An Urge to Feel

by FerociousCreation

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Sex, Slice of Life, Sad, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 33441

When Copper Coin attempts to out of his comfort zone, his night at the bar introduces two mares with their own set of problems. And to his surprise, they surpass his own ales.

Some ponies have a difficult time opening up. One evening, Copper Coin chooses to enter a bar out of curiosity and hopes to find any discussion with somepony. By the grace of Celestia, Sunny Day is more than willing to help. However, Copper becomes involved in something deeper than a simple cordial conversation.

This story takes place in the Quill and Blade universe, HOWEVER, reading this story does not require any prerequisite reading of any past stories; it's simply Sunny Day and a few facts about her. A link to the FiMFiction group: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/207580/quill-and-blade

Wonderful cover art by RoyvdHel: https://www.deviantart.com/royvdhel-art/art/Commission-UniChord-748951829

A special thanks to TheClassyLeviathan , Duke, and Husky for proofreading.

Published 2019-10-11 19:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2019-11-11 12:04:00 UTC

Brass Pictures

A sky-blue bartender meticulously crafted my alcoholic beverage in a tall champagne glass. She looked down at the drink with her ears pointed back, forcing me to assume the pegasus was slightly troubled by something. As bitter as it may sound, I was glad I could relate to somepony that evening because I was also troubled.

There was news at my work that a brand new hangout had opened and was even suggested to me despite how I was not the type of pony to go out. What won me over to at least see what the hustle was about was how the place had smooth jazz musicians performing every evening. And for a Wednesday night, Good Ol’ Fashion was very busy.

Conversations talked over one another, silverware tinked on plates, and the saxophone player did an excellent job with enhancing the authentic atmosphere. But just like the bartender, I couldn’t shake the uncomfortable nerves in my system.

I sat alone at the far end of the bar with several seats empty to my left. Old pictures in brass bordered frames faced me, ranging from ponies dressed in suits wearing bowler hats to simple snapshots of buildings of the past. Every picture had that aged yellow on the glass and each photo was in grayscale.

They all kept me company, but none provided any conversations. I wanted to talk to the bartender and attempt to break the ice. But opening up to ponies I knew nothing about clammed me up, not to mention the pony making my drink was a mare. She was a cute pegasus. Her blonde mane blocked one eye, easily expressing the shy pony archetype.

But… What do I say to her?

When the bartender caught me staring at her, my ears fell back, and I looked back to the mute pictures. One image of a mare rose a brow at me, scolding my subconscious for being unable to communicate or ease the bartender with some idle talk.

In the corner of my eye, I saw the employee’s head turn away from me, and her expression quickly became filled with joy.

“S-Sunny!” the pegasus beamed. Her squeaky cry made my heart jump; I was not at all expecting the bartender to be so loud.

A much calmer but just as happy voice replied in turn, “Hey, Mellow.”

The stool beside me squeaked as a bright-yellow unicorn with a fiery yellow and orange mane sat down. I wanted to observe the pony who chose to sit beside somepony who was away from almost every pony in the bar. But I didn’t know Sunny. And I didn’t know what to say or do.

“How are you doing?” Mellow asked.

“I’m doing well. How goes the cutest little bartender?” My ear flicked. That was quite the comment, hearing Sunny say something very flirtatious. No. She and Mellow were most likely just friends who exchanged kind comments to one another.

“Sunny…” Mellow grumbled, “not in front of other ponies…”

I creased my brows, silently attempting to decipher the friendship of Sunny and Mellow. Perhaps Sunny was the pony in the friendship that gave a friendly tease here and there.

“Sorry. My bad. I forgot you like things a lot more alone and… intimate.”

“Sunny!”

“Mmhmm!” I laughed with my lips closed, unable to stop the comment from tickling my funny bone. Okay. Maybe they were more than friends. My reflection bounced off of one picture’s glass. It looked back at me with a furious blush stained on its face.

Little did I know, my simple reaction forced me into the mares’ conversation and their evening.

“Having a good listen?” I heard Sunny say. My spine stiffened. Was she talking to me? I wasn’t sure if she was but part of me hoped she did. Two ponies in a round picture frame I stared at looked past me, daring me to turn around. So I did.

I first looked at Mellow who was extremely flushed. Then I looked at the unicorn beside me who held fast a smile and stare that wanted to involve me in a discussion. Before I could get out a word, I saw the small details about Sunny. Several dark-yellow freckles spotted under her eyes. And a small, white flower was propped by her right ear. A thin, green shirt layered above her fur, adding a unique contrast to the unicorn.

“It’s a bit difficult to ignore what’s happening beside me,” I said. “Especially when I am more acquainted with the wall and pictures here who don’t talk back.”

Sunny giggled into her hoof, and her grin inflated. “It’s not every day you hear a mare flirt with another mare, now is it?” Mellow was a little aggressive with my drink as she pushed it toward me. She fled and went to tend to another customer down the bar.

“Maybe you went a little too far,” I said.

Sunny didn’t appear to have any remorse for what she did. “If you hadn’t noticed, Mellow is quite the shy mare. I still need to crack at her shell a few times before she can hatch herself. Otherwise, Mellow’s job will be a living nightmare.” Sunny rose a brow, “If I don’t help, imagine how she would behave if another pony starts flirting with her?”

I leaned forward a little to watch Mellow create another drink. The pegasus continued to stare down at it with the same flustered expression she bore when she made mine. “I can see what you mean. This is a very open environment after all.”

“Mmhmm!” Sunny nodded. The mare reached out a hoof to me and said, “I’m Sunny Day.”

I was not expecting Sunny to become acquainted with me so quickly. “I-I’m Copper C-Coin,” I stammered.

The same giggle as before echoed in my eardrums. “Are you related to Mellow? Because I can see very similar mannerisms between you to.”

Unlike her friend, I didn’t flee from Sunny. I took Sunny’s hoof to gave it a shake. “I’m nothing more than a stranger to her.”

Sunny pointed at my drink, “Well you better take a sip out of that drink of yours because I am gonna need you to help out my friend!”

My involvement with Mellow became apparent when the mare in question looked at Sunny with a furrowed brow. “But why me?” I asked. “I don’t know you or her.”

A curious Sunny Day hummed at me, her hazel eyes running over my everything. “You are oddly resistant. Is there a reason?”

Curious. Very curious, indeed. I never thought that my trip to Good Ol’ Fashion would involve me talking to anypony. And to top off my unique visit, a mare of all ponies chose me to help a friend of hers. I would have been content with exchanging a few words with a mare. But this far exceeded even my imagination.

I lifted my beverage and sipped at it a few times, its contents warming my breast. “I have a hard time opening up to ponies,” I admitted.

Sunny leaned toward me, her muzzle dangerously close to mine. “Well lucky for you, Copper, you came to the right place at the right time!” She looked at my drink again. “Why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself?”

As much as I didn’t mind talking to Sunny, there something I needed to ask. “Do you mind telling me what brought you here tonight first? I think I want to know you before I start talking about me.”

What was I saying? That’s not how a stallion reacts to a mare if she asks him about himself! My mind was about to fling an insult into my heart, but Sunny gave me no bitter looks and continued to smile. “I think that’s a fair exchange. But you better tell me something about yourself when I’m done explaining.”

Okay, good. She wasn’t upset with me. “Alright.”

Sunny returned her attention to Mellow. “I came tonight because I wanted to check up on Mellow. She’s the type of mare who easily caves under pressure even though Mellow is doing her best to get out of her comfort zone.”

“Does Mellow want to be a bartender?” I asked. “It doesn’t look like she is very comfortable here.”

“She doesn’t,” Sunny answered and her smile faltered. “Her special talent lies with cloud arrangement. Mellow recently moved here because things back in Cloudsdale were… complicated.” My investment in the story of Mellow Skies made me take a curious sip of alcohol. “I know a few pegasi myself, and they have told me how difficult signing up for the Canterlot Weather Patrol is. Thankfully, I met Mellow during a very amusing encounter that involved the sky falling.”

A joke conjured up in my mind, and I gave it a whirl. “Did Mellow drop in on you somehow?”

Sunny’s laughter confirmed that my humor was successful. “You can say that.”

Finished with tending to another customer, Mellow sheepishly approached Sunny and I. Her eyes glanced at my drink and then me. “H-how is your drink?”

I lifted the glass and sipped at it again, “It’s complimenting the story Sunny is telling me very nicely.”

“That’s good.” Mellow looked at something behind the counter while a smile grew on her. “What are… What are you two talking about?”

Sunny gasped dramatically and slapped a hoof on her chest. “Is the one and only Mellow Skies trying to open up to another pony other than myself?!”

“O-only because you are here…”

The held in air escaped Sunny as she sighed. “Mellow, you cannot rely on me all the time. You got to at least try to be just a tiny bit more open.” Sunny took her hoof and used it to point at me. “Just look at Copper here.” Sunny really liked involving me with her talks will Mellow. “He told me that he has a hard time opening up, but now look at him. Literally three sips into his drink and Copper is ready to talk with me.”

“I’m not that much of a lightweight,” I protested. “And it’s not the alcohol that is making me sit here and listen. I just… feel like talking to Sunny.” Even though you initiated the conversation.

“See?” Sunny leaned toward her friend. “Copper doesn’t need a pony to tell him to talk. He could have easily walked away when I spoke to him earlier. But here he is, being social.”

Both of Mellow’s ears fell back, and I couldn’t help but feel some pity for her. I thought I had a difficult time opening up to ponies. However, Mellow was on a much higher plane of shyness. She tried to add a few words, but a customer down the way called to Mellow, “Can I get a refill?”

“B-be right there!” Mellow hesitated, but her legs eventually took control and off she went.

I looked at Sunny, her muzzle aiming at the back of Mellow’s light-blue head. “You look very concerned for her,” I said. “And I can understand why.”

“I’m glad you do,” Sunny said. She spun around in her stool and returned to our talk. “I understand that some ponies have a difficult time getting out of her comfort zone, but I just feel helpless sometimes. I gave her everything to help, and yet, it doesn’t feel that I gave it my all.”

“What have you tried?”

“Let’s get back to the story about her and I,” Sunny said. “I can answer your question as I go along.”

Another trickle of alcohol ran down my throat. “Alright.”

“So… After Mellow dropped into my life, I learned about her circumstances after she finally managed to talk to me without saying ‘sorry’. She was living here in Canterlot for a week but was unable to get a position in the weather patrol because Mellow couldn’t stand in front of the interviewer before running out the door.”

“Ouch,” I muttered. My teeth nibbled down on my lower lip. “I’ve seen ponies do something similar at my job, but that usually involves a pony less experienced with standing in front of a group of ponies.” Back and forth Mellow went, frantically tending to the drinks she made. “She does work quickly from what I can see; she is very efficient.”

“I’ve told her that myself, but Mellow is too modest to believe that it will get her through an interview.” Sunny shook her head, “Anyways because she was running low on her savings, I helped her get this job.”

“How did she get through the interview process?” I asked.

“With my help.” Sunny’s regular smile returned. “Because I get around often, I know quite a bit of ponies and was able to be there for her. And to thank me, Mellow asked me on a date.”

“I would accommodate somepony if they helped me with something,” I said. “But I am curious about why you chose to get Mellow a job here.” I held up a hoof, “I don’t mean any offense, Sunny. It just seems that being a bartender isn’t the best for her.”

A sigh hissed from Sunny’s nostrils. “Hey, Mellow, can I get the usual?”

“Absolutely!” Mellow sang.

I was curious why Sunny was ordering a drink during our talk instead of earlier. Maybe she needed to loosen up her stresses. “ Sorry about that,” she said.

“It’s fine,” I nodded. “We all need an outlet sometimes.”

“And you are being quite the helpful pony,” Sunny winked. “Maybe I can, as you just said, ‘accommodate’ you later.”

My eyes widened and my heart fluttered by Sunny’s vague statement. And the convenient saxophone player on stage didn’t help. “A-aren’t you and Mellow dating?”

“Nope. We are very close friends now.” A giggle rumbled inside Sunny’s throat. “What are you suggesting? I could have just offered to pay for your drink.” Sunny watched me with amusement as I continued to search for words. While the mare studied me, I did the same to her. She was very back and forth with her behavior. Sunny would be flirty one moment, the next, she is bitterly concerned for her friend.

Despite our simple conversation, I couldn’t help but feel that I was playing a second game with Sunny; a mind game. And she was already delving deep into my head.

Mellow was quick to return to Sunny and I. The bartender kept glancing up at Sunny like she was her admired sister as Mellow quickly concocted the drink. “Would you like to have anything else tonight, Sunny?”

“Not right now.”

Mellow nodded and then looked to me. “Would you like an entree… Copper?”

The mention of my name made me smile. My ignored menu was leaned up against the wall. “I’ll need to look at what you got first.”

“Okay.” The pegasus flicked her tail when she hoofed Sunny her mug. “See! I can talk to others without help!”

“Aren’t you a big mare,” Sunny grinned. Mellow flushed as Sunny consumed half of her drink. A tongue ran across Sunny’s lips, a satisfying hum rumbled within her chest. “Just how I like it.”

“Hehe, thanks.” Mellow looked between us, searching for something to say. But work was more of a priority to her, and she was off again.

“I can see a good mare in her.” I took a much bigger mouthful of my beverage and swallowed it.

“She is.” Sunny placed down her finished mug. That was fast! The mare was quick to notice my admired stare. “You look surprised.”

“You just… finished that drink like it was nothing.”

“I feel like loosening up a little faster than usual.” Sunny gestured to the menu, “What do you feel like getting?”

“I’m not sure. Do you have a recommendation?”

A yellow veil swallowed the menu but it didn’t move. “May I show you?”

I moved myself to allow the laminated pamphlet room to fly. “You can.”

It fanned open and Sunny quickly found an item and pointed to it. “I got this the first time I came here. It may sound simple, but trust me, it goes great with a drink.”

At once, my mouth salivated when I caught sight of the photographed sandwich. I didn’t have to ask what it was. I knew exactly what the meal was. A thick cheese sandwich with avocado chunks and tomato slices was surrounded by a sea of potato wedges. “I think I know what I want.” I shook my head, “Pictures always make life choices so much easier.”

“I know, right?” Sunny said. “I just look and go, ‘Yeah, I’ll have that please!’ and that is that.” She closed the menu and placed it down.

“A picture speaks a thousand words,” I said. “That’s something I am reminded of at my job every single day.”

“What is it you do?” Sunny asked.

Before I answered her question, I remembered our previous talk and shook my head. “I’m a little left hanging from your story about Mellow Skies. Mind finishing that first and then I can tell you all about me?”

A yellow ear twitched and a half-smirk grew on Sunny. “I can see why you have a hard time opening up to ponies; you just ask questions without giving insight about yourself.”

The jab made me swing back at myself. “I know everything there is about me. Why else would I want to learn more about Sunny and her friend?”

Sunny’s smirk grew wider. “Does Copper know he is cute?”

Her question punched me in the heart. “I- I… Y-you… think I am?”

“Oh?” The yellow mare straightened herself. “I thought you said you knew everything about Copper Coin.” Sunny’s grin nearly touched her eyes. “Maybe there are some things you don’t know about yourself.”

I was still stuck on her cute comment. “Why do you think I am cute?”

An evil chuckle seeped through Sunny’s teeth. “I thought you wanted to hear my story about Mellow and I before we talked about yourself.”

“You-” I played right into her trap and had my ears consumed with Sunny’s laughter. I couldn’t help but join in with her. Still, it was an interesting thought. To think that there are things I don’t know about myself. Then again, Sunny complimented me with subjective opinion. Well… it may be true. I just didn’t feel cute. Or handsome.

Concluded with our exchange of laughter, Sunny continued to prod at me. “Since you are so invested in my relationship with Mellow, remind me where we last left off.”

I rolled my eyes as I pondered what was discussed before. “Let’s see… You got Mellow this job… She asked you on a date as a thank you… And-”

It wasn’t my intention to ruin the mood, but I did want to learn. And my yearning for backstory might affect Sunny’s evening and overall good attitude. “I was curious why you got Mellow this job even though she looks very uncomfortable here.”

Sunny swallowed something in her throat. She played with the empty mug, pushing it back and forth. “It was all I could do…” Sunny answered. “And I wish I could do more…”

I finished my glass, the alcohol burning my heart as it ran toward my stomach. “I didn’t mean to ruin the mood.”

“It’s fine,” Sunny said. She looked at Modest at the far end of the bar and I did in turn. “I sometimes don’t feel like I gave her enough. Even though she and I are great friends and the date we had was great, I still feel like I have not done everything yet. I feel helpless. And I don’t want to feel like this. I want to feel like… like I did the best I could.”

The salt from the rim of my glass caked my lips. The flavor was strong as I licked it off. What do I say? I noticed Sunny’s ears were as far back as they could bend. What can I do? The same helplessness she was probably feeling started to bleed its venom into my system. To combat it, I asked, “Have you asked Mellow if she feels that you have done all you could to help?”

“Yes.”

I plunged deeper into my mind, hoping I could find something to assist not just Sunny, but also Mellow. If Sunny felt like she hasn’t done all she could- No. There was still something that could be done. But that involved another pony. “Remember when you told me earlier you were going to use me to help your friend? Did you actually mean that?”

Sunny gasped and looked at me like I was a prized jewel. “I did say that, didn’t I?” Her mouth twitched. “You know, I forgot about me saying that. To be honest, I was hoping to get her to open up to somepony so she can acquire another friend.” She looked past me, her eyes scanning the pictures on the wall. “Heh… hehehe.” Sunny gave me a smile that warmed my mood. “I think you will do Mellow nicely.”

“Wh-What do you mean by that?” I heard Mellow say. Sunny and I turned our attention to the flushed and embarrassed mare who spectated us. “What do you mean ‘do me nicely?’”

When I caught onto what was on Mellow’s mind, I also blushed. However, Sunny used the opportunity to be suggestive, “I mean he can do nice things I couldn’t, so use your imagination.”

Marshmellow

“So that will be one order of Sunny’s favorite Avocado Grilled-Cheese meal?” Mellow clarified.

Her innocent jab at Sunny made me grin, and I tagged in, “How did you know?”

Mellow winked at the mare in question, “I know a few of her favorite things.”

Sunny rested her elbows on the countertop and leaned forward. “I’m sure you do.” Mellow blushed and did her best to hide her face behind a wing.

“Why must you embarrass me…?” she whimpered.

I shot a hard stare at Sunny, forcing her to defend herself. “It’s not my fault her creative mind jumps to conclusions!”

“I know,” I grinned. “I just wanted to see your reaction.” I saw Mellow peeking through her feathers. When our eyes met, she giggled in kind.

A few scribbles on her notepad later, Mellow closed it and said, “Your meal will be ready in a moment.”

“Excellent,” I smiled. The bartender and I looked at one another while I tried to muster up something else to say. Tragically, Mellow silently trotted to the kitchen doors, leaving me alone with Sunny.

“Aww, you got her all embarrassed,” Sunny giggled.

“I- I guess…” I looked down at the empty glass in front of me, my warped head stretched into an oval.

“What’s got you so flushed?” Sunny pressed. If I didn’t see it before, I certainly noticed the blush on my cheeks when it was addressed. My treacherous heart thumped in my chest, naturally increasing my breathing. A hoof touched my shoulder and Sunny gave me a sincere smile. “I know you are thinking about her,” she said with a single gesture of her head to where Mellow went off to.

“I am,” I muttered. “Do you plan on setting her and I up together?”

“I may,” Sunny sang. Her joy started to deflate. “Do you not want that to happen?”

My left eye looked at the yellow unicorn. “I wouldn’t mind, actually. But… maybe not this very evening.” Ugh! What am I thinking?! Mellow’s soft smile crept into my head as I continued to banter myself internally. The pieces were all aligned, and yet, I didn’t want to make a move. Mellow didn’t seem embarrassed around me once she finally got her to speak to me. But something held me back. Something pinned me down that made me hesitate about the idea.

I needed another drink in order to find what forced my hesitation.

Sunny shook her head, and I worried it was a disapproving notion. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

A breath I didn’t know I was holding in escaped me. “Okay.”

Sunny tilted her head, her smile still holding fast. “Don’t make it sound like I’m going to beat you up if you don’t ask her on a date right away.”

Her silly poke made me laugh, along with disintegrating my discomfort. “I just didn’t want to be a let down after convincing you that I can help Mellow with her challenge of opening up to ponies.”

