“All’s well…” Shining Armour nodded to himself as he walked the palace hallway inspecting the grounds. Evening had fallen long ago and the crystal empire was still and quiet. When it wasn’t being sieged the crystal empire was uneventful at most times. The ponies were polite and optimistic, but they all still seemed to mostly be introverts. Night time was almost sacred to them. It was the time where respect was given to the earth, and peace was displayed all about.
The palace was equally calm. As cheery and friendly the ponies were, so were they meticulous at tasks and partially obsessed with keeping things in proper order. That’s what kept their shine, he supposed. They polished their home daily so that not a tuft of mane could be found to a disapproving glance. Eager to please, eager to obey, happy to work, pride in efficiency, solace in tranquillity…
…Just like Crystals…frail, sharp, glimmering crystals…
Shining admired the interior as he walked up the various flights of stairs, as he found himself doing often. One never truly accustomed themselves to the sheer prettiness of everything. The ponies were pretty, the palace was pretty, the empire was pretty, the outskirts were pretty if you weren’t in them. You found details in every nook and cranny, signatures of effort to brilliance. To an outsider who’d seen the splendour of Canterlot, this new home was always as amazing as it once was years ago.
His hooves clicked on the smooth floors as he approached the deeper parts of the castle, were more treasuries and important ponies would be allowed to talk politics and strategy, or decadence depending on the nature. Unsurprisingly the area got more artistic and pristine as he did so. The crystal ponies showed important ponies greater stunning views and colourful murals to let the light play on, chivalrous soldiers and graceful mares decorating each one in tribute to some of the finest and greatest contributors to the empire as it has existed. This was all set to the glow of many crystalin lights and chandeliers, each casting wisps of light across the halls in an enchanting fashion.
Guards that he passed on his trek greeted him in curt honourable nods. He did not sparkle like they did, but they saw themselves not above him. A captain was still a captain. The work he had done for them in their time of need was more than enough reason.
Two, however, cracked a joking smile after greeting. Shining stopped and stood at the entrance to the royal chamber only a second longer than usual, idly scanning the area once more before continuing past the doors being guarded.
“Is he a cuddler, sir?” The one asked light heartily. There wasn’t a mocking tone. If anything it was a sympathetic ice breaker. Beyond comprehension was Shining’s partial role in the empire besides Royal guard. For some reason these little out of line steps were a little more normal to the crystal empire. Or perhaps Shining armour was too soft on them.
Shining took the teasing in his stride and gave a calm smile, partial used to it now. At least it helped build rapport among the guard and himself. They weren’t his soldiers truly, not officially, and as long as they still obeyed orders and did their duties he had no qualms “Classified information, soldier” He murmured back. He could see them straighten their form a bit as he trotted inside “Pleasant evenings to you both.”
Closing the door, Shining walked deeper still. From the door the interior took a bit of a less flaunty approach. A sizable common sitting area was directly ahead, for company and business. Soft cushions, sturdy looking tables and ornaments of either accomplishment or decoration brushed against the walls, flowers perched in numerous vases. They were tinted a darker colour than the palace that often taking shades of grey, black, indigo and red. A study was in a nearby door. Peering in you would have found a neatly arranged library of books, a larger chair and a fireplace along with a working desk. Some artefacts, good and evil, floated in glassed suspension. The only other room in view, also behind a closed door, was the bedroom.
Shining trotted past the common area, scanning it for irregularities as he passed by, past the study door and gently pushed the large bedroom door open. He slipped inside and closed the door as quietly as he had opened the large thing. Still he trotted on, on the white carpeted floor, passed the dressing room and the personal washroom to either side of him as he entered. The room was dimly lit and had more of the design the previous room had. The room had been painted in various patterns instead of actual paintings hung, long streaking lines that formed more of the typical crystal art style. The bed was the most outstanding thing within the room, the largest item to view and looked both sturdy and comfortable, fit for royalty.
