Author's Notes:

This story prompt was suggested to me by jizzerman as a Patron on my Patreon page. If you have a story idea you want to suggest, feel free to check my page out and consider contributing to my work.

“Wait, so Spike actually came out at that party I missed?!”

As the two unicorns walked down the empty hallway of the castle side-by-side, Sunburst looked genuinely surprised at what his friend told him. Even though it’s been about a week since that moment transpired, Starlight Glimmer looked just as pleasantly surprised as the stallion as she nodded her head. “Yep!~ Spike and Pharynx even wore matching flowers on their suits when the desserts came out. It’s was their subtle way of making it clear, without trying to overthrow the party itself.”

Even though he could understand that sort of logic, Sunburst still huffed with a shake of his head while smirking coyly. “I’m willing to bet that they still stole the thunder of the event, didn’t they?~”

“Ohhhhh yeah,” Starlight giggled as she nodded after giving that answer. “I mean, nopony freaked out or anything, which is a big plus. Spike and Pharynx got a lot of positive responses, especially from Pinkie! By the time desserts were finished, she was already getting things planned for their coming-out party. But ohhhhhh…”

Starlight quickly winced a bit as they walked, and tilted her head in slight worry as she added through her skewed muzzle, “You should’ve seen the look on Twilight’s face when she saw them together…”

Sunburst may have not been the most social pony, but his friend’s expression prompted him to appear wary as well. “That bad?”

“Let’s just say, she still needs some time to process everything…” With that being said, Starlight sighed with a more morose look on her face. Since nopony else was in the castle aside from them, the mare wasn’t too worried about being caught looking so worried. “I mean, I totally understand why she’s upset about it. After all she and Spike went through, I think she expected he’d tell her personally, you know?”

“Yeah, I suppose…” The stallion wasn’t sure what he could add to the discussion of Twilight’s absence, but he did tilt his head slightly before saying, “But then again, maybe their close relationship was a big reason he hid it from her. Like, maybe he wanted it out of the way for most of his friends in case there was a blowout.”

“Maybe…” Starlight had her muzzle clenched, but she couldn’t help nodding in agreement to Sunburst’s point. “Well… All I know is that Twilight isn’t against the two, which is nice I suppose. I’m just glad she didn’t have a full-blown freakout or anything. I mean, I’ve seen how she gets sometimes, and her upset moments are not pretty.”

With that last sentence, Sunburst huffed sharply as his expression flattened in an instant. “Yeah, I know that, Starlight.”

The mare immediately realized how that comment of hers came out, and she cringed while looking away from the upset stallion. Even though she knew better than to bring up that incident the last time he was at the castle, Starlight had hoped that his revisit would be fine if she didn’t mention it. But with that reminder being stemmed from her earlier statement, the unicorn felt legitimately bad as she lowered her head in regret. “I… I’m sorry, Sunburst,” she said in a genuine tone alongside her sigh. “I didn’t mean to remind you of that.”

Sunburst may have been a little peeved, but he was able to sigh upon hearing that response. As the two walked past the Friendship Map room, he replied with, “I-It’s alright, I know you didn’t mean to. It’s just… Well, let’s just say I’m kinda glad she’s not around right now.”

Even though Starlight wanted her mentor to get over her slump regarding Spike, she understood her friend’s reluctance towards seeing her so soon. As she nodded her head back at him, she took a second before saying insistently, “You know that I’m not judging you, right? I mean, I’m not judging what you like, at least.”

“Ugh!” Sunburst looked legitimately annoyed as he rolled his eyes to that statement. “Really, Starlight? It’s hard enough for me to come back here after being caught doing that! I really don’t need you saying stuff you don’t mean.”

“Oh, I DO mean it, Sunburst!” she exclaimed with an offended look on her face while she glanced back at him annoyedly. “I might still be upset about you doing THAT in the recording room, but that’s it! In regards to what you’re into, I’m really not judging you. If I did, I wouldn’t have written to you about, ummm... that scene I watched the other day...”

