The Marshmallow Lighter

I stared down at the shredded fern and sighed as the revelation that my afternoon was ruined dawned on me. I muttered no several times, banging my head on the nearby wall until I noticed the paint was being scratched off. Peeling my gaze from the floor, I squinted and furrowed my brow to put on a menacing, angered look. I wasn't good at them yet my larger figure was still intimidating... at least to my young, fearful son.

He was never composed when faced with potential punishment. He once broke a dish, a teacup from Rarity's favourite set. It must have been long prior because when Rarity's deafening voice shrieked, I had, as if on cue, immediately received a letter from Princess Celestia informing us he had already gotten to Canterlot. Rarity and I made a beeline for the capital, my wings almost failing from the sheer amount of concern that took my focus from the flight. For once, Rarity didn't scream or wail at a journey like that. When we landed in Canterlot Castle's courtyard, Celestia had already been waiting, the little drake hellspawn hidden behind her foreleg. Teal eyes poked out from behind a large white leg and an uncut green mane stuck out. Slitted pupils widened slightly and once more he hid behind the leg. A chuckle from the Royal Sister made him flinch and upon taking flight, the boy remained unaware as his eyes remained clenched shut while he shivered in fear. I bellowed out a tearful laugh while Rarity sprinted towards the child.

“Turqoise,” I called out, my mind returning to the situation. Or I thought I called out. My voice had been broken and crackled out the final syllable. “Turqoise, are you here?” I called a little louder.

I didn't think he'd run off to Canterlot again. If anything he'd run to the Golden Oaks Library. I hope; we'd made it clear we wouldn't punish him in a horrifying manner. Being a parent is tough, especially when trying to control your temper with an  honest mistake. The hardest part has to be deciding what to do for a punishment. Grounding, taking away their toys, banning friends from visiting, or sticking them with Auntie Twilight for Reshelving Day. I think that last one was the worst. What scared Turqoise the most was a method of punishment I have yet to experience myself, as well as something I've only heard from in fiction.

I wasn't going to spank him, not for a torn plant, but many times, it has crossed my mind. Broke into my room and ate all my gems; that infuriated me... luckily, I caught him just as he came across the special gem Rarity gave me. I had him over my knee, bawling and shivering and begging. He was utterly incoherent... and so was I. My arms were shaking, growing weaker every second I held my hand up. In the end, I never did... I let Rarity come home and scold him, assigning him all sorts of chores. Doomed to massage Rarity's aching hooves for a whole week made him refuse a single gem-related confectionery for a whole year.

Going into Rarity's inspiration room and making a nest for his mama as a gift... from all of her expensive fabrics.  I had him over my knee once more but the eyes he shot me, full of fear and tears had me shaking and eventually refusing to lay a hand on him. When she found out, Rarity developed a plan. It was devious and evil, I'd say. She played it off fine, yet upon his birthday merely five days later she unwrapped all of his presents in front of him and explained that he wouldn't see them until Hearts Warming Eve—three months later. Luckily, to prevent it from being a traumatizing experience, Rarity did proceed to hug him and apologize for having to be so strict.

Glancing around the boutique's, renovated showfloor, I squinted my eyes as I focused on the couch; Turqoise's typical last-minute hiding place just in case. I saw nothing underneath and shrugged, walking into the kitchen. I shrugged once more after checking the dishwasher, and again when checking the laundry hamper. I whistled, making loud footsteps towards the front door. I opened the top door and let out a loud sigh.

“Well, I guess he's not here. Better go check Twilight's,” I shouted amongst a yawn.

I slammed the top door and leaned against it, arms folded and staring directly at the hallway and staircase. I pursed my lips and held one eye opened wider in my attempt at having a disappointed gaze. A quiet, soft bang sounded in the distance; most likely the clothes drier in the basement. It was bought for me and my non-Rarity made clothes... so it rarely got use. I smirked briefly before coughing, attempting to put on my gameface again.

A door opened up and the sound of hooves lightly tapped against the marble floor and in only a few seconds, I saw his little head peek out around a corner; away from the front door of the house as he stepped out. With a buck, the basement door behind him slammed shut and he trotted down the hallway to the boutique's front. Finally, he turned his head and froze upon spotting my figure.

“'sup?” I asked.

His jaw dropped and once more, that same look adorned his face. His eyes already started to water and he began to tremble. His rump falling to the floor, he began to bawl as I slowly walked towards him.

“I-I'm s-sorry,” he whimpered. “I w-was hungry. I didn't mean to!”

