As he touched down outside the castle doors, Steadclaw grasped Cotton’s hoof and led her down. “I believe this is your stop, m’lady.”
Cotton giggled as she landed. “Why thank you, good sir.”
“Anytime,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “Anything on your mind, or should I head home?” he asked, turning around.
“Yeah, let’s go talk to my dad.”
Steadclaw froze mid-turn. “Wait… ‘let’s’ as in both of us? I… figured that was gonna be just a ‘you two’ thing. Besides, my mom is prob—”
“No, I want this nipped in the bud now, so you need to talk to him directly. I’m not gonna play mare-in-the-middle and let this drag out any longer than it needs to. I can start off the conversation if you want, though,” Cotton said. “And you can blame me if your mom gets worried.”
With a hesitant shrug, Steadclaw responded, “Alright. I guess that works.”
“Good. Then let’s go.” Cotton led Steadclaw to the door, then opened it into the main hall where they were jovially greeted by a quartet of guards. “Evening, gentlecolts.”
“Good evening, Miss Cotton!” they chorused in harmony.
“Anyone know where Dad is?” Cotton asked.
“I saw him going to the dining room last,” the tenor replied.
“No, he was heading for the Archives,” the bass rumbled.
“I thought he was in the library with Princess Twilight?” the lead interjected.
The baritone just shrugged.
Cotton held up a hoof to silence them, then rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Friendly, but not always helpful.” Turning back to Steadclaw, she said, “Hold on a sec.” As she took a deep breath, Steadclaw saw all the guards sit on their haunches and plug their ears with their hooves. He copied them with his claws.
"DAAAAAAAAAAAAD!"
Steadclaw released his ears as the guards did. “Good Grover, what was that?”
“You’ll see,” Cotton replied with a smirk. About fifteen seconds later, she spotted a wisp of green smoke floating towards them from the upper floor, which popped open into a slip of parchment. Cotton smirked and held the slip up to Steadclaw.
In my room, sweetie.
—Dad
“He put these in almost every room of the castle,” Cotton giggled. “Easy way to know where he is when the guards don’t know. Or can’t agree.”
Steadclaw cocked a brow. “He has slips of parchment saying he’s in his room in every room of the castle?”
Cotton smacked her face with the parchment, then said, “Each room has slips that say he’s in that room, birdbrain.”
His face burning red, Steadclaw responded, “…Right. Okay, I deserved that one.”
Cotton giggled again. “Yes you did, but you’re my birdbrain,” she said, giving him a peck on the cheek.
“And I’m glad you’ve claimed me,” Steadclaw replied, returning the kiss with a smile before Cotton headed for the stairs.
As he made to follow, Steadclaw spotted the baritone in the corner of his eye, nodding at him with a wink and a smirk. He was about to smile back when he noticed the tenor, snickering as he conjured an image in his magic. It turned into what appeared to be a dragon tying a giant bib, complete with a tiny picture of a drumstick, around its own neck. As Steadclaw’s beak dipped, the flat end of a spear flipped into the guard’s face and the image dissipated. The same spear then hovered back over to the baritone, who glared at the tenor, then shook his head in Steadclaw’s direction with an apologetic smile. Steadclaw smiled back at the baritone and mouthed out a thank-you, then flapped his wings to catch up with Cotton midway up the stairs.
“Are the guards giving you grief?” Cotton asked loudly, glaring over the railing as Steadclaw landed next to her. The tenor stood frantically shaking his head, while the other three pointed directly at him with their spears. Cotton rolled her eyes. “Sorry, some of them seem to have taken sides.”
“Huh?”
“Some of them like you, others laugh at dad-jokes,” Cotton elaborated.
“Oh. Guess that makes sense,” Steadclaw responded. “Are Bastion and Ravelin on my side?”
Cotton laughed. “Well, they’re permanently off stair duty, if that’s what you’re wondering,” she answered as they walked down the hall.
“Damn.”
“Yeah, and to answer your question, yes, they are. Obviously.”
“Just checking,” Steadclaw responded with a shrug.
“Well well, speaking of whom,” Cotton said as they approached Spike’s doors, finding the two guilty guards on either side.
