It had been years since she thought of that time, before Buck and before Dinky and before Sugar Cube Corner. Ditzy made an effort to treat it like it was just a bad dream, but like any persistent nightmare, there was always a chance it would find her when she closed her eyes.

Sometimes, the memory would creep up on Ditzy in the slamming of a door or a voice in the street or a quiet footstep behind her. Any nasty surprise threatened to bring a memory with it.

A pair of tender hands. Behind them, a smile like a campfire. Arms that held on a little too tight.

Broken plates. Hands around the cheeks. Hands around the throat. Fire. A voice like a satin cloth, begging sweetly. Don't go. Please. Come with me. The hands going slack. Copper-colored eyes emptying out.

And finally, relief.

On the morning after happily ever after, Ditzy Doo awoke in the stuffy warmth of Buck's bedroom.

Ditzy was naked, in a pair of hairy purple arms, again, but she felt the tender, lightly snoring breath on the back of her head.

The wide, rough hand that cupped her breast and the dryness in her throat brought a giddiness to her that she thought she'd forgotten, banishing the nightmare.

She had woken up in a dream. The arms of one, anyway.

A dream sweet enough to leave a glass of water on the nightstand, because of course he would. She had screamed her head off.

Ditzy reached, then gave up as she nearly tipped the glass over with her fingertips. She guessed he didn't really think about her arms being shorter than his, the big goof.

Ditzy tried to pull free of Buck's grip, but his meaty arms were like two cuddly pythons constricting her. The best she could do was a little shimmy and a twist that brought her face to face with her man.

There was a kind of serenity in his pursed lips and his bouncing eyebrows as if he was thinking deeply even in his sleep. His sweat and hers were mingling in the heat of the summer sunrise, but Ditzy couldn't bear the thought of letting him go.

Ditzy had grown up on the cheesy romances movies her own mom watched. Another single mother; must've run in the family, Ditzy thought. All her life, she had searched for her own little hallmark story.

A sweet guy, a change of pace, a struggle, a happy ending. Instead, she'd gotten struggle after struggle after struggle, and worse, sweet guys were tough to find.

No matter where Ditzy looked for happiness, the specter of the past still haunted her, slithering through her mind in moments meant to be private and restful and hiding in plain sight on little Dinky's curious face. She looked so much like him at times. It made Ditzy shudder.

Didn't matter. After all the pain and tears, Ditzy had him. She had struggled, and she had fought, but she had her man. They had danced, they had kissed, and they had made love. Roll credits.

How were things about to change? Would Buck start pitching in around Ditzy's house even more? Try to be more of a father to Dinky? Would they have dinner together more often?

Was Ditzy Doo finally starting a family?

Maybe all of that could wait. Ditzy smiled and squeezed Buck. They had found a sweet, private bliss together, and Ditzy was determined to hold on to it.

So why did she still feel a bit of dread as Buck's eyes blinked open?

There was no hunger, no greedy leer, no knowing sneer.

Just a pair of warm golden eyes and a mouth that turned away for fear of its offending morning breath.

"Mornin' pretty lady." Buck yawned.

"Good morning, Buck." Ditzy took the opening and kissed his cheek.

"You sleep alright?"

"Mhm. I kinda just fell off after, uh, you know. How about you?"

"Best sleep I've had in ages. I'unno what it is, Ditzy, but somehow you make it easier on me when I sleep. Usually its a struggle." Buck's grip on Ditzy finally loosened as he stretched.

"Maybe that's the secret Buck; you need a cuddle buddy!"

"That sounds nice..." Buck sighed, slipping down while Ditzy reached for the glass. Buck wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his head on her chest. All the barriers had disappeared. No more hovering hands. "Scratchy throat?"

"Mhm...I uh...made a lotta noise last night, huh?"

"Oh yeah. You were like a megaphone at the opera, Muffin." Buck nuzzled in the cushy comfort of Ditzy's naked breasts.

"I wasn't that loud, was I?"

"Mmm...you were. Your orgasms're like...like sudden rain showers on a pond. They come in groups...loud and arrestin' but gentle and sweet. You're whole body shakes and you squeeze tight like you're scared you're gonna fall off the world. You bite your lip, too." Buck mumbled.

"Huh?"

"It was beautiful. You...are so beautiful when you're like that, Muffin, and I was the first man to see it. All that sleepin' around finally came to somethin' good. Some kinda miracle." Buck said, kissing Ditzy's cleavage.

"Oh wow..."

"Too much?"

"No! No, not at all! I guess I just forget you're a writer, sometimes..." Ditzy said, running a nervous hand through her hair. In just a few sentences, Buck had summoned the butterflies back to her stomach.

"Yeah, me too." Buck grumbled. "What time is it?"

"Well, it's about 7ish..."

"Oh shit! We gotta get to work!" Buck sprung up.

"It's Sunday."

"Oh, thank fuck." Buck slumped back down, humming as Ditzy rubbed his back. "Can I just hold you for a lil' while? I never wanna leave this magical place."

"You mean between my boobs?" Ditzy giggled.

"Yeah...but no. I mean this. This feelin'."

"I know what you mean...it's uh...been a while since I woke up like this."

"Sweaty and cuddly?"

"Well sure, but I mean...uh...this peace."

"I meant it, last night. I wanna do Saturdays with you. Buck and Ditzy."

"Oh, I'd love to! But I need to figure out the babysitting situation with Dinky, and I didn't make as much as I would've liked at the fair, and I took off work for that booth, so I'm gonna have to make it up, and-"

"Muffin. Muffin! Relax...hey, if it's off the table right now, that's okay. Let me pitch in if things get bad, alright? We can figure it out as we go."

"Really?"

Buck laid back and scratched his chin. He got a familiar quizzical look on his face, filled with the seriousness of asking for seconds at the dinner table.

"Yeah! I...if we're gonna be together, I want you to be able to rely on me sometimes. I cain't just be a burden on you, I wanna contribute to your life." Buck said, getting up.

"Do you mean that?" Ditzy said, suddenly feeling small.

"I gotta start bein' a man some time, Ditzy. Men are supposed to provide."

"Uh...okay?"

Buck kissed Ditzy on the forehead, and she felt a calm warmth envelope her. He kissed her cheek, her chin, her nose, peppering her with tender affection. To Ditzy, it was almost alien to be treated so preciously. Buck was miles away from the "sex fiend" that Adagio had mentioned.

Ditzy had expected a greedy, grasping lust from him, but instead, he was stroking her hair and kissing her like she was a newborn baby. She still wasn't sure how to feel about it, but she knew these tiny, sweet little moments were priceless, and she never wanted to live without them again.

The dread and excitement Ditzy had felt were fading into the warmth surrounding her. She wanted Buck to love on her more. She squeezed him tight, speaking gently against his chest.

"Sunburst is gonna bring Dinky over and watch her here while we go to work. Until then...do you wanna be just Buck and Ditzy for a little while longer?"

"I'd like that. You want a massage, Muffin?"

"You do massages?" Ditzy perked up.

"Do I do massages?" Buck laughed.

With a quick flip, Ditzy was on her stomach, with Buck's fingers gliding up and down her back.

"That sorta tickles...!"

"You're real sensitive, that's why...now, do you hurt anywhere back here? I mean, I can guess..."

Ditzy tensed under a gentle prodding at her lower back.

"Eep!"

"That's about what I thought. Lemmie take this slow..."

The ball of aches and knots that was Ditzy's back was methodically pressed and prodded back into a loose, cozy shape. At first, a dull pain shuddered Ditzy, but she gradually melted into a puddle of contended coos and hums.

"Where...did you learn to do this? The last time I got a massage this good was back in high school!" Ditzy moaned.

"Was it Bulk Biceps?" Buck said.

"Actually, yeah, it was! How'd you know that?" Ditzy blushed.

"He taught me. There was a time when I...really needed to learn how to give a good massage, so I did some work at the spa, and Bulk showed me the ropes. You guys were pals, right?"

"Uh, pals! Yeah! No wonder you've got magic fingers..."

"Well, I don't wanna brag. You good down there? Anything else hurting?"

"Hm? Oh! Uh...no, not really...but, could you keep doing that scratchy thing for a little bit?"

"You mean this?" Buck dragged his nails down Ditzy's back. Her feet kicked, and her knees turned in, her whole body quivering.

"That's the stuff..." Ditzy hummed. She shut her eyes and focused on the intense comfort. A blush had come to her cheeks, and she felt herself sliding back into that weightless place that Buck had put her in the night before.

Suddenly Ditzy noticed a hot, gentle feeling touching her thigh. She had almost forgotten that she was naked and Buck was a man.

"Is that you, brushing against my leg?"

"Sorry, sorry! I'm not tryna be pushy, I woke up like that!" Buck's hands drifted away.

"Do you...you know, wanna?" Ditzy looked over her shoulder to see a conflicted look on Buck's face.

