Different

Chapters

The Fluffy Introductions
Let's Go to Park
Introductions, Huggles, Snuggles
The Friend in Need
Crushed
Sweet Aroma
Warm & Fluffy
Revealed
Strange, Lovable Angeline
Strange, Sweet, Lovable

The Fluffy Introductions

Author's Note

So, I'm back with another multichapter story. Just like my previous works, it may contain some or more grammar errors. If you like you can point them out to me.
Hope you like the story. Let me know your opinion, and most of all have fun.

The Fluffy Introductions

The human was going towards a certain place, usually minding his own business at the moment. It seemed like he was new to this city and that's why he was mostly lost in his own thoughts.

Seemingly, he was around twenty five years of age, had black hairs, fair asian skin, and was wearing a gray hoody over a black t-shirt and pair of jeans.

A smile came upon his face, looking around the scenery. The reason for which he came here, was for the change of pace, as things had started to get a little boring at the place where he used to live before, so he thought changing his residence might help him to enjoy the life he had in Equestria a little more.

It was time of evening, and it was getting more and more dark as the time was passing, so he had to hurry if he had to reach to the place where he had planned to stay.

As he walked along, a shadow passed by his peripheral vision, then something suddenly slammed into him and knocked him over, standing on his chest. It looked like a female pegasus pony with golden brown coat and a mane of a darker shade of brown, but instead of pony ears, it had cat ears and it had a feline tail and pair of eyes, too. A predatory look was in her eyes, but then it disappeared in a second and backed off of him.

"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so so so sorry!" she stammered out. "I didn't mean to! My predatory instincts kicked in! Please don't be mad!"

The human though didn't look mad, a little surprised and baffled maybe but his expressions didn't seem to be of anger or anything of the sort, and that was even more clear as he let out a small chuckle.

"Oh, it's okay, don't worry that much about it," he said chuckling a little but reassuringly.

"Are you sure? I could have hurt you..." the cat pony spoke up.

"Well," the human was silent for a moment. "If you had hurt me... then maybe I would be a little upset... but even then I guess I'd understand... now don't worry about this too much, okay..."

"Okay... if you say so," the cat pony nodded, finally managing to give a smile.

"Mhm," the human passed her a nod in response as well, before raising an eyebrow. "So... when can I get up?"

"Huh... oh! Sorry," the cat pony apologized, hopping off his chest.

"Thanks," the human stood up, passing her a smile. "By the way, my name's Max and even though our first meeting is rather per say, strange... it's still nice to meet you."

"My name's Fluffy Puff, and I'm sorry again for jumping on you like that," the cat pony greeted. "I thought you were a mouse for some reason..."

Max couldn't help but gave a chuckle but also blushed a little. "I... it's okay. Fluffy Puff... it's really one of most adorable names I ever heard.

"Really?" Fluffy Puff blushed at the compliment. "I never thought anypony would call me adorable..."

Max ceased to chuckle at this and only passed her a small smile, and asked slightly in disbelief. "Really?"

"Yeah... we don't usually describe ourselves as 'adorable' in my pride," she explained. "Unless we're talking about kittens..."

"Oh," his expressions turned to thoughtful at this. "So... I hope... 'adorable' isn't consider an insult or something of the sort among you...?"

"Oh, no! Not at all!" Fluffy Puff said quickly. "It's just not something I normally hear..."

"Oh, it's a relief..." Max said, only noticing then that night had completely fallen at the moment, and his expressions of glee changed to something worried and concerned.

Great! Now I will never make it there on time!

"What's wrong?" Fluffy Puff inquired, tilting her head a bit.

"I... actually gotta go to see someone in order to a get a place to stay," Max replied, then took a sigh. "But... I don't think I can go anywhere at the moment as it's already night..."

"Oh... maybe I can help? I can see in the dark," the cat pony remarked helpfully.

"Oh, can you?" the human asked hopefully. "It'll be so nice of you."

"Sure. Just point me in the direction we're headed," Fluffy Puff told him with a smile.

"Okay," Max nodded giving her a thankful look, as he gestured towards the direction he was heading to before. Fluffy Puff gave a nod, then he noticed her cat tail move up to his hand.

"Hold on... so you won't get lost," she said.

Max blushed slightly at this, but then held on to her tail but gently enough so he wouldn't cause her any discomfort and also stayed close enough to not tug at her tail. She seemed to be content with this and started at a slow walk down the street in the direction he had been going, making sure that he could follow her with minimal difficulties.

Max walked beside her for the moment they both were completely silent and the human seemingly was in some thoughts, seemingly about his recent situation. It was at least slightly embarrassing as it seems but he couldn't be more grateful to her for her help. It wasn't everyday when that happens, and that can be considered a pretty good start of his life in this new city.

"So, Max, are you new here?" Fluffy Puff asked him, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Max nodded. "I just arrived here today... or rather tonight as it seems..."

"I... I was just a little bored living at the same place since I came to Equestria... so, I thought it'd good for a change..." Max explained.

"Well, you certainly came to the right place," the cat pony noted. "This place is often full of surprises. It's also one of the few places in Equestria I know about that has monster ponies like myself roaming about. Not because they wouldn't accept us; most monster ponies are a bit... seclusive."

"Oh, that might be the reason I never seen a cat pony like yourself before," Max mused at this.

"Mhm!" she agreed with a nod.

After some time, Max noticed a certain apartment and was stopped at his tracks. "Oh, this is the place..."

Fluffy Puff smiled and then her tail released his hand as she turned to him.

"I'm glad I could help you out," she said politely. "If you ever need a guide and we happen across each other again, I'd be happy to help you out."

"Sure," Max nodded with glee. "Thanks a lot once again Fluffy. I hope to see you soon again."

"Until next time, Max," Fluffy replied, then she spread her wings and flew off to a nearby roof, landing on it and continuing to make her way through the town by rooftop.

Max looked at her and soon she was out of sight before he headed inside the apartment.

Let's Go to Park

The next morning found the cat pony Fluffy Puff relaxing on a street bench as if it were a kind of bed, stretching both her body and her wings on occasion. She had just enjoyed a relaxing nap a while back and was looking forward to exploring her city once more. Sure, she had been over it several times, but there was always something new to find if she looked hard enough.

Max on the other hand was able to get his new apartment key at the time last night and for that he was thankful to a certain cat pony. The next morning looked rather beautiful and sunny and seemed like a perfect for human to go out and explore the city a little more.

As it so happened, he ended up walking by the area where Fluffy was stretching at. When the cat pony noticed him, she seemed to light up right away.

"Max? Hi!" she greeted, sitting up on the bench.

Max looked towards her direction and waved at her, smiling a little as he went towards her. "Oh, hello again, Fluffy."

"What brings you out here on this lovely morning?" the cat pony inquired.

"Well... you said this city is full of surprises, right?" Max said to her then in a humorous manner added. "Let's just say... I'm putting that statement to test..."

"Aha... Well, word of advice then; do NOT visit the pub on Apple Street. It makes terrible drinks," Fluffy Puff told him, making a look of disgust in the process.

"Mhm…” Max gave a seemingly serious nod. "I'll keep that in mind then. So, what were you doing here? Enjoying the beautiful morning?"

"That and stretching a bit," the cat pony explained. "So... where do you want to go today?"

"Well... I still don't know much about the city," Max admitted sheepishly. "You're living here for quite a while, right? What are some good places to see here?"

"Hmm... the park seems like a nice place at this hour," Fluffy suggested. "I can take you there if you'd like."

"Hmm... why not?" Max shrugged with a small smile. "I guess, having a guide will be really helpful."

"Great! Follow me," she said, jumping from the bench and trotting down the sidewalk.

Max nodded and went after her, taking in the sceneries around him before looking at cat pony who was walking ahead of his once again. She seemed to notice his gaze and looked back for a moment with a questioning expression.

"What are you staring at?" she asked him, not sounding offended, but a bit curious.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing... I was just thinking about something... that's all," Max told her with a slightly apologetic tone. "I mean... it's just been a day, and I already made a new friend... it's been a pretty amazing start actually..."

"Heh. It is funny how fate works sometimes," the cat pony admitted, turning back to look ahead at where they were walking.

"True," Max agreed with a nod.

In a while, they soon came across a kind of city park which seemed to be filled with just the right mixture of trees and walkways, and in the distance there was even a set of playground equipment.

"Welcome to the park," Fluffy said, gesturing around.

"It's beautiful," Max said looking around at the scenery.

"You like it, then?" Fluffy asked, looking back to him.

"I do like it," Max nodded with reassurance.

"That's good to hear!" Fluffy cheered. "However, I will give you a bit of a warning... some of the monster ponies like to hang out here, other than my pride, and... it can be awkward sometimes. Not that they're bad, but... well, most of them are a bit lonely..."

Max gave a small nod at this and then made a small chuckle as he jokingly said. "Well, as long as I am not kidnapped or adopted by someone against my will... I will be fine."

"They like to hang out near the trees over there," Fluffy Puff told him, gesturing towards a grove nearby. "One of them particularly likes the shade, especially since she's cold-blooded."

Max gave a small nod at this. "Mhm," before he walked inside the park, but then he suddenly stopped on his tracks before he glanced at her, a small sheepish smile crossing his face. "Well... if you like we both can hang out here for a while."

"If you want. I'm good either way," she shrugged.

"Hmm... then I guess I will be glad to have a friend by my side," he said thoughtfully.

"Alright then," the cat pony nodded, then trotted closer to him and said, "This may sound stupid... but do you have yarn or string on you?"

"I guess," Max gave a small shrug before pulling out a string from his pocket, but wasn't much surprise as she asked for this.

Immediately, her expression changed into one of childlike glee and she started making what sounded like mewing as she started batting at it with one of her hooves. It was ironically cute, even for a pony.

Max giggled and almost squealed as he saw this as even though he was half expecting this, but he didn't know this would this darn cute to look at.

Fluffy batted at it some more, and even laughed aloud as she kept attacking the string. Max chuckled as well and looking at the situations, decided to sit there on the grass as he held the string at a certain height where she carried on batting this and he just kept looking at this.

It was a really adorable to look at, and she looked kinda cute as she was doing this.

"Hey, who said you could entice the kitty cat with her love of string?" a female's voice suddenly spoke up, making Max turn his head to see who had spoken. What he saw was a black pony mare, like an earth pony, but her mane and tail were made of fire, a pair of large horns stood just in front of her ears, and her eyes, while kind and giving an amused expression, looked very much like the eyes of a snake or dragon.

Max was slightly intimidated at first but after noticing her expressions, he couldn't help but instantly gave a sheepish smile, but was a little confused at the moment that what should he say to her statement.

“Uh…”

The monster pony (that much was clear off the bat) gave a chuckle at his confusion.

"It's alright. You're not in trouble. Just glad to see Fluffy Puff having fun," she said, then held out her hoof. "They call me Obsidian Blaze, or Blaze for short. I'm what you'd call an Infernal."

Max looked at her hoof for a couple second before he held his hand out as well for a hand/hoof shake and greeted her, as his confusion was lessened to some extent. "My name's Max. Nice to meet you Blaze."

"Hi Blaze..." Fluffy greeted, still mostly concentrating on the string. Blaze chuckled.

"Hello Fluffy Puff," she said.

"So, you both are friends?" Max asked curiously, even though that much was more than clear.

"Mhm! Known each other for almost nine years now," Blaze nodded. "We met when I first came to live here, and... well, it kinda took off from there."

Eventually, Fluffy stopped batting at the string and got a sheepish smile.

"I... look silly right now, don't I?" she asked while blushing.

"I dunno. I thought it was cute," Blaze spoke up.

"You think anything cat-related is cute," Fluffy pointed out.

"It's true," the Infernal agreed with a shrug. "They're my weakness. But can ya blame me? The closest I ever got to seeing a cat in Tartarus tried to eat me. Emphasis on tried."

Max couldn't help but gave a small chuckle at this. "So... I'm guessing that cats are really dangerous beast back there..."

"Well, what we call cats at least," Blaze admitted, then she said, "Hey, the rest of the gang are by the trees over there."

"Oh... uh, are you sure he can handle them?" Fluffy asked her.

"Come on, Fluffy. You're saying it as if they are gonna shove their tongues down his throat the moment they see him," Blaze chuckled, then added in Max's direction, "Though even if you're into that, you may want to be careful how friendly you get with Angeline; she may take it the wrong way."

Max gave her statement a little thought before nodding in understanding. Even though, it might not sound like the best of the ideas out there but not every day one gets a chance to hangout with a group of monster pony friends and that thought could intrigue anyone who had an adventurous mind like the human boy Max.

"Sure, I'll be careful," he said reassuringly.

"Okay then! I think you'll do fine. Follow me," Blaze said, then started trotting towards the grove.

"Oh boy..." Fluffy groaned slightly, then said with a chuckle, "Well, might as well."

Max gave a small smile as he along with Fluffy went after Blaze towards that tree.

Author's Note

I guess, I'll leave it on that. Next time, more monster ponies.
By the way, Infernal are my own creation.

Introductions, Huggles, Snuggles

Author's Note

Note: The Windigo in this story has facial features more close to Equestrian Ponies.
And Serpine is an alternate name for pony lamia, made by me: serpent+equine =(serpine)

Introductions, Huggles, Snuggles

Upon reaching the place, they found a group of five monster ponies, all of them females, gathered in the shade of the trees. Max could identify among them a Serpine, an Eccuby, a Dragora (plant pony), a Zomby (exactly what you think it is), and a Wendigo sitting around. When they saw them approaching, a chorus of greetings ensued followed by collective gasps at the sight of the human. Also, a sweet (yet a bit strong) perfume scent was coming from the midst of the group, though from who was unclear.

"Girls, this is Max," Blaze introduced the human. "He's new here to the city."

"Hello, Max!" the girls all greeted at once, although some were faster than others; the Zomby in particular finished her greeting last.

"Hi," Max said, smiling at them, and even though wasn't trying to stare but looked really amazed to see this many monster ponies all at once.

"I'm Venus," the Dagora said. She had greenish coat and bright green mane which looked as if it was made of very thin vines, and had a piranha plant like mouth at the end of her vine like tail. Her tail end looking at him and giving a toothy grin.

"I'm Aromatic Beauty, or Aroma for short," the Eccubus greeted, her voice sounding very attractive... maybe too attractive, but it seemed like her normal voice, so one couldn't complain. She had light purple coat and slightly dark pink mane, and in addition, she also had two horns somewhat similar to Blaze, and rather small bat wings, which seemingly weren't large enough for a flight.

"I'm Lazuli, and I love hugs!" the Serpine greeted, and to emphasize her point she ended up wrapping some of her coils around him and hugging him with both that and her front hooves. She had blue coat, and yellow mane, and yellow stripes at the lower snake-like half of her body.

"Whoa! Easy. Don't want to crush him," the Wendigo said, and helped Max out of her coils gently. Then she said, "I'm called Icy Winds."

He noticed that her voice sounded more like an actual horse whinny, but somehow his brain had translated what she had said perfectly.

"I'm Angeline. A pleasure," the Zomby spoke up, her voice and expression seeming to be dull, yet she still seemed friendly enough; kind of like a Goth pony or the infamous Maud Pie. She had dull blue coat and dark gray mane. Max noticed that the perfume smell from earlier was coming from her, which made sense given that she'd probably smell terrible otherwise.