“You sure you’re at the right room, Miss Cotton?” Ravelin asked.
“I think you want the one down the hall,” Bastion added with a smirk. “You know, the one with your bed in it.”
“You two are incorrigible,” Cotton chuckled. “No wonder Dad has to keep an eye on you. C’mon, lemme in. Gotta have a talk with him.”
Bastion shrugged. “If you say so, Miss Cotton. Is he staying out here?” he asked, pointing at Steadclaw.
Shaking her head, Cotton replied, “No, he needs to come with. And no cooking remarks, that’s why we’re here.”
“I wondered when that would start getting old,” Ravelin said, opening the door. “Good luck, Miss Cotton. And… I want to say Steadclaw, right?”
“Damn, you even remembered my name. You really are on my side, huh?” Steadclaw responded with a smile, bumping his fist against Ravelin’s hoof as Cotton walked through the door.
Bastion lifted his hoof to Steadclaw’s fist as well. “Kid, ever since you came around, we haven’t seen Miss Cotton happier. Obviously she sees something in you. Celestia knows what, but still…”
Steadclaw flushed at the remark. “Um… thanks?”
Bastion’s expression then grew dark as he lit his horn and pointed his spear at Steadclaw’s face. “But keep in mind, kid… If you break Miss Cotton’s heart—”
Ravelin mirrored his partner. “We will draw and quarter you.”
Steadclaw’s eyes widened as he flinched back. “Colts!” Cotton shouted as her head popped back through the entrance. “Ease up, will ya?”
The two guards settled back into their usual expressions and poses. “Just keeping him on his hoo—er, uh, paws, Miss Cotton,” Ravelin said, a hint of a smirk remaining.
Cotton grumbled. “Do I need to have Dad send a message to the entire staff telling them to stop calling me ‘Miss’?”
With a shrug, Bastion answered, “Possibly…”
“…Miss Cotton,” Ravelin finished with a snicker.
Steadclaw couldn’t help but laugh, and Cotton smacked him with her wing. “Don’t encourage them!” Turning to the two guards, she said, “One of these days I’ll throw you two in the dungeon.” She finished off with a quick pbbbbt before closing the door behind her and Steadclaw. They could hear chuckling as they moved into Spike’s room.
“…Can you really do that?” Steadclaw asked.
“Yes! Well, no… Maybe? But they don’t know that,” Cotton replied with a smirk.
“Then… why are they laughing?”
Cotton chuckled. “‘Cause I wouldn’t do it anyway. Not just for laughing, at least. It’s just harmless teasing on both sides. It’s nice to have a few guards with a sense of humor. They shift so much I can never tell if I’ll have a stone brigade or a jester’s troupe from day to day.”
“Umm… I think I got that,” Steadclaw responded.
“Some days all the guards are funny, some days they all have sticks up their plots. It’s usually a bit of both.” Approaching Spike, she turned to Steadclaw and said, “Okay, serious face now.” She took a deep breath to compose herself before addressing the dragon in the room. “Hey Daddy, can we talk?” she called up to him.
Spike turned around from his desk. “Hey there, sweetie. I was wondering when you’d show. Obviously my messages are working, but I think we need to come up with another way for you to reach me. It sounds like you’re starting to pick up the Royal Canterlot Voice,” he chuckled, setting his quill down. “And of course, what about?” Spying Steadclaw, he grinned. “Ah, I see you brought supper.”
Cotton huffed. “About that, Dad. The eating jokes need to stop.”
Spike crossed his arms with a mock pout. “You’d be taking away all my good material, Cotton.”
“And you’re freaking the heck out of Steadclaw!” Cotton retorted, gesturing her hoof towards the griffon beside her, before looking at him square. “You’re gonna need to say something yourself. What you said earlier was good, but I can’t read your mind.”
Steadclaw let out a sigh. “Alright.” He stepped forward as Spike arched a brow at him with the faintest hint of a smirk, his arms still crossed. “Can… Can I just call you ‘Sir’ this time? I think it’d be more appropriate.”
Spike reclined on the desk behind him, looking down at Steadclaw. “I’ll allow it.”
