Author's Note

WARNING: Sexual content in this chapter.

Interlude - Limestone

Limestone liked to think of herself as the steady one, the one who had her hooves on the ground while everypony else got caught up in their feelings. She was practical, no-nonsense—somepony you could count on. But now? She felt like a mess. The last few days she’d spent with him had flipped her world on its head. She’d never met anypony like him before. Hardworking, sharp as a whip, easy on the eyes… and Celestia help her, that scent of his made her knees weak. Just thinking about it gave her a little shiver.

Was this love? She didn’t know. She’d had her fair share of crushes growing up—everypony does—but this felt different. It wasn’t just about his looks, though those didn’t hurt. He made her feel... well, things she didn’t have words for. And the funny part? She hadn’t even known him that long. He just showed up one day, and now her whole life felt out of whack. But for some reason, she didn’t want it to go back to normal.

Oblivion. That was his name. She’d named him herself, of course. He didn’t have one when he crashed into her life, but it fit somehow. Ironic, though, because forgetting him? Not a chance. He was in her head constantly. She’d catch herself zoning out, replaying something he said or the way his smile tilted just a little on one side. And when she wasn’t busy doing that, she’d remember the way he felt—close, warm, solid.

When her heat hit, she thought it was just hormones messing with her. But now that it was over, she still… felt the same. If anything, the feelings had gotten stronger, which scared the hay out of her. Limestone Pie, scared over some feelings? She’d laugh if it didn’t feel so true.

She never used to get caught up in this kind of stuff. Romance was for other ponies. Once, out of sheer boredom, she’d picked up one of Marble’s sappy novels. She got about ten pages in before tossing it aside. All that dramatic pining and longing? Please. Who lived like that? Except, now she understood it in a way that made her want to kick something.

When she was with him, it was like the whole world narrowed down to just the two of them. She’d tease him just to see that faint blush creep up his cheeks or hear him stumble over his words. And sleeping next to him? Tartarus, she’d never been one for cuddling, but the way he held her, all wrapped up in his taller frame, made her feel... safe. Like she could let her guard down for once in her life. She liked that more than she wanted to admit.

Leaving him had been the worst part, especially after everything that happened in Dodge Junction. Even though she knew she’d have to head back to the farm eventually, it didn’t make it any easier. She missed him. Not just the... physical stuff, though yeah, she missed that too. It was the quiet moments, the dumb jokes, the way he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered. Those were the things that stuck in her head the most.

The night on her way back to the rock farm, she couldn’t sleep. Her tent felt too big, too cold, too empty. And her thoughts? They just kept wandering back to him and the way he made her feel. How the hay was she supposed to focus on anything else when her heart kept pulling her toward him?

She could still feel his touch, smell that raw, masculine musk that clung to him and remember every inch of him—the way he’d filled every aching need she had, over and over. She’d tried, really tried, to scratch that same itch herself after he was gone, but nothing came close. No matter what she did, it wasn’t enough. She’d never been so... indulgent in her entire life, but that night after he left for Canterlot, she couldn’t help herself.

Morning came eventually, and with it, relief. Her heat had finally passed. If it hadn’t, she doubted she’d have ever left that tent or started the long trek home.

The journey gave her plenty of time to think, though thinking just brought its own problems. She kept turning over every little moment, replaying his laugh, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. And the more she thought, the clearer it became: she wanted more.

Being his best friend was great, but it wasn’t enough. For the first time in her life, Limestone caught herself thinking about the future—not just next year’s rock harvest, but years from now. About a family. Foals. His foals. The thought made her heart do this stupid, fluttery thing, and she hated how much she liked it. She wasn’t ready for that yet, not completely. But if there was ever a stallion she could see herself settling down with, it was him.

And somehow, he felt the same way about her. That part still floored her. She wasn’t blind—she knew her sisters all had qualities that stood out more. Marble, even with her shyness, was the kind of mare stallions flocked to. Sweet as sugar, gentle as a breeze, and undeniably beautiful. She was the perfect picture of what most stallions looked for in a mate.

Maud was her own kind of catch. Stoic, sure, but sharp as a knife. Her dry humor could sneak up on you, and there was something magnetic about her quiet confidence. And then there was Pinkie. That mare didn’t even have to try. She was joy in pony form, lighting up every room she walked into. It wasn’t a question of if she’d find somepony, just how many would be vying for her attention.

