Author's Note

Hi guys~ Thanks to all who have favourited and followed this. I didnt expect it to get much attention, so to see how many of you have given it a home on your lists, makes me really happy! ^_^ Enjoy~

His Precious Doctor

Caballeron woke an hour or so later. In the back of his mind he noticed a faint, dull ache, but ignored it for now as he grew more aware. He stirred a little, uttering a sleepy groan. He heard snuffling, heavy breathing close by and blinked sleepily. Slowly his memory came back, and he felt his face burn red. Sweet Celestia, he'd let his boss screw him.

But….he bit his lip at the thought, it HAD felt good. Recollections of his boss-

He stopped there, shaking his head violently to dispel the image before he got worked up again. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down...

He doubted it meant anything to Ahuizotl, it was probably just a fantasy, spurred on by that necklace. He didn't strike Caballeron as the type to feel anything akin to steady affection or love. Why he'd chosen him, Caballeron, baffled the pony. What was so enticing about HIS plot?

--Probably just because he can..-- he mused, sighing softly. Just a way to show he was the one in control. Then Ahuizotl stirred and Caballeron went tense, awaiting a response. He expected to be turfed out on his ass now he'd been...well, used up?

Ahuizotl awoke to see the Doctor was already awake, he was staring into space and looking oddly pensive. Did he hurt?

"Feel well, Doctor?" he asked, brushing the pony’s lips with his own as Caballeron turned to look at him. Caballeron went red by means of an answer. So Ahuizotl used his tail-hand to gently caress the pony’s ass. Caballeron let out a squeak of surprise, but blushed in the most tempting manner possible. An obvious indicator he'd enjoyed it when coupled with the "don't tease me" glower he pulled.

At last Caballeron recalled the question he'd been asked and nodded, but that same uncertainty still lingered in his eyes. Ahuizotl understood at last, did the Doctor think he had just screwed him for the hell of it?

"Do not be foolish, Doctor and assume I merely wished to use you. You are not a trinket, a mere relic that I store on a shelf!" there was a touch of anger to his voice. Caballeron looked frightened a moment, as if he'd been rumbled. Ahuizotl squeezed that gorgeous rear again in admonishment, a lot more firmly this time, making Caballeron moan softly.

Ahuizotl framed the pony's face gently with his paws, sitting up and angling his body so he was peering down at him now.

His piercing gaze made Caballeron's pulse race. Was he being serious, was this....?

"I did you because I admire you. Your tenacity, your guile. You’re an intriguing creature, one I felt a long dormant attraction to when I was confronted by the fact you could have died right in front of me." Ahuizotl grinned at the surprised Doctor "I took the liberty of admiring that sumptuous rear end of yours when you stalked out of here with your nose in the air, after one of our trades."

"I was not sticking my nose in the air-!" Caballeron cut off as Ahuizotl began to laugh again and blunted the pony’s anger by kissing him.

"And I wasn’t admiring your ass. We are both worthless liars, my dear Doctor." the creature laughed.

Caballeron grumbled under his breath, cheeks burning red. How was Ahuizotl getting under his skin so effortlessly? A warm paw gripped his chin gently, tilting their faces so their eyes met. The seductive way his boss looked at him now made him flush anew.

"Now my dear Doctor, I believe we both require a wash. Although I aim to keep your scent on me as long as possible, YOUR coat needs a good bathing."

Caballeron blinked, following his boss' eyes down to his belly, and brushed his coat with a hoof. He encountered dried, sticky patches on his fur. Of course, he'd been lying on his stomach...

He was gently ushered off the recliner, that thought left to wait. He felt his legs wobble as he took a few tentative steps on the hard ground. Small zig-zags of pain emanated from his lower back. He uttered a soft obscenity, shifting how he walked so it wasn’t so bad.

He felt oddly heavy still, and plodded along slower then he would normally, as he trailed after Ahuizotl.

He was keenly aware of Ahuizotl's eyes on him, and felt his face redden again. He studied the rocky floor underhoof as they walked, feeling oddly...nervous? What was he nervous about? He couldn’t pin it down.

But one thing was for certain, it felt strange being under someone else’s sway. But he'd be lying to himself if he denied how good he felt...how much he'd enjoyed it.

His eyebrows rose as he seen the hot-spring. Ahuizotl nudged him towards the water and Caballeron was happy to oblige. He took off the by now VERY rumpled shirt he wore, the neckerchief discarded earlier on back in the other room. He set it aside, aware of the smell of sweat and whatever else soaked into it.

He clambered in, sighing in relief.

"That feels good..." he let his forelegs and head rest atop the edge of the pool, feeling the hot water soak into his coat.

"I will leave you to yourself. Enjoy~" Ahuizotl's voice was as smug and sure as ever, yet there was another tone beneath it. One that made Caballeron blush.

Then he left as promised.

Caballeron took a deep breath before submerging himself under the water. The water flooded into his ears, blocking out everything but his beating heart. In this comforting silence he thought one simple thought over and over.

He'd slept with his BOSS. And enjoyed it.

He surfaced with a gasp, hair flattened to his neck. He recalled Ahuizotl gently tugging on his mane as they’d had sex, and allowed himslef a small smile. It'd felt very good.

--What am I getting into?-- he pondered. Was Ahuizotl serious, DID he desire a simple pony? Let alone a failed archaeologist turned relic hunter.

But there was no denying he felt so satisfied. Nopony he'd grudgingly allowed to mount him had ever made him climax that hard and heavy, let alone fall asleep feeling so content.

At last he decided to get out, and realised his shirt was gone. He blinked cluelessly, he was sure he'd dropped it right here? Puzzled, he dried himself off as best he could and left the room.

He ambled down the hall, ears pricking as the sound of raised voices reached his ears, and they were getting closer. He ducked into a small raised outcropping of the cave wall. Between the jagged edges, he seen the guards dragging some familiar figures out into the dimly lit hall. It was Sureshot and the cronies that’d mercilessly beaten him to the point of almost blacking out.

Sureshot was screaming he'd make Ahuizotl pay for this, him and that bastard Caballeron! The subject of the abuse held his breath and flattened himself behind the rock as he heard the ponies being thrown out, their voices getting dimmer. He stared into the shifting shadows that concealed him, heart racing. What’d just happened? What....had Ahuizotl done?

He closed his eyes, one hoof pressed over his heart. begging it to slow. He'd been in dangerous situations before, his fights against Daring Do and various other obstacles had been more life threatening than this. But there was something so personal about Sureshot's attack on him. How helpless he'd been, not being as fit as those younger stallions, it had left him unable to get away. He knew he'd gotten soft from years of cushy living and having goons do the hard work for him. Seeing Sureshot's smug grin, knowing he had Caballeron pinned, helpless...

"Doctor.". Ahuizotl's voice startled the heck out of him, and he gave a strangled gasp as he bolted forward out of his hiding spot. He almost tripped on his own hooves as he tried to stand properly and was grabbed around the middle by Ahuizotl's tail-hand. Having resigned himself to being caught, he relaxed as he was carried to the bedroom. He was set atop the bed, as the once more full-sized mythical creature settled on the bed beside him.

"I assume you enjoyed the bath?" was the first question.

Caballeron nodded, his mouth was bone dry, head spinning. What had happened with Sureshot?

"I did not think you would finish so quickly, Doctor. The guards finally told me those fools had returned, so I seen fit to deal with them while you rested yourself."

"That was.." Caballeron's throat went dry. A warm palm brushed his cheek, and against his will, his eyes fluttered shut and he flashed back to the scents of the night before. His heart raced still, but now in a much nicer way.

Satisfied Caballeron was calmer, Ahuizotl let his paw settle back on the bed, and Caballeron focused on him once more.

"Sureshot and his goons, yes. I made it clear I would not stand for their treachery. That arrogant little fool has been grating on my nerves for some time. He thinks he can fool me with his pretences. Also, I have suspicions he is withholding some of the spoils of the tasks I send him on."

Caballeron nodded.

"So I told him I would not tolerate his presence around here again. And that he would live a lot longer if he stayed away from my trusted associates. Your worth far exceeds his, mistakes and all. He made some crass threats detailing what he'd do to you, so I told him to shut his mouth before I broke it."

Caballeron blinked, had he just said-?

"Yes, I felt that fool deserved punishment for attempting to besmirch you, Doctor. Rest assured, he has reaped what he sowed."

