Tender had been trying to ignore the stares all day. His muscles had ballooned overnight, but that wasn't the worst of it. He kind of enjoyed that part, as good boys like him had no need for shame.

But his cock was out all the time now, and he most certainly was not comfortable with that yet. He couldn't tuck it in at all anymore, and with his dance clothes already irritating him as much as they did, he'd had no choice but to slip on his old wrestling costume. Smooth, soft lycra hugged his belly, back, and upper arms and legs, as well as keeping his package close to his body and comfortably pointing up instead of dangling all over the place. Some shorts and a shirt, and no one would notice the difference. They might notice the smell of the fabric, but better that than his musk. A well-mannered colt like him knew when to blend in, after all.

No one noticed anything while he was in class, and at least his mind was clearer now. He didn't get those silly thoughts about good boys this and good boys that anymore, he could just focus on what his teacher said now, like a good boy. He sat quietly all day, only answering when he had to, like a good boy. And he put up his best good boy smile anytime someone looked his way. It was so much easier now.

Much to his relief, he didn't have any indecent thoughts about the girls in class, either, just the normal things he'd always thought: she's looking nice, that girl's got nicely trimmed hooves, that one has a tempting rump. No more bad thoughts that didn't belong in his head. His cock twitched and grew at times, but that was normal for a good boy like him, he decided. He was a fit and healthy colt, after all, and he was growing up. No reason for concern. None of the ponies around him noticed, why should he?

Things were back to a routine again. He was back to his normal self. Mostly.

"Holy smokes! Tender Taps? What in tarnation happened to you?"

He winced. Apple Bloom sounded upset, and worried. He couldn't have that, not a good boy like him. He slowed down his trotting, which was now more of a heavy plodding with his body packing on mass as it had. "Umm, I think I may have had a growth spurt."

She chuckled nervously. "No kidding. Have you been feeling warm, still?"

"No, actually. I'm feeling okay now."

As had become her habit, she quickly leaned in and kissed his forehead. She pouted. "Oh, you don't feel okay to me. You're definitely getting warmer now. You should see a doctor. Here, I got some more treats to keep your temperature down."

Tender looked at the bag and squinted. "Apple Bloom, I know I keep asking this, but, umm, are you absolutely, positively, one hundred percent sure those treats are okay?"

"Sure I'm sure. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Think about it, Apple Bloom. You give me those treats, I start losing weight. You give me stronger ones, I... well, look at me. Don't you think that's kind of suspicious?"

Look at him, she did. His arms had swollen to hard tree trunks, as had his legs, and his neck was showing the slightest hint of veins underneath that muscular definition. Most of him was covered, though.

She sighed. "I'm only trying to help, Tender."

"Help me with what? Help me get huge and freakish?"

She took a step back. "Now hold on just a second. You do not look freakish. You look good, you look buff. You look awesome."

He grumbled. "So you did want me to bulk up. You only like big strong boys, is that it?" He winced. "You wouldn't have done what you did yesterday if I wasn't lean and fit?"

She flinched at that. "No. I mean, yeah, I do like strong boys, if I'm totally honest, but..."

"But nothing. You lied to me, Apple Bloom. You said those treats were just for fever."

"They are. They're not supposed to make you grow, Tender. Why would I feed you anything to grow in the first place?"

He shook his head as he tried to think. Apple Bloom was getting upset, and he couldn't let that happen. A good boy took care of his girl, and he was a good boy, and she was his girl. It was only logical he stopped pressing the matter. "Sorry. I don't know what came over me. It's just that I've been having these really weird dreams and..."

She smiled at him. "It's okay, I understand. Been havin’ nightmares, huh? The kind that feels so real, it’s like you’re awake all night?”

“Exactly.”

“So you're not mad at me, then? Just really, really tired?"

He smiled. "Not physically, but tired in my head, yes. I could never be mad at you."

She gave him another minty treat, which he took eagerly. "Here. You'll feel better when you've cooled down."

