Tim

I stirred slowly, my mind groggy and confused. The soft light filtering through the curtains felt alien after days of constant vigilance. Looking at the clock, I was surprised to see that it was already nearly afternoon. For a moment, panic gripped me: Had I really fallen asleep? But then, like a warm wave washing over me, I remembered: Twilight had woken up. She was okay.

As I lay there, allowing relief to settle in my bones, two things cut through my foggy consciousness: the sound of giggling and the unmistakable aroma of... bacon?

I frowned, bemused. Bacon? The scent was so normal, so domestic, it felt surreal after the stress of the past few days.

Blinking away the last vestiges of sleep, I pushed myself up on my elbows and looked around. The sight that greeted me confirmed I wasn't dreaming. Twilight was at the stove, her magic manipulating pans and utensils, while Sara sat at the kitchen counter, swinging her legs as she munched on what looked like toast.

I attempted to get up, my body protesting after days of minimal sleep and maximum movement in the form of chores. As I stretched, it felt like every joint in my body cracked at once. I winced, narrowly avoiding pulling something. The noise drew Twilight's attention, and she turned to me with a warm smile that made my heart skip a beat.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said, her voice a mix of affection and amusement. "I was starting to wonder if you'd sleep for three days like I did."

The normality of the scene - Twilight cooking, Sara eating breakfast, me waking up to their voices - hit me like a wave. After days of fear and uncertainty, this moment of domestic tranquility felt almost unreal. I found myself blinking back tears, overwhelmed by relief and a surge of affection for both of them.

I rubbed my eyes, still somewhat disoriented. "It is Saturday, right? How long was I out?"

Twilight's giggle was like music, making my heart do a little flip. "Yes, it's Saturday," she confirmed, her eyes twinkling. "You've been asleep for about 15 hours. I thought you could use a proper meal after everything, so I tried my hoof at cooking for you. Are you up for it?"

Her eagerness was infectious. I hauled myself out of bed, my muscles protesting, and made my way to the kitchen. Exhaustion was nothing new for a soldier; adapt and overcome and all that. My civilian friends couldn’t keep up with me for very real reasons.

Once in the kitchen, what I saw there was... well, it was something. Runny eggs pooled on the plate, the bacon was charred in places, and the toast looked sturdy enough to patch a roof. It was clear Twilight had no idea how to cook human food, and somehow, that made it even more endearing. Given what I knew about cooking, it appeared that she had cooked the eggs first when the skillet wasn’t fully warmed up yet and then then cooked the bacon for too long at a temperature too high. The toast… I couldn’t explain the toast.

I settled at the kitchen counter, sitting down beside Sara with the plate Twilight had given me, acutely aware of her anxious gaze.

Sara looked over at my plate with a frown. “Daddy, why does your food look funny?”

I snorted and smiled at her. “It looks fine, Sara. Adults sometimes like food cooked a particular way that might go outside what is considered normal taste. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

With as much nonchalance as I could muster, I doctored up the meal using Army training to make any meal edible - jam on the toast; ketchup, salt and black pepper on the eggs, and careful navigation around the bacon's more dangerous-looking edges. Then, under Twilight’s watchful eye, I ate every bite. Luckily, I didn’t chip a tooth.

As I set down my fork, Twilight burst out, “Well? Did you like it?” Her eyes were wide, a mix of hope and apprehension, clearly remembering Sara’s words from earlier.

I couldn't help but smile. “Honestly? It's better than some of the chow I had in the Army,” I said, and it wasn't entirely a lie. “I think you did great for your first try with foods I know you have never tried to cook. Maybe next time, we can cook something together and I could show you a few tricks?”

Her bright smile faltered a bit. “You're not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?” The vulnerability in her voice tugged at my heart.

I reached out and placed my hand on her hoof, ignoring how natural that gesture felt. “Twilight, after everything we've been through, do you really think I'd lie to you about breakfast?”

