Crossed Hearts
Shining Armor sighed as he set down a pile of boxes, wiping the sweat from his brow as he sat down. Examining the room, he counted up all of his belongings, the comic books and figures in boxes marked, 'fragile,' and his clothes packed into a blue suitcase rolled into the corner. He smiled, glad to see everything he owned now ready to move out once more. Granted, his current residence in the Barracks was in one of the most luxurious suites, due to his status as Captain, but he'd be moronic or up his own plot with self-righteous pride to turn down a giant room in a massive bed with his newly wed wife in Canterlot's Castle.
"Heh, wife," he chuckled, blushing as he shook his head.
If one were to sit him down, talk about the future, and claim that he'd be happily marrying Princess Celestia's very own niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the Alicorn of Love, he'd pin them down and call for a straight jacket, because it was a crazy idea to have when he was a cadet, and even now he still lingers on the absurdity of it.
"Prince Shining Armor, sir?" a Guard said, knocking on the door.
"Enter."
A gold-clad Royal Guard entered, wheeling in a trolley cart.
"Sir, I'm under orders by Princess Cadenza to relocate your belongings to the Castle, sir. Also, sir, she asked that I tell you to, and I apologize for this, it's a direct quote from her," he said, pulling out a note, "'Get that candy-licious flank here before I drag it here myself'. Apologies, sir," he said, blushing.
"It's quite alright, soldier," Shining said, nodding to him. "You're free to go about your duty. I'll be on my way now, just going to take some more delicate belongings myself."
The Guard snapped a salute and started loading up the cart with Shining's stuff, the Prince-Captain picking up a box of his own and marching out of the room. On his way out, a few Guards snapped to salute before he dismissed them with a nod and smile. Leaving the barracks, he made his way across the courtyard, watching the Guards and recruits train on the fields. Galloping, lifting, running drills and target practice, every part of the training yard was at full capacity. It broke his heart a little to think that the ponies under him finally started taking their training seriously at the cost of an invasion that nearly saw the end of Equestria.
The tragedy that was his wedding shook the Royal Guard to the core, showing them just how complacent many of them had become. A few hundred had quit the following days, traumatized by what they'd endured at the hooves of the insectoid invaders, and he couldn't blame them one bit. Having been taken by the Queen herself, Shining wouldn't hold it against any other Guard who wanted to quit after the nightmare of being capture by those things. Though it was a massive embarrassment to many of the Guard, it was a much needed wakeup call that made up for the loss of Guards with thousands of new conscripts, ready to train and stand in line to defend their country.
He regretted that he wasn't capable of preparing them for the invasion, and many said that there was nothing he could have done to prepare for it, regardless of the state of the Guard. Truth be told, he was starting to believe it, but doubts lingered in his mind, rattling around like bells in a tin can. Every waking moment was spent wondering what if, and part of it settled on, ashamedly, his wife.
He was blinded by love, through and through, and didn't bother trying to check if she was even his actual wife. Lost in the moment and gullible enough to buy the Changeling Queen's lies, his blind love turned him into the perfect little battery for Chrysalis. If he'd been more attentive to the differences between Cadance after she'd arrived in Canterlot. Should have's and could have's plagued his mind like a swarm of aggressive hornets, and he didn't notice where he was until he'd nearly barreled through a pair of Guards wandering down the hall.
They smiled as he passed, the Captain taking a turn to a large corridor where another pair of Guards stood at ease, eyes straight ahead. He flashed his badge and they stepped aside in sync, the door behind them opening up to a staircase. He trotted up the stone stairs and came up to the Royal Wing of suites, where Princess Celestia's VIP would lounge. Spotting the door with a crystal heart on it, he pushed it open and found a lovely mare waiting for him, checking off a list in her magic.
"Shiny!" she said, perking up. "Good to see you. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just decided I'd get a few laps in before I made my way here," he said, flicking his mop of a mane up. "You know, bring up the morale."
"Well you're certainly upping my morale, coming in here all sweaty like that," she giggled. "You get everything packed?"
