Shining of Arabiaby MethionineChaptersSmooth movesPrivate showEncoreSmooth moves"It is good you came to Saddle Arabia at this time!" The swarthy stallion gazes up, holding a hand to his eyes against the sun. "During the summer it's even hotter. Still," he chuckles, bumping against your shoulder, "it is quite stifling, no?" The sun hasn't been on your mind, however. All around you is the press and bustle of a city, its ponies crying their wares, conversations drifting from taverns and the loud, excited chattering of haggling. The name of Saddle Arabia's capital city is one that still eludes your pronunciation but that doesn't really matter, either. They were eager to meet the strange new creature and being attached to Shining and Cadance's diplomatic envoy was a suitable means of getting you there. The quarters you were assigned were, like many of the city's buildings, palatial and left you more than a bit uncomfortable. All that fuss... Still, you couldn't object to the handsome guide you were assigned. Ibrahim had taken great delight in showing you all the city had to offer, from its charming little markets to the meeting places of the rich and powerful. The architecture was beautiful, the ponies energetic and friendly, the food... well, a tad spicier than you might've liked but exotic and tasty all the same. With your mind so occupied with reminiscing, you never notice how Ibrahim pulls you into a building that somehow cuts out the noise from outside and in through which a cool breeze flows. "... Is the kind of place I was telling you about!" You've missed the start of what he was saying but he sounds quite excited. "A trip here wouldn't be complete without stopping at one. Besides, I think you needed to get out from that heat." The stallion leads you through groups of stallions seated around tables to one near a stage. Some sort of performance? Well, they were fond of that and the entertainment was--if a little strange at times--always precisely that - entertaining. Ibrahim calls out to a passing waiter in the language of their people, holding two fingers up. Drinks. Well, after that day in the sun you could certainly use one. He suddenly bumps against you and you turn, spotting a wide grin splitting his face. "Do not think I have not seen how you were looking at the sailors." You feel heat rushing to your cheeks. Were you really that obvious? "Ahh! Do not fear, my friend! This is a city that caters to many appetites!" He suddenly reaches over and puts and arm around you. "I do not want you to leave, feeling that you cannot truly enjoy yourself." The waiter returns, placing two tall glasses with a pale brown liquid on the table. It smells alcoholic and slightly sweet and sure enough, after a sip it tastes just like liqueur; nutty, sweet and warming. Ibrahim begins saying something when music suddenly strikes up. Wind instruments you've seen being played by street musicians and what sounds something like a tar. It's a slow, easy rhythm and curtains in high windows are drawn, cutting out much of the sunlight. From the far end of the stage a figure emerges, twisting and turning smoothly. You can just about make out what looks like a white coat and a flowing purple-ish silk wrap about their waist. But as you look closer you realise the pony is quite certainly a he. His body is lean and muscular, not excessively so but obviously the product of having taken care of himself. A thick mane shakes from side to side with his movements. And those movements... He sidles along, swinging his hips, ducking down, curving his body back and forth, twisting his arms about hypnotically. You never notice Ibrahim's grin as he watches you straighten up in your seat, still holding your glass. The music begins to speed up and the stallion advances along the stage, moving quicker, ducking and weaving to the rhythm. You follow ever sweep of his hips, every twist of his arms, every delicate, calculated movement of his legs. "You like him, yes?" Ibrahim asks, stirring you from your reverie. "The owner of this establishment is a close friend of the royals; if I were to tell him of the honoured guest visiting, I'm sure he would be pleased to offer you a private show with this dancer." But while those words sound oh-so enticing, there's something at the back of your mind bothering you. Like an itch you just can't quite scratch, one that grows worse as you keep watching the dancer. He wears nothing over his chest save straps that hold an insignia in place. One that looks almost like a shield. A purple shield with... a star at its centre... A chill runs down you as realisation dawns. This is not just any stallion, it's him. Shining Armour. The very one you'd accompanied on this trip. The one who you spent night after night dreaming of, who occupied seemingly every thought during your days, who was so close but maddeningly out of reach. A lump forms in your throat as you continue to watch him, his beautiful blue-and-blue mane whipping about. What in the hell is he even doing here? Why is he in the show? The thoughts war against your admiration of him, of the way those straps frame his gorgeous chest and how the silk covering around his waist looks so beautiful against his coat. His eyes are closed, his lips curled back in a smile, his whole body turned towards moving with the music. It's impossible not to be captivated and even though you long to do more than simply sit there and watch, that's exactly what you do. You watch him spin about, swishing his tail to appreciative mumbling from the other stallions. He strides over to where you sit with Ibrahim and the stallion bumps against your side but this time you have only eyes for the white stud. He undulates on smoothly moving hips, lowering down and putting his arms over his head and starts shifting his weight back and forth from one hip to the other. You could reach up and touch him, take him in your arms... Shining stands, turning in time to the music and swishes his tail again, shaking his rump right at you. He reaches around and take his tail in his arm, wrapping it up against his chest. The thin covering of silk doesn't even hide his white coat, his rippling muscles but the movement does send his scent wafting to you; thick, musky and undeniably male. Still grinning, the stallion opens his eyes and looks down. And sees you. Realisation flashes across his face and his smile drops. His movements falter just a moment before he closes his eyes again and resumes. As if nothing had happened, the music keeps playing, the other patrons mumble among themselves and Ibrahim is saying something to you. But all you can think of is that look on his face. ~*~ "He, ah, says that the stallion who danced for us wishes to see you!" Ibrahim nickers, winking. "He is the most popular here and I've heard it said he is a Prince of Equestria!" His nicker turns to laughter. "Tall tales, eh? You'll find no end of them here!" The owner of the establishment continues talking animatedly, gesturing for you to follow him and Ibrahim dutifully follows alongside you. He takes you through white halls, to a small, unassuming doorway. The stallion says something, bows and departs and you're left to look at Ibrahim. "It is not for I to follow you. I wish that I could but he specifically requested to see you." Before you go in, the stallion takes your arm and says in a lowered voice, "perhaps you would not mind speaking well of me? I would like to meet him, you know." Your mind is far from such thoughts as you push onwards. The room is opulent, resplendent with silk cushions and plush seats and a wide, undisturbed bed. At one end is a closet and another doorway leading to a balcony through which sunlight streams. At the other end of the room is him, now devoid of the silk wrap. That he still only wears the small pair of purple panties and the wrappings around