Ahuizotl seen surprise in Caballeron's eyes, and a flicker of gratitude too. He toyed with a lock of the pony’s mane, peering into those deep green eyes. He teased the Doctor with a light kiss, feeling the pony press against him. He grinned inside, knowing he'd hooked the stallion. Now to keep him by his side...and in his bed.

For now he settled for kissing the pony until he was breathless.

"Ah.." Caballeron cleared his throat as he was let go, lips tingling from the kissing "W-where is....have you seen my shirt?"

Ahuizotl raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that? It was in need of a clean, so I took the liberty of having one of the guards take care of it, along with the bedsheets from the night before." He nipped at Caballeron's neck gently and added "While they seen to that, I erased all evidence from the recliner while you bathed. Nobody will be any the wiser."

Caballeron actually found himself smiling faintly at the idea that Sureshot and those goons had been yelled at, and torn a new one figuratively speaking, in the same room where the same recliner sat. Where they’d had mind blowing sex not long ago. Ahuizotl read the amusement in the Doctor's eyes and smirked.

"Exactly, my dear Doctor. I took my own sincere gratification in knowing I’d made you mine, while they tried to lie their way out of the situation."

--You should feel proud, Doctor. Nobody’s honour besides mine has ever spurred me this way.--

He looked at the stallion, admiring how good he looked, his coat still damp, hair wet and curling down his neck. He looked downright screwable. But he reminded himself of how their little romp on the couch had exhausted Caballeron already, and realised the pony probably couldn’t take another round right away. The way he'd walked, as if this was a new sensation, told him Caballeron had never been claimed by one of Ahuizotl's...stature, before.

So he pushed all thoughts of a sexual nature aside. It would all come in time.

Outside, the trio of ponies fumed. Sureshot was livid with rage, he could barely speak he was so angry. As Ahuizotl had yelled at them for their numerous screw-ups, Sureshot had been staring intently at a crumpled piece of red fabric discarded casually on the floor.

Just visible beneath the rug had rested a neck-tie he recognised so well...

"Boss?" he heard one of his goons ask "now what do we do?"

"Oh I know what we'll do." Sureshot raged. He pulled the rumpled piece of fabric from his saddlebag. He'd stolen it while Ahuizotl had been looking away, lost in his grandiose rant.

Now he glared at it, at what it represented.

"That bastard, Caballeron. He was always so cocky, and now it makes sense. He's been Ahuizotl's little screw-toy this whole time. You want to know what we're going to do? We're going to make that washed up old fool regret rutting his way to the top!"

"How, we don’t know where he is?" The other goon said.

Sureshot rolled his eyes and turned to face them, holding up the fabric "This is Caballeron's. It was lying on the floor of that room. I can tell it reeks of sweat and sex, that clueless bastard."

"He's still in there." the first goon looked back in the direction of the cave.

"Exactly," Sureshot snarled "So we need to act fast.."

"What I don’t get is how they...ya know, do it.." The other guard said "I mean, the old boss was a big thing."

"No doubt one of those priceless relics grants him whatever he wants, and that something is that pathetic Doctor." Sureshot sneered. What was so special about that fool?

He wanted to make Caballeron suffer.

He had a few favours to call in first, however. He left the goons to watch the cave entrance and follow the Doctor if he should leave. He'd be back shortly...

With Ahuizotl off attending to something in the inner chambers, the ones that held priceless relics, Caballeron had the rest of the evening to spend in the library.

He found some paper and a pen, and set about translating the book.

The guard-doctor came by and checked the injured leg, frowning as he remarked Caballeron was putting too much weight on it, he shouldn’t be careless.

Caballeron thought about what he'd been doing so far since waking up here and felt himself want to blush. But he kept his face impassive, giving nothing away.

If the guard-doctor suspected anything, he kept it to himself. Caballeron was aware sleeping with the higher-ups made somepony like him look like a desperate case. Resorting to screwing someone in exchange for attention.

No, he told himself. --Stop right there. He initiated it with YOU. Yes, you gave in and, quite happily I might add, let him do you. But you never expected it.--

That was the honest truth. He had never expected his boss might look at him that way, let alone find him attractive. Surely he could have anypony, so why was he interested in an old fool like Caballeron? At first he'd tried to convince himself it was just out of pity, or amusement on Ahuizotl's part. But Ahuizotl had put a halt to that, stating he'd wanted to screw Caballeron because he admired him. He'd found him a worthy subject of his advances...

--Do I believe him?-- Caballeron pondered. It wasn’t just the sex, there was the fact that Ahuizotl had taken punishing those that had nearly killed Caballeron so seriously. He'd defended him, essentially.

He felt an uncharacteristic ache in his chest, and with a jab of panic he realised he didn’t want it to end. He was enjoying the attention, that feeling that he mattered so much, that he was....desirable, to someone. He'd fallen into a pattern of one night stands, acting like he didn’t care, telling himself he just wanted sexual release, not love or anything along those lines.

He uttered a deep sigh, hearing it echo around the vaulted cavern. He pushed the thoughts aside for now and went back to work.

Hours later...

Caballeron sat in the massive library, eyes flicking from book to paper, scribbling away.

When Ahuizotl came to find him, he paused a moment to observe Caballeron as he entered the room. The pony was surrounded on three sides by a fort of books. He was lying on his stomach, a pencil held in his mouth. He looked up at the book and studied it a moment, then bent his head and proceeded to write a few more sentences.

What caught Ahuizotl's attention was the gleam in his eyes. He looked lively, enthusiastic. Most of the time when he'd seen the Doctor he looked tired, strung out, and on a few occasions, drunk/hungover. But now he looked less burdened, and he had the feeling this was how Caballeron had been years before he'd started giving in to bribes and being accosted by Daring Do.

It was amusing and oddly endearing, how these ponies could write using the pencil stuck in their mouth. He snuck over as quietly as he could and brushed a paw up Caballeron's back. The pony yelped, the pencil clattering to the floor, but he relaxed when he realised who it was.

"Time to get some rest Doctor, it's late," Ahuizotl chuckled and peered at the translated notes by Caballeron's hooves "interesting. You have been hard at work."

"It’ll take awhile before it's all complete.." Caballeron raised an eyebrow and heaved a sigh at the sheer size of the volume. Ahuizotl chuckled faintly.

"Well, you are free to take loan of any tome you require, there are others in that language and I will require your talent for some time to come. You will of course be rewarded handsomely for your efforts."

This reminded Caballeron he WAS starting to run out of money. He'd been going through it so fast recently...

A gentle reminder in the form of a tap on his rear made him snap back to the present. He set the book down and put the notes aside. He stretched, hearing his back click faintly.

"Feeling a bit stiff, dear Doctor?" Ahuizotl looked amused, and more than a little smug.

Caballeron coughed and affected an air of annoyance "nothing I cant handle." he said boldly.

--Oh I don’t doubt that, you proved very accommodating on the couch, Doctor.-- Ahuizotl thought. He pondered how long he'd be able to hold out before giving in to temptation and seducing Caballeron again?

Stretching over with, Caballeron hit a snag. He glanced around, expression shifting. Where was he supposed to sleep-? Oh right, back in the room with the recliner again-

He was scooped up by the tail-hand again and set atop Ahuizotl's broad back as the bigger creature padded towards the bedroom. He could’ve just objected, but instead he found himself wriggling further up, closer to Ahuizotl's head, so he could hear what he was saying. That was his excuse. No other reason he would willingly clamber all over the bigger creature like an over excitable schoolchild.

"Amuse me, doctor, and bed with ME." Ahuizotl sounded sure of himself, that the Doctor wouldn’t be able to refuse, and he was right.

The vibrations of the creature's voice sent shivers up Caballeron's back and made that teasing heat unfurl in his stomach. The bedroom soon came into view and Ahuizotl strode over to the bed. He dipped his head, so the pony lounging atop his head was rolled off and onto the bed. He landed in a sprawling fashion, tail flicked up between his legs. It looked beyond tantalizing...

The necklace read what the wearer wanted and gleamed faintly, and once more the mythical being was the same proportions as he'd been when they done it on the couch. Caballeron felt a little pulse in his stomach, was this a hint for another round? He still felt a dull ache from that first time. Even in his smaller form, Ahuizotl was still vastly different to any of Caballeron's other bed partners. Well, one night drunken flings was more accurate...

"Fret not Doctor, I will not be taxing you again so soon. All you need to do is lie on your back-" the being grinned knowingly "-and don’t muffle your voice. The guards are all at the other end of the cave, they will not hear us."

