"Ugh!"
Shining Armor looks up from his desk just as Cadence, his pink pony wife, opens and slams the door to his office, the mare huffing through her nostrils as though she was a wild bull.
Sensing the tension in the air already, he would set side the papers he was looking upon before giving his wife his most fullest of attentions. "Well good evening to you too, Darling." The captain turned prince mused, deciding it was best to at least start with a small joke to lighten the mood.
Despite his effort though, the princess of love wasn't having any of it. Cadence stomped over towards the nearby empty couch and plopped down on it, still fuming. "I can't believe that griffon!" she seethed, her wings flared in anger. "Who does he think he is, telling me how to run the Crystal Empire? I've been doing this for years!"
Shining gave a nervous laugh before making his way to his wife's side, draping a hoof around her shoulders. "Now, now. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it...though..." He paused. "Just to be safe...What did he say exactly?"
"He was just belittling my decisions, saying that the crystal ponies don't respect me as their ruler and that I need to be more assertive. It's infuriating! It's like he wants me to rule like a dictator!" She ranted, her eyes flashing with anger. "The worst part was that he was saying it in a way so that I couldn't retaliate. Wording it like he was giving me some kind advice, like I needed him to tell me how to do my job."
The stallion's hoof tightened around her in a comforting gesture. "You know how delegates are. Always trying to push your buttons and leave you doubting. I'm sure you know it better then I do though since I've only been at this for a few years myself." He gave her the most gentlest of smiles. "You didn't blow up in his face right? Give in to the anger?"
The pink alicorn scoffed. "Of course not. I'm a princess, I have to maintain my composure even when I want to blast away idiots with my magic." She took a deep breath. "It would be so easy too...Just one flick of my horn."
"Then in the end, you won. Just like you always do, Candy."
"I know...I know I did...it's just...Frustrating, you know...They don't ever question Auntie Celestia or Auntie Luna's decisions, but when it comes to me, it's like they always have something to say or second guess me actions." Cadence leaned into Shining's touch, seeking comfort and reassurance. "Its just annoying..."
Shining Armor nodded understandingly, stroking his wife's mane. "I get it. It's because you're a strong and independent mare, my love. Not everyone can handle that kind of power in a young female ruler. But you know what they say, haters gonna hate." He grinned cheekily.
"Ugh...stop hanging around Rainbow Dash...you are starting to pick up on her mannerisms." His wife teased, gently nudging his belly. "Also I may be strong and independent but I need my cuddles like any good mare would."
Shining chuckled, pulling Cadence closer to him. "Of course, my dear. I'm always here to give you all the cuddles you need." He nuzzled her neck, planting feather-light kisses on her cheek. "On a more serious note, do you want me to be in there for the next meeting? Maybe having both rulers gang up on him might shut him up next time?"
"Tempting offer." The mare mused. "But no...its fine. I appreciate it , but I can handle it myself. Just need to...I don't know...vent a little bit and get it off my chest every now and then. Plus you have your guards you are training. Don't want to take up more of your time than you already need."
"Ha! Mostly pushing paperwork right now since I upgraded from Captain to Prince. I mean I do go out there for inspections but kinda leave field work to the new captain." He smirked. "Though it does give me time for my daily workouts. Gotta stray away from the dad bod after all."
Cadence rolled her eyes playfully, feeling a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "You and your workouts. I swear, sometimes I think you love the gym more than me." She teased, nudging him again with her shoulder.
The stallion released a playful scoff. "No love. I told you before, Candy. I love comics more than you. Twily is third. Gym is forth."
Feeling the tension in her shoulders slowly dissipating, the princess of love released a snort and a laugh before pushing him again. "Well, as long as I'm in the top five, I guess that's good enough for me," she teased, leaning into her husband's embrace. "But one day I'll burn those comics and come out on top."
