Author's Note

Chapter two! yay
Just a warning, shipping ahead. Expect LyraBon and slight OctaScratch... or ScratchTavia... or however the flying f**k they call it.
Hope you like it!

The evening

“Yeah, sure! Why not?” Lyra Heartstrings said with a big smile on her face.

“WHAT?!” Said Bon Bon staring at her girlfriend while Derpy bounced up and down saying “Thank you” every time she went up.

“Would you excuse us for a moment?” Bon Bon said with a nervous smile as she dragged away the now confused mint green unicorn away. Once inside the house, Bon Bon asked “What the hay are you doing?” with an angry look.

“What’s the matter babe?” Lyra asked.

“What’s the matter?” Bon Bon’s expression was one of shock and a bit of anger. “Have you forgotten already? We are super busy today! Octavia is coming home today to talk with you about the upcoming show remember? AND! I have to come up with some new flavor for this year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve! We can’t be babysitting!”

“But Dinky is an angel. She won’t be any problem, in fact, maybe she could even help you with the new flavor thingy” Lyra smiled widely but Bon Bon didn’t return the gesture.

“You said the same thing about Sweetie Belle that one time Rarity had to make an emergency trip to Canterlot. AND SHE ALMOST BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE!” The cream colored girl threw her arms up in the air to emphasize her point.

Lyra waved a hand dismissively “Details, details” she said “Besides, Sweetie Belle and Dinky are totally different. Dinky always helps her mom in the kitchen making muffins” Bon Bon was about to talk but Lyra put a finger on her lips to silence her “I know muffins and candies are two completely different things, but my point is Dinky has experience cooking. She already knows about this so she could be useful.”

Bon Bon stood there in complete silence, thinking hard about a good reason to say no, but before she could think of anything Lyra talked again “If being alone with Dinky scares you, she can be with me and Octavia. Derpy told me she loves the music we make so there should be no problem”

“It’s not that it scares me” Bon Bon mumbled loud enough for Lyra to hear “It’s just that…” she fell silent again.

Lyra finally understood the reason behind all of this “Is it the whole children-are-scared-of-me thing again?”

Bon Bon’s ears flattened against her head and she silently nodded.

Lyra hugged her girlfriend and kissed her in the forehead “Baby, I already told you, it’s not like that. Sure, you do wear a grumpy face way too often, and may scare some people away. But as soon as they get to know you they realize that’s just the way you look on the outside. All of our friends love you and you know fully well that I adore you. You are my precious honey flavored candy.”

The hug continued for a while and slowly the tension Bon Bon felt melted away as she returned the gesture. “Thanks Lyra. I don’t know what I’d do without you” Bon Bon said smiling “Only one thing though”

“What is it hon?”

“Don’t use that kind of corny language ever again. It’s embarrassing.”

“No promises” Lyra laughed and she let go of her lover. “So, what do you say? Wanna play babysitter?”

After a short silence Bon Bon agreed “But only on one condition” she said with a serious look on her face “If she’s too much to handle for me, you are taking care of her for the whole evening without me. Got it?”

“Aye aye captain!” Lyra saluted and ran out of the door to tell the Hooves family.

“I can’t thank you enough!” Derpy’s voice came from the front of the house.

“No problem Derpy” Lyra answered “Anything for a good friend such as you”

Derpy hugged Lyra with enough strength to squeeze out all the air Lyra had in her lungs and said “I’m so going to repay you somehow, I’ll think about it while I’m working!”

Sparkler stepped in and tapped her mom’s shoulder “Uh mom, did you know that air is VERY important to stay alive?

Derpy looked at her daughter confused “What does that has to do with anything Sparks?” Sparkler pointed at Lyra, and when Derpy turned her head around she noticed that the usually mint green face of her friend was now purple. “Oh my Lyra, are sure you are feeling okay to take care of Dinky?” Her older daughter faceplamed while the younger laughed uncontrollably.