Twilight ducked her head, her mane falling over her eyes in a gesture that was both shy and endearing. “It's the least I could do after you saved my life,” she murmured, then glanced up at me through her forelock. “And I... I hope to do more to show my gratitude.”

The intensity in her gaze made me clear my throat, suddenly aware of the tension between us.

“I did what anyone with a conscience would do,” I said, trying to downplay my actions. Then, seeking to lighten the mood, I suggested, “If you really want to thank me, how about we go to the park?”

Twilight's brow furrowed in confusion. “The park?” she echoed, tilting her head. “What could we possibly do there that would be a suitable thank you?”

I couldn't help but chuckle, a genuine smile spreading across my face. “Well, for one, it'll give Sara a chance to play. It's been a while since she's had the opportunity to really let loose and have fun. My little soldier needs the exercise.” I glanced at my daughter, who was now watching us with curious eyes. “And honestly, I think we could all use some fresh air and sunshine after the week we've had.”

* * *

Twilight

The park was just a short drive from home, a sprawling green space dotted with modern playground equipment that made me think wistfully of the simpler structures back in Ponyville. Sara's excitement was palpable as she raced towards the playground, her energy seemingly inexhaustible as she conquered ladders and whooshed down slides.

The set-up was impressive. The playset had a huge tower that mimicked a castle, complete with both stairs and ropes to get to the top. The slides were thick plastic, so as not to get too hot in the Texas summer heat. The monkey bars, as I was informed of the name, looked dangerous for a child so young, but the ground was covered in a soft matted material to reduce injuries in the event of a fall.

Tim watched her with a mixture of pride and nostalgia, his smile softening the worry lines that had etched themselves on his face over the past few days. “She's got my energy,” he murmured, more to himself than to me. “It's good to see her like this again.”

Sara tried her hands at the monkey bars and got about halfway across when she lost her grip and fell. I rushed forward to help her up, ashamed of myself for not catching her in my magic.

“Are you okay, Sara?”

To my surprise, Sara giggled. “Of course! Fall once, get up twice. Adapt and overcome. I will do this!”

Sara ran off to try again and I returned to Tim’s side. His smile was twinged with tears. “Adapt and overcome is an old military expression. Both me and my wife used to say it a lot. Pain is weakness leaving the body… I’m so proud of her… if only her mother could see her now.”

I could feel my own eyes filling with tears, overcome by the moment. This was so much deeper than just playing. This was training that would shape the rest of her life.

The moment was shattered as my ears picked up on a distant conversation. “Is that man with that pony? Are they dating?”

Another woman seemed to snort. “First, they take our jobs and now they are taking our men. I hope he gets arrested for bestiality. Sex with horses isn’t legal in Texas…”

My ears turned down, but I wasn’t sure how to address this and I surely didn’t want to confront the two women about their narrow-minded and incorrect thinking. Equestrians weren’t horses…

After about two hours of break-neck speed playing, Sara's pace began to slow, and Tim suggested we explore the walking trail that wound through the park.

I smiled at Sara. “Would you like a pony ride? I think we can justify it in the park.”

Without hesitation, Sara clambered onto my back, her small arms wrapping around my neck. The familiar weight was comforting, reminding me of Spike back home. For a moment, homesickness washed over me, quickly replaced by a warmth as I realized that, in a way, I was forming a new kind of family here.

As we strolled along the path, Sara's presence kept our conversation light, but she had a knack for asking unexpectedly profound questions.

“Hey, Twilight?” Sara piped up, tapping my head to get my attention. “Will you be my mommy?”

The question hung in the air. Tim's face went carefully blank, clearly unsure how to respond.

I felt a lump form in my throat. “Oh, sweetie,” I said softly, “I'd love to be your mommy, but that's... complicated. It would mean marrying your dad, and we're not quite there yet.”

Sara's frown was audible in her voice. “Well, work faster. I'm not getting any younger, you know.”

