Fireflies in the Air. Butterflies in the stomach
It has been a few weeks since Spitfire and Thorax first met at the Sleeping Mare Inn in Ponyville. After an unlucky incident with a spoiled cider mug, the two quickly found themselves really attracted to each other and tonight would be their first date.
Everyling was doing well on the Changeling Hive, buzzing around like busy worker ants, tending to the needs of the hive. Everyling except Thorax, who sat anxiously on his place in the Feelings Forum. As the day of his first date came closer and closer, Thorax found out that he didn’t know what to do! He was bringing his worries to the Feelings Forum for weeks by now, but when your entire kingdom used to rely on tricking other ponies to love them for sustenance, it turns out they didn’t know much about dating either…
Thorax had arrived early to the Forum, so he sat there alone on his pillow, his eyes wandering to and fro, trying to think about what he could do to please Spitfire on their date tonight.
His thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing sound of a flying changeling approaching him. Thorax quickly stood up and turned around to greet his fellow Feelings Forum’s attendant, but was surprised when, instead, he met his big brother, Pharynx.
Pharynx landed next to him with a confused look. “What are you doing here, little brother? The Feelings Forum was delayed until tomorrow, remember?”
Panic and realization took hold of Thorax’s thoughts, he completely forgot! How can I figure out what to do tonight without the help of my fellow changelings?! he thought, his eyes darting from side to side in panic. But then, an idea crossed his mind as his eyes settled on Pharynx. The dark changeling was never really sociable, but right now he was his best hope. “Ugh, what should I do, Pharynx?! My date is just in a few hours and I have no idea what to do, you gotta help me!” Thorax pleaded, down on his knees while frantically shaking his brother.
Sighing in annoyance, Pharynx pushed his brother away. “I know! The whole hive knows about it at this point! Look, we changelings were never all that good with pony relationships, I’m even worse, so why don’t you ask your friends, Spike and Starlight, for advice?”
Pharynx words lit a light bulb in Thorax’s mind, everything seemed so simple now. Of course! Why haven’t I thought about that before?! Thorax gave his brother a hug, which he reluctantly returned, and flew away. “Thanks, Brother!”
Pharynx waited a few seconds to make sure his brother was gone before calling, “He’s gone everyling, you can come out now.”
Dozens of changelings peeked from their hiding spots, wanting to make sure Thorax was really gone. “Can we begin the Feelings Forum now?” a green changeling asked, peeking behind some vines hanging from a wall.
After searching Ponyville for Spike and Starlight, Thorax learned that they were helping Rarity on a new dress, so he headed to the Carousel Boutique to meet them.
Knocking on the door, Thorax was greeted by Spike, who was holding a long roll of cyan silk and had half a dozen of pins sticking out of his back.
“Oh, hey Thorax! Come in.” Spike beckoned him inside.
“Hey Spike, uhm, you got something on your back…” Thorax pointed a hoof at the pins.
Raising an eyebrow, Spike turned around to see what he meant. Noticing the pins, he waved it off. “Oh, these? Don’t worry, I’m just helping Rarity finish Starlight’s new dress.”
“Thorax, it’s so good to see you!” Starlight greeted the changeling from the other side of the room. She was standing on Rarity’s runway, wearing what appeared to be what was going to be the skirt of a new dress.
“Hey Starlight.” Thorax waved. Scanning the room, he took notice that Rarity was missing.
“Where’s Rarity?” he asked, making himself comfortable, sitting on a chair set up on the side.
“She went down to the basement to get more silk,” Spike explained. “So, what brings you here?”
Thorax let out a heavy sigh as his worries about the night’s event returned to his mind. “Well, I have a date with Spitfire tonight, but I’m really nervous and don’t know what to do!”
Starlight jumped down the runway and walked to Thorax. Patting him reassuringly on the back, she said, “Oh, don’t worry Thorax, the only secret to any relationship is to be yourself!”
“You sure…” Thorax began to say, but was interrupted by Spike.
“What? This is Spitfire we’re talking about, the head of the Wonderbolts!” Spike exclaimed, grabbing Thorax’s cheeks so he would look directly into his eyes. “There are probably a bunch of stallions after her, if you want to compete, you have to really woo her!”
“H-how do I do that?” Thorax stammered, fearing Spike’s previous words.
“Don’t worry, pal, if there’s a pony that knows about wooing somepony, it’s Rarity, let’s ask her for help!” Spike said, giving Thorax a reassuring hug.
“Whatever…” Starlight huffed, she knew exactly how this would play out and she knew that there was nothing she could do about it.
After a few minutes, Rarity returned with a new roll of silk and was surprised when she saw Thorax and Spike waiting for her at the basement’s door.
“Oh Thorax, what a pleasant surprise! Do you need anything, darling?” Rarity asked, shaking Thorax’s hoof.
“Actually, Thorax has a special date with Spitfire tonight and he needs your help to woo her,” Spike replied.