"It's nice to meet you all," Max said giving them a smile.

Whoa, when Fluffy said this city is full of surprises... she wasn't kidding.

"This is our little group of friends," Fluffy gestured, then she climbed up onto one of the lower hanging branches of the tree, her hooves somehow gripping the bark like how a cat's claws would.

"We're an odd bunch, but we grow on you eventually," Venus agreed. She was sitting in a small patch of sunlight that was shining through the leaves of the tree, possibly to soak in the energy it could give her.

Max gave a small nod seemingly in agreement to her statement, as he saw a good spot and sat there where he wouldn't be interfering with someone's personal space. "Hmm... I can tell that already," he said reassuringly.

"It's hard to understand us sometimes. After all, we don't exactly act... normal," Aroma spoke up, giving Max a smile. "But, perhaps this can be a learning experience for us all."

"I'll say. I'm a monster myself, and it took me a while to figure out how all of you work," Blaze agreed.

"We're one big happy family in most regards," Angeline nodded.

"Well... I can say knowing each other would be an interesting experience," Max said with a hint of curiosity in his tone, before he added. "...and, I gotta say that it's really amazing how such different kinds can get along really well, as good friends as you girls are."

"It's not as unusual as others would think," Icy Winds noted. "All it takes is understanding and the willingness to take the time to know one another."

"And kindness can go a long way!" Lazuli added. "And hugs too!"

"We had to pry Angeline out of her coils the first time we met," Fluffy explained with a slight eye roll.

"I didn't mind. It's not like she can actually hurt me," Angeline stated. "I can't feel pain."

"But you still could've lost a limb or had your bones crushed, or..." Blaze started listing, but then a vine extended out from Venus and shushed her.

"Don't spoil it more than you have already," she said.

"I hope you managed to get out in one piece," Max said humorously, knowing that would be funny in sense that she was a Zomby, but not in manner that would be assumed to be rude or hurting in anyway. But just for being safe he told Lazuli. "No offense though, I guess a hug from Serpine would be really nice."

"Really? You want another?" Lazuli asked with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. "I promise I won't squeeze you as hard this time."

"She's really good at that," Blaze noted. "She practiced a lot with several dummies we gave her. She's a natural now."

"Sure. Go ahead," Max said happily and reassuringly as he spread his arms wide to receive the hug.

The Serpine barely contained her excitement and then gently pulled him in with her coils until she was embracing him with her front hooves and coils both.

"Ah!" a chorus of voices called out from the girls, except for Angeline who simply gave a small smile.

Max returned her hug, couldn't help but let out a few small giggles at this. That was his first time, he was actually hugging a Serpine and it actually felt nice, so nice that he was alright with carrying on the hug as long as she was willing to.

"Ooo, he's like a big cuddly stuffed bear!" Lazuli exclaimed.

"Really?" Aroma asked, suddenly seeming to catch some interest. "Lemme try next."

"I'd like a hug too. I haven't hugged anyone except my grandmother all week," Angeline spoke up.

"And... we hit that stage," Fluffy giggled, giving her coat a lick as if she was a real cat.

"Hmm," Max hummed comfortably, surely he was enjoying the hug as well.

Besides, even though mentally he a little bit intimidated by their eagerness for hugging him, but in the end he knew that none of them was actually gonna harm him, so he was fine with the idea, but he couldn't stop himself blushing a little as he heard those comments.

"Okay, I'm done now," Lazuli said after a while, then let him go. Almost as soon as she did, Angeline came over to him first.

"Hey... I may not be as pleasant to hug... but, if you're willing to give it a shot, I don't mind," the Zomby said.

"Oh," the human tilted his head understanding what she was referring to, as he knelt to her level and grabbed her in a hug. "No, it's alright. Plus, you're the cutest zombie girl, I've ever seen."

Angeline's expression lit up to a stunned expression, the first time anyone in her group of friends seen her do so, then it went back down to her tiny smile as she hugged him back.
"That's... literally the nicest thing any human has said to me," she told him. "I think I like you already."

"Hmm," Max blushed a little once again at this, and his smile widened a little.

After a moment, she let go of him while still giving the small smile as she looked to his face.

"Any human who'd be nice enough to say something like that about me definitely makes it on my friend list," she said.

"I guess it's my turn now?" Aroma asked, and for a second she looked a bit bashful to ask.

"You know, it's not a requirement, Aroma," Venus told her.

"I know... but I've never been hugged before by a human," Aroma explained. "Especially since physical contact with me has always been... well, you know."

Max looked at her in some confusion, not sure where she was getting at.
"I'm alright if you don't want to," he said reassuringly, and shrugged slightly.

"It's not that... with few exceptions, I've only ever hugged someone in an... intimate fashion," Aroma told him. "And... I'm afraid you'd get the wrong idea..."

"Psst!" Icy Winds whispered into his ear, having managed to get behind him. "Just go for it. She needs a push in the right direction."

Max smiled at the encoragement of the windigo, bracing himself for what was coming and grabbed her in a friendly and then told her. "You see... I am not the one to jump to that conclusion already," he said as he blushed heavily as soon as he grabbed her in a hug. "...though, I understood what you were implying..."

"Oh..." Aroma blushed herself, especially at the surprise hug. She hardly knew how to act at first, but at last she slowly hugged him back, amidst the sound of the girls' encouraging and awe-ridden exclamations.

Max, for some reason, was unable to help but feel a little awkward but admittedly so comfortable in her hug, and that didn't took him long to realize that, this effect was mostly because of her natural abilities as an Eccuby.

Aroma seemed to be aware of this herself, because she released him after a moment while flashing a friendly smile.

"Thanks. That felt... nice," she said.

"Yeah," Max returned the smile, and then looked towards other in a playful manner. "Who's next?"

"Don't even think about it," Blaze chuckled. "I'm not a huger."

"Um... if you're gentle, maybe. I don't want to get damaged too much," Venus spoke up.

Max looked at her and made a thoughtful expression at this. "Well... if you're willing to, I won't mind," he told her reassuringly before he humorously added. "...and don't worry, at this point I'd consider myself a professional monster hugger..."

Venus giggled. "Then I'll allow it."

Max went towards her and knelt to her level, and gently grabbed her in a hug. She actually felt pretty fragile and light weight as compare to others in the group, mostly because she had a physiology more close to the plants.

"Is this okay?"

"Yeah... it's fine," Venus assured him, hugging him back. Fluffy gave a purr that sounded like amusement.

"First day in the city, and already you're hugging every mare in sight," she joked.

Max couldn't help but blush a little more deeply at this as he told her. "Hey, it's not my fault that all of you monster ponies are so darn cute and adorable, now is it?"

"Hee hee! That's part of our charm!" Icy Winds giggled.

"Some more than others," Angeline agreed.

"Mhm," Max giggled slightly at this as well.

Soon, Venus released him and sat back in the rays of sunshine.

"Why don't you hug him next, Fluffy?" Venus asked her, making the cat pony choke on her own fur for a moment.

"Me?!"

"Oh," Max looked at her passing her a sheepish smile before he jokingly said, as he opened his arms as inviting her for a hug. "Oh don't be so modest Fluffy, you know you can't resist the power of my charm, can you?"

"I... uh..." Fluffy looked around at the other monsters giving her an expectant look, then finally gave up. "Fine."

She gently flew down from the branch and into his arms. Almost instantly, he heard her purring against him.

Max then returned the hug to her, as for a moment he couldn't help but feel like he was hugging a oversized cat hearing her purrs.

"See, it was really easy," he chuckled playfully.

"Shut up and just hug me," she said, trying to sound mad about being talked into it, but her purrs said otherwise.

Max had to suppress a chuckle as he heard this and taking that as a warning (even though she wasn't mad) he didn't made anymore sound, except for a small and comfortable hum. This continued for a good thirty seconds, which made a slightly awkward silence fall over them. Eventually, Fluffy let go and backed away with a blush.

"That was a one-time only deal. Don't ask again," she tried to threaten, but failed.

"Hmm... No promises," Max playfully said to her. "I guess... this is one thing, I'll always be looking forward to."

"I'd hug you too... but I'm not exactly solid most the time," Icy Winds apologized sheepishly. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Max said to her reassuringly and chuckled sheepishly as well.

"Well, now that we've got that out of the way, why don't we chat and get to know each other more?" Aroma suggested, though with her kind of voice it sounded like she was implying more than that. Thankfully, she had others to support her idea and prove otherwise.

"Good idea," Angeline agreed.

"I like that idea," Venus nodded.

"Make it unanimous!" Lazuli cheered. "And I have enough coils to make a comfy seat for everyone!"

"Sure, that's a great idea," Max nodded, before clarifying that to what statement he had replied. "I mean chatting and knowing each other's a good idea... but I gotta admit that your coils are actually pretty comfortable."

"Ah, thank you!" the Serpine blushed at the compliment.
"Who wants to do that question game?" Fluffy asked as they all got comfortable.

"I dunno... that can get very serious and deep at times, don't you think?" Icy Winds remarked.

"True, but it also reveals a little more about ourselves," Blaze pointed out.

Max looked at them with an anticipating expression for a moment, before he spoke up. "...alright, I guess we can start from a question like, where one came from or something of the sort," he said and shrugged. "I guess... I'll start, I came to this city from Canterlot..."

"Canterlot?" Lazuli lit up. "Hey, I have a cousin who lives there! She looks just like me... minus the snake part of me."

"Hmm," Max said thoughtfully, as he was silent for a moment, before he continued "The life seemed to getting pretty boring there, and I was a little tired of snobbish ponies making jokes about me... so, I decided to move here," he smiled as he rubbed the back of his head before carrying on. "...and seems like it totally worth it..."

"I feel you," Angeline said, and even with her dull-sounding voice it was clear she meant it. "I left my hometown because of that. I'm the only pony in my family who's a Zomby. Kinda makes me the odd-pony out. It was pretty lame there anyways."

"Mhm," Max nodded before he smiled at her compassionately. "I... I can guess."

"I left Tartarus because... well, I'll be honest... Tartarus SUCKS!" Blaze groaned aloud. "Nothing but fire, poison clouds, and water that is WAY too cold for even non-fiery beings!"

"Sounds like hell," Icy Winds remarked.

"That's because it is. Literally," Angeline stated.

"That must have been awful place to live," Max said, his expressions wincing slightly at the thought of sceneries she just described. "...even for your kind..."

"It wasn't for comfort, that's for sure," Blaze admitted. "At least we know how to survive."

"Eww," Venus made a disgusted look. "Surviving and living are NOT compatible with each other. I should know... I literally spent half my later years of foalhood on the run from monster haters -- at least when I was able to run."

"What? Really?" Max looked at her in an expression of slight shock. "...there are ponies who… still hate monsters?"

"Oh yes! It's not so obvious now, but it was horrible in the past," Fluffy explained. "Monsters were shunned, cast out, enslaved, and sometimes straight up murdered in plain sight. We were considered an enemy to all, and sadly some nasty types didn't help our image at all since they really WERE rotten to the core. It was only about 200 years ago that we were truly accepted into society... officially at least."

"Oh," Max gave a sigh of some relief at the thought of that it was all over now, but that didn't changed the fact that whatever happened in the past was really bad, but sadly no one could do something about this, but good thing was that it was all in the past now, which would hopefully never ever repeat itself. "That was so awful... It's really great to know that it's all over now."

"Yes, it is," the monsters all agreed.

"I hope life's been kind to you since you guys started living here," Max asked.

"It has," Aroma agreed with a nod, then gave a sigh as she laid her head across the side of Lazuli's coils. "And meeting you is a nice change on top of it all."

"So true!" Lazuli agreed. "You're a nice human."

"If you were a seed, I'd plant you in a garden," Venus spoke up, clearly complimenting him.

"I think we're all glad to have a new friend to add to the mix, especially a male," Icy Winds said, then added quickly while blushing, "Not like that! I meant that it gives a nice mix to have someone who isn't a girl in the circle of friends!"

"Thanks," Max nodded, blushing at little at their compliments, as he wasn't used to hear such comments from opposite gender usually, especially from mares. "I'm glad to be your girls' friend as well..."

"And hopefully, this doesn't turn into an embarrassing moment every time," Fluffy teased with a small purr.

"Hopefully," Max nodded with a small chuckle.

"Next question!" Lazuli cheered.

"Well, why don't you ask me a question now?" Max said.

"Okay... do you have any family you left behind when you moved here?" Venus asked.

"Well, I didn't have any family back in Canterlot, just couple of friends, so, not really." Max replied.

"Oh... are your parents dead then?" Lazily inquired, sounding sympathetic already.

"Hmm," Max's expression saddened a little at this. "Yeah... it's been a while since they had passed... I was living on Earth, with my only family, my sister," he explained. "...and after her marriage, I moved here... to look for new opportunities and stuff," he then sighed at this and managed a smile. "I guess... it didn't went that bad..."

"Well, sorry for your loss," Icy Winds spoke up.

"My parents haven't died yet, but they did kick me out of the house when I became a Zomby," Angeline stated. "They didn't like the idea of their daughter essentially being a corpse."

"I never knew my parents, but then again we have to fend for ourselves from birth in Tartarus anyways," Blaze noted.

"Well... we can agree that at least now things seemed to be changing for good now," Max told them. "Aren't they?"

"I'd say so," Fluffy nodded, licking one of her hooves again afterwards.

"Except for that time when Angeline had to help Venus back home when she was drunk since somepony spiked her drink," Lazuli noted.

"I'm like a plant! Alcohol and photosynthesis don't mix!" the Dagora complained, earning a laugh from Blaze.

"Oh," Max said with a thoughtful nod. "So... there are still some nasty ponies around who likes to annoy monster kind?"

"Well, technically the spiked drink was an accident made by the guy who gave me the drink, but yes," Venus confirmed.

"They are rare, thankfully, but we meet a few on occasion," Aroma explained, then smirked. "Sometimes we have a bit of fun with them before making them leave us be."

"Uh... she means that we like to mess with their heads or give them a good scare," Fluffy clarified, knowing that Aroma's natural voice made it sound more suggestive than that.

Max gave a small chuckle at this. "I say, they should get what they deserve," he agreed.

"Here, here!" Blaze cheered, slamming a hoof down on the ground. Surprisingly, she actually shook the ground where they were standing.

"Easy, Blaze," Angeline told her.

"Whoa," Max was a little surprised when he felt this, though he wasn't much shocked as much but was giving a look of amazement at her strength.

"Sorry," Blaze said sheepishly. "I sometimes don't realize my own strength."

"Oh... alright," Max said, then he couldn't help but pull a joke at the situation, as he gave a small chuckle. "I see now, that's why didn't you hug me..."

"Huh? No, that's not it! I just- that is, I-" Blaze stuttered, causing the others to laugh aloud. :-: "Quit trying to play the tough pony!" Icy Winds teased. "We all know you're a softie inside."

Max smiled playfully at her, couldn't help but smile sheepishly at this as well. "I understand, and it's alright," he told her, with a shrug. "I was kidding, Blaze..."

"N-nah, it's cool," Blaze assured him.

"Is anyone else feeling dozy, or is it just me?" Fluffy asked the others, as her body stretched out and she gave a yawn.