He grinned, licking his lips eagerly.

Caballeron flushed as he realised what his boss wanted to do to him. Seeing his expression, knowing the pony understood, Ahuizotl kissed Caballeron. This made any resistance the Doctor may have had go down the drain, and he was helpless to resist when Ahuizotl whispered;

"Now, move that cute little tail of yours out of the way."

Caballeron made his tail move, and was rewarded by a nuzzle to his stomach.

"Good Doctor, now...lets taste you.."

And with those words, he began. His longer-than-a-pony's tongue teasingly licked the doctor's shaft, making him squirm. Caballeron groaned softly, it sent such a delicious jolt up his back. Ahuizotl grinned, then went down on him completely, taking the Doctor into his mouth entirely.

“Ah, t-that's….” Caballeron panted. The heat of the creature's mouth, and that extremely agile tongue- it wrapped around him again, squeezing gently. The pony seen his partners throat constrict as he swallowed the initial reward he'd teased from Caballeron's member. This only made Caballeron even more aroused.

Abruptly, Ahuizotl released the stallion from his mouth, and met the pony's eyes.

“That’s just the start Doctor, I’ve been thinking about this all day. Wondering how long I can make you wait before you climax.”

Caballeron blushed once more, Ahuizotl really was-

Then his thought was cut off as Ahuizotl did as promised, and went beyond what he'd just been doing. He settled into a pleasurable rhythm, ravishing the equine shaft in his mouth. One paw slid under the doctor's rear, teasing and touching his partner. He grinned inside as this movement made Caballeron moan even louder, increasing the pre-finale pumps of fluid.

Two paws now gripped Caballeron's hips, and Ahuizotl briefly released the doctor's shaft from his mouth, to use his tongue on the lower part of his stallions package. Caballeron made a desperate mewling sound, this felt too good. He couldn’t-

Then his Boss' phrase about seeing how long Caballeron could last flashed into his head, and he resolved to hold on until the pleasure become all-encompassing..

So with an extreme effort, he clamped down on his desire to finish, his body trembling at the task.

Ahuizotl picked up on a shift in the Doctor's body language, and realised what he was up to.

--Lets see how much you can take then, Doctor, it'll make you all the sweeter when I make you release.-- he grinned.

So he upped the sensual assault of the Doctor's member, slow, teasing caresses with his tongue, gripping the base of it with his tail-hand.

“You know, it's possible to keep you going for awhile, yet with my hand here, you wont be allowed to finish. Did you know that?” the creature teased.

“Ahui- N-no I didn’t-!” Caballeron panted, heart racing.

“It's cute hearing you say my name like that, but I’m going to make you beg, dear Doctor.”

He continued his teasing and sucking, all the while maintaining that tormenting grip. Caballeron gasped and moaned, bucking his hips eagerly, as best he could with Ahuizotl holding him in place with his paws.

He held out as best he could, even though the words to beg Ahuizotl to let him finish were on the tip of his tongue, he let himself fall deep into the pleasure setting his whole body alight with desire.

--Mmm, well met my dear Doctor. But you wont be able to resist THIS..--

He teased a finger around the Doctor's entrance, then, as Caballeron moaned eagerly, he pushed a finger into him. Caballeron's whole body nearly went rigid from the sensation, and he finally broke his silence;

“Ahui...p-please….Please!”

“As you wish, Doctor.” Ahuizotl released the pony's shaft and removed his fingers, going back to using just his mouth. It didn’t take long to bring the Doctor over the edge, and he was rewarded with a heavy load hitting the back of his throat, where he happily swallowed it, savouring the taste. A few more teasing strokes made a final few bursts line his throat, then the Doctor was spent.

He released the pleasured pony, and Caballeron collapsed onto the soft covers, breathing rapidly.

"Delicious, my precious Doctor." Ahuizotl complimented the exhausted pony as he licked his lips. Caballeron blinked sluggishly up at him, looking pretty damn cute. His black mane, streaked with the occasional grey strand, curled sexily around the base of his ears and clung to his neck.

Ahuizotl did as he'd done before, and wrapped his body around Caballeron's in an almost protective manner. The Doctor snuggled up to his side, uttering a faint, contented sigh. His scent after climax was almost addictive, a sweet, heady smell.

As he'd laid into those unfortunate fools that’d beaten Caballeron nearly to death and no doubt set that snake on him, Ahuizotl had been aware of the still lingering scent of the passionate sex in the room. The ponies wouldn’t pick it up, but HE did. It'd made the punishment of those buffoons all the sweeter, then he'd had them thrown out. Caballeron had seemingly stumbled out of the bath right about then, because he'd picked up on the freshly washed smell of him, hiding behind a rock.

He was loathe to let the Doctor go, but knew he'd have to release him eventually. For now he just let himself relax, the pleasing warmth of the Doctor's body right beside him lulling him to sleep.

He let Caballeron sleep on as he got up the next morning, going in search of something...

The dozy archaeologist groaned as he rolled over and realised where he was, again. Another night in his boss' bed...

This was, by far, the craziest thing he'd ever gotten involved in, and given he'd had some weird encounters with ancient artefacts and monsters, that was saying something!

Just as he was stretching and easing the stiffness out of his muscles, he heard footsteps. He looked round, seeing his boss standing in the doorway.

"Looking for this?" Ahuizotl strode over, producing something from behind his back. It was Caballeron's shirt.

"Perhaps a bath, before you attend breakfast?" he suggested.

It felt surreal, this creatures old fashioned mannerisms. His requests felt like part demand, part question, like he was trying to be nice. A funny pang jabbed Caballeron's heart and as he prepared to dismount from the bed, he paused to quickly steal a kiss, then he was off and trotting causally out of the room, shirt draped across his back.

Behind him, in the room, Ahuizotl allowed himself a smile. That was the first time the Doctor had exhibited such unprompted affection. Although there was no denying he'd enjoyed all the attention Ahuizotl had lavished on him, he'd been quite shy about showing it in return, seeming to fear possible falsehoods in Ahuizotl's actions and words. So what had changed today?

Whatever it was, he liked it.

Caballeron was sitting in the room with the recliner, when Ahuizotl found him next. With his freshly cleaned short on, he looked back to his usual self. The doctor guard was summoned to once more check the snake bite. It was healing well, there would be a minor set of scars but nothing noticeable. A fresh bandage and the two were left alone to eat.

But as they enjoyed their breakfast, trouble was brewing..

Sureshot had gathered a sizeable gang of ponies, and now stood in front of the motley crew of mercenaries.

"Keep that big buffoon diverted, and steal whatever you fancy. Knock the guards out and tie them up. But none of you, I repeat NONE, are to touch Caballeron. That fool is MINE. Me and the boys need to have a talk with him."

The others nodded. They didn’t care about Caballeron, they wanted a fight and whatever they could steal as their wage. Sureshot had some kind of vendetta against this Caballeron guy, but they didn’t give a damn.

"Let's go." Sureshot said, casting a glance up at the cave entrance and smirking.

--You’ll regret this you old fool..--

Ahuizotl left his precious bed partner to his own devices in the library and ventured deeper into the cave to look over some of his more recent acquisitions. Caballeron made several more pages of progress translating the same book, when he heard the first noise. His ears twitched, and he frowned.

He set the pencil down and crept towards the door. That was when he realised it sounded like a fight! He heard a guard scream in the distance, and backed up. Someone was attacking?!

He hurriedly pushed a bookshelf in front of the door, his back aching by the end. There had to be something he could fight with? And even if he could get out of here, he couldn’t just LEAVE Ahuizotl, he had to locate the lower caves...

There were thundering hoof-steps coming down the rocky corridor and seconds later he heard the bookshelf shake.

"In here!" a male voice bellowed. Caballeron felt panic punch him in the gut, and he dove into the stack of books, pushing them over, looking for something, ANYTHING to fight with.

With a thudding crash the bookshelf fell forward, and a trio of heavyset ponies blocked the door. Caballeron flattened himself back against the shelf behind him.

The ponies advanced, grinning evilly.

"Boss sent us to find you, so you may as well come quietly." the lead pony mocked. Caballeron snarled, feeling behind him for a book. His hoof closed around a heavy hardback.

He told the trio to buck off in his native tongue and lobbed the book like a missile. He ran for them, ducking and feinting as the other two grabbed for him. He threw his weight against the one he'd hit with the book and leapt over his fallen body. He'd have made it too, but for one mistake. He'd let his tail grow lately, normally he kept it cropped short for the sheer reason it could get in the way. But lately he just hadn’t cared.

