Word of Dash and I’s upcoming date and weekend plans had spread through the office like wildfire Subtle real subtle in my Equestria dreamscape. For the most part the mares in the office were for most part surprisingly supportive if a bit chatty, and asked Dash and I a constant stream of questions, ideas and suggestions.
 
The stallions were not as supportive and through out the day I got a steady stream cold shoulders and incriminating stares. This final came to a head at the end of my shift and early evening crew was coming on the clock.  
I had finished up a report and had taken it back to be dropped in the outgoing mail box so it could be delivered to Cloudsdale. When I turned around I found five stallions blocking my way. Three were from the group that had confronted me several months ago Thunderlane, Windfall and Stratus. Joining the party was Mirage and Black Rain. Part of me had been expecting something like this since the Best Young Flier Competition but I still felt a lump of ice form in my stomach. They all stood their silently.
 
“So.” I said. “I have an idea why your here, so why don’t you just come out and say it!”
 
Black Rain took a step forward and addressed me. “You’ve got some nerve Brick! First you shack up with two finest mares in town in that a nice little cottage of yours. Then that unicorn of yours seduced Dash into doing that routine at Cloudsdale! Dash’s performance Now our boss going to be another of your mares! You already have two nice mares what do you need a third mare for anyways?”  
“Seduced her?” Even though I knew the situation could turn ugly fast, I couldn’t help but snort a laugh. “Seduced her? Black Rain, RD came to Petina and Carousel and asked them to help her. So your accusation is about as real as a bag of wind!”
 
Black Rain’s wing snapped partially open. A bag of wind is not polite thing to say to a pegasi, but I really wasn’t in the mood for this. Windfall decided to chime in at this point.
 
“But Sky Brush you’ve already got two mares. What do you need another one for?”
 
“You know guys I’ve got an idea. Instead of hassling me why don’t take a moment think about why this is happening? Maybe you’ll find the answer yourselves.”
 
Thunderlane who was always a bit of a hothead chimed. “Oh we know what’s happening Brick! We’ve got a stallion in town who’s hoarding the mares when he should be letting us have some!”
 
I don’t know why but at that moment I suddenly felt as if my blood was boiling. Months playing nice and not making waves were suddenly swept away. Without even realizing it I was right in Thunderlane’s face with my muzzle pressed against his.
 
“No Thunderlane I don’t think you have clue! In fact I don’t think any of you pigeon-brain, feather dusters have any idea why what is going on!” Feather duster is also not an endearing term amongst pegasi, and pigeon-brain isn’t much better.
 
Black Rain who had jumped aside when I charged up to Thunderlane tried hooking a wing around me to pull away me from Thunderlane. It worked only in that I got in his face now.
 
“Oh and you Black Rain! Spewing that whole load crap about seducing RD! I think you and every other stallion here knows what is going on but you guys are all so proud of your egos you can’t say the words! So let me say them for you!” I stepped away from Black Rain and glared at the stallions. “Maybe you guys if stopped thinking of the mares as trophies for your egos maybe you’d have a chance with one of them! If for just one moment you got to, oh, I don’t know actually get to know them individuals they might be more receptive to you!”  
Stratus started to interrupt me. “Hey there old stallion no need to get..”
 
“SHUT UP STRATUS!” I roared at him. “Either your parent didn’t give you this lesson, or you had your ear stuffed full of horse apples at the time! So just shut your damn mouth and let’s see if the lesson sticks this time!”
 
“Mares are not property! They are not monuments to your pride and ego! They have their own hopes, dreams and fears! They like being treated as equals! And if you are looking for anything more than a one night roll in the hay you better learn that!”
 
Amazingly they were all standing dumbfounded which was fine by me because it let stay on a roll.  
“Maybe, just maybe, Rainbow Dash likes me is because I have made an effort to first know her as a pony, a neighbor, a coworker, and as a friend! I don’t view her friendship as something I was entitled to! I don’t view her as some prize! And if she decides that she wants to be in a relationship with me and my household is okay with it. And they are. Then it’s her choice! And maybe, just maybe you stallions should just respect Rainbow Dash’s decision? Is that so hard for your guys to do?”
 
“Thank you Brick.” A voice spoke out. All of us stallions turned and found Rainbow Dash standing in the doorway. Behind her were several other mares.
 
The Element of Loyalty walked into the room. There was a slow, smoldering fire in her eyes; she walked up to me gently nuzzle my neck. She then turned and confronted the other stallions.  
“If I decide I want to go out with Sky Brush then that is my choice! Not because I was seduced or put under some spell! And if anyone of you have a problem with this then too bad! If this going to result in you being unable to work as part of team then please leave your letters of resignation on my desk. I will not let egos and inability to act in a professional manner jeopardize our responsibilities to this community. I don’t need amateurs in my weather teams! Am I clear? Yes? No?”
 
“Um look Rainbow we just..” RD cut Mirage off. Spinning around she yelled.
 
“I didn’t ask for a damn essay answer Mirage! Either it is. Yes! I understand, or No! I don’t! Well?”  
After several seconds the five stallions hung their heads.
 
“Yes.” They said in unison. “We understand.”
 
RD stared at them for several seconds as if assessing the sincerity of their answer. Finally her face softened a bit. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then opened them.
 
“Okay then. I’m not going to write any of you up, but sun and moon if this ever happens again I swear I’ll buck you all straight to the moon! Now punch out and go home. We’re all on the schedule tomorrow and we’ve got a system to escort through the valley. Dismissed!”  
Silently the stallions filed out of the mail room and past the mares in the hall. RD watched them go then she addressed the other mares.  
“Girls can you give Brick and I some privacy for a moment?”
 
There was a chattering of acknowledgement and the mares wandered away. Dash waited until they’d obviously gotten out of earshot; then she turned and addressed me.
 
“Thanks for standing for me and the rest of the mares Brick. You realize you could’ve gotten yourself pounded into mulch?” “Um yeah.” It was then that I realized that I was coming down from the adrenaline rush and I was shivering slightly. “But I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Why do so many pegasi stallions act like a bunch of entitled jerks?” “It’s a flier thing Brick, but trust me Twilight has me told unicorns can be just as bad at times. Only earth ponies seem to be fairly laid back about it. With pegasi I guess it is the whole ancient, proud, warrior “These are the spoils of war!” thing that most young pegasi stallions and some mares go through. Hey Brick are you okay?” I was adrenaline crashing harder than I expected and my wings were visibly trembling now. “I’m, uh, uh, I guess I got worked up more than I thought I had! Um I think I should sit down for a bit.” I took a step and suddenly felt a bit dizzy. I didn’t fall, but I did stagger a bit. Dash righted me with her wing. “Whoa Brick! Let’s get you over to the break room and then we’ll get some brandy and coffee in you alright?” RD then steered me out of the mail room. After several seconds a large, shadowed figure moved in a darkened corner of the room. Then it vanished. To be continued.I hope you like what you see. Please help make more art like this possible by supporting me at Patreon