"Me," Lazuli replied, giving a yawn herself.

"I could use a nap," Angeline nodded, her tone of voice making it hard to take serious if not for the others' input.

"Hmm..." Max gave a small yawn as well, leaning against Lazuli coils, before he asked "You wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Not at all," the Serpine said, giving him a smile while the others started to get comfortable. "This happens all the time. You're fine."

"Thanks," Max gave a nod at this, then passed her and others a smile of gratitude. "You girls are best ponies, I ever met since I came to Equestria."

"Ah, that's sweet of you to say," Aroma said, then yawned and laid down against the Serpine. She actually ended up lying down next to Max, and unknowingly was laying her head a short distance from his own. Fluffy, on the other hand, while ending up close to him too, was more conscious of it. :-: "Do you mind if I lay in your lap?" she asked innocently. "I once had a friend who was a human too, and she always let me sleep in her lap."

"Okay, I guess it's alright," Max assured her with a nod, and a small smile.

The cat pony smiled too and gently settled down in his lap, automatically making a purr when she did. She yawned and then curled up a bit, and soon she was snoring.

Max seemed to be in awe to see this adorable moment as a pleasant smile came upon his face and he made another comfortable yawn, making himself more comfortable against Serpine's coils.

As he did, at one point he heard a soft whimpering as if someone was having a bad dream. Looking next to him, he saw Aroma making the whimpers and seemed to be having a nightmare of sorts. As if in response, Lazuli's coils shifted a bit and gently wrapped around her, Max and Fluffy as if to comfort her, managing to have enough for the others too. It helped a bit, but the Eccubus still seemed to be a bit restless. Max, at this couldn't help but wrapped her arm around her as if to add to her comfort, but also trying not to touch her at any inappropriate spot so not to cause any further disturbance.

This relaxed her finally, and the Eccubus made a relaxed sigh. :-: "You look cute together," Angeline suddenly spoke up, and he turned to see that the Zomby was still awake and watching with a tiny smile on her face.

Max blushed a little at this statement but he was happy to see that Aroma was comforted once again. It seemed like whatever she saw must be really terrifying, so she was that disturbed to see that.

"I can't actually fall asleep," Angeline said to him to explain why she was still up. "I can rest, but that's all. I just say it to make Lazuli feel better; she hates leaving me out of things."

"I see," Max said thoughtfully, yawning once again, if he wasn't much sleepy before, he was surely now.

"Hey, before you sleep... Fluffy and Aroma have gone through a few rough times, and much like the majority of us, they're a bit lonely. I don't know what you'll do with that information or if you'll even listen to it, but they need somepony to look after them," the Zomby told him.

Max looked to her for a moment, his eyes slightly widened at the realization, as he looked at Fluffy and Aroma once again, his expressions were thoughtful at the moment, then became more determined. "I hear you," he told Angeline. "...and even though it might sound like a too big of a claim but... I assure you: I'll do whatever it takes to look after them, and try my best to make sure that they didn't have to have a rough time... ever again..."

"That's all I ask," the Zomby nodded, then added with a small smirk, "But don't ask me to join your herd if it comes to that. You're cute for a human and really sweet, but you're not my type."

Max smiled back at her at this, but for the moment he was unsure of what to say at this, before he replied her with clearly a humorous manner. "Well... a man can always hope, don't you think?"

"Just sleep," the Zomby said with a slight chuckle.

The human gave a nod as he closed his eyes and soon drifted to sleep, feeling utterly thankful for such a nice bunch of friends coming in his life.

The Friend in Need

It's been a few days since Max had arrived in the city, and these few days seemed like the most interesting and possibly the most enjoyable days of his life to him. It was all because he had met with a bunch of friendly monster ponies, who were kind enough to let him be a friend of them as well, making his kinda like a part of their family.

Plus, since the business had settled and now he was making once again a stable income out of it (which was actually plenty), there was no reason he could deny that this change had worth it, and Max couldn't be happier for this.

Soon, at his another day off, he seemed pretty happy as he came out for a walk around in the town, knowing that his friends would take a little time before they show up at their usual spot.

But as he walked down the streets, he suddenly saw Lazuli slithering towards him at an incredible speed, a panicked look in her eyes as she skidded to a stop in front of him.

"Max!" she panted. "Max... trouble... fire... Need... help..."

"What?" Max said, almost shocked. "What happened, Lazuli? Is everyone okay?"

"No... the apartment is on fire! Come with me, quickly!" the Serpine yelled, and without waiting for an answer she suddenly wrapped a length of her coils around him and sped off down the street again, not as fast since he was now in tow but still faster than he could have ran on his own.

"What? Let's hurry-" that was all Max, could manage before she wrapped him up and pull along towards a certain direction.

The Serpine pushed through what crowds were blocking the sidewalks - apologizing all the while - until up ahead they noticed a column of smoke. Soon, Max noticed an apartment complex that was in flames. The fire department had been called, but they were having a hard enough time as it was. Lazuli placed Max down to catch her breath as Icy Winds flew over to them.

"Max! Oh, thank the Cold!" she exclaimed. "Fluffy, Aroma and Venus are still stuck in there! Angeline and Blaze just went in after them not too long ago, but they haven't returned yet!"

Max gave a look of shock as he heard this and looked towards the apartment on fire for the moment, and then rushed towards this without a second thought.

Some firemen tried to stop him, but it was pointless to try. The bottom levels inside the apartment were still only mildly affected, suggesting that the fire had started upstairs rather than downstairs. However, he did notice that most of the heat and flames were coming from a stairwell that he saw nearby; clearly, someone had purposely started the fire with the intention of keeping others from fleeing it. As he watched, suddenly two figures barreled down the stairs, both with flames on their body but only one of them actually seeming to be on fire. It was Blaze and Venus, the former helping the latter snuff out some flames that had shown up on her flammable body.

"Max!" the Infernal called. "I've managed to clear the stairs of the majority of the flames. Find Angeline; she can help you out!"

"Alright," Max gave a nod too her, then went towards the stairs to look for Angeline and her other friends, as he said rather loudly. "Wish me luck!"

"Good luck!" Blaze called, then he barely heard her say to Venus, "Lean on me. We're almost out..."

Upstairs, Max found himself surrounded by smoke and plenty of flames, though it did seem like a path had been made through them to some degree. And he soon saw why as he continued through the halls; up ahead, Angeline was purposely throwing herself into the fire from time to time, then rolling about and snuffing the flames out. When she saw Max, she turned to him enough for him to notice that, for the first time since meeting her, her expression wasn't a dull one; it was a determined one. She was covered with burns all over - in fact, her mane alone was blackened in a few places, and her coat having a few sizzles still left over.

"Max, over here," she called, her voice still a bit dull but less so this time, and it held a barely-heard desperate note.

Max went towards her with a concern look on her face, and his concern became even more clear as he asked her.

"Angeline... are you okay. Your skin..."

"I'll be fine. Zomby's can't feel pain," she told him. "Though I probably should leave while I have time. I think they're in the next room up ahead. I managed to clear the fires there, but if I stay any longer I'll be more of a hindrance than a help."

"Mhm," Max gave her a nod. "Take care, Angeline," he told her as he headed towards the next room to find Fluffy and Aroma to get them out of the apartment while there was still time.

The door to the room was only partially closed, as if someone had tried to open it earlier and only managed to get it partly done. Opening it some more, he found a shocking surprise: Aroma was collapsed on the floor, coughing and half conscious of what was going on around her.

"Max?" she asked in a sleepy voice; clearly she had been exposed to the smoke for too long.

"Oh dear," Max managed, sounding utterly concerned and shocked as he leapt towards her, and as quickly as possible he grabbed her out of the room towards an area where smoke wasn't that dense, so she could have some breath before it'd be too late. But still she had one more friend to rescue…

"Wh- who's there?" Fluffy's voice called out in the room. "Please... help me! I'm stuck under this shelf!"

Max heard the voice and tried to recognize the direction from which this was coming from before he took a deep breath and rushed towards the living room.

...a shelf? She's trapped under a shelf...

Soon, he noticed the said shelf toppled over and rushed towards this. Underneath the bookshelf, he heard Fluffy whimper in pain and then a hoof came out and pawed at his foot as if to try and beg for help.

Max, as quickly as he could and with a strength and agility he didn't know he had lifted the shelf from her.

"Fluffy," he called her.

"Max?" Fluffy looked up at him, and managed a weak but thankful smile. Her wings seemed to be broken and when she lifted herself it was with a grunt of pain. But she still managed to hug his leg and cry like a filly, "Oh thank you! Thank you!"

Max gave shout as he toppled the shelf on the other side and grabbed her in a hug as he lifted her in his arms.

"Don't worry, I'll get us out of here..."

"What about Aroma? Did you get her?" the cat pony asked, feeling incredibly light in his arms, which was probably due to her pegasus anatomy.

"Yeah," Max gave her a nod as he headed outside the room where he had left Aroma.

Aroma had managed to recover enough to stand upright weakly, and she looked back at him with a smile.

"You got her..." she managed, then she walked over to him and used him as support, not caring at the moment if her touch would leave him befuddled afterwards. "Now... let's get out of here before it collapses on us."

"Yeah," Max managed as he blinked his eyes for a couple times, as an utter feeling of comfort came over his mind which was obviously due to Aroma's touch at the moment. Then carefully, he headed towards downstairs along with Aroma walking beside her, and Fluffy in his arms.

They walked down the stairs and out into the light of day, where the others were waiting for them. The whole time, Aroma was giving off a very positive feedback to Max. It was almost as if she was speaking aloud.

He saved us... He actually saved us! Wow... this is the nicest thing ever done for me... I think I'm gonna cry after I hug and kiss him to pieces... Ow! After we're out of the smoke and in fresh air..

Fluffy, meanwhile, was automatically giving off an occasional purr against Max to indicate how thankful she was for what he had done for them. She even nuzzled her head against his chest to further feel safe and secure in that moment, looking rather cute to him.

Max was thankful he was able to he was able to rescue them from that life-threatening situation, and he couldn't be any happier as he breath in fresh air and the tears began to rapidly escape his eyes, as the reality of what could occur washed over him. But still, this was easy to tell that these were tears of joy, the utter joy because of his friends were safe and sound now.

Upon exiting and getting a safe distance from the building, they were greeted by the sight of Lazuli and her snake hug.

"Oh my Celestia! Are you guys okay?" she asked worryingly, like a mother to her children as she inspected them all over.

"Too tight! Too tight!" Fluffy yelped, causing Lazuli to ease up on her squeezes. "We're fine... but I'm definitely going to need an ambulance. I think that bookshelf broke my back..."

"I just need some time to clear the smoke from my lungs," Aroma said, already taking deep breaths as it was.

Max then looked determined as he wiped his tears and looked at the burning apartment and frowning a little. "Someone's gonna answer for that," he said.

"For sure..." Fluffy agreed, then looked to Max fully as if only now realizing what he had done. "You... you saved me. And Aroma. You saved us both..."

"Yeah," he said smiling at her. "What else did you expect from me?" Then with a little more concern, he said. "I better take you to hospital now..."

"That won't be necessary," Aroma pointed out as an ambulance rolled up and then some paramedics approached them.

"Who's the injured ones?" the lead nurse inquired.

"Over here..." Fluffy waved her hoof.

"I could use treatment for these burns myself," Angeline's voice suddenly spoke up, the Zomby right beside them. Somehow she had managed to creep up on them without knowing, although the smell of burnt flesh from her made it somewhat regrettable.

Max smiled slightly at her at the moment, the smell coming off her though was so unbearable for the moment but that was seemingly nothing as compared to what they had went through.

"Okay," Max said to Fluffy, as he went there and lied her on the stretcher. "Take care," he said to her. "I'll visit you soon."

"Thanks again, Max," Fluffy said, as she was wheeled into the back of the vehicle. Angeline followed, but due to the smell the paramedics were at first reluctant to let her in. That is, until the Zomby pulled out a perfume bottle and sprayed herself down from head to toe.

"It's not much, but I hope it helps a bit," she remarked, then was permitted to enter. The ambulance took off right then as another car pulled up. This time, it was a police cruiser, and the police ponies ended up talking to the firefighters over the matter as well as speaking to Blaze, Icy Winds, and Venus.

"That was... scary..." Aroma noted, then realized she was still leaning on Max. "Oh... sorry! I should move so that you're not..."

"No, it's fine," Max told her with a small chuckle, but then he ceased to chuckle and blushed slightly as he clarified. "I mean... if you need some more time I won't mind..."

"Careful what you wish for," Lazuli giggled, then backed off to give them some space. Aroma picked up on this and managed a small chuckle.

"It's not just that. It's what our contact is doing to you. I just... I don't want to take advantage of this moment," she told him, and while her voice would make some think otherwise, he knew it was genuine.

Max then smiled at her slightly. "I don't think you're, actually," he reassured her, but then again, this could be effect of her love-trance inducing touch. "...but, do however you like," he chuckled slightly. "I don't think I have much to say here..."

Aroma chuckled, then asked, "Could you just hold me for a moment then? I'm still a bit shaken."

"You mean... like a hug?" Max asked her just for a reassurance, even though that was silly to ask such a question.

"Yes, please," the Eccubus nodded.

"Okay," Max gave her a nod, as he knelt at her level and grabbed her in a hug, this time the hug was surely a little more affectionate, and even more comfortable than the first they hugged.

Aroma hugged him back, smiling as she did so. All her positive feelings were being felt in that moment and being passed over for him to experience as well, like how grateful she was that he had come to rescue her. But out of them all, one thing seemed to stand out to him. She felt safe and secure around him, safer than ever before. This was also the first time in a long time since she had allowed another male to so much as hug her, the reason being that the last time had been... an unpleasant experience for her. And yet, here she was allowing him to hold her close to him at this point in time.

"Is it comfortable?" Max asked her with a tone which showed that he cared about her.

"Mhm," she nodded, and slowly she relaxed fully in his embrace, letting out a happy sigh.

"Hmm," Max made a comforting hum at this as well. "It's good to know..."

The Eccubus made another happy sigh, then after a while she said, "I... should probably let go now. I've already spent a good deal of time in physical contact with you."

"Hmm... okay," Max said to her, as he slowly released her from the hug.

"Excuse me, sir," a police officer spoke up as a pair of police ponies approached them. "If you don't mind, we'd like to ask a few questions."

Max looked at the officer and gave a nod. "Sure. What would you like to ask?"

"Well first off, what is your association with the residents here?" the officer asked. "You seem to be quite close to them."

"I moved here quite recently, so I don't know much people around here," Max told the officer. "I met Fluffy Puff the first day I got here, and soon after I met her group of friends, and... we just got along like that as close friends one may say..."

"I see. Do you know how the fire was started or of anypony who would wish to harm them?" the officer inquired.

"I am sure that fire was started intentionally," Max explained. "As for who would do such a thing, I can't tell... but whoever they're, they're purposefully trying to harm monster kinds."

"Well, you're right about the fire being arson," the officer nodded. "But we've managed to find a few things lying about that were left behind, such as a lighter and gas can. We should be able to track them down soon."

"Sure," Max said and then gave them a determined look. "When you do find and arrest them, make sure they get what they deserve for such a horrible crime!"