He sighed as he swallowed the bon bon. "What am I gonna do, though? I can't dance like this."

"Why not? If the rest of you is just as ripped as what's showing-"

"Which it is. Totally ripped." He looked away, blushing. "Like you wouldn't believe."

"Then that's all the more reason to keep dancing. Ponies already look at you with awe and admiration when you move. Think about how they'll look at you when you show off that body of yours. You wouldn't wanna hide all this and keep it to yourself, would you?"

His cock twitched at the thought. Good boys did show off their bodies. Maybe he'd enjoy it. Maybe he could be a little more shameless, like Apple Bloom was. His cock dripped in anticipation. Thankfully, for once, he was covered up enough so the smell wouldn't hit anypony else. "No. Thanks, Apple Bloom. You always know just what to say."

"That's what I'm here for, Tender." She bumped her rup against his, and his cutie mark tingled again, even with two layers of fabric separating them. "But, umm, if you don't mind me giving you some advice?"

"What?"

She gulped. "Don't hang around Ponyville for too long once you're done at the spa. Muscles only grow while you rest, and if you have been having nightmares that badly, chances are you need to catch up on sleep."

"So, you don't wanna try applebucking again?"

She shook her head. "I'd love to show you, but I don't think that's a smart idea, not if this can happen to you this quick. Not today."

He could have cried at that. She really did care about him. She wanted him to be big and buff and healthy.

He wasn't good enough to be her friend otherwise. He couldn't be a good boy if he was too little. But he wasn’t too little, not anymore.

As they walked into class, each turning their own way to the dressing rooms, Tender Taps smiled.

This is fine.

Nothing to worry about.

Dance class was pure bliss for the boy.

Two or three bon bons to keep his fever down, and he didn't even worry about getting stared at anymore. A smile settled on his face when he got into his dance clothes, still wearing the wrestling singlet underneath, and it didn't fade for hours.

Warming up was fun: lifting his firm legs up for all to see, doing the jumps that gave a satisfying 'thump' on the floor with the new weight behind it, and then the stretching.

He'd worried that morning if his new bulk would impede his flexibility, but it didn't; he could do a sideways split now, too, just like the girls! He didn't even worry about his cock bulging out in front of his shorts, or the girls inspecting said bulge.

Good boys show off, after all.

They took turns doing their tapdancing routine, and wrapped up with their own version of Countess Coloratura's 'Razzle Dazzle', with Tender and the rest of the boys doing background choreography while one of the girls did the lead act.

He moaned under his breath as the girls stared at him, and as he ground his hips in tune with the music, waving his big, broad arms around. His own eyes kept darting to the lead's hind quarters.

She has a really nice butt.

I should let her know sometime.

He gulped. His body was warming up again, he could feel it.

It finally dawned on him, thinking about all the other girls he knew: Apple Bloom only wanted him because he was buff now. She wouldn't want to be his friend if he wasn't so ripped. Maybe he should try hanging out with other girls. It couldn't hurt. They might like him for more than just his abs or arms.

I wonder if she'd like my cock...

He didn't think on it long; he had to concentrate. He had to dance. He had to show off his body, like a good boy.

The orange colt was still lost in thought when he got to his spa appointment. What he walked in on, though, was pandemonium. Bulk Biceps stood surrounded by mares, all demanding variations of the same thing.

"But I simply must have my beauty cream!" a female voice cried out. "When is the next shipment coming?"

"Now, now, Missus Rich, we're doing the best we can."

"But what is the matter?" Rarity asked. "Has the stock run dry?"

"D'err, yeah, that's exactly it!” Bulk stammered. “We ran out of ingredients and we can't make any more.”

“Ugh, that's what you said last week.” Cheerilee said. "Are the supplies really that slow?"

"Ladies, ladies," Bulk Biceps said, holding out his hooves. "We're doing the best we can, but unfortunately I can't magically make more cream out of thin air. We're already looking into getting a bigger stock, you'll have what you need tomorrow, I promise.”

