---Shirou---

It had been a few days since that whole dragon deal and honestly, this was probably the first dinner I wasn’t looking forward, to tell the truth. I mean… yeah, I’m doing this to keep my privacy but… gah, I don’t know I was never good at parties.

I rubbed my face, sadly this wasn’t a problem I could just throw swords at until it went away. Well… technically it was… if I didn’t mind being charged for first-degree murder.

Now… what to prepare? She already said no sushi… which is a pity as I think I make some damn good sushi. Maybe some teriyaki… roast fish? Rice balls and some momochi of course. Hmm, ponies can eat non-fish based meat, so maybe some strips of wagyu beef... I wonder if Rarity’s ever had sake? Cause I think I’ll have myself some… I’m not much of a drinker but I do indulge sometimes.

Then again, considering how much wine was in her cellar the last time I volunteered as a delivery pony, I’d say she could handle her liquor.

“Rin? Do you mind helping me clean the fish?” I asked, “Then we can get started on some teriyaki… do either of you have any suggestions? If I’m going to feed Rarity I might as well impress her.”

“Hmm, a mare of her, albeit manufactured, air of sophistication, might want at least one, ah, “fancy” item.” Arturia suggested Making me groan. “We do have that wagyu beef you bought,”

For once, I was thankful Japan had a counterpart in Neighpon here. “Perhaps cut it into strips and lay it out in a pattern.” she smiled. “Perhaps her Cutie Mark could work, Shirou?”

“Thanks Saber… you and Rin are lifesavers.” I said with a smile.

So… cutie mark shaped meals… I wonder if any other stallions have to deal with this sort of thing? Alongside this, rather than just the teriyaki roasted fish, I decided to go with glazing it with miso and putting it beside sauteed peppers.

“How about those stuffed peppers you made last week?” Rin suggested.

“Oh yeah, Rarity enjoyed those.” I nodded. I had stuffed them with vegetables, cheese, some spices, and a bit of meat.

“Hmm… and for dessert, I’m thinking some momochi… and hmm…” Shirou just considered what to make. “Maybe a castella.” Castellas are popular Japanese sponge cake made of sugar, flour, eggs, and starch syrup, especially in Nagasaki, “Oh and some Japanese Sweet Potatoes.”

“Sounds good.” Rin said, “Perhaps I can add some Chinese as well.”

I just nodded absentmindedly as I started checking the cabinets and my foods stores to check if I had all the necessary food for this dinner par-... I almost thought the P-word…

“Rin? Saber? Let’s not say the P-word.” Shirou said, “Least we summon the Pink one.” Both of them shivered.

Okay… let’s get this started!

“Okay! Saber… Rin and I will do inventory. And if we’re missing anything we’ll make a list can you run to the market? You know where I keep my bits.” I said, “Rin can you start prep, and I will start cleaning the vegetables and fish.”

I lay out the vegetables, beef, and the fish. Humming softly, I run a cloth along the slim knife to clean it of any residue, then begin. Deftly, carefully, I slice the salmon into thin slices, the same with the beef. Rin heats up the water, as I then chop up the various vegetables, setting them aside. I then flatten out the meat and set them into two separate sheets of tin foil, sprinkling salt, and pepper on them. I then seal them up and, alongside the vegetables, set them into the heated pan, putting a lid on, so the flavors can mix.

Once that is done, I begin work on the dessert. I heat up the sponge cake, letting it rise and become warm and fluffy. Thanks to Rin’s magic and Arturia’s flames, the baking process is fairly easy. I first make a sample version, and once the texture is correct, begin prepping the one we’ll be eating. I wait till it has a nice, golden brown color, then add on a touch of warm glaze, giving it a shine.

Oh, this will blow Rarity-san’s mind!

---Hours later---

I sigh as I lay out the last plate of food. The scent of succulent meats, sauteed vegetables, and the sweet tang of the desserts fills the air. Rin and I have to restrain Arturia to keep her from eating everything prior to Rarity-san arriving.