"Do you wanna?"

"Mhm." Ditzy smiled.

"Okay."

Buck kissed along the nape of Ditzy's neck while his hand slid down between Ditzy's crotch and the mattress.

A kiss at the corner of her mouth turned into a soft meeting of the lips.

Suddenly, Ditzy's breath was stolen away as Buck's fingers stroked at her with tiny come-hither motions.

"Gentle and slow...let me just..." The bed stand's drawer slid open. Ditzy squeezed her thighs around Buck's hand. The summer heat stuffing the room was all around her. She felt Buck's fingers spreading her entrance.

"Ah! Buck, now, remember, go slow...!" Ditzy panted. Buck's tip prodded at her with only the slightest push behind it.

"You're already so wet, Muffin...it should be alright..." Buck pushed in with a light fanning at Ditzy's clitoris. Her eyes shut as she took in another breath.

"Oh my gosh...oh my gosh...!" Ditzy was floating on pins of pleasure. Buck gave her light, sweet little strokes, rubbing her clitoris in circles. The moment he stopped, Ditzy's hips rolled desperately against his fingers. Electricity was charging through her nerves.

"Oh? Like that? You want it like that, Muffin? Nice n' slow?" Buck growled against her neck.

"Yes...yes! Buck!"

Buck picked up the pace just a tiny bit, turning his thrusts into a sweet sort of torture. Whereas last night Ditzy had rocketed out into space, now she was lazily drifting upward with the sunrise. Ditzy's legs quivered, her toes curling as she started losing thoughts. She let the breeze blow her like an airborne feather. Buck's tender pace kept her squeaking and biting the pillow until she clenched down and squealed with a light, drawn-out orgasm.

"Eee...aahhh!"

"Mmm...now that sounds like a good mornin'," Buck said.

Ditzy took a moment to recover from the daze. That sensation was still new to her, and Buck's ability to pull it out of her so quickly was almost frightening. A part of Ditzy wondered if this was magic, but she stuffed it under the floorboards of her mind.

"I....uh...is this what morning is gonna be like from now on?"

"Ah, in a perfect world, sure. I would love to spend all day just pettin' you up, Muffin."

"Oh geez..." Ditzy blushed and covered her face.

"But I cain't. You know, with our schedules, it might be kind of hard to make time for...you know, this."

"Well, there's always Saturday!" Ditzy smiled.

"Yeah, I guess." Buck said.

"And I might come over and cuddle after Dinky goes to sleep sometime..." Ditzy said, running a pair of nervous hands down her hair.

"Oh, Miss Ditzy Doo, how scandalous!" Buck laughed.

"What? I can be naughty!" Ditzy said.

"Well, I know that now!"

"I see how it is! We have one nice night and you turn into a mister sassy pants!" Ditzy turned and grinned at Buck.

"And you suddenly get all silly after you cum!" Buck kissed her forehead then started tickling under her arms.

"Gahaha! Hey, hey, nononono, no fair you can't use that, that's unfair!" Ditzy laughed and squirmed away.

"All fair in love and war, Muffin. C'mere!"

"Eek! Help, help, my boyfriend is a big goof!" Ditzy squealed. Buck blew a raspberry on the side of her neck. "EEEK! You stop it!"

"Sure, sure." Buck laughed. By now they had rolled, and he was on top of her again. The light coming through the venetian blinds glowed in his golden eyes. For a moment, he just loomed over Ditzy, smiling and saying nothing.

"What?"

"Nothin'...just love you, s'all. Would you mind if...uh...we keep goin'?"

Ditzy blinked, then looked down and saw Buck's cock between her thighs. At some point, he'd put a condom on. A thin line of anxiety tugged at Ditzy's heart, but she bit her lip, then looked back to Buck's face and nodded.

"I think I can take you if we just go easy..." Ditzy said.

She winced as Buck's cock spread her open. It was hot, even through the rubber, and as it slid into her, her toes curled, and she held tight to Buck's sides.

"Oooohhkay...gosh..."

"Too much?"

"Nonononono...I can...I can take it, I just gotta get used to you...my Buck is a big boy, that's all..." Ditzy squeezed him and giggled.

"You sure?"

"You're never too much for me, Buck..." Ditzy said. Buck leaned down to kiss her sweetly as he worked his way in.

As the uncomfortable stretching made way for waves of rolling pleasure, Ditzy relaxed and moaned against Buck's lips. She could feel his muscles working, and the low grunts in her ear told her that Buck wanted to do more, but when he shoved it in just a bit too hard, Ditzy yelped and gave his shoulder a gentle tap.

Buck slowed down to a sensual grind and a sweet eternity passed as he slowly rocked Ditzy's body.

Every few thrusts, Ditzy covered her mouth and squealed, her hips hitching and shaking as another small orgasm hit, but after a little while, she felt a little anxiety peek through the haze of constant pleasure.

"Buck...are you gonna come?"

"Hm?"

There was a knock at the door.

"Uh? Buck? Ditzy?" It was Sunburst. "Anyone home? I brought Dinky!"

"He brought me!"

"Yeah! I came to drop her off?" Sunburst called through the door.

Ditzy sucked in her lips and looked apologetically at Buck.

"...I'll get it, don't worry 'bout it." Buck kissed Ditzy's forehead and began his gentle slide out of both her and the bed.

"Hello?" Sunburst called.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'!"

"It's okay, I got a key!" Dinky said, and the door smacked open.

Ditzy giggled as Buck slammed his bedroom door shut and scrambled to get dressed.

In the space of that giggle, Ditzy Doo departed, and Mama returned.

Home never called.

Like a sweet but distant mother, Home's arms were always open, waiting for her daughter.

Adagio had submerged herself in tepid water, but her presence in the bath chilled it near to freezing, so she closed her eyes and let Home hold her.

Ever since their first night, Adagio felt a twinge of fear.

The fear that interacting with Buck might change her; his magic subtly prodding at her mental state; corrupting her like so many other ambitious mages before her. Adagio's heart had ached in a million tiny ways since she met him, and that knowledge terrified her.

The frigid sting of Home brought everything into focus. Adagio's focus had been seesawing violently back and forth between her iron-wrought ambition and her feelings.

She hadn't changed; she was simply frustrated.

She had bled and burned for Buck's sake. She had apologized.

And still, he lay in that woman's arms instead of in Adagio's bed, where he belonged.

How much was she willing to compromise for his power? How much would she change when she finally acquired it? Was it truly worth risking an infection of human sentiment?

Adagio had a plan, and she knew, as always, that she would succeed, but the bitter jealousy gripping her heart cast doubt on every thought that swam past in her personal abyss.

She wasn't sure how to proceed without losing a piece of herself in the process.

In Home, time had no meaning.

Adagio had only to wait a few dozen hours to make her play.

Somehow, however, she could feel seconds of this day stretching into decades as she sunk into the cold pressure.

A slight, flickering warmth trickled into her mind even as she sat in numb purgatory. It was a question that alarmed Adagio to the center of her soul.

How long would she have to wait to hold him again?

The doorbell rang, and Adagio rose from the clutching isolation of Home and into a bathrobe, pausing only to wring out her depressingly shoulder-length hair.

"I don't recall ordering room service, so if this is another fan, you have two minutes to make your case before security arrives."

Adagio opened the door, and instead of an assassin or a stalking pervert, she saw a messy mop of purple hair.

Scootaloo blushed brightly at Adagio's barely covered body. She held a familiar candy-striped box in one hand, and in the other was a lidded coffee cup.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" Adagio said, finally. Scoots returned to reality and tilted her head.

"It's Sunday?"

"Is it, now?"

"Sunburst asked me to come and check on you." Scoots said.

"How touching. I'm fine. Now flock off, Little Birdie. I have some important lounging to do. Very busy." Adagio turned away.

"I...also passed by work and got you some goodies!" Adagio pensively flicked up the box's lid and saw four blood orange tarts. Scoots held up the cup. "It's that scary reverse cappuccino you always get!"

Adagio silently scanned Scoots' expression. It was oddly nostalgic.

There was a time when children from a remote coastal village would be sent with offerings to the Dazzlings that they might spare their people a maddening performance. Adagio couldn't quite remember if that was Equestria or the human world.

"...how incredibly thoughtful. It must be a rare Sunday indeed for someone in this wretched city to pay me a bit of consideration." Adagio said, plucking the delivery out of Scoots' hands.

"You're welcome!"

"Am I? I thought that you and everyone else in Buck's life regarded me as a date-crashing bogeyman?"

"To be fair, you totally were that on Saturday. I mean, at first."

"You could have sent this little care package through the front desk. Is there a reason you came to bother me this..."

"Morning?"

"Yes."

"Well...I, uh...this's gonna sound sappy, but I wanted to ask if you were okay?"