“Thank you, Sir. It’s just… when we met the first time, you were so welcoming. Still a bit terrifying—” Spike let out a small snort. “—but welcoming all the same. That kind of eased my fear. Then after Cotton met my mom and I met Princess Celestia, it felt like everyone was ready to just… let me into the family. And if I remember right, that was barely after a day. I mean, I get the ‘not needing a shotgun because dragon breath’ joke after our first date, I do. That was just kind of a ‘dad teasing the new boyfriend’ thing, right?”
Spike chuckled at the memory. “Essentially, yes.”
Nodding, Steadclaw said, “I thought so. But now… with all the cooking remarks…” He paused as he stared at the floor.
Spike took advantage of Steadclaw’s pause. “Which began after you attempted to sneak my daughter to her bedroom.”
“Daddy, I told you that was my idea!” Cotton cried.
“Noted, but my point still stands,” Spike responded, straightening himself. “Continue, Steadclaw, I’m listening.”
Steadclaw released a breath and nodded. “Well, it’s just… With the remarks now, that warm welcome just feels… well, gone. I don’t even feel safe here, not anymore.”
Settling himself on his haunches, Spike let out a long sigh. “Steadclaw, it seems my natural presence suggests the contrary, but those remarks I make are merely jokes. A girl’s father’s way of making sure her boyfriend stays in line.” Steadclaw nodded. “If this is the reaction you’re having from them, though… perhaps I’ve taken things a little too far.”
“Perhaps?” Cotton interjected.
Spike shot her a glare before continuing. “Despite the little attempt you two made at your dance, I still feel the same way about you, Steadclaw. From what I’ve seen, you have a good heart, and mean no ill will toward anyone in this castle. I have no intention of harming you.” Steadclaw let his shoulders relax. “That does not, however, exempt you from the rules for dating my daughter.”
“And... and those are, Sir?” Steadclaw asked.
“All the unspoken ones, and just about anything else I say,” Spike answered with a smirk.
Cotton groaned as Steadclaw responded, “Understood, Sir. I won’t let you down.”
“Good, see that you don’t. I don’t currently have a reason to harm you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give me one.”
“Daddy!” Cotton cried. “You made your point!”
Spike grumbled. “Very well, very well. In all seriousness, though, Steadclaw…” He sighed, lowering himself as close to Steadclaw’s eye level as possible. “I apologize if I’ve made you uneasy. I should remember I’m more intimidating than most fathers. All the cooking remarks I’ve made really were purely in jest. Does that ease your mind at all?”
Nodding, Steadclaw replied, “Yes, Sir. Cotton’s told me, but it’s just good to hear that directly from the source.”
“Understandable. Well, now that we’ve cleared that air…” He grinned. “Are you sure I can’t keep making ‘em? They really are the best material I’ve got.”
“Daddy!” Cotton yelled.
Steadclaw couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay, Sir. I’ll allow it.”
“Good boy,” Spike said, holding his grin as he ruffled Steadclaw’s crest feathers with a talon. “Just bear in mind, this doesn’t mean I’m going to go lax on you.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less, Sir.”
“Now you’re getting it.” Spike let out a satisfied breath. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Um, not that I can think of at the moment, Sir,” Steadclaw replied, brushing his feathers back into place.
“Hey, aren’t we done with that serious talk now?” Spike responded.
“Sorry, Spike.”
“That’s better. I have to get back to work, so run along before I break out the thyme and rosemary,” he chuckled.
“Yes, Spike,” Steadclaw said with a roll of his eyes, as Spike moved back to his desk and picked up his quill.
As Steadclaw turned for the door, Cotton told him, “I’ll be there in a sec, okay? You go chat with the troublemakers.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Steadclaw laughed.
“No worse than what I’m planning,” she answered, pecking him on the cheek. “Go.”
“Alright. See ya in a minute.” He let out a deep sigh of relief as he made his way out.
When Steadclaw closed the door behind him, Cotton flapped her wings and landed on a bare spot on Spike’s desk. “Thank you, Daddy. That was really bothering him.”
“Oh!” Spike flinched at Cotton’s landing before he gave her a smile. “You’re welcome, sweetie. I didn’t realize I was making Steadclaw so uncomfortable. I’m glad you said something.” He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek, a gesture she returned in kind. “But I wasn’t kidding about not going easy on him.”