"Yeah, Rust Bucket's getting it. By the way, that note was completely unnecessary. You probably gave that poor colt a heart attack, thinking he was either going to get chewed out by me or upset you in some way."
"You saw how he squirmed and blushed! Tell me that wasn't cute as heck!"
Shining hummed loudly and posed as if to ponder, and smiled.
"Absolutely. Now, if you'll excuse me," he said, rattling his box of personal items.
"Oh, show and tell? I'm intrigued," she said, turning to face the box.
He set it on the bed and plucked out a few items, showing off rare boxed miniatures and sealed comics. Cadance took out a few items as well, examining the toys and trinkets from his past.
"Hey, I didn't know you had a dog at some point," Cadance said.
Shining's heart dropped when he saw her pull out a seafoam green collar and leash. A storm of conflicting emotions swirled in his chest, and in that moment, Cadance locked eyes with him, concern written on her face.
"Shining? You didn't have a dog, did you?"
"I... w-what? I have... no, no I didn't," he muttered.
She examined it further, turning the collar around to check the tag.
'Ario, Property of Master Armor'
"Who's Ario?"
Shining looked her in the eye, and immediately, he could tell several things. First, she wasn't mad yet, and second, her eyes kept darting behind him. He checked the door and didn't see anything.
"Ario... Ario is... do you remember when I talked about my early career? Years ago?"
"Yeah, you were deployed out East in relief escort missions, protecting doctors and chefs who worked on charity cases."
He nodded.
"Yeah. When I travelled at the start of my career, I ended up spending a lot of time in Griffonstone. A lot of our missions deployed from the town since it was the most centralized area we could organize in without crossing too many borders. I ended up spending a lot of time getting to know the place, the Griffons that lived there."
"One in particular that stuck with you, I assume," she said, jiggling the leash.
Shining blushed, but nodded.
"Yes. Ario was the librarian that kept coming through our camp, asking if we could donate money or books to help with upkeep. A lot of ponies waved him off or tried to get him to stop coming by, but every time I saw him go, I just couldn't help but feel bad, like I was doing nothing myself. I guess Twilight's love of books runs more in the family than I cared to admit, because when I actually bothered to check out the library, I was furious. All of the books were bent out of shape or too dirty to read, and a few were used to prop up the doors and shelves because everything was falling apart. Honestly, if Twilight ever visits, she'll probably end up in a coma from a panic attack."
That drew a laugh out of the alicorn.
"So I offered to help him one day and after that, I started visiting to help out every other day when I got back from deployment. He was always there, every time I came back. Always smiling, always happy, even with the town and library in such shambles. And honestly? He made it bearable. No, he made it all worth it, honestly. It was with him that I learned what it meant to put my heart into something. It was with him that I learned to open up about, what I feel. And... it was with him, I learned how to really love."
He lowered his head, ready to hear Cadance say something about this, about anything, but she just nudged him with her nuzzle.
"And?" she said. "What else happened?"
"Um... well, I might have slept with him. A few times. And, we did some pretty kinky stuff, too."
Cadance smiled as she held up the collar and leash in her magic.
"Yeah, that's his. He really likes that kind of pet play. And crossdressing, which is kind of what lead me to believe that he wasn't really a he, but, well, when in Roam," he said, chuckling.
"Wow! And here I thought I'd be breaking in a vanilla colt scout in to something strange, but lo and behold, he's got a coltfriend already!"
"Had," Shining said. "I... I never really went back after I got promoted to Lieutenant. Since then, I always wondered if he's doing alright, and-"
"You're going."
Shining blinked.
"Um... excuse me?"
"You're going to see him, right now," Cadance said, standing up from the bed.
"Cadance, I can't just leave for Griffonstone at the drop of a hat."
"You can if I cover for you," she said, nudging him off the bed.
"But, but what about-"
"Shining, you need this," she said in a low tone. "I can see your heart aching, Shining. You may have left him but you didn't stop loving him. If you don't see him, you'll keep thinking, 'what if?' and you'll never be able to move on. You need closure."