“You told me yourself, you have a hard time opening up to ponies too. I’m not expecting a miracle tonight. But I wouldn’t mind you two becoming friends.” Sunny spun in her seat, facing me to the fullest. “Speaking of opening up, I think it’s time you talk to me about yourself.”

It was going to happen eventually, and I didn’t think it would be much of a challenge. I looked over the yellow mare, surprised at the circumstance that I found myself in. The evening I was expecting to have would involve me sitting alone, listening to the ambiance of jazz while being accompanied by quiet picture frames and nicknacks. I did want at least somepony to open up to me. And with Sunny sitting before me, I couldn’t help myself from blinking over and over to make sure I was conscious and not asleep.

“Do… you have something in your eye?” Sunny asked.

My silly mannerism came to a stop, though I was conscious of every blink after that. “No, just… thinking.”

She shook her head, “Don’t think, just talk. You’ll never open up if you keep those thoughts inside your head.”

What very insightful advice. “Alright then.” I felt every nerve in my face twitch when I smiled. It was nice to have met a mare who gently cracked at my shell. “So…” Sunny’s chair squeaked as she adjusted herself. She was ready. Just think of it as a presentation, I told myself. Except with a friend. And it’s more casual. At a bar. In a public setting-

“You’re thinking again,” Sunny said, instantly snapping my eyes onto her. “Just. Talk.”

“I’m an advertiser who works on movie-theatre commercials among other means of advertising,” I said a little too quickly, but Sunny did not seem bothered with my behavior. “My line of work involves storyboarding. Do you know what storyboarding is?”

“I do not,” Sunny answered. “Care to explain?”

Before I could resume my just talking, Mellow entered my peripheral. “Your order will be ready in about ten to fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you, Mellow.”

Sunny grabbed the bartop and rotated herself to face Mellow. “Say Mellow, mind getting us two more drinks? Just get two mugs of the usual.”

“Coming right up!” Mellow chirped.

Sunny’s eye twinkled as she winked at me, “Your drink is on me.”

The kindness was unexpected and I flinched. “You don’t have to!”

“It’s fine.” Sunny winked, “I’ve got a military discount.”

My interest in Sunny inflamed. “You’re in the Canterlot Guard?!” I looked at the hidden soldier up and down. “I never would have guessed. N-no offense!”

“You never know who a pony is until you ask,” Sunny shrugged. “Besides, your reaction perfectly replicates how Mellow behaved when she learned about my position.”

“It’s… true actually,” Mellow confessed as she pulled on a leaver, gushing alcohol from its spout. “Then again, it makes sense why Sunny is so sweet. Always willing to help those in need as a guardspony should be.”

My second nature and kind heart made me bow my head at Sunny. “Allow me to thank you for serving our land.”

Sunny Day beamed, “Aww, thank you.” The slightest traces of blush found its way onto her cheeks. “You didn’t have to nod, but the thought is well appreciated.” She swatted a hoof at me, “Get back to talking about yourself. We don’t want to get sidetracked again.”

“Okay then,” I said. Mellow’s ears swiveled at me, ready to listen in on my talk with Sunny. I decided to start at the beginning for Mellow. “So I am into advertising and work with the storyboarding team. The best way to explain storyboarding is to think of a comic strip. Except, instead of one page filled with many panels, imagine a board filled with small individual images on white pieces of paper.” I looked between Sunny and Mellow. “You both following me so far?”

Sunny nodded while Mellow flinched, perhaps because she was found out she was chiming in. Mellow looked away from the second mug that filled with liquor and glanced my way to nod. “The images are lined up from left to right and are also read from left to right. Basically, a storyboarder is given a scene or scenario and then they literally draw out how they envision the scene.”

Both mugs were finished filling with their own frothy white fizz at the top, but they were not yet finished and Mellow began adding the final details to them. “Let’s say I am advertising this place. The first panel would have… say, a door. The second has it opening with a mare stepping inside. The third has the camera zoom in on the mare. And the fourth has another pony enter the door frame. It may sound tedious, but that’s part of how storyboarding goes.”

“What about the other parts about storyboarding?” Mellow asked while adding drops of lemon to the beverages.

“That’s where the fun of my job comes in,” I smiled.

The drinks were presented and Sunny gave it a curious sip. “I would never find advertising fun. What makes your job the exception?”

“Whenever you have to present a storyboard concept, you are expected to act out the scene.” I took a nice mouthful of my drink, and the flavor of hops took me by surprise. “Mmm! Good choice of beer, Sunny.”

“You can thank her,” Sunny said, pointing her hoof at Mellow. “She does work here and knows about the better drinks.”

I rose my mug to Mellow, “Then I’ll leave a handsome tip for her knowledge and hard work.”

Mellow batted a wing at me, “Stop ganging up on me, you two.” The three of us varied in our laughter, but it was happy laughter nonetheless. Mellow looked down the bar and frowned. “Can you… maybe hold onto your talk about your job for a little bit? I’d like to listen…”

“I can,” I nodded, but couldn’t help but feel charmed by her squeaky request. Mellow left without another word, returning to work. An “ah!” broke my attention off of Mellow and brought it to Sunny. A mustache of froth caked her lips and her mug was halfway finished. “You sure do like that drink.”

“What can I say? It tastes great!” Sunny proclaimed. Instead of finishing off the drink, she levitated it onto a coaster. After licking her lips, Sunny said, “I’m glad to have met you and became acquainted with me and Mellow. I see a good pony in you.”

The compliment made my sides tingle with joy. “Thank you, Sunny,” I smiled and then I took a few gulps of alcohol. “And I’m glad you sat with me.”

“Well, there is another reason why I chose to sit here, not to say you weren’t a candidate when I sat down.” Sunny pointed to a sink that stuck out from the wall with a small area filled with unclean glass. “See all the dirty glasses and mugs to the side there?”

“Yeah.”

“When Mellow has downtime, she has to clean them. And when she is busy washing her small pallet of dishes, she and I can buy some time and talk to each other.”

I looked down the bar and into the dining room. “Looks like the establishment is starting to slow down a little.” A light-blue pegasus briskly walked toward the sink with a tray filled with glasses. “Keep up the good work,” I said as Mellow approached. She gave no verbal response, though her blush and smile was a good enough thank you to me. Mellow arranged the glass cups before walking down the bar again.

“While we wait for her, maybe you can tell me a little more about yourself,” I said. “I wonder what duty Sunny is committed to at Canterlot Castle.”

A giggle whistled between Sunny’s lips and swiped her drink off the coaster. “I am a proud guard who serves Princess Celestia personally.”

“You- You know the princess? And she knows you?!” My jaw dropped, resting on the rim of my glass.

“Yes, Mr. Slack Jaw.” I instantly closed my mouth upon hearing her comment.

Like a child ready to ask “what happens next” about their favorite story, I asked, “What dangerous tasks are you assigned?” I observed the beautiful mare before me, pondering what risky ventures she had been given. It was hard to believe that Sunny was a guard. And my everything started to worry about her. Guards were called upon when danger was upon the kingdom. I wouldn’t want to see Sunny hurt. Still, I was impressed with her career choice and waited for her response.

“I have my own quarters in the castle,” she started, grabbing my attention to the fullest. “However, the only dangerous things I have to deal with are time frames and paper cuts. So not too many life-risking ventures if you are curious.” It was not the best response I was expecting, and I felt embarrassed for asking Sunny about dangerous missions. “Sorry if your expectations were let down.”

“N-No, I don’t think that is a letdown!” I shook my head.

The ever-so brightly lit Sunny Day continued to smile and even laughed at my response. “You and Mellow are really one in the same. She did the same exact thing when I said I do mostly office work.”

“Mostly” she says, I thought. I wanted to know about the rare duties, but it appeared that Sunny was more interested in expressing her paperwork. “Then explain the just of your job.”

Sunny placed her mug down and began explaining, “I manage various tasks for the unit I am assigned such as their schedules, the team’s budget, evaluate performances, assign missions, and other things that involve coordinating a team.”

I swirled the contents of my drink. “What is your involvement with Princess Celestia like? What do you do for her?”

“It’s similar to my team management, though it’s more princess exclusive: plan events with various leaders, report my findings to her if anything interesting pops up, and cooperate with Raven, who is Princess Celestia’s primary planner.”

Pride for the Royal Guard ignited in my breast, and I was further impressed with Sunny. “I am still wowed by your duty. And I don’t doubt that your job can get hectic from time to time.”

“Oh yeah, it can,” Sunny laughed.

I eyed the rest of my drink, the yellow fluid only filling one-fourth of the cup. “Then let’s make a toast.”

“Oh?” Instead of using her magic, Sunny grabbed the handle with a hoof. “And what shall we be toasting to?”

I rose my glass above my head, “To the safety of Sunny Day and her subordinates!”

“Aww!” In-kind, the yellow mare mimicked my gesture. “And to Mellow Skies and Copper Coin so they can continue finding love and happiness!”

Finding love… My glass clinked against Sunny’s cup and we both drank the remaining contents. However, the comment slipped down my throat along with the alcohol. I didn’t anticipate the amount I was intaking, and a burning sensation ignited in my chest. “Ouch, that hurt a little.”

“I take it you don’t drink often?” Sunny asked.

I somehow couldn’t answer the question. Memories started to resurface. Sad, heartbreaking memories.

“Copper? You okay?”

“Uh- y-yeah! I’m fine.” My eyes darted around, quickly recalling what Sunny had asked. “To answer your question, I do not drink regularly. Or really at all to be honest. The last time I drank was when I became an adult, I think.”

Sunny’s signature smile whisked away like an autumn leaf. “Is something on your mind?”

There definitely was. But I didn’t want my negative emotions to ruin the evening’s light. I managed to smile. “It’s nothing big.”

She reached out a hoof and rested it on my shoulder. It was very warm. “Well if you need to talk about it, you can tell me.”

Even when Sunny wasn’t smiling, she maintained a very warm visage. Her stare morphed my false smile into a real one, “Thanks, Sunny.” I placed my hoof on hers and gave it a rub. However, the mare continued to look into my eyes. “I-I’m fine,” I laughed lightly.

“Okay,” she replied in a near whisper.

Mellow returned to the scene with more glasses, and Sunny retracted her hoof. “You can resume, Copper,” Mellow said. “I’ve got some time to listen.”

“Just don’t make me your distraction from work,” I warned. When I looked back at Sunny, she had returned to sitting tall and grinning as per usual. “You ready as well?”

“I am,” she nodded.

I was curious about what was going through that yellow head of hers. Did she believe my words? Did I convince her not to worry about me? Probably not. Still, I had a story to tell. And hopefully, I didn’t have to delve into my more upsetting past.

“I think we last left off where I was explaining that I may have to act at my job,” I started.”

“Mmhmm,” Sunny nodded.

Mellow pulled on the sink knobs and water began to gush out of the faucet. “Why do you need to act?”

“Because in order to pitch, say, a humorous add, you might have to make gestures and voice the characters.”

I leaned an arm on the bar top and grinned. I took in a deep breath and spoke in a very deep tone, “Ever heard of the movie trailer voice before?”

Both mares looked at me with awe. “No way!” Sunny cried. “You are that voice?!”

“That’s me,” I winked.

“Oh. My. Stars!” Mellow couldn’t continue washing her dishes. “You’re like… a secret celebrity! I’ve always wondered who does the movie trailer voice.”

“I think it sounds sexy,” Sunny added. She then began mimicking me with her own low tone. “Copper Coin gets all the mares by swooning them with a seductive siren call.”

“Oooohhhh yeeeaaaahhhh, I can,” I sang, playing along. Sunny and Mellow cried joyfully, their reaction not surprising at all. The pair’s smiles infected my mood, and I couldn’t resist feeling ecstatic. One clear of the throat was enough to regain my normal voice, “So yeah, I sometimes use that voice when pitching a commercial.”

It took a moment for the mares to simmer down their giggles. Sunny was the one who spoke first, “So aside from voices, explain why you have to act when you do your storyboarding.”

“Aside from using voices, I sometimes have to make gestures and behave like the characters on the storyboard. And when there are two or more ponies presenting a pitch, it can get crazy.”

A thin martini glass squeaked as a white cloth dried the small specs of water. “Advertising sounds a lot more fun now,” Mellow said.

I shrugged, “There are some negative aspects to what I do, but the pros outway the cons.”

“Well!” Sunny gave my shoulder a playful push. “Tell me how crazy your job can get!” It was subtle, but her smile turned more seductive. “After all, I do like crazy.”

Mellow turned her eyes away from view, and Sunny was not hesitant to point out Mellow’s behavior. “And somepony knows that side of mine.” The pegasus’ red cheeks revealed that she knew somewhat of Sunny’s ‘crazy’ side. My mind rushed to assumptions, distracting me from our talk.

“Back on track, Copper,” Mellow requested, her muzzle still pointed at the wall.

“Uh- Y-yeah… Hehe…” I tapped my hooves together to return to the original topic. Sunny did not let off her pinning stare and grin. I felt transparent, almost naked. But I didn’t feel threatened by Sunny. I just wanted to know what was going through her head. What did she think of me?

“Are you thinking again, Cooper?” Sunny asked.

Yup. She can read me. “Just trying to get back on track.”

The grin suppressed to a more gentle expression. “Remember: just talk.”

There was that insightful advice again. “The craziness at my job can involve one pony explaining the storyboard while two ponies act out the entire scene. Some scenes are innocent, while others might involve the actors to yell at one another, or to the even more extreme, though it’s happened only once, kiss.”

“Were you the one initiating the kiss?” Sunny asked.

I shook my head, “No. I was pitching a Sweet Kisses candy commercial while two of my co-workers did the acting.”

Mellow’s eyes widened. “I think I’ve seen that commercial before! It’s the one with the Cocoa Bean and Pale Crescent, right?”

My heart jumped when Mellow knew about the Sweet Kisses commercial and the ponies featured on it. “That’s the one.” I wanted to be casual and not appear to be boastful because of my association with them, but telling ponies I had worked with celebrities before usually follows with the question, “Can I get an autograph,” or something on those lines. As basic as I could be, I said, “Just a simple fun fact: They used to work within my storyboarding team before they became celebrities.”

“R-really!?” Mellow nearly dropped the glass mug but caught it by the tip of a feather. “That is far from a ‘simple fun fact!’”

Sunny didn’t exclaim as loud as her friend, but she definitely beamed. “Wow! Who would have thought you would have worked with ponies before they were famous!”

My old friends’ faces flashed into my head. Amplified by the alcohol in my blood, I was stricken with grief. Why did I have to bring up that commercial?

My thoughts were interrupted by Sunny’s worried cry, “Copper! What’s wrong?!”

I didn’t recognize it until I felt something tickle my face; I was crying. I blinked once, and my entire vision was completely blurry. Through the blur, a yellow hoof reached me, its warmth rushing through my wrist. Despite my blindness, I wanted to flee. I felt ashamed to have a few tears fall in front of two lovely mares. “I need to go.”

In a fit of embarrassment, I reached into my shirt’s pocket, grabbed a healthy amount of bits, and smacked them onto the counter. I knew I had brought along several five, a few twenty-five, and maybe one fifty bit coin along with me, so I didn’t have to worry about dine and dashing.

When I tried to retreat from Sunny’s warm hoof, it would not let me leave. “Copper, what’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing…”

“Don’t lie to yourself, or me.” I heard the seriousness in Sunny’s voice.

A much softer voice repeated the question. “What’s the matter, Copper?” Mellow asked.

There was no escape from Sunny’s strong grasp on my wrist, and I fully understood her strength at that moment. I did what I could to clear my vision, though I could not look up at either Sunny or Mellow.

“I’m sorry… I’m just upset…”

Neither mares said anything as I collected my thoughts.

“I miss them…” I confessed. “I miss Choco and Pale…”

Sunny rubbed my wrist, no longer gripping it.

“They were my friends. And my successful advertisement took them away from me…”

Another hoof accompanied Sunny’s. I looked up to see Mellow wearing the same concerned expression as the mare who sat beside me. I couldn’t hold my muzzle up for long, and in no time, pointed back at the countertop. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to get upset in front of you two…”

“It’s okay,” Mellow said. “You know, you aren’t the first stallion I’ve seen cry here, so there is nothing to be ashamed of.” I could have figured that considering the bar setting. Hearing Mellow confirm that made me feel comfortable. To know that there was another stallion who ventilated about something because of the alcohol in their system.

“If you’d like, you can talk to us about what is on your mind,” Sunny said. “I said it earlier, and I will say it again: I am here if you need to talk about your stresses.” Her sunny smile rose. “Just know that there is nothing to be worried about. Okay?”

“You both promise?” I asked the two mares.

“I promise,” Sunny said.

“Mmhmm,” Mellow nodded.

Something possessed my lips to grin much wider than I wanted. Then again, it was nice to ventilate to somepony again. Mellow returned to the sink but kept one eye on me. Sunny refused to remove her hoof from my wrist.

My heart thumped against my chest when I moved my own hoof to hold hers. “Oh!” Before I could retract my arm, the same strength that kept me from leaving held fast. “It’s okay,” Sunny giggled. “I wasn’t a bad ‘oh,’ but a surprised and happy ‘oh.’” I heard Mellow giggle while I was mesmerized by Sunny’s comfort. Not by just the warmth in her hoof, but her everything. Whatever magic possessed the unicorn, I was captured by it. “Now how about you talk about what’s got you upset instead of thinking about it.”

“Good idea,” I said. Part of my heart wanted me to resist. The deep reason for my depression was embarrassing. However, I was in good presence. And I felt safe to speak my heart and mind.

“Just as my current team, there were five of us, including Choco Bean and Pale Crescent. Pale was the pony who gave me a helping hoof when I was looking for a job. He and I go way back; way back into highschool. As for Choco, well… I was… very fond of her.”

“How much?” Sunny pressed.

“I liked her…” I responded quietly. “A lot…” I caught Mellow staring at me, though I didn’t give her my pupil. “Choco worked hard at her job, and she impressed me with her talent. And don’t get me wrong, Pale was just as skilled as Choco. Both of them were good with presentations as well as coming up with great ideas. However, my feelings for Choco was much different.”

“So what happened between you, Choco, and Pale?” Mellow asked.

I wanted to piece together my words, but Sunny noticed what I was doing. “Just tell us everything. Again, let it all out.”

“Okay,” I nodded. “When the Sweet Kisses CEO sent one of his agents to our office and asked if we were willing to be one of several candidates to present their new white-chocolate brand, my boss quickly snatched up the offer. My team went straight to work that same day, vigorously shooting ideas at one another. However, everypony was under a lot of pressure. One after another, our ideas would just not stick. We tried a funny approach, a more simplistic advertising, and even mustered up an intense commercial.

“During our lunch break, I noticed Choco Bean was sitting by herself. Pale Crescent, who was very well aware of my feelings toward Choco, egged me to go talk to her. When I went over to her, she and I talked about our assigned project. And the more we talked about it, the more Choco started to become more upset.” I shook my head, “I couldn’t blame her. Whenever our team was stuck on something, Choco always had an idea that would easily force a comeback. However, the Sweet Kisses project was proving to be more challenging for her.

“I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I wanted to make that milk-chocolate mare smile.” A smile grew onto my face. “And at that moment, and with that same thought, I came up with the idea for our pitch: a romantic commercial! The idea of a literal sweet kiss and Choco was what birthed the idea.”

“Aww!” Mellow giggled. “How cute!”

“Yeah,” I said in a dreamy hum. “But anyways, when I came up with the idea, I looked at Choco and said, ‘You just gave me an idea!’” I then asked Mellow, “You remember how the ad goes, right?”

“I do,” she answered. “It was such a sweet commercial.”

“What I liked about it was the slogan,” Sunny chimed in. “‘Same sweet brand with a new kiss to be enjoyed.’”

“I came up with that,” I said with a puffed chest. “And I am very proud of it.”

Sunny gently pulled on my hoof. “But that same slogan has you bothered. What has you upset other than you missing Choco and Pale?”

Thankfully, I had already exhausted my tear ducts. However, that did not ease my heavy heart. “I’ll get to that in a moment.” I waited for either mare to make an input, but both kept quiet. So I resumed the story, “Everypony liked the idea of a brown mare and white stallion representing the new white chocolate Sweet Kiss. Even Choco was in love with the idea, though she was very flattered how I was inspired by her.” My shoulders dropped along with my smile, “And then I made a mistake…”

Sunny rubbed my arm with her other hoof. She kept silent, her eyes wide with anticipation. Mellow had her arms submerged in soapy water but kept them under while she waited for me to speak. “Because the pitch required two ponies, my team needed two actors and one presenter. Choco was very willing to be the chocolate mare. And then it came to choosing the white chocolate stallion. Since there were only two stallions in our team, it was either me or Pale Crescent.”