Shining walked past it and nodded his head in its direction “Your majesty…” he greeted without stopping and headed out towards one last opening in the room, the balcony.
King Sombra looked up from his reading scroll and watched Shining Armour stroll past him and out into the open air. He’d felt no hostility neither in Shining’s voice nor walk, but something about it bothered the king. Perhaps he was bothering himself with attention needs. His lips pursed slowly as he looked back down at the documentation in question. Declaration of state affairs regarding the implementation of the…
…No, it could wait.
He slid off the bedspread and approached the balcony, finding Shining sitting near the edge of the railing and looking out towards the stars. He stepped out onto it and was at the other stallion’s side in one short stride, looking out below instead at the numerous rows of buildings and homes. His usual mantle was absent from his person, a simple silken vest of monochrome colour was all he had as eveningwear. There was no wind that evening, but Sombra’s thick shadowy mane still seemed to move like a lurking shadow creeping downward.
He regarded the empire a few moments before looking to the side “Is something troubling you Shining?” he asked, his deeper voice dripped with authority.
“I like to watch the stars sometimes. They remind me of my sister”
“…I see…” Sombra looked up at the stars himself. The evening was clear and bright. Luna’s moon cast a shimmering curtain about the night sky and anyone with knowledge of astronomy would be able to pick out the constellations with ease. Sombra always found the night calming, sometimes preferring it more than the day. “How so?”
“Her cutie mark has a star, and she’s named after a period of the day. She likes astronomy too.”
Sombra nodded “…You have not seen her since your post of office here was taken up, yes?” he studied Shining’s handsome features with a drifting eye. A smooth well-kept mane, pearly white fur, blue eyes of swimming depth and a confident imposing figure and frame complemented by his royal armour…all terribly fetching qualities that Sombra had come to enjoy the company of.
“I haven’t”
“…Do you keep in touch? It has been almost a year now.”
“She’s busy a lot with her princess duties. That and saving Equestria every other day. She writes but not often with the traveling time to the empire and Spike isn’t linked to us.”
“…” Sombra continued to study the other male with glazed eyes for some time. If Shining had noticed or was bothered by it, he hadn’t voiced a complaint. His gaze was transfixed with the sky. The king looked back down over the balcony. Despite being high up he could tell not a soul was outdoors, the city streets barren. “Shining, I would like to take a walk of the grounds to do some surveying. Your presence is required.”
Shining looked over and nodded once in confirmation. “Is there any other ponies you need?” he asked, getting to his hooves.
“No, you will suffice” Sombra turned around and headed back into the bedroom. He unhooked a mantle from a rack on the way to the door and fastened it onto place, covering his back. Indigo, not red. “Don’t dawdle”
~~~
Neither stallion breathed a word to each other leaving the palace. Shining escorted the king from his room and followed suit where he led, keeping the appropriate distance for guards, a safe distance that was not in the personal space but still close enough to take action should they must, as prescribed. He’d watched the guards posted outside the room as they left. They kept their faces stoic till Shining peered back. One of them had mustered a grin watching the royal party depart.
Sombra greeted each guard he passed in the same simple nods of acknowledges. Shining watched their eyes. There was a mix of fear and respect in those sparkling eyes every crystal pony had. Sombra’s were quietly shifting around the place, gazing at everything, Shining noticed. It seemed he had the same meticulous soul his people did when it came to detail. Or perhaps he had enforced it into them…
Past the entrance doors and a salute later, the two stallions marched into the courtyard with an important stride, not a word spoken still. A few more paces to where the gardens started is where Shining sped up his walk ever so gently, to flank the king’s side. This quiet trot continued for only a moment more before Sombra looked back at the other.
“It’s alright now. The guards aren’t in view to make fun of you if you walk at my side” he quipped playfully.
Shining armour quickened his pace again and set his position to the king’s immediate right and matching his stride “Just waiting for permission, sir”
“Honestly Shining, we both know you need no such thing from me.”