“Rarity-san should be here soon. Just be patient.” I said as I held back the King of Knights.

Rin was just snickering but helped me hold back the ravenous dragon.

Thankfully Arturia sighed and nodded. “Very well, but you both owe me for this.” she smirked, eyes glittering, and both Rin and I knew what our hungry King wanted.

I just smiled, “Thank you Arturia-hime.” I said as I dropped back onto all fours. I kissed her cheek, as Rin kissed the other.

It was at that moment that there was a knock on the door and being the gentlestallion I am I went to answer it to see Rarity with her little sister Sweetie Belle. Rarity was wearing a rather showy dress while her sister lacked any sort of dressing.

“We’re not late are we?” Rarity asked, “And I hope you don’t mind that I’ve brought my sister along. I couldn’t find somepony to watch her.”

I smile, having babysat for the Cutie Mark Crusaders before. “It’s not a problem at all, Rarity-san.” I pat Sweetie Belle’s head. “Come on in, we just finished setting everything up.” I step aside, letting the sisterly duo enter my home and business.

“Um… sorry for nearly burning down your house Mr. Blade.” Sweetie said sheepishly, “I guess we shoulda waited for you before trying to get our smithing cutie marks…”

I just simply nodded with a slight smile, “You should have.” I said as Arturia just blinked in surprise while Rin snickered.

I lead the two to the dining room, where I’ve unfolded the wings of the dining table to increase its size. After our two guests took a seat I, Arturia and Rin started to ferry out the food we had painstakingly cooked.

“My, my, everything looks so scrumptious.” Rarity eyes the spread, as Rin pulls out a chair for the two, which they take. Rin, Arturia, and I sit across from the pair.

“Well, I hope you both enjoy.” I said with a smile, it always felt good to have my cooking complimented.

Rarity’s mystic glow lifts up her utensils, as she samples the fish. She swallows and lets out a soft coo. “Your sister was correct, your cooking is simply spectacular.” she takes another bite, ”And this beef is delicious. I don’t often consume meat, but this….”

I just rubbed my mane, “Thank you Rarity-san.” I said before I looked at Sweetie, “Would you like some help Sweetie-chan?”

Sweetie had been, unsuccessfully, trying to cut up the fish and wagyu beef “Yes please…” She said with a soft blush.

I just chuckled and got up to help the younger unicorn, putting some of the fish and beef on her plate, “See anything else you want to try Sweetie-chan?”. She looks at the castella, but I lightly rebuke her, saying it's for dessert.

Rarity just giggled, “Sweetie has a horrible sweet tooth.” She said with a smile, “Sweetie you know dessert is after you’ve eaten dinner.”

Sweetie just mumbled and pouted faintly getting a laugh out of Arturia, “You remind me a little of somedragon I knew a long time ago…” She said, “We had that exact same talk as well…” she pats the small unicorn on the head.

“Who was it Miss Saber?” Sweetie asked with wide eyes.

“... Somedragon I should’ve treated much better than I did.” Arturia said with a nostalgic, longing, look on her face, “You Crusaders remind me of her… she was just as full of energy and passion as you three at your worst…”

“Well, maybe you’ll get another chance if you see them again.” Sweetie chirps, as she continues eating. Arturia smiles a bit, but both Rin and I share a glance.

We both know who she was talking about.

Thankfully enough, dinner goes by smoothly, with very little talking being done, our mouths, particularly Arturia’s, reserved for scarfing down the meal. After dinner, and the accompanying dessert, we all sat back in our seats, the plates picked clean.

“I must say your sister’s bragging about your cooking is well deserved.” Rarity said with a smile, “If I knew I stood a chance I would try to join your little herd Blade. Dare I say herding agrees with your wives!~”

I just squirmed when she said wives causing Rin and Arturia looked at me curiously. “Well, ah, thank you Rarity.” I said.

I shift, as not long after, Sweetie begins to doze off. Rarity, seeing it’s starting to get dark, bids us farewell and puts Sweetie on her back before she headed home.