his chest, steals your breath. "You wanted to see me?" you practically croak, stepping deeper into the room and closer to him. Shining Armour doesn't turn around from the desk he's seated at. "Yeah. I did." You're not sure what to make of his measured tone. He doesn't sound angry but he doesn't exactly sound pleased, either. "Look... I didn't know you'd be here, okay? Ibrahim--my guide, he just took me in and I--" "It's alright," Shining sighs, now turning around to face you. There's still a gold ring, inset with gems on his horn and for some strange reason, you can't take your eyes off it. "That's sort of why I wanted to see you." You keep looking at the ring, at the way the light catches in the faceted jewel at he front of it, at how the contours of the spiral of his horn almost seem to come from out of it. "I--" Shining stops, "it's not--" He falters again. Sighing, he leans down, resting his arms on his legs and you find yourself face to face with him. "Just... sit down." There's a large pile of plush cushions just behind you, suitable seating alright, and you settle onto them, now looking up to the stallion. "I know you're probably confused about all of... this." He sweeps a hand over his body. "But if you'll just gimme a second, I can explain it." He chuckles softly. "Actually, the explanation's probably more ridiculous than you're willing to believe." "You're not a liar, Shining, I know that." Your throat feels unbearably dry. He looks up, meeting your gaze evenly and the smile he wears is warm and genuine. "Right." He takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "It's stupid, really. Cadance was going on about how I should embrace the local culture. Find something I'd love to do! This is the city with something for everypony!" He nickers. "And I said yeah, like the kind of entertainment for stallions that you don't get back home." His smile falters. "I mean, it's not like I was suggesting that I wanted to go see one of those seedy shows, y'know? I wouldn't do that to her. It was just a joke." You shift in your seat, feeling the sudden urge to reach out and hug him. "But then she..." He trails off as a wry smile tugs at his lips. "She said, hey, why don't you give one of them a try?" His laughter is breathless, his eyes coming shut as he shakes his head. "Like I could even think of going to one, right? But she, I mean dead serious, Cadance says they have shows where the stallions are the ones who perform." You sit up a little in the cushions, listening more intently. His blue eyes remain on yours. "She said it'd be a great way to get to know them more personally, to understand their passions; what they love." He snickers. "Okay, she couldn't say that with a straight face but c'mon!" He suddenly sits up, casting his arms wide. "It's Saddle Arabia! The land where anypony can be anything they want! You just need to find the right place for it. "And..." A light redness rises to his cheeks. "Okay, so maybe I kinda went along with the idea at first because she said she'd maybe learn a thing or two we could try back home. And maybe I enjoyed it." "Shining," you say, softly. "It was fun! I mean, you wouldn't believe how fit you have to be to pull off those moves, how much dedication and self-discipline it takes to learn to do it just right." He looks back down at you with that warm smile. "I respect that kind of dedication to something. But." That smile turns positively wicked. "That doesn't explain why you were so interested in it." You splutter, mind racing to find some excuse. "It was him! My guide! Ibrahim!" Shining just keeps smiling but quirks an eyebrow. "He... He suggested I might like it, alright?" You fidget in the cushions. "Oh." Is your only response. For a long moment more the two of you sit in your respective places, silent. Did you say something wrong? Have you offended him? The thought sends a chill down your spine. "Did you?" He leans forward. "Did you like it?" You fidget again and look away from him. It's Shining Armour, Prince of the Crystal Empire and beloved husband of Princess Cadance. The stallion of your every dream; charming, intelligent, devoted, kind... It wasn't fair. "Hey." With your eyes screwed shut you don't see him getting off his seat or bending down to be on your level. "If you're not sure then I think I have an idea of how to answer that." His warm breath wafts across your face, calling your attention. You open your eyes and see him right there, in front of you. "For such a close friend I think I can organise a private show." He smirks, leaning closer. "Think you'd like that?" Private showHe’s close enough to taste the sweetness of his breath, to catch the warm scent of his mane. There’s still a light sheen of sweat at his neck and upper chest and the desire to just reach out and touch him becomes nigh-on all-consuming. "I, uh…" But staring into his beautiful blue eyes steal away whatever words you might have been about to say. "I’ll just take that as a ’yes’," he whispers breathily, his lips agonisingly out of reach of your own. Slow are Shining’s movements when he stands back up. Muscles ripple across his toned body but his mane and tail look as soft as ever. You’re given a sample of just how soft the latter is when the stallion whips around, thick tail swishing across your face – his scent is far stronger there, more masculine. If you weren’t sitting you’d have fallen back. With the smooth movements of someone well practiced in these arts, he reaches across the desk and retrieves the purple wrap he’d been wearing earlier. Two small clasps—like the small plate on his chest—in the shape of his cutie mark affix it to his hips. They’re only in place when he starts moving again; slow, sensual, shifting his weight from hip to hip and swishing his tail just a little each time. His hooves clop-clop-clop softly on the wooden floor as he turns about, sashaying closer to the pile of cushions upon which you sit. Ears pricked up and forward, his eyes are shut but his lips curled back in a smile. He halts in turning to wend his body back and forth, his stomach and chest moving almost in lazy waves. All those years of training have clearly paid off – not only does he bare the obvious strength of a guard, his body is suitably supple, his movements graceful and easy. Lift, turn, then slowly does his leg come back down, coming to the floor with a muted clop. The wrap around his waist does little to hide his modesty and the thin pair of panties under them do even less. And that’s to say little of the glimpses of his rump you’d chanced before he turned around. Music drifts up from the market outside, mingling together into something that sounds strange but puts you in mind of a different melody. A slower one. Swelling as Shining steps closer to you, the notes elongating as he lifts a leg and draws it across your body. He never once appears off-balance and his smile grows visibly as he rights himself, turning around again to expose his back and rump. You’d never truly had a chance to admire his physique like this – the graceful curve of his behind, his long, toned legs, those arms that looked so strong and secure and his back… well, as well cared for as any other part of him. But it’s amazing how much his mane looks like that of a mare’s from this angle, with what he’s wearing and how he’s moving; a softer side to him that few ever saw. He shakes his rump, fanning his tail out around his behind and continues moving, though you’re sure from the once or twice he turns his head, that he’s smiling widely. You’re sue you are, too, grinning the kind of stupefied grin that comes from getting what you’ve always wanted. And just like that, the stallion starts moving back towards you. His hips shake from side to side as he lowers his body, lifting his arms above his head. Shining’s tail sways as he shakes his hips in