Is This Friendship?

by Just A Random Pegasus

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Starlight Glimmer
Length: 2674

Starlight Glimmer, confused about her sudden, rather strong feelings for Sunburst, asks Twilight Sparkle if it is just friendship... or something else.

After the Crystalling, Starlight Glimmer starts to feel quite fond of Sunburst. She's always thinking about him and feels her stomach explode in butterflies whenever he comes to mind. She is constantly hoping from a letter from him, and has a strange desire to be close to him.

She approaches her mentor, Twilight Sparkle, questioning if these feelings are normal for friendship, or if their friendship is... special for whatever reason.

A brief discussion had by Twilight and Starlight with a few slightly humorous scenes.

CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SEASON 6! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Published 2016-03-26 23:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-04-03 15:34:22 UTC

Is This Friendship?

Starlight Glimmer trotted through the empty corridors in Twilight's castle, scanning the doors on the sides of the walls. Just like the day before, she couldn't find her way through the castle with much ease.

Ah, the day before. What an... interesting day, to say the least. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's foal's Crystalling was taking place in none other than the Crystal Empire, where Starlight was able to accompany Twilight and her friends for the ceremony.

While there, Starlight had the pleasure of reconciling with her old friend: Sunburst. Even though he had very low self esteem in himself and thought he was not successful, Starlight helped show him that he is special, and he ended up saving the Crystal Empire- heck, all of Equestria- with his logic and magic smarts.

Now, he and Starlight were close friends, and promised to keep in touch with each other. Starlight enjoyed being reunited with him. Having friends made her feel all happy; like she was worth something. Whenever she thinks about him, however, her stomach is swarmed with butterflies, and her heart rate increases. She has a strange fuzzy feeling that makes her feel all weird.

Now, Starlight was looking for Twilight. These fuzzy feelings have been plaguing her all day, and she was hoping to ask Twilight if it is a natural feeling when friends with somepony. She doesn't remember ever feeling it; not even when she became friends with Twilight.

Starlight was currently looking for the library in the midst of all the doors lining the castle walls. She had a feeling Twilight would be there, reading a book or something. She had been to the library in the castle before; though, she had completely forgotten how to get there. It was all so confusing.

She let out a groan as she opened a door to find an unused closet. "Ugh! I wish there were royal guards here so I could ask them!" She said aloud. She continued opening and closing doors before she finally opened one to reveal a fairly large, crystalline room filled with many different books. And, just as she expected, Twilight was seated on a chair, reading a book.

Twilight's attention was turned from the book when she heard the door open. As she set eyes on Starlight, a smile inched its way up her face.

"Starlight! Hey there!" She then put a bookmark in her book and set it down. "Is there something you want to read here? I have the books in perfect chronological order, but I can still help you find something if needed!" She said, standing up and starting to make her way over to the large bookshelves.

Starlight shook her head. "Actually, Twilight, I came to ask you a question."

Twilight stopped in her tracks and raised an eyebrow. "What kind of question?"

Starlight moved her hoof along the ground. "A question about friendship."

At this, Twilight beamed. "Ooh! You came to the right source! I'll be happy to answer your question!" She levitated two chairs to sit across from each other. "Now, take a seat, and tell me what's up!"

Starlight smiled back before closing the door with her magic. She made her way over to the chair across from Twilight.

Twilight ruffled her feathers. "So...?"

Starlight eyed her before starting. "Is... fuzziness normal for friendship?"

Twilight's expression didn't change. "Uh... what do you mean by 'fuzziness'?"

Starlight scratched her neck, thinking of a way to explain it. "Uh... well... every time I think of Sunburst or my reconciliation with him, I feel all warm and... fuzzy, almost. Is that... normal for friendship, or is a reunited friendship special in any way to make ponies feel like that?"

Twilight took all of this in, thinking. "Well... when you say your stomach flutters... maybe you're just excited? I mean, you probably really missed him when he left for Canterlot back when you were younger. I wouldn't be too concerned with the feeling you're having."

Before Starlight could respond, the door was opened. The two unicorns turned to the door to find Spike standing in the doorway, a scroll in his hand.

"Oh! Hi, Starlight! Something came in the mail for you!" He said as Starlight looked at the scroll. Suddenly, her ears perked and a large smile engulfed her face. She used her magic to yank it out of Spike's claws, and quickly levitated it in front of her.

After opening the scroll, she excitedly turned to Twilight. "Sunburst sent me a letter!"

Twilight smiled as well. "Well, that's a coincidence! What does he have to say?"