Mellow dared to say, “...And Pale was the one who was picked.”

“Worse. I chose Pale to be the acting stallion.” A heavy sigh hissed out of my nostrils, “I said to my team that Pale would be the best choice because of his color pallet. But that was only an excuse to prevent myself from kissing Choco…

“Pale pulled me aside and asked, ‘What the hay was wrong with you? You know you want to kiss her! Now is your chance! And who knows what will happen after you two do your act.’ Again, I told him my excuse: ‘Your natural color will help our idea launch! Besides, even if she and I kiss, it wouldn’t be anything special.’”

I bit down on my tongue. “However, the truth is... I was hesitant. I really did want to… to kiss Choco. Heck, I did want our possible relationship to evolve into something great!” The bite became more intense. “But I was an idiot for being afraid!”

My vision started to blur again. “I am scared of being heartbroken. I knew how much I liked Choco. And yet, the past clung to me that day.”

“What do you mean?” Sunny asked.

“I kept thinking about my terrible string of relationships I had in high school. To put it shortly, and to stay on topic, my first girlfriend cheated on me the first week we dated, the next-”

The topic quickly changed despite me not wanting it to. “That’s horrible!” Mellow exclaimed. “Who would do that to you?”

“A pony who didn’t think I was good enough…” I answered. “And part of me still thinks that.”

“That’s not true,” Sunny said. “I’m certain whoever did cheat on you didn’t know what was good in front of her.”

“It still doesn’t help that she still cheated on me…” I gripped at my shirt with my free hoof. “The next girlfriend, who insisted on being honest and wanted to talk about any issues face to face, broke up with me via note.” Sunny continued to rub my arm, the friction keeping me somewhat comfortable. Mellow directed her furrowed brows at the glasses she cleaned. “The third mare was interested in dating me and wanted to wait until she was sixteen because of her family customs.” An even more aggressive sigh left me, “And guess what she went and did! Went back to her ex-boyfriend on Hearts and Hooves Day of all days! After all the waiting I did for her, she just turncoats on me!”

“Shh…” Sunny whispered and her amount of strokes increased. “Calm down. No need to get too loud.”

I nodded and took a few deep breaths. “I just don’t like how the past kept me from kissing Choco. In fact, it held me down from asking her on a date.” No longer angry, cold sadness seeped into my blood. “And now it is too late…” Even Mellow let go of her anger, and I noticed her frown. “When I presented the commercial to the CEO, Choco and Pale did an excellent job with acting. The CEO was so impressed that he wanted to use Choco and Pale as the actors.”

The cluster of uncleaned glasses Mellow was tending to was nearly complete, and so was my story. “When the commercial aired, it wowed movie-goers. Ponies loved Choco and Pale. As for the actual Sweet Kisses candy, it sold like hotcakes. As a reward, the CEO gave each member of my team a gift card that allowed us to buy any amount of Sweet Kisses candy. For free.”

“Wow!” Mellow smiled as she slowly dried a mug. “I guess if you ever have a sweet tooth, you’re already covered.”

“I have to buy from a Sweet Kisses store,” I corrected. “I cannot just walk into any store and buy a single pack of Sweet Kisses.”

“Makes sense,” Sunny nodded.

Talk about my reward was a nice change of pace. But I knew I was dancing around the thornbush. I chose to leap right into it. Better brace for the worst than to avoid it. “So not long after the commercial airing and several stomach aches later-”

“‘Stomach aches?’” Sunny asked.

“Let’s just say some of my team members got a little too excited with their Sweet Kisses gift card,” I grinned. “I was smart enough to avoid such a fate.”

Sunny leaned forward, her powerful eyes aimed for my head. “Don’t lie. I know you were one of those ponies who gorged yourself with chocolate.”

Even Mellow played along and rose a suspicious brow at me. “Okay, okay! I only had like… two stomach aches!” I rolled my eyes, “There, I told the truth. Want to take me to my room and punish me?”

It was subtle, but when Sunny tilted her head to the left, the light from the bartop lit up her face. “I wouldn’t say punish,” Sunny purred. “But I wouldn’t mind taking you to your room.”

“I-I… Umm…”

The band onstage was literally playing in Sunny’s favor. The music was slow and the saxophone player aimed her instrument my way. I was not happy to see Mellow giggle at my stammering. Even after the brief moments of assistance I gave Mellow when Sunny was teasing her, Mellow gave me no protection.

“What are you thinking about?” Sunny hummed.

When she stroked my arm, it somehow felt softer.

“Th-things…” I answered.

“What kind of things?”

Finished with her dishes, Mellow walked up to us and took our mugs. “Sunny,” she started, “if you make him think about ‘things,’ he won’t be able to finish his story.”

“You’re right,” Sunny sighed. “I’m sorry.”

The band finished their song, the percussionist concluding with a rimshot. The restaurant was caught in a short moment of silence and I heard my heart pounding in my ears. Too bad Sunny’s flustering question and suggestive arm stroking got me worked up, distracting me from my story. At least she was a good distraction.

“H-hey, Copper?” Mellow spoke.

I looked at the much cooler pegasus in comparison to Sunny’s bright-yellow fur. “What happened next?” she asked, segueing right back to the topic.

Mellow’s ears fell down, “I’m not trying to force you to continue. I just… I think… maybe the sooner you let it all out, the better things will be. Sunny once told me that.”

Sunny nodded but didn’t perform anything beyond that, thankfully.

I smiled, happy that both Mellow and Sunny had their individual philosophies at the ready in case somepony needed them. “To keep it brief, Choco and Pale were quickly offered acting roles shortly after the commercial airing. My office threw a farewell party when the two chose to take up the offer.”

“So I- I chose that day to tell Choco how I felt. If she was going away, I might as well tell her.”

Sunny leaned in with interest and Mellow’s eyes widened.

“It was a mistake…”

Sunny broke the silence, “What? Why?”

Mellow scanned me as if to look for the answer I held in my head. I had no tears left, but I had more than enough energy to furrow my brows. “When I pulled her aside and told her how she inspired me and I liked her… Choco, she-”

Was it worth saying aloud?

“Let it out,” Mellow said in a near whisper.

At that moment, I wondered if all mares were capable of reading minds. “Choco turned me down… My biggest fear was a reality… At least she was kind about it. She didn’t want to hurt me too much.”

Mellow didn’t appear to be her mellow self and scowled at the ground. “What was her excuse?” Mellow growled.

The gesture somehow perked my mood. “No need to get offended on my behalf,” I said with a grin.

Sunny tapped my arm she held. “She’s doing it because she cares.” Sunny then let go of her grin and said to Mellow, “But you don’t have to get so angry, Mellow. I do agree with Copper; you shouldn’t be angry with Choco until you hear Copper explain her ‘excuse.’ We don’t want to judge before we hear everything, now do we?”

Mellow didn’t allow her ears to flick back up, but she did suppress some of her frustration. “Sorry… I just-” Mellow darted her muzzle at me. “You look like a steller steed to me! Why would she turn you down?”

My attention was forced onto the wall of pictures, flattered by the simple compliment. However, every image of every pony was braver than I was as they looked back at the mares accompanying me. The ponies’ expressions all spoke the same message:

“Be fearless.”

“First off,” I began, turning my head toward Mellow, “thank you for the kind words. It was very nice to hear them.”

In my peripheral, Sunny wiggled her brows at the pegasus. And Mellow went into a fit of stuttering, “Well, I- maybe think that- I mean, you are-” Mellow’s cheeks puffed and flared with blush. “Can you not, Sunny?”

“What?” Sunny asked as if she was doing nothing wrong. “You two are having a nice little moment. Just doing a little gesture to give you some motivation.”

“I’m doing just fine talking to Copper all on my own, thank you!” Mellow said with a flick of her tail.

“That’s good. Then I assume you don’t need help with opening up to him, then.” Sunny used her free hoof and pointed it at Mellow, “Continue.”

It was surprising to see Sunny’s actions, despite how much they flustered Mellow, persuaded the pegasus to wish to speak to me more openly and independently. Sunny and her methods were much better than I had come to assume.

“I do think you are a nice stallion,” Mellow confessed with a tiny, red-faced smile.

Her happiness motivated me to use my low, advertiser voice. “If only Mellow Skies knew that Copper Coin thought she was very cute.” Mellow and Sunny burst into giggles, Mellow much more. “Will Copper ever find the courage to let out the truth? Or will Mellow never understand the two sides of Copper Coin? Find out next time on Sunny’s Side Up.”

I rarely used my deep voice as comedy relief because I worried that I would fail to hit the punch line. I blamed the alcohol in my system to be the motivator for such behavior.

“Oh Copper!” Mellow laughed. “I-I- I need to check up on your order!”

With speed in her step, Mellow barged her way through the kitchen door before roaring with more laughter. Customers and employees alike looked my way, curious about what I had done.

With one clear of my throat, I asked Sunny with my normal voice, “Did I break Mellow?”

Still infected with laughter, it took Sunny a few moments to recuperate her wits. “Oh my stars, that was hilarious!”

“Heh, thanks,” I laughed moderately.

“No, really, it was!” Sunny reaffirmed herself by tickling my arm with a single brush of her hoof. My limb flinched in protest, though I didn’t reclaim it. I was still okay with Sunny holding it.

Mellow stumbled back into the bar, her mouth still wide with a grin. “Your meal is almost ready,” she said with a few giggles escaping her.

My stomach gurgled a bit in response. “Great,” I nodded. “Now that you are in a better mood, let me tell you why Choco rejected me.”

Sunny and Mellow relaxed and gave me their fullest attention. Mellow didn’t get angry at the proposition, or at least, didn’t show her frustration against Choco. With the drinks I had earlier still capable of shifting my mood, it was impossible to avoid being sad. “Choco didn’t want to commit to a long-distance relationship. She was very flattered by my feelings but was also upset that I used the day she was leaving to tell her the truth. And Choco was right about that. It wasn’t fair to do that to her. As poetic as it may be, telling somepony you love them just before they leave, perhaps for the last time you see them, is more tragic than it needs to be.”

“But you told her the truth at least,” Mellow said in a calm response. “I think that’s at least good.”

Sunny furrowed her brow in deep thought. While she pondered about her response, I said to Mellow, “I still think there could have been a better approach to what I had done. At least she and I ended the moment on a good note.”

“And what note was that?” Sunny asked. The pianist on stage ran their hooves across the keyboard, the notes slowly growing higher and higher as I remembered our moment.

“We kissed,” I answered just as the musician hit the last note. My heart thumped against my ribs. The nostalgic feeling reminded me of my silent moment with Choco in the dimly lit hallway.

“Good,” Mellow bluntly huffed. “You deserved it.”

“Not to be argumentative,” I said in response, “But I don’t think I deserved Choco’s affection. It was kindly offered. That’s what love is.” Sunny nodded in positive agreement.

Mellow’s ears folded back, “Oh… okay… sorry…”

“Why are you sorry?” I asked.

“For being wrong. I agree with your sentiment about what love is. I’m just getting too defensive.”

While I was stunned and unsure about how to assess Mellow’s behavior, Sunny tapped my arm. “Mellow isn’t the argumentative type and doesn’t like to be wrong.”

“No, I don’t…” Mellow agreed in quiet response. “Me being wrong reminds me of back home…” Mellow’s eyes started to shimmer. “Whenever I would get into an argument with my so-called old friend, who was also my roommate, I would always be proven wrong no matter how big or small an issue was.” Mellow’s voice was caught in her throat, almost unable to continue with just the memory of her friend. But she mustered up as much strength as she could and resumed, “She would yell and scream at me, calling me names like ‘bucking moron’ among other choice words.”

It was my turn to get angry for somepony else. “That’s not right! Why would they do that to you?” I noticed Sunny furrow her brow, glad to see her and I agree with similar emotions.

“It has something to do with her past.” Mellow shook her head, “Which is not something I wish to go into further detail. All you need to know is that she chased me away from home. I needed to escape.”

Two watery dots pooled at Mellow’s eyelids before a few tears escaped from Mellow. “And all my so-called friend did when I left was call me ‘a coward,’” Mellow squeaked. “What a bitch…”

My heart pounded in my ears. Not because of a nervous flutter, but out of frustration. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Mellow,” I said in a low hum. I offered my hoof not claimed by Sunny to the sobbing mare, knowing very well she needed a lifeline to rely on.

Through her red stare she gave me, Mellow smiled through her internal pain. “You’re sweet, Copper.”

Sunny “awwed” at my gesture. I flushed and anticipated Sunny to give me a select few words of embarrassment. But the unicorn kept quiet, allowing Mellow and I to float independently. Mellow took my hoof and gently squeezed it. She closed her eyes, intaking slow, shaky, yet stable breaths of air.

I reflected on Mellow’s raw moment of emotion. As glad as I was to be the pony to be there for her and that Sunny allowed me to initiate my actions, part of me felt ashamed at showing my feelings from earlier. While Mellow had a real reason to be upset, a true push that forced her away from home, I was stuck on feeling sorry for myself for past relationships with other mares.

Well, there was one pony who wasn’t a mare that did more harm than any of my past crushes. But was Pale somepony I wanted to talk about?

The ever-so observant Sunny Day spoke to me, “What’s on your mind, Copper?”

Mellow opened her eyes to see my furrowed brows. I didn’t want to go into detail about my feelings against myself, but chose to mention my own ‘so-called friend.’ “Remember when I said I was once friends with Pale Crescent?”

“Oh, yeah!” Mellow beamed, her previous sadness quickly snuffed out. Too bad I was about to draw it out again. Sunny only blinked, her expression very neutral and ears angled at me. I told myself to thank her later for being so attentive when listening and watching. “You said that you two were really close, right?”

“Yes, we were…” I grumbled. On purpose, I looked to Sunny’s arm still tangled with my own. Sunny didn’t stroke it or give it a light squeeze, though I needed to remember it was there to keep me calm.

Mellow, on the other hoof, took back her arm. “What happened between you two?” she asked with both ears felled.

“My story about him isn’t as detailed as Choco’s, but is perhaps more tragic.” The more I delved deeper into speaking the truth, I was beginning to despise the feeling alcohol created. It forced me to be honest which I somewhat didn’t mind, but the way it made me feel about myself was unnerving, like some parasite skittering under my fur.

A rub on my arm broke my attention away from my thoughts. “What happened?” Sunny asked.

Before I answered, I told myself to avoid drinking. Self-deprecation was something I didn’t want to do when I had alcohol inside me. It only made me feel worse about myself, much more in fact.

But I was not going to hold back the truth I had against Pale.

“When Pale skipped away to become a star was the last time he and I ever talked,” I finally answered. I could feel the anger in the folds on my forehead. “He said he would write back or give me a sign that he wouldn’t forget his best friend!” I snorted with disgust, “Pale is probably too soaked with praise and attention right now to remember me!”

“This may be a guess,” Sunny said with a cautious tone, “but is this why you are here all alone? Because the past continues to sting and prod at you?”

My tail curled at my flank. “Am I that transparent?”

Sunny’s head bobbed, her intentions were clearly not meant for harm. But when it comes to fishing out the truth and being accurate at predicting, it can make somepony feel naked and vulnerable.

“It was a guess,” Sunny answered. A lie no doubt, though I let her be. “The bar is a perfect setting to be upset about something.” She looked at Mellow, “Why else would I be here?”

Mellow stumbled a few steps back. “I-Is something wrong with me?” she asked with a large amount of worry.

I was about to tell Mellow that Sunny was more than checking up on her shy pegasus friend, but I remained silent, not allowing myself to speak for Sunny.

“Oh no!” Sunny laughed, waving her free hoof dismissively. “I worded that incorrectly! Nothing is wrong with my Marshmellow!”

The pet name didn’t dismiss Mellow’s concern. “That doesn’t ignore the fact that I am the reason you are here.”

Sunny Day’s grin fell onto the countertop, revealing a frown of disappointment behind her facade. “Have I done enough for you?”

A sigh escaped Mellow, “Not this again, Sunny!”

The muscles in Sunny’s jaw flexed, her mouth locking away the truth. With my own will, I stroked Sunny’s arm. Her eyes shot up at me, then fell down onto our entangled arms. “Why don’t I feel like I’ve done enough for you?” Sunny asked Mellow.

“Because… I’m here and not where I want to be, I think…” Mellow spoke slowly. “As much as I want to move forward, not everything is instant. It takes time.” She tilted her light-blue head at me. “It took some time for another nice pony to enter the picture. All thanks to you.”

Sunny’s mouth twitched upward, but it didn’t amount to a complete smile. “I know,” Sunny said. “Copper and I talked about this earlier. But it just proved that I didn’t do just about everything. I want to be sure you’re okay, Mellow, and have everything you need in order to stay afloat.”

“Aww, Sunny!” Mellow squeaked. I hummed happily as well to Sunny’s words. The pegasus fluttered her wings and began levitating until I saw most of her legs. Carefully, Mellow leaned forward and gave Sunny a small kiss on the horn.

The yellow horn crackled and sparked. “Right where I like it,” Sunny said as she squirmed in her seat with a flustered grin.

As the cute moment was unfolding before me, I was slightly, and only very slightly, a little jealous. Sunny caught my stare, willing her normal attitude forward, “You look flushed.”

“I-I- well-” I sucked in my lips to prevent myself from sounding more like a dunce.

“Oh leave Copper alone, Sunny!” Mellow defended as she landed on the ground with a bounce. “No need to tease him too much.”

“I can’t help myself sometimes,” Sunny smiled.

Help. Such a strong word sometimes. I pondered the word in my mind over and over. Sunny’s quest to aid Mellow was strong. And because I was offered into Sunny’s and Mellow’s two pony crew, I was compelled myself to help Mellow, too.

Was there anything I could try?

Mellow squinted an eye at Sunny, “Now you better have that smile when I come back I’ve got Copper’s order to get. And understand that I am glad you have done Every. Single. Thing that you have done.”

Sunny let out a dramatic sigh, “I’ll try to not care as much.”

The bartender sighed as well, her eyes rolling in her head. “Oh Sunny…”

The instant Mellow turned around, Sunny did what Mellow didn’t want to have happen. Sunny frowned in my direction but did nothing to look at me. “I know what you’re doing.”

“Thinking? Well, it’s what I do with you present,” I said. “And I’m pondering what I can do to aid in this endeavor for our Marshmellow friend.”

“Hehe, I see you’re using my silly name for her,” Sunny giggled.

“Have I deserved the right of passage?” I asked.

“Only if you have something in mind to help Mellow.”

Sunny’s statement felt like a light-hooved jab. I only stepped into the picture not even an hour since Sunny came in and sat beside me.

“I’m trying,” I said in a low tone. I only so slightly furrowed my brow at Sunny. “If worldly problems could be solved in a day, Equestria would have much fewer problems, I’m sure.”

“But why can’t I shake this… feeling!” Sunny complained. Her arm started to squeeze mine like a serpent ready to crush its prey. “I just want the worries to go away! Everything good I have done for Mellow has been redacted by this blinding, nagging negativity!”

“I’m blind as well, Sunny!” I argued back. “I know I am loved and cared for pony back at my job! But I just… didn’t know who to go to.” I gandered to the pictures again, their eyes all on Sunny and me. “I was afraid of looking for help; I didn’t want to be looked at oddly because I was feeling alone.”

The tension on my arm became slightly tighter in a typical Sunny Day fashion: warm and close. “I want to stop feeling alone,” I confessed as I looked back at the unicorn. “I know I am not alone, yet, as you said, this blinding negativity clouds my eyes.” In-kind, I got a better hold of Sunny’s arm.

I was feeling less and less alone with every pulse I felt from her. I just hoped that I was doing good for Sunny as she did for me. “For a while now, I felt alone because of Choco and Pale; Pale much more. I miss them. And I haven’t seen or heard anything from Pale.

“It doesn’t make me feel valued when two ponies who were a close part of my life leave after something better comes along! And my Sweet Kisses pitch was their thief!” Their faces appeared in front of my eyelids when I closed them. “The only reason why I am not angry with Choco in comparison to Pale is that she regularly writes back to the offices and even visits from time to time; sometimes even help with an advertisement, but that’s rare.”
I then snorted with disgust, “As for Pale, he hasn’t managed a single minute to send me a, ‘Hey, how’s it been?’ letter. It’s hard to want to write to him when you weren’t given a return address or P.O. box to submit to.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for their success. It’s the same old not feeling feeling.”