Shining gazed over at the king as he glided across the crystalline pathways. One could not deny that he was of noble blood. Constantly aware of himself and his surroundings, Sombra walked with purpose and wore his mantle with unstated pride. His face was serious, but not unapproachable. The eyes were hard to miss, some ponies said they still glow red at times, but the menacing toothed scowl of a grin was gone. His horn was straighter now but still had a bit of a devilish curve near the end and his crown of domination was replaced with a more traditional one, apparently one he used to wear. Tales tell of King Sombra looking much different than he did today, one less wild and intimidating. No cure of curses seemed to change that, but Sombra had taken means to changing everything that could.
“So what are we surveying, sir?”
Sombra looked over at the other stallion, expression unchanged “…I can’t decide if that was sarcastic charm or chivalrous obviousness…or both…or neither.” He murmured and looked away, scanning the flowerbeds.
“Which one would you like it to be, sir?”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you well.”
“Then it’s not sarcasm.” Shining replied, looking at the king. “…I still want to know too…”
“We’re not surveying anything Shining. I wanted to go for a walk in the kingdom I have a ruling over and I wanted you beside me as I did so.” Sombra stated defensively.
“Why didn’t you just say that then, sir?”
“You keep calling me sir. That’s why.” Sombra replied, still looking away at the scenery “I thought I might play along and guise the normal every things we do under royal jargon entirely and see how plain and unattached it may sound.”
Shining paused at the response, trying to read the other’s face. It gave no mood or hint “…If you don’t like me calling you sir, sir, then tell me.”
“Do you not like my name?”
“No. I just can’t address kings out of place without privilege.”
“Fine” Sombra stopped in his tracks, turned and faced Shining Armour with effortless regal stature, taking on a persona he was so used to now “Shining Armour, I hereby decree that you are entirely forbidden to call me ‘Sir’ or anything of the sort that use honorifics or reference title when the two of us are in the company of each other and nopony else. You are to refer to me as my given name, Sombra, and any other further diminutive label such as a nickname you or I devise that meets my approval. Are we clear?”
Shining gave the king a smiling bow of his head. He looked into Sombra’s eyes as he smiled, waiting for his next royal order in content silence. Another jesting quip sat on his tongue but he held it back. Sombra stared at that smile. If the commentary hadn’t been the charm, the smile was. He cleared his throat and turned back towards the path to resume his walk, Shining taking his side again quickly.
They passed what was the official entrance of the palace grounds and began a trot into town. Buildings of unorthodox shape and colour to the citizens of Equestria made the infrastructure as smaller shops and stalls punctuated sidewalks. Most lights were off but the empire still had a glow about it that seemed to naturally fend the true darkness of night. The streets were empty, anypony still awake and outside would probably only be found in the alleyways. Safe for the few night operation establishments, the doors and windows were all closed. No pony around to see them, not a soul about to force Sombra’s latest decree out of issue.
“Sorry for upsetting you.”
Sombra shook his head calmly as they continued walking, his eyes still idly scanning the path and various shops for imperfections or curiosities “No, no, you are correct. I cannot truly fault a guard for acting under proper protocol. At the very least you know where I stand on the matter now.”
“…I like your name, Sombra”
The king didn’t reply immediately. He made the last of his little observations of the passing town in its quiet, tranquil and unblemished state and decided that he had given enough effort into excusing his walk as a survey. He turned his head over and focused Shining with his attention “I’m glad…”
“Did your parents name you that, or was that the corruption talking?”
“…My parents. This coat of mine was always dark. They found it fitting…and in many ways it was very fitting indeed for the path my life has taken, even today” Sombra said, his features relaxing somewhat out of the royal face. “Do you like yours?”
“Uh” Shining Armour looked up in serious thought “Kinda. It’s a little long. Our parents liked long names. Twily was saying how it’s only getting worse now that she’s ‘Princess’ Twilight Sparkle. We always thought mine sounded dumber when you say it all.” He chuckled a bit in the sibling memory “I can’t think of a cooler name for me anyway.”