“So… wives huh?” Rin asked with a smirk.

“A step down from being King but not entirely disagreeable.” Arturia commented with a faint smile.

“You gonna make honest women out of us Shirou-kun?~” Rin teased.

“And you both DO owe me for earlier.” Arturia grins. Rin and I can barely let out a word before we’re dragged upstairs.

------Saber-----

I pant softly as I lay atop my two lovers. The scent of lovemaking fills the room. I MAY have gone a tad overboard, as Shirou, my dear ex-Master, appears to have passed out. Rin seems to be still semi-conscious.

So here I considering the whole ‘wife’ can of worms that Rarity opened up.

I honestly wouldn’t know how a marriage would last, what with my only one being a farce to mask my femininity. And well… I don’t think Rin puts much faith in marriages, but I could be wrong. Then again, in the worlds Zelretch showed me where Rin and I ended up married….

And Shirou… well the old Shirou probably wouldn’t live long enough to enjoy marriage or even have a family. Though I’m glad to see his ‘reincarnation’ had tempered his suicidal impulses

Though now that Rarity brought it up… I couldn’t help but imagine it. Shirou and I would be in tuxedos, Rin would be in the traditional wedding gown, maybe accented with her family crest. I would wear a pin or the like of my old one. It would be wonderful….

Perhaps one day, when we’re all ready, we might be able to have a wedding. I get up, Rin pinned beneath me, and slowly get out of bed.

“Shirou’s conflicted by the idea.” Rin murmured, “He thinks we could do better. That he’s damaged goods… which isn’t entirely wrong but still.”

“He helped us, and we’ve been there for him.” I say, holding Rin. “Plus, he’s one of the kindest men I’ve met.”

“I’m not saying that isn’t true.” Rin retorted, “But having a Reality Marble… you have to be broken in some fundamental level to have one. To truly develop an alien mindset…”

I sighed and as much as I wanted to argue, truly I couldn’t. I’ve only truly known one other Reality Marble holder… and the man just wasn’t… right in some unknowable way I could never put a finger on. Then again, from what I knew of the King of Conquerors, he lived with no regrets.

It is something I imagine many wish they could. Even still, the idea of being Shirou’s wife isn’t that bad an idea.Though I imagine it might be trying sometimes with his… what did Taiga call it?

“Harem Protagonist aura” I believe? Oh and his natural denseness?

Being Shirou’s wife would no doubt be filled with trials dealing with… but I imagine they’d be well worth it.

I just sighed, “So… how much do you want to be he attracts at least two more to join your harem Rin?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Well, if Sakura or Medusa were here, or Medea…..” Rin shifted, blushing.

I grin, recalling the passion filled nights and days.

“You just want Medea to make all those fetish cosplays.” I said dryly.

“Please, I was in control the whole time.” I smirk.

“I’m going to have to call bullshit on that my dear.” I said, “Despite how much you like to think in my dear King, you are not always in control.”

“I could say the same to you Rin, especially when it involves your anus.” I retort, pecking her nose. My dear Tohsaka blushes crimson.

It actually surprised Shirou and I to find out that the Tohsaka princess had a then unrealized anal fetish...Just like Mordred. Ah, good times.

Though admittedly I found out about Mordred buggering herself with the hilt of a broken sword by accident. ..I actually had a hard time looking at her straight in the face for a few weeks afterwards…

Then again, the next time she asked for the throne, I decided to, ah, test her resolve with my “sacred lance” Perhaps one day I can make it up to her, if fate decides I should see my daughter, and clone, again.

… You know… sometimes I wonder if my time around Rin and Taiga has made me more perverted….no, I blame Merlin. Lord knows he taught me so many sexual magic tricks calling them “training” or some such.

Then again, Bedivere, noble knight she (Odd how a fair few of my knights turned out to be women disguised as men) was my first... ah, tutor in the arts of lovemaking and romance.

Thank the Lord for that… I really loathe the idea of the Magus of Flowers teaching anyone the “Birds and Bees” let alone how to woo someone.