"Good luck finding them, Candy Ass. I have them well hidden and paid the staff extra to keep it that way." Shining Armor chuckled, leaning in to kiss his wife's cheek. "But in all seriousness, you're the love of my life. And no matter how many griffons try to belittle you, you'll always be the amazing princess of the Crystal Empire to me."
"And you'll always be my knight in shining armor." The mare mused softly, wrapping her hooves around his body.
It was Shining's turn to snort with soft laughter. "Okay...how long has it been since you said that phrase and how long have you been waiting to say it again?"
"Two months, twenty-five days...but who's counting. "The mare mused as she nuzzled her snout against his chest. "Doesn't make it any less true though. Not many mares can say it and mean it in both figuratively and literally." She smirked as she looked towards him. "But I'm sure you already know that, don't you my love."
"Course I do. Just love to hear you say it." He smirked back. "Also that's too long. Say it more. Gotta fuel my ego after all. Ego makes stallion into mustang. Mustang stallion good."
She baps his chest again and again and again. "No! Bad Shining. No ego for you. Humble only."
The stallion laughed before pulling his wife into a tighter embrace. "Okay, okay. I'll behave. But only because I have the hottest and most loving wife to keep me in check."
"I but all you stallions say that to all their wives."
Shining Armor chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Not true. Only lucky stallions like me get to say it to their amazing wives like you." He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "And speaking of amazing wives, have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He leaned in to place a soft kiss on her lips.
The mare trembled when he touched his lips to hers before pulling away, her hoof tenderly stroking her mane. "Please...I'm sure I look a mess after having to deal with those incompetent jerks in the meeting hall."
Shining Armor shook his head, cupping her cheek. "Not even close. You look stunning, as always. I don't know how you manage to look so beautiful and radiant even when you're angry."
"Maybe I should get angry more often. Like when I tell you to pick up after yourself." She teased.
The stallion hissed before looking away. "Galloped right into that one, I see."
"You always do my Shiny." She smiled as she leaned into his hoof. "But I love you all the same...messy habits and all."
"And I love you even more for accepting me, messy habits and all." He leaned in for another kiss, this time deeper and more passionate. Neither pony would leave the room until early the next morning.
"Twenty two...Twenty three...Twenty four..."
Cadence wrapped herself in her warm, cozy blanket, seeking comfort and refuge from the cold winter morning that followed after the last day of fall. The soft covers enveloped her, offering a sense of security as she closed her eyes, trying to escape into the world of dreams.
"Twenty five…Twenty six…Twenty seven..."
Something that was proving hard to do...
Slowly, she peaked over the blanket, taking in the sight that was her husband, doing pushups against the floor. The mare had wanted to sleep...to spend her day just laying about and not worry about her subject or papers or senators or the such...but...
"Twenty eight…twenty nine…thirty…"
Despite her initial annoyance, Cadence couldn't help but be captivated by the stallion's impressive physique. His muscles rippled and glistened in the soft morning sunlight that filtered through the curtains as he continued his push-ups, each repetition showcasing his strength and dedication. It was hard to look away as she observed the rhythmic rise and fall of his sculpted chest, the sinewy definition of his forelegs, and the way his sweat accentuated the contours of his body.
"thirty one…thirty two…thirty three…"
And his ass was nice. He had a very nice ass.
"Thirty four…and five! Phew." The stallion slowly stood up on all fours, wiping his brow with the towel around his neck.
Cadence couldn't resist a smirk as she watched her husband, now standing tall and proud after his morning workout. Even when he was young and quite the...how does one say it? Dork? When he was a dork and played that silly little game with his friends, his baggy clothes would hide the body of a wild mustang. Its a wonder she never seen him play sports back in school.
"Finished?" She finally asked after a moment, only her eyes and horn peeking from beneath the blanket.
The stallion epped before turning to face his wife, a smile soon playing on his lips. "Oh hey. Didn't wake you, did I?"
The mare shook her head, "No. Not really. I was just..." She paused as her eyes slid up and down her husband’s body. "Admiring the view."
