Showing His Place: Date Night

“Mnnnnghhh… Wh… What the…”

Shining Armor slowly reopened his eyes, and needed a moment to reassess himself with a blistering headache. When he brought up one of his hooves, he quickly felt the thick bandages that were covering the top of his head. He was too drained to gasp in shock or pull himself up, so he was forced to lay in place while groaning deeply, and slowly adjusted to the morning light. By the time he was able to look around his surroundings, he was surprised to find that he was back in his lavish Royal bedroom.

For a moment, Shining pondered whether or not everything that he experienced was all part of some sick, highly-detailed dream. However, as soon as he touched the back of his head, the stallion winced painfully upon feeling where that beer bottle hit him. When he was finally able to sit up, he was able to find that he was back on his couch with a blanket over his lap. Just as his hind-legs touched the floor, and he was sitting upright in his seat, Shining had to clutch his head with both hooves to better deal with his headache. “Ughhh… Oh, what the buck happened last night?”

“Ah! I see you’re awake~”

“GAAAHHH!!!” Shining jolted with a terrified yelp when he realized he wasn’t alone in the room. The very moment he looked up, he was horrified to find Discord standing right in front of him. The draconequus was wearing a skimpy nurse’s uniform, and had some sloppily-done clown makeup over his face. As he stared down at Shining, Discord gave an awkward-looking smile while showing his yellowed teeth.

“Hiiiiii…” If Shining was aware of the reference, he likely would’ve found Discord’s getup to be slightly humorous. However, it was obvious that Discord only did the Joker bit for his own amusement. “I’m guessing you’re not wanting a sponge-bath, do you?”

“Ugh!” Shining reeled away from Discord with a tired groan, and went back to rubbing his head. “Oh, Goddess… That wasn’t a dream, was it?”

“I’m afraid not,” noted Discord, who was suddenly back in his regular form like Shining was. “You were knocked unconscious, so Cadance brought you back to the castle to recuperate. I agreed to oversee your health to ensure there was no permanent damage.”

Shining was finding it hard to concentrate, but he heard enough of Discord’s statement to nod thankfully. He took a moment to pull the blanket from his lap, hopeful to see his stallionhood back to a serviceable size for a change; unfortunately, Discord made sure to strap his plastic chastity cage back on, ensuring that he was never able to cum during his ordeal. Even though he wasn’t surprised, Shining still sighed and covered his face with a hoof. “Well, I should’ve figured that one…”

Discord may have been grinning to himself, but he made sure not to snicker too audibly to further upset Shining. When the stallion finally looked back up at him, he tried to ask, “So, uhhh… what happened with Cadance and Sombra?”

“I’m glad you asked,” noted Discord with a prideful grin. “Well, after you were knocked out, the two were quick to leave the club and made sure you got some proper medical attention. And since you’re just as important to your guys’ relationship, Sombra insisted on ending the alternate identities a little earlier than expected. After bringing you three back here, I tended to your wounds while they had a little calming romp in the bed~”

Shining blinked a couple times, and then glanced over at the unkempt bed that was now left empty. Since the blankets were sprawled out differently than before, he didn’t need to get off the couch to tell that Discord was telling the truth. However, that didn’t keep him from glancing back at the draconequus confusedly. “Wait, they… they actually had sex while you were here?!”

“Shining,” stated Discord flatly, “I’ve literally seen everything before. I wasn’t bothered by their presence, and I kept myself invisible so they wouldn’t be deterred by my own.”

“Oh…” Shining wanted to ask more about all that happened, but he eventually just sighed before nodding his head in acceptance. He then grew a weak, albeit courteous smile when he looked up at Discord and said, “Well, ummm… I really appreciate you helping me like that. Thank you.”

“It’s no problem at all,” assured the draconequus with his lion’s paw raised in sincerity. “Considering how badly I’ve acted in my past, as well as the end result of my experimental fun with you three, it was only fair to give my assistance.”

To add to his apology, Discord kept a smirk on his fanged muzzle as he brought up his avian claw. “And! I happen to have a special gift for you, Shining Armor. Think of this as a reward for putting up with my actions, both for yesterday and errr… previous instances....”

