Sad Sweet Melodies

Countless stars dot the night above. But it all pales in comparison to the moon that has taken its place in the sky. The gentle light it emits seems to cover the ground much as a blanket would cover one's bed. The cold, crisp air does wonders to help cool you down as you trot through an open field of grass.

For the past few hours you've been spending some quality time with your little foal. While it's not good to keep her up this late, there were instances where you'd be willing to face the wrath of your wife. Besides it's her birthday, she should get to stay up longer regardless.

Vinyl absolutely loved the night, and who were you to deny her the chance to spend some time reveling in what she loves? And, as much as it pains you to think about it, tonight is the last night you'll get to spend with her or your wife for a month.

Your job demands you to be away for long periods, and needless to say you hate it. So while you're home you do everything you can to spend as much time with your family as possible. You just wish you could have done more with the three days you were given.

"Yay daddy do it again!" Vinyl cries out with joy as she rides on your back. You sigh to yourself, your mind exhausted from performing the same spell over and over again. But seeing her smile, getting to hear that innocent giggle that'd melt the heart of a windigo... it's worth it.

"Okay honey, one more, then it's off to bed." You concentrate and soon your horn begins to glow and the familiar hum of magic fills the once quiet air. It's a bit of a mental strain, but soon you're hovering a few feet off of the ground.

You fly around for a good thirty seconds, being careful so as to not make Vinyl fall, but you can only keep yourself airborne for so long. Sooner than you'd like you find your hooves touching cool grass yet again... and just like the times before your daughter is ecstatic.

“That’s so much fun!” Her little voice cracks as she wraps her hooves around you. She nuzzles into the back of your neck lovingly.

“Do you want me to carry you home Vinyl?”

“Uh-huh,” her voice is muffled by her pressing her muzzle into your coat.

“Alrighty.” With your daughter clutching to your neck you turn around and head back towards home. It’s a bit of a trot. You have a bit of a tendency to space out on your walks, especially with an excited unicorn riding on your back. Soon enough your modest two floor home comes into view.

As you move through your well lit kitchen you see that there are still bits of Vinyl’s party that have yet to be cleaned up. You dread the thought of having to pick up those balloons or all that wrapping paper. You decide it’d be best to be left there until you have to leave.

Your happy mood is shattered when the thought of leaving your family comes to surface yet again. The life of a caravan guard is a time consuming one. This month you and your group will be heading to the Gryphon Kingdom that is why you’ll be gone for so long. You just hope nothing bad happens, but in the end all you can do is hope.

As you enter her room and set Vinyl on her bed she’s reluctant to let you go. It takes a little magic for you to pry her off your neck and tuck her in. You can see the tears forming in her eyes as you fluff her pillows.

“Do you have to go?” She sniffles and you know the waterworks will be coming. When her lip starts to quiver you pull her in for a hug which she readily returns. She clings to you and she seems to have absolutely no intent of freeing you. You feel tears wet your coat as you hold her.

“Yes sweetie, I do. If I don’t who’ll put food on the table? Or who will get you those little records you love so much?” this only makes her hug tighter.

“Honey, you need to get some sleep.” She shakes her head, burying her muzzle into your neck as she does so.

“Nuh-uh.” You snort.

“If I lie down with you for a little bit, will you go to bed then?” She pulls away, when she flashes you a smile her eyes seem to light up. She wipes away her tears while nodding excitedly. “Okay then, make room for daddy.” She gives you a good majority of her bed. When you get in with her she snuggles into your side and sighs contently.

Within minutes she’s sound asleep. You have to say that was much easier than you thought it was going to be. Being as quiet as you can you slowly get out of her bed and make your way to your bedroom, where your wife was busy reading up on some novel.

When she hears you come in she turns to you with a grin, “Hey there, took you long enough didn’t it?” She shuts the book and beckons you over with a hoof. You do everything you can not to leap into bed.

When it comes to your last night being home your wife gives you a little something to remember her by. You know it, and she knows it, but there’s no way you’re going to act desperate for it. As you settle in next to her you finally answer.

“Yeah, she didn’t want to go to sleep, had to stay with her for a little bit.” She sighs.

“I know, she really hates it when you leave.”

“I do too, but you know how it goes.”

“That I do, I’m still wondering when they’re going to integrate you into the Town Guard.” That’d be a dream come true for you, a bigger paycheck and the chance to be home every single night. You know your family would be ecstatic.

“They will eventually.”

“Honey they were supposed to a year ago.”

“I know they were, and because of their little oversight I’m stuck waiting.”

“Do you know how long it’ll be before they consider you for the position again?”

“I don’t, but I’m going to try after this little Gryphon venture. I swear I’m getting too old for this.” Your wife giggles.

“Honey you just turned thirty last week.”

“Exactly, too damn old.” You turn to your wife and see that she’s glancing over you, her eyes half lidded.

“I hope that doesn’t mean you can’t get it up anymore.” Your wife has just challenged your manhood. That prompts you to climb on top of her. She lets out a quiet gasp before giggling.

“Too old for this,” you grab her flanks, “these,” your hooves trace her teats. She shudders under your touch. “Or those,” you gaze into her eyes and you see a red tint grace her cheeks, “you must be crazy.”

“Anon you dog~” You chuckle before bringing your lips to hers. Before long you’re trailing kisses down her body and your lower half goes to half mast, ready for the fun it’s about to experience. But, what you fail to see, is the pair of magenta eyes watching the two of you from the little crack of an almost closed door…

Four years have passed since that wonderful night. There were so many gaps in that time period that you’ve missed. There were plenty of opportunities that have come and gone. Things left unsaid, and promises left broken. Your daughter, who is barely into her teens, shouldn’t have to deal with something like this.

You shouldn’t have to either, burying your better half is inevitable, but to be taken so early… the doctor never could make it any easier on you. ‘It was her time to go,’ is what he told you. While your heart was straining in your chest, and after your tears finally dried, you could at least take solace in the fact that your wife passed peacefully. The love of your life now lies cold and lifeless in such a small wooden box…

As you watch the last of the earth fills the hole your wife is in, you hold your daughter close. She’s all that you have left of her, your only reminder that you were a husband to a fine mare. You can’t let this keep you in such a state. Vinyl needs you now more than ever, and you’re going to do everything you can do be there for her. And it only took four years for the Mayor of Manehattan to finally allow you to transfer to Town Guard Duty.

Now you’ll finally be home every single night. While you won’t be able to spend that time with your wife, you can take solace in the fact that your daughter is still here with you. You look down to her to find that she’s still looking at her mother’s burial site. She stands stoic, silent, and unmoving.

Just like you, she’s in shock. Neither of you wanted to believe such a thing could happen, but when the service was held… it really dawned on you, and on her... she's gone and she's never coming back...

“Hey honey?” She looks up to you, her eyes bloodshot. She’d been crying until recently, “Listen, Mom may be gone, but I’m still here… I may not be the caretaker she was, but I promise I’ll be there for you in any possible way I can.” You tighten your arm around her and she nuzzles into your side.

“I’m just glad I still have you… I wish The Mayor moved you sooner… you missed a lot.” You feel pressure mercilessly squeeze upon your heart as regret rears its ugly head.

“Did Mom talk about me while I was gone?” Vinyl laughs dryly.

“All the time, whenever I sat there crying, wondering when you’d be home she’d always tell me that you were out there doing something awesome, and that you’d be home soon to tell us all about it.” This in turn makes you chuckle.

“She made out to be an adventurer eh?” Vinyl nods.

“Yeah, she kinda did… and you did have a lot of stories to tell.” You rub the back of your head nervously. You chuckle before averting your gaze.

“I uh… may have made some of that stuff up.” She raises a brow in question.

“Oh?” You nod.

“Yeah, a few of them.”