Sunburst didn’t say anything, and just exhaled through his nostrils as he and Starlight headed back towards the hidden room. However, the mare could tell with a glance back at him that he was at least thinking it over. His muzzle was slightly crimped in silence, and the timing of his hoofsteps made it seem like he was timing his steps with his thoughts. In a way, Starlight seemed a little reminded of how Rainbow Dash acted during some of their more “Heart-to-heart” talks.

By the time the two reached that door, enough time had passed for Sunburst to sigh weakly, and look back at Starlight to say, “So… you actually, like… watched one of those scenes? Like, by yourself?”

Even though she was uncomfortable with discussing the topic out in the open (especially considering what she did after watching it), the mare was able to exhale through her snout before nodding her head weakly. “Well, ummm… in my defense, it mostly focused on the two younger guys. The other one wasn’t shown as much.”

“Yeah, but still…” Sunburst knew better than to say anything too presumptuous regarding his friend’s actions -- especially considering his own mishaps involving those recordings. However, the pony still huffed with a bemused smirk as he and Starlight entered the hidden room by themselves. “Considering how you didn’t instantly high-tail it out of there, I’m willing to bet it wasn’t too bad~”

“Well, don’t get too excited,” she said in a deadpan tone back at him. “I already stored the recording, and I’d rather not bring it back out without Twilight knowing about it.”

“Fair enough,” he replied with a wave of his hoof, not wanting to press the issue any further. As the two entered the recording room, Sunburst was surprised to see that something new was added to the space since his last visit: an old, vintage-looking sofa that was rested against the back wall. The aged, pea-soup green color wasn’t too appealing to the eye, but Sunburst’s brows still rose with an impressed look on his face. “Oh, wow! Twilight finally sprung for some furniture, huh?”

“Actually, I was the one who got that,” said Starlight with a prideful smile as she went over and sat on the far end of the couch. “I kinda figured this place could use its own chair so we could stop lugging in our own furniture. And I happened to get a great deal on this one at that antique shop you and Twilight love so much.”

“Ooh, fantastic!~” Sunburst sat down himself, and carried a pleased smirk as he hopped up and down a couple times to admire the sound cushioning. “I gotta say, this was an excellent find, Starlight! It’s great to see you’re getting into the spirit of thrift shopping!~”

“Well…” Despite not wanting to agitate the stallion’s previous anxieties, Starlight didn’t see much harm in adding a light quip as she zapped the ever-floating magic orb with her aura. “I might not be into all of the same interests as you, but I can at least try to meet you in the middle in some instances.”

Fortunately for the mare, Sunburst didn’t seem too offended when he glanced back at her with a light smile and replied, “Well, as long as you understand enough to not make fun of me for what I like, I’ll take that statement as a compliment.”

Just as the screen was beginning to appear within that magic orb, Starlight scoffed with a roll of her eyes back at Sunburst. “Oh, come on! I might think it’s weird, but I’m not gonna kink-shame you for it! I didn’t make fun of Shining for his crush, did I?”

“Well… no,” he answered uneasily while skewing his muzzle uncomfortably. “But you did slap him in the face. Twice.”

“That was because of infidelity. Not kink-shaming,” she clarified with a raised hoof. As the two saw that a scene was beginning to appear, Starlight said one last thing as she got herself comfortable on her end of the sofa. “Seriously though? I’m really not faulting you for having a kink, Sunburst. We all have weird interests or fetishes, but it doesn’t automatically define us for who we are. As long as you keep it to yourself, I’m not gonna judge you. And I’m absolutely certain that Twilight will feel that same way soon enough.”

There may have been a slight twinge of uncertainty in his conscience, but Sunburst was still touched by his friend’s words to smile warmly back at her. “Wow, ummm… I gotta say, compared to Shining and Twilight’s reactions, you’re way more understanding.”

