Finally! Just one more night and this horrible, no good, very bad week is going to be over!
"Somepony is looking happy", Cadance says.
"I am! Shiny just became my knight, nothing bad happened today and tomorrow will be the last day of this blasted celebration!"
"Eh, fair enough."
"Now, let's all go to sleep. You all have lessons tomorrow."
"But I'm not tired!", Shiny whines.
"That's the sugar speaking. You shouldn't have eaten all those sweets."
"You said I could eat whatever I wanted!"
"Shiny, there is such a thing as moderation. You should try it", I say with a smile.
He pouts and cross his forelegs.
"Why? My mom isn't here to tell me what to do! I can do whatever I want!"
I blink and stare at him. Shit. Have I just been promoted to parent?
"Shining, that's not how it works."
"Why not? Who's going to stop me?"
And I lost control of this conversation in ten seconds flat.
"I am."
"What? Why?"
"Your mother not being here is not a reason to forego discipline."
"Discipline? I thought you'd make it stop!"
"Discipline is necessary, for children and adult. I can't just let you eat yourself in a hyperglycemic fit every day."
"Who are you to tell me that? I'm free! I don't have to listen to anyone orders anymore!"
Well, someone was craving even the littlest bit of independence, and I lead him to believe he'd drown in it.
"Shining Armour! Being away from your family does not mean you get to party all day, everyday! You still have to follow rules and convention, like everypony else!"
And now he's giving me a kicked puppy look.
"W-why? Why do I have to?"
"I'm not doing this to hurt you, Shining. Any children needs discipline to grow up to be an healthy, well adjusted adult. Think of me as an older brother who's responsible for your well-being."
"I'm older than you! You're not my mom, or dad! You can't tell me what to do!"
"That's enough!", I say firmly, just shy of shouting.
Shiny wince and take a step back, his eyes having a wild look to them.
"Shiny, I want to help you, you know that, right?"
He keeps silent, looking on the verge of crying.
"Right?"
"...Y-yeah."
"I'm doing this to help you. What do you think would happen if I let you indulge your every whims?"
"I'd b-be happy?
"Shiny."
"I...I don't know! Why not?!"
"Have you ever met a noble who acted like he owned the world, taking but never giving?"
"Y-yeah?"
"How do you think he was raised to become like that?"
"He...he was born like that?"
"Some are, but most became this way because they were told since their birth that they could have whatever they wanted, whenever it pleased them. If I let you loose without any guidance or discipline, how do you think you'll turn out?"
"I'd never become like them!"
"You can't know that. Did you know Celestia used to hate slavery?"
"W-what?!"
"Yeah, and she also held Harmony as the supreme ideal to follow. And she changed. The earth ponies remember. They remember a benevolent ruler who assured peace and equality between the Pony Tribes."
"That's true, my Ma did tell me that", Mac says.
"But...what changed?"
"I don't know. But I do know that no one was there to stop her when she began to change. If I let you do whatever you want, who's going to tell you if you begin to change for the worse?"
"I...you?"
"I thought you said I couldn't tell you what to do?"
"But...I...I understand. Sorry for -sob- being a b-brat. Please d-don't hate me..."
I hug him, patting his head.
"Of course not. I understand why you'd want to be rid of any and all supervision."
I pull back, placing my forehooves on his shoulders.
"Will you let me give you the supervision you need to become the best pony you can be?"
"Y-yeah."
"Good", I say with a smile. "Now, let's all go to bed, okay?"
"Okay."
We stand up. I motion for Mac and Cady to go on ahead and I follow Shiny to his room.
"Solus? What are you doing?"
"Get in your bed", I say, smiling.
He does so, looking at me uncertainly. When he's finished, I use magic to lift his covers, tucking him in.
"Want me to read you a bed-time story?"
His eyes grows wide.
"Y-you don't have to do that!"
"I don't have to, but I want to."
"O-okay", he squeaked.
I look around his room, searching...
Hmm, ah! Bookshelf! Seems they brought his books here. I go to the shelf and peruse it's selection.
There! 'The Ugly Duckling'! Perfect! Strange, that it's in Equestria, but still, good!
I hop back on the bed and light a candle. The light of my magic might be enough, but it is exhausting in the long run, especially for a foal.
"Whoa! You can already cast a fire spell?"
"My mother is very insistent on me being trained as much as I can."
Is she ever.
"Anyway, let me read you the story of the Ugly Duckling: It was lovely summer weather in the country, and the golden corn, the green oats, and the haystacks piled up in the meadows looked beautiful. The stork walking about on his long red legs..."
"... Poor thing! he had no thoughts of marriage; all he wanted was permission to lie among the rushes, and drink some of the water-"
*snore*
Wha-Oh. He's asleep.
Eh, so cute. I lean over and kiss his forehead.
"Goodnight, Shiny", I whisper.
I get off the bed as quietly as I can and exit his room.
I close the door behind me and turn around-Ah!
"Solus?", Cady asks.
"You nearly gave me an heart attack! What are you two doing out of bed?"
"Well..."
She rubs her foreleg, looking away, much like Mac is doing.
"Do you want me to tuck you in too?", I say with a smile.
"...If you would, please."
"Of course!"
It's so easy to forget they're children with how serious they are all the time. I might not have wanted to adopt them, but they are my kids now, and I'll be damned if I let them down!
Plus, they're so adorable!