"But... but what if I hurt him? What if I hurt him so badly, he never wants to see me again?"
"Then let him say his peace. Give him closure. And if there's still something there? Something that sparks up what used to be there? Embrace it."
"B-but-"
"If you think I'm going to tell you to snuff out such a powerful connection between hearts for our relationship, then I wouldn't have married you at all. I married you because you care so much about everypony, Shiny. You fight so hard for those you love, and you can't betray that feeling. Even if you think it's what lead to... that," she said, shivering.
"But-"
"No, no more buts! Not until you get to Griffonstone. Alright?"
Shining sighed and smiled.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Shiny."
\\\\\\//////
Ario hummed a merry tune as he spun about the library, dusting off the shelves and books. He danced between the aisles and kept pace with the song he was remembering. He caught sight of himself in the mirror and stopped to adjust the falling decoration. Checking over himself, he patted down his dark blue wings, running his grey talons through his similarly colored neck fur. Combing back his long hairdo before replacing his red fez. Smiling, he shuffled his wings at his side, his tail whipping happily under the hem of his light green dress.
"Alright, everything's set!" he said.
A knock at his door alerted him to his guest's arrival.
Flying over to open it, he smiled broadly as he saw the pony that he'd been waiting for.
"Shiny!" he said.
The stallion smiled awkwardly as he entered the library, his saddle bags jostling as he set them down.
"So, how have-"
Shining never got to finish his question as the door closed, a blue beak met his lips. The Griffon's tongue invaded his mouth faster than the Changelings did Canterlot as the hybrid tackled him to the ground. Claws dug into Shining's mane as his hooves found themselves wrapping around the smaller frame of the Griffon. Parting for a breath, Ario nuzzled into Shining's chest fur as he squealed.
"I knew you'd come back! I just knew you would! They told me you'd never show up again, but shows what they know!"
"Wait, you're," Shining said, looking Ario in the eye, "you're not mad at me?"
"How could I ever be mad at the love of my life?"
"I mean... I just, left you here. I... I should have done something. I could have invited you to come with me, or asked to be stationed here! And I didn't even... I didn't say goodbye."
Ario hugged him tightly as he pecked Shining on the cheek.
"I know, but I knew you'd come back. You always came back. And now, you're here again! And those stupid old birds across the street can weep all they want when they see how wrong they are!"
Shining and Ario kissed again, the two taking a moment to enjoy the warmth of one another before they got up. Ario fixed his dress as Shining rummaged through his saddlebags. Pulling out the collar and leash, he turned to see Ario picking up a letter.
"I'm just surprised that you came so quickly after sending the letter! I mean, I thought it'd be at least a few more-" the Griffon stopped when he saw the collar in the unicorn's grasp.
A blush erupted across the Griffon's cheeks as his hind legs rubbed together.
"Shiny, you brought that too?"
"Of course. A proper pet shouldn't be without its attire," Shining Armor said in a stern voice. "Now, come here."
"Yes, sir!" Ario said, walking up to the massive stallion.
His heart thundering, Ario licked his beak as he looked at the collar again, already feeling himself get excited. He was thankful he wore such a roomy dress and not a designer one, his current attire able to comfortably hide his erection. Bowing his head, Ario shuddered as he felt the collar float up to his neck, snapping into place with a little jingle from the nametag. A tug confirmed that it was secure, and with the leash in his grip, Shining smiled down at the shaking Griffon.
"Did you miss this?" he whispered. "Because I did, so much."
"Of course I missed this," Ario said. "Master Armor~!"
Shining grinned as he lead them towards the entrance.
"Then we should head somewhere more appropriate for what's going to happen next," he said, opening the door.
Ario swallowed as he followed his master outside. The sun beat down on them intensely, the ground hot to the touch as they walked along. As his collar jingled, Griffons began to stare at them. They pointed at Shining who paid no mind to the public, and at Ario who strut down the street on the end of a leash. When Ario started to drift a bit, the gazes starting to bear down on him like the sun itself, Shining gave a gentle tug, making him keep pace. They came to a park, with only a dozen or so Griffons lazing about. But still, the stares continued, and the weight of the world set down on the Griffon's very soul.