This was his downfall, as it meant the one he'd knocked over recovered in time to grab Caballeron's tail with his teeth and yank back. Caballeron yelped as the wind was knocked from his lungs, dropping him to the floor.

In seconds they were on him, tying his legs together and slinging him across the back of the biggest goon.

Caballeron panicked...had Ahuizotl heard the attack? Where was he..?

Sureshot looked around the room, noting several expensive pieces of art in here alone. This was the room Ahuizotl had always greeted them in, done any business in. And where he'd no doubt been screwing that loathsome-

There was a scuffle in the doorway, and something was thrown to the floor.

"Found him boss, he’s all yours.." the merc grinned, one hoof keeping Caballeron pinned to the floor "me and the boys are going to go raid the place. We held up our end of the deal."

"Fine, whatever you can carry is yours." Sureshot shrugged dismissively and the merc's grinned, before running away into the caves.

Caballeron tried to stand but a hefty punch to the jaw stunned him, followed by a kick to the ribs.

"You know how much trouble you’ve caused me, old man?" Sureshot spat, kicking Caballeron in the ribs. Caballeron coughed and gasped, barely able to speak.

He dragged him over to the other two, cut the ropes and ordered them to hold his forelegs down.

"What-" Caballeron managed to croak, the coppery taste of his blood making him gag "are you doing?!"

"What do you think?" Sureshot grinned evilly "My merc's are taking the buffoons stash of artefacts, and I'm going take his precious little slut-pony."

Seeing Caballeron's shocked expression he laughed even harder "that's right, I know you’ve been screwing him, you really shouldn’t leave your clothes lying around." he pulled the neckerchief out from his saddlebag, waving it at the doctor.

"I seen this when that brainless brute decided to blame US for kicking your sorry ass. In fact..."

He tied the length of fabric over Caballeron's eyes, laughing.

"I'd gag you but it’ll be more rewarding to hear you scream..."

"Get off me!" Caballeron struggled and kicked, but to no avail.

"It's too late to plead now, Doctor. You brought this on yourself by getting in my way."

He set his hooves on Caballeron's hips, making him think he was about to do the unthinkable. He was going to make this pony BEG.

"Can you understand what I’m going to do.." he cackled, this was quite entertaining. He'd been plotting the Doctor's downfall for awhile now. It was quite...exciting.

Caballeron had been relatively calm until now, but as soon as he realised what he thought was going to happen, he began freaking out.

"No, let me go!" he panicked.

"Oh hush now Doctor, you like this.." Sureshot mocked, drawing the torment out. He wasn't even started and the Doctor was a wreck..

The two that were pinning Caballeron down were starting to have second thoughts now. They thought the boss was just going to play with the Doc a little, make him think he was going to do something so abhorrent. But the boss was already making it clear he was going to force himself upon the other pony, who was gasping and struggling. They could feel every ounce of strength in his body being poured into the legs they were pinning down.

"Don’t you two DARE let go now." Sureshot hissed, glaring at them "I’ll find you if you do, and you know what I can do."

"This is a bit far, aint it?" the first said, glancing at his co-worker.

"Ridiculous," Sureshot spat "he's that freak Ahuizotl's little screw-toy. He has to pay for the trouble he's caused!"

Sureshot turned his attention back to the captive Doctor beneath him. Caballeron had stopped begging and pleading, and was drawing in shaky, terrified hiccup breaths now.

"You’ve grown too lazy, Doctor. Perhaps lying on your back too much has made you soft?" he laughed at his own crude humour.

Caballeron couldn’t speak, he felt about to be sick. He felt numb, body locked by terror.

Sureshot grinned "time to begin, Doctor!" he cackled-

Caballeron recovered his voice, crying out desperately. He thought he felt pressure on one hoof lift just a little-

Then there was an earth shaking roar, a sound that would haunt Sureshot for the rest of his days. There was the sound of a door being ripped from its hinges and something sharp dug into his neck. In a split second he was torn away from the pony he'd been poised over. He hit the floor, coughing heavily.

He heard two more screams and his two henchponies soon joined him. They scrambled back, pulling each other up. A bloodied, furious shape was crouching over the blindfolded Caballeron, protecting him. It took them a second to realise; it was Ahuizotl.

"Cowards!!" the mythical creature roared, eyes blazing red. There was an odd looking amulet around his neck, as well as a delicate looking chain.

Lying on the floor, trapped in darkness by the blindfold, Caballeron recognised that voice.

"Ahui.." he croaked, his throat sore from screaming. He tried to reach out for him, but he was too shaken and it took him several seconds to realise he could remove the blindfold now...

He heard Ahuizotl shouting to somepony, and the next second he was helped up onto shuddering legs. He lashed out, panicking-

"Its me, the doc!" the voice WAS familiar, and a second later the blindfold was removed. Caballeron seen the familiar features of the doc, and his heart began pounding a little less rapidly. He looked around, but he couldn’t see Ahuizotl.

"He's chasing those scum bags," the guard-doctor informed him. He took in the terrified Caballeron's injuries and noticed two rapidly bruising patches at his hips. He quickly surmised what those thugs had been about to do, Caballeron looked shocked and scared, on the verge of breaking down.

The doc checked him over, finding a bruised rib and another bruise on his jaw. Other than that, he was in good health. He tried to ask if that pony had DONE anything, but Caballeron refused to say a word, just huddling over and closing his eyes.

He stayed with him even as the last of the terrified screams of the attackers faded. After an indefinite length of time, he heard Ahuizotl approach.

He stepped forward to intercept him as the big being strode in.

"Are they gone?" he asked and Ahuizotl nodded.

"The last of those cowards have been expunged, and made to regret such foolishness. I suggest you venture out and recruit new guards, I want this place under double protection, understand?" the creature said coldly. The guard-doc nodded, he'd see to it personally.

"Is he...?" Ahuizotl sounded tense.

"He wont say a word," the guard-doctor said softly "I couldn’t confirm if he was assaulted."

"I will tend to him from here on, if he is able to speak, I will inform you." Ahuizotl sounded like he was just about sitting on his fury.

The doctor nodded, and left. He and the rest of the guards were only lightly injured, it had been more of a distraction for robbery then an outright attempt at wiping them out. Some things had been stolen, but he had his suspicions that Sureshot had staged all this to get at Caballeron.

He'd known from that first evening that something had gone on between those two. Why else would the Doctor have been in Ahuizotl's bed for Celestia's sake? He knew that new artefact, the necklace, had a hoof in it somehow. That thing had somehow allowed the big creature to have a sexual relationship with the pony. When he'd been checking the bite wound on Caballeron, he'd noticed the stallion seemed fairly content. At least happier then he'd noted so far, anyway. Most of the times he had seen Caballeron, the pony had looked strung out, tired or irritated.

He hoped no damage had been done...

Caballeron huddled over as he heard Ahuizotl approach. He was gently scooped up in one big strong arm and carried away down the hall. He kept his eyes closed, hearing voices echoing in the distance. Then he was gently set down atop a familiar bed.

"Open your eyes." Ahuizotl asked. Caballeron did so, but wouldn’t look up.

"Doctor..." Ahuizotl paused, then more sternly "Caballeron. Look at me."

Caballeron hesitantly lifted his head, tired, scared eyes fixing on him. Ahuizotl gently caressed the unbruised side of his face. Caballeron uttered a faint, almost inaudible whimper, and it made Ahuizotl furious to see him so hurt.

"They have paid the price, ultimately this time. If I see them again, it will be the last thing they do..." he vowed. Caballeron flinched subtly, but nodded.

"I know you're hurt, my precious Caballeron. But I need to know one thing. Did one of them...hurt you?"

Caballeron shook his head, too freaked out to talk. He gave Ahuizotl such a pleading look the bigger being backed off.

"I will not force you." he murmured, settling down on the bed and gently pulling the stallion into his arms. Caballeron clung to him, finding respite and safety in his hold. He could hear the relaxing pound of Ahuizotl's pulse, and the slower heartbeat helped calm his own. He began to feel drowsy...

"Sleep, Caballeron.." Ahuizotl said softly, rubbing his back "I will remain with you, regardless of what arises."

Assured by this, Caballeron fell into slumber.

He didn’t dream, which was a small mercy. He was blissfully safe in his sleep, unaware that Ahuizotl stayed awake as long as possible to keep watch over him.