At this, they heard the door close and Spike leave the library. Then, Starlight started reading:

"Good day, Starlight. I wrote you a letter to stay in touch with you like I promised. I guess I'll tell you a little about what's been happening with me today. Well, I was visited by a few ponies earlier, who complimented me on my work yesterday to save the Crystal Empire. They made it sound like I was the most amazing pony ever.

"Though, I would like to thank you. You gave me the confidence yesterday to save the world, even though I had very low feeling of self worth. If you hadn't been there, who know what would have happened?

"It's great to have a friend again. Especially somepony as great as you. I will be awaiting a response back from you. Sincerely, Sunburst."

Silence filled the room as Starlight's face brightened.

"Wow! I can't believe he thinks I'm that important! I mean, I know I helped, but to be crediting for the fate of Equestria, I-" She stopped, seeing Twilight sitting with a rather sly smile. "Uh... is something wrong?"

Twilight leaned back in her chair. "Wrong? Why would something be wrong?"

Starlight looked at Twilight in confusion. "Well... you look kind of-"

"Have you ever had a crush on somepony?" Twilight interrupted.

Silence. Just like that, the room was plunged into dead silence.

Starlight pondered Twilight's words. "What... what do you mean by that?"

Twilight's eyebrows raised. "It seems you do."

Starlight's eyes narrowed. "What? It seems I do what?"

Twilight let out a slight giggle. "Oh... I don't know..." She paused for a moment. "You have a crush on Sunburst, don't you?"

Starlight tilted her head. "Is... is that what I'm feeling?"

Twilight shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I need more evidence." She thought for a moment. "Do you have desires to... touch him? Like... brush up against him? Feel close to him?"

Starlight scanned Twilight nervously. "Uh... most of the day, yes."

Twilight's mischievous smile grew larger. "Do you have a desire to snuggle?"

Starlight's face turned red in an instant. "No! Uh... not most of the time!"

"Oh, so you sometimes think about that?"

Starlight turned her red face away. "Can we move past this?! It's just been one day!"

Twilight giggled. "Well, it seems like you do have a crush on Sunburst, Starlight."

Starlight turned back around, her face still flushed red. "R-really? I do?"

Twilight shrugged. "It seems like it. But, you can be the only true evaluator of this. So... what do you think?"

Starlight did as Twilight said, and started thinking about Sunburst. His coat, mane, eyes, and everything about him. She suddenly felt her heart rate increase as she thought about being snuggled up against him, their faces coming closer...

Starlight's mouth almost fell open. Oh, sweet Celestia! I do have a crush on him!

Twilight scanned Starlight's face. "Well, I can tell from the way your face heated up that you do." She winked.

Starlight timidly nodded. "Um... y-yeah..."

The two looked at each other for a moment, Starlight trying to say something. Her lips were dry.

"Um... what should I do?"

Twilight shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. You probably just have a small crush that will pass in a few months." She then got up out of her chair. "Now, if you need some advice for this, you should probably see Rarity about it. She would be able to give much better advice than myself."

Starlight stood up as well and nodded. "Will do."

Twilight raised her eyebrows. "Well, I think you should be going. You have a special stallion to write to."

Starlight blushed as she quickly turned. "A-and I will do just that!" She replied as she left the library, opening and closing the door with force.

Once Twilight was alone, she giggled.

"Oh, those two would look adorable in a relationship together." She then thought for a moment. "Hm... Starburst! That's a good code name for those two!" She said aloud before levitating a notepad in front of her and starting to write some things down.

Author's Note

The premier gave me a good dose of Starburst shipping fuel, so I had to put it to use. :duck:

I hope you enjoyed! :pinkiehappy:

Bonus Chapter: Response

Starlight trotted down the hallways of the castle, looking for a certain room.

"Nope, nope, nope... Ah! There it is!" She said aloud before opening a door to a room which she knew a certain dragon would be in.

And, for the second time that day, she was right. Spike was standing in front of a mirror, striking poses. He noticed Starlight standing in the doorway and blushed, nervously rubbing his scales.

"Oh! H-hi, Starlight! You always seem to... walk in on me! Is that coincidental or what?" Spike said, his voice a little nervous.

Starlight giggled. "Well, I knew you would be in here, Spike. But that's why I came here."

Spike's blush faded as he tilted his head. "Do you need help or something? And besides, isn't Twilight more helpful than I am? She's a princess, after all."

Starlight blinked. "Well, I need your help with something that Twilight cannot help with."

Spike smiled. "Oh, okay! If that's the case, what do you need?"

Starlight levitated a quill and piece of parchment in front of her. "Can you send a letter?"

Spike's smile downgraded to a straight line. It was obvious to tell that he was hoping to help with something more exciting than sending a letter.

"Oh, of course! Well, if you're writing to Princess Celestia, that is." He paused for a moment. "Wait... are you writing to Princess Celestia?"