“Well, Shining has to be a massive hypocrite if he were to judge you.” Both of the ponies giggled from that remark, clearly happy that Twilight wasn’t present to avoid the context of it. Just before she and Sunburst could look to see the scene begin, she put out her hoof and stated, “Just saying from one kinky pony to another, you’re still a great guy.”

The stallion smiled wide, and gave Starlight a thankful hoof-bump out of respect. “Same goes to you, and… whatever you’re into that I won’t ask about.”

“Thanks.”

Within the magic orb, the setting slowly appeared to show a location that clearly wasn’t in the Ponyville area. The Canterlot Castle could be seen up-close in the background, overlooking the setting of what looked to be an ornate and intricately-maintained garden. Starlight and Sunburst may have not been as well acquainted with the location as their friends, but they both instantly recognized it as being the garden courtyard of Celestia and Luna’s castle. Of course, even if they weren’t aware where the setting was, the fact that Celestia herself was there would’ve been a big enough hint.

The Princess carried a warm and pleasant smile on her muzzle, and kept her steps slow to stay on even pacing with the dragon walking beside her. They were going along the stone-laden trail that ran along the garden, which was just as magnificent and beautiful as the castle behind them. Two burly stallions in Royal Guard armor were trotting several paces behind the duo, but didn’t try to interfere or eavesdrop on Celestia and Spike’s conversation. Meanwhile, the drake didn’t seem distracted by the guards at all while he casually spoke with Celestia; however, Spike’s expression still showed a look of slight worry while looking down at his bare feet.

“... and by the time Pharynx had to leave and get back to the Changeling Kingdom, Twilight didn’t even come down to say goodbye to him. Like… she tried to tell me she was busy with Friendship School stuff, but I know enough of her schedule to know that’s most likely a cover.”

Celestia kept herself silent as she listened to the dragon’s retelling of the events following that dinner party, and kept her expression fairly neutral while waiting for him to finish. While she was originally quite happy to learn of Spike and Pharynx’s relationship, the fact that Twilight was acting so distant following the news was more than a little troubling to hear. Given how deep Spike and Twilight’s relationship had become over the years, the idea of them having a gap due to an unresolved issue wasn’t something Celestia wanted to happen. But before she could give her input on the matter, she waited as Spike closed his eyes and sighed hoarsely.

“Ughhhh… Just so you know, I’m already aware I should’ve told her personally,” the drake admitted while pinching the bridge of his nose with a claw. “It just… It was hard enough telling Rarity upfront, and I’ve known Twi way longer than her! She always kinda assumed I’d be into Rare, so I… I figured it’d be easier letting everyone know the truth in one go, you know?”

Celestia gave a light smile as she nodded her head in understanding. “It’s alright, Spike. I completely understand why you chose to come out the way you did. And I must say, it’s quite admirable that you went with such a courageous method.”

Spike was still rather fretful about Twilight to get too thankful for that praising remark, even if it was by a literal Goddess. Fortunately, the drake was able to huff briefly before giving a soft smile up at her. “Yeah, thanks…”

Spike then closed his eyes with another sigh, and stopped in the middle of the trail to gather his thoughts. Celestia and her guards stopped as well, and waited patiently for him to continue talking. “I know I shouldn’t be too worried about how Twilight is dealing with it, but I… I really don’t want her to keep acting like this. She means a lot to me, and I… I don’t want her to think I feel otherwise because I didn’t tell her about me privately.”

“Spike…” Celestia gently placed a hoof on Spike’s shoulder, and waited until he looked up to see her warm, compassionate smile as she spoke. “I know you’re worried about Twilight, and I’m glad that you came to talk with me about it instead of just writing a letter. But in regards to how you’re feeling, I want you to know first and foremost that you didn’t do anything wrong. There are lots of beings all over Equestria who encountered hardships due to discovering their true orientation or gender identity, and some don’t have the opportunity to express themselves as freely as you have with Pharynx.”