For a brief moment when Caballeron awoke, it felt as if none of it had happened. Then the bruises he'd sustained twinged and he made a scared sound in the back of his throat. He sat up in the bed, peering into the gloom surrounding him.

There was a snap of a match, and the lamp was lit. He flinched against the sudden surge of bright light.

"Caballeron." Ahuizotl's sleepy voice met his ears and he relaxed, uttering a muffled hiccup. Ahuizotl sat up, using the necklaces spell to shrink himself down so he was the size he'd been when he'd first made love to Caballeron. He hoped he could comfort the pony better this way...

"Let it out, my dear Caballeron." he said firmly. Caballeron shook his head.

"Doctor." Ahuizotl used the term more sternly now.

"I cant.." Caballeron coughed, shaking his head. He was cradled gently against Ahuizotl's warm muscular chest, the comforting smell of his fur soothing.

"Do not hide anything, Caballeron." Ahuizotl said sternly, whilst gently rubbing the pony’s back "I promise you are safe with me."

Caballeron made a hiccupy, choked sound, like he'd tried to talk but couldn’t get the words out. Then he hit tipping point and Ahuizotl seen tears of shock gathering in the pony's eyes. He brushed them away with the tail-hand, only for more to take their place. The pony buried his face against Ahuizotl's chest and broke down.

Nothing was said as the Doctor's mind processed what had happened. After awhile, he trailed off, gasping, raspy sobs the only sound.

"Relax.." Ahuizotl insisted. Caballeron hiccuped by way of an answer. Ahuizotl titled the pony’s face up and kissed him softly. The kindness of the gesture, as well as the familiarity of it seemed to comfort the frightened pony and he relaxed, his shivering less intense.

"Caballeron." Ahuizotl's face was serious "I need you to tell me...did one of those lowlifes assault you?"

Caballeron's stomach dropped into a bottomless pit. He shook slightly, not wanting to say it. That he'd gotten pinned down and nearly- well he didn’t know what Ahuizotl would think of him. And that mattered more than he'd admit to himself.

Sureshot's words rebounded around his mind. Slut-pony...he flinched and couldn’t make eye contact any more, feeling too sick and ashamed.

Once more, Ahuizotl seen the tell tale signs in Caballeron's face, and spoke firmly.

"Do not be foolish Caballeron. I will not lose what I feel for you because of this. I know what I seen. That monster was attempting to rape you, and I barely refrained form ripping him limb from limb. The guard-doctor needs to know how far he got, then that's the last you’ll hear of it. You have no crime to feel guilt over, I heard your screams as I approached..."

Caballeron nodded, and took a deep breath before finally speaking.

"He.." he coughed "he taunted me, said I deserved it-"

"Stop right there," Ahuizotl intercepted "no-one deserves to be forced into something against their will. I fantasized about you, yes, but I would not have forced you into sex against your will. It brought indescribable amounts of relief to see you respond to me the way you did."

This made the shell-shocked Caballeron feel a little better. He sniffled, head aching. But he understood. He took a deep breath and Ahuizotl waited anxiously.

"He didn’t start," he said in a rush "he was so busy describing what he was going to do that he..."

"Did not achieve anything." Ahuizotl finished. Caballeron nodded.

Even this fact made Ahuizotl's blood boil. He wanted to punish Sureshot until the pony begged for mercy.

"That cretin had best pray I never see him again, I will see him blacklisted by every dealer I have contacts with." Ahuizotl vowed "he'll regret the day he tried to take anything from you or I."

Caballeron just nuzzled into his arms, shutting his eyes. He'd said it, now he just wanted sleep...

Ahuizotl nodded, and laid them both down. he made to extinguish the lamp, but Caballeron asked could he leave it on just a little while more?

He nodded, and rubbed the pony’s back until they both drifted asleep once more.

When they awoke next, it was closer to mid-morning. Caballeron stirred, seeing the other was still his smaller size, but awake.

Ahuizotl greeted him with a kiss, which made him feel like there was a chance things could be normal again...

"Come Caballeron, we need to wash, both of us. And I am loathe to leave your side."

Caballeron smiled just a little, some of his hope cautiously returning. Would everything be OK? Could he start to forget the nightmare of the attack..?

He caught Ahuizotl by surprise, as they bathed in the heated water of the spring. He kissed him tentatively, relieved to still feel that same longing, growing back bit by bit.

He was kissed fiercely in return, and Ahuizotl chanced letting the tail-hand gently rub Caballeron's rear under the water. This made the pony squirm, uttering a soft moan as they kissed.

"Good, my dear Doctor," Ahuizotl purred as they pulled apart "you have no reason to fear. I would never hurt you..."

This, Caballeron knew was the truth. For all his ego and bluster, Ahuizotl had been very gentle with him that first time, and hadn’t pushed him too far. It was only now he realised Ahuizotl was calling him by his name sometimes, instead of just “Doctor”.

"I hope you will allow me to ravish you again, once you have recovered." Ahuizotl murmured, looking genuinely concerned as he snuggled Caballeron's nose. Caballeron blushed, and he had the oddest urge to ask...

"I..." he coughed, blushing.

"Oh?" Ahuizotl chuckled "are you already feeling the urge? Good. You should not be afraid. But I feel we should wait a little longer, to make sure your mind as as ready as your body."

Caballeron looked disappointed, so Ahuizotl kissed him softly and whispered "fret not, Doctor. once you are safe and well in your own head, I will tax that gorgeous body of yours to its limits, leave you gasping for me."

Caballeron flushed at how frank this creature was. But he was starting to feel like himself again. Ahuizotl was right...he couldn't let this destroy him, he WOULDN'T.

Ahuizotl sighed silently in relief as he seen that spark return to Caballeron's eyes, and thanked everything he knew of that the attacking pony hadn’t gone beyond just running his mouth and pinning Caballeron down. Had he even so much as touched him that way- he shook his head.

He seen the darkening bruises at Caballeron's hips and once again promised silently, that that punk would be running in fear for the rest of his life, for attempting to sully his precious Doctor. Caballeron seen his gaze and flushed guiltily, gazing at the far wall.

"Caballeron-" Ahuizotl began.

"I-I’m alright.." Caballeron swallowed the nausea, he couldn’t look at those markings, knowing who had made them. When he'd done it with Ahuizotl, the beings grip, though firm enough to support the pony’s body, had left no mark upon him. At least, none that had hurt like this.

He just wanted this panic to fade away..

Ahuizotl noticed for the rest of that day that Caballeron seemed to have shut down somewhat, retreating into his mind, perhaps to cope with what had happened? It concerned him, but he was no psychologist, he did not know what would help the pony.

He longed to carry him to bed, show him pleasure he'd never dreamed of, but would such a thing truly help Caballeron, or would it hurt him even more?

The mess the intrusion had made was finally tidied up by the days end. In the process of completing this task, one of the guards found something odd. A small piece of torn paper, with what looked like a hoof drawn map on it.

Ahuizotl turned it over in his hands, wondering what the significance was? A spot out in some woods had been circled in red.

Caballeron drifted in at that moment, a hardback book balanced on his back. He seen the map and couldn’t help asking as he set the book on the table;

"New target, boss?"

"Caballeron, you need not use such formalities any more. After all," Ahuizotl smirked knowingly "I think we're far beyond being formal to one another, wouldn’t you agree?"

Caballeron blushed subtly, but nodded in response.

"As for this? The guards found it. No doubt left by our intruders." Ahuizotl motioned the Doctor to sit on the couch with him. Caballeron ran a hoof over the fabric as he settled down. Not that long ago, he and his boss had-

He went even redder.

"You’re a veritable source of entertainment my dear Caballeron. Just watching your thoughts be written so clear over your face is quite endearing."

Caballeron opened his mouth to object to such foolishness. Then he seen the map, and his face went pale.

"Doctor? Are you unwell?" Ahuizotl frowned, seeing the way Caballeron was staring in horror at the map.

"That’s.." The pony jabbed one shaking hoof at the map "that’s my house...."

"Why would they have this map?" Ahuizotl asked.

Caballeron stood up, suddenly panicked. "It was how they found me before. When they ambushed me and dragged me here. They must’ve been staking it out. I have to get there- if they find-" he thought about his home. The maps in it showed locations such as his foster mother's home. If those scum-bags went after HER- his blood boiled.

"Easy, dear Doctor." Ahuizotl, turned the pony’s face towards him, his expression serious "running off half-cocked will not aid you. We will leave shortly. This does not seem to be far."

