was a friend, after all, and now he was even more. This was worthy of an outward display... and their friends could all see the expression of their emotion in each subtle movement.

Beside them, after everypony was invited for cake, the dancing began. Dusk Shine danced beside Bubble Berry, who wandered the garden flailing his limbs in time with the beat, bumping into both Elusive and Butterscotch as well as Applejack and Rainbow Blitz in good fun as they all danced together. They shared a laugh as Pappy Smith, more than a room length away, snapped a photo of them in their natural state, immortalizing the moment in its purest form for generations to see, well after they were all gone.

At the end, when the skies were dark above and all the Princes had departed for their own spires (all but Dusk Shine)... Elusive and Butterscotch waited for their carriage, ready to head back to the posh unicorn's abode. They watched Rainbow Blitz and Applejack play a game of horse shoes off in the distance, Bubble Berry keeping score. The pegasus sat with his head on Elusive's shoulder, drifting in and out. He heard his life partner utter a few words before drifting off to slumber:

"I am so glad that each of our friends has somepony special... not always as Special Somepony, of course, but have another you get along with so well. That is priceless, my dear."

"Mmmm...," Butterscotch agreed, as he shut his eyes.

Elusive looked at his shoulder and smiled, straightening Butterscotch's mane.

Within fifteen minutes the carriage would arrive. For now Elusive was happy just to sit and watch his friends play. Dusk Shine came by with Barb briefly, mostly to watch the two stallions at play in their "Pseudo-Iron Pony Competition"... but Elusive heard the higher-pitched voice of Barb ask where the two love birds were, both Applejack and Rainbow Blitz pointed in their direction. Barb began her assent towards them, without Dusk Shine, but fortunately... the Alicorn was quick:

"Let's give them space," he said, eying the sleeping Butterscotch.

"Aww, but I want to say hi... and also, uh... congratulations!"

"That's easy to do in just one gesture!" Dusk Shine stood tall and held his hoof up with a grin. Elusive politely nodded back as Bard did the same with her claw.

It wasn't much longer for their carriage. Elusive saw it coming well before he heard it.

"Wake up Butterscotch," said Elusive gently.

Butterscotch's eyes slowly opened. He saw the carriage, a mere twenty feet away.

"It's time to go," the unicorn said quietly in a sing-songy tone.

Shaking like a leaf, Butterscotch hauled himself up. Elusive was there to keep him from falling to his side, and he always would be. The two stallions slowly walked towards their destination -- Elusive almost marched while Butterscotch, still half asleep and quite stiff, shambled more like the recently awoke dead. Both stallions were waved to by their friends, and both stallions (even the sleepy Butterscotch) waved back. Once there, the vessel opened wide, beckoning them into its warm, cozy confines... they slipped inside.

* * *

During the ride, Butterscotch slept soundly in the warm carriage. Elusive found himself drifting off, too. The ride was not super long, a mere couple hours... soon they were at home. Ponyville itself was chilly in the autumn, both ponies noticed just how chilly it was after they stepped outside, but once inside Elusive's establishment... they noticed a remarkable increase in temperature.

The unicorn used his magic to flick on a light:

"We're home!" He shouted into the empty establishment. "Alexanderite! Come see Daddy!"

Butterscotch slowly hobbled in beside him, shutting the door. He removed his jacket. Elusive glanced back:

"Are you feeling rested now?"

Butterscotch nodded, yawning, setting his jacket and vest on Elusive's sales counter. Alexandrite, the tom cat, King of the Botique, disinterestedly peered up from his resting place behind the counter, leaping up to the top in all his glory expecting to be petted. He was quite annoyed when he found himself being ignored by, of all ponies, Butterscotch.

"Now what?" Butterscotch asked, rubbing his eyes.

"I suppose," Elusive said, removing his tie and pants with his magic, "we do as we've always done at the end of a big day... I build a nice fire and we slip into our comfy silk pajamas. How's that sound, hmm?"

The yellow stallion nodded. With that, Elusive used his magic to help his life partner get undressed a bit faster:

"Elusive... oh... my!"

They both shared in a laugh as Butterscotch was stripped in under ten seconds flat (I'd love to see Rainbow Blitz do that, Elusive thought with a smirk. There was something... appealing about completely taking Butterscotch in his magic like that.