“…Has she…” Sombra paused a bit, considering his words and whether or not they should be voiced “Come around to the recent changes in your life yet?”
“We had an argument, but we sorted it out. She just told me to be careful and not to get too far ahead of myself in stuff I don’t know about…Cadence felt worse, but only because all she did was have a cry and by the end she was smiling all understanding at me like she’d known something like this would happen all along…But she’s not the princess of love just for show I guess…” Shining hung his head bit. That had been a rough day…and he was the only pony involved who had somepony to go back to.
Sombra watched the neckline sag a bit. He sighed “I apologise for causing this disruption in your life, Shining”
Shining snorted in good natured dismissal “Hey it wasn’t your fault I got married…It’s not your fault you got taken over by some dark energy thing either. Same thing happened to Princess Luna and everyone loves her again. Same thing is gonna happen to you Sombra”
The two started nearing the end of the residential and commercial part of the empire .The fields, public gardens and recreational parks started coming into view. They weren’t sprawling fields but they seemed big enough for the empire’s occupants. The crystal folk, so many of them, could be found there daily partaking in sport and music, always in a group. The grass was kept different hues of either green or blue depending on the kind that was growing and a plethora of children playthings could be seen in one side of every park along with the other usual park furnishings. Just like the rest of the empire, it gleamed with neatness. Sometimes Shining wondered if Crystal ponies even knew how to make a mess. “I wish I had all the courage you had”
Sombra raised a brow at his evening companion with curiosity “Courage? Where does this come from now?”
“Takes a lot of gusto to run an empire after being the dark king that everypony feared and hated and doesn’t have any memory of how he used to be or who he was before it happened.”
Sombra scoffed “That is not courage. That is duty. What good is a new life freed of corruption when you turn tail and hide in some cave or cell? I will live to see the crystal empire in its former glory. Anything else would be a waste of my time and existence.”
Shining laughed. It was such a full, true, refreshing laughter. Sombra hadn’t heard laughter so carefree in years. Ponies had not dared to laugh out of place in his presence. “What?” the king questioned with a gesture.
“That’s courage Sombra.”
“Courage implies I had a choice. I did not”
“You did. You just don’t count the other point. Doesn’t it scare you to think about? The weight of the kingdom on your shoulders, the expectations, gaining the trust of your people when they barely know anything about you anymore.” Shining shook his head “I’m just a guard. Ponies look up to me but…a whole kingdom”
Sombra regarded his companion again for a moment. Shining hadn’t looked away from him the entire time since their conversation started. Those stunning blue eyes shamed even the crystal heart “…Your courage is unparalleled Shining. It does not take magic or a special eye to see so strong a fire that burns in your heart, all to serve and protect those you care for. A sacrifice is not but a trifle to you. You are a guard every king or queen dreams to have in their court.”
Shining smiled goofily “You make complements sound so important.”
“They ‘are’ important. You are important.”
Shining’s pace slowed to a stop and looked around on the path. He trotted onto the grass for a distance and then stopped seemingly in the middle of nowhere. He planted down on the grass. Sombra had watched the deviation take place without moving, and eventually followed when Shining sat down.
“I thought I might as well make this proper” Shining said as Sombra lowered himself next to him, careful not to sit on his mantle.
“What do you mean?”
“I proper date. That’s what this is”
Sombra chuckled “You may see it that way if you so wish.”
“We went for a walk. We talked about stuff. I got to know more stuff about you. You told me not to call you sir anymore cause it bothered you that I wasn’t being intimate enough. Now we’re just here on the grass.”
Sombra traced the other stallion’s gaze that now stared up at the stars, just as he had found him. On the balcony, inside the palace, behind closed doors. He had looked so discontent and uncertain of his life. But he was smiling now, out there in the open where anypony could walk by and see the two, a king and a guard, unceremoniously sitting in a field.