With the little air she had left, Lyra managed to say “As soon as I’m able to breathe again, I’m sure I’ll be fine”

“Oh, okay” Derpy let go of her friend and turned around to look at Dinky “Now behave and do whatever Lyra and Bon Bon tell you little muffin” She kissed her on the forehead “I’ll do my best to deliver everything really fast so we can have that amazing dinner I promised you”

“Don’t worry mom. I’ll be fine” Dinky hugged her mother “Take care”

“I will” Derpy smiled and took off the ground “See you all later”

“Bye mom” both girls waved as their mother made her way towards Cloudsdale.

“Well, I have to go as well” Sparkler said “See you later Dinks”

“See you later sis” Dinky stretched her arm and closed her hand forming a fist “Sisfist!”

Sparkler rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless and fist bumped her sister “Sisfist. See ya later Lyra and Bon Bon”

“Bye Sparks” Lyra said, her lungs filled with delicious air once again “Good luck with that college thing” Lyra went closer to Dinky and kneeled before her “I still have some free time until Tavi arrives. So what do you wanna do kiddo?” Lyra asked smiling widely.

Dinky touched her chin with her index finger and thought about it for a second “Do you know how to play hide and seek?”

Lyra snickered and ruffled Dinky’s hair “I sure do”

***later***

Bon Bon was in the kitchen working on the new flavor when she heard someone knocking on the door. “That must be Octavia” she thought while walking towards the door. She looked through the peephole and saw Octavia standing in front of the door along with someone else she couldn’t quite distinguish. Without thinking much of it, she opened the door.

“Good evening Bon Bon. How nice it is to see you again” Octavia said in her usual elegant manner. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, just fine Octavia” Bon Bon smiled slightly “Working on a new flavor for this year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Bon Bon peered over Octavia’s shoulder just to have a better look at the unknown guest. As soon as she saw that unique wild blue colored hair, she knew who it was. “And hello to you too Vinyl Scratch”

Vinyl took a step forward “What’s with the formalities? C’mon Bonnie, I already told you a hundred times, Vinyl is just fine” The DJ said and went straight for a hug which caught Bon Bon by surprise.

Octavia was also shocked at first, but her shock was soon replaced by anger “Vinyl Record Scratch! What are you doing?”

Vinyl turned her head around and simply answered “I’m hugging a friend. That’s a way to say hi too you know?” A smile crept on the DJ’s face “Could it be you are jealous Octy?” She said in a teasing tone

“Don’t be ridiculous. All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t act like that with everyone you meet. Some people like to have their personal space.”

Bon Bon snapped out of it and said “No, no. It’s okay. I just wasn’t ready for that. This is just the… third or fourth time we’ve meet. I didn’t thought you saw me as a friend”

“Of course I do” Vinyl smiled “You are Lyra’s partner after all and Lyra is a good friend of mine. So that means you are also a good friend of mine”

Bon Bon smiled at this. “Well thanks. I appreciate it” A slight blush appeared on the cream colored girl.

“No problems Bonnie” Vinyl said while patting her on the shoulder. “Where’s Lyra by the way?”

“Oh, she’s playing hide and seek with a friend’s daughter” Bon Bon let out a nervous laugh and scratched the back of her head “We have to take care of her until nightfall. I hope that’s not a problem for you”

“Nah, it’s okay.” Vinyl said still smiling

“No problems with me either.” Octavia said “I like children… as long as they behave themselves” Octavia’s smile dropped a bit when she said that.

“Well, come on in” Bon Bon stepped out of the way to let them in “I’ll look for Lyra, you two just get comfortable”

While the two guests made their way towards the living room, Bon Bon started looking around for Lyra. She looked in their bedroom, in the bathroom, all of the upper floor and through the windows but she couldn’t find them. Anger rising, she decided to look for them in the basement. Reaching the stairs she could hear both of their voices. “Weren’t they playing hide and seek?” she thought and when she went down a couple of steps she saw them, waving two old broomsticks like swords.

“You’ll never defeat me foolish knight Sir Dinkylot” Lyra said in a low raspy voice “This kingdom will be mine! I’ll be the new king and all of your people will have to bow before me! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“Not if I can do something about it, you evil sorcerer” Dinky said doing her best to sound like a stallion.