Scootaloo's sudden spike of anxiety would have been delicious if it didn't match Adagio's own.

"...come in."

"Huh?"

"Come inside. I'm dripping wet and freezing."

Adagio turned and set the treats down; then, after a few nail-biting moments sitting on the couch, Scoots heard the bedroom door open. She wasn't any more dressed than before, but her hair was wrapped in a towel. She took a long sip of her sacrificial latte and a nibble of tart, then pierced Scoots with a gaze that looked like it could read the pages in the book of your life.

"Uhh..."

"I was under the impression that you were terrified of me, or alternatively, very aroused."

"Uhhh!"

"That is to say; I thought you regarded me as a monster, just like every other human in Canterlot. Why the sudden concern?"

"I don't think you're a monster. Not like Starlight says."

"I am every bit the monster that Starlight describes. You should know that by now, Little Birdie."

"Well, I just thought it was sort of messed up that no one checked to see how you were feeling, since Buck and Ditzy are, well, you know..."

"I'm not bothered in the slightest."

"Seriously?"

"Positively."

"I mean, Buck is happy and all, but you got left out in the co-"

"Buck is a grown man. He can do as he pleases. I'm not concerned at all about his little affair."

"Affair? But he totally dumped you!" Scoots said, then covered her mouth. Adagio was looking at her now, glaring from across the crouch.

"...don't mistake a setback for a failure."

"But they're dating! And singing and dancing and stuff! I'm mean, I heard from Sunburst that Buck's a little wired for magic lessons on Tuesday, but-"

"Buck is taking time for himself. It's something adults do, you simply wouldn't understand." Adagio smiled with the playful malice of a house cat.

"Jeez. Why do you have to treat me like a kid?"

"I'm hundreds of years old. You're all children to me."

"That's...that's super creepy, now that you mention it."

"Race, Gender, Age, Orientation...In a world like this, where humans are the only creatures you can talk to, those differences are nothing but a blur. You'd be amazed at how relative it all becomes with time. I frankly have a hard time telling you all apart."

"Uh-huh."

"Present company excluded. You are especially unique, Little Birdie."

"You really think so?" Scoots brightened.

"Of course. From what I've seen, you're highly resourceful and willing to throw yourself into new situations at the drop of a hat, even dangerous ones. In better circumstances, you would have made for an ideal minion."

"Uh...thanks, I think?"

"I'm sorry; that's reductive. Would you prefer the role of concubine?"

"Eh!?" Scoots suddenly felt a spotlight on her. The heat in Adagio's gaze crept closer, and just below it, Scoots could see just the slightest peek down the fluffy bathrobe.

"I can taste you pining, Little Birdie. Like Buck, but so much more confused. Admiration, attraction both aesthetic and carnal, Fear, it's all mixed together in that fluttering heart of yours. Tell me, have you been a minion before? Attached yourself as a cohort to someone exceptional?"

Adagio prowled forward. Scoots attempted to scoot back, but she ran out of couch as Adagio reached out to stroke her red cheek.

"I...uh..." Scoots gave a quivering smile, looking away. She tasted like a delicate strawberry creme.

"You ache for approval...and you're deeply fulfilled when you're in the act...of service. And...oh, there's no need to be ashamed of that, little birdie! What was the word? Sub? You said it yourself. There's nothing wrong with being a sub, is there?" Adagio tilted Scoots' face to confront her leer head-on. The feathery scrape of nails down her jawline made Scoots quiver.

"Please stop...I don't...I don't want to talk about this."

"Fair enough. I'll leave it alone, then." Adagio said. She sat back with a casual grin as if she hadn't just made Scoots' heart skip a beat.

"But...uh...you can keep doing, uh, this?" Scoots muttered.

"This? What do you mean?"

"Well, I know Buck isn't here and all, and when we did it, it was supposed to be a gift, or whatever, but I was wondering if it isn't too much trouble and you aren't doing anything, it's just that I've been feeling a little pent up and Buck is with Ditzy and they don't...well, I was hoping that maybe you would...help me...deal with it?" Scoots' word disintegrated into barely a whisper.

"Did you come to check on me hoping I would tend to your needs?"

"What? No! I-I-I wanted to know if you were okay! I didn't mean to, I mean I didn't come over thinking-I, well, maybe a little..."

"Oho?"

"I mean, no, I wasn't trying to hit on you, or anything!"

"But you are interested in me pleasuring you. You just don't want to do the legwork."

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant!"

"Oh, you're absolutely precious when you're flustered. Come here. Let me take care of you, Little Birdie." Adagio said.

"Really? Just like that?" Scoots said.

Adagio reached out and gently scratched at Scoots' scalp. The little orange tomboy closed her eyes and sighed.

"We don't have to discuss it, and you can opt-out at any point. No strings."

"Ooookay..." Scoots nodded dreamily.

"And here I thought today would be unproductive...I think I might have learned something from our dear Buck. Something I'd forgotten." Adagio said. She slowly undid the buttons on Scoot's shirt with one hand while the other drifted downward. "There's a certain value in being more...open."

Scoots gasped as Adagio threw her knee to the side, revealing a dark spot in the crotch of her running shorts.

Deft fingers slid under Scoot's supporter and traced delicate little lines around her nipple. Adagio watched Scoots squirm and squeeze her thighs around Adagio's knee. A gentle, twirling press pulled a gasp out of her. Her heart beat miles in minutes under Adagio's sweet caress.

"Are you...gonna drink me...?" Scoots moaned.

"No, Little Birdie. This is just for you." Adagio whispered in her ear. "Ara~Ara."

Scoots yelped as Adagio bit her neck, freezing like she was caught in a tiger's jaws. Then Adagio's knee pressed and slid and began bucking rapidly. Scoots held on to Adagio's shoulders and squealed, her little breasts bouncing as she sprinted toward a sudden, tiny orgasm.

"Ah! Ahhhnn...ahh!" Adagio's knee came to a sudden stop while Scoots tried to catch her breath.

"Good girl...do you want more?" Adagio said. Scoots nodded quickly, then hummed as Adagio's knee moved once again with a tender slip.

Adagio would go on spoiling Scoots until, red in the face and panting like she ran a marathon, Scoots said she had to go to practice.

It was a surprisingly productive afternoon.

Monday slid into place without a dejected groan for once. Buck's day at work was short and hot, but business was starting to even out. One new icy treat to draw in sweaty city-dwellers, one surprisingly dense lunch rush, and one excited Scoots talking about how she wants to get "super anime" with the magic stuff.

Buck was awoken from the haze of food service work by an alarm on his phone. He had a ride tonight.

It was getting dark by the time Buck headed for the parking lot. After a short ride, the beaten-up car pulled up to Buck's apartment.

"Thanks again for swoopin' by, Sunburst."

"No problem at all! I can't exactly hang around, unfortunately." Sunburst grabbed Dinky's backpack while Buck hauled the napping kid onto his shoulder.

"Why not?"

"I've got a lot of prep to do for tomorrow's training session. It's exciting in a way! I've never had to teach magic before; it was Starlight that taught me!"

"Ah, I get it."

"You don't sound excited."

"That obvious, huh? I just hope Iit's not too incomprehensible. I just need to learn control, but I feel like I'm about to stick out like a boner in a sex ed class."

"Relevant but distracting?"

"Exactly!"

"Well, don't worry about that. How are you and Ditzy getting along?"

"Hold on." Buck opened Ditzy's door and was instantly hit by the heavenly smells of her cooking. After being surrounded by sugary treats all day, the irresistible call of Ditzy's stroganoff was like a godsend.

Buck wordlessly laid Dinky down on the couch. He stepped around to the kitchen counter and knocked on it like a door. Ditzy turned, smiled, and then went back to stirring.

They shared a brief word, then Buck and Sunburst retreated to Buck's living room.

"Well, things look fine, anyway." Sunburst smiled.

"Sure but...man, I don't wanna complain about this..."

"What's going on, Buck?"

They had left the door ajar. Ditzy Doo, still in her apron, leaned her ear as close to the door as she could.

Buck took a deep breath, then spoke in a low ramble.

"Ditzy's great, Sunburst. She's the sweetest girl I've ever been with. She's also kind of a pillow princess. A lotta small, cute orgasms, you know? But she had a hard time fitting me in, and...she's a lightweight. And that's fine--that's fine, I obviously have skewed standards, but I'm scared if I go hard enough to get off, I'll hurt her. And I'd never forgive myself if I did that. I'm sorry, is that too much information?"

"Buck, it's me. Did you forget how we met?"

"Oh. Yeah, fair, there's no such thing as TMI with us."

"So you aren't being satisfied."

"It's only been one night. But no."

"Not like you were with-"

Ditzy shut her eyes.

"Don't. She's just inexperienced, that's all. It's been a long time for her, but she's trying."

"You should communicate this to her, don't you think?"

