Asriel's second chance

Cadence smiled as she watched her daughter jump into her father, Shining Armor’s, arms, squealing happily as he spun her around. “She doesn’t get to see him very often anymore. Being both a prince and Captain of the Royal Guard, he doesn’t have much time to spend just being a father.” She turned back to Asriel, seeing his far away gaze. He wasn’t there, he was back in the darkness of the past. About how Chara ate the buttercups, fallen terribly I'll, died and then tried to take control of his body.

He jumped when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder, looking up to see an even softer gaze in the eyes of the princess. They stayed that way for several moments before Cadence backed away. “Aren’t you going to ask me what’s wrong?”

"It's a little personal…" Asriel said while looking away.

She shook her head, still smiling. “When you grow to trust us, I’m sure you’ll tell us. I’m patient. Now get dressed. Dinner’s gonna be late enough as it is.” She said, excusing herself from the room. Asriel just stared at her when she went out of the room.

"I have so many questions!" He said to himself as he got up to get dressed.

…

“So, where is this young man that you were telling me about, Flurry?” Celestia asked as she took another drink of her wine, Cadence refusing to let them eat until their guests got there.

“He’s probably getting dressed. Mom told him he was gonna join us for dinner. You know how persuasive she can be. And he’s a boy, but he’s not an Equestrian, I don’t think.” The young princess said, an air of grace around her that had not been there before.

Theirs was a relatively small dinner. The Crystal Nobles were joined by the princesses of the sun and moon, Celestia and Luna, as well as soon to be joined by the princess of friendship, her assistant, one of the best pastry chefs in Equestria who just so happened to have provided the chefs with the pastry recipes for the night, and the rest of the Elements of Harmony. It was a special occasion, after all. It was Flurry Hearts ninth birthday.

“Oh, then what is he?” Luna asked as she finished her second glass of wine, Shining Armor sitting in solemn silence as he watched his little girl’s face light up for the hundredth time tonight. It seemed whenever he came up, she became excited.

As Flurry opened her mouth to speak another voice filled the air space."'u-uhh howdy…" A small voice said while Asriel slowly walked into the room.

Flurry hopped up out of her chair and ran over to the boy, grabbing his hand and trying to tug him to the table. “Come sit by me! Come on!”