Bon Bon just stared at the two of them like she was in some kind of trance, a smile growing inch by inch on her face as the “furious battle” went on before her eyes.

Finally, with lightning speed Dinky dodged one of Lyra’s attacks and gave the mint green unicorn a lethal strike to her side. Lyra stood still for a moment before falling to her knees and collapsing to the floor in a dramatic manner. Laying on the floor she slowly raised her hand towards Dinky “You have bested me brave knight Dinkylot, and you have set my soul free at last.”

Dinky gasped “Were you under some kind of mental control?”

Lyra coughed “Yes, I was. But you stopped me. I can’t thank you enough for that. Please, brave knight, promise me you’ll take care of this country. Promise me you’ll be a fair king and that you’ll take care of all the people that live here. Please.”

Dinky held Lyra’s hand and said “I swear upon my honor as a knight that I’ll be the greatest, most awesome king there’s ever been”

Bon Bon and Lyra both snickered at Dinky’s choice of words and after some seconds of silence, Lyra’s arm went limp and she slowly closed her eyes.

Bon Bon started applauding without even thinking about it. This startled both Lyra and Dinky, especially Lyra, whom stood up in an instant, her face as red as a tomato. “H-Hey hun. What’s up?” Lyra laughed nervously “H-ho-how much did you see”

Bon Bon was trying with all of her might not to start laughing out loud, when she regained her composure a bit she said “Enough to say that you should seriously consider acting as your second job sweetie”

Lyra’s face became redder and brighter as Bon Bon couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. The laughter proved contagious as Dinky soon joined the pink-and-blue haired woman. Once the laughter finally died down Bon Bon remembered the reason why she was looking for Lyra in the first place. “Oh, I totally forgot, Octavia is here along with Vinyl”

“Really?” Lyra said “Wow, time flew by while we were playing.” Lyra said smiling “But wait, why is Vinyl here? I thought the show was going to be just Tavi, the ensemble and me”

Bon Bon shrugged “I don’t know, go and ask them. Maybe she just wants to accompany her”

“Yeah that must be it” Lyra said and looked at Dinky “Hey, I’m going to go talk to my friends now. Wanna come with me or do you wanna go with Bonnie? She’s working on a new flavor for her candies, and your mom told me you are a great helper at the kitchen”

Dinky smiled “Is it okay if I go with you Miss Bon Bon?” she said looking at Bon Bon

Bon Bon felt pressure on her heart, how could she say no to that face. But the last time she allowed a child in her kitchen they almost lost their house.

Seeing the doubt on Bon Bon’s face Dinky walked closer to her “I promise to stay quiet and only do what you tell me to do and talk only when you allow me to.” And then she used the puppy eyes.

Bon Bon felt her heart melt away as she said the word “Okay” without even realizing.

Lyra saw the whole scene play with amusement and then saw them both walk towards the kitchen and after a short laugh she made her way towards the living room to welcome her two friends.

***meanwhile***

“Here you go Derpy, the list of all the deliveries you have to make today” A rather large pegasus male said while moving the cigar he held in his mouth from left to right.

“Wow” Derpy saw how long the list was “So many” she whispered and felt cold sweat running down her face. “Uh boss, I know you told me it was going to be a lot but I never thought it would be this much”

The rather large man just stared at her with an neutral expression “So?” he said “You can’t back off now Derpy, you screwed up and you have to repay for it. It’s always been like that and it always will. If you have problems keeping up because of your condition then you can quit the job for all I care”

Derpy felt pain and anger mix inside of her. Why did he always have to bring that up? It almost looked like he wanted her to quit. Every time he could, he would say that exact same line. Gritting her teeth she responded “No boss, I can do it. I’ll start immediately”

“Well then, what the hay are you waiting for? GO!” He said and pulled out a newspaper pretending to read the news while fact he was just hiding his grin.

