Jack rose slowly from his cot, the sounds of construction and people filling the air. “Mmnh, guess no sleeping in anymore.” He grumbled, shifting to let his feet touch the cold dirt below. Looking around the tent had emptied significantly since the battle three days prior. The girls hadn’t allowed Jack to leave placing him on what they called ‘tent arrest’ until he could stand fully again by himself. “Little excessive but I know it’s because they care.” He mumbled, standing slowly.

“Think you’re recharged enough?” Lucky questioned, hovering around his view in a miniaturized form.

“Well only one way to know really.” The human replied, spreading his arms to the side to help balance as he took a gentle step forward. When he didn’t fall he took another then another until slowly he began to walk around his cot at a slowed pace. “What do you guy’s think? Solid enough or still stay down?” He asked the ones in his head with a small laugh.

Scorch and Lucky held up fake ten cards at his walk around the cot while Brave shook his head. “You’re fine. You’ve healed up the energy you spent fighting Reaver.” He complained, giving a small growl before turning his head away.

“Wittle puddy cat’s gwumpy from getting the zoomies?.” Scorch teased, a loud laugh escaping him.

The Omegas and Scorch began to argue and tease each other while Jack zoned them out as he made his way towards the tent flaps. Reaching a hand out he was about to pull them open when they suddenly ripped to the sides revealing Twilight. “Oh! What are you doing up? We told you to rest.” She questioned, pressing close up to him with a cute puff of her cheeks at the taller man

Raising his hands in a ‘woah’ motion Jack smiled at her while taking a step back. “Hey now, can’t you see? I’m walking on my own now so I can finally join the land of the living again.” He chuckled.

Twilight gave a scoff at the statement, walking slowly around the man with a calculating eye. “Hmmm, I suppose you do look healthy…” She muttered, scooping an arm into her own. “But just to be safe you can’t leave my side as we walk around.” She said, a blush on her face.

Giving a low chuckle Jack smiled at her. “Is that an order?” He asked, cocking his head to the side.

Nodding her head quickly like a child's she smiled up at him. “A direct order from your princess!” She confirmed, stressing the ‘your’ part.

Shaking his head he gave a gesture towards the flap of the tent. “Then shall we meet the world together?” He suggested, taking steps towards the exit. Pulling the flap light flooded across his form, a breeze blowing softly in the air. Taking in a deep breath Jack looked over the environment in front of him. Dragons flew through the air, carrying lumber and large stones to destinations around. A small market sat off to the side where supplies were traded or bought although most were giving away without any requests of payment to help those in need. A few of the dragons that spotted Jack gave waves with toothy smiles towards him. Apparently while he had been resting word had gotten around that he was one of the big players that stopped the monster responsible for the whole situation.

“The groups relaxing in a location near here, Apparently it’s a popular hot spring that has magical properties with it.” Twilight said on seeing Jack looking around for the others. “Come on, I’ll take you there.” She added, tugging at his arm as she moved away from the gate.

The two traveled through the land after gaining the help from a personal guard attached to Ember. Riding on the dragon Twilight held onto Jack from behind as they flew through the air. The cracked ground below rushed by but before long soon turned into lush greenery. The smells of flowers filled the air adding a sweetness to the world. The dragon circled over a large section of land that had been cleared of trees. Landing one could easily see buildings scattering the location with steaming pools near said buildings. One in particular caught Jack’s attention. Resting just on top a set of rocks was a familiar red dragon, sprawled out. The princess and her bodyguard walked slowly towards the pool near the red dragon. Turning the corner Jack came to see Spike relaxing next to the others, all of them with their backs turned towards him.

Twilight yelled out to them “I have the man of the hour here!” Drawing their attention. She pulled at Jack’s arm, trying to get him towards the pool faster but as they got closer Jack started to resist more and more. “What gives Jack? You can’t relax if you don’t get into the water.” She complained, turning to look at the man only to be surprised.

“Girls, I’m sorry but I can’t join you all if you are all naked.” He apologized loudly so they could hear, a heavy blush covering his face as he turned his face away with a hand over his eyes.

Ember grabbed a large bottle near her, taking a deep swig. “Just get in here you big baby! They all have the hots for you anyways so it’s not like they don’t want you to see them after all!” She shouted with a slightly drunk laugh as the girls in the water minus Fluttershy and Spike sputtered in shock and embarrassment.