Starlight shook her head. "Nope. I'm writing to Sunburst."

Spike flexed his arm. "Well, sorry, Starlight, but I can only send letters to Princess Celestia. I wish I could help."

Starlight nodded. "Oh, it's okay, Spike. I'll make sure to leave this in the mailbox." She then turned and then started to walk away. Before she got very far, she halted.

"Spike?" She asked.

Spike looked over to her, a bit confused. "Yes, Starlight?"

Starlight turned around, her face red. "If... a mare were to write you a letter, what would you want it to say?"

Spike blinked. "Why are you asking me this?" He paused, scanning Starlight's face. "All you have to do when writing to an old friend is be yourself. That's why he became your friend, after all."

A small smile creeped up Starlight's face. "I know, I know. But... I just want to know what you would want. If a mare were to write a letter to you, what would you like to see written?"

Spike thought. "Well... it depends who it is. If it was Rarity, I would hope to be asked out on a date, and for her to tell me what a handsome dragon I am." He said, crossing his arms.

Starlight blinked. "Oh! I didn't know you had a crush on Rarity!"

Spike blushed and took a step back. "Uh... it's not too much of a crush! She's just so... graceful, beautiful, generous-"

Starlight used a spell to zip his mouth shut. "I made sure to cut you off before you rambled on forever." Starlight then unzipped his mouth as he nervously giggled.

He straightened the scales on his back before continuing. "Uh... yeah. If it were any other pony, I would want them to tell me something entertaining. That way, I can enjoy the letter." He raised an eyebrow. "Though... why are you so preoccupied with sending the perfect letter?"

Starlight felt her cheeks heat up. "Because he's my friend! I don't want to write a bad letter to my friend!"

"Starlight, he's your friend. He's not gonna care what you write." He then giggled again. "Though, you're lucky you don't have a crush on him or anything. Then, you would be stressing even more about writing him a letter!"

Starlight's pupils dilated as she made a squeaky sound and hesitantly walked backwards. Her face turned red. "Um... I-I..."

Spike stepped a little closer to Starlight. "Uh, are you okay, Starlight? Is it something I said?"

Starlight's cheeks turned even redder as she lifted her head. "Yeah, I'm fine! Everything's fine!" She replied.

Spike thought for a moment before a smirk just like Twilight bore earlier showed up on his face. "I think I know what's going on here."

Starlight turned to him, her face almost as red as can be. "What?"

"You do have a crush on him, don't you?"

Starlight stood still, moving her hoof in little circles on the ground.

Spike giggled. "It's okay, Starlight. I can help you. I've had a crush on Rarity for over a year now."

Starlight's ears perked. "Really?"

Spike nodded. "Yeah. If you ever need help, I'm your dragon."

Starlight smiled. "I will be sure to remember that. Thanks, Spike."

Spike nodded. "No problem! Now, I'll let you leave and write your letter."

Starlight smiled even brighter, though her cheeks started turning red once again. "Oh, okay! See ya!"

"See ya!" Spike replied as Starlight shut the door. After looking at the door for a few seconds, Starlight made her way to the room Twilight let her stay in.

After walking through a few more hallways, she made it to her room. She opened up the door to reveal a crystal room with purple walls and floor, and a comfortable bed. There was also a desk in the far right corner. She walked over to the desk and sat down, placing the piece of parchment on the table. She then started thinking what to write. Suddenly, an inspiration came to her. She smiled as she started writing with her quill.

Dear Sunburst,

I hope the paparazzi isn't too much for you! Just put on a happy face for them! And I didn't think I helped so much in saving the world! I'm honored you think I did!

Well... where to start? Nothing too interesting has been happening with me. I have talked to Twilight and her assistant, Spike the dragon, but that was about all I did today. And, I had a really good breakfast. That's always a plus, right? Twilight makes amazing pancakes. If you ever come to Ponyville, I'll ask her to make pancakes so you can try them.

Oh, and just something entertaining. As I was walking down the hallway today, I opened a door to find Spike striking poses in the mirror! It was just pretty entertaining, especially how embarrassed he was when I stumbled across him.

I hope you have a nice day, and I will be awaiting a response.

Sincerely, Starlight Glimmer.

After putting her signature at the end of her letter, she read over it again. It all sounded good. She giggled when she read over the part about Spike. If he saw this, he wouldn't be the happiest with me...

After reading over the letter a few more times, she walked outside and put it in the mailbox. She looked at the box for a few seconds before walking inside, where she would be eagerly hoping for another letter.

Author's Note

I'm not a shipper of Starlight and Spike, but I do really enjoy writing their friendship. So, I had to include Spike in here. :raritywink: