//------------------------------//
// Chapter Fifteen: Crystals of Comfort 
// Story: The Tale of One Shadow 
// by RadBunny 
//------------------------------//

Sombra was released the next day, his injuries no longer requiring hospital care, at least for the moment. His entire body ached from magical overload, but other than that, he seemed in decent health. Despite numerous protests, the stallion was plopped on the living room sofa cushions, grudgingly accepting a bowl of soup from Amber, setting it on the large table in front of them.
Ok, so the kisses helped more than the soup, but he  still  didn’t like feeling so helpless.
“So, what now?” The mare asked, her eyes soft with both care and worry.
“Now? I sit here and enjoy the fact I am even alive. Later, I guess report to the Prince and Princess. Maybe they know more about this weird magical surge than I do.” Sombra remarked, scooting over with a wince to rest his head against Amber’s.
“All I know is that the demon is gone. Maybe not killed, but I used it- not the other way around. I saved ponies, I finally….” His words drifted off as a comforting hoof snaked around his, Amber’s eyes meeting his own. She was one of a few ponies who knew how fractured his childhood had been. 
And yet, through it all, demons and darkness, she was still here.
“Are your parents here?” He asked softly, glancing around as emotions threatened to strangle the words in the stallion’s throat.
“Huh? No, they’re out for a few hours, why do-” Amber’s words cut off as Sombra pressed his head into her forelimbs, tears streaming from his eyes.
Any words he wanted to say fragmented into sobs, the full weight of the past few days bearing down on his shoulders with an almost physical pressure. Amber slid over on the cushions, curling up with Sombra’s head between her hooves and caressing his mane. His eyes managed to crack open for a moment, still shining with tears, looking to Amber for comfort and security. 
“You saved them Sombra, you didn’t let them die. It’s ok.” Her words were soft, the usually strong stallion quaking in her hooves. 
“You are still, here, w-with me?” Sombra managed to stammer, the usual doubts worming their way into his mind. 
Amber placed a hoof on his cheek, turning to meet his gaze with hers.
“I’m not going anywhere. Don’t you start with this again, don’t you dare.” Now her own voice was beginning to get choked up.
“Don’t you  dare  think I’d leave you! When I thought you were buried under that stadium….”
Sombra couldn’t help but smile, his own tears starting to stem. As he looked up at the mare that held him in her hooves, Amber shone in a way he had always loved, had caused him to love her.
Despite the few tears on her own cheeks, the mare looked down at him with steely determination, jaw clenched but mouth in a slight and sure smile.
“Thank you Amber, thank you for always being here.” He whispered, reaching up to nuzzle her nose with his. The stallion’s eyes widened with surprise as the returning gesture quickly moved to a passionate kiss, Amber’s hooves wrapping around his neck. When she finally pulled away, still resting her cheek against his, the mare’s eyes still shone with a confidence that Sombra could only admire and want to aspire to.
“You need the rest; I’ll be right here Sombra.” Amber whispered, holding one of his hooves as she settled down beside him. The stallion couldn’t help but just lay still, feeling her sides rise and fall against his.
“I’ve missed this, so much.” He murmured, then stiffening with surprise. Had he spoken that out loud?
“And you think I haven’t? Shush-we can chat later. Hospital said to give you plenty of rest.” Amber replied softly with a smile.
“A thousand years worth of snuggles. I think you’ll get your fill of them.” 
Sombra couldn’t help but smile, glancing up at the mare, who now was resting her head across his, just above his horn.
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.” He murmured, amazed she could put a positive spin on even the demonic spell that hid the empire.
“Now. Hush. I’ll be the first thing you see when you wake up, ok?” Amber whispered, running her nose through his mane.
“You know, I’m a sucker for cheesy romance….” He murmured, already starting to drift off.
The stallion was soon fast asleep, with Amber suppressing a laugh.
“Of course I do, you goof. I’m the same way; this is just payback.”

A few hours later, Amber’s parents walked in from a market trip to find the two on the couch, curled up next to each other, Amber’s head lain across Sombra’s neck protectively. The parents couldn’t help but smile at seeing the two. Sombra squirmed as though in a restless sleep, and Amber shifted in response, moving her cheek to rest against his, even in sleep.
The fact the stallion smiled when sleeping was enough to cause any heart to melt. 
The soft ‘squee’ produced behind the couple nearly caused them to jump through the roof; a familiar Princess of Love waving them off as they started to bow.
“Was in the area, so thought I’d ask them myself. Clearly a bad time; Tell them to come by the palace this evening, if he’s up to it.” Cadance whispered, literally bouncing off with a wide grin on her features, a few guards struggling to keep up.
Amber’s parents simply blinked, nodding as they went back inside to unload the groceries that had nearly been knocked over by their squee-ing surprise. What a day.

-	-
After a light dinner, Sombra meandered up the street, Amber at his side, towards the crystal palace. The recounting of Cadance’s request had been a pleasant and amusing wake-up tale over a meal. Amber had stayed glued to his side, much to the stallion’s delight. The fact the mare refused to let any doubts take root was something he could never repay her enough for.
Well, not yet anyway, but he had a few ideas in that regard.
For now, it was off to the palace to see what the royal couple had planned for him.