“Ohh, of course! I think I have a handsome tuxedo that would fit you perfectly, just a minute please.” Rarity lost herself in one of her clothes racks, returning a couple seconds later with a dark lemon green suit in her magic. “Try this on, please.”
Thorax did as asked and slid into the nice clothing, its smooth fabric fit perfectly around his torso, but left little room for his wings, who were crumpled uncomfortably on his back.
Rarity paced a few circles around Thorax, examining the attire with her laser-focused gaze.
“Uhm, maybe we could open a pair of slots for the wings on the back… maybe find a lighter green? Perhaps some violet to match your carapace…”
Under Rarity’s comments, Thorax lit up his horn, engulfing his body in flames. As the flames subsided, his tuxedo was transformed to match Rarity’s observations.
“Wait, changelings can shapeshift clothes too?” Rarity asked, inspecting the suit, surprised to see such well-made stitches and clean cuts, leaving no damage to the fabric at all.
“Of course, if changelings weren’t able to replicate something as common as clothing, we would have a really hard time replacing somepony in the past,” Thorax explained.
A small shimmer could be seen within Rarity’s eyes, she had a great idea! A great idea indeed…
The sun was almost setting when the Wonderbolts finished their last exercise routine for the day. Everypony had done an excellent job at the obstacle course, everypony except Spitfire, who was so nervous about her date that she had trouble focusing on her flight. She was about to hit the shower, when Rainbow Dash called her from outside the locker room. “Yo Spitfire, can I talk with you for a sec?”
Following Dash to a more private spot, Spitfire asked, “What’s up?”
“Not you obviously, what happened back there?” Rainbow shot back.
“What do you mean?” Spitfire tried to fake obliviousness, but failed miserably.
“You know what I mean, you were completely zoned out, you missed all the timings and almost went face first into a cloud wall! That’s not like you, Spits.” Rainbow scowled.
“Sorry about that, Dash… I’m just a bit distracted, is all…” Spitfire replied, holding her leg with a hoof.
Rainbow Dash softened a bit upon noticing her friend’s discomfort, whatever was bugging her must be serious. “You wanna talk about it?”
“Nah, I’m good…” Spitfire dismissed her, a bit of sadness in her voice.
Not buying it for a bit, Rainbow decided to respect her friend’s wishes. “Alright then, but if you ever want to talk, you know where to find me.”
Rainbow Dash began walking to the shower, but was interrupted by Spitfire. “W-wait! I… I need your help…”
Rainbow took a quick glance around to make sure there were nopony listening and approached Spitfire, holding a wing up to block any possible eavesdropper.
“I-I have a date with Thorax in a few hours but I don’t know what to do!” Spitfire confessed.
“Woah, woah, wait a sec, you’re telling me that you’re going out with Thorax? Really?!” Rainbow interrupted, holding her laughter as hard as she could, not that it helped.
“I’m serious, Dash!” Spitfire exclaimed, hitting Dash on the shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry. So, what’s the problem?”
“He’s the ruler of an entire kingdom! He must have a lot of changelings after him, how do I compare to that!”
“Ha, that’s easy, you’re Spitfire, head of the Wonderbolts and the best flyer in all of Equestria!” Rainbow said. “Well, maybe second best. But what matters is that you just have to show him how tough and awesome you are and he’ll come crawling to your hooves!”
“But that’s not like me… I may act tough around the recruits, but I’m not a show-off.”
“It’s not showing-off if it’s true, now come with me!” Rainbow beckoned Spitfire into the next room.
“Where are we going?” Spitfire asked, confused.
“To the gym, let’s get those muscles nice and hard so you can show that changeling who’s boss!”
Hours have passed. Luna’s moon bathed Ponyville with its gentle, silver light as Thorax dragged himself across the street toward Sugarcube Corner. Rarity made him shapeshift his clothes time and time again until everything was just perfect, draining him of his magic completely, leaving only a migraine in its place.
Spitfire was waiting for him at the door of Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow Dash made her run every single exercise course the gym could provide, every single muscle in her body hurt as she tried her best to keep her eyes open. She was so tired that she almost didn’t notice Thorax approaching her.
“H-hey Spitfire, I’m glad you made it,” said Thorax, giving Spitfire a hug.
Thorax’s hard chitinous exoskeleton felt like sandpaper, flaying Spitfire’s sensitive muscles as she quickly pushed him away. “Ow, ow, ow! Uhg, sorry Thorax, I’ve had a really rough training today, my muscles hurt…”
Saddened by the fact he couldn’t give her any hugs, he replied, “Oh, that’s okay… should we go inside?”
Letting out a tired yawn, Spitfire said, “Hum? Oh right, let’s get inside.”
Thorax opened the door for her with a hoof. Now that the pain was under control, Spitfire got the opportunity to take a look at what Thorax was wearing. He had a long dark green and purple tuxedo with lighter green tie and violet shoes, the entire attire sparkled with glitter much like his wings and tail. It felt a bit too much, even for somepony as colorful as Thorax.