And Limestone? She was proud of her hard work and grit, but she knew she didn’t have the softness or charm her sisters did. She could be too blunt, too intense. She’d always figured that her place was here, on the farm, alone if it came to that. It was her legacy to carry on, and that was fine. At least, that’s what she’d told herself for years.

Then Oblivion came along, and he wasn’t like anypony she’d ever met. He was strong but not overbearing, kind without being sappy, and he saw her in a way nopony else ever had. But the biggest problem? He wasn’t staying. He didn’t even belong in Equestria. He had his own life, his own world, and sooner or later, he’d be leaving.

How could she ask him to stay when she couldn’t even bring herself to leave the farm? It wasn’t fair—to him, to her. So when he’d asked if she wanted to make the most of their time together before he left for Ponyville, what could she say but yes?

She’d take what she could get. She’d treasure every second they had left, every memory. And maybe, just maybe, in the smallest, quietest corner of her heart, she clung to a foolish hope.

Maybe he’d stay. Maybe he’d want to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him.

Limestone stood stiffly in the dimly lit shed, her nerves twisting tighter with each passing second. She was usually the picture of confidence. But now? Now she felt like a filly caught doing something she shouldn’t.

The mattress sat there, plain and practical, but it might as well have been glowing for how much attention it drew. Her mother’s surprise ‘gesture’ was both helpful and mortifying. Did she know exactly what was going through her head? Limestone’s cheeks burned just thinking about it. It wasn’t like she’d sat her mother down and confessed her feelings outright. Hay, she hadn’t even been sure what she’d wanted until she was already sneaking out here. But somehow, Cloudy had known. Mothers always seemed to know.

And now, as the seconds stretched on, Limestone found herself questioning everything. Was this a mistake? Was she reading too much into everything between them? Sure, they’d been close—closer than she’d ever been with anypony—but did he want the same thing as her?

Then she heard his voice.

“Limestone?”

Her heart stumbled, caught between stopping completely and leaping into her throat. She turned toward the doorway, and there he was, his tall frame almost blending into the shadows.

Oblivion stepped inside, his dark coat practically drinking in the sparse moonlight that filtered through the cracks in the wooden walls. That shadowy black fur looked even darker in the shed’s dim interior. His mane, silvery and ash-colored, gleamed faintly, like veins of quartz running through onyx. And those eyes—his unnervingly bright green eyes—seemed to pierce through the gloom, locking onto her and holding her in place.

“You came,” she said, her voice catching somewhere between relief and disbelief.

He nodded, taking another step forward. His movements were slow, deliberate, almost hesitant—like he wasn’t sure he should be here either. That hesitation made her heart squeeze. He wasn’t just here for some spur-of-the-moment fling; he cared. She could see it in the way he moved, in the way he looked at her.

“I wasn’t going to leave you waiting,” he said softly, his deep voice steady despite the flicker of nerves she thought she could sense in him.

“Good,” she replied, her usual bluntness returning just a bit. “Would’ve been a waste of a perfectly good mattress otherwise.”

Oblivion’s lips quirked into a faint smile at that, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. But as he stepped closer, the weight of the moment crept back in.

Limestone took a deep breath, her chest tightening as she fought to keep her voice steady. “I’m not… I’m not great at this kind of thing,” she admitted, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. “But I know what I want. And it’s you.”

Her eyes locked onto his, challenging him to question her, to doubt her. Instead, he met her gaze with an intensity that made her knees feel weak.

“You’ve got me,” he said simply.

Limestone approached him with deliberate steps, doing her best to appear confident and alluring. She swayed her hips slightly, a gesture she hoped would catch his attention. A small part of her still worried he might find it off-putting, but the way his breath hitched and his eyes widened gave her the encouragement she needed to close the remaining distance between them.

She leaned in and kissed him, her lips pressing firmly against his. The faint taste of the rock soup they’d shared earlier lingered, grounding her in the moment. It was familiar yet different. When she gently pressed her tongue against his lips, silently seeking permission, he opened up, allowing their tongues to meet and explore. She didn’t know how long the kiss lasted, but to her, it wasn’t nearly enough.

“I—” he began, his voice low and uncertain.