"I don't wanna hurt her feelins'. She's obviously insecure about it, so I've been tryin' to downplay it. I mean, man, I can get by with just my hand. Hell, that used to be my Friday."

"Just Friday?" Sunburst snickered.

"Point is, I can make do. It's only been a couple of nights. I just wanna give her time to adjust instead of whining about it."

"Okay, well...the thing is, she won't know until you tell her. I know that sex is important to you."

"I don't want it to be everything, though. I don't want to put a spotlight on it and make it seem like the most important thing in the world."

"Buck, if she doesn't satisfy you when you're together, then who will?"

Buck put a hand to his forehead and slumped forward. He was quiet for a few seconds.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, Buck."

"No, no, I got what you mean. I don't want this to be a 'thing'. It feels wrong to complain about it."

"I've been there, trust me," Sunburst said. "So don't make a 'thing' out of it. Just tell her that you need a little bit more. Make sure you use the word 'need' and not 'want'."

"But I do want it." Buck and Sunburst said it simultaneously, though Sunburst was rolling his eyes. They smiled.

"It's important to you, which means it's important to the relationship."

Ditzy wiped her eyes and snuck back over to her apartment. The look on her face wasn't grief or defeat. It was defiance.

"Sunburst, listen; not a word of this to Ditzy. The last thing I want is for her to think that she's unwanted just because she lacks a little experience. She shouldn't have to worry about that. She has enough on her plate, and I just...I want her to know that I love her no matter what."

"Then show her that. Maybe do something special for her, and remind her why you started dating in the first place. We all need a little reassurance now and then."

"Yeah. Yeah, you right."

"Before I go, I've got a little present for you." Sunburst said.

"Aw, bro, you shouldn't've!"

"I didn't, actually! Starlight insisted on this, and she even foot the bill."

"I am suddenly suspiscious!"

"Here." Sunburst handed Buck a small satin box.

"Bro, I've told you a million times, I'm straight!" Buck laughed.

"Just open it!"

Inside was a smooth pebble of greenish-black stone on a silver choker. Buck lifted it to his neck, then turned away from Sunburst.

"Help me with my dick?" Buck laughed.

Sunburst smiled, shook his head, and clicked the clasp closed.

"Okay so, what is it?"

"That is a changeling stone."

"What!?"

"Don't panic! It's not a literal changeling! It's a stone from their homeland. We had to cross-dimensional special order it from the organization. It cancels all types of magic besides changeling magic in the area around it. That stone is just big enough to cover your body."

"So this'll stop me from getting attacked by magic?"

"No magic; in or out. It means you don't have to worry about your own magic flaring up!."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"So even if I get riled up, I won't explode, or turn into anything?"

"That's right!"

"...so what's the catch?"

"Well, it won't protect you from changeling magic. And while it prevents magic coming in or out, it's very brittle and will eventually break under especially powerful magic. Regardless, until you can get a handle on your magic, this should make it easier to manage."

"How much did it cost?"

"It doesn't matter."

"And Starlight sent this?"

"She didn't think you'd take it if she offered, so she sent it with me. Don't tell her I told you, alright?" Sunburst smiled.

"Sure, sure. Huh...I guess I never expected this kinda thing outta Starlight."

"Starlight can be intense...she's not all that great at people. But she does genuinely mean well, and she's out there risking her life to protect the people of this city."

"Well, so're you, and you're not an asshole about it," Buck said.

"She's under a lot of pressure. Just like you are. You two have more in common than you know. Fixating way too hard on work and stress."

"Alright, Sunburst." Buck groaned.

"Forgetting to have fun..."

"Starlight? Fun?"

"She likes to fly kites. Look, I've got to get going. I'll see you tomorrow, Buck. Try to enjoy your night, alright?"

"Thanks, brother. I'll see you tomorrow."

With a hug and a smile, Sunburst headed out and left Buck to a warm and pleasant evening.

Adagio Dazzle sat up in her chair and stretched. The buzzing fluorescents always hurt her eyes around this time of day.

It was going to be another night of mindless, peaceful number crunching, and Adagio was intent on letting time's stream course by. She found a kind of serenity as she numbly recorded numbers and dates, sent brief notes to clients, and kept a tidy little record of all the suspicious little anomalies she found.

As usual, Adagio was the last employee out on the floor. By now, the most desperate or abstract accounts were always placed in her lap. This is what it meant to be dependable in the corporate world.

Adagio was growing impatient.

Luckily for her, Filthy Rich felt the same.

If Buck's lust was a blazing pyre, Filthy Rich's amorous attention was a bitter, reheated black tea.

As Adagio tasted it in the air, she quietly, subtly reached into her purse and turned on her phone's recorder app.

"Miss Dazzle, don't tell me they've got you working after hours again! Honestly, someone should tell that Harshwhinny to give her employees a break once in awhile!"

Adagio made a show of shuddering when Filthy Rich put his hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, no sir, it's nothing like that! We have a few new clients, and their portfolios are an absolute mess! I thought it important for the sake of our reputation to get these cleaned up as quick as possible." Adagio tittered, not looking up from her work. She tasted a small spike in his temperament.

"Dependable as always, I see! Every time I see our customer reviews, I'm glad I found such a star accountant!"

"You hired me to be a copytypist, sir." Adagio mumbled.

"Yes, and they told me I was crazy! The other board members? Said I was pulling from a shallow pool, that I ought to put someone on with more experiences or references, but I told them; I said 'I don't make mistakes, gentlemen. I make investments!" Filthy Rich laughed.

"I appreciate the faith you put in me, sir."

"Well, I just saw that you were something special, is all. I want to once again apologize for whatever that mess was in the bathroom on this floor. Our contractors are hard at work finishing the office space above it. Which reminds me. There's something I wanted to ask you about, Miss Dazzle."

"Yes, sir?"

"That new floor is going to be an extension to this very office. You didn't hear it from me, but Affluent Answers is in a bit of a financial windfall at the moment, and so we've decided to expand with a new floor and double our count of employees!"

"Oh, well that's wonderful news, sir!" Adagio noticed the slight wince as Filthy Rich took a knee to speak on eye level. She was surprised his knees were still real.

"Yes, but with this expansion, there will be some changes. From what I heard, your manager, Ms. Harshwhinny may be relocated. Good news for you; she'll be off your back!"

"Well, I-"

"However, the additional employees may make things a bit chaotic around here. That's why I came up. I wanted to offer you a position on another project. One a bit more lucrative and less hectic."

"Sir?"

"I'd like to take you on as my personal financial advisor. I'm about to invest in a little side project, and I'd like you to run my numbers. You'd have you very own desk in my office, away from all the squawking and nagging."

"Well, sir, I'm not sure if-"

"I'm offering this position because I heard you've been having a rough time. Overwork, lousy manager, boyfriend run off with another woman. It's sad to see such a talented worker go through so much!" I just figured that a woman like you ought to be taken care of. And there ain't no better place in this company for you than at my side. What do you say?"

The grin of a weasel split Filthy Richs' face. Adagio weighed the pros and cons. He was playing directly into her hands, but things might get messy if he decided blackmail didn't suit him while they were in private. She didn't like the idea of him being able to lock a door behind her. On the other hand, even slightly rejecting this vulture could bring down his wrath in some petty, bureaucratic way.

Just as Adagio was about to make her play, she was interrupted by a familiar, grating voice.

"Mr Filthy Rich. We here at Afflluent Answers value absolute professionalism in our workplace conduct, and that includes topic of conversation. While I recognize your status as CEO of our parent company, I will ask you not to pry into the personal affairs of our workers. Do I make myself clear?" Said Ms. Harshwhinny. Adagio could have sworn she had left hours ago.

"Well, Ms. Harshwhinny, its a pleasure to see you, too! That was just water cooler talk, no breach of contract, here. Say, didn't I hear you were being reassigned?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am."

"I see, I see! Well congratulations to whoever gets you on their team!"

"If that's the case, you should congratulate yourself."

"How's that, now?"

"I'm being moved to the secondary office on the next floor. Into the position of Senior Director."

"Ah."

"Which brings me to the reason I'm here. Miss Adagio Dazzle?"

"Yes ma'am." Adagio sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"For your services both in and outside of the company, I'd like to offer you a promotion. I want you to be the Assistant Director of Finance. You'll be working with me directly, though you'll take over my old office on this floor. You'll recieve increased compensation for your increased responsibilities. I don't need an answer right away, but I urge you to consider it." Harshwhinny said. Adagio caught the barest hint of a smile on her face as Filthy Rich silently seethed.

"Well...I can hardly refuse such an offer!" Adagio pivoted. "I accept."

"Excellent choice, Assistant Director." Harshwhinny shook Adagio's hand, and the satisfaction both of the women felt from the shock on Filthy Rich's face was worth its weight in gold. "If you'd like to come with me, we can get started on your paperwork. That is, unless our CEO has any other comments to make?" Harshwhinny said.