long, agonisingly slow motions. He moves back up, fluidly, in time to that music only you two can hear. Hooves carrying his weight so easily, he circles around to you and advances. From this vantage he’s close enough to touch and so emboldened by the performance and the high from the sight, you reach out and put a hand to his leg. Shining touches it, holding you there as he sways. He smiles down, opening his eyes and cocks his head back. You shake yours nervously, trying to push yourself back into the cushions but the satllion’s having none of it – with easy strength, he pulls you up to your feet. Without realising that you had lifted it to meet his, Shining takes your other hand and draws you out into the floor with him. He has eyes only for you, never looking down to your missteps and not once laughing at your follies. But somehow, in spite of your nerves, you begin to move with him. It’s still uneasy, still taking some deal of focus on your part but watching him so intensely, anticipating how he’ll move, you start to keep up with him. "There you go," he says, closing his eyes, "just follow me." Follow, as he leads you further out into the room, making a track around it. His eyes fall shut again as Shining moves just a little closer to you and you slide your arms up along his. You let your eyes fall shut and enjoy the moment, the closeness, the warmth that radiates from him and is palpable even against the humidity of the day. How much longer you stayed like that you’d never be able to say, nor would you wish to. Those moments, swaying with him, more than once feeling your bodies bump together, were some you’d treasure. But it was only a matter of time before you, both of you with your eyes shut, would run into trouble. The bed, so pristine and undisturbed, was quite suddenly thrown into disarray as the two of you fall onto it – you first as it hits the back of your knees, and Shining quickly after as you try to grab onto him for support. You fall on your back, Shining nearly hitting you but the stallion catches himself just before doing so. You’re the first to start laughing, in spite of your attempts to stop yourself. Shining follows suit, the sound far sweeter than any music you’ve ever heard. But it was never going to last long, not with the two of you so close. In spite of yourself, your arms come around his lower back and he brings his to either side of your shoulders. Once more, you close your eyes and only through focusing on the sensuality of the moment do you keep them shut as you realise Shining moves down to meet you as you raise your head. The kiss is sweet and tender, his lips warm bit firm and your hands on his back go limp as the stallion takes control. Not that you were ever anything but under his spell. Not that you could ever do anything to resist this. His taste is exquisite, the way his mane tickles at your cheeks, perfection. But even through all that, in spite of getting exactly what you’ve wanted for so, so long, one thought cuts clearly through your mind. Cadance. It’s so tempting to just keep going, keep enjoying this. And you could. You could slip your arms around him and pull him close, not letting it end. But he’s your friend and you owe him better than that. So it’s with more than a little disappointment that you break the kiss and gently push Shining away from you. Surprise flashes in his eyes and then something resembling hurt. More than anything else, it’s something you feared happening. "Shining," you start, in a quiet, warning tone, "we can’t." He looks at you in confusion, still resting on his arms. "What?" "We can’t do this." Every word makes your stomach twist up. "Alright? What about… about Cadance?" For a moment longer, the stallion looks down at you and then promptly rolls onto his side and erupts into laughter. It’s not cruel or spiteful, no the laugh of a stallion who knows he’s cheating on his wife and doesn’t give a damn. It’s raucous, carefree and for the briefest moment you feel buoyed. "Cadance?" he asks when he’s finally caught his breath. "Cadance? Oh-Oh wow, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you!" He continues chuckling but a light redness touches his cheeks. "Well, no, I can. Think we both know I can be an idiot sometimes." Shining sighs and twists about, propping himself up on an elbow. The hope that blossoms in you is tentative and delicate. "Remember I said… Ah, I can’t believe I’m even saying this!" And you can’t find your voice to tell him to please just tell you it’ll all be okay. "Okay, look, it might not have been those kinds of shows I was talking to Cadance about." He sighs and his smile turns wistful. "I know stallions doing… that, y’know, doing what I was doing isn’t really uncommon here. And…" He trails off, casting his eyes upwards. "And I was only half joking when I suggested it." "So?" you ask, your voice having finally returned but still strained. "And she was okay with it." He says that plainly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "She’s the Princess of Love! Of course she’d be okay with ’embracing new types of love you haven’t considered before’." He mimics her, the way his voice goes so soft and feminine proving more enticing than it should be in this moment. "Except it wasn’t really new. I mean, sure, I hadn’t considered it that seriously before but…" He trails off again, looking away from you. You turn onto your side, drawing your legs up onto the bed and watching his face intently. "But you’d thought about it enough that you wanted to try it?" "Yeah." His voice turns wistful again. "I don’t think anypony really understands how supportive she is; how loving she is." He shakes his head and the thick locks of his mane come tumbling down. "I don’t think even I really understood until then." "So…" You start putting the pieces together. "That’s what all this was? You were putting some feelers out, or something, to see if there were any guys interested?" "It wasn’t like that!" He says, recoiling at the severity of his tone. "Sorry." He sidles over to you, drawing himself up onto the bed proper. "It wasn’t. It really was just a bit of fun, at the start. But then I saw the way those stallions were looking at me and, y’know." He looks you with those gorgeous blue eyes. "It was nice. But there was something missing." He reaches over, touching your side. "C’mon, you think I really didn’t notice anything back home? Or that Cadance didn’t see it?" He nickers, moving closer again. "I’d say half the royal guard can see it." You try to back away from him but his grip is firm, not holding tight enough to hurt you but just keep you there. "So what? Nothing wrong with looking, right?" But that doesn’t change the sinking feeling of guilt in your stomach. "Exactly. That’s all you did." He tugs at your side but you remain where you are. "You could’ve given in and tried to do something. Not that I would’ve gone along with it!" "Whaddaya call this, then?" But you can’t quite feel guilty about the sharpness in your tone. "Hey?" He tugs at you again. "Hey." His voice is so soft, so calming. You’d said that he wasn’t a liar and you knew that with all your heart. So, this, all of this, can’t be a lie, it can’t be deceit or a cruel trick. You shift closer to him, just a little. "I’m not saying it’s exactly what you want it to be." You start to look away from him but he catches your cheek, pulling you back around to look at him, at those blue eyes that show only comfort and kindness. "And I can’t make any promises but I can tell you that I enjoyed what we were doing, alright? I can tell you that Cadance knows, she’s okay with me just experimenting a little to test the waters." He moves closer again, putting his arm around you; the gentle strength is as comforting as his words. "And if you want this too then y’know, just talk to her." He smiles. "Because I know you