Jack was going to shout his stance once more when a pair of wet, clawed hands gripped his shirt lightly. “Don’t worry about it babe. Me and Shy have already told them how you are and I’m sure they just want you to relax.” Spike soothed, feeling the man tense then relax in his hands. “Now hurry up and get in.” He cheekily added, ripping the shirt upwards while his tail threw Jack’s pants downwards.

Stiffening at the sudden loss of clothing Jack turned slowly to look at the half lidded dragon smiling at him with a wagging tail. Leaning close with a scowl he gripped Spike’s cheeks with one hand pulling him close. “The moment I can comfortably get it up I’m mounting you.” He growled.

“Oh please do.” Spike purred, pecking his mate’s lips. “Now hop in. Twilight wants her turn to sit close to you and the others have questions.” He added, putting on a fake commanding voice as he and a heavily blushing Twilight dragged Jack closer to the edge.

“Before we forget!” Twilight shouted in awkwardness. Snapping her fingers Jack’s briefs disappeared as they pulled him into the water.

Surfacing slowly to the point half his face was above the water Jack looked at the two giggling siblings. “They're lucky they're cute…” He grumbled mentally. He perked up when he felt arms wrap around from behind him. Looking up he saw Fluttershy smiling down at him like a loving mother. “I suppose this is ok…” He mentally corrected himself. Standing up he found his waist still below water. “Sheesh, can’t a guy get slowly into a bath. I thought I was supposed to take things slow.” He said, stretching slightly. With a flick of his hand the steam collected around his body to further obscure and block anyone's view to look at him.

Soft ‘awwws’ echoed from the girls and Spike. Ember gave a snort at the show before beckoning for him to get closer. “Come on sit with me. I’ll keep these harpies away from you.” She teased, taking another drink from the bottle that Jack figured was liquor

Giving a shake of his head Jack reached towards the still giggling siblings. Picking them up he walked to the edge of the water, sitting down and placing them both in his lap. With a gesture Fluttershy quickly moved through the water to lean next to him, sighing in contentment. “Sorry but I don’t want to tread on other’s mates' comfort.” He explained, gesturing with his chin towards the relaxing Red. He could see the dragon had an eye slightly open to peek at him before a small smile broke on his face, shifting to hide it.

Rainbow floated by in the water, slowly paddling with her wings. “Done being a playpony or still going to show off your growing herd?” She asked, jabbing at him verbally.

“Oh hush you. I’ll get to you soon. I know the rest of you already figured out the order to approach me.” He teased back much to their explosive blushes. “Not exactly hard since you all tried to see so much during that drinking slumber party we had so long ago.” He added, chuckling while squeezing Spike and Twilight closer to him.

“I suppose it can’t be helped. You are quite the catch after all.” Rarity complimented, twirling a curl of hair. “But do not think we all can be easily swayed just with sweet words.” She shot at him.

Applejack gave a chuckle. “You’ve put in plenty of work already at least to show you ain’t backing down.” She said, stretching muscular arms above her head.

Shifting his grip around Twilight’s waist, pulling her tightly against him he gave a wolfish smile towards the others. “You already know I don’t really have a lot of experience. In fact the amount I’ve gained being here almost doubles the amount of dates I’ve had and also triples the amount of partners I actually have taken to bed.” He explained, scratching under Spike’s chin. “I’m also not dumb enough to miss clear signals of interest thus squandering them.” He finished. “Though I imagine some of you are getting antsy for your dates. Now ask your questions.” He commanded lightly.

Pinkie hopped up and down on an inflatable donut. “Oh oh! Me first, What do you plan to do after we get back? Will you go hunting for more bad guys?” She flooded out before anyone else could ask anything.

Flexing his shoulders while sinking slightly further into the water. “Nah, there’s guards already hunting for bad guys for me. I also have a few people here that are getting pulled into a special group to keep something like what happened here from repeating.” He said but perked up as if remembering something. Turning to Ember he nodded “With your permission of course.” He fixed, doing his best to show respect towards the tipsy Dragonlord.