Filthy Rich's draconian glare eased off only the slightest bit. His hand had fallen from Adagio's shoulder.

"Not at all. As a matter of fact, I just remembered I've got an important call to make. You ladies have a nice night." Filthy Rich said before slithering off to the elevator.

He tasted like a man vowing revenge. Truly, he must have considered himself a Macbeth. He seemed like the type to only read the first few pages of a play.

Still, this was a step forward. Filthy RIch's grasping talons had been denied, and so his sense of entitlement would only grow more intense. When he made another move, it would have to be more drastic if he meant to ensnare his "prey".

Excellent.

"Are you quite alright? I hope the news didn't shock you too much." Harshwhinny said in a suddenly compassionate tone. Adagio snapped from her reverie.

"I'm fine. Thank you again for the opportunity."

"No need. You deserve better than to be ogled by a slavering ghoul like Filthy Rich, and you certainly deserve better than a cubicle. You don't know me, Assistant Director. I was only here a week before my monstrous dopppelganger took over. But I know you. You saved my life, and if the records are accurate, you've been saving Affluent Answers as well."

"Well, I don't like to brag."

"Of course not. We are professionals. We know our worth."

Now, this was a rare flavor. Earnest solidarity from a human which she had neither coerced nor seduced. Solidarity, a measure of trust, and buried beneath...embarrassment.

"...yes."

"Thank you for your service and cooperation, Assistant Director Adagio Dazzle. I look forward to our continued cooperation."

"...Miss Dazzle will do just fine."

"Very well. Shall we get your papers together, Miss Dazzle?"

Buck wiped his hands with a dishtowel. The dishes had taken a bit longer than usual. As Ditzy helped Dinky get ready for bed, Buck retreated to his own couch and laid back. One hand held open a copy of McKee's Dialogue, but his eyes were elsewhere. Like always, Buck was distracted.

It wasn't so much that the stone was striped. It's more like the dark faded into a sickly green like a piece of cheese that was starting to turn.

So this was his salvation; a pebble from another world that could retard magic. Courtesy of the changelings, who as far as Buck remembered, were his enemy. He couldn't remember much of the one they called Chrysalis. He must have been in so much shock that he blanked it out. The gears in his head ticked with questions he didn't have answers for, like how they had gotten the stone and what the changelings would do if they found out he had it.

He didn't like not knowing, but on the other hand, he shouldn't have to care. As long as he picked up some magic fundamentals, he would be fine, right? Then all this equestrian horseshit could go back to something he didn't have to think about. Just another distraction in a chaotic world.

The stone was supposed to keep his magic in check, yet it was funny, Buck thought, that it didn't make him feel any different. He still felt frustrated for not getting off with Ditzy and guilty in equal measure.

He was doing everything he could to not think about Adagio, but it wasn't enough. Moments of blazing passion flickered in his mind like a trail of candles in the dark. He knew where those thoughts led, and it wasn't to his girlfriend.

"Buck?"

Ditzy stepped through Buck's threshold and closed the door gingerly. She seemed a bit frazzled; a few strands of hair in her face after going through the rigors of putting Dinky to bed.

"Hey, Muffin. You okay?" Buck opened his arms, letting Ditzy lay right on top of him. The weight of her body and the press of her breasts against Buck's stomach felt so comfortable and natural, he couldn't believe he'd missed out for so long.

"Just tired. Mom stuff."

"Yeah? What's goin' on?"

"Dinky doesn't know what she wants to do for her final project. Somethin' about a diorama, or a poem, or a little essay about a fictional character, or somethin', I dunno. She's kinda freaking out about it."

"Oh, that sounds familiar. Choice paralysis at seven years old? That's a pretty typical symptom of-"

"She's fine, Buck. Once she decides on what she wants, I know she'll do a great job."

"Alright...well, if there's anything I can do to help, let me know. Schoolwork is kind of like jogging. It sucks the whole time you do it, and you get suspicious when you see someone enjoyin' it."

"Didn't you say that Sunburst liked doing schoolwork?" Ditzy laughed.

"Nah, he likes studying, but that's just as bad."

"...Buck, you're literally studying a book about dialogue, right now."

"Yes, and I'm a total scoundrel." Buck smiled.

"No you're not! You're a big ol' sweetheart!"

"If you insist." Buck idly ran a hand through Ditzy's hair.

"You are! You've been so gentle with me..."

"And you've been patient with me, and all this magical horseshit. But hey, check out what Starlight sent me! This little pebble here is gonna protect me from magic, and stop my own from comin' out. So you can rest easy."

"That's great, Buck!" Ditzy said remembering suddenly that she wasn't supposed to know about it. "Does this mean you don't have to take magic lessons?"

"No, I still do...they're gonna teach me the basics, so I can at least be ready if something comes at me."

"I can protect you, Buck."

"You shouldn't have to fight alone. Hell, you shouldn't have to fight at all."

"But I will! If you need me to, I'll fight! I'm tougher than you think!"

"I know, I know. You're tougher than me. I'm just tryin' to carry some of the weight on my own. You shouldn't have to put both Dinky and me on your back. I'm not your baby."

"No, you're my boyfriend."

"Right. We're not married or anything; you shouldn't have to carry my burdens. That's why I've gotta learn this stuff."

"That's not what I meant. I meant that I want to support you if I can...and I want you to support me. Remember what we said the other night?"

"Honka donka bazonkas?"

"No, Buck, the other thing. Remember, we were right here, on the couch? What'd I say before we did our do-over?"

"Uh...you said that whatever's bothering me, you'll be there for me."

"That's right. So, is something bothering you? You know you can tell me."

Ditzy searched Buck's face and found the expression he made whenever he was especially pensive about something.

Normally she loved that look because it meant he would start rambling about a story idea if she asked, or he would mention a little piece of philosophy, or, most times, tell a really dumb joke. Now, however, it filled her with dread. She knew what he was overthinking about, and she knew it was her fault, but she wasn't sure what to do.

"I'm fine. I'm just a lil' bit stressed about magic training tomorrow. What about you?"

"Me?"

"Well...not to be rude, but your hair's messed up, and you smell like you need a shower."

Ditzy flushed red and nearly scrambled off Buck, but he placed his hands on her ass and pulled her forward so that their noses were almost touching.

"You've been bustin' your ass today. I know 'Mommy Stuff' is a full-time job, but you don't gotta do it with me. So, how about you take a hot shower, and when you're done, we can cuddle for a lil' bit. Sound good?"

Ditzy forgot her line of questioning in Buck's smirk. She nodded slowly, her eyes shifting slowly off-center.

"Alrighty. I'll go warm it up for you." Buck said.

"Okay."

"Muffin?"

"Yes, Buck?"

"You're...gonna have to get off me, first."

"Oh! Um, right, I uh...right."

Buck kissed her briefly, then stepped into his room. Ditzy realized she had been standing awkwardly in his living room, twirling her hair just in time for Buck to come back and tell her it was ready.

"I'll grab you a clean towel. Take all the time you want, Muffin."

Down a stretch of hallway and around a corner, Buck put his master plan into action. It was a technique he had learned and perfected over the course of a previous relationship that he kept trying to forget. Once or twice he had used it to earn a good tip.

For Buck, it was especially difficult because of the timing. If he let his concentration lapse for even a moment, all the effort would be for naught. Not tonight. Tonight Buck was determined to show Ditzy that he cared, and so with a look of cautious optimism, he stepped into the dingy, flickering laundry room of his apartment complex, put his coins into a machine, and started it up.

"You've changed, man."

"MONKEY ON A STICK! Don't DO that!" Buck whirled around, clutching at his chest. His old friend Smolder leaned in the threshold, smirking and snacking on an apple. In the place of a flowing gown, she now wore a faded jean jacket over pyjama bottoms.

"Hah! Sorry, couldn't resist! I almost forgot how jumpy you are!"

"What're you doin' here?"

"Laundry. Didn't pack a whole lotta clothes. What are you doing here?"

"Making an effort." Buck shrugged, patting the machine.

"For a girl? You? That's not the Dark Lord I know." Smolder laughed.

"Alright, ease off, Daggertooth." Buck grumbled, but an old smile settled on his face.

"I mean it. The Buck I knew back in college wasn't anything like this. Always putting on an act. Took me a while to realize the smile was fake. Now you're sighin' and stoppin' fights and goin' the extra mile for a housewife. How about that?"

"Yeah, well, she's worth it."

"Buck, did you ever try patching things up with--"

"No. She doesn't care and I'm over it. Leave it alone."

The two stared at each other, then. It was an old conversation that dragged across the floor.

"I knew he was full of shit." Smolder smiled.

"Who?"

"Gar Gar. He said you were up there cowering in the tower when I was rampaging. Said he had to smack some sense into you. Now I know that's a lie. You never lost your nerve." Smolder swatted Buck on the back.