"We'll do what we can," the officer promised, then they gave them a nod. "You take care of your marefriend there."

"Huh?" Aroma's head and ears shot up at this mistaken remark.

"Marefriend?" Max took a moment before he realized what the officers just said to him, "...it's actually, there's a..." he blurted out a little nervously but even though he wanted to correct them, he couldn't get himself to say that.

"It's okay... I'll let it slide," Aroma told him. "Besides, they're a bit busy as of now."

"Okay," Max nodded at this, then added after a moment "I guess, we should soon head to see how Fluffy's doing right now..."

"Yeah," the Eccubus nodded.

"Good," Max smiled a little at this. "I'd be needing sometime... I'll see you girls in a moment..."

"Well... not much," Max told them and chuckled slightly. "I just need a moment to check on few things at home, and I think it'd best if I pack some snacks for us, okay?"

"Okay. Don't be gone too long," Aroma told him. "We'll see you down at the hospital."

"Alright, I'll see you there." Max said as he headed off towards his home.

Author's Note

And so, here it is. Hope you're enjoying so far.

Crushed

In the hospital, Fluffy was lying in the bed provided for her at the hospital, feeling bored and at the same time confused in her head. Max's actions today had left quite an imprint on her. No one had ever cared about her life as much as he had before, besides the girls of course, and it touched her to know how far he was willing to go just to ensure she was safe. It was an action she would never forget. But it also made her start to question how it made her view him.

He's really cute for a human, and such a sweetheart too, she thought to herself. I honestly wouldn't mind if he had been raised by my pride. But... he's also caring and nice and... Oh Celestia, I think I have a crush, and he's not even my own species.

Max, on the other hand was headed towards the hospital with what seems like lunch box in his hand, to check on his one of his new and really close friends, Fluffy Puff. She was badly injured during that event and he didn't even wanna think about what could occur to her or Aroma, if he'd got here any later than that.

He shook his head to get his mind off the bad thoughts and focus on some other things, like what happened recently, and what impact these events left on him. There were many questions at his mind at the moment, but right now he could say that he was sure about one thing without a doubt.

I can never let this happen again.

It was then, when he noticed that he was already standing a few steps away from the hospital. A small smile came upon his face as he headed inside.

"Hi Max!" a chorus of voices called to him once he entered. Among the monster ponies seated, he managed to spot Angeline in the small crowd, the Zomby having only a few bandages on her as evidence that she had been treated.

"We were waiting on you before we visit her," Venus commented, the only evidence she had been burned being a small patch of black on her leaf-like body.

"I guess you're the friend they were waiting on?" a nurse asked him with a chuckle.

"Yeah," Max nodded and smiled. "That's surely be me."

"She's in Room Three. I suggest that you be careful how much space you take up," the nurse told them. "We may have rooms big enough to treat large creatures, but we still don't have too much space."

"We'll manage," Blaze assured her.

"Mhm," Max gave a nod at this, as he along with the girls went towards that room.

The door was open, so the cat pony could easily see them enter the room. She smiled.

"Hey girls, and Max," she greeted.

"Hi Fluffy," the girls all said, except for Angeline who said, "Hey."

"Hi," Max said placing the lunch box beside the table as he stood there, and asked her.

"How are you feeling now?"

"A little stiff in the back, but I'll live," the cat pony replied. "They say cats have nine lives, and I have yet to use one."

"Well," Max said with a reassuring smile. "Well, we all are here to make you feel better..."

"I'd give you a hug right now, but I think it's best not to until you feel better," Lazuli noted.

"Speak for yourself," Icy Winds commented, the Wendigo floating over to the cat pony and somehow managing to hug her, which got a few looks all around. "What? I just learned how to interact with others like that yesterday. Why not put it to use?"

"Oh," Max gave a small chuckle at this. "Good thinking, actually."

"So, how's your first trip to the hospital?" Venus asked the cat pony.

"Boring," Fluffy admitted. "I don't even have a ball of yarn to entertain me."

"Oh, I remember," Max said as he grabbed out a long string of yarn and rolled this into a ball "It might not be as big, but I guess that still can work, right?"

Fluffy's eyes widened and she made a soft mew, earning a giggle from her friends.

"Yes... finally... entertainment," the cat pony made out.

"I'm glad that you're happy," Max said to her. "I also made some sandwiches for all of us," he said gesturing towards the lunch box. "Just in case, if anyone gets hungry..."

"Uh, are any of them vegan? I'm probably the only one who can't have meat," Venus pointed out.

"It's true," Blaze nodded.

"Even I eat meat," Lazuli noted.

"I can only eat meat," Angeline stated.

"Well, don't worry. I have made them keeping that in mind," Max replied to them. "I have cucumber sandwiches as well as non-vege sandwiches if someone likes meat."

"Dibs," Aroma called while lifting her hoof.

"Uh... I don't need to eat, so I'm good," Icy Winds told him.

"Speak for yourself," Venus chuckled, her tail end grabbing one of the cucumber sandwiches and chomping on it while she ate a second normally. The others all grabbed sandwiches too, save for Fluffy who looked up to Max.

"Uh... just place it down in front of me. I can't move my back too much right now," she said.

"Sure," Max said as he brought the sandwich in front of her enough close to her mouth, so she could easily take a bite with moving too much.

Fluffy gave a purr, then she too started to eat her sandwich. Max looked at her, as she was eating sandwich but also couldn't help but felt a little enraged within towards those who tried to hurt her and her friends. It wasn't less than a shock for him, when he realized that such event had occurred, and he was thankful that he was able to rescue both of them and he didn't has to lose any of his new friends. But he was also worried about them, never he wanted that to occur... ever again.

"Something wrong?" Aroma asked him, and then he felt her laying a hoof on his leg as high up as she could go. "You seem upset."

"Hmm," Max looked at her, his expressions confirming her doubts and despite the comfort he felt at her touch he was still looking a little worried, and then he replied. "In fact... yes, I am a... little worried, I am glad that I reached there before that was too late... but I can't stand the thought someone actually tried to do that..."

"Oh..." Aroma nodded.

"It's alright now. Besides, I think we know who did it, and they'll be punished by law for it," Blaze assured him.

Max gave a nod at this and managed a smile, and then looked back to Fluffy who was eating her sandwich, mentally adoring her cuteness. The cat pony, however, noticed his stare as well as a few of the others, and blushed.

"Wh why are you staring?" she asked.

"Hmm... maybe because you're adorable... like really adorable," Max replied her with a chuckle.

"Oh... well..." Fluffy blushed harder, and several of the girls gave him a smirk.

"You like her!" Lazuli blurted out.

"I... what?" Max said, partially surprised or at least that's what it seemed like, looking between the girls.

"You like her!" Lazuli repeated.

"Lazuli..." Fluffy blushed again.

"You mean, 'love' Lazuli," Venus corrected, then slapped herself. "I'm sorry..."

Max blushed heavily at this, not sure what to say anymore, but now that didn't matter as it seemed. It was time for him to face the fact and when he thought about that, Lazuli wasn't lying at all. It was more than obvious, even for him that he had started to fall for her. But how'd she take this.

"Hmm... I admit," he said as he lowered his head in embarrassment, not being sure what she'd say.

"Huh?" Fluffy's ears perked up in a cute manner and she looked at him with slight disbelief.

"I... I like you, Fluffy," Max said, as he looked at her fully, seemingly surprised that he had enough courage to say that, but also closed his eyes shut at the moment, then blurted out without thinking "I'm sorry... and I totally understand if you won't accept my feelings, so don't break friendship with me... I never had friends like you-"

"Whoa whoa whoa! Why do humans always say that?" Icy Winds demanded.

"Because all humans fear rejection to some degree," Angeline clarified.

"Girls..." Fluffy said gently. "Could you... give us a moment?"

"Uh... sure," Blaze nodded, then motioned to the others to leave. They did, but Aroma noticeably lingered for a while.

Max was still there, lowering his head slightly, and almost at the verge of crying as he never felt that vulnerable before, nor he had shown anyone how much he fears to loss them as friends neither he had been so fragile before. Soon, however, he felt one of Fluffy's hooves gently touch his hand.

"Stop crying," she said. "I'm not giving you bad news."

Max looked at her, wiping his tears and looked at her with an anticipated expression. "You... you're not...?"

"No. If anything... I'm here to tell you some good news," Fluffy replied. "I'm not rejecting your feelings. In fact..." She blushed again and looked to the side a bit. "...I have felt the same way for a while, too."

"So... you do have the same feelings...?" Max asked as a small smile came upon his face, and he wiped the remaining tears off his eyes once again, then looked away, blushing hard slightly in embarrassment as well. "I'm... I'm just looking pathetic right now... ain't I?"

"No... you're looking like a million bits," Fluffy assured him.

Max gave a small chuckle at this, and blushed once again. It had been a while since he had cried like that, and that felt oddly pleasant to him, that and to let Fluffy know about his true feelings for her and not only he didn't lose her as a friend but also that she accepted his feelings. How in the world this could get even better?

"So... does that mean I can have another hug?" Max playfully asked her.

"Yes..." she agreed playfully, then added with seriousness, "But gently, please. I don't want to stay in here longer than needed.”

"Mhm," Max nodded then tenderly wrapped her arms around her, still keeping her in a position that she didn't have to move her back to return the hug. "Is that comfortable, Fluffy?"

"Mmm, yes," the cat pony nodded, and soon he could hear her purring loudly.

"Hmm," Max made a small comfortable hum at that, smiling pleasantly at this.

The cat pony purred again, but then they felt the moment interrupted when the door cracked open again and Aroma walked in.

Max looked at her and passed her a little awkward yet blushed expression as she entered, not sure what to say, he remained silent at the moment.

"Aroma, what are you doing back in here?" Fluffy asked.

"Well... you see... I have something I want to say too," the Eccubus said shyly, which was evident even with her voice type.

Max looked between her and Fluffy and to make the moment a little less awkward, he tenderly released the hug, no matter how abrupt this felt to him. "Okay," he said, passing her a smile.

"Well... when she said to leave, I knew what she was going to say," Aroma explained. "And... I gave you time to say it, but... I felt left out as well."

"Left out?" Fluffy asked.

Max gave her a slightly nervous look as he somewhat began to realize what she was trying to say, but didn't jumped to conclusions and decided to wait and listen to her, after all she was also one of his friends, and he didn't want to make her feel upset, if he could help this.

"Well... I've had a crush for a while on Max," Aroma explained. "And... when he saved us from the fire, it became all the more clear to me... I think... I love him too..."

Max wasn't as much surprised as he heard her say that, as he had already partially guessed that'd be the case, what actually surprised him however was the fact that she actually had feelings for him as well, and that wouldn't be a lie that he liked her a lot as well, at least as a close friend, and given the right situation he wouldn't say or do anything to hurt her, but still he was silent for a moment.

"Well...?" Aroma inquired. "D- don't stay silent..."

"Um... well, I- I don't know what to say except... I don't feel mad about it," Fluffy managed.

Am I really considering this, Max thought to himself before looking among them. "I don't know... I mean... Aroma, you're a wonderful mare, I'm not denying that... but I'm a little confused," he was silent for a while before he finally asked a question which he was really afraid to ask.

"Are you both... okay with this?"

Fluffy and Aroma exchanged looks, then seemed to come to a silent agreement.

"I live in a pride, so it wouldn't be the first time I've seen this kind of relationship," the cat pony said.

"And... I don't mind sharing," Aroma added.

"Well then," Max gave a small smile at this and extended his hand towards Aroma. "Then welcome to the herd... or pride I guess, or whatever we like to call this..."

"We'll make it work," Fluffy giggled, then the door opened and a nurse walked in.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but visiting hours are over," she said, seemingly oblivious to what she walked in on.

"Oh... thank you," Aroma said with a nod.

Max then took a sigh and passed a smile to Fluffy and caressed her cheek, giving her a small peck on lips before getting up. "Well Fluffy," he said to her, not looking much happy at the thought of leaving her at the moment. "...looks like we have to go... but I promise to visit you soon again, hopefully next day's evening," he said caressing her mane and passed her a smile. "...and get well soon..."

"I will. Take care of yourself. And take care of Aroma too," Fluffy replied, nuzzling him affectionately for a moment, before reluctantly allowing him to go.

"I will," Max replied her, before he along with Aroma went outside the room, waving for one more time before they exit the room.

Author's Note

Oh my God, I'm so excited for upcoming chapters. I know this story might hasn't been best one of mine, but it surely the most lovey dovey one.

Sweet Aroma

Author's Note

I'm back with another chapter. If you have read my stories before, you know what's coming.

Sweet Aroma

A day or two passed, and Max and Aroma kept visiting Fluffy whenever they could at the hospital, along with the rest of the girls. However, all sides were currently having an enjoyable week on the whole. Aroma and Max were getting to know each other some more, and while both were hoping for a quick recovery from Fluffy, they did end up having time put aside for the two of them. And eventually, it led to what was happening today at Aroma's apartment.

"How much longer do you think Fluffy will be in the hospital?" Aroma asked Max while sitting on her bed.

"Hmm... it shouldn't take longer than a few more days," Max told her, his eyes showing a gleam of hopefulness, as a smile came upon his face before he took a sigh.

"I hope so too," Aroma nodded, then gave him a curious expression. "Anything you'd care to talk about?"

"I don't know," Max gave a small chuckle leaning backwards a little on the bed while supporting himself with his arms as he looked towards her roof for a moment. "Hmm... what would you like to talk about? Anything on your mind?"

"Well... how about right now? Are you really okay with this?" Aroma asked him.

Max gave that a little thought for a couple seconds before he passed her a nod. "Sure if you're."

"I am... I just needed to be sure. The last time I had someone actually date me, it was a Changeling and he was already unintentionally under my spell," the Eccubus explained.

"So... I guess that didn't go that well?" Max asked her with a somewhat concerned expression, turning towards her fully.

"It was kinda funny at first," Aroma said with a laugh, then her smile faded. "But yeah. It didn't feel real at all. Like... it wasn't genuine, so it made me feel sad."

Max then passed her a look which seemed to be a little more cheerful. "Hey... don't feel sad now," he told her. "You know, I only had one date before and even that was a total disaster... at least yours couldn't be as terrible as mine..."

"You had a horrible date too? What happened?" Aroma asked, now listening intently.

"Well, I wasn't the most confident guy around females... at least human girls," Max said to her, as he made a small chuckle to himself. "I dated a girl I knew as a friend for some while after for some unknown and miraculous reason she accepted my offer," then he stopped chuckling and looked pretty embarrassed. "It pretty much ended up with she rejecting me and as a bonus she even humiliated me because of how awkward I was around her," he then gave another smile. "Pretty funny, won't you agree?"

"Sounds like tough luck to me," Aroma chuckled, laying a hoof on his arm before realizing what it could do and drawing back.

Max noticed this and gave her a reassuring and somewhat questioning look at this, and asked. "What happened?"

"It's just... I'm reluctant to touch anypony for fear of putting them under my spell," she explained. "I... kinda feel like I'm enslaving someone when I put them under my spell, so..."

Max gave a her an encouraging look at this, and taking the leap of faith he gently caressed her cheek in an affectionate manner. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "Just try it... and at any point, if you feel like I'm not behaving like myself, you can just stop..."

