Chapter 12: Familial Bonds

Christmas day was quite active, for once in Tyr's household. The only person who wasn't doing anything was Chrysalis, who was ignorant of anything that was happening.

"Okay!" Pinkie said cheerily. She stepped back to admire her work. Tyr's house had been covered in Christmas decorations and was almost literally oozing Christmas cheer. "What do you think?"

"It seems overdone," Chrysalis murmured from her seat in the kitchen. Somewhere along the line, someone had stuck a Christmas hat on her head. She was none too happy about it, but hadn't bothered to take it off.

"I think it looks good," Tyr said, petting Chrysalis. Her expression brightened a little. He had been doing little things like this since she moved in, hugs and pettings that always served to make her happier and—it was still a strange concept to him—feed her. For her part, Chrysalis mostly kept to herself, but Sherry and Luna had roped her into playing games with them. She was becoming part of the family, Tyr thought with a smile.

"Well, I'm all done," Pinkie said. "I can do no more… until we get to enjoy the party!"

Tyr looked over at the tall Christmas tree he had gone out and gotten a couple days ago. Luna was finishing up putting the decorations onto it. "Need some help, princess?"

"No, I believe I am done." Luna set one last bulb onto the tree. She glanced down into the box and frowned. "No wait, there is one more…"

"One more?" Tyr paused his hand. Chrysalis looked disappointed. Luna held up a small object that looked like a handmade angel.

"What is this, Tyr?" Luna asked.

"That…" Tyr came over and took it from her. It was roughly made, but it was obvious someone had put time and effort into making it. "This is an ornament my little sister made for me quite a few Christmases back." A soft smile crossed his face.

"You have a sister?" Chrysalis asked.

"I have three. One older, two younger."

"I am correct in assuming they do not live in town?"

Tyr shook his head. "The younger two live with my older sister. They live out in a big city, since Nanna—the oldest—is a scientist."

"So your youngest sister made this?" Luna said.

"Yeah, Sif really wanted to get me a gift, and Nanna convinced her to make me something. She was really bad at stuff like this when she was younger." Tyr shook his head. "I'll put this somewhere. Don't worry."

The doorbell rang. "I got it!" Sherry called, rushing out of the kitchen. She ran over to open the door.

"Hey there Sherry," Twilight said with a smile, coming in. Spike came in behind her, A few presents in his arms. "Anywhere to put these?"

"Under the tree, of course," Tyr said with a grin. Twilight took a seat on the couch while Spike set the gifts down.

"So how are you all doing?"

"It's… good," Tyr said. "Chrysalis is getting comfortable."

"I like it here," Chrysalis said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Tyr's affection is quite… delectable."

"You don't have to convince me," Luna murmured under her breath.

"It's like having one of my sisters here," Tyr said, pulling Luna into a one armed embrace. "Sherry's enjoying having someone new to play with."

"Chrysalis is actually good at some games," Sherry said, pulling a tray of cinnamon rolls out of the oven. After her successes at the bakery, it seemed like they were her specialty. "I don't have to worry about playing against someone who knows the game better than me."

"I am behaving myself," Chrysalis said, giving Twilight a pointed glare.

"Chrysalis. Twilight and the others are just wary," Tyr pointed out softly. "From what you've told me, they don't have much reason to trust you."

Chrysalis frowned and went back to staring out the window. "Fair enough."

"You can say that again!" Dash said, bursting in. Behind her was Scootaloo, who was now in awe of the decorations around the house. Dash tossed a few gifts under the tree. "I don't know how you can trust her."

Chrysalis looked a bit sad, and looked away. "…I never asked for your trust."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Pinkie said suddenly. "It's Christmas! We shouldn't be fighting!"

"Pinkie Pie has a point," Luna agreed. "This should be a happy occasion, correct?"

Dash rolled her eyes. "Fine…"

Applejack and her siblings arrived then. "I hope y'all don't mind, but I brought Big Mac with me." She said as they came in. Although she was still wearing her usual Stetson hat, she had dressed a bit more festively, with red lace boots instead of her usual work boots.