"I mean, it's still me, Smolder. Just a few pounds and a few scars heavier."

A beep that was more of a honk blared through the room.

"And that's my time. I gotta get back." Buck leaned down and collected the fluffy towel he had placed in the drying machine.

"Okay, not gonna keep you. It was nice catching up a little."

"Hey, you're always welcome around here, Smolder."

"Yeah? I'm gonna hold you to that! Seriously, though, you're all full of love, now. I'm sorta jealous."

"Yeah, no kiddin'." Buck laughed. Smolder punched him on the shoulder as lightly as she ever allowed,

"I'm proud of you. I can tell you really love that lady."

"I do. I really do."

"So tell me this. Why the hell do you look so sad?"

Compared to the toy-filled hazard zone of Ditzy's own shower, Buck's was roomier. This meant it was basically a coat closet, but with more hair. Little jam colored ringlets could be seen all around Ditzy's periphery, reminding her that no matter how Buck scrubbed, he was always shedding like the labrador she compared him to. That little imperfection brought her a small bit of comfort.

After turning the heat a ways down, Ditzy took her time getting clean. Despite the soothing comfort, Ditzy stood under the stream, waiting for something to happen.

A pair of purple hands tossing the curtain aside, grabbing at her. A soothing but demanding voice insisting as a sponge scrubbed her back. An equally insistent touch, but lower.

None of that happened.

Instead, Ditzy Doo enjoyed the sensation of the running water and settled into a sweet solitude that she was getting less and less of just lately.

It wasn't until Buck knocked on the bathroom door that she remembered to be tense.

"You okay in there?"

"Just finishing up! Did...did you get the towel?"

"Yeah, I got it! Can I come in?"

Ditzy paused.

"Well, sure!"

Ditzy heard the door open, and a rush of cool air swept in. It was a cold summer night, and she could feel goosebumps prickling her skin.

She saw the wide-shouldered silhouette approach, and for a second, the old fear tried to creep back in. Ditzy froze and stared through the curtain like it was a screen door to hell.

"Muffin?"

Ditzy tossed the curtain aside, and there was Buck, holding a steaming towel.

"I warmed it up for you!"

Ditzy took his hand, and the second her foot touched the fake tile, she slipped. Buck caught her, braced her, and helped her out of the tub. Ditzy cursed herself for shivering, for being so clumsy, but Buck smiled.

"Here. Put your foot up here. I've got you."

Ditzy placed her foot on the lid of Buck's toilet, then felt the steamy heat of the towel wrap around her leg. It pressed in under Buck's gentle hands, then slid up with deliberate slowness.

Ditzy shuddered, placing a steadying hand on Buck's shoulder as he kneeled, working the towel over her curves, soothing her with a tingling warmth.

Every place that the towel dried, Buck planted a tiny kiss; first on her knee, then the side of her thigh, then her hip, her right butt cheek, then a sensuous trail of kisses up the small of her back until Buck was standing right behind her, the towel rolling slowly over Ditzy's breasts as Buck kissed the side of her neck.

Ditzy held as still as she could, but every bit of care sent a tiny shiver into her core. Buck was worshipping every inch of her, and even though she dreaded, ached for him to get greedy and handsy, Buck's affection baked her cheeks with an intoxicating heat. By the time Buck started kissing her cheek, the one on her face, Ditzy felt like the wrapping, squeezing heat of the towel would spin her into cotton candy.

At some point, Ditzy had grabbed onto Buck's arm, and her hips swayed against him in a slow dance.

"You like that, huh? A warm towel on a cold night...there ain't nothin' like it. C'mon. Let's go snuggle up. Don't want you to get cold." Buck said.

With the warm towel and the warm arms around her, Ditzy felt like she was in a dream.

She came here for something. Was it cuddles? Maybe. No. Well, yes, it was! But also...

Ditzy remembered.

"Buck..." Ditzy pulled away and stepped over to the bed. She turned and looked at Buck's easy smile.

"Yeah, Muffin?"

Ditzy dropped the towel.

"Please, Buck..."

Without a word, Buck treated Ditzy to more tiny kisses. His hands moved from her cheeks to trailing through her golden hair. Ditzy held onto his shoulders, fearing that her legs might give out.

Buck's hands took a ponderous journey down her back, then Ditzy gasped as Buck grabbed her ass. He nudged her forward and soon he was on top of her.

Ditzy's hands hovered once more, but Buck took her wrists and guided her to reach under his shirt. Ditzy tugged upward, pulling away from Buck's lips only long enough for the tank top to clear his head.

Ditzy looked down and felt a rush of embarrassment. Her legs were wide open, her breathing was shallow, she was turning redder by the moment and Buck had barely done anything. Buck looked about ready to burst out of his jeans, but his face looked concerned.

"What's wrong?"

"Hm? Whaddaya mean?"

"You're cryin', Ditzy." Buck's fingertip came away wet from Ditzy's face.

"Oh! That's not, like...uh...the way you treat me, it's like I'm some sorta goddess! I just...I've never been touched the way you touch me, Buck. It's not just sweet, it's..."

"Reverent?"

"Yeah! I'm just not used to this treatment, so i think I'm a little overwhelmed..."

"You wanna stop?"

"Nonono! Let me just..." Ditzy struggled with Buck's belt. He gently pushed her hands away and undid it, but gave Ditzy the courtesy of letting her pull the zipper down.

"As long as you're okay, Muffin. Come here." Buck, now free of his pants, pressed his cock right up against Ditzy's slit. He pressed down with his thumb and slid his length against Ditzy's outer labia. With each little nudge of his cockhead against her clitoris, Ditzy twitched and hummed. Buck began slow, but with every few thrusts, he picked up the speed, until a gasping Ditzy patted on his chest.

"Please...please don't make me wait anymore, Buck!"

"Sorry...just wanted to make sure you were nice'n wet." Buck said, lining himself up. He paused. "Hold up, let me get a condom, Muffin." Buck reached, but Ditzy clung to him.

"No, that's okay, that's okay! It's one of my safe days!"

"How do you know that?"

"I may have gotten a little teensy bit neurotic about it after Dinky was born..."

"It's still a lil' risky, though."

"It's okay. I want...I really wanna feel you."

Ditzy's nails dug into Buck's shoulder as his cock dug deep into her.

"Okay...okay..." Ditzy closed her eyes and let loose a deep breath. She threw her arms around Buck's neck, staring into his eyes as she whimpered. "Come on..."

Buck plunged in deeper and found the bottom of Ditzy's honey pot. He thrust just once, and Ditzy's hands flew to her face. A little yelp and a nervous giggle, almost like she'd been tickled.

"Too much?"

"I'm okay...keep going. It's okay, it's okay." Ditzy stammered. Her face tried to stay full of concentration, but every light thrust made Buck's cock kiss her cervix. She pulled Buck's head down next to hers, squeezing him as his hips rolled, spreading her with a hot, meaty thickness.

Ditzy little affirmations melted into moans against Buck's ear. The closeness and the feeling of his raw cock grinding against her walls made Ditzy feel so safe and so loved, but she fought her own rising anxiety with every thrust.

The excitement and the nervousness mixed together in Ditzy's mind as Buck's little gasps turned into grunts. She could feel him tensing inside her.

"It's okay...fuck me, Buck!" Ditzy whispered in Buck's ear.

All of a sudden it was like a burning battering ram slammed into Ditzy on the inside. Buck's sensual roll of the hips turned into a rougher slap of flesh on flesh, and Ditzy clung to him, holding her tongue against the burning. Buck's grunts grew louder and shakier. He was finally getting into it, but Ditzy's hand flew up to cover her cries while he railed her.

She was coming to a familiar place, a horrible place that she had tried to forget.

It was a scar in her mind, seared into an open wound by an act of passion. Buck was swearing under his breath, squeezing Ditzy's ass with both hands, going harder and faster.

He would come soon. Ditzy hoped he would come soon.

She thought of their little conversations at night, the tears in his eyes after their fire scare, his burning gaze on the dance floor, the warmth of his arms. She focused on the little wonderful moments they shared together, the beauty that they found in the heat of their joined hands. She thought of Dinky, and how glad she was that a man like Buck was in her life.

"Oh, Muffin...Ditzy, Ditzy, hey!"

Ditzy blinked and looked up at Buck with wet eyes. Had she cried on him? No, Ditzy knew the look in Buck's eyes. It was that look he had whenever he made even a tiny mistake. A sunken, broken squint, trying to hold back tears that refused to be dammed up.

"Buck? Wait, Buck, it's okay, I'm alright!" Ditzy stroked his cheek, but she knew it was too late. It was all too much. Buck slid out of her carefully, then laid at her side and hugged her tightly to his chest.

"I was hurting you!"

"It's okay!"