Sunny was thankfully watching me without her stare wavering for a moment. I licked my lips, trying my best not to squint from my heartache. “Thanks for listening to my recent and previous rants,” I said through a choked voice. “And… thanks for just being here. Sometimes it’s the best thing you could do for a pony. Even if we just met.”

The corner of Sunny’s mouth twitched a bit. “Funny how you think that you’re the only pony struggling with internal problems, and then you look not too far and there will be somepony with similar issues.”

“I find it relieving,” I said. “Because you can be real and truthful without worry.”

My stool started moving toward Sunny Day by the will of her magic. When my seat was close enough that it touched her stool, Sunny almost leaped from her chair at me. I caught her as she gracefully fell into my arms. The sudden and fast motion caught me off guard and my heart throbbed in my chest. I became more flustered when Sunny made sure to place her ear on my chest, agitating my pulse to beat even faster.

The jazz music onstage flared with excitement, the saxophone player expressing heavy, romantic notes.

“It is relieving,” Sunny hummed. “Sorry, Copper. I just felt that you needed a hug.”

I managed to get a grip on the situation and pulled Sunny close. “Did you need a hug, too?”

“Yes,” Sunny answered in a cute hum. Her head crawled up my neck, sending a flurry of ticklish vibes through my chest. She looked up at me, her lips very, very close. “You know, maybe you and I can… come to my place and have some fun. We can help each other to feel better and wash away this nasty negativity. After all, you did say that being there for somepony is all the best they could do.”

Somehow, I was convinced the performers were watching what was happening between Sunny and I as they resumed their intense and heated music. My breathing stunted, each gasp for air more inconsistent than the last.

“A-are you sure, S-Sunny?” I stammered. “I mean, this is very sudden, but also very generous of you!”

Sunny’s cheeks started to redden. “I am very sure.” She pawed at my chest playfully, “We can also brainstorm ideas that could help Mellow out.”

“Are we going to discuss it while we are having fun?” I joked with a chuckle.

“After,” Sunny responded with a poke at my arm.

The sound of something being placed on the countertop snapped my attention away from Sunny. A very curious Mellow Skies grinned at me and the pony in my arms. “I know I told Sunny to hold onto her smile until I returned, but what did I come back to?”

“A generous offer,” I said to the meal Mellow had returned with. The scrumptious sandwich looked just as it did on display. The scent of garlic was moderate alongside the smell of Sunny’s cinnamon-scented mane.

It was easy to look at the grilled cheese and want to dig in. It was the opposite when it came to Sunny’s very generous offer.

“So what do ya say, Copper?” Sunny asked. “Want to have some us time?”

I was hesitant to respond. Mellow was quick to nudge me toward a “yes” answer, “You won’t regret having some fun with Sunny.”

Both mares giggled while I did what I did best: think.

“I… need to eat first…”

I didn’t want to hesitate the mare’s offer. A night with a lovely unicorn who was willing to listen to me and was one I could relate to? Who wouldn’t jump high for such a thing?

I would.

Sometimes the past is too hard to pry yourself off of. Because the past wants to protect you from future pains, pains that dig deeper when you believe it won’t hurt you a second time. Or a third. Or a tenth.

Author's Note

The chapter title isn't spelled wrong :3

Go Home

The flaky, toasted breading crunched in my mouth, the sound overlapping the jazz music in my ears. Sunny let me sit quietly, waiting for my answer, but respectively allowed me to think for much longer. Mellow continued to shoot glances at me as she cleaned a few glass mugs.

When I told Mellow I needed to give Sunny’s proposal to go to her home for a good time, she was surprised to see me not snatch up Sunny’s bedtime adventure. But Sunny was much more understanding and knew how strong the idea of sex can be for someponies. Sunny even gave an example of a stallion turning down the idea because he wasn’t ready for it. Whoever he was, it at least didn’t make me less of myself. And the alcohol buzz I had earlier was gone, too, so no inside quips were made.

“I’m sorry if I was too abrasive,” Sunny said softly, breaking the silence at our end of the bar side.

“It’s fine,” I said after swallowing a very thick mouthful of cheese. “Us holding hooves earlier might have been a hint that I was being more open to you.”

“Still, I’m aware of your past with mares. I understand your hesitation.”

I didn’t think she did understand the full extent of my worries. “Believe me when I say I don’t think you would ever want to hurt me. But that negativity.” I looked at the warm-yellow unicorn. “You know what I’m talking about.”

Sunny nodded in response.

“Sunny would never hurt you!” Mellow argued in defense of her friend. “Look at what she did for me! She helped me in my time of need and got me this job! There is nothing to worry about Sunny!”

I was not in the mood to be told my emotions were incorrect. “Have you ever been heartbroken by anypony, Mellow? Do you know how challenging it is to want to be with somepony, yet be proven wrong time after time after time, and not be concerned with being hurt again?”

Before the argument could flare any hotter, Sunny interjected, “Hey! Enough! Both of you; more on you, Mellow!”

Mellow quickly shied away from further talk, her ears falling back in response, a clear sign she was easily defeated. “Sorry,” she whispered, her voice nearly drowned out by the music.

The last thing I wanted was conflict. My own head was my personal battle, even though Sunny and Mellow were successful at making some of the negativity subside and making me feel welcomed. But even those who were close couldn’t fix everything about me.

There was this air of pride to Mellow. She was willing to get upset and supportive if anypony she deems close to her. A good and a bad trait in my opinion.

I crunched on a few slices of fried potatoes, their garlic flavor a minor distraction in all things. The question proaded at me to give a final answer. But I was not ready to finalize my choice. However, I still didn’t mind the concept of talking to either Sunny or Mellow.

“Hey, Mellow?” I asked. The pony in question didn’t answer me, perhaps because she felt ashamed for losing another argument. I couldn’t understand how that feels. I approached with a simple, calm question, “Have you been in any relationships?”

Mellow fiddled about a glass, cleaning every drop of water from it. “Three,” she said to the mug. Sunny’s chair squeaked as she adjusted herself to face Mellow. “The first one was with a stallion in high school. He was very nice to me, but our relationship didn’t last because we had puppy love for each other. You know, that feeling you have toward somepony that you just fall head over hooves for them because of their looks and then realize you two aren’t compatible.” Mellow hummed a soft laugh, “Our breakup was actually funny because we were both so worried that we didn’t want to hurt the other, we continued to date for two full weeks.”

“Aww, how cute,” Sunny giggled. “I never knew about this stallion before. I thought you only dated one pony when we met; a mare.”

Mellow went and placed the mug she was drying for a minute on a small metal hanger. “I was too embarrassed to tell you about it. The breakup I had with him was kinda similar to how our little separation went when I told you I wanted to be a close friend.” Mellow didn’t turn away from the wall with dangling mugs, but the very edges of her cheeks started to flare. “W-with potential benefits…”

Sunny nodded with her normal bright smile. As for myself, it helped me understand Mellow’s friendship with Sunny a lot more, especially when it came to the kiss Mellow gave earlier. They were very close, indeed.

Mellow returned to the sink but went slowly to keep her flushed face hidden from me. “Thanks to Sunny spoiling stories about me dating a mare-”

“”Spoiling?!’” Sunny exclaimed with a grin. “Copper already knows about us and that we went on a date.”

“I’m still embarrassed to say it aloud,” Mellow admitted. “I know how some ponies, especially stallions, might get the wrong idea from me and think I’m strange.”

“That’s fair,” I said. “Though I have no issue with what you did. I still think you are a great pony.”

Only ever so slightly did Mellow turn her cute blue face at me. “Hehe, thanks.”

My heart fluttered a few centimeters up toward my throat and wondered if I myself was infected with potential puppy love. “I can assume your breakup with your old boyfriend was amusing,” I said.

“It was!” Mellow laughed. “You see, he was the first to speak up about how he really felt about our relationship, and when I told him I felt the same way, he went and said, ‘Oh thank goodness! I was so scared to tell you I didn’t want to date you anymore,’ but then turned around and recorrected himself, saying, ‘Not to say I didn’t have fun and enjoyed your company!’”

Mellow concluded her small story with a small bat of her hoof, “He was such an awkward and cute stallion. We were just in that stage of teenagerdome where we just wanted to be in a relationship for the sake of it.”

“I remember those silly days,” I sighed.

“I second that,” Sunny added with a raised hoof.

The nostalgia of high school, despite the drama it came with, did allow me to poke fun at myself with how desperate someponies were when it came to dating.

“Now what about this mare you dated once,” I asked. “I know it isn’t Sunny because you mentioned a second one before.”

The music onstage halted in an abrupt crescendo. Both of Mellow’s ears fell down, a sign something went terribly wrong. Sunny wasn’t too happy either; not with me, but the countertop as she leered at it.

“When… I was in my early college years, something happened to me…” Mellow began in a near quiet whisper.

That evening I was partaking in sure was full of upsetting stories.

“It wasn’t something terrible! At least, to me it wasn’t… I think.”

Sunny snapped her head up at Mellow, “Nothing terrible happened to you! It was that… wretched father of hers who was terrible!”

“Woah, woah, Bessie!” I said, urging the sudden solar flare from Sunny to not get any louder. She drew many eyes toward the three of us with her shout. “What happened?”

Mellow flinched at the sudden motion and noise. “No need to get so angry. Though… I can understand why…” Unable to look Sunny’s way, Mellow gandered toward mine. “You see, what happened was… I… just…” The more and more Mellow delved into the story, her face got redder and redder. “...suddenly got the hots for mares. It just… happened. I saw more beauty in mares, and it didn’t help that one pony, Sand Dollar, was such a super sweet pony.”

I wanted to ask the childish “what happened next” question, but I had a strong feeling I would learn who the “wretched father” was in a moment.

The sound of Sunny’s breathing grew heavier and louder as it rushed out her muzzle. Whatever happened to Mellow really got Sunny furious. Mellow took out a spray bottle and shot a few spurts into a cloth before beginning on wiping down some of the stainless steel surfaces.

“Sand Dollar and I dated for two months before we confronted her father about our relationship,” Mellow said. Her circular wiping motions came to a stop. “His reaction was far from reasonable…”

I took a few potato wedges and crammed them into my mouth to keep myself from any tempting questions that would interrupt her story. Though I did lend Sunny my arm as a stress-relieving lifeline. She quickly snatched and lassoed it nice and tight.

“He just kept yelling at Sand Dollar and I, telling me I was poisoning her mind or something because I wasn’t a stallion.” Mellow shook her head and took an unstable breath in. “And things got worse for her at home… Her father became a bully to her, egging her to break up with me. But Sand Dollar refused, even though our relationship brought her so much pain…”

The bartender’s breathing started to shake. “S-s-so I ended her pain myself… B-by… breaking up with her…” Mellow squeaked.

Sunny couldn’t contain herself or remain still. In a bright flash, Sunny Day teleported behind the bartop to claim Mellow Skies into her embrace as the light-blue sobbed once more. I was stabbed in the gut by the tragic end to what could have been a fruitful relationship. And I thought I had bad experiences with romance. Mellow’s far exceeded what I could even gasp.

Everypony in the store looked at the spectacle, even the employees and band members seized their actions.

A stallion behind me spoke up, “I am so sorry this is happening in front of you, sir.” I looked back to see a golden-plaque pin on the unicorn’s shirt that read: Store Owner.

The instant Mellow heard the owner’s voice, she stepped away from Sunny. “Mr. Moonshine! I-I was-”

Moonshine rose his dark-crimson red hoof to stop her from speaking. He didn’t look too happy, but his brows didn’t express anger, either. “Mellow, how many times have you broke down like this on the job?”

I knew exactly what was going to happen and there was nothing I could do but spectate. The passage of termination was always the same process: boss asks a how or what question involving a wrongful action, the employee explains said action or behavior, then the boss ends their employment.

“Far too many to count…” Mellow answered like a mouse-like squeak.

Moonshine focused in on Sunny Day along with some unfriendly brows. “Why is it that whenever you come around, Mellow gets like this, Sunny?”

Sunny swallowed something in her throat. “We just talk about things.”

“And unfortunately…” Moonshine started, though he hesitated. He did not want to go through with terminating Mellow’s employment. “Unfortunately, those things you discuss with Mellow really gets her down.” He looked Mellow’s way again, his eyes sad despite his frighteningly red irises staring through the pegasus.

“You were one of the best workers I’ve had, Mellow Skies.” Moonshine gestured to all the customers behind him. “But you always cause a scene out in the open in front of all these ponies. Paying customers come to me, asking ‘why I have such an emotional pony on the team?’ You and I have talked about this issue before. And despite your excellent work ethic and talent, I just… don’t believe this is the environment for you, Mellow.”

Mellow buried her face into Sunny’s chest as she cried bitterly. I wanted to vouch for Mellow, but I didn’t want the store owner to get on my case. And it wasn’t my battle to fight, even though I wanted to help.

“Please!” Sunny begged through her own tears, “Mellow has nowhere to go! She needs this!”

“I have a business to run, Sunny…” Moonshine sighed. As tough-as-nails as he looked, Moonshine himself was very, very distraught. “You’re fired, Mellow Skies. Go home. I’m sorry.”

***

It was nice for Sunny and Mellow to allow me to follow them back to Sunny’s place. The streets had a soft-quiet vibe that didn’t create the eerie feeling darkness gave off. The lamps were a warm white that lit the cobblestone pathway. The cool autumn air was fresh and complimented a clear sky with a few clouds that dotted about the stars.

The setting, however, did not mean everything was beautiful.

Sunny was doing her absolute best to not cry; not a single tear slid down her face. Either that, or she allowed one to slip but was crafty and didn’t allow me to see it. It was the opposite for Mellow. She let every tear and every hot breath escape into the world. Her humid breath puffed out her mouth in fast concession like a stressed train ascending a steep incline.

Mellow was bunched up against Sunny. So much in fact that I was convinced Mellow would crawl under Sunny’s green sweater to keep her bare body warm.

“Th-th-thanks for letting me st-stay th-the night,” Mellow said through her mutters and shivers. Her voice broke my heart.

“I’m surprised you still want to be around me…” Sunny sighed. Mellow nuzzled Sunny’s cheek but said nothing in response. The gesture was enough to make both mares, including myself, to smile. “You’re tears are cold, Mellow. But I’ll make sure to keep you nice and cozy.”

Mellow’s grin widened, “I’ll do the same…” Despite the nightly air and dim lighting, I saw Mellow blush and lean into Sunny’s ear. And I heard the words, “...Sunny Bunny.”

It was impossible to not laugh at the silly and adorable moment both mares were having. Mellow was not happy that I heard her pet name of Sunny and turned her red face away from me. “What?” I smiled. “It was cute.”

“Hehe, it was,” Sunny giggle in conjunction with my light laughter.

The cool air became slightly comfortable even though I had no body to cling to. And Mellow slowly turned back toward Sunny and me with a shy smile. It did subside, but it didn’t turn into a frown. “Hey, Sunny? Can I ask you two questions?”

“Of course,” Sunny nodded.

The sudden request peaked my interest, and my ears swiveled toward the pegasus to listen. “What are we going to do about getting me another job?”

With quick reflexes, Sunny booped Mellow on the muzzle. “Let’s worry about personal matters later. Tomorrow morning, we can focus more on that.”

“I figured you’d say that,” Mellow said unsurprised. “That’s fine, then.”

“Good,” Sunny said with a blunt conclusion to the first question. “Onto your second question!”

Once more, Mellow’s face changed color, angling her eyes directly at me. “I was wondering… if maybe Copper could, you know, still come over as well if he wants to...”

My heart skipped a beat, and my lungs forced out a thick cloud of hot air.

Sunny smiled at me and said, “If he wants to. My offer still stands, though I understand if you don’t want to.” While I tried to muster up something to say, Sunny rose a brow at Mellow, “What are you trying to imply with inviting him over with now you joining the picture?”

The cold tickled at Mellow’s neck and shook her violently. “B-because… I kind of…” Her voice slowly descended into a whisper. “...want his company tonight.”

There was obviously more to her words. In fact, a lot more was added to Sunny’s proposal. Still, I was hesitant despite my possible scenario with spending my evening with two mares at once. I looked at Mellow’s cute, flushed face. Would a mare like her really go out of her way to harm me?

“If that’s okay with you,” Mellow added with a tiny smile.

I wanted to say “yes” with absolute certainty. I had no doubt that many stallions would never turn down such an offer. Still, I wanted to be sure of my choice.

“Why do you want me to join you two?” I asked Mellow specifically. I cursed at myself for questioning the fun time I could have with Mellow and Sunny. My heart just didn’t want to be hurt and needed to know her intentions.

“Because you are our friend,” Mellow answered without hesitation, though her brows furrowed a bit. “You are a stellar stallion, Copper. I heard and saw how true you can be when you talked to Sunny and me. And I find being honest a great trait in a pony.

“I know the past hurt you,” Mellow continued, her eyes falling to the cobble path. “It hurt me, too, with my old friend.” She snapped her eyes right back at me. “But I knew I could find a better friend despite my worries of getting into possible arguments. It just took time to find them.”

Mellow stopped walking and let go of Sunny, extending a hoof to me. “Did you expect to find us this evening?”

The cool-colored hoof looked warm, and I couldn’t ignore the chilly air. “I d-didn’t.”

“Neither did we.” Mellow inched her hoof closer to me. Sunny moved slightly forward but stilled her joints. She was letting Mellow do the talking. “I will hate myself forever if I ruined your trust and broke your heart! Just give us a chance! Give me a chance! Life is full of chances! That’s why I’m here in Canterlot after all!”

I finally took the offered hoof into one of my cold hooves. Mellow beamed at the gesture, though I only stared at it; that didn’t mean I couldn’t see her wonderful smile.

“I think I know why I am hesitant,” I confessed. “As good of a feeling as it might be to spend an evening with a mare with intimate intentions, I don’t want it to be just pleasure. I want to give my love, give my everything.”

Part of me figured Sunny would make a suggestive joke, so I grinned at her. “Yes, Sunny. Every. Inch of me.”

“Oh my!” Sunny giggled. “Tell us more!”

Mellow’s blush showed her mind was being riled up by my words. However, I wanted to be more romantic and less suggestive.

“If I am to spend the evening with either of you two,” I started, my eyes darting between both mares, “it would be nice to know that you both feel the same about me while we… do things. At least like me for me.”

I felt embarrassed for setting guidelines for sex but there was no other way for me to get in bed with any mare, regardless of the time I’ve known them. I’ve had some thoughts drift when it came to Choco, but those thoughts were mostly just us spending time together, maybe kissing.

My heart was something I cared for. It kept me alive. And it hated being hurt. Because if it started hurting, I felt it. I just wanted to be real and honest. Mellow liked that out of a stallion, but how much was about to be seen.

“I know we’ve just met, Copper,” Mellow said, creating warm friction as she stroked the wrist she held. “But I see a great pony in you. I want to know more about you.” Mellow started to move toward me, claiming more and more of my arm. The pegasus’ muzzle touched mine, the heat of her shooting through my face. “And I trust that you will treat me well.”

I couldn’t pinpoint just how the action did what it did, but I believed her. Was I charmed and suddenly in love? Like Mellow said, “Give me a chance.”

However, that didn’t remove Sunny from the equation. I moved my muzzle off of Mellow and gandered to a very happy Sunny Day. I was surprised at her behavior because I was basically starting to become very fond of Mellow in front of her. That wasn’t to say I didn’t like Sunny, but she was a few bars short. Was she okay with that? Both she and Mellow were going to have their time together that evening, and I felt like I was stealing that time away.

Why was I complicating everything?

“What about you, Sunny? I… don’t want to leave you out, so how do you feel about me?” I asked.

Sunny continued to either be content or very hidden about her feelings about everything. “I think that everything Mellow said about you in regards to your character sums up my own feelings toward you.”

Sunny was not afraid to step forward and show her own red cheeks. “Believe me when I say you are the type of stallion I’d love to be with.” She stroked my shoulder while Mellow giggled at my expense. The evening chill increased my nervous shivering. “Can I show you my own feelings through actions?”

Sunny gestured her muzzle toward Mellow, “I can easily tell Mellow has the hots for you.” The comment forced Mellow to stop her giggling. She gripped my arm tightly and did her best to hide behind my figure. “After tonight, you two can have each other. Just allow me to express that two mares can like the same stallion.”