“Anyway, Rin your glorious anus aside perhaps we could propose to Shirou....” I suggested, trying to clear my head.

Rin tilted her head and considered that, and I could only imagine what she was thinking. Though she too was reborn in this world she is still very much the Tsundere Princess. She’s more relaxed then she was before but still, some of the old Rin is still there.

Rin finally smiles a tad, “Well, I suppose it would be a nice change of pace. Are you buying the ring, or should I?” She asks.

“Hmm, well, I do know a bit of jewelry making, and with your gems, we could make one.” I suggest, and not just because we need to save money to buy food.

No, this is pure pragmatism.

… And some of Rin’s miserly ways having rubbed off on me I will admit, if only to myself.

So Rin and I rolled out of bed carefully to avoid waking Shirou and went to plan a big surprise for Shirou.

Not sure when we’d spring it on him but it’d surely be glorious!

What could go wrong?

… Oh damn it… I just had to think that...

But first, we needed to shower. We were sweaty, covered in feminine juices, and semen.

After a quick shower, Rin and I get to work on the ring. Rin casts a muffling spell on the smithy, and I begin forging the ring. Spurting some of my dragonfire into the furnace I melt down some gold, and mold it into three smooth, sturdy bands of gold in a Celtic pattern.

I made a few mistakes that required me to start over, and while I did that Rin sorted through her jewel collection for the appropriate pieces for each other, and Shirou.

Hmm… this is actually rather relaxing. Maybe I should start making jewelry to unwind, and for some spare bits…

After the rings are finished, I dunk them into the water, as it sizzles, then set them aside to cool.

“Find anything good Rin?” I asked as I walked over to her.

Rin came up from her chest of gems, holding up a sparkling emerald with a gold core, a warm amber colored one with a hint of red and blue in the center, and a ruby with a black outline.

“Well I know which one is mine and which one is yours.” I said, “As for Shirou’s….” I smile.

Rin and I’s primary colors, fused together. “It’s wonderful.” I smile, as, once the rings are cooled, set the stones into their slots. “Hmm, his birthday is coming up in a few days, perhaps….”

Rin blinked, “When is his birthday anyway?” She asked somewhat sheepishly, “I never found out… he never really commented on it in our previous life and well…”

“May 7th. Though, that isn’t his actual birthdate. Shirou, well, we both know he doesn’t really know anything before….” I sigh, knowing I had helped cause the Great Fuyuki Fire.

I shake my head, banishing those thoughts. “He celebrates his birthday on the day Kiritsugu saved him.” As much as I disagreed with my old Master, I still am grateful he saved Shirou. I recall one time I worked at a maid cafe to pay for a gift. Actually I rather enjoyed that job… though I never figured out where the little cats were coming from… They were cute though.

“Alright, so in about five days, good, perfect.” Rin smiled, as we place the rings in boxes..I then place them in a hiding spot beneath Rin’s panties, within a false drawer. After that, Rin and I have a talk on whether or not we should let her plan the party. On one hand, it WAS Shirou’s technical birthday, but on the other, we wanted to propose. Granted, we could do that after the party, in private.

Then Rin said the word, “So you think we should make his birthday party a private thing? Just us and Rainbow or what?”

“Hmm, perhaps Fluttershy. It would help her be more social, and, there’s something about her. Something familiar.” I tap my chin with one of my claws. “A mana presence that I can swear I’ve felt before, I cannot recall from where. Surely you can sense it Rin.”

RIn hummed, “Yeah, I did. Its weird. I mean sure, I’ve sensed the presence of magic circuits in everyone on this planet, but her’s are….” she grumbled, pouting.

I smiled, Rin always hated not knowing something. Rin was always so adorable whenever she pouted.

“Perhaps that mystery will be revealed in time.” I say, patting her head. “We should get to work cleaning up though.” I say, as I begin putting the tools and ore back where I found them. Rin does the same to her jewels.

“Hey ladies! Are you planning a party!?” Pinkie exclaimed as she suddenly Pinkie’d out of… a flower pot?