"No, Ditzy, no, it's not. I don't ever want it to be like that. I love you too much to hurt you like that. Don't ever let me do that, please, just tell me if I'm hurting you, please..."

"It's not you Buck, it's, there's some bad stuff that this reminded me of and I...I can't talk about it right now. I didn't mean to ruin it, I wasn't trying to-"

"This isn't your fault, Muffin, it's mine. I need to pay better attention. I thought I warmed you up enough, but maybe it was the angle, or the speed, or...I don't know. Are you sure you're okay?" Buck's hand shook as he rubbed Ditzy's shoulder.

"Buck, I'm okay. Really, I'm okay."

"Alright." He was holding her like a baby again. Like at any moment he would squeeze her too hard and she would shatter like a porcelain doll. Ditzy laid in his embrace, dangling between shame and comfort.

"Do you still want to...?"

"No...no, I can't. Not if it means hurting you. Can I please just hold you for a little while?"

Ditzy nodded. Buck pulled the covers over the two of them and stroked Ditzy's hair for so long that she nearly nodded off.

Ditzy tried to find the words, but there were none. There was just the sense that she was digging into a place that she didn't want to be with Buck, a place that went past tender care.

"I promise it won't always be this way, Buck. We can figure this out."

"You don't have to push yourself for me, Ditzy. I don't wanna make this into a big deal. We can take it slow."

"Are you sure? I know it's different for guys..."

"I don't ever want you to think that you're obligated to have sex with me, Ditzy. It's not that important. Especially if it hurts you." Ditzy couldn't find her argument against Buck's chest.

"Okay, Buck. Do you wanna come and sleep with me and Dinky tonight?" Ditzy smiled up at Buck, trying to find normal again, but he looked a little lost.

"No, I'll stay here, tonight. I don't want y'all to have to tiptoe around me in the morning, anyway."

"It's no trouble..."

"I think all the stress of tomorrow is getting to me as well. I think I ought to just turn in." It was still hours before his bedtime, Ditzy knew.

"Well, if you're sure...I won't keep you up."

Ditzy puckered her lips, and Buck came in with a kiss so sweet and tender it made her forget where she was for a moment. When Buck's lips finally pulled away, Ditzy felt lonely in an instant.

"I love you, Ditzy Doo."

"I love you too."

And so Buck went to bed early, leaving Ditzy to listen carefully at the wall behind her bed.

After a few minutes, Ditzy heard the gentle shuffling and, eventually the quiet gasp. Buck had finally finished.

Ditzy had awoken this week wondering how much things would change.

Now it felt like everything was the same. One thin wall and a million miles between her and the man she loved.

Ditzy wanted to get up and go to him. She wanted to beg him for another chance or scream at him to talk this through with her, but he was scared of that conversation and so was she.

Adagio's words out on the proving ground echoed through her mind.

You will never be enough for him.

"No. You're going to figure this out, Ditzy Doo. Don't get cold feet now. There's gotta be another way." She whimpered in the dark of her bedroom.

Ditzy wanted to be what Buck needed in that moment, but she was terrified that she would go over there and fall apart all over again.

Buck needed her, but right now, he needed to be by himself.

So Ditzy gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and left Buck alone.

Like always.

Tuesday was a scorching hot, humid day, the kind that makes you regret waking up in any place south of the north pole. Buck awoke in a groggy, sweat-soaked daze, his sheets needing to be peeled off before he could jump into a cold shower.

Buck always fucking hated summer. It wasn't just that he was a barrel-shaped, hairy man, but the worst times in his life always came during the summer. He lost his hometown in the summer. He lost his dad in the summer. He lost his dignity in the summer.

Buck emerged from the shower, dressed light, and put his hand on Ditzy's door before realizing she was already off at work. Then he circled back around to the kitchen and realized that his fridge was dangerously close to empty again.

The only things left were a plastic container of something that used to be salad fixings and a big pitcher of lemonade.

The pitcher had a little note on it that read 'Stay cool today! Good luck with the magic stuff! <3"

"I don't deserve her, really I don't." Buck said it with a humorless smile, then held the nice cold pitcher to his chest.

After pouring himself a glass, then another, and another, he picked up the phone.

"Hey Scoots! It's hot as balls out, do you wanna head over to Sunbursts' early and use his air conditioning?"

"And get a jump on the magic training?"

"Yeah, I guess. If we bring a tub of ice cream, he'll totally let us bum around his place all day."

"Sounds like a plan!"

When Buck met up with Scoots, she had a tub of chocolate ice cream under one arm. She was also wearing a hoodie and clearing suffering for it.

"Yo, Scoots! Here's a ten spot for the ice cream."

"Woah! Since when do you pay for stuff?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Why're you wearin' a backpack?"

"Oh, I brought some notebooks and pencils and highlighters and stuff."

"You're gonna take notes?"

"Aren't you?"

"I was just gonna wing it."

"Ah well, doesn't hurt to be prepared for once."

"Okay, well, you ready to go? This heat is killing me!"

"Yeah...why're you wearin' a hoodie?"

"No reason!" Scoots said, blinking rapidly.

"You've got the worst fuckin' poker face, Scoots. What happened? Didja get an embarrasin' tattoo? Without me?" Buck gasped.

"No! I...I...it's none of your business!"

"Okay, sorry. Didn't mean to offend."

As they stood at the crosswalk, Scoots' face started to look like an orange balloon; her cheeks puffing out as she tried to hold the wind in.

"...Scoots?"

"I got a hickey, okay!?" Scoots exploded.

"Oh damn! Good on ya! Who from?"

"...Adagio."

"Oh." Scoots looked at Buck like he was a landmine she had stepped on, and knew what would happen if she lifted her foot.

"You're not mad, are you?"

"What? Naw! No, not at all."

"Well, why not!?"

"Well, for one, it ain't none of my business who she fools around with."

"Uh-huh..."

"And for two, she's a grown-ass woman who can make her own decisions."

"Oh my god."

"What."

"She said the same thing about you."

"That I'm a grown-ass woman?"

"No, dummy! That you can make your own decisions! She's not even butthurt that you're dating Ditzy, like not even a little bit!"

"Huh. Well, that's nice to hear. So you and Adagio, are you turning into...a thing?"

"No! Of course not! She's not...I'm not...no, I uh...no. Nothing like that, don't worry!"

"I'm...not? But you hung out? How's she doing?"

The lobby at TenPony Towers was remarkably cool and crisp. Suits and the corporate mannequins that wore them were shuffling around as Buck and Scoots crossed the lobby. Everyone they passed gave them a bit of a stink eye.

"Her hair is still all singed, and her back hasn't healed up, yet. But besides that, she's fine."

"Well, that's good. I'm glad you hung out with her. She needs a friend, I think. I don't think she really knows how to be a friend, you know?"

"I know what you mean. Even when we were doing Cartoons and Vodka and game night, she was totally scheming the whole time."

"You think if I called Sunnybun, she'd give her a friendship lesson?"

"That sounds like a bad idea for a bunch of reaons."

"Yeah, fair. So uh...I take it you got laid, then?"

"Uh-huh...Adagio's a little...intense. I almost felt like I needed a buddy for that." Scoots said, smiling at Buck.

"Is that an invitation? Scoots, you know I can't do that kind of thing, now."

"Can't or won't?"

"Ooh, she's rubbin' off on you."

The elevator dinged.

"C'mon, tell the truth. If you weren't all married up with Ditzy Doo, you would'a totally been down for another threeway."

The elevator closed.

"To keep it a hunnid with you, I'm not doin' so hot on that."

"Really? Is Ditzy not doing it?"

"No it's...it's complicated."

"Why is it always complicated with you?"

"I don't know, okay!? I fuckin, I fuckin' overthink things, and I make mistakes and I feel like no matter what I do, I'm makin' the wrong choice! And Ditzy is great. She's great! And just because she's havin' a hard time fitting me in, and I'm havin' a hard time gettin' off, I'm fuckin getting all quiet on her when I KNOW she just wants me to be honest, but I don't want to hurt her feelin's, so I just shut up instead, and it's only been a little bit, it's only been a little bit since we started dating and I feel like I'm fuckin' it all up already! I don't know why it's always gotta be complicated with me! It just is, and now there's all this magic and shit and I just want things to slow down and be simple! I need to just cut loose and relax, but I can't and I feel like I'm goin' crazy, Scoots!"

By the end of the rant, Buck was nearly screaming. He turned and saw Scoots cringing away from him.

"Look, I'm sorry, Scoots. I'm supposed to be relaxing and enjoying this new relationship with Ditzy, and I'm screwing it up, and I wasn't tryin' to take it out on you. I'm sorry. I'm scared that I'm just gonna go walk into Sunbursts' suite and screw up even more."

"Hug me. Gimmie a hug, Buck." Scoots held her arms out.