The sheer precociousness of her statement broke the tension. Tim's face flushed red, and I couldn't help but giggle. Despite the complexities of our situation, at that moment, it felt like we were a real family, with all the ups and downs that came with it.

I twisted my neck to place a gentle kiss on Sara's cheek. “I'll see what I can do,” I said, my tone playful but with an undercurrent of sincerity.

Then I turned to Tim, my gaze meeting his. I could feel the heat in my own eyes, the desire that had been building since I woke up. Tim rubbed the back of his neck, clearly flustered. I remembered his words from before my accident, his admission of attraction. But now, after everything that had happened, I wasn't sure where we stood. Had his feelings changed? I knew that mine hadn’t… The only way to find out was to take a chance...

* * *

Tim

The drive home was tense, the air thick with unspoken words and Twilight's barely concealed desire, which thanks to knowing what her pheromones smelled like, I could literally smell her desire. It was more than distracting as I had to fight to keep my own desires from showing.

At home, Sara's exhaustion from the park was evident, and Twilight volunteered to give her a bath while I prepared an early dinner.

“I can handle bath time,” Twilight insisted with a warm smile. “You've done so much already.”

I nodded, grateful for the momentary reprieve. “Thanks, Twilight. I'll whip up something we can all enjoy.”

Sara ran towards the bathroom to get ready for another bath, but Twilight lingered. When Sara was out of sight, Twilight leaned in close and inhaled deeply, taking in my scent. She giggled.

"You smell wonderful... I love your musk." She grinned mischievously and then licked my arm playfully. "Such delicious salt... if you're not careful, I might mistake you for a salt lick and follow you around all day!"

She sundered away towards the bathroom but flicked her tail back and forth, teasing me and giving me a good look at what lay ahead… and behind.

I looked down at the stove… now unsure of what to cook, but blushing hot enough to not need the stove to cook anything.

I exhaled in a puff of frustration… “Oh, boy… what have I gotten myself into…”

As I started to cook, I could hear Sara's giggles and splashes mingling with Twilight's gentle instructions. It didn’t sound like Twilight was in the bath with Sara this time, which was different from Monday. The domesticity of it all both warmed my heart and complicated my feelings further. Twilight might have tried to do me a favor by bathing my daughter, but performing the duties of a wife and mother was no favor to my emotional state, especially post-accident where I barely managed to not lose her.

During dinner, I watched as Twilight mirrored my earlier determination, eating every bite of the meal I'd prepared without comment. As she finished, she caught my eye.

“That was delicious, Tim. Thank you,” she said softly.

"I'm glad you liked it," I replied, relieved. "I wasn't sure if I'd got the flavors right for you."

Sara, barely keeping her eyes open, mumbled, “Can we watch a movie?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. It was still early but it was clear that she had worn herself out. “Not tonight, sweetheart. It's bedtime for you.”

After tucking Sara in, I returned to find Twilight waiting for me, her body language unmistakably inviting. She sauntered towards me, her hips swaying in a way that made my mouth go dry.

“Can I reward you now?” she purred, her voice low and sultry. “Sara's asleep, and this might be our best chance...”

I sighed, steeling myself. “Twilight, I think you should sit down. We need to talk.”

She complied, her expression shifting from seductive to concerned. “This sounds ominous. Are you breaking up with me? Because I hope you'll let me try to change your mind first...”

I winced at her words. “I'm not kicking you out, Twilight. But... there's something we need to discuss. You're in heat. And I... I can't take advantage of that. It wouldn't be right.”

To my surprise, Twilight grinned and giggled. “Of course I'm in heat! It's summer! But don't mistake me for some mindless animal. I know exactly what I want, Tim. What I need. And that need is you. All of you.”

My eyes widened in shock. “You knew? All this time?”

She nodded, her expression softening. “I didn’t know how to tell you. It’s kinda weird to explain to creatures that don’t experience it. I've been experiencing heat since I was 12 and I’m 22 now, so I know what I’m doing, kinda. But you... you're the first male I've ever truly desired. We Equestrian ponies can control our urges. This isn't lust, Tim. I... I love you. I've just never been in love before, so I didn't know how to express it.”

I took a deep breath, my mind reeling. “So... where do we go from here?”

Twilight stood up and approached me slowly. “How about we start with a bath? We're both sweaty from the park. It's innocent enough, but also... not quite. You mentioned it's intimate for humans. Maybe we can take things slow, but still explore this... connection between us?”

Despite my reservations, I found myself smiling. “A bath, huh? Well... I suppose you've got yourself a date.”

As we headed towards the bathroom, Twilight added softly, “Tim? Thank you for being so considerate. It means more than you know.”

I squeezed her hoof gently. “That's what you do when you care about someone, Twilight. I still think that we should have a nice long conversation about where we are and what we want before we push things further… but if a bath is the ice breaker you want… I can meet you halfway. Now, let's see where this leads us.”

* * *

Twilight

Tim ran a hot bath for us, and I could barely contain my excitement. Despite having lived here for a week, I had yet to see Tim without his curious human attire. The concept of constant clothing still puzzled me.

As the tub filled, Tim disrobed with casual ease. I couldn't help but stare, taken aback by the differences in human anatomy from pony anatomy, the lack of a sheath for the male organ being the most telling. My cheeks flushed as I quickly averted my gaze and climbed into the bath, unsure how to react. Tim joined me in the tub, and I realized that while bathing with Sara back on Monday had been spacious enough, Tim's larger frame made things considerably tighter.

He must have noticed my uncertainty. With a gentle chuckle, he said, “Here, let me help.”

Before I could respond, he grasped me gently by the withers. His strength, though not unexpected from years of rolling drums and doing other physical work at Pipeline Express, still surprised me as he effortlessly lifted and settled me onto his lap.

The intimate contact sent a shiver through me, igniting feelings I'd never experienced before. I found myself simultaneously thrilled and overwhelmed by our closeness.

“Is this, okay?” Tim asked softly, his tone laced with concern and affection.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. As we sat there, enveloped in warm water and newfound intimacy, I realized we had crossed a threshold. Whatever came next, there was no going back - and I found I didn't want to.

Tim reached for the shampoo; his movements deliberate. “Let's get you cleaned up,” he said, his voice lower than usual, husky with a desire that seemed to match my own.

As he worked the lather into my mane, his fingers sent shivers down my spine. Each touch felt electric, charged with unspoken desire. I couldn't help but lean into his hands, savoring the contact.

“Close your eyes,” Tim murmured.

As he rinsed my mane, I felt his breath, warm against my ear. My heart raced at our proximity.

When he picked up the soap, his eyes met mine, seeking permission. I nodded, unable to speak, afraid that a moan would come out instead of words.

Tim's touch, while gentle, was far from clinical. His hands moved slowly, almost reverently, across my shoulders and back. As Tim's hands moved gently across my body, I found myself overwhelmed by a mix of desire and vulnerability. This level of intimacy was new to me, and while part of me wanted to dive in headfirst, another part trembled with uncertainty.

He washed my chest and my stomach, pausing just above my teats and my sex below them.

His whisper came into my ear, causing me to shudder and wilt. “May I?” His gesture towards my teats left nothing to the imagination.

I nodded, barely whispering back, “You may… but be gentle. They are sensitive while I’m in heat.”

He whispered back, his honest sincerity causing me to melt in his hands. “I would never hurt you. If at any point you want me to stop, I will.”

My breath hitched as he rubbed soap on my most intimate parts. He managed to get me clean without making it overly sexual, but I couldn’t help but admit that it was the best bath I had ever had.

I wanted more, but I accepted what he had been willing to give. He had wanted to take it slow, and it was me that was pushing this. I had to hope that he also wanted this and wasn’t just indulging me.

The casual conversation he attempted couldn't mask the tension between us. His voice had a slight tremor, betraying his own nervousness.

As he helped me rinse, his hands lingered a moment longer than necessary. “There,” he said softly, “all clean.”

Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. Instead, he handed me the cloth, his fingers brushing my hoof. “Your turn,” he said with a small smile.

The air felt thick with anticipation as I began to wash him, both of us acutely aware of every touch, every shared breath. This wasn't just a bath - it was a dance on the edge of something much more profound. It was a test that I couldn’t afford to fail. I wouldn’t fail… this was all or nothing… pass or fail. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

I washed him as gently as he had just washed me, and I looked for signs of if I was doing too much or doing it the wrong way. Washing his intimate parts caused a reaction and I was shocked by how large his organ was able to grow. I blushed, not sure if such a thing could fit inside me, but I was eager to find out.

Getting him clean made me feel good, like I was returning the favor. Having him completely washed up, I sat down in his lap, facing him. My legs were wrapped around him, and I was very aware of where I was sitting. His member was playing on my outer lips. One wrong move, and bath time would become lovemaking, but I needed his permission as much as I had given him mine.

I leaned in. “Kiss me…”

He leaned in slowly and met my lips. The kiss went deep as I parted my lips and let him explore my mouth. We stopped only for the need to breathe, and we both seemed to sigh. For me, it was breathless anticipation for more, but for him, I could sense a sense of longing and hesitation.

I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He looked at me deeply in the eyes, with a tear running down his face. “I remember doing this with my wife. Everything is screaming at me to stop. There are things we haven’t considered, things we haven’t talked about… and I think we need to talk it about like rational adults before you allow yourself to go all the way and sink yourself on top of me. I need some closure first. Let’s towel off and get dry… please.”

* * *

Tim

The warmth of the bath faded quickly, replaced by a chill that had nothing to do with the air temperature. I had shattered the moment, but I knew it was necessary. As we stepped out of the tub, the silence between us was palpable, heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires.

Twilight's earlier confidence seemed to have evaporated. She avoided my gaze as she toweled off, her movements mechanical and devoid of the playful teasing from days before. I could almost see the gears turning in her head, likely replaying every moment, wondering where she had mis-stepped. Telling her that ‘It’s not you, it me’ felt too cliché, but it was true in this case.

As I dried myself, my mind raced. Had I done the right thing? The look of hurt and confusion in Twilight's eyes made my chest ache, but the memory of my late wife's touch still lingered on my skin. I was caught between two worlds, two loves, and the weight of it all threatened to crush me.

"Twilight," I started, my voice hoarse. She looked up, her eyes a mix of hope and fear. "We need to talk. There's so much we haven't considered."

She nodded; her usual eloquence abandoned. "Of course," she whispered.

I dressed in silence, the rustle of fabric unnaturally loud in the quiet bathroom. As we made our way to the living room, the short walk felt like miles. The conversation ahead loomed large, promising to change everything between us, for better or worse.

I sat down on the couch while she sat down on the daybed. The height of the bed made me look up at her which made it seem like she was looking down at me. Judging me. That felt appropriate since I was the one being judged here.

“Twilight. Despite my hesitation, I think I love you. I know my wife would want me to move on and find love again, but there are laws to consider.”

Twilight frowned. “What laws?”

I sighed and rubbed my face. “Sex with horses, specifically. Given Earth’s normal laws, I’m not sure it’s legal for me to have sex with you. The idea of being arrested and losing my daughter is soul-shattering. I can’t choose you over my daughter but I’m not sure I’m allowed to have both.”

Twilight’s breath seemed to catch, as if she had no idea that such a concern could have crossed my mind. Remembering the ladies at the park, she smiled warmly and tried to reassure me.

“Tim, I can see you're worried about the implications of our relationship. But I need you to understand something important. As part of the agreement between Equestria and Earth, I have the same rights as any human citizen here.”