"We?" Caballeron was surprised.

"Yes, WE." Ahuizotl said sternly "I wish to confront those clowns and make them fear me. If they are headed there, we can catch them and make them regret their actions."

Caballeron nodded. He really didn’t know how to accept this devoted side of Ahuizotl. His boss had never seemed to care about anything besides himself and his treasure. He would defend his own honour, Caballeron understood that....but why his, too? Part of him still struggled to understand why Ahuizotl would want a failed celebrity like him, he wasn’t exactly that good looking-

"Has your mind vacated the premises, Caballeron?" Ahuizotl chuckled softly.

Caballeron shook his head, making a few locks of mussy black mane fall into his eyes.

"No, it hasn’t," he said, staring at the map again "I just have a bad feeling."

"We will leave shortly. I have capable night vision and can get us through these woods easily." Ahuizotl told the worrying Doctor.

He tucked those same stray locks of mane back behind the Doctor's ears. Out of curiosity, he gently rubbed the base of the stallion's right ear with a thumb and forefinger. Caballeron made a soft moaning sound, eyes fluttering closed for a second, then he seemed to realise the noise he'd just made and jolted slightly, turning red.

"So your ears are sensitive? Duly noted." Ahuizotl smirked. Caballeron glared at him through his embarrassment. But Ahuizotl just found him amusing, even when he was cross.

Ahuizotl left it to the good Doctor to pack whatever supplies he thought they’d need, then they left to track down the ones that'd attacked them. They walked through the darkening evening, seeing only wildlife as they trekked.

Soon they reached a rocky path that usually took a considerable time to walk down. Caballeron started towards the regular path, but was grabbed out the air by Ahuizotl's tail-hand and deposited atop the creature's back.

"Hold on, my dear Doctor. It’ll be quicker if I take my personal route. It would be very stressful on a pony body, so I will carry you."

"Right.." Caballeron blinked, wondering what he meant? All the same, he fidgeted up Ahuizotl's back until he could wrap his forelegs around his neck.

"Mmm, that actually feels rather pleasurable, Caballeron, having you rubbing up against me like that-"

"I w-wasn't-" but Caballeron's indignant objections were drowned out by Ahuizotl laughing.

"I am merely teasing you, Doctor. You need to relax. Now, hold on tight!"

With that, he leapt off cliff. Caballeron shrieked in terror, clinging on for dear life. Ahuizotl bounded from rock to rock, using his nimble paws to grip onto shards jutting out of the rock face. His passengers comical hollaring trailed off in favour of some freaked out squeaks as they touched down.

Ahuizotl scooped him off his back and set him down, whereupon the stallion's legs gave way and he plopped down on his rear, blinking mutely.

Caballeron was snapped out of his shock by Ahuizotl leaning down to steal a kiss, jump-starting his heart again. He blinked, returning to his senses as he was released.

"Let us continue." Ahuizotl took off ahead. Caballeron nodded wordlessly, trotting easily after him.

"Tell me doctor, do we traverse close to any settlements on the way?"

“Yes, there’s a small village about 3/4 of the way." Caballeron said "we can get supplies if we need to. Why do you ask?"

“Because it will impede our progress if I am seen in this form. I have an idea." Ahuizotl came to a halt and gripped the magical necklace he still wore. Caballeron blinked, puzzling out what he meant. Was he going to shrink himself, much as he had in order to rut him?

Quite the opposite, as it turned out.

When the light faded, Ahuizotl...was a pony. Caballeron stared. He was a tall, blue unicorn, black mane streaked with lighter blue sections. His eyes were a pale yellow, he had very fluffy, tufty ears, and a longer then average tail.

"What do you think, Caballeron?" Ahuizotl said smugly. Caballeron stared. He looked surprisingly good as a pony.

"That’s astounding," he said at last "what that thing can do." he stared at the necklace as he spoke.

"Yes, its fascinating, isn’t it? You deserve ample reward for bringing this to me, it has more than puled its weight since coming into my possession."

As he spoke, he sauntered up to Caballeron and reached a hoof up to Caballeron's face. Naturally, he couldn’t resist seeing how it felt to kiss Caballeron as a pony.

"Mmmh..." Caballeron's heart pounded. It felt good, and some VERY explicit thoughts cropped up in his mind. His boss was a pony now. How would it feel to be done by this version of him…?

Ahuizotl grinned inside as Caballeron eagerly returned the kiss. The same thought Caballeron was having, now occurred to him also. It was with that in mind that he studied Caballeron's rear for a few moments as he let the pony go and the Doctor began leading the way to his home.

They trekked for a few hours, had a rest, then woke up in the small hours of the next morning. They continued on, worry gnawing away at Caballeron's gut the longer they walked.

"It's a funny sensation, being a pony," Ahuizotl remarked as he stumbled over a tree root "much closer to the ground for one, and how do you hold things properly?"

“We find ways." Caballeron looked amused.

"Yes, I seen you writing with a pencil in your mouth. Impressive~" there was an underlying curiosity in Ahuizotl's voice. Caballeron blushed, it was no doubt some kind of sexual euphemism.

As they approached where his house was, the sun getting close to setting, Caballeron couldn’t wait any longer. He took off running, heart about to burst in his chest. So intent was he, that he didn’t catch the fading smell on the air. But he seen it's origin soon enough. He charged out of the clearing and stared in horror as he came to a halt, halfway to his house.

Or what was left of it. Small thin tendrils of smoke still drifted from the wreckage, the whole place almost gutted by the fire. It'd collapsed to its foundations, the heat of the flames too much for it...

"No, no.." Caballeron ran over, touching a trembling hoof to the closest piece of wood. It cut into his hoof and he pulled away with a scared cry. This couldn’t be real...

Ahuizotl raised an eyebrow as his precious pony took off running.

--Eager, isn’t he? Must run in his personality-- he thought about that enticing first time, how cute Caballeron was when he- he cut off as he heard the Doctor cry out, voice laden with fear.

"Doctor?" he called, no answer. “Caballeron?”

He ran as fast as he could, catching up to the Doctor as he stood there, and he seen what had terrified him so. The Doctor's home was gone, burnt to the ground.

"My dear Doctor-" he didn’t know what else to say. He placed a hoof on Caballeron's back, he could feel him shivering.

"It's....all of it.." Caballeron's voice was a mere whisper. Abruptly, his legs went numb and he crumpled to the singed grass on his stomach. His vision blurred and he couldn’t hold back any more. He'd lost everything..

First he'd nearly been killed by those punks, now they'd razed his home to the ground.

Ahuizotl watched in concern as Caballeron made a distressed cry of grief, then broke down completely. The pony buried his head in his hooves, giving up..

"Doctor.." Ahuizotl shook his head, looking at the house. He couldn’t believe it, they'd gone this far...

His fury would’ve gotten the better of him, but for the sound of Caballeron's cries. His poor Doctor sounded utterly bereft, and Ahuizotl's anger was replaced by the urge to stop his tears.

"Caballeron." he said gently, sitting down next to him and putting a gentle hoof on his back.

"It's over..I.." Caballeron stared at the smoking wreckage "I’ve lost everything."

"No." Ahuizotl's stern voice pulled him from his grief for a moment. He blinked cluelessly up at him. What was he talking about?

He was scooped up from the ground and held tightly in pony-Ahuizotl's embrace. He was so warm...

"You have not suffered a total loss. You still have me, Caballeron. I have no intention to abandon you. It may not be a replacement for your livelihood. But I will find a way to replace what you’ve lost-"

"Why do you care?!" Caballeron suddenly bolted away, looking confused as his guilt over his boss’ affections got the better of him "I’m just a washed up old fool. I'm getting on in years, I have no fame or treasure. What good am I-"

Ahuizotl had heard enough, he had to stop Caballeron. He was so much better than that, why couldn’t he see it?

A hoof whipped up and Caballeron reeled back as he was (not that roughly, mind) slapped around one ear. He was so surprised, his stopped crying like a switch had been thrown. Tears hovered on his lashes, as he stared at Ahuizotl in shock.

"That’s far enough, Caballeron," the pony-Ahuizotl said "not another word until you let me explain."

Caballeron didn’t say anything, he just blinked, ears drooping back against his head.

"I do not see why you persist in assuming you are so worthless, my dear Doctor. I have kept employing your services because, despite your odd slip up, you have proven to be smart and ruthless. Those are traits I happen to prize highly. Had I not cared, do you think I’d have saved you by sucking out that poison? You seem surprised I would take the chance to have you for myself, to sleep with you the way I did. Why is that?"