She placed a hoof gently over his lips to stop him. Without saying a word, she turned slowly, giving him a clear view as she swished her tail across his muzzle. The gesture, deliberate and teasing, left her scent lingering in the air. Her cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and determination as she made her way to the mattress, each step purposeful and slow, her tail flicking just enough to keep his attention.

Limestone paused at the edge of the mattress, drawing in a deep breath to steady herself. She lowered her front half onto the bedding, leaving her hindquarters raised. With a slow motion, she lifted her tail out of the way, exposing herself fully to him. Every nerve in her body felt alive.

“Take me,” she said softly, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound steady. She hoped he didn’t notice the faint tremor running through her. Without the haze of her earlier heat to cloud her mind, the vulnerability of the act hit her harder than before, leaving her feeling raw and exposed.

She heard him freeze, his breath catching. The silence between them stretched.

“Won’t you get pregnant?”

“I’m not in heat anymore. It’s safe,” she replied quickly, hiding the nervousness in her voice.

“Are you sure you want this?”

“For buck's sake, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t—” she snapped, turning to glance back at Oblivion. The sight of him stopped her words, leaving her thoughts scattered.

He was right behind her, his body radiating heat and his breathing heavy. Limestone could feel his presence like a weight pressing down on her, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her shiver. She glanced back, catching sight of it—his cock was fully out of its sheath, rigid and imposing. A nervous flutter coursed through her as she wondered, not for the first time, how something like that could possibly fit inside her.

The sight sent a blush spreading over her cheeks, and she felt her body betray her as her opening twitched in response. She was torn between embarrassment and desire, her thoughts racing. Then he moved closer, his green eyes still locked on her, and she gasped softly as she felt the first flick of his tongue against her.

Limestone wasn’t clueless—she’d grown up with enough honest farm talk to know the basics about sex. Her mom had given her the talk years ago, awkward but straightforward, before her first heat. It had been mortifying at the time, but when that first heat hit, she’d grudgingly been grateful for the advice and for the discreet ‘little relief’ her mom had provided. She still had it tucked away, though it had never seemed quite enough.

But what Oblivion was doing now? This was something else entirely.

His tongue moved with precision, exploring her sensitive folds with a mixture of care and hunger. Each rough, warm swipe sent shocks of sensation through her body, and she couldn’t suppress the shaky moan that escaped her lips. He seemed to know exactly where to focus, his movements deliberate yet eager, driving her wild with sensations she’d never imagined possible.

She trembled, her legs barely holding her up as he worked her marehood. His hot breath tickled her skin, mingling with the obscene, wet sounds filling the air. Limestone buried her face in the mattress, trying to stifle the gasps and whimpers spilling from her mouth. Her hips began moving on their own, her body instinctively pressing into him, chasing the pleasure he was giving her.

Just when she thought she might lose herself completely, Oblivion pulled back, his absence like a jolt to her system. She let out a frustrated whimper, her whole body trembling and aching for more. He looked up at her, his chin glistening, his expression smug but not mocking—it was a look of satisfaction, and maybe a little pride.

“Like that?” he asked, his voice low and rough, like gravel.

Limestone blinked down at him, trying to catch her breath. She gave a shaky nod, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why’d you stop?”

His grin widened. “Wouldn’t want you to miss the main course.”

Limestone wanted to scoff at his words, but her breath caught as Oblivion’s larger body leaned over hers, his presence completely engulfing her. The warmth of his solid form pressed against her back, a grounding weight that made her pulse race even faster. She could feel his breath on her neck, steady and warm, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Then she felt it—the broad head of his stallionhood nudging insistently at her slick entrance. A full-body tremor ran through her at the intimate contact. Her arousal surged, making her even wetter. She bit her lip, trying to stay quiet, but a needy whimper escaped anyway.

Her hips moved instinctively, lifting to meet him, her body seeking more. The ache within her was unbearable, a craving so deep it left her trembling. The thick, intoxicating scent of their arousal filled the air, dizzying her senses and leaving her even more vulnerable to the moment.

Then he started to push in, and everything else faded away. The stretch was intense, bordering on painful, but mixed with so much pleasure it was dizzying. Her walls clenched around him, trying to draw him deeper.

"Fuck, you're so tight," Oblivion groaned above her. The words sent a thrill through her. This was really happening.