I eyed Sunny with shock. “But what about you? How will you feel after tonight?”

The fiery unicorn winked at me, not wavered by jealousy; or she was a master at hiding it. “I have a tendency to go on many dates. I’ll find my special somepony eventually. However, you and Mellow are too perfect for each other. I don’t want to get in the way of what could be an everlasting relationship.”

It was Mellow’s turn to ask Sunny a question, however, her approach was much more personal. Mellow broke off from me and looked at Sunny with a very serious, yet concerned stare. “You mean that, Sunny? You’re okay with me and Copper being together?”

Sunny rose a brow, “Why wouldn’t I? You and I ended up still being friends with some benefits. That means you are free to be with anypony you please.” The yellow unicorn grinned at me, “And considering how Copper is taking everything into consideration concerning love, I have no doubt that after tonight, he won’t want to share his Marshmellow with anypony else. I see nothing wrong with that.”

The pegasus looked at the tiny stones she stood on. “You promise?”

“I swear on my life!” Sunny proclaimed as a matter of factly. She looked at me and flattened her lips into a straight line. “And I won’t try to take her away from you. Wouldn’t want to add another reason why you are afraid of asking a mare out, now do we?”

My tail swished, trying to swipe the possible reality where a mare stole my girlfriend away from me. What little pride I had in myself would be shattered, the shrapnel possibly killing me in the process. “No, we don’t,” was all I said.

A yellow veil suddenly swallowed Mellow and picked her several inches off the ground. Mellow gasped a little but restrained herself once she realized who cast the spell on her. Sunny grabbed my hoof, giving it a light pull. Her usual warm smile bloomed, concerning the cold air around us. “Enough serious talk! Let’s have some fun!”

I nodded with a smile of my own. I decided to take a chance.

Coming Soon (Adult Scene)

Still airborne, Mellow entered Sunny’s darkened apartment with the aid of the unicorn’s magic. The veil around Mellow illuminated a tiny light, showing only silhouettes of what was inside. “You can let me down now,” Mellow protested inside the black room.

“Very well!” Sunny said, her tone very devious.

The light that enveloped the pegasus was gone. Mellow yelped when she fell and my heart skipped a beat. Before I could scold Sunny for dropping her friend in the dark, she gave a sheepish grin and defended herself, “I dropped her on a pillow! I wouldn’t hurt our Marshmellow!”

“A pillow isn’t going to help-”

Sunny reached her hoof around the doorframe and flicked on the light.

“-all that much…”

I was expecting a couch, maybe even an armchair to be within the living room. Instead, there was a massive, red, plush pillow in the corner with Mellow nestled into it; she didn’t appear upset about her fall, and instead was very… tantalizing. The way she was propped up was hypnotic even though Mellow wasn’t looking directly at me.

“I’ll be getting you back for that, Sunny,” Mellow purred with a very seductive voice.

The change in Mellow’s character took me aback. Maybe that was what Sunny meant by how Mellow liked to be more intimate. Mellow’s tone reminded me of a mare’s voice during a makeup commercial where she attempts to entice others to buy the brand being advertised.

“Why don’t you wait for our guest to enter the room first before you get excited,” Sunny said and turned to grin at me.

I felt my face warm up, knowing very well what my night would involve. I managed to say “yes” to Sunny’s proposal, but I was still very flustered.

When I looked into the room again, I noticed Mellow’s blue face had a red stain on her cheeks. “Please come inside,” Mellow said. “We’ll keep you company. And warm.”

I took one step into the apartment, sealing my fate with two mares. Then two steps. And finally, I was fully inside Sunny’s dwelling. Mellow beamed at my entry and got off the pillow. I heard the door close behind me, but I continued to watch the pegasus approach my front.

My heart inched up my throat with every pulse. Were we about to get started right now, I asked myself. Not even a minute after I entered when a move was being made.

Mellow stopped her walk, leaving a few inches between us. A nagging thought stabbed my brain, telling me that she and Sunny were only there to feed off of my vulnerable heart; that they were nothing but sirens using their seductive song and beauty to charm the lonely-feeling stallion.

Sunny stepped into my peripheral and asked, “Having second thoughts?”

Mellow’s eyes snapped at Sunny, her smile sapped by the question and responded with a frown.

“I’m just… nervous about all this,” I said.

“If you aren’t comfortable, you are free to go if you’d like,” Sunny calmly spoke. “I won’t think any less of you.”

Mellow, on the other hoof, did not want me to leave. “But I-” Her eyes bounced off me and the ground. “But you… What about what we said when we were walking here? Don’t you trust me?”

I knew I could be honest with them at the very least; I did trust them to that extent. “I don’t want to feel this negative weight anymore! You two are being very generous! That I cannot deny!”

My frustration with conflicted emotions started to clog my throat. “Even though I committed out there, I am nowhere. I thought I had the strength to follow through.” Both of my ears retreated into my short, curly mane. “But I’m still weak despite both of your words. I believe you both won’t hurt me, yet the feeling of being hurt still plagues me.”

“Do you consider us friends?” Mellow asked.

“Of course,” I said. “I just don’t know ponies who have benefits between each other. This is a very new experience.”

“I’m sure it is.” Mellow looked past me and smiled at Sunny. “Even though I was scared of finding a friend in fear that they might yell at me over stupid bucking nonsense, I took that chance with Sunny. We had our date, stayed as friends, and have our benefits.”

A blue hoof touched my shoulder, its warmth welcoming. “Sunny and I have our guidelines so neither of us will be hurt. And of course…”

The blush in Mellow’s cheeks started to spread throughout her face. “...I would love to get to know you… If something wonderful blooms, be it us just becoming friends or maybe even more, I am willing to take that chance with you.”

To the sidelines, Sunny couldn’t help herself from giggling profusely while Mellow spoke words of honey to me. It wasn’t unheard of to have a mare tell a stallion she wants to be with him. But to hear it myself was certainly quite the experience.

I reached for Mellow’s harboring hoof and held it. I ran my eyes down her arm and up to the pegasus’ suddenly enhanced beauty. What made her so much more charming was a combination of Mellow’s own risk at wanting to be with me, the way she stood so close to my figure, and how the lamplight hit her.

In my ear, I heard in faint whispers, “kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss,” being chanted over and over. Mellow’s ears fell down and gave Sunny a very disgruntled stare.

“Sorry, sorry,” Sunny sighed. “It’s just- you two are so CUTE! Just- GO FOR IT!”

My breaths were much longer and drawn out. I wanted to “go for it.” Dreams of a mare pursuing me was reality right before me. All I needed was something to seal my fate.

I took in a long, deep breath. And braced for impact.

With one smooth motion, I leaned forward and pressed my lips onto Mellow’s unsuspecting mouth. A hot press of air escaped Mellow’s nostrils and hit my cheek. I cracked my eyelids, instantly noticing the surprise in Mellow’s eye. Her wings sprung out, shedding a few feathers in the process

Her face was warm. My cold body wanted to pull Mellow in and cherish the moment forever. But I waited for the pegasus to move next.

Mellow slowly closed her eyes, falling asleep to my action of passion. A hoof ran up my chest, then around my neck. She was gentle with her pull, and I took millimeter steps as we closed the gap between us.

I felt Mellow press a little more forward with her kiss, her lips parting as she applied gentle force. The moment was more than the small instance where Choco and I kissed in the hall at her farewell party. I recalled the time with Choco as soft, short, and tingly.

It was a passionate embrace when it came to Mellow. My visage was flooded with the best kind of nervousness. Nerves were sensitive, the body was craving heat, and the mere touch of another pony stimulated the pursuit for more.

We parted from the kiss with a conclusive, light smack. Mellow looked up at me with a smile. “Do you believe me now?”

I smiled with confidence and responded, “I feel like I can trust you.”

Mellow took several steps backward and looked at the very pleased Sunny Day. “Hey, Sunny? Can I borrow some pajamas? I’d like to enhance the mood.”

“Of course you can,” Sunny said. “There are some in the bottom drawer.”

“How does clothing enhance the mood?” I asked the two mares in a curious loss for the answer. I looked at Sunny’s flank and flushed when I did. “I mean, unless we aren’t… you know, blocking passage because of pants or shorts, then… I see no reason not to?”

Sunny and Mellow giggled at my expense for not catching onto what they were going on about. I felt my face heat up, embarrassed about my ignorance.

“Aww, it’s okay,” Sunny said through her benevolent laughs. She reached an arm around my neck, along with pressing her cheek against mine. “Have you ever had the pleasure of taking off a mare’s clothing before?”

“No,” I answered.

My blue necktie started to move on its own due to Sunny’s golden veil. To my surprise, it took her no effort to get loosened until it was one long strand of cloth. It then fell to the ground, discarded by the unicorn’s magic. Sunny slid her cheek down to my neck, tickling my senses every inch she moved. I couldn’t stop the moan from escaping. The feeling was just too great.

A pop on my white, button-up shirt followed, exposing my upper chest. “Have you ever had a mare take off your clothes before?” Mellow hummed with that seductive voice she used earlier at Sunny.

“N-n-no,” I muttered.

Mellow turned around and brushed her blonde tail on my front torso. When she flicked it up, I saw her entire flank and more. I gasped because no warning was given. “Let me go prepare myself then. You will have the luxury of taking off my pajamas in a bit.”

The pegasus kept one eye on me as she walked toward the hallway. With one turn to the left, she was out of sight.

Instead of undressing me at the doorway, Sunny levitated my tie from the floor and walked into the living room. “Let’s wait on the pillow,” she said.

It took a moment to gather my nerves and move forward. We gathered at the center of the plush meant for a moderately-sized dragon. Sunny nuzzled closer to me just when I settled and stopped moving. Her beautiful, lightly-freckled, yellow face smiled at my flustered state of bewilderment.

“What are you thinking about?” Sunny asked.

“Just one word: wow.”

My tie floated in front of me, then was folded into a neat, little square. “I must admit,” Suny said as she placed my tie across the room and onto a low-hanging shelf, “‘wow’ is certainly the word to describe this evening.”

The unicorn’s eyes fell onto the fabric we laid on. She leaned into me, the white flower behind her ear very close to my muzzle. It didn’t have any scent to it even though it was real and not a cheap plastic replica.

“Do you think Mellow is upset with me…?” Sunny whispered.

I gandered to the closed door. “It doesn’t look that way.”

“But why do I feel like she is?” Sunny asked.

I hesitated to speak what was on my mind and hid it behind closed lips. “Just tell me what you’re thinking, Copper.”

It still surprised me how Sunny knew when I was thinking. “I think it has to do with more than just Mellow losing her job. You went to the bar tonight to check up on her and in hopes you can make her another friend. You still wanted to help her. But…”

“But she lost her job because of me! I just-”

Sunny stopped mid-sentence and looked at her bedroom door. There was a crack and an eye spying through the gap. Found out, Mellow revealed herself, wearing a simple blue, button-up shirt with pajama pants to go with it. The plain attire was a little large on Mellow, the head hole slumped to the side.

I said nothing as Mellow came to the pillow. Sunny receded her muzzle away from her friend. Shame bled throughout Sunny’s brows and lips. The only thing I did was place a hoof on Sunny’s wrist and gently rubbed it. She claimed my hoof and pulled it into her side.

“Look at me, Sunny,” Mellow whispered.

Sunny did not move her head toward the pegasus. Instead, she angled herself further toward the ground. Mellow spread her wings, flapped them a few times, and flew over Sunny and I. Gently, Mellow came down and mounted the sad unicorn.

“If I was upset with you…” Mellow hummed, slipping a hoof under Sunny’s green sweater, “would I do this?”

A soft moan left Sunny, the touch having a stimulating effect on Sunny. Even I was aroused by both mares, and I wasn’t involved with their intimate moment.

“Copper, give Sunny some love,” Mellow said. “Let’s show her that we aren’t upset with her-” Sunny gasped and let out a squeak; a blue hoof was buried under her belly. “I’m sure you are grateful for her introducing herself and me to you.”

Sunny examined me, perhaps guessing if I was thinking about what to do next. Her mind was then quickly distracted and let out more passionate pants. Mellow was doing the works on the pegasus, her hoof hidden and in between Sunny’s legs.

Just go for it! I commanded myself.

Instead of throwing my entire body at Sunny, I gently placed my lips on hers, just as I did with Mellow. Heavy, warm air hit my cheek as Sunny continued to pant. It didn’t take long before she jacked the dial-up.

Sunny used one arm and lassoed it around my neck. She pulled in while pressing her face into me, and I began to taste her tongue. My eyes shot open, shocked but unsurprised by the intense action. It was all a new experience, however, with the direction things were going, I was certain activities would evolve into something more than a Prance kiss.

I tried not to breath into Sunny’s mouth while we resumed our prolonged smooching. We had a somewhat silly play-fight happening. Every time I would press into Sunny, trying to one-up her with heavy passion of my own, the unicorn would attack with an open mouth and intense licks.

“Kiss under her neck,” Mellow whispered loudly.

For once, I didn’t think. I just reacted.

Our lips parted with Sunny’s tongue dangling from her mouth. Her eyes hadn’t opened yet when I advanced for her throat.

I didn’t just kiss it; I gave it a sloppy, long lick, brushing on soft, yellow nerves. Sunny’s voice vibrated my lips, the mare exclaiming a beautiful “ahh!”

But I was not done with my move; Sunny needed to know how grateful I was for her. I began to gently suckle near her voice box; I didn’t want to leave a nasty hickey for Princess Celestia to ponder what happened to her guard the night before.

“Oh, M-Mellow!” Sunny cried. “C-C-Copper- AH!”

Devious giggled escaped Mellow. “I love it when you say my- name!”

Sunny, yet again, let out another squeak. Her cries of pleasure forced me to continue my kissing. It felt good to give, even though I wanted to receive something eventually.

“That’s it!” Sunny exclaimed. Her horn flashed, and suddenly, I couldn’t move. When I opened my eyes, Mellow hovered above me in a yellow veil. I too was captured in the magic, the spell not suffocating, yet very strong. I was met with Sunny’s flushed and excited smile. “You two! Bedroom! Now!”

I stood up, acknowledging her request without words. Her eyes gandered at my flank and Sunny’s lips morphed into a grin. “Looks like somepony is excited.”

I followed her stare and saw an elongated extension poke out from between my legs. Embarrassed that it was out in the open for Mellow and Sunny to see, I lifted one of my hind legs to try and hide it.

Mellow looked with interest, but couldn’t match Sunny’s signature smile. “Aww, it’s okay,” Sunny said.

“I-is it… too small…?” I stuttered.

Sunny shook her head and said, “It’s perfectly fine.”

Mellow agreed with a nod. “I’m actually glad it's not massive.”

It was hard to not be flustered, but I did lower my leg and presented it for the mares. “I thought mares would want something on the lines of a foot-long.”

Mellow’s face drained into a pale-blue. “That sounds terrifying!”

“Some mares are into that,” Sunny countered. “But most mares can’t take something like that all the way their first time.”

The spell capturing Mellow didn’t hide the fact that she was shaking. “Will it hurt?”

Sunny leaned forward, examining my penis as a scientist would toward a newly-found specimen. Finished with looking, the unicorn said to me, “So long as Copper is gentle, you should be okay.”

From where I was standing, I could see Mellow’s underbelly. The small slit in between her legs looked a little moist, but that wasn’t important. I, myself, wondered if I would hurt Mellow unintentionally.

“Will you, Copper?” Mellow asked. “Will you be slow when it’s our turn to rut?”

“Why would I want to hurt you?” I replied with a smile.

Sunny’s magic drifted Mellow down to me. The veil left Mellow, allowing the pegasus to move freely. “I know you will do me nicely.”

Mellow, Sunny, and I laughed at the comment. Enhanced with a much better, and more comfortable mood, I spoke in my low voice, “Then let’s just do it!”

The light-blue mare responded with her own seductive voice, “Ready to go down under!”

Sunny was left to laugh aloud due to the lousy innuendos. She didn’t allow Mellow or I to stare at each other for long and started to push us toward the bedroom. “Less talk, more action!”

Mellow grabbed my hoof and took us ahead of Sunny. In the brief venture to the room, I noticed my button-up shirt was undone. No doubt Sunny was the perpetrator; she certainly knew how to be stealthy even in the heat of the moment.

The light to the bedroom was already on and dimmed; the mood was set in preparation for the eventual activity. Mellow let go of my hoof and jumped onto the bed, bounding a few inches from her leap. I simply climbed onto the bed without the need for leaps and bounds.

“Come here,” Mellow purred. The gap between us was spacious, so I had to crawl my way over to the pegasus before we could commit to any further intimacy.

“Here I am,” I said with a smile.

“You know…” Mellow looked down at her hooves, her shy character in control of her much more seductive one. “...you’re very handsome.”

“Why thank you,” I mumbled in my deep voice.

“Hehe!”

I resumed using my natural voice, “I think you are very beautiful.”

I brought my face close to hers. “...and thoughtful...”

My eyes naturally started to close. “...and generous…”

Mellow’s lips brushed against mine. “And…?” she muttered in a near whisper.

“...and-”

We kissed once again; I couldn’t let out the one last thing I wanted to say: a good friend.

I felt Mellow start to crawl up into my figure, so I let myself limp over to my side. Her pajama shirt was quite thin and the heat from Mellow’s body melted right through it the instant she came in contact with my bare chest.

The door to Sunny’s room closed with a gentle “klunk.” The bed sank as another body entered the fray. Through the cracks of my eyes, I watched Sunny come after me, the mare licking her lips with hunger.

“That was some great teamwork you and Mellow performed,” Sunny said. “Now it’s time for the mares to take control of the stallion.”

My heart raced, excited for the eventual double-team. No longer was I shrouded with the worry of being hurt. I knew I was in good hooves and would experience quite the opposite of pain.

Mellow had her hoof on my chest while she climbed onto me. “I can feel your heart, Copper,” she giggled.

“What about this!” I exclaimed.

With quick, yet gentle precision, I glued my lips to Mellow’s throat. Her hum of pleasure was a beautiful melody. High pitched, soft, and sung with an open mouth. I wasn’t given much time to kiss Mellow because the mare thrust herself at my own neck, giving me the same treatment.

I flexed my abs, the sensation catching me off guard. It was a very comfortable tickle with every stamp Mellow delivered. My arms laced around the pegasus. I craved for her body’s touch. Something compelled me to want Mellow’s figure to grind up against my torso. And so my goal was to get that shirt of her’s off.

While Mellow laid on me at an angle, I was curious about what Sunny was about to do? Everything was happening so quickly and figured she was about to make her move.

That question was answered moments after it was conceived in my head.

Something slippery began to suckle the tip of my cock. My eyelids shot open, along with my voice exclaiming a startled moan, to see Sunny at the base of my belly. She peaked at me and winked before resuming. Her tongue lathered across the hole and head. My nerves screamed, my body twerked, and-

-I couldn't think straight.

The moment with two mares, one being at my throat, the other being in between my legs, created this mental barrier that prevented me from thinking about anything else. No past memories and no worries about tomorrow. The absolute pleasure was all that was present. And even then, I couldn’t think without being driven insane. I couldn’t focus on either Mellow or Sunny. It all melted together like molten gold ready to be forged into whatever the craftspony willed it to be.

“Copper?” Mellow whispered in my ear.

“Y-y-yes- AH!”

Sunny engulfed my cock. Her lips were soft, but they had tight hold as she descended it. Up and down Sunny went, her tongue running against the shaft. It felt warm and even tickled a little, however, the feeling was all the same: incredible.

Mellow giggled as she caressed my head with single strokes across the top of my head. She was so close that I could kiss her. I wanted to, but I allowed Mellow to say what she needed to tell me.

The pegasus climbed off of me and limped over to her side. With a face full of blush, Mellow asked, “Could you… lick me?”

Mellow lifted a leg up a few inches, revealing a damp spot on her pajama pants. My jaw slacked, due in part from Sunny and her superb job. I also imagined myself lapping Mellow’s pussy. Just like everything that was happening, another activity was fast approaching. But I wondered if I would like the flavor. What if I found it nasty I wondered.

Mellow bunched her forehooves in front of her cute face, hiding her mouth. “Please?” she whimpered. “Just give it a try.”

The way Mellow stared at me, the way she captured me was startling. How she begged stimulated me to the point where I couldn’t just let her lay there untouched and unpleased.

“S-scoot c-c-cl-OH!”