“Really? Like what?”

“Well, I wasn’t forced to fight as much as I let on… yeah there were a few punks who thought they’d get some free stuff, but your old man here is a tough unicorn. I didn’t take nothin from no one!” You flash your daughter a grin before striking a semi heroic pose. This in turn makes your daughter laugh, a real one for once.

“You’re crazy you know that?”

“Yeah you’re old man’s crazy. And if anypony messes with my daughter they’re gonna get to know just how crazy I can get.” As the two of you share a laugh you can honestly say your mood has improved, at least a little bit. While your wife’s passing is fresh, you can’t let it get you down for too long.

You have to be that strong arm for Vinyl, besides your wife would rise out of her grave and kick your flank if she saw you sobbing over her like this. You sigh to yourself before looking back down to your daughter.

“Are you ready to go Vinyl?” She shakes her head before turning her gaze back to the grave.

“Can we stay for just a few more minutes daddy?” You vividly picture countless memories where you’d hear her say the exact same thing just so she’d get to stay up longer with you. It brings a tear to your eye as you reminisce over the events that have passed… all that time you’ll never get back.

“Sure we can sweetheart…” From that point on the two of you look on at your wife’s tombstone in silence. You think of the mare that made her way into your life; a wife that had made your years exciting, and a mother that has done a fine job raising your daughter thus far. It’s your turn to pick up where your lover left off…

After a few minutes have passed the two of you make your way out of the Manehattan Graveyard. It’s a bit of a walk, but eventually your home comes into view. For the last few bits of your travel you’ve decided to carry Vinyl as if she were a child yet again.

You knew such an innocent act would help calm her, but just like all those times before her little ride was at an end. When she dismounts you and opens the door she almost rushes inside. You follow in close behind.

You have to say, your home feels fairly empty now… but you’ll get used to it. You sigh to yourself before making your way into your living room. Every room has a bit of your wife still left. You recall those times during Hearths Warming Ever where the three of you would laze about on the couch.

The fire that would be roaring in your fireplace would dance around full of life. And of course you’d be roasting the marshmallows for those little smores Vinyl loved so much. And sometimes your wife would pinch your flank causing you to drop a few of those white fluffy treats.

She always liked to tease you when your daughter was in the room. Your wife knew how to make you a frustrated stallion. These fond memories, among countless others, will stay with you for the rest of your life. As you lie down upon your couch you hear the sound of a few pots and pans knocking about.

“Hey honey what you up to?” You call; the sound stops almost immediately.

“I’m cooking dinner.” She answers back. You almost do a double take when you hear her. Since when did Vinyl learn how to cook?

“I didn’t know you could do that?” You hear her giggle at your ignorance.

“Dad, Mom taught me a lot of things while you were gone; cooking, cleaning, and all that other girly stuff.” You hear the sizzle of something hitting a hot pan. A delightful symphony of what's to come, your stomach rumbles loudly. “But that doesn’t mean I’m a master chef. I hope pancakes are okay?”

“Actually, those sound amazing right about now.” You lick your lips hungrily. After that silence takes precedence over your home. Minutes pass before you see your daughter trot into the room carrying two plates of pancakes in a light blue aura of magic.

Your eyes widen at the beautiful site. When she floats a plate over to you she brings her own to one of the couch’s cushions. You’re sure to move so you daughter has room to join you.

“Bon appetite,” she says before digging into her stack. You readily do the same. The only sounds that can be heard are the loud chewing on both ends. When you reach a stopping point you take a break to watch your daughter eat.

She’s eating like one of the caravan guards. Syrup nearly covers the entirety of her muzzle. Vinyl may have been raised to be the girl she is, but her eating habits are anything but. She stops for a moment when she notices you staring.

“What?” Syrup dribbles down her chin and onto the plate. You can no longer take the sight. Laughter erupts from you, “What?!” She glares angrily at your disposition.

