Author's Note
TRIGGER WARNING: This story deals with the effects of and ultimately recovery from child sex abuse. Please take into account that, in many regards, this story is very much an exception and not a rule. The effects of sexual abuse of any kind are often extremely painful and damaging, and I must, in good conscience, encourage anyone who's lived through it to seek care. With that said, read at your own discretion.
Carry Forward
Harmonic sat in front of the bedroom door as a torrential rain storm raged outside. He typed away on his computer. His mind was preoccupied, however. Lately, he had noticed an unusual change in his beloved wife, Atmospheric, who was sitting merely feet away on the couple's bed. Over the past several days, she had become increasingly affectionate towards him. What he found odd was the manner of it. It wasn't a typical romantic type of affection one would normally display or experience. No - this was orders of magnitude stronger. She was showing him...True friendship.
"What you doin'," the mare asked her husband.
"Working on a book."
"What's it called?"
"It's a novel called 'Creation'. It's about a young girl who can convert carbon dioxide to oxygen."
"Can I take a look?"
"Sure."
Harmonic moved over to where his spouse was resting. He gave her the laptop. She read over the first chapter.
"Your world-building skills have really improved. This is really interesting."
"Thanks."
"I can't wait to read the rest."
"I'm gonna' finish up the next chapter and put it away for the night."
"Okay."
After completing the second chapter of his book, Harmonic lied next to Atmospheric for a while. He drew in the sketchpad he kept in a nearby lamp desk, letting his creative intuitions guide his motions.
"Hey, babe," Atmospheric requested, "can you massage my neck? It's a little stiff."
"Sure thing."
Harmonic put the art book down and knelt behind her on his hind legs, using his hooves to apply pressure.
"You're really good at this."
"I used to do this kind of stuff for my mom all the time."
"I bet she appreciated it."
"Yeah. She did."
Harmonic moved along Atmospheric's spine, trying to relieve as much tension as he could.
"Hey...Can I ask you something...," he inquired.
"Anything."
"Is everything okay. You just seem kind of...Down lately."
"..."
"If something's bothering you, you can talk to me."
Atmospheric placed her head in her hoof. She couldn't hide her distress any longer. Though he couldn't see them behind her mane, tears filled her eyes. What he could hear were her sobs. He stopped massaging and clung to her for dear life.
"Shhh. It's okay...It's okay..."
Harmonic held his wife close and stroked her mane. He couldn't tell how long she had wept for, but he assumed it must have been for quite some time. Her cries became less audible as she attempted to regain her composure.
"I'm sorry," she said to him.
"What for?"
"Do you remember the day you proposed to me, and we made love in that meadow?"
"Of course I do. It's one of my most cherished memories."
"I never understood why that physical connection between us was so rare. I wanted to feel it more frequently, but I never spoke of it because I didn't want to pressure you. I knew there had to be some kind of reason it never happened."
"You figured it out...?"
"I was afraid you didn't love me or weren't attracted to me anymore. I didn't know who to turn to, so I called your brother. He told me everything."
"Then you know..."
"I'm sorry you were molested when you were little, and for the pain it caused you."
"You're not the one who should be sorry - I am. The truth is, I craved that intimacy with you, too, but I was scared. My experiences growing up had already perverted my desires in the form of porn addiction. There was no telling what might've happened with you had I removed that barrier."
"You were avoiding it to protect me...?"
"The times we did make love, I knew I could trust myself because I was after something greater than carnal pleasure. I genuinely wanted to feel close to you. You're one of the few people in my life who make me feel like I'm worth something..."
Harmonic got off the bed and stood up.
"I'll be back soon."
"Where are you going?"
"I had no right to make you feel neglected, whether it was intentional or not. I've gotta' set things right - once and for all."
"Will you be alright?"
"It'll take more than a little drizzle to stop me."
Harmonic placed the hood of his jacket over his head. He exited the room and made his way to the front of the house.