Spike bit his lip and nodded silently, not wanting to think too hard about some of the what-ifs that arose from that detail Celestia mentioned. He may have been concerned about Twilight, but he was also glad he wasn’t hurt or belittled for who he was with. Regardless, Spike kept himself attentive as he listened to the rest of Celestia’s wise words.

“I’ll be sure to talk with Twilight about any problems she may have as soon as I can, and I hope to mend any issues you two may be facing due to this. But I just want you to know right now -- and I intend on letting her know this as well -- that you are the only one who determines what’s known about your private life. Whether that’s what you enjoy in your spare time, or who you prefer to spend your time with, there isn’t anyone else who can dictate who knows those details besides you. If you wanted to come out in a public event, that choice is just as valid and acceptable as coming out to each friend individually. Each one of us has the choice to do what we feel is best for ourselves, and that’s not something that can ever be taken away by others. You have the freedom to express yourself however you choose, Spike. And no matter what choices you make, I will always respect you just as highly as I have before.”

With the way the Princess gave that speech in such an eloquent and genuine way, it wasn’t too shocking to see how touched Spike looked from hearing it. His lips were trembling a little as he smiled up at her, and his eyes were beading at the corners while trying not to get overly emotional. He looked like he wanted to say his thanks, but it seemed like he had to keep his lips tightly shut to keep Celestia from hearing how hoarse his voice would likely sound. Fortunately, the Alicorn didn’t need to hear anything just yet, and instead smiled back at him with an emotional look of her own. “Awwww… Spike, do you need a hug?”

The dragon’s blushed face scrunched in even more, and he quickly nodded his head. With a quick illumination of her horn, Celestia picked Spike up with her magic so he could be held securely against her chest. The two guards looked on with caution, but neither of them tried to interfere as the Princess hugged Spike tightly. As for the dragon himself, he tried his hardest to wrap his claws around Celestia’s back while he hugged and sniffled hard.

Starlight and Sunburst looked absolutely moved by the Princess’ affection as they sat and watched through that orb. Fortunately, Starlight had the foresight to keep a box of tissues beside the couch (purely for emotional moments like this one), and quickly floated up several for herself and the stallion tearing up next to her. While the Alicorn and dragon hugged on screen, the two unicorns took a quick moment to wipe any tears from their eyes and maintain their touched smiles. Despite the questionable ethics of their experimental voyeurism, it was moments like their current viewing that made the process feel completely justified.

After the two finished their hug, Spike had to wipe some tears from his cheeks with a claw as he was floated back down to the ground. “Th… Thanks, Celestia. I… I really needed to hear something like that…”

“It’s alright, Spike,” she said with a kind and motherly tone of voice. With another flash of her magic, the Alicorn conjured up a handkerchief for the dragon to use. “I’m just glad I was able to help you with your troubles regarding the matter.”

Spike nodded, and smiled up at her thankfully while drying himself off with the linen cloth. Fortunately, Celestia seemed keen on upkeeping the drake’s mood as she added cheerfully, “Now, since you’re already here, would it be alright if I asked some questions regarding you and your boyfriend?”

Celestia may have been over a thousand years old, but Spike was still a little frazzled at hearing her ask such a question so casually. Regardless of his thoughts on the matter, he still nodded his head in acceptance. “Well, ummm… sure, that’ll be alright.”

“Thank you.” With that, Celestia began to walk forward once more, which prompted Spike to start moving beside her again. With the two guards following silently, the scene seemed to resume as it had before with a more upbeat tone. “So, Spike,” she asked while looking down at him with a curious smile. “How long have you and Pharynx been a couple?”

“Well, uhhh… It’ll be two months by this weekend,” Spike confessed sheepishly, barely able to even look up at her while he blushed profusely. “Surprisingly enough, ummm… H-He was the one who asked me out back when I was visiting Thorax. He saw how impressive my evasive tactics and fire-breath were, and I… I guess he caught on to some of my feelings I was repressing, I guess.”