Derpy grabbed all the packages she could and walked out of the door still grinding her teeth and with tears in her eyes. She was so focused on getting out of there she fast she bumped into someone without noticing “Oh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking” She said

“Yeah, I kinda realized that already Derpy” the pegasus girl said

Derpy opened her eyes and saw a yellow skinned green haired pegasus lying on the ground “RAINDROPS!” She screamed with joy “What are you doing here; you have to work on Saturdays too?”

“Nah” Raindrops waved a hand dismissively and stood up from the ground with Derpy’s help “I heard you had to do some extra work so I wanted to check on…” Raindrops then saw the tears on Derpy’s eyes.

Derpy quickly looked away but it was too late, Raindrops already knew.

“He’s mistreating you again isn’t he?” Raindrops tone was one of poorly disguised anger. When Derpy didn’t respond Raindrops talked again “Celestia dammit Derpy! Why are you still working for that guy?! Seriously! I can’t stand seeing you like this, and you are lucky neither Rainbow Dash nor Cloudkicker are here with me, ‘cause you know fully well those two would just go in there and kick that guy’s butt until he begs for mercy.”

Derpy just stared at her feet “But, this is the only thing I do sort of right. All the other things I tried to do always end up affecting everybody else like what happened with the town hall” Derpy started sniffing, tears rolling down her cheeks and her voice cracking as she kept talking “I’m just a mess up, everything I do, I do it wrong.”

Raindrops hugged her friend tightly and said with a gentle tone “You are not a mess up Derpy; you make mistakes just like everyone else. Even Celestia and Luna make mistakes every now and then. And even if you mess up a lot of things there’s one thing I know for sure you do great” Raindrops pushed Derpy’s face upwards so that she would look at her eyes “And that’s being a mother. You are one of the most caring and loving mothers I’ve seen in my life. So stop believing and saying all of this nonsense about yourself. You are a great mother and a wonderful person.” Raindrops broke the hug and put her hands on her thighs “And since you are such a wonderful friend, I’ll help you with the delivers so that you can be done in a jiffy and you can go back to be the awesome mom you are” Raindrops winked and grabbed some of the packages Derpy dropped to the floor

Derpy was uneasy about this “Are you sure Rain? I mean, I really appreciate it but didn’t you have to help Cloudchaser and Flitter prepare Thunderlane’s surprise party today?”

Raindrops perked up “Oh, that. I forgot…” She was silent for a couple of seconds “Meh, I’m sure it’ll be alright. I’ll just help you finish this quickly and then I’ll go meet with them.”

Derpy smiled and hugged her childhood friend from behind “Thanks a bunch Rainy! Thanks for always being there for me”

Raindrops smiled and winked at the wall eyed girl “Hey, that’s what friends do.”

***meanwhile… again***

Sparkler, Sea Swirl and Twinkleshine were all sitting around a long and round table with papers, books, Twinkleshine’s laptop and other stuff, the three of them working in absolute silence. They had wasted a lot of time chatting and drinking coffee when they arrived and they had to finish this today, they couldn’t allow themselves any kind of distraction. Then Twinkleshine’s cell phone started ringing.

Sparkler looked at her friend with burning anger on her eyes “Twinkle, I thought we all agreed to turn OFF the cell phones”

Twinkleshine nervously grabbed the device “Sorry, I forgot to turn it off.”

“Well, please turn it off now” Sea Swirl said with a calmer tone, even though she was also getting pretty stressed over this.

“Yeah, hold on a second” The white colored unicorn said and she answered the call “Hello? Mom? What is it? I-I’m in the middle of something right now, remember? Yes, yes that. …Do you really need to call me just for that?”

Saprkler’s stare intensified with anger as the conversation went on, Sea Swirl noticed this and decided to try and calm her down “H-how about I make some more coffe-“

“NO MORE COFFEE SEA SWIRL! I JUST WANT TO GET THIS FRIGGING HOMEWORK DONE!” Sparkler snapped at her friends and they both backed away in fear.

“Uh mom? I’ll call you back okay? Love you” Twinkleshine hung up the phone and the three of them went back to work, one of them blowing off steam through her nostrils, the other two shaking in fear.