Caballeron ducked his head, he couldn’t answer. He didn’t understand...

"Fine, then I will tell you what I seen in you. A clever, ambitious pony with the guts to stand up to me to defend one he cares about. My species? By nature we're loners. We don’t take kindly to others in our territory. But the things we DO keep close, we defend with a fury that all should fear. You were willing to risk my fury to protect this town you mentioned. You gained a big measure of my respect that day, dear Doctor. And as I said before, I had been admiring you from a distance, all that running and treasure hunting has given you quite a handsome body."

Caballeron blinked, feeling a shard of his scared, cold heart begin to melt as hope took root.

"Yet I knew it would be near impossible for me to undertake any sort of sexual relationship with you. As you are aware, our body types are somewhat mismatched. But once I realised what that necklace could do, the first thought that crossed my mind was this; I can finally make that pony mine, if he consents."

Caballeron recalled Ahuizotl making that point very clear. He'd only moved on the Doctor when Caballeron had outright told him to take him. Another small sliver melted..

"And once I had you for myself, I vowed I would find a way to keep you. I have become VERY attached to you, Caballeron. Seeing you hurt by those brutes drove me to fury’s peak. That they would harm you was unthinkable."

He approached the trembling Doctor, brushing the frozen tears away with one hoof as the shocked stallion peered up at him.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, but you were becoming frantic, my precious pony. I hope you will forgive me, in time. I just could not stand to hear you say such things about yourself. I have never considered another worthy of my attention, until YOU. I repeat what I said before; I did not sleep with you only to toss you aside like a discarded book. Your “age” doesn't matter, neither does your standing. What good are those things to me? Do you understand?"

Caballeron nodded, heart aching a little.

"Will you believe me, dear doctor? What will prove to you you are safe? Name it." Ahuizotl said calmly.

Caballeron didn’t have any words, so he just planted a shaken kiss on his boss. He felt Ahuizotl relax, as if his choice brought him immense relief.

"Good pony.." Ahuizotl murmured when the Doctor let him go. "you’re safe with me."

He pulled the pony into his arms (or hooves, he reminded himself), and felt Caballeron burrow into his hold, resting against his chest. His heart ached as he heard Caballeron's tears start anew, but knew better than to stop him. He needed to grieve over what he'd lost.

The scent of his boss' coat made Caballeron's heart hurt a little less, and he fought to get himself under control. But Ahuizotl just rubbed his back, and made no effort to stop him.

They stayed that way, Ahuizotl cradling the Doctor's body to his chest, for several long minutes, until Caballeron was all cried out.

The sight of his destroyed home made his vision blur afresh, and Ahuizotl nuzzled against his cheek, telling him come with him. Standing here would do no good-

Then Caballeron spotted something under all the debris. He began trying to climb over the wreckage, yelping as he stood on a frail piece of brunt wood and it collapsed under him.

"Doctor!" Ahuizotl frowned "what are you doing?"

"Over here!" Caballeron sounded hopeful, so Ahuizotl picked his way after the errant pony. Caballeron was crouching by a trapdoor, he'd pushed aside the remains of the rug covering it.

"It's stuck!" Caballeron grunted, as he tried and failed to move it.

"The metal may have fused shut, hold on."

With a flash, Ahuizotl changed back into his normal self. He gripped the handle to the trapdoor and after putting a lot of force behind it, he was able to rip it out of the ground. Caballeron ducked as it went crashing into the trees bordering the house.

He peered down into the basement, feeling a surge of relief that its contents seemed untouched. The flames must’ve died down before burning all the way through. He stumbled down the steps, burrowing amongst the seemingly mismatched objects.

"Anything of use, Caballeron?" Ahuizotl asked. A map came sailing through the air, landing beside him. Then another. And some books. Each time, Ahuizotl was forced to dodge aside lest he be brained by the flying objects.

"Caballeron," he sighed, and jumped down to land beside him "give me what you need and I’ll carry it up, otherwise I fear you’ll brain me with one of your books."

Caballeron coughed, nodding. He gathered the most vital things from the basement, then he ventured up above ground again. It hurt to see the house he'd bought for himself back when he'd been a bright-eyed young idealist go up in smoke. Just like his career...

"Oh!" Ahuizotl noticed one of the books was written by Caballeron "what’s this?"

“Ah, that? I didn’t mean to grab it, it's nothing!" Caballeron reached for it, but the bigger being held it out of his reach. Caballeron flailed at it ineffectively, like an annoyed child.

"I was unaware you had a book, my dear Doctor! I want to see this."

Caballeron sighed, but gave up trying to get the book off his boss. Ahuizotl read the dedication on the first page; and wondered out loud;

"By any chance, Caballeron, is this the pony you were protecting by refusing to give me the relic I sent you for?"

Caballeron looked up at him, and flushed deeply. Ahuizotl was never going to forget that, was he?

"Yes, she is. She's my foster mother."

"What happened to your family?" Ahuizotl asked.

"There was a sickness in our village, a pandemic. Many perished, my parents among them. Quite a few of us kids were orphaned by the time it passed."

"So that’s why she’s so special," Ahuizotl murmured. Caballeron nodded, thinking about his childhood.

"She’s still raising kids, I-" Caballeron coughed, but carried on anyway "I’ve been bringing her money, I know she always needs it. She can't turn away somepony in dire straits."

"So there's a heart under all that bluster, hm?" Ahuizotl teased, chuckling as Caballeron went red and glared at him. So he finished his sentence with "I admire your dedication."

Caballeron softened a bit and allowed his boss to sneak another kiss from him. It chased away the lingering pain from his loss...

Thoughts of his adoptive mother made the pieces suddenly click into place.

He looked up at Ahuizotl "what if- what if they found my notes?! I kept the map to her home hidden. But if they found the journal amongst my papers, from before I left last time, they could easily find her-"

"It seems they truly want to ruin you.." Ahuizotl scowled "they will be met with the swiftest punishment I can give!"

"We need to get going," Caballeron said softly "I cannot sit here knowing they could be going after her-!"

“Calm down, Caballeron." Ahuizotl scooped him up with his tail-hand, gripping the Doctor's collar gently, and holding the pony in front of him "we’ve been walking for hours, it's getting close to nightfall and you need to rest, not to mention-" he poked the pony's belly "eat."

Right on cue, Caballeron's stomach gurgled. He glared at it, as if it'd betrayed him. Then he sighed, and nodded.

He was set down on the ground, and followed after Ahuizotl over to some trees. With a snap of his fingers, the bigger being had the tent they’d slept in the night before set up and ready.

Caballeron dug through the bags and managed to make something approximating lunch. His mind was elsewhere however, and Ahuizotl had to stop him from nearly burning his hooves on the fire several times.

Caballeron barley tasted anything, he just forced the food down to silence his stomach. He couldn’t stop glancing over at the wreck of the house, even as he became sleepy.

He broke out of his daze when Ahuizotl all but carted him into the tent, before changing into his pony form again and snuggling up next to him. Caballeron burrowed into his hold, closing his eyes as a shield against the reality awaiting outside the tent.

But he woke not long after, images of flames embedding themselves into his brain. He disentangled himself from Ahuizotl's hold and crept outside.

Ahuizotl opened one eye slowly, where was his precious Doctor off to?

Caballeron shivered as he made his way into the trees surrounding his home. There was a little river nearby, and he sat now at its edge, staring at the stars glittering on its surface.

"Caballeron..." Ahuizotl's voice sounded almost scolding. Caballeron jumped, stumbling to his hooves as his boss approached, and he noted he was in his pony form again. The pony-Ahuizotl looked at the stallion's worried face.

"This was not your fault, Caballeron, you couldn’t have known what they would do."

“Maybe...But if I’d just done my job, brought that artefact-"

"Then your foster home would no doubt be in danger, correct?" Ahuizotl said. Caballeron nodded.

"Then that was not your fault. You couldn’t have foreseen that that idiot would take his grudge against you so far."

"He was the one who told you I was gay, wasn’t he?" Caballeron had a sudden burst of realisation. Ahuizotl had mentioned a little bird had told him, but it was more like a PONY, wasn’t it?

"Yes, he was," Ahuizotl said with a shrug "and I am quite pleased he did. I wouldn’t have known what chance I had, were it not for that blabbermouth."