“That’s understandable,” Celestia replied with a light shrug of her head. “Changelings are rather keen when it comes to sensing emotions and behavioral changes. We’re actually trying to work with them in developing better therapy techniques for psychologists.”

“Yeah, he actually mentioned that,” said Spike with a slightly less flustered tone while smiling back at her. “I mean, I know that changelings are doing a lot in Equestrian society recently, but it’s cool that they’re expanding beyond military and entertainment stuff.”

Celestia nodded in response, but raised a brow upon hearing that last detail. “Entertainment, you say? Obviously I was aware of military collaborations, but I didn’t know there was changeling involvement in that profession.”

Spike immediately winced upon hearing that response, realizing that she likely wanted to hear an example. Even though he knew the Princess would probably understand the context, the dragon still cringed as he looked away from her while they walked. “Well, ummmm… considering how they can take the forms of anyone, and… a-and how most of them are comfortable with doing more love-based stuff, they… kinda have a big advantage in certain… acting fields?”

“Aaaaahhhhhh…” Celestia quickly nodded her head, ensuring that she understood Spike’s point before he could try to say the word “porn” out-loud to a Princess. “I see what you mean, Spike.”

The dragon nodded with his lips tightly pursed, his cheeks burning in embarrassment from dabbling near such a topic. Unfortunately, that mention seemed to pique the Alicorn even more as she kept a raised brow pointed towards Spike. “So if you don’t mind me asking,” she said as her tone grew more curious, “and I hope you forgive me if I’m going over the line. But given the changeling race’s reputation when it comes to... sexuality, would you say that Pharynx is... keeping things fairly platonic between you two?”

“Nnnnghhh!” Spike winced. Hard. Even though he knew exactly what the Princess was trying ask of him, his head reeled back at her with a gawking expression as he blinked repeatedly. “Are… are you asking if we’re… like… doing it?”

Spike made sure to clarify that last part in a more hushed tone, hopeful that the two guards following them didn’t overhear it. However, Celestia wasn’t nearly as skittish as the dragon as she nodded her head casually. “Again, I apologize if that question is too personal. I simply want to make sure the cultural differences between you two aren’t too uncomfortable in regards to such an intimate subject.”

Spike could safely say he wished he wasn’t caught in such an awkward conversation with a member of Royalty, especially in such a public place. But considering that last part she added to her apology, the drake could somewhat understand why she felt the need to ask him personally. And despite how uncomfortable he felt going into that kind of territory, Spike was able to breathe out before complying with a response to Celestia’s concerns. “Well, I… I certainly can’t say that Pharynx is trying to push me into anything, if that’s what you mean. And, ummm… H-Honestly, all we’ve really done is like… kissed and cuddled and stuff…”

Spike wasn’t sure how necessary that last detail was for Celestia to hear, and his face was deeply red while avoiding her gaze. Meanwhile, Celestia merely nodded in acceptance before she replied, “Well, I’m happy to hear that things are moving comfortably for both of you. But just know that even if things progressed further between you and Pharynx, I won’t judge you for your actions. I know you’re a legal adult, and that you’re able to make sound decisions of your own accord.”

“Nnnnnnn…” Spike cringed even harder while turning his head away from her, feeling like a teenager who was receiving the ‘Birds and the Bees’ talk from his Mom. Even though he could appreciate Celestia respecting his choices as an adult, he was still rightfully uncomfortable while walking beside her. “Uhhh… A-Are we done here?”

