Spearhead trotted down the street at a hurried pace, ascot wrapped tight about his neck. The thin piece of fabric did little to ward away the bitter wind that blew in from the north but he didn't mind. Keeping the cloth close to him, he turned sharply and jogged down the sidewalk toward a distant cafe.

Above him, the wind continued to howl, though it did nothing to banish the omnipresent fog that clung to everything. Canterlot was far greyer than usual, and it felt like it may begin raining at any moment. As such there were few ponies brave enough to tread the streets, or at least not without some kind of rain gear at least.

Spearhead didn't mind too much, and quickly pushed his way inside the small cafe. Pausing in the entrance, he took a moment to slick back his mane, and do a quick once over his appearance. With that done, he began to look around the rather dimly lit room, searching for a few familiar shapes.

Sure enough the three ponies he was hoping to find were sitting in their usual spot at the back, right next to the bathroom. It wasn't the most glamorous of locations, but that was where the sole booth was located, and thus it was chosen for its relative privacy.

Spearhead passed by the many delicious-looking sweets and the bored look of the young earth pony stallion behind the counter. Normally the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and donuts would entice him at least a little, but not today. Plunking down in the booth next to Knight Night, Spearhead looked around expectantly, noting that both Shining Armor and Cadance had already ordered.

“What I miss?” Spearhead asked.

“Nothing much. Cadance is just trying to get more dirt on Crystal again,” Knight Night remarked.

“I am not. I’m just… curious as to what he's been up to,” Cadance retorted, the alicorn taking a sip of some incredibly sweet-smelling tea.

“I don't know why you do this babe,” Shining Armor added. “The guy’s a little willful but honestly that's not a bad quality to have. Stars know we could all learn to be a bit more forceful. Like, say with Celestia’s classes for instance.”

Cadance winced. “I can't just say no to her. Plus I need those extra training sessions. I’m going to be a princess one day, Shiny.”

“Yeah but in the meantime, you’re still just one of us common folk,” Shining Armor pointed out.

“Just a slob like one of us,” Knight Night added.

“Just a stranger on the bus,” Spearhead picked up.

“You know I love any song that talks about Celestia just being a normal pony but you also know I hate songs that imply she has some sort of divinity,” Cadance interrupted.

“Oh come it's just a fun song. Lighten up babe,” Shining Armor chided.

“How can I relax when I’ve got more classes than someone going for a double major, and my boyfriend is being hypnotized by a dark magic user,” Cadance asked incredulously.

“Woah that was kind of out of nowhere,” Knight Night muttered.

“Yeah, Crystal has never used dark magic,” Spearhead retorted.

“But his horn. You don't get a horn like that without using dark magic,” Cadance declared.

“The house would know if he used dark magic, plus you know that's not a definitive indicator that someone used any forbidden spells,” Shining Armor stated.

“Yeah. Only that someone in his family has,” Spearhead added.

“Oh come on you guys. He shows up out of nowhere, with like, the shadiest backstory ever and immediately inserts himself into our lives. You aren't saying that’s not the least bit weird?” Cadance alleged. “Have you ever even heard of Stratsburg before?”

“Look. I get that you’re going to be a princess and thus are way more important then us peons but not everyone is an assassin,” Spearhead growled, jabbing a hoof at Cadance.

“Guys let’s not fight,” Knight Night tried to interrupt.

“I’m not saying he's an assassin per se, just that it's weird you know. Like, why won't he let me use a lie detector spell on him?” Cadance asked.

“Now you know that's not fair,” Shining Armor tried to mediate. “A zone of truth is an invasive, and-”

“Would you let Crystal use one on you?” Spearhead accused.

“Well, I-” Cadance muttered.

“Didn't think so,” Spearhead proclaimed.

“Why are you defending him so badly anyway?” Cadance pressed, raising an eyebrow. “A few weeks ago when we talked about this last you were okay with doing some more digging on him.”

“That was before I really got to know him. Something you should really consider doing,” Spearhead retorted.

The stallion then crossed his hooves over his chest and sat back in the booth, glaring at Cadance.