It was very hard to talk while Sunny still did the works; she was busy suckling the tip again. I reached my hoof and put it behind Mellow’s flank. I tapped at it a few times in hopes the pegasus would read the signal and scoot closer.

Mellow caught onto what I was asking of her and got into licking range. I slowly pulled down her pajama pants like a certain blocking a beautiful view. Funny how most ponies don’t normally wear clothing. But taking clothes during sex kept me enthralled and curious about what other acts would stimulate the mood.

A tiny, light-blue slit in between the pegasus’ legs entered my sight. Mellow squirmed a little and did the most adorable thing. She bunched her arms against her chest and hid her mouth behind her hooves. “Don’t just stare and tease me,” Mellow muttered.

My mouth gravitated toward her pussy, ready to leap into another new experience. I took in a nervous breath and caught the scent of what I was about to lick. It was a strange smell, not what I was anticipating. Metallic. Being a curious little colt that I once was, I’ve smelled a bit coin for curiosity’s sake, and Mellow’s vagina was a close resemblance.

Smell, however, does not always mean the flavor would equate to the smell; otherwise, perfume companies would have a double benefit, maybe even enhance sexual pleasures by applying a vanilla-scented liquid to one’s throat and, well, the rest is self-explanatory.

Being as close as I was to Mellow, all I could see was light-blue. Deep in my head, I prayed to Celestia that flavor and smell would be the same. I opened my mouth and aimed my tongue for the base of the slit.

Once it entered, I was satisfied that flavor and smell were the same. Mellow’s pussy was warm and moist. All that was left was for me to please her.

I did one quick lick to test the waters. A sweet and cute “ah!” escaped Mellow. Glad I did the right motion, I repeated the action but at a much slower speed. A heavy pant soon followed. Before long, I was performing long, deep licks at Mellow’s pussy. The inside walls were like a fleshy fruit. If I could picture what I was tasting, it would be aluminum foil slowly melting at the tips of its thin sheet.

Mellow’s belly rose and fell as I pleased her. Happiness flowed through my already stimulated body. The emotion wanted me to give Mellow even more pleasure. Quickly, my licks were much faster. And Mellow started to let out louder moans.

“Ah! Copper! More!”

Sunny was distracted by what I was performing and stopped sucking my cock. I rd Sunny giggle, amused at what was happening up north from her. “Get her, Copper!” she cheered.

Because Sunny no longer anchored me down with her mouth, I rolled onto my belly and did deeper, faster licking. “Right there! Right there- AH!”

The bed sank at my side and I cracked my eyelids to see Sunny crawl up to the pegasus. Both mares met eyes and quickly glued their lips together. Sunny and Mellow sloppily kissed each other, their passion trying to one-up the other.

I noticed the buttons on Mellow’s shirt start to illuminate with a magical glow. They all seemed to move at once as they became undone and exposed more of Mellow. Sunny started to work herself down Mellow’s chest, kissing it as she inched toward me. Before long, Sunny was at Mellow’s belly.

After a final kiss, Sunny bumped her flank into mine. “Scooch over, please,” she said. “I want a taste.”

“But- what about me?” I protested, not sure why Sunny wanted me to stop. “I want to keep going.”

Sunny just smiled and said, “I never said ‘move aside and let an experienced mare do the work,’ now did I?” A tongue ran across her lips. “We can both share at the same time.”

My heart leaped out of my chest at the thought. “If you don’t mind-”

“I’m waiting, you two!” Mellow sang with a shake of her hips.

“So impatient!” Sunny sighed.

Sunny lowered her head and started to eat at Mellow’s pussy. Mellow quickly gasped, her moans much louder than when I was doing the works. Though, I didn’t think any less of myself for not being as experienced as Sunny when it came to oral. She probably knew every sensitive nerve on a pony.

There was still room for me to get back to business, but I had to work through Sunny. When I went down on Mellow, my face pressed against Sunny’s cheek. That did not stop me from colliding my tongue with the blue pussy I was fond of tasting.

Sunny and I combined our ability and doubled our efforts in pleasing her. At the same time, I kissed and licked Sunny’s tongue. Sunny was also applying pressure, grinding her side into me, leaning more into my figure. I recalled earlier when we were all on the pillow when Mellow had her hoof in between Sunny’s legs.

It took a bit of reaching to lasso my arm around Sunny and her figure. The instant I found what I was looking for, Sunny moaned and lifted her head. I took advantage of the space given to me and put my entire mouth on Mellow’s pussy, speeding up the process.

“Rude!” Sunny huffed, though her moans didn’t signal that she was upset with me. I also didn’t bother caring as my hoof swiveled around between Sunny’s legs; I was pleasing both mares, so what mattered?

“OHMYGOSH!” Mellow cried.

I peaked up at Mellow to see that pleased, flushed face of hers. However, I was not prepared to get my eye squirted by vaginal juices. The impact was not intensely painful, but it was not pleasant either.

Stunned by the misfire, I winced, and a disgruntled grunt left me. My second reaction was to bury my face into the bed and tend to my stinking eye.

“Mellow,” I heard Sunny say, “you didn’t give Copper a warning!”

The platform around me shifted, both Sunny and Mellow moving about while I continued to brush my eye on the blankets. “I’m so sorry!” Mellow cried to my left. Her warm arm slithered behind my neck and pulled me into her figure. “It was just- You were really good, and I got carried away!”

“I was?”

“Mmhmm!” Mellow hummed.

I lifted my head with a happy grin plastered on my face while continuously blinking the hit eye. Sunny was lying right in front of Mellow and I on her back. “That was all very fun build-up,” Sunny said. “Now let’s escalate the stakes!”

Mellow looked just as curious as I felt. What could Sunny have in store for our threesome adventure?

“Come get on top of me, Mellow!” Sunny said excitedly as she fussed with her shirt. Mellow quickly clambered to the yellow pegasus and aided with removing the green sweater.

“And Copper?”

“Y-yeah?” I stuttered, my heart rattling my voice box.

“Get behind Mellow and I, please. And take off your shirt. It’s time for full-body contact!”

“Alright.”

I watched Sunny’s head pop out the base of her sweater, her arms still trapped by the apparel. Mellow took advantage of the bondage and pinned Sunny’s arms above her head. Both mares giggled before indulging in more erotic kissing. Mellow and Sunny started to sway their hips, their laughs slowly becoming infected with moans.

Mellow was on top of Sunny, the two enjoying themselves and caught me staring. “Come on, Copper! I think I know what Sunny wants you to do!”

I did. I just couldn’t stop repeating in my head the same phrase, “I can’t believe this is happening!” It was all a blessing that evening. Though I was worried about one thing-

“Less thinking, more doing!” Sunny said. She then giggled, “In more ways than one.”

-aside from having my mind read.

Both mares stopped their session and stared back at me. “What if… I cum early?” I asked, my eyes down on the penis pointed at the unicorn and pegasus; I was convinced it was magnetically attracted to them at that moment.

Sunny did her best to shrug with Mellow anchoring her down. “Then you cum early.”

I never thought I would consider sex a serious matter. The worry of cumming the instant it even brushed a vagina has crossed my mind. The fear of the issue was more strong because of the existence that my predicament was raw and real, not just some simple fantasy.

Being ever-so accepting, Sunny unveiled her familiar and welcoming smile. “I’ve seen it happen, Copper. You aren’t the only stallion who worried about cumming to fast.” She pointed at my penis, “I may not have one, but I know that is a very sensitive thing.”

Mellow suddenly gasped as Sunny grabbed the pegasus’ flank with two hooves. “Besides, I have Mellow here if such a thing were to happen.” Sunny fell onto her back and rose a brow at me. “Is that what you are worried about? That if you cum too fast, we will be upset and left unpleased?”

“Yeah…” I muttered.

A light-blue hoof reached out to me. “I won’t hold it against you, Copper. I promise.” Mellow wiggled around a little, her eyes down on the bed. “I kinda like sensitive stallions.”

It was an adorable little comment, and I smiled. “Thanks. I guess we’ll all find out just how sensitive I am.”

As I started to advance toward both mares, Mellow and Sunny giggled at my sluggish movement. “If I am about to, you know, cum, is there a safe word or phrase?” I asked.

“Usually it’s just, ‘I’m gonna cum’ or ‘cumming,” Sunny answered. “However, when most ponies are in the zone, it becomes, ‘I’m gonna cu-!’” Sunny gently poked at Mellow’s sides, “Just like misfire here.”

“Hey!” Mellow barked in protest. “That was an accident!” It was hard to not sputter. She didn’t give off any warning other than a cry of pleasure.

Then a wonderful idea came to mind.

I was at Mellow and Sunny’s flank, both of their pussies sandwiched against each other and a little damp. Before I could become mesmerized by the sight, I said to the two of them, “I have a phrase I can use.”

“And what’s that?” Mellow asked.

I cleared my throat and prepared my advertising voice. I didn’t quite mount Mellow, though I had to climb over her a bit. It was impossible to not grin when I said, “Cumming soon to a theatre near you!”

Instantly, Mellow and Sunny bellowed with laughter, Mellow even falling off of the mare she once laid on and flopped to her side. Sunny buried her face into the bed and laughed into the sheets. I did laugh at my own joke, but I wasn’t expecting them to cause such an uproar. Maybe a few giggles and Sunny saying an, “Oh my!” comment or something similar.

“That- that was- heheHAHAHA!” Sunny was unable to contain herself and indulged in more laughter. Mellow had no strength to try and say anything through her fit of giggles. If there was one way to kill the mood and perhaps be a somewhat good thing, it was to tell a good joke.

They laughed for a solid two minutes, each one attempting to gain their wits but failed and continued to laugh. But eventually, Sunny and Mellow got a grip and returned to their original positions with pegasus on top, unicorn on the bottom.

“Well, Copper,” Sunny said, her mouth still wide and lifted, “I think we should shorten your phrase to just ‘cumming soon’ and-” Mellow sputtered into her wing, distracting Sunny from her train of thought. “-a-and umm… have that as our warning; or even exclamation. Just to let you know you’re doing a fantastic job.”

Just the words from Sunny stimulated me, and I was instantly solidified. Ready to take that one, final leap, I placed my hoof on my cock and aimed it for Mellow’s blue pussy. The instant the head poked her, she gasped and exclaimed, “Wait!”

I retracted myself and gave Mellow a concerned look. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Remember…” Mellow muttered with folded ears, “...you’re the first stallion I’ve ever done it with.”

“Ah, right, I do remember,” I nodded. “I-If it hurts-”

“I know you won’t hurt me,” Mellow said with a nervous smile. “I just wanted you to start slow.”

“Okay-”

“And…” Mellow craned her neck and kissed my cheek. “It would be even sweeter if my first stallion will be my second. And third. And forever.”

Sunny was shuttering as she pushed Mellow into me. “Just marry each other already! You two are just so cute!”

“Sunny!” Mellow argued with beet-red cheeks.

I was too distracted by Mellow’s words. Did she really mean them? Or was she caught in the moment? No doubt would it be a beautiful reality if Mellow and we did end up together as a couple.

“Mellow,” I hummed into the mare’s ear.

“Hmm?”

“I would love to be your first and only stallion,” I said.

“Aww, really?” she asked and leaned into me.

My heart started to pound, suddenly caught in the moment of emotion. “Yes.” I started to press my frontside into Mellow’s back. The warmth shot through my body, her back was a fire that could be touched and claimed. Mellow tensed up and sucked in a soft breath of air.

“I’m ready,” Mellow muttered. Her entire visage rumbled, nervous as much as my pounding heart was.

Once more, my cock’s head poked Mellow’s pussy. I took in a deep breath of air, the idea of intercourse no longer a concept, but a near reality. My belly slipped upwards along with my penis being enveloped in a comfortable, slippery blanket.

Mellow’s voice cracked as I pursued at a snail’s pace. Sunny brushed her yellow hoof down Mellow’s neck and whispered, “You doing okay, Marshmellow?”

“I-I think s-s-so,” Mellow stuttered.

With every inch inserted, I had my chin resting on the pegasus’ shoulder. My hips threatened to move without instruction, yet I stilled them and waited for the ‘go’ signal. “I’m in!” I said into her ear.

“Then go!”

Sunny nodded at me, a que that pulled my hips back and pushed my pelvis back into Mellow. The single motion was incredible. For one, I didn’t cum instantaneously and ruin the moment. As for how it felt, it was a tight, wet, and warm grasp around my penis. It was so much better than when Sunny was sucking my cock, no offense to her. When Sunny was pleasing me, it was her lips and tongue that made the experience enjoyable. With me on top of and inside Mellow, it was that same feeling, except there was a firm grip all around. I felt the head of my cock push itself through the moist walls, sending the nerves in my legs and torso into overdrive; everything became sensitive.

And all of that was felt in just one motion.

Mellow moaned heavily throughout that singular, slow thrust. Sunny looked up at Mellow, fixated on the pegasus. “How did that feel?” she asked her friend.

“It… did hurt just a little,” Mellow admitted. “But it also felt really, really good!”

I followed up with another question, “Are you still okay with me going?”

Mellow gently swayed her hips, and the two of us sang in unison. “Please,” she said.

Once more, I gave Mellow another hump. “Again,” Mellow moaned.

And another.

“More!”

And another.

“Just- keep going!”

What held me back before was because I didn’t hurt Mellow by being too hasty. With Mellow requesting me to do repetitive motions, I wasted no moments. I wrapped my forearms around her torso and pressed my belly down on her back with more weight. My cheek pressed against Mellow’s neck and saw Sunny enjoying the show. “When will I get my turn?” she asked with a smile.

“C-c-can I cum first?” Mellow responded, her voice shaken from the sensation she and I endured.

“You may, so long as I can get my turn with him.” Sunny reached forward and grabbed Mellow’s cheeks, following up with a kiss. “And you don’t leave me just lying here alone.”

“Aww, Sunny!”

Both mares started making out, the two giggling a little despite their mouths being glued together. As I resumed my thrusts, Mellow also started to move her hips as well. However, her motions were more angled down toward Sunny. Eventually, Sunny started to moan similarly to Mellow; just not as squeaky or loud, though.

I began to slowly roll my hips even faster, enough to be noticeable while also being considerate for Mellow. She did tell me before that she knew I wouldn’t want to hurt her. And even though I wanted to be just a tad bit more rapid, the last thing I wanted was to do exactly what Mellow wanted to avoid.

Thankfully, the mare gave no protest, and instead, encouraged me by saying, “Like that, Copper!”

The consideration of time was absent. How long I rutted Mellow for I didn’t care for. All that mattered was that three ponies were simultaneously being pleased. Time and time again, I kissed at Mellow’s cheek and neck. Both she and Sunny were amused and stimulated by my own moans, glad I was captured in the moment as much as they were.

“Oh my gosh!” Mellow suddenly exclaimed. “I-I’m cumming soon!” She looked back at me with a desperate twinkle in her eyes. “Faster! Please!”

I fastened myself down on Mellow and held on tight to her body. With everything I had, I ramped up the dial to eleven. I humped her quickly, my hips and pelvis clapped against Mellow’s flank. Even Sunny started to pant more as well. No doubt did the grinding she felt was helping her wants.

“I’m cumming!” Mellow cried. “AAAAHHHH!”

Despite the cry, I kept going. I just continued to ram against her, my heart wanting to give her my everything. However, I too started to feel a growing feeling as Mellow cummed. It was a swelling and growing sensation; I was going to cum soon.

My speed quickly came to halt. I pulled out in fear of being finished without Sunny having her turn with me.

Mellow trembled and fell over to her side, the momentum taking me with her. My heart dropped into my stomach as I was not expecting the fall.

“Hah… wow…” Mellow moaned. She wiggled in my still firm hold. “That felt great…”

Sunny grinned at us both, “I knew Copper would be a good fit.”

Mellow grumbled but gave no verbal rebuttal. “Always ready to fluster Mellow, I see,” I said to Sunny.

“Now how could I pass that up?” Sunny giggled.

The pegasus’ breathing began to settle, eventually becoming a calm rise and fall of her torso. A stimulated, yet still flustered heart began to tickle my rib cage. More and more, I felt myself falling for Mellow as I brushed my hoof on her shoulder. I knew very little about her. That sensation of doubt was on the assault once more, prodding and stabbing negative thoughts. It told me that my relationship with Mellow was only temporary, that the night was all the time I would be with her.

I countered the idea with another: Choco. I never knew she would be taken from me. My own commercial pitch yanked her into a much more authentic lifestyle. Never did I even consider such a possibility would happen, yet it did. Life was already unpredictable. But who knew what Mellow and I could have? Not even Celestia knew that, even with all of her majestic and awesome powers. I was only left to wonder about what-ifs if I took no action.

And I was not going to let Sunny tell me to stop thinking. It was my turn to take a chance.

“Mellow,” I said into her ear, “I really do want us to have something special. Will you- will you go with me on a date?”

Sunny gasped and inched toward Mellow in hopes to get closer to listen to her response. I waited for Mellow to answer my nervous question. It was taking a bit longer than I anticipated, which caused me to worry a little. “If you want, just think about it.”

The answer I received was nothing I was expecting. Mellow let out a snore and squirmed before getting comfortable and stilling herself.

“Aww, she passed out!” Sunny laughed.

As silly as it was, I frowned. Even after the sex I had with Mellow, it did take some strength to ask her out for some reason. “What’s wrong?” Sunny asked.

I stared at Mellow’s blonde mane that was stuffed against my neck. “I put a lot of heart into what I said…”

“I know she will say ‘yes.’”

Mellow suddenly began to glow, and I wondered if the heavens had claimed her and would steal my chances with her. But no, it was just Sunny. She slowly lifted the unconscious pegasus and gently levitated her near the edge of the bed. “Pull back the blanket, please,” Sunny said.

I did what I was told with no hesitation. It wasn’t sex, but it was a new experience to tuck a mare in bed. My eyes looked down at the comfortable pegasus. She blissfully rested, her breaths slow and mellow.

Mellow certainly had quite an eventful night. It was time for her to rest.

Before I pulled myself over to Sunny, I kissed Mellow on the cheek and whispered, “Goodnight.” Yet another new experience, and it was definitely a beautiful one.

Sunny watched me crawl over to her with her usual smile. “Aren’t you the cutest stallion ever.”

“I guess,” I said, looking back at Mellow. The motion blinded me from Sunny, her speed quick, and my world spun around. I found myself staring up at the ceiling along with Sunny peering down at me. She sat her middle on my cock, ready for her turn to begin.

“I don’t like to guess,” she said. “What I do like…” Sunny leaned forward and booped my nose with hers, “...is you!” Caught off guard, my face warmed up from her touch and compliment. “Hehe, I wonder what Copper is thinking.”

I mustered up a nervous smile. “Go on then. Guess.”

Sunny moved her hoof to my mouth and started to puppet my lips. “In a world where one stallion confesses his feelings...”

She and I broke into laughter, nothing compared to my “cumming soon” joke, but it was joy nonetheless. “Very funny, Sunny,” I said once my smile was tamed.

Sunny continued to talk for me, “I think Sunny is very cute and I like her.” My eyes flicked away, the truth real. “Hehe, I knew it,” Sunny said without puppeting me.

“I mean, I do…” I looked at Mellow’s figure. “But I like her… a little more…”

“And that’s fine with me. I’m not hurt by that. I wanted you to be hers from the start.”

I lifted my head as much as I could to get it close to Sunny. “But what about you?”

“What about me?” she shrugged.

“I don’t want you to be jealous or anything!”

Sunny only giggled, “I’m not, I swear! Mellow and I had this agreement since we started our fun-time tonight. She has you once tonight is over. But because tonight isn’t, I want to have some fun with a stallion I like, too.”

Sunny did one solid grind against my cock, the lips of her pussy hungry for consumption. I moaned aloud, feeding Sunny’s glowing grin. “You wanna know why I like you?” I nodded, curious why she did while also still wondering if she was truly not jealous about me and Mellow. “It’s because you are concerned with everypony’s emotions; including your own. You want to be sure you like somepony before spilling your heart out. Trust me when I say that isn’t an easy thing to do. Even I sometimes have trouble telling the truth.”

“It’s difficult to think that you have that struggle considering how many times you fluster Mellow,” I said.

“There’s a difference between telling the truth and speaking your mind.”

“What I see are two redundant phrases, Sunny,” I countered.

Her rebuttal was several grinds against my cock once again. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

“Y-y-you are being re-re-OH!”

“‘Re’ what?” Sunny giggled. “‘Re’ally cute?”