After both stallions were rid of their formal attire, Elusive skipped merrily to his Inspiration Room room where he removed the feather from behind his ear and placed it within a box beside the picture Sweepy Belle had painted for him a few years earlier. Butterscotch stood by the doorway. Elusive turned to face his mate.

"What're you doing?" he asked.

"Just taking care of something special," the unicorn said, smiling at the pegasus. "The feather is safe... now come on!" Elusive playfully ran through the other doorway up the stairs.

Butterscotch followed slowly as Elusive made his way up the spiral staircase... the yellow pegasus always found it to be a tad disorienting, but he made it to the top in one piece.

* * *

It was almost ten o'clock when both ponies were finally dressed in their pajamas, Elusive stacking blankets beside a roaring fire. Alexandrite perched himself upon the mantel as Butterscotch peered nervously at Elusive... who beckoned him closer.

"Well?" the unicorn asked, eying the dangling ring around Butterscotch's neck.

"Well what?" Butterscotch replied.

"Come see Elusive," he said, patting the quilt beside him. "Get warm.... do cuddle. You know how I adore your cuddles."

"I was thinking, Elusive..."

"Yes?"

"Maybe you and I could..." Butterscotch smiled at his mate in the most telling way. "You know..."

"Intimacy? This evening?"

The yellow stallion nodded:

"I... I want you to mount me."

Elusive smirked, getting up from his make-shift bed and approaching:

"Butterscotch, be honest dear... are you really up to a fleet enema at this time of night? Spending a half hour or more on the throne?"

"Well, no, but..."

Elusive's eyes shined by the light of the fire. He was now face-to-face with the Pegasus, still grinning. He gave a kiss... right on the lips of his partner.

"I understand. You're probably feeling quite pent up." He gave another series of kisses. "It's quite alright darling... such activities are known to relieve tension."

"Y-yeah."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I will take care of you. Trust me!"

Elusive continued to kiss... his kisses going lower and lower, until he started kissing his mate's chest and shoulders.

"Wh-what are you doing, Elusive?"

"Shhh," the unicorn replied, as the Pegasus watched his head disappear beneath his barrel. He felt the warmth of Elusive's magic and saw the blue light emanating from beneath his body. He then felt the elastic front of his Pajama bottoms pull open.

"Ah, ah... oh. Oh, my! ...Elusive!"

There was no reply. He felt his mate's steamy breath entering his Pajamas, tickling his genitals... followed by felt a set of thick, strong lips, searching along with a moist snout for yellow buried treasure, and...

His wings shot out to the side, feathers stiff and fluttering. Butterscotch nearly fell over in bliss, his mate required no reciprocation. This was just for him, and fortunately, Elusive was smart... he knew to keep his head cocked to the side, lest he stab his life partner in the gut with his horn and potentially end it right there.

Elusive continued working the length, keeping a tight seal. To the casual observer, it would appear as though he was nursing off his mate.. but that was no bosom his lips wrapped around. He could already taste the pre, a record even for Butterscotch, who could almost never last when it came to the unicorn's intricate skills.

Butterscotch could barely stand. He breathed heavily as he called out:

"Elusive! I- I'm about to..."

The unicorn reassuringly placed a hoof on his barrel. Butterscotch's knees went weak as he felt release throughout his entire body. Elusive was there to catch it, savor it's finer texture... then swallow it. Once done, his muzzle slipped out from the pegasus's PJs.

"There," he said, wiping his mouth of the remaining sticky juice. "Feel better?"

Butterscotch collapsed to a seated position and nodded. Elusive smirked:

"Then come to bed already." He turned around, gingerly trotting back to the comforter. "Come, come!"

Elusive laid down, looking up at Butterscotch, still licking his lips. Slowly, the pegasus got up and made his way there... completely spent. When he was finally a few feet from the unicorn, he plopped down beside him.

"Thank you," he said, quietly, as the unicorn rubbed his tired shoulders.

"Oh, don't mention it," Elusive replied softly.

The pegasus snuggled peacefully with the unicorn. Elusive took a breath, appreciating his musk. He patted his back and laid on his side... still wearing the ring, looking down at his mate's symbol of everlasting togetherness. Hugging him tight... he smelled of sweat, fluids, and arousal. Elusive nibbled on his ear.

"Go to sleep, dear... we have a nice, long week to spend together. Just the two of us."

Relaxing in each other's forelegs, the two ponies gradually drifted off.