Wordlessly, I picked him up off the ground and hoisted him over my shoulder. He let out a little eep and he began to kick against my shoulders. His claws, being four years old, were still underdeveloped so they never scratched me. They were just soft enough to clack against my scales and I sighed as I proceeded upstairs. As per my usual routine, I opened his door to his, formerly Sweetie Belle's, room. Carefully, I dropped him atop his cloud-pattern blanket and turned away.

“Stay here until I say otherwise,” I boomed in my deepest voice.

Luckily the hamminess was lost on him and he whimpered a “Yes sir”. Mentally sighing this time, I left his room and closed it softly, proceeding to my room.

[*][*][*]

An hour later, a sweet voice woke me from my slumber. I blinked as light flooded the room, straining my tired eyes before I focused on the mare above me. A concerned expression spread across a porcelain statue; quite an image to behold upon waking up. Sitting up, I kicked the blankets off my legs gently and wiped my eyes as Rarity leapt up onto the bed. Plopping my head against the pillows once more, I waited for Rarity to snuggle up beside me before pulling the blanket over the two of us.

“I dealt with Turqoise. It wasn't hard putting two and two together since it was in the middle of the room,” Rarity said.

“You weren't too rough, were you?” I whispered.

“Don't you worry none, I handled it without losing my temper. I decided to give him a little freedom with his punishment,” she responded softly. “He can do the Rainbow Dash punishment or—”

“Please, I'd like to see him live to his teenage years,” I groaned, unnecessary details pouring into my mind.

“—or he could think of a punishment.”

Blinking, I turned my head to her to see a sly little grin on her face. Scrunching up  my nose, I attempted to leer into her eyes as if it would connect me straight to her thought process. No success so I rolled my eyes.

“You're gonna make me ask?” I muttered.

“It's more fun to make you work for your reward,” she giggled.

“Reward? I could just ask Turqoise—”

“Not if you want me to wear that collar in five minutes,” Rarity whispered into my ear.

I groaned thinking about it and felt blood rush through my body as vivid images raided my mind. Blinking again, I let out a deep sigh, turning onto my side so I could face Rarity directly.

“Fine, why did you let him do that, and what did he choose?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“I wanted to see if he was selfish enough to say something menial like feed Opal for a day. Surprisingly, he chose to wash dishes for a month. I was quite proud of that choice to the point where I let him off easy,” she responded with a giggle.

“Did you give him my sword, too?” I groaned, slapping myself in the cheek.

“Hush you, I only took a day off his punishment,” she scolded in a mocking tone, poking my snout with a hoof as she scowled.

“And gave him my sword?”

“If you don't hush up your swords will remain in their sheathe tonight,” Rarity spat out through gritted teeth.

For a moment she seemed intimidating... before I realized she liked to play Miss Meanie Queenie. Blowing raspberries at her, I recoiled immediately and struck her a smug grin. Rarity was perplexed for a moment before scoffing.

“You're impossible.”

“You're not. I had you eating out of my hand pretty fast,” I muttered, planting a kiss on her nose.

“Be that as it may, you still chicken out upon dealing with the little one,” Rarity said in a more believable accusational tone.

I really didn't know what to say for once and kept silent as I stared into Rarity's eyes; she was almost glaring at me from under her brow with a frown stitched to her lips. I felt guilty for once because it's true.

“I'm a bad parent,” I whined quietly, burying my face in her neck.

“Ooh, no you aren't,” she responded softly, “you're a good parent. You don't wanna hurt our little boy anymore than I do, but I've got experience with foals.”

“I had to take care of Twilight for fourteen years,” I muttered.

“I've got experience with actual foals,” Rarity corrected herself.

Rarity rubbed her soft hoof on my hard, scaled back as she hummed lightly. I let out another sigh, feeling some stress melt along with my breath. A slightly hard pat against my back and Rarity pushed herself away just enough to stare into my eyes.

“You're a fine father. If you say otherwise again, I will have to beat you, or something like that. We're due for a lovers quarrel by now,” Rarity gleefully exclaimed in a hushed manner.

“Rarity, I had to deal with you after prison, a succubus, that time in Las Pegasus—”

“We don't mention Las Pegasus! Ever!” Rarity cut in.

I rolled my eyes. “—Las Pegasus, and even during childbirth. I'd say the severity of our lovers quarrels and our time for quarrelling is over.” I saw a glare from those shimmering blue eyes and I gulped. “B-but I can try to keep to your word.”

“Thank you,” Rarity whispered, a smile defining her face again.

I returned the smile glanced up. Extending my arm, I tugged once and the lamp was out, it was nearly pitch-black inside the room and then we kept each other up past our self-imposed bedtimes yet again. Our only complaint will be when we have to wake up tomorrow for Turqoise so he doesn't miss school... but we'll come to that when we have to.