That, the herd took as the final answer.

"Very well, Bulk," Rarity said. "But I shall hold you to it. A proper stallion never goes back on his word."

"Don't have to tell me twice, Rarity. You'll get what you want."

With that, the crowd dispersed, and Tender Taps got to the middle of the spa.

"Whoa, little dude, look at you. Not looking so little all of a sudden. What have you been lifting?" Bulk asked.

Nothing, that's the weird part. Well, aside from girls, maybe, but even that...

"Err... it's a long story. Is Aloe in? I'm here for my appointment."

"The girls are making more cream and lip balm for tomorrow. Can't keep track of demand. Lots of mares wanna feel and smell nice, you know." He winked.

Tender chuckled. "I guess." He looked back, still thinking about Apple Bloom.

"Something on your mind, little big guy?"

The boy bit his lip before turning to the giant mass of white pegasus muscle. He noticed Bulk's cock wasn't out, which he took as a good sign that this awkward phase was just that: a phase. "Sort of. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, shoot."

"Have you ever gotten the feeling ponies just like you because of how you look?"

The red-eyed stallion tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Like... somepony you think is your friend, but then you find out they only like certain kinds of ponies. Ponies that look a certain way, or are strong, or fast. And they wouldn't like you if you weren't like that."

"Heheh, of course, Tender. That's just friendship. Everypony does that." Bulk shrugged.

This was news to the boy, and coming from a resident of the same town as the Princess of Friendship, that was saying something. "Really? I thought friends liked each other, no matter what."

"Nah, that's just namby pamby stuff they tell little kids. Look, you dance, right?"

"Right."

"So you mostly hang out with other dancers, then?"

"Not just dancers, but..."

"But would you hang out with somepony who hated dancing and hated you for being a dancer?"

His stomach knotted at the thought. "No."

"Would you make them hang out with you?"

"No, of course not."

“There you go. Ponies like to find ponies who are like them. Friends like you for who you are, and if you're not you, then they don't like you. Can’t argue with that.”

That got a pout out of him. "So... if some pony likes me because they think I look good, but they only like muscular and buff ponies, they're not really my friend?"

Bulk raised an eyebrow at the boy. "Umm, but you are muscular and buff. So they would like you, obviously."

"But what if I wasn't? How do you deal with knowing ponies just want to treat you like..."

"A dumb stud?"

Tender sighed. “Sorry, Bulk.”

“It's okay, I get that a lot. To tell you the truth, it sounds to me like you should ask that friend of yours, then. Especially if it's a girl. Some girls like buff boys like you and me. That doesn't mean they don't like what's underneath the muscle.”

“But how do I know?”

“Same way you learn anything, big guy: you gotta ask.”

“Ah, there you are,” Aloe said, coming up out of the basement with her sister. “Tender Taps, I am dreadfully sorry for the delay, but it seems everypony has run out of beauty cream at the same time and we simply cannot keep up.”

“That's okay, Miss Aloe. It's not urgent today.”

The pink mare led him to the same back room he always went to, and he flopped on her table.

“You are looking much more buff than usual, Tender,” Aloe noted. “You're not using steroids, I hope?”

"No, I'm not. At least, I think I'm not." He sighed and looked up. Still the same ceiling, still the same dreamcatchers hanging around. Maybe he could catch up on some sleep now.

“Two more sessions to go, Tender. Another invigorating massage today, to prepare for tree bucking?”

"No. I'm not going tree bucking today. I think I'm getting sick."

“Well, if what you have is contagious, I think you'll be finding a lot of boys trying to get infected,” she joked.

“Maybe. I still can't sleep very well. Every time I close my eyes, I have these weird dreams. It's not just scary nightmares, it's like I'm wide awake. I can sleep, but I can't rest.”