“You eat like a stallion!” You know you shouldn’t shout out something like that to your daughter, but you can’t take it. She looks down at her muzzle.

“Huh, I guess I do.” She shrugs before flashing you a smile, “that reminds me. I got ask you something dad.”

“Yeah what is it?” You ask, your full blown laughter having died down to mere chuckling.

“Since you’re gonna be home all the time… you think you can teach me some stuff?” You find yourself curious from your daughter’s request.

“What do you want me to teach you?” Her smile widens.

“Teach me how to kick ass.” You gasp loudly before glaring.

“Vinyl, language!” Vinyl’s eyes widen when she realizes she let a curse slip through.

“Sorry…” Her ears flatten against her head, “Umm… Teach me how to kick flank?”

“That’s better.” Despite the syrup on her face you still pull her close and allow her to nuzzle into you. Looks like you’ll have your hands full now. You didn’t think your little girl had the makings of a tomboy, but it seems like you were wrong.

Your wife taught her how to be a mare, now it’s your turn to teach her how to kick a stallion’s flank in if they mess with her. You smile at the thought of Vinyl coming home to tell you about how she beat up pushy, overbearing stallions…

Eight years have passed since your wife moved on to Asphodel. Just like the years before they seemed to pass by quickly, too quickly for your tastes. You watched as your daughter grew up into the mare she is today. Needless to say watching Vinyl grow up right before your eyes wasn’t without trials or tribulations.

The day she got her cutie mark was a day you’d never forget. She may have been a late bloomer, but you knew she’d find her special talent eventually. It turns out those records you gave her had an impact. In a way it was thanks to you that she found out what she was good at.

Well, she’d say she was good, but unfortunately you’re not one for the new age type of music. What she calls Dubstep you call “Crazy Blender Music.” Despite your obvious disagreements over the quality of her music you couldn’t be happier for her. She found something that brought her joy and as her father you supported her one hundred percent.

But like everything that came with age, you started getting worried for your daughter’s purity. Her changes were significant and you swear she used magic when she hit puberty. The way her flanks filled out and became quite shapely put you on edge. The sway her hips had when she walked didn’t help the situation in the slightest. You knew both stallions and colts would be eye raping your daughter. And you were getting on in age; you wouldn’t be able to kick all their asses.

It’s a good thing a majority of your paranoia was misplaced. You remember the colts she’d bring home for you to meet. And you remember her dumping each and every one of them in the end. While a good portion of them were the punks you knew that’d go after her, there were some that actually seemed worth keeping.

When you asked her she’d always say that they were missing something special, you didn’t ask anything beyond that. You knew that the more you tried to pry into her social life the more she’d push herself away from you. She was a teenager after all.

Classes were a breeze for her when she wasn’t being lazy. Well, to say they were a breeze would imply that she excelled, Vinyl didn’t. Despite your best efforts your little filly grew into the little rebellious teen you were afraid of. You knew it was too good to be true when she’d tell you about all the homework she didn’t have.

It didn’t help that you were fairly lax when it came to her school work. It’s not like you could help that you didn’t learn half the things she was being taught nowadays. Besides, what’s a Pythagorean Theorem going to do when you have a gryphon or a changeling bearing down on you?

Regardless of how her school and personal life went, you were happy with how she turned out. Admittedly you were dreading her becoming a dainty little unicorn, but instead you got a firecracker of a daughter. All those little lessons and training exercises made her a force to be reckoned with.

When she became an adult you saw just how far that saying went. If a stallion gave her any trouble they’d find themselves on the way to Manehattan Medical faster than you can say ‘Sweet Celestia.’ While she could handle herself when it came to the occasional pervert, finding a job was a whole other story.

Employers didn’t really take to her laid back attitude, or her manners. That’s kind of your fault, but just because she was told no doesn’t mean she gave up. No, you raised your daughter to better than that. At least you were able to do that right.

When no one wanted her she decided that being self-employed was a much better idea. She started off slow, but eventually her name became recognized, and soon club owners left and right wanted your daughter, and then the bits started rolling in for her.