“I know, I know,” Cotton said.
“I do need to get back to work, but before I do, is there anything you needed to talk to me about while you’ve got me?”
Cotton fiddled with her hooves as she settled herself on her haunches and cast her view to the floor. “Actually… yyyyyyyes…”
Spike put a talon to his chin. “Hmm. Based on that tone, I’m not sure I’m going to like what I hear. You didn’t do something I wouldn’t approve of, did you?” he asked.
Cotton’s eyes shifted upward and back. “Well, no, not… not yet…”
Arching a brow, Spike repeated, “Not yet? And just what do you intend to—” The gears in his head turned when he saw Cotton’s face flush as she looked toward his door. “…Oh. Oh, I see.” He set down his quill with a sigh, then checked to make sure the two of them were alone before continuing, “You really want to take that next step with him, don’t you?”
Cotton’s cheeks flushed redder as she nodded and glanced at the floor. “I mean… you gave me ‘the talk’ and everything, so it’s not like—”
With a snort, Spike cut her off. “I did, but I did so as a precaution. I didn’t expect you to take it to heart so quickly.”
Her gaze lowering further, Cotton said, “I know you don’t think we’re ready, but…”
Spike shook his head. “Frankly, Cotton, no, I don’t think you are. I would prefer it if you two spent more time together first. I know it probably feels like forever to you, but keep in mind that you haven’t been together that long. Not even two months, if my memory serves.” He looked down and shrugged. “But, by the same token, you are old enough to make this kind of decision for yourself… Just humor me for a moment here, Cotton, and look at it from my perspective.”
Looking up, Cotton simply responded, “Okay.”
“You’re my only daughter. I want the best for you. Whether it’s clear or not, I’m thrilled that you met someone who loves you, but ignore Steadclaw’s personality for the moment. You’ve been with this… boy for less than two months. I’ve only seen him on so many occasions. Two months may seem like a long time to you, and being in love can make time seem to slow down, but two months for me hardly qualifies as an eyeblink. I’ve lived a long time, Cotton, and I’m still quite young by dragon standards. Knowing that, do you think I’d be comfortable if you…” He made a small wave with his claw before he finished, “gave yourself to someone so soon?”
Cotton looked off to the side for a few moments before shrugging one shoulder. “Probably not.”
“And how do you think I’d feel if you went behind my back and did it anyway?”
“…Probably pretty mad… or upset. Or both.”
“Exactly,” Spike said. “That’s why I… semi-grounded you for a week. I was upset about what you did. Given that, and the fact that you should have been studying that week anyway, do you think that was an unfair punishment?”
Cotton shrugged again. “Not really.”
“Would you have done the same thing if you were in my position?”
Fidgeting again, Cotton answered, “Well, probably not… but I think I understand why you did.”
Spike let out a sigh. “At least you’re honest. Not everyone thinks the same way. It’s possible I overreacted, but I stand by my actions.” Cotton nodded when Spike paused. “That said, you took your punishment, studied hard, and did incredibly well on your exams. In that regard, I won’t hesitate to say that I’m very proud of you.” Spike leaned forward and kissed Cotton on the cheek again, making a smile creep onto her muzzle.
“Thanks, Daddy.” After her own pause, Cotton looked up and said, “If you don’t mind me asking, though… why are you so firm on this? I mean yeah, Auntie Tia seems to be in your corner, and I haven’t heard anything from Aunt Twilight, but Aunt Luna and Aunt Cadance have been—”
Spike waved her off. “Do both of us a favor, Cotton, and don’t try to use them in your argument. Love is Cadance’s element, so she’ll do anything to move it forward if she sees potential. That doesn’t mean I always agree. And your Aunt Luna is just a troublemaker.” Cotton couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Then Spike let out a small huff. “You’re already doing a decent job on your own here.”
Cotton’s brows arched. “R… really? So… what’s the verdict?”
Spike sighed again. “Well… I would still prefer it if you waited a little longer, but if you do decide to go forward with Steadclaw… I won’t bring the hammer down on either of you.”
Cotton released a relieved breath, smiling before she flew up to Spike’s chest and gave him a hug. “Thank you, Daddy.”