The heat of him, the pulse of life in every touch, was unlike anything she’d experienced. Her toy had never prepared her for this. This was real. Each tiny movement sent sparks shooting through her nerves.

"You alright?" Oblivion’s voice cut through the haze, low and laced with concern.

Limestone barely registered the words over the pounding in her ears. Her world had shrunk to the overwhelming sensation of him—his sheer size, his warmth, the way he stretched her, filling her completely. She felt so full, so exposed, and yet... so alive.

"Limestone?" he pressed, his tone more insistent this time.

"A-ah, I... I’m fine," she gasped, her voice shaky but firm enough to keep him from worrying too much.

"We can stop if it’s too much," he said softly, his movements stilled, his restraint palpable.

Her eyes snapped open, and a fierce glare locked onto his. "You pull out, and they won’t find your body in the morning," she ground out, though her breathlessness undercut the threat.

Oblivion chuckled at that, the sound low and warm. "Geez, you could’ve just said no," he teased, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Just... keep going," she murmured, the sharpness in her tone softening as her gaze dropped. "Please."

He didn’t reply, but she felt his silent nod through the way his body shifted. His movements were careful, deliberate. Each inch forward sent a shiver through her, a mixture of tension and pleasure that made her hooves curl.

But Oblivion just kept going, pushing deeper and deeper inside her. Limestone thought it had to be almost over, but he just kept coming. Each inch stretched her further, the pleasure bordering on pain.

"Ungh, b-buck, how long is it?!" she gasped out.

"Uh, there's still about a third left," he grunted.

"A third?!" she repeated in disbelief. “Just… do it all at once," she interrupted, desperation in her voice. She needed this, needed to be filled completely.

"Are you sure that's—"

She cut him off by pushing back against him, taking him deeper. "Please," she whimpered. "I need it."

He hesitated for just a moment before gripping her hips and thrusting forward hard. Limestone cried out as he bottomed out inside her, filling her completely.

"Oh fuck," he groaned.

She could barely breathe, could barely think. She'd never been so full, so utterly consumed. It was intense, almost too much, but she never wanted it to end.

"Nnnngh, move," she demanded, her voice ragged. "P-Please, I need you to move."

He started to pull out, only to slam back in. Limestone saw stars, her body singing with pleasure. This was what she'd been craving, what she'd needed all along.

They found a fast, hard rhythm, chasing their release. The world narrowed down to the feeling of him inside her.

Limestone lost herself in the moment, her body moving on pure instinct. Each powerful thrust sent shivers of sensation coursing through her, the pleasure climbing higher and higher. She matched his rhythm, meeting every stroke with a hunger that left her gasping for more.

"Hah… hah…" she moaned, her voice trembling. "…don’t stop…"

Her words seemed to spur him on, his movements growing more determined. Every shift, every groan from him sent sparks of heat through her. Her body clenched around him, drawing him deeper, and the sound of his answering growl made her stomach flip.

Their bodies slid together effortlessly, slick with sweat. The sounds of their rutting filled the room, raw and unfiltered. Limestone had never felt so alive. The heat between them erased everything else, leaving only the two of them.

She could feel the tension in her core tightening, winding like a coiled spring ready to snap. The pressure was overwhelming, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and her moans spilled out unrestrained.

"Aaah, aaah, I-I’m… I’m so close," she managed to gasp, her voice barely above a whisper.

Oblivion shifted behind her, his movements deliberate and precise. Before she could question it, she felt the firm grip of his hoof—or something else—grasping her tail. The sensation made her eyes widen, a bolt of surprise and excitement coursing through her.

Then he gave it a firm pull.

Limestone’s entire body locked up as her climax hit her like a tidal wave. She screamed, the sound raw and uninhibited, as her release tore through her in overwhelming waves of bliss. Her vision blurred, her body convulsing around him, and all she could do was ride the storm.

Oblivion groaned deeply, thrusting into her one last time as his own release overtook him. She felt the hot, rhythmic pulses of his seeds, the warmth spilling into her and prolonging her pleasure. Their bodies shuddered together, caught in the aftershocks.

When he finally pulled out, the wet pop sound made her shiver. He collapsed beside her, the mattress dipping under his weight. And for a moment, neither of them spoke, their heavy breaths filling the quiet room. Limestone barely noticed his seeds seeping from her marehood as she lay there, spent and blissfully content.