The sudden sensation of his hand to her cheek combined with his reassuring words made Aroma look to him with surprise evident on her face. Eventually, however, she did manage to smile and then nuzzled him affectionately.

Max smiled and nuzzled her back for a moment before he began to pass his through her silky mane. She closed her eyes and made a blissful sigh at the sensation. She had never been intimate with a human before, so even this gesture was new to her. Yet, she absolutely enjoyed the feeling too, and wanted him to never stop.

Max soon started to feel an emotion of utter pleasure and comfort in her presence, and even though that was partially due to the effect of her natural ability, but deep within he knew that he was so much comfortable in her presence even without her spell making him feel such, and he didn't wanna be anywhere else right now.

Aroma at first felt slightly guilty that her spell was already taking effect, but she then relaxed when she noticed he wasn't acting like someone he wasn't. If anything, he was just himself... but more relaxed. So, taking a leap of faith (at least in her eyes), she leaned up and gave him a kiss.

Max, was stunned and a little surprised at first, even though he was so much comfortable like that, the feeling of kissing a pony for the first time seemed pretty alien to him, and a little hesitation could be feel in his manner, but not that would seem like he was reluctant, instead hesitation that would seem like someone would feel at his first time, which was nothing out of usual.

Aroma noticed his hesitation, and pulled away for a moment and gave him a small smile.

"It's alright. I'm new to this too," she told him.

That gave him some confident, as he blushed and passed her a nod along with a smile. "Okay... wanna try once again?"

"Mhm," the Eccubus nodded, giving a small blush in the process before kissing him again.

Max, this time tried his best to not show any hesitation and kissed her back with confidence for the moment completely losing himself in the bliss and comfort he was experiencing at the moment.

Aroma sighed blissfully and leaned into him, wrapping her hooves around his neck in a gentle embrace.

"Mmm," Max made a small moan as he wrapped his arms around her as well, stroking her mane lovingly in the process.

Aroma moaned, and then Max felt something leathery gently wrap around his arms as best as they could, and he realized she was using her bat wings to do this. They were too small to wrap around his back, but they did perfectly on his arms and were rather cute.

Max, couldn't help but blush even more at this a little more, and then he started to tenderly caress his hand over her coat to return the favor.

Aroma shivered a bit under his touch, but her actions and the encouragement shown by her as she deepened their kiss a little proved that she enjoyed what he had done.

Max, accepted her passion without any hesitation and returned the gesture with equally passionate manner. It was a moment, he never experienced in his life before and he wanted to savor this as much as possible.

Aroma moaned against him, then gently moved one of her hooves to his chest and started rubbing small circles on his chest to start. He sighed against her felt that pleasant sensation and made a moan of pleasure himself, as he also started to move his hands towards her sides and started to message her passionately.

Aroma shuddered against him again, and he even heard her make a small, "Eep!" against him, suggesting that this too was new to her. He mentally smiled making a blissful moan against her at this, as his affections became more and more intense with each passing second.

Aroma moaned again, and then after a moment she broke their kiss while looking at him in blissful amazement. She had expected him to be befuddled and not like himself when the spell took effect, but all it seemed to do is make him very affectionate and passionate towards her. He was still himself, but his feelings towards her were simply upgraded to a higher level.

Max took a blissful sigh, looking at her with a dreamy smile as the bliss he was experiencing right now was beyond compare to anything he ever had experienced before. It was true that he had fantasized his first kiss to be the one of the most blissful things in his life, but this was beyond what he had fathomed.

"I love you, Aroma my dear." Max said to her, caressing his palm on her cheek.

Aroma's eyes filled with joyful tears as she answered him.

"I love you too, Max," she said, closing her eyes afterwards as she leaned her head more into his hand.

Max then tenderly moved his hand over the base of her neck and then to her mane as he passed through his hand through this once again, as he leaned towards her for another nuzzle. Aroma nuzzled him contently, then a thought came to mind.

"Max... does this mean we're together now?" she asked. "Because if we are... there's something I want to do with you."

Max would wanted to say yes at the instant, but for the sake of reassurance of her that he wasn't saying this only because he was under the effect of her spell, he took a pause for consideration for a moment, and then without any further wait he replied her. "Yes, my dear," Max smiled at her. "I can say without a doubt that we're together," he reassured.

"Then... would you allow me to leave my mark on you?" she asked him, sounding a bit shy about the matter.

"A mark?" Max sounded a little confused, by the looks of her, this sounds like she literally mean what she said, but he was lost at what she was trying to imply, so he asked her. "Hmm... in what sense?"

"It's... a way for thestrals and Eccubi to choose their life-mates," Aroma explained. "However, with me it has an added risk of draining you of life and love if it's done unwillingly." She blushed and looked away for a moment. "You don't have to say yes if..."

Max nodded in understanding and after a short pause he finally replied her, giving her a small chuckle. "I can tell you that I'm not unwilling, so don't worry about that..."

"Then... you're okay with it?" Aroma asked.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I'm okay with it," Max replied her.

Aroma smiled, then she said, "It'll hurt, but only for a moment. Afterwards, it'll be worth the time."

"Oh, okay," Max nodded at this, then a little confused he asked. "So, how you're gonna... mark me?"

"Um... by biting you..." Aroma blushed deeply at the remark and even showed her fangs a bit to emphasize.

"Oh," Max took the hint and blushed a little at this as well, and couldn't help but made a giggle as he made a guess. "...so, like a vampire?"

"Yeah... but without turning you into one of my own," Aroma giggled.

"I see," he smiled at this, before asking a question one more time. "I guess then... on my neck?"

"Mhm," Aroma nodded, already looking at his neck to see where the best place to bite him was at.

Max gave a nod as his hesitation was almost died away completely at the time before in a reassuring tone. "Then... you can go ahead whenever you like, and let me know whether I should adjust myself to a position which would be more comfortable to you."

Aroma nodded, then bared her fangs entirely as she leaned towards his neck, silently having him move his head a bit to allow better access. Knowing this was a big deal for both of them made Aroma hesitate for a moment, and then she sank her fangs into his neck.

Max made a sudden gasp as he felt her fangs piercing through his skin, but stayed still at the moment so she wouldn't have any trouble to do so.

Aroma winced a little at the sound of his gasp, but she kept her fangs in for a moment longer before finally pulling out. When she did, a burning sensation came over Max on his neck in the shape of a kind of symbol, which then disappeared almost as quickly as it had occurred.

Max opened his eyes as the burning feeling died down and he took a sigh and smiled at her, as he playfully said. "Ouch,"

"Sorry. I wish it wasn't as painful, but at least it's quick," Aroma shrugged, then she said, "On the bright side... now we're bound together through it."

Max smiled widened a little at this, as he felt a sense of great bliss at the moment, knowing that they were now bounded for life. If only thing which could make this even better was the news that Fluffy was fully recovered and was soon to be discharged from the hospital.

"Mhm, that sounds so... amazing," he said to her with a reassuring tone. "...and to tell you the truth... that bite didn't feel as bad actually... and I... kinda enjoyed this," he blushed heavily as he told her this, knowing how kinky that actually sounded he wasn't sure how'd she take this.

"Wait... you liked it?" Aroma asked him with curiosity.

Max bite his lower lip in confusion at this before replying. "I guess, I did."

Aroma's expression turned from curious to flirtatious and she smiled.

"Well then... maybe I should do it again just for you," she teased.

"I don't think I'd mind," Max blushed as he told her and adjusted his head to a more comfortable position.

Aroma smiled again, then leaned back to his neck. Only this time, she brushed her fangs teasingly along his neck and on the mark, enjoying the involuntary shudders he gave off when she did so. Then she sank her fangs into his neck a second time.

Max, didn't made a gasp this time, instead he made a pleasant sigh as she did so and surprising found himself enjoying this feeling more than he was anticipating.

"Hmm... this feels absolutely nice," he told her with a rather dreamy voice.

Aroma suppressed a giggle at the sound of his voice, for it was a clear sign her spell was definitely in full effect. And she couldn't deny that she enjoyed the feeling too, as seen when she made a small sucking sound against him from her fangs, and he shuddered as she did so and made a small blissful moan at this, that clearly sounded like he was encouraging her.

Aroma smiled against him and sank her fangs in deeper, while her hooves started rubbing his chest passionately to further increase his pleasure.

Max then started to get fully lost in the blissful moment as he brought his hand towards her sides and began to message her in an affectionate manner, before possibly out of curiosity or perhaps by accident he began to run his hand over her underbelly, which was actually the most soft and fluffy spot of her body.

Aroma, not having allowed anyone to touch her there before, gave a muffled "Eep!" against him, the sudden shock of pleasure startling her for a moment. At this, he mentally realized that he might had done something discomfort to her so he started to removed his hand from her belly and move this towards the more... comfortable spots.

But before he could have it leave her underbelly entirely, he felt her hoof gently touch his hand and gently apply pressure to it so it was resting on her underbelly again, a clear sign of encouragement.

Max opened his for a moment at this for a moment before closing them once again, as he mentally nodded at this as if saying. "Okay" before he began to message his hand over her soft underbelly also occasionally applying gentle pressure to add to her pleasure.

Aroma made another "Eep!" against him, shuddering with pleasure at the sensation it gave off. She was actually trembling slightly with delight at what he was doing, which almost made her lose mind on what she was doing with her fangs. But she managed to keep her mind on the matter as well.

Max then carried on with the belly-rubbing in an affectionate manner while almost lost in her affections towards him as well. This feeling was beyond pleasing and he never wanted this to end, not anytime soon at least.

Aroma moaned blissfully against him multiple times, then after a while pulled her fangs from his neck as her back arched a little and made another, louder moan.

Max at the sensation of her fangs leaving his neck gave a small shudder before making a blissful sigh once again, and for the moment his affectionate belly-rubs slowed down a little.

"Max..." Aroma spoke up, breathing heavily from the pleasant sensations she was feeling. "I... I think I'm close. I can... hardly hold back..."

Max looked at her dreamily at the moment, a little feeling of nervousness coming over him for a slight second before dying as quick as it came, and though he was also feeling as much on the edge as she was he still asked her once more. "Now?"

"Yes... but first lie down..." Aroma suggested. "It'll make things easier."

Max gave her a nod and lied down, keeping her on the top of him, while he rested his hand on her both sides.

Aroma looked into his eyes and smiled.

"I hope you like this next one," she whispered, as her tail slowly sneaked down below his waist.

Max made a surprised gasp at this, squealing slightly as she made her move. "Oh," he blushed even more heavily at this.

"Hee hee!" Aroma giggled. "I'll take that as a yes."

Max nodded in reassurance. "Mhm, ah- Aroma, my beloved... do as you please..."

"You didn't even need to encourage me," she answered, then kissed him deeply as she made her next move...

Warm & Fluffy

Author's Note

And so, let's the love be carried on.

Warm & Fluffy

Max was at his apartment, sitting in his living room at the moment as he was lying on his couch, seemingly pretty bored at the moment. Usually, since he had came to this city he really liked to spend his free time with his new bunch of friends, and at some times with his one of his two beloveds, Aroma in private, since Fluffy had discharged from hospital pretty recently. It was a dull day already, and the reason that he wasn't with her at the moment was making him a little sad inside, even though it's not been much time only a couple days or so.

Just then, there was a knock at the door of the apartment, followed by a familiar voice calling.

"Max, are you home?"

"Fluffy?" Max said to himself, as his face gleam with joy and also surprise as he heard this voice, and he quickly got out of his couch. "Coming," he called back to her before he went towards the door and opened it.

And sure enough, standing at the door was the cat pony in question, fully recovered and beaming a big smile.

Max, without waiting any further grabbed her in a hug, but gently enough not to hurt her recently recovered back. "Oh Fluffy," Max said to her. "How are you?"

"I feel a million times better!" she laughed, purring aloud as she hugged him back.

Max then released her from the hug, realizing that she was still standing partially outside the door. "Whoops," he said smiling sheepishly at this. "Please come in."

"Thank you," the cat pony replied, then trotted inside the apartment, still purring slightly when she did.

"It's so nice to see you fit and fine once again, Fluffy," Max told her walking beside her, still beaming with joy.

"Thank you. The doctors said that I should be fine now," the cat pony remarked cheerfully. "However, they also said to call if I experience any further problems."

"Well, hopefully there won't be anything serious now," Max said reassuringly to her as they both walked towards the living room.

The cat pony giggled, then settled herself onto the couch with him, giving her wings a good stretch when she did.

Max sat beside her, making a thoughtful expression for the briefest of the moment before he made a small chuckle at this. "I guess, you might be hungry right now," Max looked at her. "Tell me, what would you like to have for a meal?"

"Um... well, anything will do for now," Fluffy assured him.

"Really?" Max asked, then gave her a nod. "Sure," he said getting up from the couch, and heading towards the kitchen. "I'll be back in a moment."

"Take your time," Fluffy called, laying down on the couch. "I'm not going anywhere."

Max gave her a little sheepish look at this before nodding and going out of the room.

Fluffy smiled as she watched him leave, then decided to entertain herself for a moment by pulling out the ball of yarn he had left for her at the hospital and batting it about.

Max took a little time to prepare some meal for both of them: a few chicken sandwiches (which was also his own favorite meal), eggs, and some warm milk (that was his assumption that she'd like milk the most of all beverages).
Soon, he came back into the room along with a tray of meal he recently prepared, and watching her play with the ball of yarn, he couldn't help but awe at the sight.

Fluffy took a moment to notice he was watching and blushed when she did.

"It's okay," Max told her, as he sat on the couch once again and placed the tray on a table in front of them, and gave a small chuckle. "It's not like, I have never seen you playing with a ball of yarn before..."

"Right... that is true," Fluffy nodded. "Still, it's a bit embarrassing."

"It's no problem," Max reassured her, then gestured towards the tray.

"Oh, thanks," Fluffy said, taking one of the sandwiches and delicately eating it.

Max grabbed one for himself and began to munch on this, as always enjoying the taste. This was also a good thing about being in this town: back in Canterlot, most of the so called "higher class" ponies didn't approve of the consumption of meat, so he usually got some odd stares every now and then. It wasn't a problem in this town where exotic species of different kind were living together.

Fluffy took a few more bites, then she asked him with a cheeky smile, "So, how are you and Aroma getting along?"

"Well," Max couldn't help but blushed slightly at this. "I guess, we're getting along really good. If you wanna know how good in fact..." he told her then tilting his head slightly he exposed his mark to her, smiling shyly with a sense of glee.

Fluffy almost forgot about her sandwich for a moment as she stared at it in wonder, then smiled.
"Angeline owes me twenty bits," she chuckled.

Max gave a small chuckle at this, then he passed her a little shy smile at this once again, as he finished the last bite of his sandwich.

The cat pony finished her last bite as well, giving an almost silent noise which said that she enjoyed it.

Max passed her a gleeful expression at this, as in a moment they both started on his second sandwich.

Both of kept relishing their meal in relative silence, along with some occasional talks. Soon after when they had eaten to their fill, Max suddenly made audible burp.

Fluffy looked over at him and gave a laugh.

"Really?" she giggled. "Didn't your parents ever tell you it's rude to burp in front of a lady?"

"Sorry," Max said giggling with embarrassment. "That just... happened."