"Did you miss this?" Shining said, loud enough for most to hear. "Did you miss having your master to keep you along?"
"Y-yes," Ario stuttered.
"What was that?"
"Yes, Master Armor!" Ario said loudly.
"Good boy," Shining said, his horn's glow doubling in strength.
Ario gasped as he felt the slick sensation of a unicorn's grip on his cock. The way it teased the edge of his sheath, the feeling of a sensual grip combing through the barbs of his Griffonic penetrator, the thought that the only thing keeping him from being seen with it was a thin dress, all of it ran up his spine like a bolt of lightning.
"M-Master Armor, I-"
"You know, it's such a nice day outside," Shining said, stopping for a moment. "Are you sure you want to go home? Why not stay here, and enjoy the outdoors?"
Shining hugged Ario close, now trapping the Griffon's cock between not just his magic, but the silky confines of Ario's dress. The Griffon could feel the heat from Shining's body as his member grinded against the fabric and whimpered.
"M-master?" Ario said.
"Yes?"
"I... I would rather we go home, please."
"Why? What's wrong with simply staying out here, and enjoying the day?"
Shining squeezed the Griffon's cock, the member twitching violently as Ario squeaked.
"I... I want to go home! I want to spend the day alone, with my Master Armor!"
"Oh really? And why is that?"
He knew Shining's game, and was very willing to play it his way.
"I want Master Armor to fuck me like a mare in heat!"
A few Griffons turned their heads at the proclamation, but soon went back to what they were doing, uncaring of the couple's antics.
"Hmmm..." Shining hummed. "No, I won't do that. Instead, I think I'll just sit right here."
Ario knew what he wanted to hear.
"Master, please! If you won't fuck me like a mare, at least fuck me like the desperate pet that I am! I crave master's gracious cock, and I've waited so long for it! Please show mercy to me!"
A passing Griffon eyed up the couple and walked off. As they sat there, Shining's massage of Ario's member never ceased, continuously stimulating the fuckstick.
"Well, if you put it like that, then I suppose I should do as any good master would. Alright then, pet, we're going home."
Ario squeed as Shining's grip travelled down his shaft and started cupping the Griffon's balls. They ached and pulsed with the need to pump out the excess of desire. The two were back on the road again, now approaching the door to Ario's home. A pack of aged hens watched them go by, a few frustrated as they passed bags of bits to one of the hens at the end of the table. She piled them up and gave a thumbs-up to Ario, winking as she silently cheered for him.
Staring at the door, Ario wondered if he would actually make it inside before Shining's magic-job drove him over the edge. As Shining crossed the threshold of the interior, he dragged Ario in and slammed the door shut.
Shining pulled up Ario's skirt and tripled his efforts to jack the Griffon off, his magic running down the knotted base of Ario's six inch cock. Backed against the wall and with his pony master bearing down onto him with a deep kiss, Ario finally let loose. Jizz sprayed across Shining's underside, coating his stomach and his own equine erection with bird seed. After five far-flung shots, Ario's orgasm died down, and he laid on the ground, panting.
"Mmm, just as good as I remember," Shining said. "I was worried I'd lost my touch, but I can see that that's not the case."
"M-master, please," Ario said, getting to his paws.
"Please, what?"
Ario spun around, shocked to see a pink alicorn standing in the corner.
"WHAT!? WHO ARE YOU!?" Ario screamed, pulling down his dress to cover himself.
"Ario, this is my wife, Princess Cadance," Shining said.
"Princess!? Wait, wife!?" Ario screeched. "Shining, you're married!?"
"Yeah. Just a few weeks ago, actually. But she saw your collar and she convinced me to come back for you."
"Wait, you... you wanted him to come back to me?"
The Princess nodded.