After a few minutes of catching her breath, she finally found the energy to speak. “That… felt better than I thought it would.”

Oblivion turned his head toward her, a smug grin creeping onto his face. “You can just say I did a good job. No need to play coy.”

She snorted, rolling her eyes. “You did a decent job.”

“Decent? Really?” He gave her an exaggerated look of disbelief. “Because I’m pretty sure I heard you moaning like a mare possessed a few minutes ago.”

Limestone smirked, her expression as sharp as her tone. “Well, somepony has to keep your ego in check. Can’t have you thinking you’re Celestia’s gift to mares or something.”

“Wow. Harsh,” he teased, clutching a hoof to his chest in mock pain. “Though considering this is my first time in, well... this form, I think I handled myself pretty well.”

“Pretty well isn’t enough,” she said, scooting closer to him. The glint in her eyes made his smugness falter, replaced with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked.

Instead of answering, she slid her hoof down his chest, her touch deliberate and teasing. When it reached his softening length, she gave it a gentle squeeze and began to stroke. His breath hitched, his muscles tensing under her touch.

“It means,” she whispered, leaning in close enough that her breath tickled his ear, “less talking... and more rutting.”

Limestone woke later to the comforting warmth of Oblivion pressed against her back. The faint ache in her lower body and the strong scent of sex reminded her of everything that had happened earlier, and a flicker of embarrassment tried to surface, but it quickly faded under the quiet comfort she felt.

His taller form was wrapped around her, his legs loosely tucked against hers, his chin resting just above the back of her head. She could feel his slow, steady breaths against her mane, the gentle rise and fall of his chest lulling her into a rare sense of peace.

She shifted slightly, turning over to face him, and her muzzle brushed against his chest, the faint scent of him mingling with her own. It was strange how familiar it felt now, like he’d always been there.

Scooting closer, she pressed herself into him, resting her head against the crook of his neck. Her foreleg found its way around him, and for a moment, she let herself just be. No doubts, no walls, just him.

“You’re such an idiot,” she muttered under her breath, the words tinged with affection.

He didn’t move. His face was relaxed in sleep, making him look softer, almost vulnerable. She didn’t get to see this side of him often. She hesitated, her cheeks heating, but the words spilled out before she could stop them.

“I’ll never regret falling for you,” she whispered, her words barely audible even to herself. “I… I love you.”

She knew it was the truth, here and now, and it felt good to finally—

“Since when did you get all mushy?”

Her heart stopped mid-beat, her eyes snapping up to meet his. “Y-you’re awake?!”

“Nah,” he mumbled, though his smirk was already forming. “I’m just really good at talking in my sleep.”

“You think you’re funny, huh?” Her ears pinned back, and before he could react, she jabbed him in the ribs with her hoof.

“Ow! Ow! Limestone! Stop that!” he yelped, squirming as she kept poking him, her grin growing wider by the second.

“Stop what? I’m just moving in my sleep!”

Despite her threats, his chuckle filled the small space, soft and warm. “Alright, alright! I give. Love you too, okay?”

She paused, her hoof still mid-air. His words sank in, and her chest tightened in a way that was almost unbearable. She could feel the tips of her ears burning, but she fought to keep her tough front. Instead of saying anything, she smirked, climbing on top of him and pinning him down with ease. His green eyes widened slightly as he looked up at her.

“Well, since you’re awake…” She leaned down, her voice dropping to a playful growl. “You’re up for another round, right?”

His mouth opened, then closed, his face turning a deep shade of red. “Uh… I’m pretty sure I’ve got nothing left.”

“Guess we’ll just have to find out,” she teased, her tail flicking against his side as she leaned closer, her grin widening at his flustered expression.

Yes. It felt right. How could she regret this? How could she regret him? Oblivion had crashed into her life like a boulder down a hill, turning everything upside down. And yet, she wanted more.

Was it greedy of her? Wanting more than just the farm, more than the life her parents had built and passed down? She didn’t have an answer, and maybe she didn’t need one. All she knew was that tonight had been a wake-up call. Something had stirred deep inside her.

She had a goal now—one not born out of routine or obligation, but pure desire.

Maybe it was out of reach. Maybe she’d fail.

But giving up wasn’t in her nature. If there was a way, she’d find it. And if Limestone had anything, it was determination.