“Y-yes!” I blurted out.

“I thought so.” Sunny leaned forward and kissed my lips. My forelegs and hind legs snapped around her body, driven crazy by her simple movement. I wanted her entire figure against me after teasing me like that.

The moment our lips parted for a split second, I admitted, “I also like how you kiss me.” We Prance kissed a little longer, Sunny and I doing our play-fight kissing as we did earlier on the pillow.

When Sunny was finished kissing me, she sat up and stared down at me. “You ready for me?”

“Yes!” I said a little too loud for my liking.

Again, my world spun around. I didn’t know or see Sunny move; I didn’t even see myself glow with her magic. I was just suddenly in a new position. This time, I was looking down at Sunny who lied on her back. Instead of a seductive grin, Sunny had a desperate twinkle in her eyes.

“I want you right now, Copper! Give me your everything!” Sunny cried.

She was certainly pent up, and I was shocked to see her so eager for me. Surely, I was the main course for her night just as much as I was for Mellow. But still, wow.

Sunny watched me as I began to penetrate her. She let out a passionate cry, her body arching back. Sunny’s walls were a fiery embrace, firmly grasping my cock. I began to move my hips moderately, not yet willing to explode into rapid motions; I wanted Sunny and I to savor the moment.

I spectated Sunny, seeing her moan with closed eyes and arms above her head in abandonment. Surprisingly, her moans were much louder than Mellow’s squeaking. Maybe mares all have a unique way of exclaiming pleasure?

Regardless, the view was lovely.

“Hug me!” Sunny exclaimed, throwing her forearms into the air.

I fell onto Sunny and pulled her into my body. It was, however, difficult to hump her from on top because of how much I pushed myself down on her. So I rolled onto my side and resumed my thrusts. To my surprise, the position and embrace was hot and felt ecstatic!

With Sunny so close to my face, her breaths hit my face hard. It wasn’t that pleasant of a smell, but who cared when there were bigger pros to focus on.

“S-Sunny!” I cried. “I do like you!”

“I-I do t-t-oooHHH I’M CUMMING SOON!”

I picked up the pace, pounding Sunny’s pussy with loud claps. Very quickly, I felt a surge of pleasure build at my shaft. “I-I’M ABOUT TO-”

I realized what I was about to do, but Sunny knew what was on my mind. “It’s okay! Cum inside me! I know a spell that will protect me, I swear!”

Doubt had no chance of gripping my heart. I just nodded and continued to let the motions continue. Sunny’s moans started to grow and grow, her climax nearing in unison with mine. Her horn started to emit light, her magic at the ready for our conclusion.

At last, the feeling overflowed and erupted in a tickling, stimulating blast. “I’M CUMMING, SUNNY!”

“ME TOO, COPPER!”

The unicorn shoved her mouth onto mine, along with her tongue. Everything felt wonderful, and not just my penis. My legs, arms, torso, even mouth was electrocuted with stimulating delight. My cock clenched, each pulse ejecting was was built up within it. I was continuously cumming for so long, I worried if Sunny’s spell would match my speed.

My side started to cramp, slowing down my motions significantly, eventually to a full stop. Sunny rested her ear on my heart, each pulse rippling into her head. Our breathing was shaken, heavy, and hot. The unicorn’s breaths had a few moans escape, as did I. My body and hers were on fire, but neither of us let go.

I felt connected with her. I knew Sunny for not even six hours. But there I was, being stared in the eyes by two emerald spheres. She smiled at me with slightly parted lips, almost ready to say something but hadn’t thought of the words.

Slowly, I reached my hooves toward her face as I rolled onto her. I made sure not to put my full weight onto her, resting more of the pressure on my knees. Sunny giggled while I gently pressed her cheeks together before giving her one last kiss. If she was so adamant with me staying with Mellow, I wanted her to know I was grateful for the opportunity and friendship I was given.

There was no Prance kissing that time. Just a heavy, weighted, stationary kiss. Sunny lassoed her arms and legs around my barrel, savoring the moment as I was. I didn’t want the night to end, but I knew the sun and Celestia wouldn’t fulfill my wishes, no matter how wonderful the evening turned out.

Our lips parted with a smack only audible in the silent, dimly lit room. I was destined to see that smile I’ve grown to see, patented only by Sunny.

“No mess,” she said, pointing in between her legs.

When I looked at her pussy, there was my limp cock drained of all energy resting on her slit. But to my surprise, there was not a single drop of cum. “How did you-”

“Sunny Day secret!” Sunny beamed. “Though, I suggest you go to the bathroom now.”

***

Drained of all built-up fluids, I walked back into the bedroom with Sunny still splayed on her back. “Wow, that was a lot!” I sighed.

“Well, that’s what happens when I block certain passages with magic,” Sunny said. “I can stop the initial burst that comes from an ejaculation. However, what I cannot do is just stop the buildup. It has to come out eventually.”

The bed sagged as I crawled back onto the sofa. “Well, it certainly is a convenient spell,” I said.

“Mmhmm!”

Sunny rolled into me and sighed, “You were great, tonight. And surprising endurance, too. Taking on two mares can be a challenge.”

I brought out my deep voice and spoke, “I surprise myself because opportunities like this don’t come very often!”

A very inviting grin rose Sunny’s cheeks, “I see what you did there!”

“Did what?” I asked, my normal voice returning.

“‘Come very often!’ You’re clever!”

I laughed at my unintentional joke. “Like I said, I surprise myself,” I said without the deep voice.

A small lump to the left of Sunny and me slowly rose and fell; Mellow was sound asleep, undisturbed by our lack of low volume. I had to lift my head to look beyond Sunny’s, sun-ridged head to see Mellow facing our way with closed eyes. As peaceful as she appeared, the pegasus was alone, all by herself, while Sunny kept me warm.

My ribs were quickly disturbed my a tickling sensation, forcing my entire body to squirm. A mischievous Sunny Day grinned up at me as I furrowed my brow at her.

“What’re you thinking about?” Sunny asked.

I let off the stress in my brow and answered, “Mellow looks alone over there.”

“Aww, how cute!” Sunny latched her limbs around me and turned over. I spun with her momentum; once again, I was stunned by her strength. When I tried to recuperate from the rotation, I was nudged toward Mellow. “Go on!”

“But… she’s asleep!” I argued.

There was absolutely no warning when another set of legs entangled me from the left, and I almost let out a yelp. “Little did they know,” Mellow hummed in my ear with that second voice of hers, “I was awake the whole time!”

Mellow’s hoof slid over my heart. Each pulse was so violent, it bounced her hoof. “Ohmygosh! Did I scare you!”

“K-kinda…” I muttered calmly, though my heart refused to settle down.

Sunny looked passed me and asked, “Were we too loud for you?”

“You were too loud,” Mellow said through a fit of giggles. The dim lights didn’t hide Sunny’s blush, though she didn’t appear upset with the comment.

“Oh reeeeeaaaaallly!” Sunny sang. “Since you were ‘asleep,’ were you fondling yourself while I had my wild ride?”

There was no rebuttal on Mellow’s side. She just bunched up against me, answering the question with body language.

“I also heard what you said earlier, Copper,” Mellow said as she got a better hold of me than what Sunny had. “About that date you asked me to.”

“Y-you did?” I stuttered.

Her little heart started to knock at my back. “And my answer is ‘yes,’” she squeaked.

My heart repeated its previous rapid thumping again. I rolled over to face Mellow to see her light-blue cheeks reddened. My head started to heat up as she and I stared into each other’s soul. It was difficult to even force the words “thank you” that bottled at the base of my throat. She and I just finished having sex not long ago, yet our romantic moment staggered me.

It was real. I believed her. There wasn’t a doubt in my heart, nor did I fear being hurt. Everything that was done and was present was the truth. I knew what I gave her was my all, but seeing and hearing it was magical.

I approached her lips with mine, gently thanking her with a soft kiss.

“You both going to have a round two?” Sunny asked us as she came from behind and pressed against my back.

My body quickly became very warm by the mares sandwiching me between them. “If we are,” Mellow started to answer with bedroom eyes, “you’re definietally invited!”

As exciting as it would be to go another round, and even though Sunny and Mellow had surprising enthusiasm after what was already done, I was very exhausted. Exercise was not my forte. I wondered what my boss would ask if she saw me wandering around the office with stiff limbs.

“Did you workout last night?”

“I was more… worked out?”

“How so?”

“Copper?” Mellow spoke.

I blinked, forgetting that I was staring at Mellow’s forehead in thought. “Yes?”

“Something on your mind?” she asked.

I shrugged as best I could. “Just a silly thought is all. And rest.”

“Aww,” Mellow whined, her ears folded with disappointment. “No more fun?”

My head sagged further into the pillow it rested on. “I don’t mean to let you down-”

“She’s pulling your tail,” Sunny laughed at my lack of reading in between the lines.

Mellow tossed her upset facade aside and smiled. “It’s fine, silly!” She nuzzled my snout against hers. “If you’re tired, then sleep. Besides…” Mellow turned away and yawned at the ceiling. “...with Sunny being much quieter, I can get some rest.”

Sunny leaned over my shoulder, her lips in clear view of my right peripheral. “Says Miss Squeaky First Timer!”

I chuckled at the small, playful banter as I barricaded both mares from each other. I rolled to my back and allowed myself to see Mellow and Sunny without having to put forth too much effort.

“You both make great noises!” I interjected. “It tells me that I was doing a good job.”

Sunny agreed, “And what a fine job you did!”

“Mmhmm!” Mellow hummed.

In unison, both mares kissed my cheeks before leaning over me and gave each other a light smack on the lips. I could feel the heat in my face ignite, but the moment Sunny and Mellow bunched up even closer to me, I didn’t think the blanket was wanted, lest I overheat.

“Well, I guess this is goodnight,” I said in low volume, the quiet air around everypony more delicate.

“I think so, too,” Sunny said. “I’ll leave the light on in case anypony needs to use the restroom or get some water.”

With how fast I was warming up, I considered dragging the fridge into the room. At least the air was somewhat cool.

A long, drawn out yawn left Mellow. “Okay. Goodnight, everypony.”

“Goodnight,” I said.

“Sweet dreams,” Sunny spoke with a smile.

***

Sleeping with two ponies didn’t seem like a difficult concept at first. But when one would shift from them, my slumber would be disturbed and my eyes would open to the overhanging light. It happened three times at unknown intervals.

From my point of view, there wasn’t a clock in sight; digital or otherwise. Both mares were in their own dreams, Sunny being involved with hers. The third instance I was awoken was from a hard shake from Sunny. Surprisingly, Mellow didn’t open her eyes. Maybe she was awake but kept to herself.

I watched Sunny with a sad frown as she clenched her eyes. She was shuttering, clinging onto me like a child trying not to fall from their mother’s neck. I wondered what her dream involved; if she felt alone in her dream.

I was about to find out.

Sunny’s eyes shot open, her lungs sucking in a deep breath of air. Fear was embedded into the pair of her pupils. Two emerald eyes started to liquefy the instant she was met with my attention.

“Sunny?” I whispered, not sure if Mellow was awoken from the gasp. “Are you okay?”

Instead of using her lips, Sunny responded with bitter sobbing. Whatever her dream was, it certainly shook her to the core.

Author's Note

I will be honest, this chapter took two months to write because of... reasons.

What-If's

The air had a cool crisp to it as I rested on the massive pillow in the living room. I didn’t take notice of the surrounding pictures and furniture when I first came into Sunny’s home. It was hard to focus on them when two mares were being quite flirtatious upon my arrival at the apartment. But with the quiet mood Sunny was in, a few photos of ponies, all of them obtaining an image of Sunny, were my audience.

Right next to the bookshelf was Sunny clad in golden armor with a sun at the center of the breastplate; the emblem of Celestia’s cutie mark no doubt. Sunny looked bold, proud, and strong with her spear in hoof. I glanced at the kitchen area as the yellow unicorn slowly trudged back and forth, getting a pair of cups for us both. She did not appear to be herself compared to the photos that portrayed her.

Several other photos of other ponies with Sunny smiled with her. Most of them were without her in golden plating except for one. On the other side of the bookshelf was what I would consider Sunny and her platoon. The rainbow of ponies had the same bold smile. Princess Celestia stood behind them all behind them with her massive wingspan splayed out. The alicorn stood over all of them with little effort, making her subjects appear to be children compared to her size. To witness the image was awe-inspiring!

However, it was hard to be lifted when I watched Sunny walked over to me with a disturbed frown. Two glasses of iced cold water hovered beside her in a yellow veil. The cubes rung lightly as they bounced in their containers.

The fabric made light shifting noises while Sunny made herself comfortable. There were a few inches between us.

I grabbed the closest glass and took a sip of it. “Thanks,” I said in a low tone.

“You’re welcome,” Sunny muttered.

While she stared at the floating cup, I finished mine in no time. I looked for a place to put the glass down, but the nearest location to place it was the bookshelf. Sunny’s magic swallowed my cup and slowly drifted it over to the kitchen table, letting the ice melt alone at the table of none.

“Thanks,” I said again.

Sunny said nothing, but she did nod; a sign I was lightly cracking her shell. The pictures of Sunny smiled at me, telling my subconscious how much I loved her cheerful grin.

I chose to take a whirl at Sunny’s shield with love and kissed her on the cheek. A smile took root and pink blush bloomed. With one last motion, the gap that was probably miles for Sunny, I closed with a few scoots to the left.

The unicorn’s smile grew and grew and so did mine. Sunny quickly placed her glass on the ground and nuzzled my cheek with her own. “Sorry I’m being so quiet,” Sunny said with a lot more volume than her previous whispers.

“I understand why,” I said. “You had a bad dream.”

“Yeah, I did,” Sunny admitted. “But it was more than just a bad dream.” She parted her face from me and frowned. “It involves something that’s been on my mind for… a long time.”

By brow had a curious twitch. I had a hypothesis that the dream involved Mellow and the events that occurred not even a few hours ago. But a long time? What could have been festering behind that sunny smile?

“Do you mind telling me what your dream was?” I asked.

Sunny’s ears retreated. The mare dipped her head. My words had more weight than I would have wanted to deliver.

“It…”

I shook my head and said, “Don’t stress yourself if you don’t want to-”

“It was a dream about the day I had to take somepony’s life on the line of duty!”

That- was not something I was expecting. The shock from her comment nearly knocked me over despite me sitting on a plush pillow. If her nightmare involved something on the lines of facing a fear that haunted Sunny, I would have easily managed to deal with her dilemma because I had to face my fear of being hurt by another mare and learned to take a chance.

But death? What a heavy conversation starter…

My eyes gandered at the proud soldier across the room. The physical Sunny Day did not reflect the brave glint the photo possessed. What happened the day that spear in her hoof took a pony’s soul I could only imagine. Many scenarios flashed into my brain, one with Sunny being brave by protecting another adversary; another had her screaming, “Don’t move! Please! I don’t want to use this!” And then proceeded to lunge forward.

“Do you want to talk about what happened that day-” I began.

“No!” Sunny interjected, her voice cracked and hurt. She took in a very shaky breath and said, “Sorry, it’s just- All you need to know is it was either me or her. Fight... or die…”

I nodded, only to never know the details. I didn’t mind; and because it was late at night. Death and frightening thoughts are good fuel for nightmares. All I could do was ask questions about the aftermath, not including the deceased mare.

“Have you talked to anypony about this?” I said with a curious tone.

“Of course,” Sunny said. “Including the dream that comes every so often to plague me.”

“Was tonight that rare chance?”

“Yes.”

I placed a hoof on Sunny’s arm. As soft as it was, as clean as it appeared, it bore an invisible red stain; a stain that could not be removed. “Have you been thinking about… that day for a while now?”

My ears listened to Sunny take heavy breaths. After some time thinking, Sunny answered, “I’m more afraid of what-if’s right now…”

“About what would happen if you didn’t fight back?” I asked too quickly. Don’t be so hasty! I scolded myself. I needed to be more sensitive and be sure Sunny didn’t feel discomforted by our conversation.

But it was too late. My question stabbed deep into the soldier. Sunny started with a whimper, clenching her teeth in a desperate attempt to hold back the pain. The whimpering evolved into a heartbreaking cry, along with tears that would drown any stallion.

Sunny lunged at me with open arms, clinging onto me like a ship afraid to lose its anchor. The impact forced me to roll onto my side, but the collision allowed me to get a much better hold of the distraught mare. Sunny cried into the base of my torso while I clutched her close.

“It’s okay,” I whispered into her ear. “I’m here for you.” Her limbs tightened around me in response. “And I won’t let go until you tell me to.”

A stuffed muzzle sniffed before a tiny giggle escaped Sunny. “You’re so cute!” she choked.

“I’m just going through the romantic list of cliche lines that make every mare swoon,” I said with a smile Sunny couldn’t see.

Sunny gazed up at me, her signature joy dampened by tears. With my deep voice, I hummed, “I know how to make the tears go away.”

A yellow hoof pawed at my chest. “Fire away.”

I hesitated despite how close I was to Sunny. The mare in my arms blinked and turned her head. “Do you know what to make my tears go away but are thinking about doing said tear evaporating act?” she asked.

My heartbeat pulsed through Sunny. “Maybe,” I said, though it was apparent the answer was ‘yes’. Why was I so nervous? I just wanted to kiss Sunny. Did I have to ask, “Hey, can I have access to your lips during dire needs of emotional expression so I don’t make an awkward moment?”

Everything was still new to me, including being in a mare’s grasp.

“Why are you blushing?” Sunny asked, her smile coming to.

“I am- just thinking about- making your tears go away,” I stuttered.

“Hehe!” Sunny got really close to my face, touching her muzzle against mine. “Does it involve naughty thoughts?”

“I just wanted to kiss you on the lips!” I confessed. “I figured you wanted something nice and gentle because you’re sad! And- I lo-” I had to force down the word “love” by swallowing hard. Love would be too strong for the conversation. “-I just really really like your smile!”

My face was warm from all the blood rushing into my head. The heat ignited when Sunny rubbed my cheek with her hoof. “Well here’s that smile ‘lo-really really like.’”

The light quip made me chuckle before I began enjoying a beautiful view of Sunny’s grin. “You need to get that lovely smile patented. I can hook you up. I do know ponies.”

“Oh stop!” Sunny giggled. She lightly patted my chest with a hoof. “Just so you know, you are going to make Mellow a happy mare with words like that!”

My smile faltered. I felt like I was being pushed in another direction by Sunny’s words. I couldn’t explain it but there was something behind Sunny and her convinced nature between Mellow and myself.

“What’s wrong?” Sunny asked. My lack of a smile disintegrated Sunny’s grin.

“Don’t get me wrong, I really do appreciate you wanting me to hook up with Mellow,” I started. “But- it feels like you don’t want me to be interested in you.”

Sunny furrowed her brows. “Where do you get that impression? I find it hard to even expect an accusation like that after everything we’ve done tonight.”

Oh deer, she didn’t look too happy. I had to think of a way to support my case. Otherwise, I would just feel and look stupid. “I do believe- no, I know you meant everything tonight, including getting me together with Mellow.” I blushed when I continued to say, “And I know you meant it when we were… doing it when you said you liked me too.” Sunny let some tension off her brows and appeared less upset.

“Part of me feels conflicted because… I really like you and Mellow!” My heart didn’t feel unsafe as I splayed it in front of Sunny. But it did feel vulnerable. “I know you both like me, more Mellow than you; or at least, I think she likes me more, not to speak for yourself.”

Sunny’s eyes landed on the pillow’s casing. “I can tell you for certain that is… false. I like you perhaps just as much as Mellow.”

A chill ran from the top of my head to the heels of my hind legs. “Oh no…”

Sunny lifted her head, her ears twitching and swiveling toward me. “What? What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, “This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen! I didn’t want anypony to get jealous or hurt because sex was involved. But now you and Mellow like me, and I now I feel like I have to choose either you or her and-!”

Before I could panic any further, Sunny lifted her hoof and gently landed it on my lips. “Shh… Relax,” she whispered.

I spoke out the corner of my mouth, “But you said-”

Sunny clenched her eyes. “I know what I said! And it’s going to be you and her! Not me and you! Okay?”

The blunt behavior took me by surprise. “Why are you so adamant even though you said that you like me just as much as Mellow?”

“Because I know what you want,” Sunny said with a hurt voice. “You’re after a long term relationship.”

“It is,” I said, unsure why that was a bad thing. Unless… “Do you not like long-term relationships?”