Caballeron smiled weakly.

Ahuizotl studied how the pony looked in the moonlight, the way said light highlighted a glossy, tousled mane and tired but gentle eyes. Urges crept up again, but he reminded himself Caballeron was still mourning the loss of his home.

While Ahuizotl debated with himself, Caballeron seen a glimpse of the others thoughts written across his features, the way Ahuizotl's eyes lingered on him. He blushed, feeling that temptation that’d been brewing since his recovery from the attack rearing up now. He walked towards Ahuizotl in a daze, and surprised the other by kissing him.

Ahuizotl was caught off guard by the Doctor's advances, but couldn’t turn him away. He kissed the pony, letting one hoof run down Caballeron's side to rest over his cutie mark even as his tongue pressed against his lover's lips. Caballeron groaned softly and happily let him.

Ahuizotl lost any resistance when the Doctor only encouraged him even further the next second, by pressing his body against Ahuizotl's.

--This libido is hard to control in this form...-- Ahuizotl thought. He let the Doctor go, seeing how gorgeous Caballeron looked with that gleam in his eyes.

"Caballeron?" Ahuizotl asked. The pony’s ears shivered in anticipation, and Ahuizotl couldn’t resist. He pinned Caballeron to the soft grass of the bank, nuzzling at his ears.

"Mmm, you are too tempting my dear Caballeron.." he whispered in the pony's ear "but, I fear we left one vital supply behind at the cave.."

"I can manage.." Caballeron panted, not wanting him to stop.

“You sure, afterall, like you said, I am rather...large.” the pony-Ahuizotl teased. It was true, even in a pony’s form thanks to this magic, THAT hadn’t changed a bit.

“I need you..” Caballeron said, voice a mere whisper. The look in his eyes only further backed this up. Ahuizotl gently rubbed the stallions belly with one hoof as he thought about whether it would hurt without the lubricant?

A soft pale light made them both stall in their actions. The necklace was glowing softly. As the pair studied it, a soft golden ball formed at its core. It looked like liquid, but floated like a petal as it detached from the necklace. It was big, about the size of a large marble.

It ran down Ahuizotl's foreleg, before moving over Caballeron's stomach and further down. The pony squeaked as it pressed into him, it was still solid, and its rounded size stretched the pony’s body as it pushed into him.

I see, it is doing what these hooves cannot. Impressive..-- Ahuizotl thought, watching the doctor moan, seeing how he didn’t last long before becoming completely aroused.

The orb finally finished preparing the pony and melted into his body as it did. Caballeron gasped, squirming in obvious pleasure at the sensation.

It was pretty enticing, Ahuizotl noted, watching the way the pony fidget as the blob of liquid did its task.

"Looks like our every wish can be facilitated by this thing." Ahuizotl purred. Caballeron nodded.

As he was in pony form, it meant he could experience his lover in a different way...

So he teased the flustered stallion by leaving a trail of soft, seductive kisses from his throat down his stomach-

Remembering his earlier teasing, he nipped at Caballeron's ears as he left off kissing the stallions body and pushed gently into him. The good doctor moaned sharply, calling out;

"Ahuizotl-!"

His back arched up, his stomach brushing his partners. A certain musky scent caught Ahuizotl's nose, and he smiled knowingly.

"Yes, my precious Caballeron?" Ahuizotl let up on the ear assault long enough to kiss him and respond to his precious Doctor. Sweet heavens the stallion looked so damn good, lying there in the moonlight. Strands of mane clung to his neck and face, his chest rising and falling rapidly. For Caballeron, every breath highlighted the point where they were so intimately connected.

"Ahh...d-don't hesitate.." the dazed pony blurted.

Ahuizotl chuckled.

"Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it.." he promised as he was finally fully inside him.

"Your heat is astonishing dear Doctor..." he murmured, tracing his partners shaft with one hoof.

"Ahui.." Caballeron moaned, feeling the delicious sensation of his partner filling him so completely.

"For you?" the other mimicked from their first time "of course.."

With those words, he braced his hooves either side of Caballeron's body, pulled back and plunged deeply into him in a repeat of their first time.

"Ah..!" Caballeron gasped in total abandon, relishing in the freedom from his pain this was giving him. Ahuizotl moaned deeply as he felt the Doctor's body squeeze him tightly inside. He drew back and teasingly slowed his pace as he re-entered the pony. Caballeron gripped hold of him tightly, pushing his body down onto pony-Ahuizotl's member as best he could, with a lustful moan.

Pony-Ahuizotl smiled knowingly, then began moving hard and fast, the change in rhythm making the stallion buck his hips eagerly.

Caballeron wrapped his forelegs around pony-Ahuizotl's neck as the pace picked up, fearing he might lose control if he let go of his partners warm, equine body. Ahuizotl had shifted into into a hot, heavy and ravishing rhythm. Caballeron braced himself as much as he could, so each push and thrust hit the sweet spot and he felt the fear and sorrow of the day melt away as pleasure took centre stage. His whole world narrowed to these feelings, and this being.

Mid-thrust, Ahuizotl's eyes met his and a kiss stole the Doctor's breath away a second later.

Animal calls filed the air, mingling with the gasps and moans of the two lovers, the air filled with their combined scent. The moonlight highlighted sweat-slicked coats, body’s entwined as close as could be.

“Ahui….I’m gonna-” Caballeron gasped the words out. Ahuizotl nipped at his ear, making the pony whimper needfully.

“Then come, my dear Caballeron. I want to hear you...”

One more deep thrust and Caballeron hit his orgasm.

“Ahuizotl-!” He cried his lover's name loudly as the pleasure hit him in a wave. He closed his eyes as he felt the thick, heavy flood of fluid fill him quickly, as his own splattered their coats in sticky ropes.

Birds flew up from the trees as the duo enjoyed their final climax.

As the sound of wing-beats faded away, Caballeron felt a kiss press to his forehead. That feeling of being full and content was back as he lay there, forelegs moving to rest atop his stomach. He was exhausted but satisfied..

"Remarkable, my dear Caballeron." Ahuizotl purred. He pulled out as gently as possible, hearing Caballeron make an almost disappointed noise that it had to end. He let his eyes travel down over the pony’s chest and stomach, before leaning down to lap up splatters of sticky fluid from the stallion's coat. Caballeron closed his eyes, indulging in the sensation and knowledge of what Ahuizotl was so hungrily cleaning up...

“You taste damn good, Caballeron.” Ahuizotl praised, catching the Doctor's eyes as he opened them again. Caballeron flushed, but he looked happy.

Ahuizotl lay beside his lover now, heart racing as Caballeron rolled onto his side, smiling so contently at him. Ahuizotl kissed the base of the stallion's left ear and Caballeron shivered nose to tail, echoes of pleasure running through him. Ahuizotl's left hind leg caught in the pony’s tail as he did and tugged it slightly, making Caballeron groan again, nuzzling his muzzle against Ahuizotl's.

"Come on Doctor, let us get back to bed." the pony-Ahuizotl said at last.

The pony wobbled to his hooves, balance offset by his much-stuffed stomach.

“Mm, I’m impressed you take all of it so well,” Ahuizotl couldn’t help as he eyed the pony “my species has a pretty big-”

“Oh I’m aware of that..” Caballeron blushed as he seen his boss admire him in this state. He really had been surprised the first time, just how...plentiful it was. He swore he could hear his gut sloshing like a water balloon-

Ahuizotl changed back into himself and set Caballeron atop his back. Every languid, unhurried step sent further fading echoes through the pony lying on his back. Caballeron groaned contently, that had felt so good. He began to hope maybe he could cope with his loss, if he wasn’t alone?

Back in their tent, he fell asleep in Ahuizotl's arms once more, and this time he slept until morning.

He didn’t say much as they bolted down some breakfast and packed away the tent.

“Even though I licked you clean last night, I think we should wash up just to be safe.” Ahuizotl said, making Caballeron burst out of his trance, and nod.

Caballeron smiled knowingly, and trotted out of the tent. They walked back to the stream, and the stallion's eyes settled on the disturbed patch of grass that'd been host to their passionate coupling last night, and he smiled softly.

Ahuizotl asked did Caballeron know the fastest way to his hometown, and Caballeron nodded, sticking a pencil in his mouth to draw the route on the map.

Ahuizotl marvelled at how well he could co-ordinate his letters, so Caballeron passed a spare pencil and suggested he try. Ahuizotl soon found as that, as a pony, it was hard to write...