“Augh,” groaned Cadance. “I don't get why you all run defense for him so much he's clearly a creep.”

“Who’s a creep?” asked Crystal Throne.

All eyes turned to the disguised Sombra as he walked up to the table.

“Noone. Don't worry about it,” Cadance dismissed.

“Cadance was complaining about you again,” Spearhead remarked.

“Typical. I assume you defended my honor?” Crystal inquired, glancing at Spearhead expectantly.

“Of course. I have gotten to know you pretty well recently,” Spearhead replied.

“My knight in shining armor,” purred Crystal.

The disguised king then leaned forward and planted a brief kiss on the other stallion’s lips. The kiss was then repeated, and deepened, with a hoof wrapping around a confused Spearhead’s neck. With nowhere else to go, the athletic male made out with Sombra until finally being released a few seconds later.

“Squish over, would you?” Sombra asked.

Spearhead nodded mutely, making way for his partner to sit down next to him in the booth.

“Now then what were…” Sombra paused, and looked around, noting that everyone was staring at him with mixed expressions.

Knight Night seemed disappointed, and slightly guilty, the stallion avoiding Sombra’s gaze. Cadance was withdrawn, her expression hardening, her shoulders squaring up to Sombra. Shining Armor just looked confused, but Sombra could detect a hidden arousal from the blush on his cheeks. The disguised king could also tell that the other male was also a bit curious, his gaze flicking between Spearhead and Sombra.

“What?” Sombra asked.

“You’ve only been here for what, two months?” Cadance hissed.

“Relax. It's not like were getting married or anything,” Spearhead quickly interjected.

At the mention of marriage, Cadance glanced expectantly at Shining Armor, but the stallion wasn't paying attention.

“I’m happy for you… both,” Knight Night offered somewhat awkwardly.

“Thank you, Knight,” Sombra exclaimed. “It's heartening to know that not all city folk are quite so judgemental.”

“Was that a jab at me?” Cadance demanded. “Because I’ll have you know that I am not homophobic.”

“You’ve done an excellent job dissuading such a notion so far,” Sombra needled.

“I just…” Cadance groaned and turned to Shining Armor. “Shiny, dear. Could you explain to them how my empathy powers work again? I’m too frustrated to even speak right now.”

“Oh uh, what? Yeah sure,” Shining Armor muttered. “Cadance isn't trying to be mean to you Crystal Throne. It's just that your emotional state leaves her a bit irritable.”

“I fail to see how that excuses her behavior,” Sombra exclaimed.

“I have bad days too but I don't take it out on others,” Spearhead paused. “Or at least not very often anyway.”

“It's not an excuse,” Cadance hissed. “It's a warning signal. Whenever I come across someone with as turbulent an emotional state they are either murderers or… worse.”

“How dare you accuse Crystal of something so awful,” Spearhead shot back.

“Yeah babe that was a bit over the line,” Shining Armor added.

“I didn't mean it like that. I’m just saying that when people get that messed up they hurt people,” Cadance pressed.

“I told you what happened to my parents. I told you of my isolation, and I told you of my therapy yet you continue to assert that I am some kind of monster,” Sombra stated in a low hurt tone. “I’m beginning to wonder if this is some kind of projection on your part.”

Cadance recoiled as if struck, a hoof going to her heart. “I don't know what you’re talking about,” murmured the mare.

“If the shoe fits,” whispered Spearhead.

“Look, let's all just take a breath okay,” Shining Armor intruded. “Cadance is under a lot of stress- but! That does not excuse just how antagonistic she’s been.”

Shining Armor then turned expectantly to the alicorn, who frowned, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

“Shiny’s right,” she said finally. “I’m sorry Crystal. Auntie’s training has been more intense than usual and I’m afraid I took it out on you.”

“Is Canterlot going to come under attack or something?” Knight Night whispered.

“No, nothing like that. Well sort of,” Cadance muttered. “It's all very complicated and has to do with really powerful magic. What matters is this was not an excuse for my behavior. Could you ever forgive me?”