Rin jumped and I just sighed, “Yes Pinkie. We’re pondering over having a small birthday party for Blade.” I explained. “Nothing extravagant or anything. Just Radiant, myself, Fluttershy, Shirou, and Rainbow.”

“Awww… oh! How about the rest of the girls! And the Crusaders!?” Pinkie gasped out, “What sort of cake does he like!? I can make him a superduper fantastical cake! Does he like cupcakes? Do you like cupcakes? Why does he smell like a sword? Why does schnozberries taste like schnozberries?? Huhuhuhuhuhuhu???”

Oh good lord… she must’ve raided the Cakes sugar supplies again… wonderful.

I gently stop Pinkie from bouncing by lightly tapping her on the forehead with a digit. “No Pinkie, we want this to be relatively private, just the five of us, no more, no less.” I say, softly, but firmly. “Cupcakes are fine.”

“Aww… fine…” Pinkie mumbled with a pout.

---Rin---

It never failed to surprise me how Authria can reign in, pardon the pun, Pinkie when she gets all hyperactive like this. But then again I imagine some of the Knights of the Roundtable had moments like this. Maybe.

Looking at Pinkie I can’t help but find it amusing, most of Ponyville probably think the mare is crazy or something along those lines.

I probably would’ve actually… if I wasn’t able to perceive emotions.

Despite the putting on the appearance of a never-ending well of optimism and happiness; Pinkie is still just as emotional as anyone else. She can experience sadness, depression, anger, and the whole spectrum of emotions.

I probably know Pinkie better than anyone, technically anyway. Most of the time her exuberance is simply a facade. One she’s probably so use to putting on she doesn’t realize she’s doing it any more. She can grin at you happily but I can tell what she’s truly feeling.

And those few times when she’s not being herself I’ve actually seen the mare behind the happiness.

She’s a thoughtful if vaguely depressed mare, I think Pinkie would do well with some antidepressants if they exist in Equestria. I know I’ve never seen them. Though, considering what she’s told me of her family, she lived a dreary, joyless existence for most of her life, and probably still carries some of the baggage. That, and severe issues of wanting to have friends.

But right now? She’s genuinely happy to plan a party, even if it was a small and private one. I think I should start talking more to Pinkie, maybe letting her in on my little secret. She definitely needs someone to talk to about her emotions.

And honestly? I need at least one other person other than Shirou and Arturia to know that I’m actually a changeling and not a pony.

….Hmm, perhaps guidance counselor could be a possible career.

Yeah… that sure beats being a substitute teacher at any rate.

At any rate I watched as Arturia and Pinkie planned out this little surprise party for Shirou, Arturia often vetoing Pinkies more “eccentric” ideas, to put it mildly. Then again, the thought of Arturia and I jumping out of a cake and then making out DOES sound appealing.

… Hell we might do that some other time!

Rubbing my thighs together (Might need some “alone time” later), I aid in the planning of our wonderful numbskulls party. I would comment that he better appreciate but I know he will.

An hour and a half later sees Pinkie pronking out our door, and Arturia and I watching TV. Shirou, now conscious, greets us with a good morning, and goes to make himself some coffee.

While life is kinda… boring it’s happy. And honestly I couldn’t want anything more. Hopefully now Shirou won’t work himself to the bone, considering how relatively peaceful Equestria is.

I don’t care if his body is made of swords, in mostly a metaphysical and occasional literal sense, but I hated seeing how he would run around the world saving people on a near constant basis.

He needed to learn to focus on himself and those who love him too. He needed to learn to be, as odd as it may sound, a tad bit more selfish.

… Though how the HELL do you even teach that??

Author's Note

We, that being Dio and I, are well aware that Bedievere was a dude. However this is in reference to a fanfic Dio had read from before he really got into Fate I think.

I'm not sure if this bothers anyone, I actually just noticed it myself but Shirou seems to alternate between Saber and Arturia. I hope this doesn't bother anyone.