The draconequus snapped his claw, conjuring up a small scroll with a puff of magic. Shining instinctively reeled back from that sheet in worry, not wanting to be given another sick decree like before. Fortunately, Discord was quick to say insistently, “It’s quite alright, Shining! I promise you, this isn’t anything bad. I think you’ll actually appreciate I did this for you…”

Discord unrolled the small parchment, and presented it to Shining so he could read through it himself. When the stallion hesitantly took the paper, he leaned forward on the couch so he could read it in silence. Even with his headache, Shining was able to read through the small decree without any issue. And because of that, Discord smiled when Shining gasped from the gift he was presented with:

Shining Armor,
I just want you to know that while I escorted Flurry Heart to Canterlot yesterday, I took the liberty of placing a small enchantment on her. PLEASE KEEP READING!

Okay, now that you’re not trying to kill me, I should clarify that the enchantment isn’t anything bad. All that I did was give Flurry a permanent reminder of what she already knows to be true: You will always be considered to be her Father, regardless of anything Cadance or Sombra might try. In addition, Sombra will never be seen as a Father figure in Flurry Heart’s eyes or conscience. This will never be changed, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that you’ll have that peace of mind. I already consulted with Cadance about this measure earlier this morning, and she wholeheartedly agreed it was in Flurry’s best interest, as well as your own.

Sombra is unaware of this detail, but I wanted you to know for yourself as a sense of security. And while we’re on the topic, I should tell you that Sombra felt incredibly guilty for getting you knocked unconscious at that nightclub. Hopefully he’ll apologize to you himself, but I just wanted you to know he was sorry just in case.

In addition, I feel that I should apologize myself; not just for yesterday (although I have a feeling you secretly enjoyed it~), but for my previous actions that impacted you and your family. I know that things are getting better between us, but I truly want to be a better being for everypony in Equestria. And no matter what may happen between you, Sombra, and especially Cadance, I promise I’ll always be available if you three need any help.

Sincerely,
Discord

“W… W-Wow…” Shining needed a moment while re-reading through the letter a few times, and eventually grew a touched smile in response to Discord’s generous deed. Regardless of everything that’s happened, or whatever might occur in the near future, that assurance from the draconequus actually helped to alleviate Shining’s worries tremendously. The stallion’s muzzle trembled a bit as he wiped a tear from his face, and he sniffled from the thoughtful present he was happy to receive. “I… I don’t know what to say. Thank you so--”

By the time Shining tried to look back up, his apology was cut short when he found himself alone in the room again. Discord had seemingly vanished into thin air, leaving the Private to sit on the couch by himself. Shining blinked a couple times in confusion, but his gracious smile remained by the time he looked back at his note. However, his brows raised in surprise when he found the text had completely changed from before:

Oh, and before I forget. Cadance and Sombra are downstairs enjoying breakfast, and Twilight is scheduled to arrive by lunch with Flurry Heart. Nopony is aware of your guys’ involvement in yesterday’s antics, although there might be some interesting pictures in the Crystal Empire Press today. ;)

“Ugh!” Shining lurched his head down with a groan, not wanting to think about how ‘Rusty Shield’ was presented in the newspapers. However, since Discord clarified that nopony was likely to make a connection, Shining could only try to remain optimistic back in his regular form. While he knew there was a lot to contemplate following yesterday, the stallion mostly felt a strange sense of relief from being back as himself for the time being. And since he was currently left alone, a content-looking smile spread across Shining’s face by the time he finally pulled himself up from the couch. “Hmmm…”

Shining double-checked the bandages on his head, and then gave a light stretch to get himself up for the day. And after looking around the empty bedroom, he made a beeline to the bathroom while saying to himself, “You know what? I think I do deserve a bath for myself~”

Unfortunately for Shining Armor, his smile was replaced with a shocked gasp the moment he opened the bathroom door. “GAHH!!”

“What?” asked Discord, who was back in the nurse outfit and sitting in a stool beside a pre-made bubble bath. Despite the flat glare Shining was shooting him, Discord held up a soapy loofa in his claw and gave it a hard squeeze. “I already have the sponge all ready~”

The End