"The more the merrier," Tyr said, nodding in greeting. Big Mac nodded back and set the large gifts he was carrying beside the tree. It still amazed Tyr how much weight the farmhand could shoulder without visible effort. Applebloom immediately joined Scootaloo and Sherry in the kitchen.

"Oh, don't close the door, darling!" A voice called just as Tyr was about to do just that. He looked out to see Fluttershy and Rarity, clad in—what seemed to be—elegant Christmas dresses hurrying towards him. The former of the pair had a massive blush on her face. Tyr could tell why; The outfit Rarity had put her in was quite revealing for the demure animal lover. He held the door open for the two women as they came inside. "Oh, thank goodness you heard me, darling."

"No problem," Tyr said. He noticed Sweetie Bell come in after her sister, a bag of gifs slung over one shoulder. He took it from her. "You're welcome."

"Oh this all looks beautiful, Pinkie dear!" Rarity greeted her girlfriend with a kiss. "How long did it take you?"

"Not long at all!" Pinkie replied, grinning. "Tyr, Sherry and Luna helped a lot!"

Fluttershy sat down beside Applejack. The farm girl smiled. "And how are you doing, sugar?"

"I'm doing okay." Fluttershy squeezed her legs together, unconsciously pushing down her above the knee skirt. "This is… kinda embarrassing…"

"It looks good on you, Shy." AJ planted a gentle kiss on the shy girl's forehead, which seemed to calm her.

"Are we missing anyone?" Twilight asked.

"I invited my sister, although she said she would be late," Luna pointed out.

The doorbell rang once more. "That may be her," Tyr offered. He went over to the door and opened it for what seemed like the millionth time, only to nearly be bowled over by a short girl with long, wild black hair. An ivory grin split her face as she hugged him tightly around the waist.

"Big brother, I missed you so much!" The girl cried, giggling. Everyone in the house froze.

"Big brother?" Rarity repeated, eyes darting from Tyr to the newcomer. Her skin was a shade lighter than his, but the resemblance was impossible to deny. As she was pondering this, two more people entered, a woman Tyr's height with bleach white hair and sky blue eyes, and a shorter one with reddish brown hair and dark gold eyes. Tyr's mouth dropped upon seeing them.

"Who are they, Tyr?" Twilight asked. She had never seen a reaction like that from the normally calm man.

"Everyone," He said, a smile growing on his face. "Meet my sisters, Nanna, Freyja, and Sif."

"You have sisters?" Pinkie squealed. "Oh, I always thought you were an only child, I mean you live alone and you never ever said you had sisters!"

"So my little brother hasn't told anyone about us?" The tallest said with a soft chuckle. She adjusted the glasses she was wearing. "He never told us he had so many friends either."

"I can never get a hold of you, Nanna," Tyr pointed out.

"I suppose that is fair. Sif has missed you though."

Tyr gently ruffled the hair of the girl still clinging to him. "I can tell."

"Lot of girls here," The other girl, Freyja noticed. "Still have terrible luck with women, huh Tyr? Constant friend-zone much?"

"I actually have a girlfriend, thank you very much."

Nanna and Freyja looked surprised. "You do? Which one?"

"That would be me," Luna said, coming over to stand beside Tyr. Freyja and Nanna looked confused, then shocked, and then Nanna grinned widely.

"Called it," She said with a laugh.

Freyja mumbled some choice words under her breath as she reached into her purse to get a five dollar bill. She handed it to Nanna. "Here, take it."

"You guys bet on me?" Tyr asked.

"We bet on everything," Nanna corrected. "I just gave her this five dollar bill when we bet if you would be the one to open the door."

"Same old Nanna."

"Of course! So, introduce us!"

Obliging to his older sister, Tyr ran the gamut of introducing his friends to his family. Luckily, it seemed like they meshed together quite well. Sif joined the Crusaders almost immediately, while Freyja and Rarity seemed to enjoy the same fashions. Nanna and Twilight ended up in a serious scientific discussion that alienated everyone else. For a Christmas party, Tyr had to admit it was lively. "It's… so warm here," Chrysalis murmured when Tyr ended up next to her. She had stayed in her seat at the counter, not moving since everyone had started arriving.