I frowned, uncertain that I understood what she was saying. “I understand that, but... aren’t their limits to rights? It seems to vary by nation, at least on Earth…”

She shook her head rapidly, “No, listen. This isn't just about work rights or property ownership. The treaty specifically addresses personal relationships. Equestrians are recognized as sentient beings with full autonomy and rights. Any relationship between us is legally protected.”

I gasped. “Are you sure? I can't risk losing Sara...”

She smiled at me in equal parts lust and certainty. “Tim, the treaty between our worlds was carefully crafted to address these exact concerns. Our leaders recognized that meaningful romantic connections might form between humans and ponies, and they wanted to ensure those relationships would be protected.”

I looked down at the floor, ashamed of my lack of knowledge. “I had no idea the treaty was so comprehensive.”

She looked at me, full of love and forgiveness. “It had to be. Our worlds are so different, but our capacity for love and companionship is the same. The treaty acknowledges that. You probably can’t have sex with a horse, but you can have sex with an Equestrian, and there is a difference.”

I sighed. “I guess I should be happy that the opportunity exists for something more to happen between us, but we still have one more major point to work through before I can allow this to go further.”

Twilight’s lust filled eyes seemed to also smirk as she appeared to enjoy solving the problems preventing her from jumping me. “And that last point of contention is?”

I met her gaze. “Foals. You said that you weren’t sure you wanted foals right now but that it shouldn’t stop us from exploring a relationship. However, you are in heat. So, unless you have a birth control spell or potion, us having sex will likely lead to pregnancy, if it’s possible for me to breed you. I’ll have you know that despite your consent, I didn’t do anything to you sexually while you were asleep.”

Twilight’s lust fell as a frown crossed her face. “Hm. Ponies generally don’t use birth control and most the species on my world can crossbreed, so that is something we need to consider. I suppose if you did use my consent, and it took, I wouldn’t still be in heat…”

I rubbed the back of my neck, unsure about how to ask the next question. “How does that work anyway. Cross-species breeding?”

The academic in Twilight forced her to smile at the question. “On my world, most males of any species can get most females of any species pregnant, however, the offspring is 100% the same species as the mother. If we can have foals, the children I’ll give you will be ponies. So, you won’t have to worry about some weird half-human, half-pony child. At least… if it works the same way. Humans are a low-magic, no-magic species.”

Her explanation made sense, with magic as a factor, but I also felt the need to defend my perspective on love and life.

“I think I would love any child you gave me, no matter what they looked like.”

Twilight placed her hooves over her heart, as if overwhelmed with emotion. “Tell me more about how much you’d love our children.” Her question sounded sincere without what I would normally refer to as artificial drama, which made the whole exchange more endearing to me.

I smiled, “I believe I’d love them at least as much, if not more, than the love I’m developing for you. However, Earth isn’t equipped to raise a pony foal like a human child. I would hate to see our foals in a human daycare. I think that if we wanted to get married, and have foals together, we’d have to move to Equestria and live there. Which also forces me to ask about how well would Sara be treated in Equestria?”

Twilight’s eyes seemed to twinkle in the light of the room. “Sara is young enough to be able to easily adapt to how ponies live and work. As a human, she’d probably grow up to do Earth Pony style work. She might get teased about not having a cutie mark, but that would fade as she got older, not that any of the foals would be able to see a blank flank while she’s wearing clothes. By the time she’s an adult, ponies will have accepted human differences within our society, which was the whole point of the worker exchange program in the first place.”

I cleared my throat. “And your parents? Would they accept a human as their son-in-law? Would they accept a human granddaughter and treat her as well as they would the pony grandchildren?”

Twilight could see how important this was, and she nodded. “I’m going to have to keep you away from my mom, for more than one reason. Her cooking will make you fat and I like you nice and lean like you are now.”