Snorting Ember waved a clawed hand. “Red’s already got twenty individuals lined up. I’ve also sent my approval of the plan to your other leaders and to some trusted power players in other nations to pull other races easier.” She replied.

“What about training? Any special plans that maybe we could join in on?” Rainbow questioned, standing up finally and shaking out her wings.

Jack gave a harsh single laugh at the question. “Training yes. Join me? Absolutely not. Don’t want to harm you somehow.” He answered, shaking his head slowly while smiling. Shooting a hand up as she went to complain he explained why. “Unless you think you can move from a standing position like a lightning bolt or have the strength to hold up the weight of the sky then no I don’t think you can handle my type of training.” His voice held a firm but gentle tone to it that eased Rainbow down immensely.

Pouting slightly she folded her arms over her small bust. “Fine, guess I’ll just have to get strong on my own.” She whined, trying to get final say on the talk.

“What kind of magic have you learned?” Twilight inquired, looking at the man slightly behind her. A note pad could be seen above the steam.

Leaning back Jack hummed. “Couldn’t really tell you. All I know is it’s been able to keep me alive and the rest of you safe. But if I may make a small request. I’ll answer more questions later but I’d like a little alone time with Twilight here.” He requested. “I did sort of promise to have a date after I got better.” He added sheepishly.

Ember snorted, her tail rising out of the water to point to a walled section a small distance off from the pool they were in. “That ones for private couples to use. Go wild, just don’t get too much fluid in it if you catch my meaning.” She offered, giving a laugh.

The two blushed at the joke before rising out of the water, Spike having moved out of the way along with Fluttershy. As Jack lifted himself out of the pool he faintly heard Pinkie Pie mumble “What I wouldn’t give for a piece of that cake right now.” Followed by Rarity agreeing.

“Little horn dogs are what they are.” He thought to himself.

The two made their way into the section finding a simple pool waiting for them. Each took a side of the pool, their legs lightly brushing each other. Twilight coughed into her hand with a heavy blush on her features. “Soooo, how are you feeling?” She asked, trying to break the ice.

Chuckling at the attempt Jack leaned forward, taking one of her legs onto his knees. Massaging it as he spoke he smiled at her. “Relax princess. I don’t bite, well… unless you tell me too.” He soothed, laughing lightly at his joke. When Twilight giggled with him he continued. “Tell ya what. How about we use this chance for you to examine me? We already know a lot about each other mentally but we’ve never really had a physical examination.” He offered, catching her attention. Putting her leg down he switched to the other one. “Anything you want to look at or question go for it. That should help you ease up right?” He soothed.

Twilight perked up at the offer. A notepad floated from out of thin air as a sparkle filled her eyes. “Anything?” She asked to confirm what she had heard.

Giving a laugh at her one eighty Jack nodded. “Just keep the poking to a minimum ok?” He replied.

Twilight lunged towards his laughing form as her examination started. Her fingers worked over his head, shifting and twisting his hair. “Hair follicles appear to be close to ours but slightly different. Not made to grow as long or thick.” She muttered to herself, shifting lower. Her eyes locked with his. “Pupils move the same but seem to be smaller orbs than our own. Added note, very nice to stare into.” She continued, pecking his cheek with a kiss. Her stiffness was visibly relaxing. Her fingers trailed over his lips, taking in the softness and writing on the cresses he had from the laugh lines.

“Maybe a more thorough exam for that part could work?” Jack suggested, lightly holding onto her chin. The two connected in a kiss, their mouths opening to accept the other. Pulling away he took pride in her dazed state.

Shaking herself back to the present Twilight muttered something he couldn’t catch as the notepad was scribbled on quickly. She moved further down, taking in his muscles. Even having a moment to just press her nose into the crook of his neck, taking in his scent. “So this is what a male one is attracted to smells like?” She thought quietly to herself, her hands trailing further down till they connected with the water. Jolting a bit she looked down, the steam blocking view. “Um, could you sit on the ledge for me…” She trailed off with her request.

Chuckling Jack shifted out of the water to sit on the edge of the spa. “Again, keep the poking to a minimum. And take your time. No rush needed.” He soothed once more as his legs parted, showing her what she had wanted to see.

Author's Note

Here ya splendid people. Another chapter. next one you already know what about to go down.