Sunny only responded with a frown and two ears folded back. The shape of her brows and shade of her eyes didn’t reflect sadness or jealousy, but something else, though I couldn’t put my hoof on the expression.

Everything Sunny did was slowed down as she sat quietly. Her breathing was so slow, that the only sign of life I saw was her snail-pace blink. The mare sank into me, leaning more and more into my figure.

“I’m scared of them,” Sunny whispered.

“Of who?” I asked. “Who’s them?”

“I’m answering your question. Long-term relationships.”

“You are? Wait- Oh! OH!” After realizing what Sunny was talking about, I nodded and said, “I know that feeling.”

Sunny shook her head, “Not what I feel. You’re thinking about being heartbroken I’m sure.”

“The mind-reading unicorn speaks the truth,” I admitted as she hit the nail on the head.

A laugh hummed in Sunny’s throat. “Lucky guess.”

“Sure.”

I reached an arm around her neck, welcoming Sunny to further enjoy my body heat. “So if it’s not heartbreak you’re concerned about, then what is?” I asked.

When Sunny stared up at me with parted lips, I saw true fear deep within her liquified pupils. “I don’t want to die in the line of duty…” Sunny whispered. Tears quickly followed after one blink. “...and leave the pony I love behind!”

I applauded Sunny for forcing such a hard thing to say by lifting my arms and pulling the mare deep into my figure. The truth came forward along with a quivering body, shaky breathing, and vocal sobbing. No doubt did Sunny’s crying wake Mellow up. It was only a matter of time before Mellow would come forth and add her own comfort.

I rubbed my forehooves across Sunny’s back, whispering gentle hushes into her ear. “Let it all out, Sunny,” I said. “You’re safe with me.”

Sunny curled into me, desperate for the bad thoughts to go away. She was terrified by the prospect of falling in the line of duty. Even if I pledged loyalty and had the courage to die for the protection of Equestria, I would be afraid of how I would perish.

Would I be punctured with arrows as I protected a comrade? Would I be bested by a better swordspony with a quick stab through the heart? Or would I gargle over my own blood as a figure of stealth slit my throat during a routine walk along the wall at night?

The unicorn in my arms might very well have pondered those ideas and more. Just the three I mustered up were enough to clench my jaw in discomfort.

Sunny had managed to control herself into a stable pattern of breathing after what felt like an hour. The whites in her eyes were bloodshot, crippled by the madness of fear.

I wanted to kiss Sunny and let that be a strong enough remedy to cure what festered within the beautiful unicorn.

If only physical affection could do such a thing. At that point, a kiss would only be a distraction.

Sunny rested her head on my chest, my heart beating in her ear. She stared at the wall and remained ever so still with the occasional huff from her belly.

I pondered the present scenarios that had been presented that evening. Mellow’s escape from Cloudsdale and her firing. Sunny’s fear of death and departure. And my pathetic feelings about being hurt by another mare.

I shook my head in self-disappointment, drawing Sunny’s eyes to me. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’m ashamed of myself,” I said.

Sunny furrowed her brows. “About what? Not being able to make me feel better in an instant?”

For once, Sunny’s telekinesis failed her. “No,” I answered. “I feel like my emotions about heartbreak doesn't compare to you or Mellow’s current issues.”

Sunny’s brows bent further inward.“Don’t be like that!” the mare bluntly spoke. Sunny’s upset mood did not force her to push me away, thankfully.

“But-”

“I SAID! No.”

Sunny gingerly placed her forehead upon my frontal lobe. “Look at me,” Sunny whispered, her tone nearly mute.

Like a shameful colt, I looked down and didn’t heed Sunny. Why was she upset with me? It was true. My dilemma didn’t compare to Sunny, nor Mellow.

“You think that matters?” Sunny asked. “You think that because I have a greater tier of an issue, you shouldn’t be as upset as you were earlier?”

Still looking down, I answered, “Yes…”

I felt a light pat on the shoulder. “Well knock that off then.”

“Hey, watch that strength of yours,” I joked.

A much harder, but soft tap on the shoulder quickly followed the comment. “Then don’t cut yourself down.” I saw Sunny’s cheeks raise and felt her brow let off some tension.

Sunny slid down my body until she found my eyes. Her playful nature never left her, even during her difficult struggle. “It doesn’t matter the extremity, Copper. Pain still held you back, right?”

I nodded without looking away from Sunny. “It did.”

“I can understand why you would. And I’m sure you know why I am afraid, too.”

I nodded once more. “Full-heartedly.”

Sunny brushed her cheek and lips at the center of my throat. The gentle, soft motion tickled every nerve she touched. A moan was inevitable, and it was quite loud because I was not expecting Sunny’s affection.

A few giggles left Sunny before she continued speaking, “Talking about what hurts is never a bad thing. It lets off stress that if left unchecked, can lead to more suffering.”

I heard Sunny swallow something in her throat. “A while back, when I was moving through the ranks of the Canterlot guard, there was a stallion named Bright Peak.”

“He sounds related to you,” I interjected.

“No. Relation,” Sunny said in quick succession. “Anyways, he was always willing to work and do his duty. But one day, he had to… neutralize a threat.” I kept quiet, noting Sunny’s lack of using “kill” internally. “After the incident, fellow guards asked Bright if he was okay and affected by what he had to do. But Bright shrugged and claimed to be fine and had to do his duty.”

I had a terrible feeling as to where the story was going. I prayed to Celestia the tale of Bright Peak didn’t fall to a terrible end.

“As the weeks went on, Bright’s character changed. He didn’t want to go on patrol and wanted to remain in the castle.” My body was clenched by Sunny’s shivering arms and legs. “Then he was caught one day trying to- to end his life…”

A sigh rushed out from my held-in breath. The ending I feared didn’t happen.

“His closest friend, Ruby, confronted him with so much anger and hurt that the guards had to restrain her.”

I rested my chin on Sunny’s head. “Why?” I asked. “Why didn’t he say anything?”

“He wanted to be strong on his own,” Sunny said. “Bright wanted to handle the stress of taking a life on his own. But guilt started to poison him.”

“Did Bright feel that the pony he killed didn’t-”

“Try-!” Sunny began to tremble as if two tectonic plates crashed into one another. “Try to avoid that word, please,” she begged.

I didn’t answer with an “okay,” but I brushed my cheek on her face in response. Sunny moaned softly, distracted by the friction. The instant I connected with her, I forgot about the topic. Pleasure really was a facade that night, a mask without eyes. Only when there was no pleasing to give, the mask fell off, shattering upon the ground and force the wearer the horrors of the world.

Carefully, I chose my specific synonym of death. “Did Bright feel guilty about the pony he felled?”

“More than that,” Sunny answered. I was glad that she didn’t shudder at my question. “Bright’s action hurt the family and friends of the pony who- acted out of hoof to the extreme. The pony had foals. Loved ones. And Bright felt like he stole their friend away.”

I had to close my eyes to blockade the tears that threatened to escape.

“A lot of ponies close to Bright certainly gave him a good scolding, considering him being in the Canterlot guard,” Sunny continued. “Not out of heartlessness, but fear. They were afraid of what-ifs. What if they didn’t catch him in time?”

I didn’t want to think about what-ifs, but the ideas were quickly rooted and began to sprout like thorny weeds. The thoughts did not hinder me from speaking. “Aren’t we all petrified by what-ifs.”

“Yeah,” Sunny said, her voice still hurting. “In all honesty, you’re much stronger than I am as of tonight.”

I lurched my head backward and looked at the unicorn in confusion. “How so?”

“You faced your fears tonight.”

“I mean-” When I gave the idea more thought, it was the hard truth. I could have been another stallion who wanted a one-night stand with both of them and be done in the morning. But that’s not where my heart lies. I wanted more than physical contact, and it was not sex. I wanted a friend. It was the simple fact that Mellow and Sunny were mares made me shy away from them before Sunny introduced herself to me.

“I’ll be perfectly honest,” Sunny said, “there are mares who would take advantage of a golden heart like yours.” I swallowed as another what-if idea started to sink its sharp point into my brain, but Sunny read my mind and nuzzled my muzzle. “But the probability of that happening is, well, I’m just not sure. Because now is now, right?”

I nodded, “It is. And I am so blessed to have met you and Mellow.” My heart fluttered at the automatic response as it spoke on its own.

“Hehe, me too,” Sunny giggled. “Including you and her.”

A sigh escaped through Sunny’s nose. “I just wish I had your strength to truly face those what-ifs and tell them to buck off. But I am afraid of the chance of- of-”

The shaking returned but didn’t compare to earlier. Sunny furrowed her brows and clenched her jaw. Tears ran down her face and patted the pillow. “Let’s just say what-if we became a couple and I- died-!”

I pulled Sunny into me as much as I could. I wanted to be sure there were no gaps between us.

“-I just… I don’t want to leave you behind!” Sunny cried. The what-if idea was too strong for me to bear. My own tears appeared to express that I understood Sunny. The mere concept did make me worry about the mare in my clutches.

“I know the mortality rate of a Canterlot guard is low!” Sunny continued with heavy breathing and sobs. “I know it’s all very unlikely! But the fact that I could have died that day cripples me! The unlikely chance of combat happened! And- it could happen again! And I could die the second time around!”

Cracking at Sunny’s much tougher shell looked near impossible to crack. What should I tell her to do then? Abandon her career? Leave her comrades in arms? Ditch protecting Princess Celestia? I assumed those were the questions that kept her from leaving her duties.

It could, I repeated in my head. The words bounced around inside my head as if it were hollow, echoing over and over again. But how would Sunny know? She may have the capability of reading minds, mine specifically. However, I know Sunny does not possess the ability to foresee the future. Even she was blind to the events that took place at her home until they happened.

Suddenly, I felt like the answer came to me.

“Sunny,” I whispered softly. My volume distracted the unicorn from her sobs. She stirred around and looked at me with eyes that hoped for a solution for her ales. “You are afraid of what-ifs.” Sunny nodded as if it were a question. “But have you thought of good what-ifs?”

“Hmm?” Sunny hummed curiously.

My heart started to thump hard, each pulse tapping Sunny’s chest to keep her attention on me. “Like… what if… what if we in some other universe became a couple.” Afraid Mellow was listening, I said in a much louder tone, “I know I am destined for Mellow!”

Sunny giggled as her mind-reading was at work no doubt.

“But what-if it was only you and I that met,” I said to Sunny. “And what-if we became a couple despite your fears.” I placed a hoof under her chin to angle it up a few degrees. “Imagine all the other what-ifs that could happen!”

Each picture across the room spectated me with enthusiastic smiles. If Sunny was among the Canterlot guard, bound to protect the citizens from harmful foes, I would do the same emotionally and protect her from the harmful thoughts that affected that smile I was certain at that point I was in love with.

“Just imagine the what-ifs, Sunny!” I repeated with stronger enthusiasm. “We will never know those what-ifs, but I know they would be beautiful.”

Sunny responded with the brightest smile she could create. She closed her eyes, squeezing the pools of salty tears from her lids. That smile replicated a sun rising from behind rain clouds after a heavy pour. “You’re so sweet!” Sunny said.

I didn’t just crack her negative shell. I smashed it. And I wanted to stomp every piece of that shell to dust.

“But I’m not finished,” I said with my deep voice.

“Then tell me those wonderful-” Sunny brushed my cheek with her own and whispered into my ear, “-and handsome what-ifs.”

And by Celestia, I spoke. “We would go on various dates, consisting of simple walks, fancy dinners, and a lot of cuddling.”

“I like that last part,” Sunny purred. The unicorn grinded her body against my front, slowly rousing my still body to do the same. I drove my cheek onto her neck, brushing it and part of my lip on it. A cute “ah!” slipped out of Sunny before she retaliated with a Prance kiss. She crawled on top of me, as I submitted to her embrace and passion.

She was a little heavy for my liking, but I refused to tell her that. It would kill the mood entirely and worse...

When our lips parted with a smack, Sunny asked, “What else would we do?”

I lifted my pelvis, grinding hard at Sunny’s pussy. She and I sang a moan together before I spoke again. “We would, on the occasion, go to the beach and watch the sunrise.”

“Ooo, I like that!” Sunny said.

“And every time we saw the sunrise, I would say, ‘I love how there are two suns.’”

A slight tickle of horror scratched the marrow of my spine. Tears started to escape Sunny. I was complimenting her, yet she was crying. However, that wide smile remained. “And what if I came home from a bad day from work?” Sunny spoke with a cracked tone. “What would you do?”

I realized Sunny was overwhelmed by my words. Never in my career brought a pony to tears during my pitches. Sure, I have made several mares tell me I come up with wonderful phrases for pitches, particularly a chick-flick dubbed Never Let Go, but that still didn’t make them cry with emotion.

“I wouldn’t think about anything else but you,” I said.

“Good to know.” Sunny booped my nose before she said, “Continue.”

I was glad to not ponder what to say and instead moved. I started to roll over and Sunny got off. She blinked at me with curiosity, her smile still omnipresent when I sat upright. We faced each other as I imagined those tears were not joyous ones. My brow gently rested onto her forehead. “I would caress you and tell you that I’m there for you.”

Both of my arms slipped under Sunny’s pits, lifting her further into my figure. Sunny hummed and brushed her cheek on top of my heart, damping it slightly with her tears. “I would treat you with a love that kills any negative thoughts.”

My imagination became a little too intense when I realized too late that I said the word “love.” Thankfully, Sunny did not either notice or care.

“Yes, kill those nasty thoughts!” Sunny cheered. “They suck!”

Her hooves slid down my back, and I knew exactly where they were headed. “Can you give me an idea of how you would make the big, bad, mean, and hurtful things the day might have brought me?”

Sunny applied light pressure to my flank, her breast stamped against me. If she wanted to play, I was going to give her my everything. I tossed myself backward, plopping onto the pillow with Sunny cascading with me. The mare yelped and poked my nose with her daggered muzzle. “That’s not how you make bad thoughts go away. Scaring a mare when she is-”

It was easy to silent Sunny with a passionate, opened-mouth kiss. I lifted my hips, my cock no longer shy and ready to aid me in my endeavor. Sunny gasped, parting her lips to take in a deep breath. She sat up, looking between her legs. Sunny said nothing but waved her hips back and forth. My moan was music to her ears, encouraging Sunny to begin slowly grinding up and down.

“I think it’s self-explanatory as to what you would do to make me happy,” Sunny said. “And now…”

Sunny started to lift herself, the juices from her pussy webbing a few inches before snapping. A yellow hoof gently took my dick and started to drift it toward the slit between Sunny’s legs. Her smile faltered as she started to take every inch of my cock, yet it remained triumphantly.

I became her throne of pleasure. She gazed down upon me, sitting upright, while I was heavily breathing from the slippery slide my cock had just endured.

“Tell me more happy what-ifs,” Sunny said and lifted herself before clapping her flank on my pelvis. We both moaned together, hers a muffled note; mine was more of a grunt. “Not including sex,” she added.

“I didn’t know we had to have rules,” I joked.

Sunny did a quick bounce on my cock, catching me by surprise. “Just be romantic for me.” She glided down to me, resting her belly onto my figure. “Please,” she begged in a whisper.

In unison, Sunny and I rolled our hips like a well-cogged machine. Each motion a lubricated sensation for us both. Again, Sunny’s weight was a bit much, but I said nothing on the matter. Besides, I was too busy moaning.

“Tell me more,” Sunny begged again, licking and sucking at my throat.

Dialogue during sex was already difficult considering it is a physical activity. But I was not going to have my last moments with Sunny be lousy.

“I w-would be there at the door every m-moohh… morning,” I stuttered. “K-kiss you goodb-bye. J-just not too m-much. Otherwise, I w-w-would arouse you with my s-s-sexy demeanor.”

“You’d be surprised what you can do in fifteen minutes,” Sunny said without a break in her voice. “Continue.”

I did want to resume. But there was a position I wanted to try first. “Get onto your belly, please,” I said, patting Sunny’s yellow flank.

Sunny was amused by my suggestion. “What do you plan on doing to me?”

“I just want to be a little closer to your ear.” And to not be crushed by her. Surely, death by sex would be quite a way to go. However, I was not ready to part from the world.

Sunny removed herself, my cock flopping back and hitting my chest. The way she laid down was stunning. Her head was slightly cocked downward as if shy. She rocked back and forth, dragging my eyes to her flank. “Come and get me!”

I scrambled over and flushed because I was stunned by her attractive figure. Sunny giggled at my fragile sense of being easily flustered. “Can I… not talk about what-ifs anymore?”

“Hmm?” Sunny turned her head. “Is something wrong?”

“N-no,” I answered as I gazed upon her back. “I just-” An even heavier weight started to grab at my heart. “I want to talk about what-is’s.”

The mare giggled at my silly suggestion. “Well tell me what is’s on your mind.”

I gave Sunny a strong stare to show that I meant what I was about to say. “What is is that I think you are- very beautiful!”

Sunny gasped, “Copper! Why are you crying!”

“Because- I am so grateful for you!” I sobbed. The weight was too much to bear. I couldn’t hide it anymore, lest it would kill me. “You are a one-of-a-kind, Sunny! You broke away a fear that I could not avoid when mares were involved! But in a matter of hours, you’ve garnered my trust and that you wouldn’t hurt me!”

I looked through my blurry vision and poked my cock between the crack of Sunny’s flank, feeling for her pussy. “And I want to return the favor! I want to give you a fraction of what you’ve done!”

A hot flare poked my dick’s head. I found it. I pushed deep into Sunny. “Oh Copper!” she cried. Our lips crashed together, following a sloppy Prance kiss. Sunny’s back was a warm surface, and her flank was bouncy with every thrust I gave her.

Emotion and pleasure accelerated even higher. “What is is that both Mellow and I are grateful for you! Don’t you think for a second you haven’t done enough! You’ve gone beyond what was expected! And I know we both want you to find that special somepony!”

I saw tears shimmer from Sunny’s cheeks. I didn’t need to worry about them being sorrowful. Her moans were high-pitched, but not too loud.

“It may take days, months, even years to overcome your fear! But you’ve shattered mine! And I want to obliterate yours!”

I was short of breath, but my ramming increased. I was not finished. “Those what-ifs are things you want! Maybe not with me, but with another pony! How wonderful it would be if Mellow and me became not what-ifs, but what will be, and soon, what is!”

“Your choice is your choice alone! You gave me the option to back down, yet I took the chance! All I can say is that I am blessed to have met you! To be with you! To make love with you! To be your friend! If that’s the best I can do, then please believe me!”

“I believe you, Copper!” Sunny sang loudly.

With everything said, there was one last thing to do. “Are you almost there?” I huffed into Sunny’s ear.

“Mm-hmm!” she mumbled through her tears. Her horn illuminated, the light casting our shadows on the walls. “Finish with me, Copper!”

I could not pick up any more speed to my ruts. Thankfully, my cock was starting to swell with great pleasure, so there was no need. “I’m cumming soon!”

“CUM WITH ME!”

I bore down as much weight as I thought necessary onto Sunny that wouldn’t hurt her. Every sound stimulated my senses as I began to cum. Sunny’s moans, the touch of her body, the claps against her flank. And even more, her belief in my feelings. The sensation lasted for quite some time. It felt like minutes. The twisting knot in my side didn’t stop me because my heart wanted to continue giving Sunny what she needed: safety, clarity, and happiness. My cock pulsed, each grip was an ecstasy-filled feeling that rippled throughout my nerves. With its limit reached, my penis started to lose its tough form and became flaccid. I still humped, unwilling to accept the moment was over.

Suddenly, my body was lifted in the air by Sunny’s magic and hovered a few inches above the panting mare. She placed me beside her, then embraced me with a tight hug. I was still huffing from my lack of oxygen and an emotional heart. Why was I still crying? I thought my tears would be spent. Then again, I would wonder why Sunny managed to shed a few of her own after sobbing earlier too.

As we looked into one another, I figured why that smile of hers was so lovely. The way her cheeks lifted those tiny freckles close to her eyes. Many of the mares in Canterlot would find birthmarks a blemish, an imperfection. But not me. Those freckles were unique for a unique unicorn named Sunny Day.

“Copper?” Sunny asked, rubbing my back.

“Hmm?” I mumbled, not able to speak coherently.

A kiss met my cheek. “Thank you.”

Like a bird adjusting into its nest, Sunny made herself comfortable and scooted closer and closer to me. But her position would not last long. The squeak of her door snapped our attention to Mellow who stood in the dark all alone.