This was the second month that Thorax lived in the Crystal Empire with the royal family. Thorax got along well with everyone except Shining Armor. He still distrusted Thorax even though Thorax did everything possible to prove that he was harmless. and that he was friendly but to his bad luck, he had broken several things by accident and this time Thorax broke a vase by accident while cleaning the living room.

Shining armor heard the vase break, "Thorax!! You better not have broken something else!!! Because if that's the case, I swear to you that- ", he was angry and started yelling at Thorax, but he stopped when he saw Thorax having a panic attack, he knew he had to calm him down because Cadence would scold him if he didn't." Hey...it's okay, no need to panic"

Thorax couldn't breathe because Shining Armor had always been violent with him and he thought they were going to hit him and mistreat him like the Queen did in their hive, he was terrified of what could happen to him" I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry, it was an accident, I swear"

Shining armor saw that Thorax didn't stop shaking and that he was breathing too fast " Hey, hey, breathe thorax, breathe, calm down, everything will be fine, okay? I won't hurt you, I promise", for some reason felt compassion for the changeling " I know you didn't mean to break the vase, it's okay, we can buy a new one".

thorax was confused when he saw that shining armor didn't hit him "I-I don't understand, aren't you going to hit me? ".

Shining Armor decided to put aside his anger because at that moment he realized that everything Cadence, Sunburst, and the other guards had told him was true, Thorax was not an evil changeling and was not a threat "Thorax".He sighed and looked at him "Listen to me, I'm not going to hit you I promise, in fact, I want to apologize to you for having caused you so much harm and panic"

"Really?" thorax looked at him with some hope.

yes Thorax, I mean it shining smiled kindly, relieved that Thorax had calmed down a bit "Do you think you could forgive me and we can start again as friends?".

Thorax thought about it for a second "Yes, I forgive you and I want to be your friend Shining Armor".

"I would like to too, we have a lot of time to recover and I also have a lot to make up for you. I want you to learn from me and I want to learn from you" Shining smiled at him "Do you have somewhere where we can talk more comfortably?".

Thorax nodded "We can go to my room, it's also a little cold here", he shivered.

"of course!" Shining smiled but was worried when he saw Thorax shivering "Do you feel very cold?".

N-not much, but the weather in the empire is very cold for me since I don't have fur like you "his wings buzzed, as he walked to his room".

"I see, well we can get you more blankets or a coat so you're warmer", shining followed him.

Thorax buzzed his wings at the thought of blankets and warm clothes "I would like that, but I don't want to be a burden, I'll be fine".

"don't talk nonsense thorax you're not a-...." shining stopped talking when he felt a very strong change in temperature when entering Thorax's room "Thorax! This room is freezing! How can you sleep here? We have many more rooms in the castle, you should have chosen one that is warmer, you are going to get sick and get hypothermia".

Thorax shuddered "Cadence also tried to convince me to change rooms, but I don't deserve a better room because I'm not royalty or someone important, I'm just a simple changeling".

"you are not just a simple changeling, you are important Thorax and I am sorry for not having seen that until now, you are in our care and I am not going to allow you to stay here freezing your wings any longer, grab your things and let's go find you another room".

Thorax was surprised and tried to reply but he knew he had no choice, he grabbed the few things he had and put them in a backpack "O-ok".

shining took him to a room that was close to them in case Thorax needed them."Here it is buddy, this will be your new room, warm and cozy".

Thorax looked at the room, and he was shocked "E-it's huge!!, shining armor, I can't accept this room, it's too much for me" he didn't feel like he should deserve such a big room, "Also, I didn't know if Cadence would approve".

"Thorax is fine, I assure you Cadence will approve, she also cares about you and your health "Shining put an arm around Thorax's shoulder and brought him close to him, "you are frozen", He rubbed Thorax's arm, "Let's warm you up, I do not want you to get sick".

Thorax nodded and shivered, rubbing his hooves together "This room is much warmer than the one I had but I'm still cold" his teeth were chattering.

"let me help you with that", with his magic he floated Thorax to the bed and covered him with the blankets, "Is it better this way?", shining rubbed Thorax's body under the blankets to give him more warmth.

"y-yes", thorax sigh with relief and happiness," This is much better ", he snuggled in the blankets.

shining without realizing it he was becoming more fatherly with Thorax, he caressed his head, "You've been through a lot today, go rest", he adjusted the blankets around Thorax and turned around to leave.

"shining armor wait! Can you c-stay with me? I-I know I'm already an adult changeling, but this room is very big, I feel alone and it scares me".

Shining was surprised for a second before smiling lovingly, "Of course, I'll stay with you" He settled down on the bed next to Thorax. "How old are you by the way?".

"I'm 9 years old, I'm already an adult", he snuggled deeper into the blankets.

Shining Armor was shocked to learn that Thorax was actually just a child, " I'm sorry to tell you Thorax, but you're not really an adult, or at least not in pony society, you're very young".

"oh, t-then y-you will hit me? bite me?", his breathing quickened as he remembered his childhood in the changeling hive, can I ask that it not be too painful? Please?! I'll be a good changeling, I swear, I swear".

"huh? Why would we do that?", shining armor rubbed Thorax's back gently, "Shh, shhh breathe Thorax, calm down little one, breathe. The only thing we will do is give you proper care and monitor you more, that is, make sure you eat and sleep well, that you are in good health, protect you, offer you comfort when you need it, spend quality time and none of those things hurt, well except when you get sick and have to give you injections, but it still doesn't hurt that much".

"That sounds wonderful", his eyes lit up a little, "well, except for the injections but everything else sounds like a dream, is that how ponies are raised?".

Shining Armor felt a little sad to know that Thorax didn't have a good childhood, " Yes Thorax, that's how minors are treated in Pony society and that's how Cadence and I will treat you".

Thorax relaxed when he heard all that " I'm glad to have arrived at the Crystal Empire and to be able to live with you and Cadence", he smiled and yawned.

"us too", shining rocked him as he would with Flurry Heart, "let's go rest".

Very soon the two fell asleep in Thorax's new room and Shining Armor made a promise to take care of that changeling at any cost.