Fluffy giggled again, then she took a drink from the milk he had provided. This soon prompted her to burp as well.

Max looked at her oddly, in a questioning manner and soon started to chuckle lightly at this.

"What? I can't leave you hanging, can I?" Fluffy joked.

"Oh, why not?" Max said, chuckling at this a little more.

Fluffy giggled some more, and then she took another drink of milk.

"Hmm... how'd you know I'd like this kind of milk?" she asked him.

"Well... let's just say that was an educated guess," Max told her with a playful smile.

Fluffy purred with delight at his statement and gently hugged him afterwards.

"It's my favorite brand," she said. "So that was a really good guess."

"Mhm," Max blushed slightly at this and returned the hug to her gently and tenderly enough for her to feel comfortable.

Fluffy purred again, this time automatically in response to his actions. She couldn't help it; being in his arms was always a pleasant feeling for her. The human felt really comfortable at this as well as he wasn't feeling letting go of the hug anytime soon, so to make this even more enjoyable to her, he began to caress her mane affectionately.

Fluffy gave a small gasp when he did this, not entirely familiar to his touch just yet. She still felt good however, so she let it go.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"Oh, this?" Max gave her a small smile. "I thought you may like this... should I stop?"

"No... keep going," Fluffy told him, making another purr mid-sentence. "I don't mind."

"Okay," Max obliged to this as he carried on to caress her mane, along with occasional ear scratches on her feline ears.

Fluffy purred again and even made a small "mew" while leaning into him. Her purrs could be felt against Max's body, and was just as relaxing as listening to them.

"Hmm," Max hummed in comfort at this and slowly leaned closer to her, slightly clenching her against his chest but also being gentle enough to not cause her any discomfort due to her recently recovered back.

Fluffy had to give a mental giggle at this action, for it showed how much he cared about her and what had happened to her. She nuzzled him affectionately as a means of encouragement while giving a small mew.

Max mentally nodded at her gesture and gradually moved his hand towards the back of her neck running his fingers through her coat in an affectionate manner before moving his hand slightly more lower towards her back.

Fluffy's back arched in response and she gave a small shiver as well, but as much as she wanted to continue there was still one thing to do first.

"Max... do you think we should... take this somewhere more comfortable?" she asked him gently.

"Oh, of course," Max nodded, as a playful smile came upon his face as he slowly released her from the hug slightly, only to lift her in his arms while tenderly adjusting her position as he stood up, looking at her with a deep blush across his face. "So... bedroom?"

"Mhm..." Fluffy nodded, also blushing herself even though she was the one who suggested it earlier.

"Alright," Max nodded as he headed towards the bedroom, feeling a little nervous at the situation for obvious reasons but clearly not that much.
After reaching inside he closed the door and gently settled her on the bed. The bedroom wasn't much messy and bed was really soft and comfortable, slightly larger than most of usual equine sized beds.

Fluffy almost gasped aloud again when it hit her more fully.
This is actually happening, she thought to herself, settling into a comfortable position for the both of them.

Max joined her on the bed and smiled sheepishly at the situation. It wasn't his first time he was alone in a room with a an equine female as that was already clear, still he was feeling a little bit nervous, as that was clear from his expression.

"So... care to take the lead again?" Fluffy asked him, even though she moved up to snuggle with him upon saying that.

"Sure... if you like me to," Max said, his nervousness dying a little as he tenderly began to caress her mane once again.

Fluffy closed her eyes as his hand weaved through her mane, enjoying the tender touch of his hands against her coat.

Max taking this gesture as encouragement gradually became more affectionate in his manner, as he moved his towards the back of her neck once again, before moving slightly lower on her back with a steady and comfortable pace.

Fluffy made a soft mew and nuzzled him affectionately, purring all over again in response to his actions.

Max nuzzled her back and sighed happily once again as her purrs were now feeling even more comforting. He closed his eyes in bliss as he carried on with his affection as gradually caressing her coat his hand finally reached to her withers.

Fluffy gave a sharp gasp at this and looked to him with a very deep blush, clearly not expecting this yet not looking at all displeased.

Max, at this moved his hand slightly away from her withers, understanding that he must had hit some sensitive spot and felt a little embarrassed even though she didn't look displease, as a deep blush crossed his face, and he sheepishly said. "Sorry..."

"No no... you're fine... I just didn't expect it," Fluffy assured him, blushing harder as her purrs continued.

"Oh," Max felt relieved and comfortable at this once again, as he leaned towards her for a nuzzle. "I'll... be more careful now..."

"Hey, it's fine," Fluffy told him, and as if to confirm it she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Just... give me a warning next time, whether vocal or otherwise."

"Okay," Max gave a nod as he felt encouraged by her reassurance, and carried on with his affectionate gestures once again as he ran his fingers through her coat in a gentle and even more passionate manner.

"So... do I go further?" Max asked

"If you want. I don't mind," Fluffy purred, then whispered, "In fact, I'm feeling a bit frisky now."

"Oh," Max gave a small giggle as he took a deep breath of relief and comfort and moved his hand towards her withers, this time being more gentle as knowing that this was obviously one of her more sensitive spots, before he whispered to her. "I guess... me too."

Fluffy gave a soft moan, then looked up at him and gave him a deep kiss.

Max made a sigh against her, as he returned the kiss clearly without any hesitation in his method, while making his other affectionate gestures towards more and more passionate by the time.

Fluffy moaned against him, kissing him with a fiery passion that got more intense as the moment carried on. Her wings stood out straight to the sides of her body, too stiff for her to move them much at all and she started exploring Max's own form with her hooves.

Max sighed comfortably against her once as his passion rose gradually and he slowly motioned his hand towards her sides and began to caress them, like a comfortable affectionate message.

Fluffy shivered against him all the more, and a slight mew escaped her from against his lips in the process.

"Mmm," Max made a blissful moan against her at this, flushing a little at this but also feeling a little more encouraged by her gestures.

Fluffy moaned, then she decided to pull a bold move on him like he had done to start off. Slowly, her feline tail sneaked along to a good point of access, and then moved below his waist to make her move.

Max suddenly gave a gasp at this as he felt this and pulled away slightly with surprise, and looked at her with his cheeks flushing red at the moment. Though he wasn't expecting this yet, he still didn't seem upset or anything.

Fluffy smirked. "You owe me after what you pulled earlier," she whispered, already pleasing him with her new act of affection.

Max blushed as he looked at her knowingly at this, giving an anticipated smile, as made another small gasp. "I... I did," he admitted as he bit his lower lip.

If she carried on like this... I may not be able to hold back any longer...

Fluffy seemed to understand what he was thinking, because she didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. If anything, she was going on some more, kissing his neck now and giving his ears a few licks in the process. Her tongue felt very feline-like, but it was still pleasing for him.

Max gave a few more blissful moan and gasps at this, as she carried on with her affectionate as well as teasing gestures. In return of her favor he carried on with his own gestures as he messaged her sides affectionately and he gradually began to explore her body with his hands even more passionately.

Fluffy gave a few more moans, then finally she breathed, "Max... I... can't..."
She didn't finish what she was saying, nor did she need to; it was implied enough what she meant.

"I... I understand," Max gave a nod, his cheeks were burning due to sharp blood flow at the moment. Then passing her a smile and a short kiss on her lips, he turned lying on his back while keeping Fluffy lying on top of him.

"I'm... I'm yours, my love..." Max said in reassurance.

"And... I yours..." Fluffy answered, kissing him passionately as she pulled herself onto him.

Revealed

A week or two later, Fluffy, Blaze, Aroma, and Angeline were enjoying what they called their "girls night" together with one of their friends, who was one of the first non-monster ponies that they had befriended in a long time. They were currently having dinner at their favorite restaurant, which was open to and served all forms of ponies and equine creatures, including the monster ponies.

"They really outdid themselves this time with the cheesecake," Angeline noted as she took a bite of the dessert. Cheesecake was her favorite dish, and it was over such a treat that one could convince her to be more open, and it also caused her to crack a smile more often.

"They totally did," the non-monster pony who was sitting there said, with a seemingly cheerful tone, as she took a bite for herself. "Mmm... this is delicious!"

"I gotta admit, the food you surface dwellers have is amazing," Blaze admitted. "Tartarus isn't nearly as great with food choices!"

"It's not easy to make food like this, but it's worth it in the end," Fluffy purred.

"Mhm," their pony friend agreed. "I can't even imagine living in a world where there's no meal like this... no offense," she said looking towards Blaze, with a sheepish smile.

"Oh, none taken. I didn't like Tartarus anyways," Blaze shrugged.

"She almost got eaten by a drakon upon birth," Angeline stated.

"What's a drakon?" she asked, then realized that what it could be. "I guess, it's kind of a dragon who lives in Tartarus."

"Pretty much. Think a dragon without wings and more snake-like in appearance," Blaze explained.

"Uh... maybe not tell her the rest?" Fluffy suggested. "I don't think Ruby needs to hear the whole thing."

"Oh," the pony named Ruby's expression were already of a little intimidated at this, but trying to shrug this off she gave a small sheepish smile. "I guess not..."

"So, anything new happen recently?" Angeline asked.

"Well, I'm on the football team now," Blaze answered.

"I helped save a bird and return it to its nest without trying to eat it this time," Fluffy said, a bit of pride in her accomplishment.

"Uh... I am getting a bit better control over my… hypnotic effects," Aroma said.

"I managed to control my diet," Ruby said, a little proud in his statement. "I guess, I'm already losing some weight..."

"Nice," Blaze congratulated.

"Hey, if it's alright to ask, how are you and Max getting along?" Angeline asked Fluffy and Aroma. The two looked up at the Zomby, then blushed brightly.

"Um... well..." Fluffy stammered.

"Well...?" Ruby said, in slightly insisting manner seemingly excited as she tried to read their expressions.

"He's... amazing," Aroma managed to say. "He's so sweet! I hope you get to meet him someday, Ruby."

"Is he... respectful?" Angeline inquired.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Fluffy asked. The Zomby leaned over and whispered something to her, causing the cat pony to turn a deep red.

"Oh. Well... I guess so. He never does anything we don't like," Fluffy explained.

"Oh, seems like really nice person," Ruby said, smiling a little at this as she understood what was being implied.

"He is," Blaze remarked. "I can tell just by watching how he treats them."

"Wha? Have you been-?" Aroma started, but Blaze laughed.

"I didn't mean like that," she chuckled. "I meant in other manners. Like the smiles he gives you, or the special gifts and treats he left you last week." She smiled. "Anypony can tell just how much you two mean to him."

"Huh. Sounds... nice," Angeline said, but she was now noticeably playing with her food instead of eating it.

Ruby giggled a little at this. She might not have ever met the human, but the way they were talking about him made it clear that he was actually a very kind hearted person.

As well as, she couldn't help but notice in the change of Angeline's tone at the moment. She gave her a curious look, before she spoke up. "Uh... you suddenly seem a little lost," she told her. "Is there... Is there something you wanna talk about?"

"Hmm... I guess," Angeline shrugged.

"Well, what's wrong Angeline?" Fluffy and Aroma asked at once.

"Yeah, come on. Don't hide it from us," Blaze encouraged.

"Ok. But don't make fun of me," Angeline stated.

"We would never make fun of you," Ruby reassured. "Promise."

"Okay... I'm actually thinking... about getting into a relationship again..." Angeline said. A silence came over the group, then…

"Angeline, that's wonderful!" Fluffy and Aroma cheered.

"Way to go, girl," Blaze said, giving the zomby a pat on the back.

"Great!" Ruby cheered happily, then after a moment curiously asked her. "So, who's the lucky stallion?"
"Well... that's where it may get awkward," Angeline said. "It's... Max."

"WHAT?!" the three other monster ponies exclaimed.

"Uh... what?" Ruby said, after a moment as she was a little baffled at their combined reaction.

"Yeah. I think I'm having a crush on Max," Angeline confirmed.

"Oh," Ruby went completely silent at this, looking between her and the three others, totally not sure what she could possibly say in such matter.

After a moment, Fluffy asked, "How long?"

"I think it was after you got out of the hospital," Angeline said. "It just started to dawn on me how much he really cared for you and Aroma. And I was hoping... maybe, I could finally have somepony who cared for me too."

"Oh, Angeline," Aroma spoke up, giving her a hug.

"I'm not gonna cry," Blaze protested to herself.

Ruby was silent now, but a warm smile came upon her face along with some wetness in her eyes. "Uh... I'm not sure what to say here... but I see now, how much nice of a person he actually is..."

"Yeah... he really is," Aroma agreed, feeling some tears in her own eyes.

"Uh, girls, I hate to interrupt, but maybe we can stop for a bit?" Blaze asked. "We're getting weird looks from the staff."

"Oh, sorry!" Aroma said, pulling away from Angeline, who had the tiniest smile on her face.
"Thanks," she said. "I needed that."

Ruby passed her a smile at this, and couldn't suppress her giggle at this. "Uh... I know it's not my place to ask you, but what are you going to do about this?"

"Well... I'm not sure right now," Fluffy admitted. "Do you have a suggestion?"

"Well," Ruby said, her smile fading at this and she wasn't sure whether what would she say would make this matter any less complicated or not, but still she said, what she thought was the best. "I honestly have no idea. But he's you both are in relationship with him, right? So... I guess, it's most up to you two how you take things... and what would Max say at this... that's all I can say..."

"Hmm..." the two monster ponies thought for a moment, then they looked to each other and started doing a whispered conversation with each other. After a while, they looked back to Ruby and Angeline.

"We've got one idea, but it's gonna need your involvement, Angeline," Fluffy said.

"Oh...? What's that?" Angeline asked. Aroma gave a cheeky smile.

"You're gonna want to get your best perfumes for this..."

Author's Note

Maybe you can guess, what comes next :raritywink:

Anyways, thanks for reading so far. Stay tuned, more's coming soon.

Strange, Lovable Angeline

Max was looking really happy today as he was heading back to his home. It was a nice day after all and beside things really seemed to be changing for good for the human and his two lovers. If anything would go as it should, then it wouldn't take long for them to move in together really soon.

There was a warm smile at his face as he entered in his home. When he entered, however, he noticed a sweet perfume smell coming from inside his bedroom. He may not have smelled this scent before, but he knew of only one friend of his who wore an excessive amount of perfume, and for a good reason.

"Angeline?" Max muttered to himself, not sure why she would be there, and shrugging off the possibility for the moment before he headed towards the bedroom to check out things for himself and to make sure whether his guess was right or not.

Inside, sitting on the bed and looking towards him, was indeed the zomby in question. The perfume was definitely coming from her, and she was dressed in a sparkling fabric that covered her whole form. It was slightly transparent in a lot of places, including near her Cutie Mark.

"Hey," she greeted with a small wave.

"Huh?" Max said, slightly confused at this as he wasn't expecting this at all, and an utterly surprised looked was upon his face.

"In case you need a note, they left one for you," Angeline said, bringing up a note and handing it to him.

Max took the note and read from this, a curious look on his face which changed to a blush after a moment. It was pretty obvious that he now had a pretty good idea, about whatever was going on, and then he looked at her as a small smile crossed his face.

"So, I've been having a crush on you for a while, and I wanted to have some time to tell you myself," Angeline said. "They... decided to go further and set me up with the dress. It's actually kinda nice... for the vixen look."

