Pre-Chapter Author's Note: I’ve always wanted to do this scene, but I could never find the opportunity to slip it into the story. So, I decided to put it in as its own chapter. Even though the title says “deleted scene,” please note that it counts as canon to Dusk Shine’s romantic endeavors.

This was his first crush, after all.

An eleven-year-old Dusk Shine nervously trotted through the halls of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. He levitated a small heart-shaped letter wherever he went. Finally, he arrived at his destination: The Royal Private Study.

"Your Highness?" he spoke while rapidly knocking at the door. "Are you in there?"

With a glow of Celestia's golden-colored magic, the door swung open. The Sun Princess was lying on one of the many beanbags that resided within any of her rooms dedicated for her relaxation. Ironically, the study of a goddess dedicated to sunlight had no widows, dimly lit instead by wax candles. Nearby, a fireplace crackled with burning firewood.

Celestia rose her head and looked at her protege. "What is it, Dusk?" she said with curiosity. “Have you made another breakthrough on that Talent Enhancer you’ve been working on?”

When looking into his teacher's eyes, Dusk considered backing off and dropping the issue. Instead, he took a deep breath said, "Well, no. I’m not working on that today. It's Hearts and Hooves Day."

She cocked her head, wondering why Dusk would say something so obvious and trivial. "So? What are you here for?"

"D-do you have a special somepony?" the youthful colt asked.

Celestia looked to the side, seeing the MOUNTAIN of marriage proposals sent by royals and admirers across the globe every single year. Most of them were sent because some politician thought he had a chance at getting a life of power and luxury; others were sent because distant, everyday ponies were infatuated with her divine figure.

"No."

"Do you want one?"

Celestia sighed. She had seen this coming. She decided to play dumb for a minute or two. "Possibly. Have anypony in mind?"

"Well, yes," said Dusk Shine. "Kinda. Sorta. Maybe. Anyways... I made you this all by myself," he said, floating over the heart-shaped letter, his cheeks flushing with embarassment. "Do you like it?"

Not wanting to offend her student, Celestia began reading.

Dear Princess Celestia,

You're the bestest, smartest, most prettiest pony in the universe!!! I think about you every day. You made me the happiest colt in the world when you made me your student. Will you be my very, very, very, very special somepony?

XOXOXO,

Dusk Shine

Celestia set the letter down. She looked at Dusk, his eyes pratically sparkling. He had the dumbest grin plastered on his face. In return, she had the look on your face you get when you have to tell your kids that Santa Claus isn't real.

"Umm... well, that was some letter," she said a twinge of awkwardness.

"Yes..." said Dusk expectedly. "So, what's your answer?"

Celestia shifted her weight. "Uhh... you know that I regard you as my personal student..."

"Yes?"

"...and also my close friend..."

"Yes?"

"...and you know that we have a lot of fun when we're having our lessons together..."

"I know! That means we could be super-happy as a couple, right?" Dusk gushed.

"...but I'm a lesbian," Celestia finished.

Dusk paused. "A what?"

"You do know what a lesbian is, don't you?"

Dusk scrathed his head. "Umm.. sorta?"

"It's a mare that likes other mares."

"Oh," said Dusk. There was a short silence. "But that doesn't mean we can still be together, right?" he chirped with his voice full of hope.

Celestia clenched her teeth. This was going to harder then she thought. "No... what I mean to say is that a lesbian likes mares instead of stallions."

The smile disappeared from Dusk's face. He looked like a puppy was shot in front of him. "Oh. Well, I guess I'll be on my way then..." He began to drag his hooves away, tears begining to fall down his cheeks.

"Wait just a minute!" barked Celestia, stopping Dusk in his tracks. "Don't go. I refuse to leave one of my subjects so heartbroken."

Silently, Dusk walked back over.

"Why don't we read your favorite book together?" she suggested with a warm smile.

"The Encyclopaedia of Quantum Temporal Magic??" Dusk gasped.

"The very same," she nodded. "Why don't you get it from the top shelf?"

"Okay!" said Dusk, perky as a foal in a candy store.

"To your credit Dusk," the Sun Princess murmured under her breath, " if your were a fully-grown mare, I'd rail you until you dropped dead."

Author's Notes:

No relation with To Love a Goddess.
Little tidbit of headcanon: Nuns in Equestria are called "Brides of Celestia." Also, it is Equestrian law for maids working on castle grounds to wear this uniform:

I'll do a longer chapter later. This was just to plug the fountain of Celestia-related comments from pouring in.

[EDIT]: Whoopsy daisy.

Looks like I was definitely wrong on this one. And yo waifu got stolen. Again.