Sombra hummed quietly, contemplating the possibilities.

If he forgave her that would be a lot of brownie points earned, but if he didn't then he’d be able to keep using her hostility as a wedge. That wasn't a great plan though, as it wouldn't be socially acceptable to turn down such an honest apology. He couldn't come out of things with nothing though, so he just needed to leverage her mistake to gain another foothold.

“I could. But on one condition,” Sombra exclaimed, raising a hoof. “You go on a double date with Spearhead and I.”

Spearhead blinked. “What, really?”

“Indeed,” Sombra stated rather proudly. “Cadance just needs to get to know me, like you’ve come to know me.”

Spearhead shuddered at the low, sultry way Sombra said the six words.

“I don't know…” Cadance murmured.

“That sounds like a great idea,” Shining Armor interrupted. “We had a date this weekend all planned and I’m sure with a bit of alteration we could make it work.”

“I would hate to intrude,” Sombra exclaimed.

“Yes, and I’m sure Crystal Throne and Spearhead wouldn't want to go to the opera of all places,” Cadance added.

“You’re not going to see Violetta are you?” Spearhead suddenly inquired, leaning over the table.

“We were. Have you heard of it before?” Shining Armor answered, then asked.

“Guiseppe’s work is legendary. I never thought he’d let it be played here in Canterlot though. He’s a bit of a griffin supremacist,” Spearhead proclaimed.

“I never pegged you as the opera buff. I’m impressed,” Sombra commented, the stallion being genuine for the first time in a long time.

“Well its not really my cup of tea but my mother always took me to them when I was a kid and so it makes me feel… I don't know, young. I guess,” Spearhead remarked.

“Dude your like, eighteen,” Knight Night pointed out.

“Still,” Spearhead retorted.

Shining Armor clopped his hooves together. “It's settled. We’ll see the opera together. Go to dinner, and when it's over we can go have a drink down at the King’s Head.”

Cadance seemed ready to argue but one look at Shining Armor told her that such an effort would be wasted. “Fine,” she conceded. “That does sound like a rather pleasant evening, I suppose.”

“Quite nice indeed. You are an excellent planner Shining Armor,” Sombra commended.

“Thanks. I swear if magic shields weren't already my talent it would be management,” Shining Armor remarked, turning his flank to the side to reveal his cutie mark of a shield.

“I think you would excel in either regard,” Sombra exclaimed, his vision never leaving Shining’s backside.

“Yes, quite,” Cadance curtly added, pausing to clear her throat. “Though we should probably be getting back to the school. Don't want to miss any classes, right?”

“Oh right! We’ll talk more later,” Shining Armor exclaimed.

The stallion then trotted off, with Cadance close behind. The alicorn shot Sombra a glare, but the time-displaced king didn't flinch, and just smiled back at her.

“I should probably get going too,” Knight Night declared.

“Oh, sorry Knight. Let me get out of your way,” Spearhead murmured.

Sombra stepped out of the booth first, followed closely by Spearhead and finally Knight Night.

“See you guys later,” Knight Night offered.

“Oh, we’re coming to-” Spearhead began.

“Actually I think we’re going to stay here for a few minutes. I really wanted Spearhead to try this donut I had a few days ago,” Sombra interjected.

“Oh,” Knight Night muttered, frowning. “Later then.”

“Later!” Spearhead called, turning to the counter after Knight Night had left the cafe. “So, what was this donut you mentioned?”

Sombra grinned and touched the other male on the shoulder. “That wasn't where I found it. Rather it was located back there.”

“But that's the bathroom,” Spearhead pointed out.

“Exactly,” Sombra whispered huskily.

“Oh… oh!” Spearhead exclaimed.

“Now go on. I’ll be right behind you,” Sombra assured.

“Right,” Spearhead muttered.

Blushing profusely, the other stallion glanced left then right before hastily slipping into the bathroom. Sombra watched him go with growing amusement, relishing how adorable Spearhead was. Adorable, and malleable.

Perfect for his plans.

Author's Note

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