Buck didn't hesitate. Just like when he held Scoots back at Sugar Cube Corner, she jumped up and wrapped her arms and legs around him. He felt the tension leave him.

"You give really good hugs, Scoots."

"Learned it from you, bro."

The elevator doors opened.

"It's still really weird that you call me that when I've been inside you, Scoots."

"Really? I think it's kinda hot."

Buck set Scoots down, but as they headed to Sunburst's door, she held his hand.

That small act of empathy made Buck feel stronger by tenfold, which he guessed meant that he and Scoots were really becoming friends.

"I mean, to be fair, if I was single and this hard up, I would'a fucked the purple outta your hair if you asked."

"Awww! Thanks!"

"Don't fuckin' tell Ditzy I said that."

"Hey, knock knock, it's the boner squad!" Scoots shouted, banging on Sunbursts' door.

The door creaked.

"Uh...hey! You guys are early!" Sunburst said.

"Hey Sunburst, its hot as balls out! Can we slum it up in there until magic school?"

"We brought ice cream!"

"...Is it Mint Chocolate?" Sunburst's eyes narrowed.

"No, you tasteless fuck! Let us in!" Buck grabbed the tub of ice cream from Scoots and shoved it in Sunburst's hands before pushing past him.

"Ooh, someone's in a mood." Sunburst smiled.

"Shut the fuck up, Sunburst." Buck chuckled, turned, and hugged him.

"I love you too, babe. Come on in! I haven't cleaned up yet, but if you give me a bit, we can get started relatively soon."

Sunburst's place, contrary to what Scoots had seen just the other night, was entirely intact. There wasn't a single piece of debris or broken glass. Instead of trash, the coffee table was covered with a loosely organized pile of paperwork, which Starlight Glimmer was silently going over; scribbling notes, crossing things out, adjusting diagrams, and the like.

"Mornin', Starlight." Buck tried.

"It's 2:26." Starlight said, not looking up.

"Sweet as always. Are you gonna be the mean teacher today?"

"I'm not mean, I'm just direct!"

"That don't answer my question."

"We're going to teach you together. Sunburst is more about the advanced theory, and I'm going to teach you the practical stuff."

"Okay, so you're like the gym coach, got it." Buck smiled.

"Sure, whatever."

"But seriously, thanks for this. For all of it." Buck said, touching the stone dangling from his neck.

"Hm." Starlight nodded, and while it was fleeting, Buck caught a small smile at the corner of her mouth.

"Is there anything we can do to help set up?" Scoots said.

It wasn't much. A quick vacuum, a little organizing and removing the wreckage of Starlight and Sunbursts' previous late-night study session all went by in the blink of an eye, leaving Buck and Scoots to sit on the couch, notebooks open in front of a blackboard that Sunburst had wheeled out.

"Here's the first thing you need to know. Magic can be explained with a simple equation." Starlight said, brandishing a piece of chalk.

"And you've lost me." Buck said.

"There's a ton of debate among those in the know about what magic actually is. It can't be viewed through a microscope, and trying to interpret it as data usually destroys whatever instrument picks it up. Some of us think it's a type of plasma, others think it's a mysterious 5th form of matter, some say it's a particle."

"I have a theory that magic is a type of photon, actually." Sunburst said.

"Right." Starlight smiled at him. "As you've probably guessed, we've had some contact with the other side, and from the materials we've been given, we have a rudimentary understanding of how magic is supposed to work. Magic is defined by a clarity of Intention and driven by emotion. If one taps a Source of magic with Intention and throttles that intention with a pointed Emotion, they will manifest that source as what we call a spell. In other words; 'I over E plus S equals M'."

Buck immediately started scratching out Starlight's speech in note form, while Scoots sat back and balanced a pencil on her finger.

"This equation is at the heart of all spellcasting, so remember it! If you ever panic or get confused in casting a spell, just remember I over E plus S equals M!"

"I guarantee that I won't remember that." Buck said, his leg bouncing.

"Are you even paying attention?" Starlight said.

"Yeah, I'm takin' notes!"

"The human world doesn't have magic naturally. However, there have been strange events across history that we believe to be magical anamolies that originated in Equestria."

"Like Adagio was sayin' back at the Boardwalk." Buck interjected.

"...Right. When a substantial amount of arcane energy is expelled on one side, it can poke holes in reality that leads to the other side."

"Like at the Friendship Games!" Scoots said.

"Or the aquarium..." Buck mumbled.

"I think you know how this goes. Magic has a transfiguring property. It can have immediate effects on anything it touches, regardless of its state or matter, and because humans severely lack magic, they are especially vulnerable to this change. Sunburst?"

Sunburst went to the kitchen and came back with a tray. Atop it was a glass beaker with a tube sticking out of the neck, on a stand above a bunsen burner.

"Let's say the water in this flask is your environment. That can mean the air around you, but it can also mean objects and other living things in your vicinity." Starlight continued. "And let's say that this packet of sugar is the host; a combination of your intent and emotion." Sunburst poured a few spoons of sugar into the water. "Now, what happens when we add powdered drink mix?"

Sunburst poured some red-colored powder into the beaker.

"Uh...you stain your tongue red." Buck said.

"You get diabetes!" Scoots chimed.

"No." Starlight frowned.

"Well, in a way that's right!" Sunburst added. He dipped a long glass wand into the water and swirled it, creating a mixture.

"When you introduce the magic--the drink mix--to the environment, and mix it--direct contact with a spell source-- the magic changes the environment and combines with the host to create something new. The potency of this solution is dependant on the quantity of the elements inside."

"Huh?" Buck said.

"Oh, I get it!" Scoots said, raising her hand. Starlight smiled and pointed at her. "If you put too much mix in, you get a sludgy mess, and if you put in too much sugar, you get a drink that's way too sweet!"

"Exactly! If your end goal is a nice, refreshing glass to sip on a summer day, you know that a balance of the ingriedients is key." Sunburst said, beaming.

"Different types of powder have different 'flavors' as you can imagine, and you choose the form or container that they are served in. That is spellcasting."

"...so what do you do when you have too much mix? How do you separate it?" Buck asked.

"That's just it. Normally you don't. Once you have your mixture, all there is to do is use it up. That's why getting it right is critical." Starlight said.

"You can't be serious."

"Well...if you apply certain stimuli, you can separate the components somewhat." Sunburst turned on the bunsen burner, and after a bit of boiling, the water evaporated. What remained was a red residue in the bottom of the beaker.

"While the magical effects on your environment can be negated, if you've interacted with magic, it can have long term effects on you. Some of the solution is removed, but the powder and the sugar are still mixed together."

"But then how does that help me?" Buck said.

"That stone around your neck is like a cork that stops the drink mix from entering the water. But the problem with you, Buck, is that the mix comes from inside you. It keeps building and building, mixing with the sugar so that whenever even a bit comes out, it turns the water around you sludgy and over-sweet." Starlight said.

"So what do I do?"

"We don't know. We figure if you get educated about magic, we could work towards figuring it out." Sunburst said.

"So you guys don't have any plan besides putting a lid on my magic!? What the fuck am I supposed to do!?"

"Calm down. That's what we're trying to figure out!" Starlight said.

"Whaddaya mean calm down!? I'm over here ruining a block party or a bar mitzvah or some shit with shitty kool-aid because I can't control my portioning, and you want me to calm down!?" Buck said. Scoots suddenly felt the air around Buck warm-up, like a torch had been lit, but it stopped immediately.

"At least you have portions to add!" Starlight shouted.

"Okay, okay, let's simmer down, now..." Sunburst said, patting Starlight's shoulder.

The beaker began to shake.

"Buck, calm down!" Starlight said.

"It's not me, I've got the stone on!" Buck said.

"If you were worried about overflowing, all you had to do was call."

The mixture in the beaker came to life, swirling like a miniature tornado. Buck squinted and watched as the red dust sifted up and out of the beaker, turning into a little pile of drink mix in a yellow palm.

His heart quickened. It wasn't that he'd forgotten what it was like, he had simply gotten used to another set of eyes on him. Two familiar vicious purple whirlpools stared back at him, daring him to dive in.

"As for long-term solutions, well, you might need an expert on Equestrian magic."

Adagio twirled her finger. The drink mix shifted and hardened into a small, blooming rose. She tilted her hand and blew into her palm. The powder dispersed into a sparkling red cloud.

"If only you happened to know one." Adagio smirked past Sunburst, Starlight, and Scootaloo, straight at Buck.

Author's Note

Song Review: You know, I'm not even a fan of U2, but here we are again. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For is ennui crystalized into a catchy pop ballad. When I listen to it, I'm always struck with the idea that Bono can't find happiness in the arms of a love interest because his dissatisfaction runs deeper and more personal than that. Sometimes the happiness you find in one corner of your life can't quite reach the others. What's funny is, I think that feeling applies to every corner of our love triangle.