"Is it uncomfortable?" Tyr spotted Freyja and Nanna interrogating Luna. He hoped his midnight princess would be alright.

"Not particularly." Chrysalis looked away from him.

"Why don't you come over? I'm sure the others wouldn't mind."

Chrysalis laughed dryly. "They still do not trust me, Tyr. How in the world would I be welcome?"

"You won't know unless you try."

She looked at him closely. She could sense no malcontent in his voice or expression. She sighed, but a small smile crossed her face. She leaned up against him. "I will… content myself to this for now. If you are so adamant to me gaining friends… I will start with you."

Tyr couldn't help but smile. "Fair enough."

"Don't tell me you're two timing," Nanna teased.

"Hell no," Tyr growled. "Chrysalis is my friend."

"I doubt Tyr could do it," Dash said with a smirk. "He loves Luna."

"Okay, okay, I'm just teasing." Nanna sighed. "It was so much easier when there were less people to cover for you."

"I do have a lot of friends," Tyr admitted.

"I'm still shocked my blunt brother of mine got such a pretty girlfriend," Freyja said, sizing up Luna. "And a former Princess, no less. What attracted you to him?"

"Tyr is quite handsome," Rarity said.

"And really super nice!" Pinkie added.

"Strong as a full grown bull too," AJ said.

"It was his personality," Luna said quietly. All eyes went to her. "When I was truly in danger, he came to save me. I was the only thing on his mind, and I could see it. I… am not ashamed to say I fell in love with him at that moment."

There was silence for a long minute. Luna stood up, went over to Tyr without a word, and kissed him on the lips. She broke away a moment later, soft blush on her cheeks and a smile on her lips. "You are the man I gave my heart to, and I love you."

Tyr chuckled. "You sure know how to make a man's heart flutter, don't you princess?"

"Well, there's no teasing that," Nanna said, disappointed.

"The table is all set up, Dad!" Sherry called from the dining room.

"Dad?" Freyja questioned. Tyr simply chuckled.

"There's a lot I have to tell you guys…"

-x-

"Of course Tyr would get involved like that," Freyja said with a roll of her eyes. "It was always his nature to protect people."

Dash and Fluttershy had just finished recounting the incident at the supermarket where Tyr had jumped to their rescue. Everyone was scattered around the living room, the couples sitting together. Or in Tyr and Luna's case, the latter in the former's lap. "It was the only thing I could think to do."

"That's our brother for you," Nanna said, chuckling. "He was always quick to rush to someone's aid. He used to protect Freyja from bullies in school."

"Nanna!" Freyja exclaimed, blushing. "You don't have to tell them all that!"

"Oh? I thought you were always asking big brother Tyr to walk you to school."

"Stop it…"

"It is nothing to be ashamed of," Luna said. "I too looked up to my older sibling quite a bit. I still do, truly."

"You have an older sibling?" Freyja asked.

"An older sister. She was supposed to come this evening…"

"Sorry I'm late." Celestia entered, followed by Flash Sentry, Shining Armor, and Cadance. "I had to pick up our dear niece and nephew-in-law."

"Hope we're not too late," Cadance said, a little out of breath. They must have really been hurrying, Tyr figured.

"Ah, Miss Celestia," Nanna said in greeting.

"Oh, hello Nanna." Celestia smiled. "It has been some time, hasn't it?"

"You two already know each other?" Tyr asked, incredulous.

"I was Dr. Mortis's… guinea pig, I believe?"

Nanna chuckled. "Still using that nickname, hm? I was only checking your physiology."

"Wow," AJ murmured. "Small world, ain't it?"

"Quite true," Fluttershy agreed softly.

"So what are you doing here, Flash?" Tyr asked. He didn't mind, as Flash was one of the few male friends he could say he had, since they worked together. The blue haired young man was easily approachable and very friendly.