"Love is something that you can't just sever, decide on whether you should give it to one creature or another. He loves you so much, more than you think. I wouldn't let him give up on this because it's against everything I stand for. I wouldn't be a proper Princess of Love if I didn't encourage it to be shared with as many creatures as possible. And, as it happens, he's got more than enough for the both of us. But for now, he's all yours. And I," she said, leaning back, "am going to enjoy the next part, very much~."
A click told him that the leash had disconnected, dropping to the floor. Ario watched as Shining climbed onto his bed, laying in a seductive pose with one hindleg in the air, his horsecock standing proudly at a staggering eleven and a half inches. Coated in Griffon spunk, the pulsating black behemoth was practically beckoning Ario with its sway, Shining's eyes outright demanding attention.
"I believe that you made quite the mess when we walked in here," Shining said. "It'd be rude of you not to clean it up."
Ario nodded and nearly pounced on Shining. His claws grappled the titanic cock as his tongue rushed to meet the meat. The taste of salt and the heat of Shining's member met Ario's tongue with the force of a tidal wave, and he quickly moved it along the rest of Shining's length. Up and down, back and forth, his tongue was constantly on the move, lapping up his own cum. The constant ministrations left Shining to lay back and moan, precum spilling from his member down his shaft. Ario's claws spread the pre down, as if he were polishing the cock with cum.
"Mmnf, stop, Ario, stop," Shining pleaded. "I think it's ready now."
The Griffon withdrew his tongue, a string of drool and cum connecting him to Shining's cock. Shining rose from his position and pushed Ario down gently, pecking his beak's tip as he travelled downward. The stallion nuzzled the Griffon's neck, kissing his was to the wet tent that stood at Ario's skirt. He kissed the moist tip before pulling the skirt up and kissing the bare cock on its knot. Ario squeaked as Shining slipped some tongue around it before he went further down, kissing the Griffon's sack, and then further to his anus.
"Ah!" Ario cried, gripping his bedsheets as Shining's tongue penetrated his hole.
The Prince pulled away, licking his lips as he towered over Ario, settling his hooves on either side of his head, lining up the swinging member with the Griffon's tight backdoor. Ario's tail whipped around and coiled up Shining's leg, and he nodded to the stallion. Shining rammed his hips downwards, shoving nearly half of his length up the Griffon's ass in one go.
"Master Armor!" Ario screamed, his cock twitching against the white fur of Shining's stomach. "It's so fucking huge!"
"I know, right?" Cadance chuckled. "It's like he's gonna rip you in half in the most satisfying way."
Shining didn't relent, his hips immediately withdrawing and forcing himself back in, his medial ring meeting the puckering Griffon ring. Ario moaned as Shining withdrew again, slamming even harder. Out and in, Shining pulled and pushed against the Griffon, his member stretching Ario out as his flaring tip scratched and rubbed against every little corner of the tight passage.
His speed continued to increase as more and more of his own pre spilled out, the extra lubricant making it easier to shove more and more of himself in. The bed started creaking as it smashed against the wall, Shining's rough fucking driving Ario into a wordless euphoria. Soon, Shining had managed to slip his medial ring inside, and every thrust pushed another inch deeper, until Shining hit the magic little button in Ario's prostate. The Griffon's hind legs locked around Shining's flanks, holding him close as he dove off the edge.
"Shining!" he screamed as his red cock pumped out a stream of seed.
The sudden bout of clenching and feeling the warmth of Ario's spray drove Shining over the edge, and with one final slam, he hilted himself in Ario's backside and flooded him with steaming cum. The two rocked back and forth as they exchanged the highs of their orgasms, Ario's clenching milking another shot of cum from Shining, which drove Ario to clench once more, continuing the cycle for a few minutes. Jizz dripped down Ario's legs and thighs, staining his dress and leaking onto his bed. The scent of musk was as thick as ever, Ario nearly dizzy from the sheer overload of male virility that Shining exhumed.
They laid there together in a deep embrace as Cadance smiled, watching the blazing infernos in their hearts merge into a singularity of passion and love. Ario and Shining locked eyes and lips once more, whispering sweet nothings as Shining started to pump once more, eager to solidify his declaration as many times as they could both handle.