Harmonic trudged through the vacant suburban streets. He walked for several blocks, picking up every type of flower he could get his hooves on. The downpour cooled him and gave him time to reflect. He was thankful for his brother's intervention. The two had always been close. He supposed it was just another example of his older sibling showing him the right direction. His only regret was wishing he could have been more honest sooner.
"I'm coming, Atmospheric. Just wait a little longer..."
Atmospheric heard the door creak open. Her husband stood between the border separating their room from the hall. He was carrying an assortment of colored plants.
"I didn't know which were your favorites, so I picked them all."
"Lilies."
"Well, luckily there were plenty of them."
"They're beautiful."
"I'm sorry I never told you the truth. I was so ashamed. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Come here."
Harmonic approached his wife. She leaned forward and kissed him softly. He wrapped his forelegs around her in a tight hug.
"I want you to do something for me," she spoke.
"Name it."
"I want you to tell me your dreams...Your fantasies..."
The stallion whispered into her ear. She was surprised to learn his sexual urges were relatively tame, all things considered. This contributed to her building sense of arousal.
"Do you know what turns me on the most," he questioned.
"Share, by all means."
"Seeing you happy. Joy, contentment, innocence: those are the things that called me to you, so for now, no more tears...Okay...?"
Atmospheric nodded.
"Now, I think we should start making up for lost time."
"Are you sure?"
Harmonic let his body respond for him. He kissed her neck and slipped a hoof between her hind legs, rubbing the fabric of her jeans separating his limb from her canal.
"How does it feel?"
"It's good, but...Maybe you could use a little...Assistance."
Atmospheric used her own hoof to adjust her husband's. She placed it over her most sensitive area.
"Looks like I wasn't the only one feeling adventurous tonight."
"I've wanted this for a long time."
"Was it worth the wait?"
Atmospheric smiled.
"Keep it up and it will be."
"I love you."
Harmonic returned the kiss from before, edging Atmospheric near her first orgasm of the night. Her moans excited him on both a primal and conscious level.
Harmonic unzipped Atmospheric's jacket. She quickly finished the job for him, pulling it off along with the shirt underneath. She lied back. Harmonic trailed down her stomach. The heat of his breath aroused her even further. He loosened her jeans and buried his snout in her exposed lower flesh. She tugged on his mane, careful not to pull too hard. In contrast, Harmonic gave it his all. Without the crippling constraints of his fear, he found himself capable of providing exponentially greater pleasure to his lover. She needed not ask him to increase the intensity, for he was more than willing to oblige. A second orgasm soon followed her first.
"Need a minute," Harmonic asked.
Atmospheric shook her head. Not only did she wish to extend her own ecstasy, but also to return it. Harmonic rose to meet her again. She felt a particular part of his body contact her outer layer.
"I guess I really do get you worked up, don't I?"
"They say talk is cheap. Figured It'd be best to convince you."
"Well, it worked. I'm definitely convinced."
"Are you ready?"
"Show me what the man I married is truly capable of."
Harmonic and Atmospheric made love until the first light of morning. Several times, they thought they would collapse from exhaustion, but they were determined to make every second count, even if it meant through sheer force of will alone. Their sexual escapades ended with Harmonic's forelegs bound together with the sleeves of his jacket.
"You are amazing."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Let me put it this way: that was the most liberating thing I've ever experienced. How about you?"
"I'm wiped out. Think I'll need a long break before we do that again."
"I'll be thinking about you until then."
Atmospheric leaned forward.
"Maybe seeing you excited will help me recover faster. You never know..."
Harmonic chuckled.
"You're crazy."
"What does that make you then? Downright insane?"
"Probably."
"...Are you still scared?"
"A little, but now that I know you trust me, it'll be easier to do the same for myself."
"Yeah."
"If you'll untie me, I'll make breakfast."
Atmospheric complied. Harmonic got dressed and left the room. Atmospheric gazed through the bedroom door. Still feeling the sensation of her husband's powerful yet gentle touch, she smiled. Her bangs fell to the side, revealing her left eye. Her compassion and understanding shined through, just as it always had.