“…Is this better?”
“Yeah…thanks for taking me out here.”
“It was, and still is, nothing but a pleasure, Shining”
The dead of night was quiet. You could hear a crystal drop. Any town buzz was too far from them now on the outskirts to be heard. There was no wind to blow the trees into a soft whine. To all concerned they were just commoners under other names.
“…The simple life is such a fleeting desire that royals entertain…” Sombra began “Here with you or roused by a cause, longings for a life of smaller beginnings and moderate ends sound so enticing, where burdens of various weights stack upon my shoulders. So quick do the fancies past…and I am left with the moment that inspired me, wondering why I would ever wish for another life where circumstances could change so quick.”
Shining shifted on the grass, a short scoot closer to the king as he listened.
“But I would rather die than forgo this transformation I have taken. Earning the ponies trust has been a tiring but rewarding feeling. The yearning for redemption and newer better beginning’s fills my blood with fire. So I shall…and so I lose all need to question the life I live now… surrounded by those who care and support me, even enemies a curse turned against me regard me again with wary but hopeful smiles…”
Sombra looked at the other stallion, staring back at him. A relaxed face, a knowing smile that was getting used to his longer miniature speeches, those perfect blue eyes that drew him in, silent in accommodation and respect while his tail swayed in the grass “…” Sombra reached up and gently stroked Shining’s neck thoughtfully, brushing some of the mane that laid there. “Some have thought your attendance in my court a ploy to gain trust, the brother of a recently named princess and ex-husband of another. Someday I will bring light to the true nature of your residence here, Shining. Till then that nature remains our agenda only. Not my decoy…not my ploy…but my anchor.”
Shining placed a hoof on the one stroking his mane fondly, pressing on it before getting onto his legs again. He bowed as low as he could dip his head and recited “So long as I draw breath, I will serve your kingdom and you in faith and loyalty my lord.”
Sombra chuckled at the bow “You mock me again. Very well, let me try again.” Shinning raised his head and cocked a brow. Sombra sat up properly, cleared his throat and removed the royal horseshoes from his hooves and set them aside. He clasped his bare hooves around Shining’s face, rubbing them against the cheeks tenderly as he leaned forward and pressed his snout the other stallion’s in a brief, simple kiss. Barely enough to make it more, yet Sombra hung on the other’s lip indecisively.
“I think you’re extremely attractive and charming Shining, and I am forever grateful for our relationship both physically and mentally nor can I comprehend what you see in this old husk of a king.” Sombra whispered, his forehead against the other stallion’s, listening to him breath. The one so determined to serve.
“Still too formal” Shining murmured back, playfully chewing back on the other’s bottom lip as he nuzzled against Sombra’s face.
“I love you dearly Shining.”
“I love you too, Sombra.”
Shining tucked his head under Sombra’s and lapped at his neck, careful of his horn. Sombra’s hooves travelled around the neck to Shining’s back, ironing and petting at it as he pulled the other stallion closer. He nuzzled into Shining’s mane and closed his eyes.
“I beg you not to break my heart as well, Shining. I am not as strong as your ex-wife emotionally. I will crumble to dust.” The whisper was husky and confident despite the desperate plea.
“…Cadence loved me…and I love her.” Shining murmured, tilting his head and kissed under the jaw, his hooves reaching around to hug the other stallion “But you understand me…Cadence was a fairy tale…you’re real with me…maybe she knew too…I thought all of this was going to be so much harder and awkward but we just…worked”
Sombra basked in the comforting feelings that washed over him, the embrace steadily strengthening to a cuddle. “…Well, I suppose there is one thing I can provide that Cadence cannot.”
Shining hid his face lower lest he show exploitable weakness to his king “I’m still getting used to that…”
“You don’t seem to be a novice. Quite the red blooded stallion you are actually.” Sombra stated, his hoof drifting lower to the hip region and giving it the same encouraging little pets along the smooth milky coat.