"Ah... yeah," Max agreed as his confusion lessened to some extent. "It actually looks pretty good on you," he went close to her standing beside the bed, as he had figured that was kinda rude to stare at her like that while he was standing at a distance.

Then with a curious and rather surprise tone he asked her. "Well... that means, all three of you are fine with this?"

"I wouldn't be here if it was a no," Angeline said bluntly, but a small smile crossed her face nonetheless.

"Figured," Max sat beside her, now blushing hard as he looked at her fully, this time he blushed a little more harder. Not only she was a nice pony and pretty good-looking in her own way, but the way she had dressed as was actually really beautiful and... eye-catching as one may put this and to top it off she was smelling off really nice and pleasant.

"Well," Max then gave a little thought to what he wanted to say. "I guess, I have no reason to say no, so... Angeline, I'm more than happy to accept your proposal."

Angeline's expression changed to a surprised, yet joyful one. "Really?"

"Really," Max told her, with a small smile. "...aside from the fact that I wanna try my best to see you girls happy," he went silent for the moment as his sound turned to a whisper as he told her, sincerely yet in a humorous tone. "I think zombie girls are pretty darn cute."

The zomby blushed a bright pink color and for the first time since meeting her, Max noticed her smile get a little wider.

"Wow!" Max said, as his smile got a little wider as well. "I can actually make you blush...?"

"It's... not a common thing among zombies... but yeah," Angeline nodded, still blushing.

"Really?" Max said, turning towards her fully as he gave her an interested look. "Well, I'm curious."

"It's... just because I still have blood in my system," Angeline shrugged, then looked nervous. "So... do you... normally take the lead?"

"Hmm... it depends on what my partner may prefer," Max told her with reassurance. "I'm good either way though..."

"Well... I guess... I'd like to see how you do it..." Angeline managed. "I mean... well, may you start?"

Max blushed a little at this before he looked at her fully once again, feeling a little nervous but encouraged by her obvious gestures at the same time. "Okay, if you say so," he gave a nod and then gently grabbed her in a hug, softly clenching her against himself.

Angeline made a soft sigh in his embrace, leaning her head on his chest in response before giving an affectionate nuzzling.

"Hmm," Max hummed slightly in comfort as he started to caress her mane affectionately, along with the back of her neck.

Angeline felt a slight hesitance to this act of affection, but after a moment she relaxed and allowed this action, feeling herself sigh in pleasure.

Max, tried to be as gentle in his action as he might be, soon he placed the other hand on her back and started to run his fingers on her coat in a comforting manner, before he softly whispered. "Let me know if you feel uncomfortable, okay?"

"Okay..." the zomby nodded, her voice managing to drop to a soft tone too.

Max hummed softly once again in comfort as he carried on with his affections, as he made them a little more passionate by the time.

"Feel free to do as you please, my dear," Max whispered to her in reassurance.

Angeline didn't answer, save for giving him an affectionate nuzzling. She felt... remarkably smooth and soft, not at all like a zomby was expected to feel like. He smiled and nuzzled her back at this, also surprised at this sensation, even though a little unexpected but that was a pleasant surprise anyway.

He couldn't help but blushed deeply once again at this. Angeline smiled, then she gave his cheek a small peck, but seemed to be shy on the matter. It seemed like she needed a little encouragement.

Max smiled, feeling a little encouraged himself at her act of affection, he leaned towards her and gave a small peck on her muzzle, and passed her a reassuring smile.

Angeline blushed again, but seeing what he was trying to say, she gathered up her courage and kissed him fully on the lips.

Max, reflexively was a little hesitant at first. It wasn't like he wanted to break the kiss, but knowing that she was a zombie and almost like a living corpse by definition he wasn't sure what that would feel like.

But even so, he didn't showed much hesitation for more than a few seconds and returned the kiss with equal affection, also carrying on with his other acts of affection.

Angeline shuddered under his touch, making a soft moan against him as they carried on.

Max made a soft pleasant moan against her as well, pressing and moving his lips over her own in a passionate and affectionate manner.

Angeline was a bit surprised by this action, but it was pleasing nonetheless, so she soon joined in as she pulled him into a full embrace, at this he pulled her more close to her at this as well, making another pleasant moan in the process.

Angeline gave another moan, then after a moment she pulled out of the kiss to speak to him.
"Sorry, but I just remembered that you may need to breathe now and then, unlike me," she explained.

Max made a small pleasant gasp as they pulled away and looked at her dreamily at this. "Yeah," he nodded smiling sheepishly at this, and then passed his hand through her mane once again. "So... how are you feeling so far?"

"Amazing," Angeline replied. "I never thought this would be so... heavenly."

"Hmm... me neither," Max smiled at this with a small blush across his face.

Angeline smiled as well, then asked, "So... do you want to go again?"

"Sure," Max said in reassurance as he closed his eyes once again and leaned towards her slowly.

Angeline leaned in too, and soon they were kissing once again.

Max then again started to passionately motion his lips over her own, and his passion only grew with each passing second. She moaned against him, and feeling less afraid now, she started rubbing one of her hooves gently over his chest in a circular motion.

"Mmm," Max moaned blissfully against her and at this, clearly enjoying this sensation. It was then when she noticed that he was massaging his hands on her back even more passionately as he ran his fingers through her mane, occasionally applying soft pressure to make this even more comfortable.

Angeline sighed blissfully at this feeling, taking a short moment to truly marvel at the sensations his hands gave to her body. They were precise, and yet gentle. He could reach areas that equines could not with their hooves, and yet he could also make her feel absolutely pleasant and blissful with just the simplest of actions.

Max was now totally lost in the bliss of the moment right then as he adored and relished the feeling of her affections and returned the favor by his equally affectionate acts.

Angeline gave a slight shudder of pleasure, and she leaned more into his figure, her body now pressed up as close to him as possible. Max made a pleasant sigh against her at this, feeling utterly lost in their own small heaven of bliss, so much so that her presence and her affections towards him was the only thing he was able to feel at the moment.

Angeline, after a moment, decided to be a bit bold in her movements, and deepened their kiss while also running one of her hooves up Max's arm.

Max made a slight gasp against her as she did this, and welcomed her passion with equal affection and eagerness, clenching her even more close to her, but also being gentle enough to not cause her any discomfort. Angeline felt a newfound eagerness inside of her spring up, a side she hadn't thought possible with her, and a sigh escaped her body as her own acts of affection became more passionate and intense by the second.

Max made another moan against her at this as his pleasure rose with each passing moment, as he made his affections towards her even more passionate and pleasurable. There was now an obvious eagerness and intense passion in his manner. After a good while, Angeline broke the kiss again to give Max time to breathe. However, she also took the opportunity to try out something else and start licking his neck.

Max suddenly gave a blissful gasp at this and shuddered at the newly sensation as he held her pressed close to him as he started to stroke her mane once again.

Angeline smirked a bit and continued her licking. Zomby ponies typically had a taste for flesh, and with a single bite could turn someone into one of their own. But Angeline had no intention to bite nor was it for that reason that she was "tasting" him. No, she knew it was simply a pleasing feeling for him, as it was enjoyable for her too.

"Mmm... you taste... almost as sweet... as you are... naturally..." she told him between licks, moving up to his ear.

"Oh," Max moaned blissfully smiling warmly at this as he made pleasant gasps each time she licked him, his breaths became faster than before as the pleasure rose even more, and between moan and blissful gasps he told her. "I... I love you, Angeline... I... I love you, so much."

Angeline stopped her licking momentarily, as she was at first unsure if she had heard him properly, and pulled back to look him in the eye.

"What?" she asked.

Max took a gasp as his cheeks were glowing deep red now and he repeated his sentence. "I love you, Angeline."

The zomby's eyes lit up with surprise, then teared up in utter joy. Without warning, she kissed Max long and hard, then pulled back and nuzzled into his chest.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear that," she said, her voice actually matching her true emotions fully; a rare occasion for her.

Max smiled as he softly pressed her against himself in a hug as he affectionately caressed her mane. "It's alright now," he said with a reassuring tone. "I... I'll always love you girls with all my heart... and will never back off no matter... no matter what happens," his tone was slightly shaky, clearly telling how much at peak he was already feeling.

Angeline shed a few more tears at this mention, and then she leaned up again and looked back into his eyes.

"I love you too, Max," she answered.

"Hmm," Max hummed comfortably at this, as he leaned towards her and nuzzled her affectionately.

Angeline nuzzled him back, sighing happily while she did so and closing her eyes in her bliss. Then taking a leap of faith Max decided to be a little bold and slowly brought his hand on her belly, and started to affectionately massage her belly, running his fingers over the soft thin fabric she was wearing feeling her radiating warmth as he did so, and made a small comfortable hum of pleasure.

Angeline gasped when she felt his hand so close to such a sensitive place on her body, especially one which showed a mare's trust in her partner, but she did not tell him to stop nor did she make any motion to do so. Instead, she allowed this action and gave a soft moan, showing that she was not at all offended and that she wished for him to continue.

Max obliged to this and let his hand explore his soft underbelly slightly as he tenderly ran his hand over the soft fabric. It felt really pleasant to touch, and soon an even deep blush crossed his face.

"It's so... lovely and heavenly..."

"Mmm..." Angeline sighed, then leaned up and whispered, "If you like it now, you'll love it more when there isn't a barrier between it and your hand."

She then gave his ear a good long licking, taking her time with it and deliberately teasing him all the while. Max shuddered once again, making another pleasant gasp at this.

Angeline continued on, trailing down his neck next, then over to the other side and up to his other ear, where she began to repeat her actions with the previous ear.

Max gasped and shuddered with bliss as she licked him each time, as he carried on with his own affections towards her as well, especially massaging her soft underbelly. Soon, he decided to be a little more bold as he moved the fabric of her dress aside from her belly, and ran his fingers on it, this time directly rubbing her soft fur.

Angeline made a moan of ecstasy when this occurred, and her body shuddered at this new action of affection and pleasure. She was rather enjoying Max's bold moves, for it excited her as much as it pleased her. He sighed blissfully at this, as his ecstasy rose more and more and soon he was nearly feeling upon the edge.

Meanwhile he carried on with his affections and made blissful moans, his passion rising with each passing second.

Angeline moaned again and again, then she stopped licking Max's ear and whispered, "Lie down... on the bed... More comfortable..."

Max nodded as he obliged to her as he lied himself on the bed, with still holding her in his arms as she was still on the top of him.

Once in position, Angeline gave him a smirk as her tail sneaked below his waistline, at which Max blushed heavily at this once again as he looked at her and shuddered pleasantly once again.

"I can't hold back much longer," Angeline whispered, then started leaving kisses on his neck that trailed up to his cheeks. "And when a zomby can't hold back, it's wise not to keep her waiting."

"Oh... okay," Max gave her a nod, a look of reassurance in his eyes. "In fact... I can't... either..."
"I'm... I'm yours Angeline.. " Max told her, making another gasp.

"That is what I wanted to hear," Angeline whispered back, then she kissed him deeply as she pulled herself atop him.

Author's Note

Are you liking this so far? I hope you do.

Strange, Sweet, Lovable

Some time had passed since Angeline's confession and special night with Max, and now all three of the monster ponies were finding themselves in a situation that they had not originally intended, but were nevertheless willing to agree to.

"Should we tell him now?" Fluffy asked Angeline and Aroma one day while waiting on Max to arrive.

"I don't know... isn't it too early?" Aroma inquired.

"It has been at least three or four months since we've all gotten to know him," Angeline noted. "It wouldn't be too soon to at least suggest it.”

"Well, I guess you're right," Aroma nodded. "I'm just concerned about how he'd take it. I mean, for monsters like us, it's almost instant... but for humans and ponies, they often take a while first."

"He'll understand," Fluffy assured her. "And so what if we wait for a while afterwards? It'll be worth it in the end."

Meanwhile, Max headed home after another day of work and was looking a little tired by his looks. It wasn't that exhausting at work today but he still needed to have some good rest, or if situation allowed this he might be willing to spend some quality time with his monster pony friends and lovers as well.

There was also something, which he was unable to get his mind off for now: what should be done about the current situation of his multiple relationship with three monsters i.e. would they be good to move in together now, or should they wait, and if they move in, how long it should take for them to inevitably get married. Surely, he wanted to be a responsible person and wanna do whatever would be good for their relationship, but only was a little confused at a few things.

Even so, he took a deep breath and smiled. I don't need worry too much about this, he thought. ...we're all together and that's what matters the most for now.

It brought him back to reality when he noticed that he was standing in front of his house's door, and chuckling to himself a little he entered in the house.

As expected, the three monster ponies were waiting for him inside, and they crowded around in a welcoming group hug in the process.

"Welcome home, Max," they all said to him warmly.

Max returned the hug to them and passed them a smile, replied. "Greetings, my sweethearts."

"How are you feeling?" Fluffy asked him gently.

"Was work tiring for you?" Aroma added.

"Well, a little bit," Max replied them with a nod. "Not that much though..."

"That is good to hear, because we have something we'd like to share with you... from all of us," Angeline started, getting straight to the point.

The girls all broke away from him and led him to the bedroom, as it was the more private place in the building they could access, then they all sat on the bed while he stood beside it, so they could be at eye level with him.

"Max... how do you feel about... us? As a whole, including you?" Fluffy started.

Max was silent for a brief moment, before he replied. "Hmm... Honestly, I feel like one of the luckiest person in the world to have you girls in my life, it's not less than a blessing if you ask me," he replied, blushing a little. "I mean... I never thought, I'd ever have someone who'd love me like this... and then you girls came, I feel like my life has turned upside down, in a good way," he took a pause, taking a dreamy sigh. "I just wanna do what I can to make things even better for us..."

"Hmm... then, you may like what we have to say next," Aroma replied, then allowed Angeline to finish.

"We've come to an agreement, and if you're willing... we'd like to start a herd with you," the zomby answered, letting the room fall silent after speaking for it all to sink in for Max.

Though, Max didn't need to think much about this to reply them, he still took a few seconds seemingly making thoughtful expression meanwhile before he finally replied them, as his face gleamed with joy. "Actually... it's a great idea. I don't know if I could have said it myself any better..."

"What?" the three monster ponies looked at him with slight disbelief. "You mean... you were gonna...?"

"Yeah... I was thinking about what would be the best time to tell you girls..." Max said then chuckled sheepishly. "...and looks like that was taken care of rather easily."

"Oh, Max!" Fluffy cried, hugging him tightly just then and giving off a series of loud purrs.

"This is wonderful!" Aroma exclaimed next, hugging him just as emotionally, which he could feel immediately upon contact with her.

"Then it's official... welcome to the herd," Angeline finished, being the last to hug him.

Max returned the hug as much as he could to all three of them at once. Their individual hugs were always wonderful and comfort but the comfort and affectionate emotions he experienced during this hug were beyond compare.
It made him happy both inwardly and outwardly to see them smiling. It was a comfortable and beyond amazing feeling, and something he always wanted to cherish.

The three gave a short nuzzling before pulling away with joyful expressions.

"I feel like we should celebrate," Fluffy announced. "What do you think?"

"I wouldn't mind," Angeline shrugged.

"But how would we celebrate?" Aroma asked aloud.