“Oh! I almost forgot something…” Celestia stopped once more, as did Spike and the guards, as she lit up her horn to teleport something from her quarters. “Luna happened to learn of your relationship before I did, and advised that I give you some literature from her study. Even though I don’t feel it’s completely necessary, I have to admit that it might be beneficial for your relationship with him…”

With that being said, Celestia closed her eyes before a sharp zap of her horn resulted in something poofing into existence between them. A thick, new-looking book appeared in her aura to float in front of Spike, and his eyes widened while gasping at the sight of the cover:

The Interspecies Pony-Sutra: The Expanded Equestrian Edition

“And before you ask, I made sure to mark the sections detailing changeling and dragon anatomies. I also took the liberty of marking the sections regarding homosexual intercourse, but I wasn’t sure how necessary that could be with Pharynx’s shape-shifting abiliti--”

“Celestia, what the HECK?!?” Spike covered his face with both claws while shielding his eyes from the Princess’ well-intentioned, but still very inappropriate gift. Despite being careful enough not to swear too harshly in front of royalty, Spike was still unbelievably embarrassed as he blurted, “Ohmigosh, whyyyyy did you get that book?!”

“Well, Luna got the book for you, for starters,” Celestia pointed out with a more matter-of-fact tone of voice. “And considering how this is the only literature fitting enough for an interspecies relationship as unique as yours, I just wanted you to be adequately prepared so neither of you get hurt.”

A long, and very flustered groan escaped the dragon’s mouth while he kept his blushed expression hidden from Celestia’s view. But regardless of how mortified he may have felt (especially when he could overhear the two guards struggling not to snicker behind them), Spike was able to let out a prolonged breath before taking the book with a free claw. He held the book close to his chest as he looked away from the Alicorn, and said through his scrunched-in expression, “Ummm… Well, uhhh… L-Let her know that I appreciate the gesture.”

Even though the sight of the drake acting so flustered was honestly a little funny, Celestia was able to catch on to his awkwardness enough to say with an approving nod, “I’ll be sure to do so, Spike. And, you’re welcome~”

Even after the screen dissipated completely from view within the orb, Sunburst and Starlight were still cracking up on the couch upon seeing that kind of ending. While the mare kept her muzzle covered with a hoof as she giggled, Sunburst was struggling not to fall off the couch while clinging onto the armrest and laughing. Starlight was the first to get her breathing back on track, and let out a brief exhale before wiping some tears from her eyes. “Hooooo, boy~ I did NOT expect Princess Celestia to give him that as a gift!”

“Me neither,” replied Sunburst through a light creak in his hiccuped voice. He had to take a couple more breaths than Starlight before he could stop giggling, but he was fairly quick to speak after pulling himself up from the armrest. “Still… At least it was a thoughtful present by the Princesses. I’d probably accept it too.”

“Yeah, no doubt…” By the time the two were settled down, Starlight was clearly in thought as she glanced at that magic orb and skewed her muzzle. After a brief hum, the mare glanced back at her friend and asked, “Hey, ummm… should we let Twilight watch that scene? You know, considering what Celestia said in that speech and all…”

Sunburst could understand why she felt the need to ask that sort of question, considering how the Princess was acting upstairs. However, the stallion quickly shook his head and responded with a firm tone, “I wouldn’t advise doing that, Starlight. If anything, it might cheapen the effect when Celestia talks with Twilight herself.”

Starlight nodded with a neutral-looking pout, and huffed before shrugging her shoulders. “Well… alright, I can agree to that. I just figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”

“Hey, I totally get it,” he replied as he smiled more genuinely back at her. “You just want to help your Mentor get out of that rut she’s in. I can respect that.”

The mare smiled back at him warmly, and nodded her head with a thankful expression on her face. “Thanks, Sunburst. It means a lot to hear that.”

Neither of them said anything for a brief moment as they stared back at each other, smiling contently without any awkwardness or discomforts between them. But before any random blushes or inappropriate statements could be made, Starlight was quick to sigh pertly before lighting up her horn, and zapping that orb once again. “Welp, since we’re still comfortable, how about we see what else is happening in Equestria?”

Sunburst shrugged with a smile, and settled in his seat while the orb re-activated before them. “I couldn’t agree more, Ms. Glimmer.”