like her. You know she’ll understand. Maybe…" His smile turns just as devious as before. "Maybe we can try something else." "But for now?" you ask, extending your arm around him. "Why don’t we pick up where we left off?" Encore"And um..." But you can't seem to find your voice as you thread your hands through the silken locks of his mane, as he gazes down at you with those deep blue eyes. "Uh." He doesn't offer any resistance when you gently start pulling him in closer. "Where did we, um, leave off?" You can taste his breath, taste the sweetness of his sweat on the air and that warm, musky scent that makes you shiver. "Somewhere around here." He whispers against you, unyielding in the way he presses his lips to yours. One of those strong hands holds tight to your hip, gently coaxing your leg over his where white fingers quickly sink into the softness of your behind. You can only moan lustfully, letting him draw you into grinding yourself against his firm frame. When he breaks the kiss, you whimper and try to catch one last taste of his lips but the sound you make turns to a gasp when he kisses your jaw and then your neck. In a flash, you're on your back again and Shining has his hands tugging at your shirt. Simple linen, cool for the heat of Saddle Arabia, it offers little resistance to hands that undo the buttons with practised efficiency. And all the while, that gorgeous white stallion nips and kisses at your neck, whispering words that're lost as you can think only of every touch he places against you. But just as Shining undresses you, so you with shaking hands stretch around his back and seek out the clasp that holds the plate over his chest. It comes free with a metallic click and a thunk as it lands on his hands. He grunts, you wince and the thought of how easily it could've knocked the wind from you flits across your mind before he uncaringly tosses it aside—the leather straps clattering with it—and resumes undoing the last buttons of your shirt. You lie there, then, when he finishes and stops with those kisses that leave you flushed and heaving for breath. His eyes no longer show only sweet care but now shine with the light of desire. He's back down against you, his broad chest crashing against yours and you grab his arms and pull. Hands that seek out something else to undo, even as his mane tickles your cheeks and he nips your lips and then quickly soothes you with tender kisses. But there's only one thing left on him, one last layer of thread that separates the stallion from you and even now, his hands struggle to undo your belt. You break the kiss, muttering, "here, hold on." "Hurry," the stallion gasps, letting his fumbling hands fall aside and instead hold onto your waist. In the silliness of the moment, you can't help but snicker. "Or what?" you ask, looking back to him. Shining Armour growls, a low and threatening sound. He lifts his hands to either side of your shoulders and grins down, asking, "Sure you wanna find out?" For the briefest moment you stop and look into those eyes. Almost at the same time, the two of you start laughing. Your hands work a little easier, pulling your belt free and then undoing the button and fly of your pants. Shining takes over the rest, tugging them down as he comes up onto his knees. "I never imagined it'd be like this," he says, easily pulling your pants from you and tossing them aside to join the clasp that was around his chest. Those muscular white legs rub against your own but all too quickly, you find yourself wanting to wrap them around his waist. "Like what?" You instead content yourself with stroking his back. "So... passionate!" You roll your eyes. "Hey, c'mon, this is all new for me." Already you can feel a little knot starting to form between his shoulders. You work your hands against it and Shining sighs, a smiling a little smile. "It's not really, though," you say, your voice quiet and calm, "you're just seeing how it's not really different at all." Even in spite of the moment, you can't resist running your hands down to cup his firm, toned backside; it makes you shiver. "Yeah, Cadance can't keep her hands off my rump either." You can't help but laugh, even as he kisses you. "But... you're right." Another kiss, longer than before. "I like how this feels." As if the bulge you can feel pressing against your thigh didn't already make that clear. "So you wanna keep going." You kiss him this time, letting your lips linger and savour the taste of his. "Right?" The stallion sinks down, rolling onto his back and holding you along with him. His legs come around yours, keeping you tight to his body and while the sudden movement does make you gasp, lying there with your hands on his chest, looking down at this gorgeous stallion... "Don't have to be back at the palace until this evening." This time it's his hands that sink into your behind. "But!" He stops and you smile, hoping to take the edge off your tone. "Just no funny business." Shining nods, holding you a little more gently. "Not until we ask her." He kisses you again, nipping your jaw. "She'll say yes, y'know." Another. "Did I mention she likes you?" "You know I like her too," you say, without giving it another thought. The stallion pulls you down against him, the bulges from both of you grinding against each other's bodies. "So relax, enjoy this." One of his hands takes yours. "I know I'm going to." You let out a little, "oh," when you feel him slide his hands under your underwear, feeling them stroke over your bare skin. When those firm fingers sink into your skin and squeeze you moan, quickly cut off by another kiss. Every touch, every press of his lips and tongue, every breath you take that fills your nostrils with his heady male scent and makes you grind your hips against him just a little harder. Ibrahim had been right - the heat outside was stifling but it was still nothing compared to the heat from Shining's body that leaves you glad you've been stripped down. You idly wonder what he'd say if he saw you like this, if maybe the tall, exotic looking stallion might support you from behind. A soft, "mmm," from the stallion beneath you, however, is all you need to know this is all you really want. Something stirs you, a fancy that draws your hands down to the thin straps of his underwear and to start toying with it. Every move you make, you can feel them shifting against his bulge and Shining groans, trying to angle himself just right. Going a little further than you'd intended, you draw your thumb around under the waistband, sneaking a few fingers against the bulge and stroking up and down, up and down... The effect is immediate; Shining groans loudly, bucking his hips against up and finally letting his member come free of its fabric prison. It's not quite fully hard and though you do feel its heat and hardness, you immediately draw your hand away. As much as you'd love to, you were the one to tell him not to take things too far. Still, he doesn't stop squeezing your behind, gently pulling it up against him or kissing you, whispering your name between them. Each time it's louder, rougher, that rich masculine voice grunting it out like it's all he can think. And he, in turn, is all you can think of. Surprising both he and yourself with the strength which you push him, Shining rolls around onto his back again. You come down on the stallion, straddling him and wind up sitting against his now hard member. The two of you pause, panting, and just look at each other. "You know," you say, still catching your breath, "there's one thing we could try." You start to rock your hips, grinding your behind against him and Shining groans - the sound could very well have been a question. "Don't worry, I know the limit but—" You stretch over him, running your hands up along his arms until your fingers intertwine with his and your chests press together. "We can still have fun, right?"