"Who doesn't want to spend the holidays with the ones they love?" Flash joked, taking a seat beside Twilight. She smiled softly and leaned up against him.

"No. Way." Rarity gasped. "You and Flash Sentry…!"

"Did not see that coming," Dash murmured.

"I told you I had a boyfriend," Twilight said with a small giggle.

With the four new additions, the party became even livelier. Sometime along the way, the Crusaders had retreated upstairs to the game room. "Kids will be kids," Tyr chuckled. As he was watching Dash tease Applejack and Fluttershy, making the shy girl blush as red as a tomato, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Chrysalis had gotten up from her chair apart from everyone and slowly went upstairs. Celestia noticed as well.

"Is everything all right with her?"

"We probably didn't make her feel too welcome," Fluttershy offered.

"Were we supposed to?" Dash deadpanned.

"We were supposed to be at least somewhat accommodating," Rarity said, a bit harshly. "I saw all those glares you were shooting at her."

"What? I said I didn't trust her, and I don't trust her." She glanced over at Cadance. "Back me up here."

Tyr tapped Luna gently on the leg. "Let me up, princess."

She did, and Tyr stood. "Are you going up to check her?" Cadance asked warily.

"That's my job, isn't it?" Tyr smiled and headed upstairs. He almost ran into Chrysalis at the top, a few steps away from her room. "Chrysalis. There you are—"

"So I'm just a job to you, am I?" Her voice was cold, and she didn't look him in the eye.

Tyr blinked. He hadn't expected this. "Chrysalis, what are you talking about?"

"I heard what you said to them. I apologize for taking you away from your friends." She turned away from him, almost hitting him in the face with her hair. He was momentarily at a loss for words as she began to walk away. Before he could form any coherent thought, he had reached out to grab her. "What is it now!?"

"One of my friends is currently walking away from me, upset," Tyr said after a moment of thought. "I'd like to know what is bothering her."

"You think that I am just something you have to take care of so Celestia will see you in a good light. No one trusts me, and I am no one's friend!"

"You are mine."

The quiet sincerity that Chrysalis heard in his voice made her turn slightly. "…Do you really mean that? You are not simply saying—"

"When I told Cadance and Celestia to leave you in my care, I was fully prepared to become your friend. I mean it when I say you aren't just a job to me. You truly are my friend."

Chrysalis turned to him. "…You truly are kind hearted. Why someone would be my friend is beyond me."

"And why do you say that?"

"I'm ugly. My hair is a mess, my skin is rough, and I'm thin and gangly."

"I don't see that. Yeah, your hair is a mess, but you haven't done anything with it while you've been here. Your skin is rough for the same reason. Yes, you are thin, but it's attractive. It's not ugly."

"But what am I supposed to do with my hair and tail? What am I supposed to do about that?."

Tyr thought for a moment. "I think I know who can fix that. And who would probably enjoy every second of it."

"A m-m-m-make over!?" Rarity stammered. "For Chrysalis!?"

Tyr held the silent Chrysalis from running away. "Yeah. Chrysalis said she wanted her hair and tail to look as good as yours."

Chrysalis's eyes snapped over to him. "I never said that!" She hissed, just loud enough for him to hear.

Tyr smiled and continued. "She was also wondering how you kept your skin so smooth."

"I never—"

"Oh darling!" Rarity giggled. Of course I would love to help her! I mean, since you asked me so nicely, after all!"

"Oh great, Tyr has found Rarity's weakness," Dash sighed. "Flattery."

"Well, I can't do anything with it right now," Rarity murmured, looking her over. Chrysalis seemed to shy away from the attention. "You will have to bring her by the boutique one day, Tyr."

"I can do that," Tyr replied.

"…Thank you," Chrysalis murmured ever so softly. Rarity blinked, completely off guard.

"Uh… you're welcome, darling."

"Wow," Pinkie said. "You made Rare-bear speechless, Chrissy!"

"Chrissy?" Chrysalis looked confused.

"Yeah, that's my nickname for you!" Pinkie giggled. "Chrysalis sounds so scary anyway."