Shining frowned before looking behind himself, finding only the wall. Turning back to his wife, he quietly motioned towards himself, mouthing the word “Me?” as he did so.
Cadence rolled her eyes. "Yes you, you dork. Who else?"
He blushed, looking away from the mare as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment . "Oh...ahaha...well...That’s true…ah…” He smiled bashfully. “Hope I didn't disappoint?"
Cadence laughed softly, "No, Shiny. You never disappoint." She sat up in bed, letting the blanket fall off her body as she did so. "In fact it is quite awe inspiring if I do say so myself." Her eyelids dropped to half mast as she spoke, her voice a soothing coo.
Every bit of it sent a shiver down the stallion’s spine.
"Oh...ah...well what can I say...I aim to please."
Cadence snuggled deeper into her blanket, a contented smile gracing her lips as she let her gaze linger on her bashful yet handsome husband. The faint blush on Shining Armor's cheeks as he avoided her teasing eyes was endearing, a stark contrast to the confident and disciplined Captain of the Royal Guard she knew he could be. It was moments like these, in the privacy of their shared sanctuary, that she treasured most—seeing the softer, more vulnerable side of the stallion she loved.
"I'm glad we called off all meetings today," she mused aloud, her tone dreamy and light. "A three-day weekend, no royal duties, no interruptions... just us." She pulled the blanket up to her chin, relishing the warmth and comfort of both the cozy fabric and the presence of her husband.
Shining chuckled, his nerves easing at her relaxed demeanor. "Well, I figured the ponies of the Crystal Empire deserved a break after the long fall preparations. And, well... so did we." He leaned down, resting his forelegs on the edge of the bed and meeting her gaze. "Especially you. You work harder than anypony, Cadence."
Cadence tilted her head, her eyes softening. "You're too sweet, Shiny. But you know I couldn't do half of what I do without you by my side."
"I could say the same to you, love," Shining replied, his voice tender and sincere. His deep blue eyes met hers, holding her gaze with an intensity that made her heart flutter. "Just waking up to your cute little pink muzzle nuzzling my own is enough get me though several winters.”
Cadence’s cheeks flushed at Shining’s words, the warmth in her chest rivaling the coziness of her blanket. She let out a soft laugh, reaching out to lightly boop his nose with her hoof. "You really do have a way with words, my brave Captain. I think you’ve spent too much time around the palace poets."
“Please, I’ve played a level twenty Ax wielding bard in one of my O&O sessions.” He scoffed. “I’m better then any of those hacks.”
Cadence raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, is that so? A axe-wielding bard, huh? I don’t recall bards typically being the axe-wielding type, Shiny."
Shining puffed out his chest proudly, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "That’s because most bards lack imagination. But Sir Stringsmasher? He was a legend. Poetry in battle, music that could bring even the fiercest dragons to tears, and an axe that doubled as a lute. The perfect combination." Dusting himself off, he turned towards the princess fully. “So…what did you have in mind today?”
“I was thinking,” Cadence began, her voice soft and warm, “that we could have a cozy day in. Maybe bake some cookies, read a book or two...or just enjoy each other’s company.” She opened the blanket, allowing him to see her in full. “Your choice.”
Shining’s eyes widened at the sight of his wife invitingly displaying herself under the blanket, a mischievous glint in her gaze. His heart skipped a beat as he took in her beauty, the soft curves of her body illuminated by the morning light filtering through the window. The idea of spending a lazy day in with her was more tempting than any grand adventure or royal duty.
A slow grin spread across his face as he crawled onto the bed, moving closer to Cadence. “I think I know exactly how I want to spend our day,” he murmured, his voice low and husky with desire.
Cadence’s breath caught in her throat as Shining hovered over her, his warm gaze locking with hers. She felt a surge of anticipation and love for this stallion who knew her so well, who made her feel cherished and desired beyond measure.
And as they melted into each other’s embrace, their cozy day in took on a whole new level of warmth and intimacy.