She easily garnered more bits than you did. And here you were guarding the town for almost a decade. Needless to say you were a little irked, and quite jealous, but you were happy for her all the same. When she saved up her money you figured she would have moved out, but surprisingly she stayed home.

Her reasoning was that if she left you alone you’d be screwed without her. In a way that was sort of true. You were a terrible cook and cleaning wasn’t exactly your forte. Vinyl was there when it came to those jobs you couldn’t do, or were too tired to do. You thought it was amazing that she could balance household needs and her job at the same time despite her hectic schedule. When it came to her contributions it was as if your wife never left at all.

Which reminded you of something your daughter told you; a week after your wife passed Vinyl promised you that she’d pick up where her mother left off. She said that she’d do everything your wife did. You really hoped that she wasn’t really going to stick to that promise, the last thing you wanted to do was hold her back. She should be free to pursue her own life, to be independent…

But she insisted on sticking with you. And you knew better than to argue with her, she was just as thick-headed as you in that aspect, curse your genes. But, not all was as it seemed. While the good and bad of your daughter growing up was leaning more towards the good, one thing made it swing in the opposite direction.

You noticed a subtle change in her. It tied in to her demeanor a great deal, and in all honesty it was quite scary to you.There would be hugs that'd last far too long and would involve her gently caressing your back. Times where you'd catch her sniffing in an embrace; as if to inhale your scent.

And there were even moments where even her kissing your cheek became less daughter-like. During her mid to late teen years you knew she was maturing… but the noises you’d hear in her room some nights... the moaning, the grunting, the squeaking of the springs…

Then, one night as you were making your way to your room you passed by hears, and what you heard caused you to freeze in your tracks. You remember that when midnight struck had gotten up to get a glass of water, and when you were on your way back you heard her… masturbating.

While every fiber of your being thought you disgusting for doing this, curiosity got the better of you. You put your ear to her door and listened in. It was one of those nights where the two of you had an argument, and you could tell that she was taking that irritation out on her body.

The loud squeaking of the springs and her angry grunting would attest to that. As you listened to her moans rise in volume and in pitch you could feel heat spreading to your cheeks… and your shame as your member began to react to what you were listening in on…

At the time it’d been four years since you had relations, you never really moved on after your wife passed and you figured you didn’t need that release anymore anyway, but you were wrong that night, dead wrong. And that undeniable fact only made you resent yourself even more.

You thought you were a good father and role; you protected the innocent and punished the wicked. You took care of your daughter and kept her safe. You taught her how to handle herself if you weren’t there… and yet here you were getting hard while Vinyl indulged in her primal urges.

Her hormones were running wild so of course this would happen… but for you to react like you did… unforgivable. You should have more control than that. But what happened when she was nearing her climax would stick with you until the day you died.

“Anon… right there!” You heard her cry. She called out your name while she pleasured herself. You couldn’t believe it. This had to be a dream, perhaps you went without for too long and your mind was playing tricks.

But when she kept repeating your name, her voice laced with lust, you knew you this wasn’t fantasy. And when the aftermath of her climax passed you could hear her whisper that she loved you. Suddenly her lack of colt friends made sense.

The colts she brought home lacked something special alright. None of them were the stallion she wanted to be with… none of them were you. You remember standing there stoic and silent, your eyes as wide as saucers waiting for her to fall asleep.

When you heard her soft, steady breathing you finally moved on to your room. When all was said and done you couldn’t look at your daughter the same way again… nor yourself. After that night you started seeing Vinyl as something less of a daughter, and more of a potential lover.

And as disgusting as it may have been to think about you’ve done as she did… you’ve rubbed one off more than once while thinking of your daughter’s soft, shapely flanks… her electric blue mane and tail, the mischievous gaze that seemed to occupy your idle thoughts… you’ve become a terrible father indeed… but you won’t cross that point… you will not take advantage of your daughter, right?