I had to keep my laugh quiet to avoid waking up Sara, but the mirth of her statement brought happy tears to my eyes. I was still grounded in reality and needed more answers. This conversation about the future of our relationship was a huge step forward.

“I’m sure I could find work with the connections of your family, but would being married to a human hurt your career?”

She shook her head. “I’ll likely be joining my monarch’s royal court as a civil servant, serving the government alongside my father. I am supposed to be sending reports home weekly to update my father and the Princess on my progress here. Marrying a human might even enhance my career, since it would prove that the Worker Exchange Program was successful. If it makes you feel any better, I could seek my father’s and my Princess’ permission to court you, so you have their permission also, and not just mine?”

I smiled and offered a playful accusation. “Huh. You’re not trying to marry me just to enhance your career, are you?”

The look of shock on her face was priceless as she tried to walk it back. “No! I’d never do such a thing… Please…”

I stood up, walked towards her and hushed her with a kiss. “I’m joking, Twilight. Getting your father’s blessing would be nice but he’s never met me so…”

Twilight kissed me back. “It doesn’t hurt to ask. So… where do we stand now?”

I smiled at her, love and warmth spreading in my chest. “Well, we can’t have sex until either you’re not in heat any longer or we know that I can’t get you pregnant. So… I guess we get to cuddle and watch a movie.”

Twilight groaned and hung her head. Under her breath, she mumbled. “I’m going to need that pony-sized cold shower…”

* * *

Twilight

Lying down with Tim on the daybed as a repeat of Monday night while watching a movie was both good and bad. I practically crushed him; I was cuddling him so hard. I really wanted him to just flip me over and…

He kissed me on the cheek. “Hey now, if you crush me too badly, I won’t be able to mount you at all.”

I whimpered like a puppy. “How dare you tease me like that… I need you so bad…”

Tim tensed. “How are we going to tell Sara? I don’t want this to be awkward.”

I perked up, sensing an opportunity. “She wants me to be her mommy, so I guess we just tell her that we’re dating. Surely there is a way to meet both of our needs?”

He stilled, likely considering his answer. “I could wear a condom, but it won’t feel as good for me, and it won’t sate your heat. We’ll both still be dealing with it in our own way. How long are we going to be in heat?”

I was happy to explain more about how this worked. “I’ll be in heat for 5-7 days at a time, or a little longer in rare cases, once every 3 weeks, for the next 5 months. While I’m not in heat, I can’t get pregnant; while I am in heat, a single encounter might be enough to put a foal in me if your species can do it. Poorly timed as ever, my heat started last Sunday night, the day before I started at Pipeline. It is Friday, so it should stop no later than Sunday night and then I’ll have 2 weeks of relief before the next cycle starts again on the third week from now.”

Tim sighed. “You said ponies don’t normally use birth control. How do mares that don’t have a partner normally handle heat?”

I leaned into him again, gently this time. “Mares can take a potion that forces the physical effects of being in heat to be controlled… but it still leaves them fertile. The potions are expensive so it’s an option only for the wealthy of my society. Most mares just masturbate… we have a device called a ‘cooler’ that provides a cooling sensation while mimicking sex. It supposedly helps a lot.”

Tim gulped. “Do you have a cooler with you? Do you need some privacy?”

I shook my head. “I’ve ever used a cooler… I am a true virgin. One of the benefits of being Princess Celestia’s personal student was that I got the heat potions for free.”

He rubbed my withers, causing me to flutter. “Can you get the potions you need?”

I grunted, not very ladylike on my part but I was still frustrated. “No… the potions could be dangerous to humans, so they aren’t allowed on this side of the portal until your FDA has time to test them. You mentioned a condom? What are those and how do they work?”

I could hear him gulp. “Condoms are a thin latex wrapper that fits around the male organ, allowing sex without the semen from entering your womb. Consider it a cooler but with a living person at the other end. It will deaden the sensation for me, but that might be a good thing, because it’ll let me last longer before my climax. It would let us make love, with no risk of pregnancy, and if climaxing helps your heat in any way… it could, in theory, help both of us.”