“That's all I need to know.” Aloe started rubbing along the sides of his skull, causing his eyes to flutter. “A relaxing massage it is, then.”

"Yes... relaxing. Something to help me sleep. I'm gonna call it an early night tonight, just do my homework, eat dinner, wuh-" he slurred when a particularly soft spot made his body go numb. “Wash up, read a little, then bed. I've gotta get some sleep. Some normal sleep. I don't think I can take another night like before.”

“Close your eyes, then, Tender Taps. You won't get any nightmares here.”

He moaned slightly, and didn't even object when his clothes were removed. Aloe didn't remark on his cock being out and dripping. He didn't say a word.

Just sleep. Rest.

Good boys listen to their bodies.

This body needs to rest.

Tender Taps sighed as he went to bed. His cock was still out -- flaccid, thankfully -- but his skin was so sensitive everything felt like a gentle stroke from a loving girl.

He wriggled in his peejays and rested his head on his pillow.

"Please no bad dreams tonight," he whispered. "Please? I don't think I can take any more. Just let it stop now, please? I’m a good boy, I don’t deserve this." He clutched his pillow tightly. “Please? I’ll be good. Just let me get some rest, please.”

He waited, his muscular body unwinding like a spring, and sleep overtook him.

The trees of Sweet Apple Acres looked inviting. He licked his lips at the sight of the juicy striped prize waiting for him.

His stomach growled.

Good boys listen to their bodies.

His body was hungry, so he did the only thing a clever and healthy Earth pony would do: he bucked the tree for an apple.

With a firm kick, he got the tree shaking. No recoil, no shakiness on his part, Apple Bloom would be proud. But no apples, either. He squinted, thinking, before pulling his hind hooves back for another kick.

"Oof!" He fell down, face first. His hooves were stuck in sap of some sort.

"What the..."

He pulled, but the sap pulled back, even reaching out to coat his muscular legs.

"Oh, no, not again. Help! Somepony help!"

No answer came. The tree trunk crunched as it split open in the middle, and the vertical slit spit out more golden sap that got a hold of his back. He was yanked back against the wood and stuck to the tree.

He pushed against the coating, trying to wriggle his way free. "No! I won't let you do this, not again!"

He was so busy he didn't notice his muscles straining under the pressure he put on them. Little veins started popping out under his fur as he burned what little fat he had left.

When he didn't have any fight left in him, a vine came down in front of face.

Good boys listen to their bodies.

"No. You're not real. You're just a dream. Something's trying to... to change me, I just know it. All this good boy stuff, it’s fake. This isn’t me. This is just Apple Bloom's treats talking, something's wrong with them. You’re making me forget it’s wrong, but it’s still wrong! Go away!" He shouted at the flower.

If it understood, it didn't care. The blossom, white with a yellow centre, lowered itself down as the sap holding him hardened. Sparks started flying through the orchard, and only now did it dawn on Tender Taps that the apple he'd been trying to buck down didn't look normal.

Apples don't have rainbow colouring. What is that, a Zap Apple?

His lapse in attention was brief, as the plant snapped over his cock and wrapped its petals tightly over its flared tip. He gasped, then almost choked.

Lightning surged through his body, settling on his cock. Crackles played over his fur, every nerve ending he had was fried, and when it finally stopped, everything ached. His body had already been sensitive, but now even the air on him was pure suffering.

"Haa... that hurt..."

This feels good.

“No...”

Another surge, and every muscle in his body flexed impotently while his cock grew harder and harder, throbbing to the point he thought it would burst. The flower swallowed his fluid and sucked it up through the vine.

This is what good boys want.

This is what good boys live for.

"No... it hurts..."

Another shock, and all he could do was moan. His cock’s skin felt so soft now, so sensitive. His head hung limply, and he could see he was dripping again.

Pre. That's pre. It's pre-cum. It's what you make before you cum. It's what makes you slick and smooth, what makes girls smile when you enter them. It’s what they taste to test you. It’s what separates the boys from the good boys.