"Chrissy…? That just sounds so… feminine."

"Is that bad, darling?" Rarity asked.

"We could just call her Chris, and cut out the middleman," AJ offered.

Chrysalis looked to Tyr for help. He grinned. "Nicknames are normal… between friends." He said. "Whatever you want us to call you is fine by us."

She seemed thoughtful for a moment. "…Call me Chrys then."

"Of course she picks the masculine name," Rarity scoffed.

"I think it fits her," Fluttershy offered.

"Well, at least we know she's a she, and not a he," Flash said with a chuckle.

Tyr sat back down, Luna resuming her spot in his lap. The newly christened Chris seemed a bit at a loss as to where to sit. "Over here," Tyr said, patting the seat beside him. Chris blushed ever so slightly and took the offered seat.

"Nice to see everything is working out alright," Cadance said carefully. It was obvious she was still wary of Chris, but was at least giving her the benefit of the doubt.

"It is quite comfortable having Chrysalis… Chrys here with us," Luna said. She smiled over at the changeling. "She and Sherry have been getting along quite well, actually."

"I can imagine," Celestia said with a small chuckle. "I imagine it's like having an older sister for her?"

"Maybe…" Chris grumbled. Tyr nudged her in the side. "What?"

"You can't have that sour demeanor all the time," He said.

"But I…"

"Come on!" Pinkie cried. "It's Christmas! We should be having fun!"

"Oh dear," Twilight said. "Going by Pinkie's idea of fun…"

-x-

It was almost midnight before people realized they needed to leave. Twilight was right, Tyr thought to himself, pulling himself free of the sleeping Chrys. Pinkie had dragged their new friend all over the house, making sure she was involved in everything. To Tyr's surprise, it was the first time he had seen the changeling smile other than when she was with him. Pinkie just had that effect on people. The gifts had been torn open sometime long ago, and he had somehow come into possession of a new scarf that Rarity had made. He was feeling like someone had spike the punch. "I wouldn't be surprised if it was Dash," He muttered. Speaking of the rainbow haired girl, she had apparently disappeared. Applejack on the other hand, was asleep in Fluttershy's lap. For once, the shy girl had a blush on her cheeks that wasn't embarrassment. Well, having her current girlfriend asleep on her probably didn't help.

"Hello Tyr," She mumbled, a little slurred. Guess whatever was in the punch was strong enough to get even Fluttershy tipsy.

"Dash spiked the punch, didn't she?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "I think… Pinkie did."

Tyr felt his headache grow. "Damn… did the kids drink any?"

"I made sure they didn't."

"Thanks, Fluttershy."

She nodded, and went back to trying to wake AJ. Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flash had somehow slipped out without anyone noticing. Celestia was gone as well, an apology note left on the counter the only evidence she had been there. –Sorry, but I had a mind to make the party a little more fun, it read. "Some Princess," Tyr muttered.

Through a long drawn out process, Tyr managed to get everyone out of the house. Thanks to some miracle, Big Mac had somehow remained sober enough to take his sisters and their friends home. Because of Pinkie's design or some higher power's interference, the house was hardly ruined after all the fun they had. Tyr carried the sleeping Chrys upstairs, to her room, and tucked her in. He retrieved a likewise unconscious Sherry from the game room and put her to bed. That being finished…

"Tyr."

Tyr paused just short of closing Sherry's door. He looked up to find Luna, clad in only her underwear and one of his t-shirts in the doorway to his—no their—room. She was leaned against the doorframe, a sultry look in her eyes. Tyr felt most of the blood in his body rush below the waist as his eyes wandered over her. There goes any logical thought. "…Yes, princess?" He managed to choke out.

She didn't say a word at first, instead beckoning to him with one finger. "Are you coming to bed? You must be tired and want your rest." She purred. Tyr wasn't sure if it was the spiked punch, the lack of blood going to his brain, or his natural instincts kicking in, but sleep was going to have to wait.

Hell, grandad always said it. "I'll sleep when I'm dead."