"Celebrate?" Max asked, as if to himself, then let out a small yawn at this. "I don't know... but I am open to suggestions actually..."

"Well, seeing that you look tired, why not rest on the bed for now?" Fluffy suggested, then gave him a small smirk. "And we can help with keeping you warmed up."

"Oh," Max looked at her and then to two others knowingly at this, and couldn't help but blush a little once again at the moment. "I guess... sure," he said, as he joined them on the bed.

The mares all made way for him, then they gently laid him down on his back and laid out across him. Aroma was on his right side, Angeline on his left, and Fluffy lying across his stomach and facing him. The mares on his sides snuggled up close to his form, while Fluffy started purring again, this time in a lower and more soothing tone.

Max breathed comfortably at this, as he did what he could do to return the favor i.e. started to stroke the manes of mares who were lying on both side of him as he passed a little sheepish smile to the pony who were lying on his stomach.

"Hmm... I wonder, how should we do this?" Fluffy said in a clearly playful tone of voice, as he vaguely felt Aroma and Angeline moving their muzzles close to his neck while Fluffy was leaning in close to him for a kiss. "I wonder..."

Soon, the cat pony's lips connected with his own softly; at the same time, a tickling sensation was felt on the right side of his neck while a slight, wet sensation was felt on the left.

Max gave a small shudder at this and at the moment was overwhelmed by their collective gesture of affections at the same time.

Then, after a few moments he was able to focus his mind enough to return the kiss to Fluffy, while stroking the other two ponies' mane who were beside him.

Fluffy purred with delight, then in a moment Max felt Aroma's fangs gently sink into his neck, while Angeline started licking his neck fully now, tasting him like she had done before.

Max gave another shudder as that happened and closed his eyes dreamily at this as he was now feeling their affections to fullest without any other thought or worry on his mind.

Then he made a sigh against Fluffy at this as he began to motion his lips over her affectionately, while he made his affectionate gestures towards the other two even more passionate.

The three mares let out a blissful sigh, and Fluffy spread her wings out so that they were now spread out over both sides of Max, and also a bit over the two mares beside him. Meanwhile, Aroma started making little sucking noises while Angeline started licking his ear, working on it thoroughly.

Max gasped against Fluffy as the intensity of their affectionate gestures rose more and more, along with his own. The overwhelmed feeling of bliss and comfort had came over his mind completely at the moment, as his mind was clear of all of his thoughts and the only thing he was able to feel at the moment were the sweet affections of his three lovers.

The three monsters all moaned happily, Fluffy mixing a purr into it as well before deepening their kiss, her tongue dominating the kiss while Angeline's licks started to go lower down his body and Aroma intensified her affections with her fangs. He shuddered once again at this, letting out a blissful moan against Fluffy at this, as his passion rose gradually with the intensity of their affections.

The mares seemed to giggle, save for Fluffy who purred again mid-kiss, and Angeline's tongue moved down further on his body, tasting him with relish and purposely teasing him with her affections.

The human made another sigh against the cat pony, mentally he giggled at this as well. Then he slowly started to move his hands slowly below on the two mares' back, as best as he could affectionately running his fingers through her coat.

The two mares shuddered pleasantly, Aroma's fangs sinking in a little deeper and her sucking becoming more rapid while Angeline's tongue teasingly flicked Max's skin, looking up at him with a mischievous smirk he hadn't thought possible to be seen on her face.

"Mmm," he shuddered once again at this, making a reasonably loud and muffled moan against Fluffy at this, gradually starting to massage both mares' coats with even more affection.

The mares moaned again, and then Aroma removed her fangs while Fluffy broke the kiss, purring as Aroma spoke.

"Shirt. Off. Now," she said, her voice a clear indication of what was planned even if it was how she normally sounded.

"Ah- as you wish, my love," Max gave a small nod as he rather reluctantly signaled Fluffy to be off his chest for the moment, before he sat up enough to remove his shirt easily, feeling the change in temperature instantly as he did so, and then lied down again, and teasingly asked.

"Is- is it better?"

"Mhm..." they agreed, and then two bodies pressed into his chest while a third on his lower stomach, their fur brushing his own. Angeline's was a bit cool but comfortingly cold, Aroma's was warm to the touch, and Fluffy's body vibrated against his own with the purrs that she was emitting.

The feeling of so many affectionate sensations at the same time, encouraged him even further as he made a light blissful shudder.
Then without any hesitation he carried on with his own affections towards them as well, pleasing them with his affectionate massages. The mares all shuddered and moaned happily again, and then Fluffy started to kiss him again while Aroma once more inserted her fangs into his neck. Angeline, after lifting her head up, began teasing his stomach with long licks and gentle pressure from her hooves.

"Hmm..." Max hummed pleasantly at this, as he started make small sighs of comfort and moans of pleasure every now and then with their acts of affections.

The three made happy sighs or moans against him, and then Angeline licked him some more with her tongue, teasingly trailing lower and lower.

The human shuddered and moaned pleasantly against them once again, feeling himself reaching higher and higher in ecstasy, due to their intense acts of affections.

Angeline smirked some more, then she decided to stop her teasing and went right to where she was intending to go below the human's waist, moving his pants as necessary.

"Mmm," he blushed furiously at this, letting out a muffled but even louder moan before he said. "Ah... that is... ah, hmm..., cheeky, move..."

Angeline didn't respond verbally, but simply flicked her tail into his face with a sideways wink at him. Fluffy, meanwhile, hungrily continued her kiss with him while Aroma pulled her fangs out briefly to change to a new area and then sank them in again.

Max closed his eyes once again and let himself completely dissolve in these sensations while also carrying on with his affections even more intensely, as the flurry of affections, and pleasant emotions made his mind completely fuzzy, and no more his mind was clear enough to think of anything else at all. The three monster ponies kept up their affections, becoming intense within a minute as they continued on.

The human now felt as the passion burning within him started to heat up even further and further, and he without a doubt he was at the point where he was hardly holding back, and eventually, Fluffy brought it up by breaking the kiss.

"Can't hold out much longer, huh?" she asked teasingly. "Good... I think we're there too."

"Mhm," he only gave them a nod of reassurance.

"Then let's get onto the grand finale. Who do you take first?" Fluffy teased, licking his face upon finishing.

"Ah... you... hmm, you want me to, ah choose?" Max said,
smiling warmly as he blushed once again.

"It's alright," Angeline replied, stopping her thing for a moment. "We don't care who you choose first."

"Oh... alright," the human give this a thought, and then spoke up after a moment, and then almost whispered out. "Angeline..."

Angeline turned herself around for the proper positioning, grinning at him all the while.
"As you wish," she said, and pulled herself onto him.

Some time later, the sunlight shone into the room and upon the four of them, all lying in a little heap with the mares snuggled against Max's body while each were holding him in a loving embrace. Fluffy, even in her sleep, was purring all the while, a soothing and comforting noise to hear in the confines of the bedroom. On top of that, Aroma was snoring softly and Angeline... was staring at the human's face with her eyes open, making it impossible to tell if she was asleep or not.

Max finally woke up fully to see the beautiful sight of one of his sweethearts looking right at his face, while the beautiful noise of Fluffy's purrs and vibrations, as well as Aroma's snores filled his heart with even more warmth.

The speed at which he was breathing was rather faster than normal, but still not uncomfortable at all. If anything he was feeling utterly and blissfully relaxed.

It was then when he felt that blood was still rushing through his cheeks, as a blush was apparent across his face.

"Welcome back to the land of the waking," Angeline's voice said to him, proving that she wasn't asleep at all as she gave him a smirk.

"Good morning," Max whispered as he made a small yawn, hugging the cat pony and Eccubus lying on his side even closer to himself.

"It is a good morning, isn't it? Especially with you around," Angeline chuckled, gently moving up his chest so as not to disturb the others or make it uncomfortable for him.

"Mhm, and from now on... every time's gonna be the best time of my life, since you are with me..." Max told her, still whispering, caressing his palm on her cheek gently.

The Zomby smiled and closed her eyes as his hand ran across her cheek. But then, he felt a slight nibbling on his neck, and a giggle from Aroma.

"Hey, you haven't forgotten about me and Fluffy, have you?" she teased sweetly, giving his neck another nibble.

"Not at all," Max replied with a small giggle of his own.

"Good... because kitty cats get jealous very easily," Fluffy purred soon after, and then he got a cat lick to his cheek.

"Hmm," Max hummed comfortably at this, and then added. "I won't ever let any of you feel that way on purpose..."

The three mares made cute giggles, then they each gave him a short kiss on the cheek or, in Angeline's case, on the lips. Max returned the kiss couldn't help but smile slightly against her at this, while stroking his lips on her own in a tender and affectionate manner.

Afterwards, the mares nuzzled him affectionately while sighing happily, enjoying the warmth and comfort he gave off for them.

"Hmm," Max sighed in content, then let out a small giggle, feeling their own warmth in their embrace. "It's really... comfortable, isn't it?"

"Mhm," the mares agreed.

"Like a big warm pillow to snuggle with," Fluffy said.

"Only much better, because we can please and be pleased," Aroma added.

Max blushed slightly at this once again. "Hmm... yeah," he nodded in agreement, as the thought of being like a snuggle pillow of his beloveds felt really heartwarming to him. "...I'm so... glad to hear this..."

The mares giggled, then Aroma nipped his neck with her fangs slightly while Fluffy purred and licked his ear. Angeline was content to simply nuzzle into his chest a bit.

Max nuzzled Angeline back, and couldn't help but shudder at the sensation of his two other beloved's affectionate gestures.

The Zomby then seemed to get an idea and looked into his eyes with an expression that spoke louder than words.

"I think somepony's getting warmed up again," she teased. "Maybe you're asking for round two?"

Max understood her hint at this, and passed her a knowing smile and told her. "Maybe... and maybe someone enjoyed round one a lot..."

"If you mean all of us... then yes, we did," Fluffy said, licking his ear again.

"Hmm," Max shuddered slightly once again at this, once again allowing his hand to caress Fluffy's mane and roam on her back freely, while he stroked the mane of Aroma with the other.

The two mares shuddered under his touch while Angeline moved forward a bit more to lick the end of his nose with her tongue and Aroma bit his neck a little this time with her fangs. It was just the tips of the fangs for now, but it was still more than a simple nip, and he let out a blissful sigh at their teasing acts of love. It was only a matter of a few seconds before he felt another wave of pure ecstasy going through his body.

"Hee hee! I didn't even try the full treatment, and already you're feeling excited," Aroma giggled.

Max blushed slightly at this, as he stroked her mane a little more passionately. "I guess... hmm, I'm still not that used to the... feel of your fangs..."

"Mmm... then I'll make sure to use them more often," Aroma teased, biting into him again while Fluffy purred into his ear.

Max let out a soft hum as the mares started with their affectionate acts of pleasure, before he whispered softly. "I love you girls so much..."

"Mmm... thank you, Max," they all replied with a gentle whisper.

Max smiled warmly and blushed slightly at this once again, as he carried on with his gentle acts of affections, before he whispered. "I... I should be thanking you girls, you know..."

"Huh?" they looked up at him. "Thank us?"

"Mhm," the human made a small nod at this. "I never felt that much lively before I came to this city... and met you girls," he told them. "...with how much love you've shown me... I felt like... it'd never be the same without you... that's why I should be thanking you... for coming in my life..."

"Oh, Max," Fluffy started to sniffle happily.

"That's the most beautiful thing we've ever heard of," Aroma cried.

"But we should perhaps be thanking you as well," Angeline said, the only one not crying though she was touched by his words as well.

"Thanking, me...?" Max asked, and his voice told that how much he was himself touched by this, but he also hugged the mares lying on both sides of him closer to himself at this, as a means to comfort and reassure them even more.

"Before you came along, nopony else loved us like you have," Fluffy said, the tears falling from her eyes.

"Then you come around like a dream come true... and, well..." Aroma managed.

"You've shown us all the love we could ever ask for," Angeline finished. "So we thank you for that."

Max couldn't help but teared up at this as well, lost for words as he smiled warmly and a few tears started to roll down both sides of his face.

Fluffy noticed this and then used her cat tongue to start licking them up as they fell.

"Ah, now we're all crying," Aroma said with a sniffle.

"I cry on the inside mostly," Angeline explained when Max noticed no tears falling from her eyes.

Max let out a small sniffle at this as well, before he brought his hand to her face, softly caress her cheek and wiped off as much tears as he could before he gently throwing his hands back in Fluffy's and Aroma's mane, then whispered. "I... I feel a little bad for making you all cry like this..."

"Oh, don't feel bad," Aroma told him.

"This is a beautiful moment for us," Fluffy added. "Who cares if we shed a few tears?"

"...mhm," Max smiled warmly once again, and didn't hesitated to let out another sniffle, and passed them a nod letting his tears shed a little more freely at this.

"Alright," Angeline said after a while, crawling up to where she could easily kiss him if desired. "I think it's time we stopped with the teasing and got onto round two. Girls, if you may help me..."

The girls looked down at Angeline, then over to her tail, and then it hit them of what she meant and they gave a giggle.

Max gave a slightly confused and questioning smile at this, but also a little curious to think what they were planning to do, even though he didn't ask anything verbally.

The Zomby smirked and then her tail sneaked down below Max's waist, followed soon by the other two mares, who were giggling all the while.

"Hmm," the human let out a gasp of pleasure at this, his eyes closed shut, blushed red like cherry once again, before he opened one of his eyes, and smiled clearly enjoying the sensation. "I... I, hmm, didn't see that coming..."

"That's why it's called a surprise," Angeline chuckled.

"Aha..." Max giggled slightly between his pleasant sighs and gasp as well, passing a knowing smile to Angeline closing his eyes dreamily, clearly asking for a kiss.

Angeline soon obliged, sliding her tongue in almost immediately as Fluffy licked his ear some more and Aroma bit into his neck with her fangs.

Max was now literally engulfed into the pleasure feelings their affections were giving them and made a slight sigh of comfort against Angeline, while ecstatic shivers went across his body.

The three mares all smiled at him with a knowing expression, Angeline moaning against him as the other two shivered in pleasure. All three continued their previous act of pleasure all the while.

Max carried on his own acts of affections as well, getting a little more passionate in his manner, as he kissed Angeline back and massaged his hands as freely as he could possibly.

Aroma and Fluffy both shuddered under his caresses, making their affections more passionate and intense as they carried on.

Max smiled slightly against Angeline once again, feeling her tongue entangling with his own as he became more and more passionate in his manner by the time.

Angeline moaned against him, rubbing her hooves along his chest, the other mares soon following her example along the sides of Max's body as he shuddered pleasantly once again, seemingly getting himself lost in the sensation completely.

Eventually, Fluffy stopped with licking him and purred into his ear.
"You feeling up for round two?" she asked him with a purr.

Max let out a pleasant moan which was clearly a reply to her statement but still he decided to reply verbally as well. Softly, he parted his lips with Angeline's and nodded. "Yes, my sweethearts..."

"Alright then... my turn to go first," Angeline said as she started to position herself, stopping for a moment to smirk at Max. "Unless there's an objection?"

Max passed her a knowing smile at this and then told her. "Hmm...no objections at all,"

Angeline smiled, then got herself into position and pulled herself down onto him...