Wrapping his claw around her, Spike responded, “You’re welcome, Sweetheart. There is one thing I want you to do for me, though.” He scooped Cotton up and placed her back on the floor.
“What’s that?” she asked, standing back on her hooves.
“I’m serious about getting checked,” Spike answered. “I can already tell you aren’t going to wait like I’d like, so make sure you go see Dr. Cross downstairs at some point before you do anything, okay? This isn’t negotiable.”
Nodding, Cotton said, “Okay, Daddy.” Flying up to his muzzle, she planted a kiss on his cheek before once again saying, “Thank you.”
“One more thing, though. It should be obvious.”
Cotton looked him in the eye. “Be safe?” Spike nodded. “We will, Daddy. I promise.”
“That’s a good girl,” he said, lightly brushing her cheek with a talon. “Now go on, I have to get back to work.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she said with a smile, before zipping out the door.
Spike turned back to his desk and picked up his quill. Shaking his head, he said to himself, “Just be careful, sweetie. Heartbreak isn’t pleasant.”
Ж
As she exited Spike’s room, Cotton found Steadclaw chatting with Bastion and Ravelin. “Geez, that must’ve been intense,” he said.
“Not really. Father-daughter stuff,” she responded. “Are you three behaving?”
“No,” Ravelin said, causing the three of them to laugh.
Cotton snorted. “Boys…”
“Can’t live with us, can’t live without us, right?” Bastion snickered.
Rolling her eyes, Cotton said, “Obviously. C’mon, Steadclaw. We’re going downstairs.”
Ж
“Well, I believe that’s that. You two should be good to go.”
With a little squeal, Cotton hugged the old stallion. “Thank you, Doctor Cross!”
With a soft chuckle, the doctor hugged her back. “You’re very welcome, M—Cotton. Just be safe now.”
Cotton giggled. “Thanks for remembering, Doc. And we will.”
Dr. Cross approached Steadclaw and shook his claw. “A pleasure to meet you, Mister Steadclaw.”
“Thanks a lot, Doc,” Steadclaw responded.
With another chuckle, the doctor said, “You’re quite welcome. I haven’t had a chance to study a griffon specimen since medical school.”
“Specimen? I feel like a lab rat,” Steadclaw replied. “And now I’m hungry…” he added under his breath.
“Go on, you two. I’m sure you have places to be this evening.”
“Yep!” Cotton said with a bounce, pecking Steadclaw on the cheek. “Let’s go, Steady!”
Steadclaw arched a brow. “‘Steady’? That’s new. And a first, actually.”
“Figured it was time, and it’s the first thing I could think of.”
“Eh, good enough for me,” Steadclaw responded, kissing her back.
Cotton then flicked him with her tail and headed for the door. “See ya, Doc!”
“So long!” Dr. Cross called as the two of them raced out. Once the door to the exam room closed, he shook his head with a smile. “Ahh, a fine male specimen indeed.”
Following after Cotton, Steadclaw rubbed his rear end for a moment before he said, “Yeesh, that was a lot more poking and prodding than I would’ve liked… but worth it.” Cotton just smiled and kept moving forward. “What are you planning?”
“You’ll see,” Cotton replied simply.
As Cotton dragged Steadclaw behind her, she found Spike trundling down the stairway. With a chuckle, he asked her, “And just what have you two been up to?”
“Oh, nothing in particular,” Cotton answered with a goofy grin.
Spike put his claws on his hips. “Then why do you look so giddy?”
“Well…” Cotton’s eyes shifted upward. “Because we just met with Doctor Cross, and he assured us that 'there would be no medical complications resulting from intercourse,’” she quoted, beaming.
The baritone zipped to the front doors. The rest of the guards wisely hit the deck.
Spike glared down at Steadclaw with narrowed eyes, then pointed firmly to the exit. “OUT.”
Steadclaw’s eyes bulged as he nodded vigorously, then quickly answered, “YES-SIR-SEE-YOU-TOMORROW-COTTON!” before he sped out the front door, quickly opened by the sentry guard.
“DADDYYYYYYYYYYY!” Cotton cried.
“Sorry, not sorry. Paternal reflex.”