“…I mean I’m getting used to having one all the time and not just a fling here and there...”
Sombra rumbled softly against the other stallion, slipping the other hoof down to stroke around and under Shining’s chest plate “Are you enjoying your adjustment then?”
“…Sombra, I’m not good at dirty talk”
Sombra chuckled softly “Oh you say that now. You manage to sing another tune altogether when time and passion collide in our favour. Your attempts to guise it with innocence is just a tactic to bait and arouse me, I know. It always works.”
Shining’s eyes were closed, an audible little murring of enjoyment slipping from his lips at each attentive stroke of his frame “…You talk too much” he replied and looked Sombra in the eyes. Pure white hot passion was all he could see in them now. He’d seen so many spectrums of Sombra’s eyes now. This is when they were at their brightest.
“Perhaps you will surprise and silence me one night then?” Sombra rumbled, listening to Shining huff at his touches still snaked down slowly, never reaching where they should be. “I can’t deny I’m excited at the thought…” Sombra replied, kissing Shining’s nose.
Shining loosened his grip around the darker stallion and wiggled gently in Sombra’s clutches; till the King allowed him to straighten up and stand “We should get back.”
Sombra stood and dusted the grass off his mantle, a smug look on his face all the way as he put his shoes back on “Yes, we should.” He took to Shining’s side, much closer than they had walked before “You’ve been so good at caring for me Shining. I hope I have been adequately accommodating for you.”
Shining smiled coyly at the king and held out his hoof at Sombra. Sombra stared at it curiously before setting his own against it. An arm flung around Sombra’s neck to hold him steady, Shining leaned close and kissed the other darker stallion with intent. Their mouths parted quickly and tongues delved back into familiar territory, tying themselves around each other and taking turns to push and suck at one another, neither yielding nor fighting for too long. They slurped together, forgetting the world around them for the sure pleasure of tasting the other.
They parted slowly, hanging on the moment and each other with fleeting amorous nibbles to any flesh they could find near their lips, muscles that touched flexed and tightened.
“You have…I swear you have…”
~~~
The walk back was quiet save from a few queries. Shining Armour entertained the king’s request to nuzzle into his neck for the walk, as the common folk did on their non-royal dates.
Shining had come to know Sombra as an oddly pleasant mix of serious and gentle; neither a teddy bear or a tyrant. There was no worry of overstepping boundaries that no pony had stated as Sombra spoke his mind often and voiced complains simply. He did not feel obliged to protect the other outside of duty and general concern itself. Sombra was practical often in his work and life. He seldom complained about small things, choosing to take action on them instead. He cared for himself and others and as long as he had been near the king, there was not much he would not do for the greater benefit of anypony involved…that made Shining want to do his duty. They were all things he admired about the king…not counting the striking physical attributes yet.
What could he say; Shining admitted there was a thrill Sombra had over him when he gave orders…
When the castle neared their sight, Sombra’s head neatly untucked itself out of Shining’s neck and took some steps to create a gap in their strides. His muzzle straightened became serious again. The transition was unquestioned, Shining knew why and it never bothered him. He knew Sombra was not ashamed of them. Politics were simply tender matters he had to spin properly to stop the entire country from going into an uproar. The entirety of Equestria learning that Shining’s heart now resided with the redeemed king would be no fun matter to deal with at present and they both knew it.
Shining piped up when they reached the castle doors, in obvious company of the stationed guards as Sombra nodded to them “I enjoyed our surveying sir. I learnt a lot.”
Sombra looked back at him, a devilishly handsome smile parting his lips “I should say so…” he replied, his tail swishing to the sides and revealing his cutie mark just barely visible from beneath his mantle: dozens of tiny black crystals coming up together to form one large unfinished red one.
One of the guard smirked at them. Sombra let it slide…if anything, the king truly hoped they looked as good of a couple as they felt.
-FIN-