Smooth moves"It is good you came to Saddle Arabia at this time!" The swarthy stallion gazes up, holding a hand to his eyes against the sun. "During the summer it's even hotter. Still," he chuckles, bumping against your shoulder, "it is quite stifling, no?" The sun hasn't been on your mind, however. All around you is the press and bustle of a city, its ponies crying their wares, conversations drifting from taverns and the loud, excited chattering of haggling. The name of Saddle Arabia's capital city is one that still eludes your pronunciation but that doesn't really matter, either. They were eager to meet the strange new creature and being attached to Shining and Cadance's diplomatic envoy was a suitable means of getting you there. The quarters you were assigned were, like many of the city's buildings, palatial and left you more than a bit uncomfortable. All that fuss... Still, you couldn't object to the handsome guide you were assigned. Ibrahim had taken great delight in showing you all the city had to offer, from its charming little markets to the meeting places of the rich and powerful. The architecture was beautiful, the ponies energetic and friendly, the food... well, a tad spicier than you might've liked but exotic and tasty all the same. With your mind so occupied with reminiscing, you never notice how Ibrahim pulls you into a building that somehow cuts out the noise from outside and in through which a cool breeze flows. "... Is the kind of place I was telling you about!" You've missed the start of what he was saying but he sounds quite excited. "A trip here wouldn't be complete without stopping at one. Besides, I think you needed to get out from that heat." The stallion leads you through groups of stallions seated around tables to one near a stage. Some sort of performance? Well, they were fond of that and the entertainment was--if a little strange at times--always precisely that - entertaining. Ibrahim calls out to a passing waiter in the language of their people, holding two fingers up. Drinks. Well, after that day in the sun you could certainly use one. He suddenly bumps against you and you turn, spotting a wide grin splitting his face. "Do not think I have not seen how you were looking at the sailors." You feel heat rushing to your cheeks. Were you really that obvious? "Ahh! Do not fear, my friend! This is a city that caters to many appetites!" He suddenly reaches over and puts and arm around you. "I do not want you to leave, feeling that you cannot truly enjoy yourself." The waiter returns, placing two tall glasses with a pale brown liquid on the table. It smells alcoholic and slightly sweet and sure enough, after a sip it tastes just like liqueur; nutty, sweet and warming. Ibrahim begins saying something when music suddenly strikes up. Wind instruments you've seen being played by street musicians and what sounds something like a tar. It's a slow, easy rhythm and curtains in high windows are drawn, cutting out much of the sunlight. From the far end of the stage a figure emerges, twisting and turning smoothly. You can just about make out what looks like a white coat and a flowing purple-ish silk wrap about their waist. But as you look closer you realise the pony is quite certainly a he. His body is lean and muscular, not excessively so but obviously the product of having taken care of himself. A thick mane shakes from side to side with his movements. And those movements... He sidles along, swinging his hips, ducking down, curving his body back and forth, twisting his arms about hypnotically. You never notice Ibrahim's grin as he watches you straighten up in your seat, still holding your glass. The music begins to speed up and the stallion advances along the stage, moving quicker, ducking and weaving to the rhythm. You follow ever sweep of his hips, every twist of his arms, every delicate, calculated movement of his legs. "You like him, yes?" Ibrahim asks, stirring you from your reverie. "The owner of this establishment is a close friend of the royals; if I were to tell him of the honoured guest visiting, I'm sure he would be pleased to offer you a private show with this dancer." But while those words sound oh-so enticing, there's something at the back of your mind bothering you. Like an itch you just can't quite scratch, one that grows worse as you keep watching the dancer. He wears nothing over his chest save straps that hold an insignia in place. One that looks almost like a shield. A purple shield with... a star at its centre... A chill runs down you as realisation dawns. This is not just any stallion, it's him. Shining Armour. The very one you'd accompanied on this trip. The one who you spent night after night dreaming of, who occupied seemingly every thought during your days, who was so close but maddeningly out of reach. A lump forms in your throat as you continue to watch him, his beautiful blue-and-blue mane whipping about. What in the hell is he even doing here? Why is he in the show? The thoughts war against your admiration of him, of the way those straps frame his gorgeous chest and how the silk covering around his waist looks so beautiful against his coat. His eyes are closed, his lips curled back in a smile, his whole body turned towards moving with the music. It's impossible not to be captivated and even though you long to do more than simply sit there and watch, that's exactly what you do. You watch him spin about, swishing his tail to appreciative mumbling from the other stallions. He strides over to where you sit with Ibrahim and the stallion bumps against your side but this time you have only eyes for the white stud. He undulates on smoothly moving hips, lowering down and putting his arms over his head and starts shifting his weight back and forth from one hip to the other. You could reach up and touch him, take him in your arms... Shining stands, turning in time to the music and swishes his tail again, shaking his rump right at you. He reaches around and take his tail in his arm, wrapping it up against his chest. The thin covering of silk doesn't even hide his white coat, his rippling muscles but the movement does send his scent wafting to you; thick, musky and undeniably male. Still grinning, the stallion opens his eyes and looks down. And sees you. Realisation flashes across his face and his smile drops. His movements falter just a moment before he closes his eyes again and resumes. As if nothing had happened, the music keeps playing, the other patrons mumble among themselves and Ibrahim is saying something to you. But all you can think of is that look on his face. ~*~ "He, ah, says that the stallion who danced for us wishes to see you!" Ibrahim nickers, winking. "He is the most popular here and I've heard it said he is a Prince of Equestria!" His nicker turns to laughter. "Tall tales, eh? You'll find no end of them here!" The owner of the establishment continues talking animatedly, gesturing for you to follow him and Ibrahim dutifully follows alongside you. He takes you through white halls, to a small, unassuming doorway. The stallion says something, bows and departs and you're left to look at Ibrahim. "It is not for I to follow you. I wish that I could but he specifically requested to see you." Before you go in, the stallion takes your arm and says in a lowered voice, "perhaps you would not mind speaking well of me? I would like to meet him, you know." Your mind is far from such thoughts as you push onwards. The room is opulent, resplendent with silk cushions and plush seats and a wide, undisturbed bed. At one end is a closet and another doorway leading to a balcony through which sunlight streams. At the other end of the room is him, now devoid of the silk wrap. That he still only wears the small pair of purple panties and the wrappings around his chest, steals your breath. "You wanted to see me?" you practically croak, stepping deeper into the room and closer to him. Shining Armour doesn't turn around from the desk he's seated at. "Yeah. I did." You're not sure what to make of his measured tone. He doesn't sound angry but he doesn't exactly sound pleased, either. "Look... I didn't know you'd be here, okay? Ibrahim--my guide, he just took me in and I--" "It's alright," Shining sighs, now turning around to face you. There's still a gold ring, inset with gems on his horn and for some strange reason, you can't take your eyes off it. "That's sort of why I wanted to see you." You keep looking at the ring, at the way the light catches in the faceted jewel at he front of it, at how the contours of the spiral of his horn almost seem to come from out of it. "I--" Shining stops, "it's not--" He falters again. Sighing, he leans down, resting his arms on his legs and you find yourself face to face with him. "Just... sit down." There's a large pile of plush cushions just behind you, suitable seating alright, and you settle onto them, now looking up to the stallion. "I know you're probably confused about all of... this." He sweeps a hand over his body. "But if you'll just gimme a second, I can explain it." He chuckles softly. "Actually, the explanation's probably more ridiculous than you're willing to believe." "You're not a liar, Shining, I know that." Your throat feels unbearably dry. He looks up, meeting your gaze evenly and the smile he wears is warm and genuine. "Right." He takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "It's stupid, really. Cadance was going on about how I should embrace the local culture. Find something I'd love to do! This is the city with something for everypony!" He nickers. "And I said yeah, like the kind of entertainment for stallions that you don't get back home." His smile falters. "I mean, it's not like I was suggesting that I wanted to go see one of those seedy shows, y'know? I wouldn't do that to her. It was just a joke." You shift in your seat, feeling the sudden urge to reach out and hug him. "But then she..." He trails off as a wry smile tugs at his lips. "She said, hey, why don't you give one of them a try?" His laughter is breathless, his eyes coming shut as he shakes his head. "Like I could even think of going to one, right? But she, I mean dead serious, Cadance says they have shows where the stallions are the ones who perform." You sit up a little in the cushions, listening more intently. His blue eyes remain on yours. "She said it'd be a great way to get to know them more personally, to understand their passions; what they love." He snickers. "Okay, she couldn't say that with a straight face but c'mon!" He suddenly sits up, casting his arms wide. "It's Saddle Arabia! The land where anypony can be anything they want! You just need to find the right place for it. "And..." A light redness rises to his cheeks. "Okay, so maybe I kinda went along with the idea at first because she said she'd maybe learn a thing or two we could try back home. And maybe I enjoyed it." "Shining," you say, softly. "It was fun! I mean, you wouldn't believe how fit you have to be to pull off those moves, how much dedication and self-discipline it takes to learn to do it just right." He looks back down at you with that warm smile. "I respect that kind of dedication to something. But." That smile turns positively wicked. "That doesn't explain why you were so interested in it." You splutter, mind racing to find some excuse. "It was him! My guide! Ibrahim!" Shining just keeps smiling but quirks an eyebrow. "He... He suggested I might like it, alright?" You fidget in the cushions. "Oh." Is your only response. For a long moment more the two of you sit in your respective places, silent. Did you say something wrong? Have you offended him? The thought sends a chill down your spine. "Did you?" He leans forward. "Did you like it?" You fidget again and look away from him. It's Shining Armour, Prince of the Crystal Empire and beloved husband of Princess Cadance. The stallion of your every dream; charming, intelligent, devoted, kind... It wasn't fair. "Hey." With your eyes screwed shut you don't see him getting off his seat or bending down to be on your level. "If you're not sure then I think I have an idea of how to answer that." His warm breath wafts across your face, calling your attention. You open your eyes and see him right there, in front of you. "For such a close friend I think I can organise a private show." He smirks, leaning closer. "Think you'd like that?"
Private showHe’s close enough to taste the sweetness of his breath, to catch the warm scent of his mane. There’s still a light sheen of sweat at his neck and upper chest and the desire to just reach out and touch him becomes nigh-on all-consuming. "I, uh…" But staring into his beautiful blue eyes steal away whatever words you might have been about to say. "I’ll just take that as a ’yes’," he whispers breathily, his lips agonisingly out of reach of your own. Slow are Shining’s movements when he stands back up. Muscles ripple across his toned body but his mane and tail look as soft as ever. You’re given a sample of just how soft the latter is when the stallion whips around, thick tail swishing across your face – his scent is far stronger there, more masculine. If you weren’t sitting you’d have fallen back. With the smooth movements of someone well practiced in these arts, he reaches across the desk and retrieves the purple wrap he’d been wearing earlier. Two small clasps—like the small plate on his chest—in the shape of his cutie mark affix it to his hips. They’re only in place when he starts moving again; slow, sensual, shifting his weight from hip to hip and swishing his tail just a little each time. His hooves clop-clop-clop softly on the wooden floor as he turns about, sashaying closer to the pile of cushions upon which you sit. Ears pricked up and forward, his eyes are shut but his lips curled back in a smile. He halts in turning to wend his body back and forth, his stomach and chest moving almost in lazy waves. All those years of training have clearly paid off – not only does he bare the obvious strength of a guard, his body is suitably supple, his movements graceful and easy. Lift, turn, then slowly does his leg come back down, coming to the floor with a muted clop. The wrap around his waist does little to hide his modesty and the thin pair of panties under them do even less. And that’s to say little of the glimpses of his rump you’d chanced before he turned around. Music drifts up from the market outside, mingling together into something that sounds strange but puts you in mind of a different melody. A slower one. Swelling as Shining steps closer to you, the notes elongating as he lifts a leg and draws it across your body. He never once appears off-balance and his smile grows visibly as he rights himself, turning around again to expose his back and rump. You’d never truly had a chance to admire his physique like this – the graceful curve of his behind, his long, toned legs, those arms that looked so strong and secure and his back… well, as well cared for as any other part of him. But it’s amazing how much his mane looks like that of a mare’s from this angle, with what he’s wearing and how he’s moving; a softer side to him that few ever saw. He shakes his rump, fanning his tail out around his behind and continues moving, though you’re sure from the once or twice he turns his head, that he’s smiling widely. You’re sue you are, too, grinning the kind of stupefied grin that comes from getting what you’ve always wanted. And just like that, the stallion starts moving back towards you. His hips shake from side to side as he lowers his body, lifting his arms above his head. Shining’s tail sways as he shakes his hips in long, agonisingly slow motions. He moves back up, fluidly, in time to that music only you two can hear. Hooves carrying his weight so easily, he circles around to you and advances. From this vantage he’s close enough to touch and so emboldened by the performance and the high from the sight, you reach out and put a hand to his leg. Shining touches it, holding you there as he sways. He smiles down, opening his eyes and cocks his head back. You shake yours nervously, trying to push yourself back into the cushions but the satllion’s having none of it – with easy strength, he pulls you up to your feet. Without realising that you had lifted it to meet his, Shining takes your other hand and draws you out into the floor with him. He has eyes only for you, never looking down to your missteps and not once laughing at your follies. But somehow, in spite of your nerves, you begin to move with him. It’s still uneasy, still taking some deal of focus on your part but watching him so intensely, anticipating how he’ll move, you start to keep up with him. "There you go," he says, closing his eyes, "just follow me." Follow, as he leads you further out into the room, making a track around it. His eyes fall shut again as Shining moves just a little closer to you and you slide your arms up along his. You let your eyes fall shut and enjoy the moment, the closeness, the warmth that radiates from him and is palpable even against the humidity of the day. How much longer you stayed like that you’d never be able to say, nor would you wish to. Those moments, swaying with him, more than once feeling your bodies bump together, were some you’d treasure. But it was only a matter of time before you, both of you with your eyes shut, would run into trouble. The bed, so pristine and undisturbed, was quite suddenly thrown into disarray as the two of you fall onto it – you first as it hits the back of your knees, and Shining quickly after as you try to grab onto him for support. You fall on your back, Shining nearly hitting you but the stallion catches himself just before doing so. You’re the first to start laughing, in spite of your attempts to stop yourself. Shining follows suit, the sound far sweeter than any music you’ve ever heard. But it was never going to last long, not with the two of you so close. In spite of yourself, your arms come around his lower back and he brings his to either side of your shoulders. Once more, you close your eyes and only through focusing on the sensuality of the moment do you keep them shut as you realise Shining moves down to meet you as you raise your head. The kiss is sweet and tender, his lips warm bit firm and your hands on his back go limp as the stallion takes control. Not that you were ever anything but under his spell. Not that you could ever do anything to resist this. His taste is exquisite, the way his mane tickles at your cheeks, perfection. But even through all that, in spite of getting exactly what you’ve wanted for so, so long, one thought cuts clearly through your mind. Cadance. It’s so tempting to just keep going, keep enjoying this. And you could. You could slip your arms around him and pull him close, not letting it end. But he’s your friend and you owe him better than that. So it’s with more than a little disappointment that you break the kiss and gently push Shining away from you. Surprise flashes in his eyes and then something resembling hurt. More than anything else, it’s something you feared happening. "Shining," you start, in a quiet, warning tone, "we can’t." He looks at you in confusion, still resting on his arms. "What?" "We can’t do this." Every word makes your stomach twist up. "Alright? What about… about Cadance?" For a moment longer, the stallion looks down at you and then promptly rolls onto his side and erupts into laughter. It’s not cruel or spiteful, no the laugh of a stallion who knows he’s cheating on his wife and doesn’t give a damn. It’s raucous, carefree and for the briefest moment you feel buoyed. "Cadance?" he asks when he’s finally caught his breath. "Cadance? Oh-Oh wow, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you!" He continues chuckling but a light redness touches his cheeks. "Well, no, I can. Think we both know I can be an idiot sometimes." Shining sighs and twists about, propping himself up on an elbow. The hope that blossoms in you is tentative and delicate. "Remember I said… Ah, I can’t believe I’m even saying this!" And you can’t find your voice to tell him to please just tell you it’ll all be okay. "Okay, look, it might not have been those kinds of shows I was talking to Cadance about." He sighs and his smile turns wistful. "I know stallions doing… that, y’know, doing what I was doing isn’t really uncommon here. And…" He trails off, casting his eyes upwards. "And I was only half joking when I suggested it." "So?" you ask, your voice having finally returned but still strained. "And she was okay with it." He says that plainly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "She’s the Princess of Love! Of course she’d be okay with ’embracing new types of love you haven’t considered before’." He mimics her, the way his voice goes so soft and feminine proving more enticing than it should be in this moment. "Except it wasn’t really new. I mean, sure, I hadn’t considered it that seriously before but…" He trails off again, looking away from you. You turn onto your side, drawing your legs up onto the bed and watching his face intently. "But you’d thought about it enough that you wanted to try it?" "Yeah." His voice turns wistful again. "I don’t think anypony really understands how supportive she is; how loving she is." He shakes his head and the thick locks of his mane come tumbling down. "I don’t think even I really understood until then." "So…" You start putting the pieces together. "That’s what all this was? You were putting some feelers out, or something, to see if there were any guys interested?" "It wasn’t like that!" He says, recoiling at the severity of his tone. "Sorry." He sidles over to you, drawing himself up onto the bed proper. "It wasn’t. It really was just a bit of fun, at the start. But then I saw the way those stallions were looking at me and, y’know." He looks you with those gorgeous blue eyes. "It was nice. But there was something missing." He reaches over, touching your side. "C’mon, you think I really didn’t notice anything back home? Or that Cadance didn’t see it?" He nickers, moving closer again. "I’d say half the royal guard can see it." You try to back away from him but his grip is firm, not holding tight enough to hurt you but just keep you there. "So what? Nothing wrong with looking, right?" But that doesn’t change the sinking feeling of guilt in your stomach. "Exactly. That’s all you did." He tugs at your side but you remain where you are. "You could’ve given in and tried to do something. Not that I would’ve gone along with it!" "Whaddaya call this, then?" But you can’t quite feel guilty about the sharpness in your tone. "Hey?" He tugs at you again. "Hey." His voice is so soft, so calming. You’d said that he wasn’t a liar and you knew that with all your heart. So, this, all of this, can’t be a lie, it can’t be deceit or a cruel trick. You shift closer to him, just a little. "I’m not saying it’s exactly what you want it to be." You start to look away from him but he catches your cheek, pulling you back around to look at him, at those blue eyes that show only comfort and kindness. "And I can’t make any promises but I can tell you that I enjoyed what we were doing, alright? I can tell you that Cadance knows, she’s okay with me just experimenting a little to test the waters." He moves closer again, putting his arm around you; the gentle strength is as comforting as his words. "And if you want this too then y’know, just talk to her." He smiles. "Because I know you like her. You know she’ll understand. Maybe…" His smile turns just as devious as before. "Maybe we can try something else." "But for now?" you ask, extending your arm around him. "Why don’t we pick up where we left off?"
Encore"And um..." But you can't seem to find your voice as you thread your hands through the silken locks of his mane, as he gazes down at you with those deep blue eyes. "Uh." He doesn't offer any resistance when you gently start pulling him in closer. "Where did we, um, leave off?" You can taste his breath, taste the sweetness of his sweat on the air and that warm, musky scent that makes you shiver. "Somewhere around here." He whispers against you, unyielding in the way he presses his lips to yours. One of those strong hands holds tight to your hip, gently coaxing your leg over his where white fingers quickly sink into the softness of your behind. You can only moan lustfully, letting him draw you into grinding yourself against his firm frame. When he breaks the kiss, you whimper and try to catch one last taste of his lips but the sound you make turns to a gasp when he kisses your jaw and then your neck. In a flash, you're on your back again and Shining has his hands tugging at your shirt. Simple linen, cool for the heat of Saddle Arabia, it offers little resistance to hands that undo the buttons with practised efficiency. And all the while, that gorgeous white stallion nips and kisses at your neck, whispering words that're lost as you can think only of every touch he places against you. But just as Shining undresses you, so you with shaking hands stretch around his back and seek out the clasp that holds the plate over his chest. It comes free with a metallic click and a thunk as it lands on his hands. He grunts, you wince and the thought of how easily it could've knocked the wind from you flits across your mind before he uncaringly tosses it aside—the leather straps clattering with it—and resumes undoing the last buttons of your shirt. You lie there, then, when he finishes and stops with those kisses that leave you flushed and heaving for breath. His eyes no longer show only sweet care but now shine with the light of desire. He's back down against you, his broad chest crashing against yours and you grab his arms and pull. Hands that seek out something else to undo, even as his mane tickles your cheeks and he nips your lips and then quickly soothes you with tender kisses. But there's only one thing left on him, one last layer of thread that separates the stallion from you and even now, his hands struggle to undo your belt. You break the kiss, muttering, "here, hold on." "Hurry," the stallion gasps, letting his fumbling hands fall aside and instead hold onto your waist. In the silliness of the moment, you can't help but snicker. "Or what?" you ask, looking back to him. Shining Armour growls, a low and threatening sound. He lifts his hands to either side of your shoulders and grins down, asking, "Sure you wanna find out?" For the briefest moment you stop and look into those eyes. Almost at the same time, the two of you start laughing. Your hands work a little easier, pulling your belt free and then undoing the button and fly of your pants. Shining takes over the rest, tugging them down as he comes up onto his knees. "I never imagined it'd be like this," he says, easily pulling your pants from you and tossing them aside to join the clasp that was around his chest. Those muscular white legs rub against your own but all too quickly, you find yourself wanting to wrap them around his waist. "Like what?" You instead content yourself with stroking his back. "So... passionate!" You roll your eyes. "Hey, c'mon, this is all new for me." Already you can feel a little knot starting to form between his shoulders. You work your hands against it and Shining sighs, a smiling a little smile. "It's not really, though," you say, your voice quiet and calm, "you're just seeing how it's not really different at all." Even in spite of the moment, you can't resist running your hands down to cup his firm, toned backside; it makes you shiver. "Yeah, Cadance can't keep her hands off my rump either." You can't help but laugh, even as he kisses you. "But... you're right." Another kiss, longer than before. "I like how this feels." As if the bulge you can feel pressing against your thigh didn't already make that clear. "So you wanna keep going." You kiss him this time, letting your lips linger and savour the taste of his. "Right?" The stallion sinks down, rolling onto his back and holding you along with him. His legs come around yours, keeping you tight to his body and while the sudden movement does make you gasp, lying there with your hands on his chest, looking down at this gorgeous stallion... "Don't have to be back at the palace until this evening." This time it's his hands that sink into your behind. "But!" He stops and you smile, hoping to take the edge off your tone. "Just no funny business." Shining nods, holding you a little more gently. "Not until we ask her." He kisses you again, nipping your jaw. "She'll say yes, y'know." Another. "Did I mention she likes you?" "You know I like her too," you say, without giving it another thought. The stallion pulls you down against him, the bulges from both of you grinding against each other's bodies. "So relax, enjoy this." One of his hands takes yours. "I know I'm going to." You let out a little, "oh," when you feel him slide his hands under your underwear, feeling them stroke over your bare skin. When those firm fingers sink into your skin and squeeze you moan, quickly cut off by another kiss. Every touch, every press of his lips and tongue, every breath you take that fills your nostrils with his heady male scent and makes you grind your hips against him just a little harder. Ibrahim had been right - the heat outside was stifling but it was still nothing compared to the heat from Shining's body that leaves you glad you've been stripped down. You idly wonder what he'd say if he saw you like this, if maybe the tall, exotic looking stallion might support you from behind. A soft, "mmm," from the stallion beneath you, however, is all you need to know this is all you really want. Something stirs you, a fancy that draws your hands down to the thin straps of his underwear and to start toying with it. Every move you make, you can feel them shifting against his bulge and Shining groans, trying to angle himself just right. Going a little further than you'd intended, you draw your thumb around under the waistband, sneaking a few fingers against the bulge and stroking up and down, up and down... The effect is immediate; Shining groans loudly, bucking his hips against up and finally letting his member come free of its fabric prison. It's not quite fully hard and though you do feel its heat and hardness, you immediately draw your hand away. As much as you'd love to, you were the one to tell him not to take things too far. Still, he doesn't stop squeezing your behind, gently pulling it up against him or kissing you, whispering your name between them. Each time it's louder, rougher, that rich masculine voice grunting it out like it's all he can think. And he, in turn, is all you can think of. Surprising both he and yourself with the strength which you push him, Shining rolls around onto his back again. You come down on the stallion, straddling him and wind up sitting against his now hard member. The two of you pause, panting, and just look at each other. "You know," you say, still catching your breath, "there's one thing we could try." You start to rock your hips, grinding your behind against him and Shining groans - the sound could very well have been a question. "Don't worry, I know the limit but—" You stretch over him, running your hands up along his arms until your fingers intertwine with his and your chests press together. "We can still have fun, right?"