My eyes widened with fresh hope. “Any drawbacks?”

I could feel Tim wince, but when he spoke, he sounded honest. “They can break sometimes. I haven’t made love since my wife died, so the condoms I have in the house are over a year old. I need to throw them away and replace them. New ones are less likely to break but it’s never 100% promised not to. It would be a risk. I would like to gauge Sara’s reaction to our starting to date before we go all the way. I’d also like to know why she wants you as her mother.”

I frowned. “What reason could she have other than wanting a mother?”

He snorted and rubbed his face on my back. “For all I know, she just wants free pony rides for the rest of her life. She’s 4, kids don’t think things through all the time.”

I giggled. “Well, she’s not the only one that would be getting free pony rides…”

His snort sounded playful, but he also surprised me. My flank was nestled at his hips, so it wasn’t hard for him to reach out and caress my most intimate parts. I gasped at the unexpected, but very welcome touch, and shuddered as he traced my outer lips. I couldn’t push back into him without forcing his hand inside me, so I stayed stock still.

His whisper caused my heart to ignite. “We are both consenting adults. We have a 50/50 chance of me not being able to get you pregnant at all. So… wanna risk it? Shall we throw away all these carefully laid plans and just… go for it?”

I whimpered with need. “Tim… I need you so badly… but… I know why you are careful. I can’t do this to you until you’re sure too. You’ve made all these statements about wanting me to be sure. But your heart matters too. I want your heart, not just your body. Please understand that when I say I love you, I’m not exaggerating. Don’t force yourself to do this just for me. Please.”

He withdrew his hand, which left me feeling empty, but then I heard him inhale deeply and I realized that he was smelling my pheromones on his fingers. I turned to look at him and I gulped loudly when I saw him lick my juices off his fingers.

His smile broke me. “It tastes as good as it smells.”

I turned to face him, nearly crying. “I need you, but… I can’t force you to love me.”

With me now facing him, it was easy for his hand to cup my sex. When his hand sought my permission, my legs parted for him without a second thought, and his thumb played on the outside of my tight slit, causing me to gasp. His next words caused my eyes to bulge out of my head, but I could both see and hear the sincerity.

“Twilight… I do love you. I was afraid to admit it, but I have never loved anyone this deeply other than my wife, before I met her nor after her loss. I am very afraid of hurting you and very afraid of hurting myself. We need to wait… but your heat is driving me as crazy as it’s driving you. I am also afraid that my being affected by your pheromones is proof that I can put a foal in you. You think you need a pony-sized shower… I might need to sleep in my own room to avoid mounting you. Your consent means everything, but we are both about to fall off a cliff here.”

I reached out and pulled him in close. “Please don’t leave me. If you want to go to the bedroom for more privacy, or for a room that can lock, then so be it, but let me sleep with you.”

His bemused smile tugged at my heartstrings. “So, sex? Or just sleeping beside each other like we have been?”

I was giggling at the question but also facehooved. “I think we should take a page out of your book and sleep on it. Let’s tell Sara that we’ve decided to date and tomorrow I will send my weekly report to the Princess as well as a separate, private letter asking for permission to court you and for advice. Does that sound okay?”

His hand leaving my sex felt just as bad the second time but watching him lick my juices off his fingers was the sexiest thing I had ever witnessed. He kissed me, and I could taste myself.

“We can sleep out here if we aren’t taking this further… remember, we can’t allow Sara to walk in on us. If you want to get permission first, I have no problems with that, but remember, if they say no… we will have to wait until you’re not in heat to do more. I can’t risk getting you pregnant if your Princess or father say no.”

I nuzzled into him. “That’s painfully fair. Good night, Tim.”

He nuzzled me back. “Good night, beloved.”

* * *

Author's Note

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