"I can't... I don't wanna go inside a girl... I wouldn't even fit."

Good boys listen to their bodies.

"Please stop. I can't..."

Then don't. Don't fight it. Good boys don't have to fight who they are.

Good boys can enjoy themselves.

The next jolt that went through him was pure bliss. More pre escaped the suckling flower's grip despite its frantic pumping of his fluids.

Will you be a good boy?

"Please..."

All you need to do is give in. She will like you for it. She will love you. Don't you want her to be happy?

His eyes shot open. "Apple Bloom?"

"Enough!"

A female voice cut through both his own whimpering protests and the voices in his head. A dark, cold wind swept over Sweet Apple Acres and made all its trees wither in an instant. The sap that held Tender fast cracked and dropped him.

His cock was still rock hard, and he was pretty sure whatever that plant had done had made it even bigger. Checking his arms, the veins were clearly visible now. There was a throbbing itch on his neck that didn't bode well, either.

But he was free. It was over.

He looked up to see the same mare who'd spotted him the previous night. "Princess Luna?"

She shook her head as she landed, her jaw agape. "What happened to you, child? How long has this been happening?"

He panted for air, and he had to force himself not to touch his tortured cock. "Third night, Your Highness."

She reached out a hoof towards him, but thought the better of it once she noticed how sensitive he was. "What has been happening to you? Do you remember your name? Your past? Have your memories been tampered with?"

"My name's Tender Taps." He bit his lip. "I live in Ponyville. I'm a dancer. I remember."

She let out a sigh of relief. "Good."

"I don't know what's going on. I keep having these weird dreams and waking up, the changes are all real."

"Yes, I know. It's not a commonly known form of magic, but it still happens. Tender Taps, this must end now. Something has been causing you to have these dreams. Something is directly making you like this."

He closed his eyes and whimpered.

Luna took stock of where she was. "I heard you call out a name. Apple Bloom, yes? You are, ah, friends with her, I take it?"

"Yes," he whispered.

"Has she been feeding you anything?"

He gulped. Tears ran down his cheeks. "She said it was to keep my fever down. She told me it was fine."

Luna smiled sympathetically at him. "I'm sure she did." She leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead, before touching it with her horn. "But she may have made an error in judgement. I'll go and sort this out, Tender Taps, rest assured. She will not be giving you any bad dreams in the future."

"Please don't be too harsh on her? I don't think she did it on purpose."

"I know your friend, Tender. I know she wouldn't. But look where we are. She did do this, she is responsible, and she should be told as much, lest she make the same mistake again." Luna walked through some sort of glass wall that bent reality around it, some kind of portal, perhaps. "Your mind and body cannot take much more abuse. And I'll not sit idly by while she does the same to another. But I will be gentle, I promise you that. In the meantime, you need to recover. Rest up, Tender. Leave everything to me."

He sighed, and next thing he knew, he was at the dance recital again, dressed in tight clothes that hugged his still hard and dripping cock close to his body, doing what he liked to do.

He performed to an adoring audience, tapping a happy rhythm while the special effects crew made a fake rain come down.

Finally, some relief.

The dream carried him away, and his thoughts went still.

Then the sunrise hit his eyes, and he groaned.

"No... couple more hours... please..."

Author's Note

One of the considerations as to whether to have a child as a victim in your story is how cruel you want to be, and how overt the cruelty should be. An adult is expected to match their opposition as an equal, and physical abuse doesn't have the same impact because, obviously, an adult can still throw a punch back. A child cannot.

So, yeah, this is where things get blurry for poor Tender. He only knows he's being changed in his dreams, while his waking mind can't tell one from the other. And the dreams are keeping his mind active, not letting his thoughts rest. That'll take it out of anypony, poor thing.

Funny thing to wonder about Princess Luna, by the way: if a pony runs into her in their dreams, how would they know it's the actual Princess Luna, and not a figment of their imagination? Food for thought.