Still, Spitfire cursed herself for what she was wearing, an oversized Wonderbolt fan hoodie and gym shirts, it was the only thing she managed to find in the locker room after her workout session.
Thorax noticed her checking his new clothes and a spark of hope quickly found its place in his heart, but the spark was as quickly shut off as Spitfire just thanked him and went inside. I guess she didn’t like it…
Despite the late hour, Sugarcube Corner was as lovely as ever. Some ponies awaited their coffee goodies by the counter, others browsed the baked sweets for a possible dessert for tomorrow’s lunch and some couples enjoyed each other’s company by the tables while chatting about their day.
Spitfire and Thorax walked to the farthest table and sat, waiting for the waiter to bring them the menu. A few seconds later, Pinkie Pie came bouncing with her usual energy and wide smile. “Hey guys, nice seeing you here! Here are the menus, what would you like me to bring you tonight?” she asked, passing them the menus with her curly mane.
Examining the menu, Thorax didn’t really know a lot of these pony desserts, but he quickly recognized some of them. “How about mint liquor cocoa?”
“Eh, I’m laying off the alcohol for awhile, I don’t want to end up in the hospital again anytime soon,” Spitfire replied, memories of that horrible experience surfacing in her mind.
Thorax quickly nodded in agreement. “I agreed…”
“What about chocolate milkshake?” Spitfire offered.
“I’ve never tried it before… okay then,” Thorax replied, smiling.
“We’ll have two chocolate milkshakes then,” Spitfire ordered, returning the menus.
“Okie dokie, coming right up.” Pinkie dashed to the counter and then dashed back to the table a few seconds later, balancing two big cups of chocolate milkshake on a plate on her head. “Here you go!”
“Thanks, Pinkie.” Thorax gave her a smile.
“Hehe, sometimes I think Pinkie Pie could beat even Rainbow Dash in a race.” Spitfire laughed.
Laughing as well, Thorax took a big sip out of his milkshake, the sudden cold sending a sharp pain through his head as the icy goodness froze his brain solid. “Gahhh, Cold!”
The sudden scream of agony scared the living Tartarus out of Spitfire. “Woah, are you okay?” she asked in worry.
Fighting through the headache, Thorax answered, “Sorry about that, I overused my magic today and I’m having a mild migraine…”
I guess the milkshake was a bad call… Spitfire thought, feeling a bit guilty.
An awkward silence fell between them as neither knew what to say. Thorax kept rolling his milkshake around, waiting for it to melt while Spitfire drank hers. A couple of minutes passed before Spitfire broke the silence.
“So, how is the Changeling Hive doing?” she asked, not really making eye contact.
“They’re doing fine, thanks… how are the Wonderbolts?” Thorax replied, a hint of pain and sleepiness in his voice.
“They’re fine too, Rainbow Dash sure is helping out with the new recruits.”
Their exchange continued for a while but their exhaustion proved focusing on a subject a difficult task. About an hour had passed until Spitfire really couldn’t keep her eyelids open anymore, so she got up and paid her share. “I gotta go, it’s getting late.”
“I-I’ll walk you home.” Thorax got up too.
The two walked in silence for a few minutes. Their wandering took then to the Ponyville lake, a shortcut to Spitfire’s house.
“Tonight was… interesting…” Thorax tried to break the silence, it was his last chance to attempt conversation before the night was over.
“Yeah, it sure was… interesting…” Spitfire replied, not really knowing what to say.
Thorax cursed himself for his comment. Come on! ‘Interesting’, really?
Spitfire noticed Thorax’s defeated face and decided to cheer him up. “Thorax, I…” Spitfire started saying, but in her distraction, she tripped over a small stone and was about to topple into the lake. Thorax tried to catch her, but he had no magic so he bit her tail, unfortunately, he slipped over a puddle of water and both fell into the cold lake.
The cold water was a shock at first, but soon enough its chilling touch began washing their pain and tiredness away. Feeling invigorated, they swam over to the river edge, pulling themselves over the bank. After a few seconds, the duo began laughing as they rested on the soft grass.
“He he, sorry about that,” Spitfire said, wrapping a soaked wing over Thorax’s shoulder.
“What? You didn’t want to go for a swim?” Thorax joked, leaning his head on her wing, his joke earning a playful punch as a reply.
The two lay there, basking in each other’s company as the cool night wind helped them dry.
“You know, it was a bit weird at first, but I’m glad I was able to spend some time with you,” Thorax said, rolling to the side, so he was facing Spitfire.
“Yeah, me too…” Spitfire started to say but was interrupted by a bright yellow light flashed right between them. Suddenly, the couple was surrounded by hundreds of fireflies, their beautiful glow felt almost like the faraway stars came down to Equestria just to greet them.
“You know… my mother used to say that the moon could feel the couple’s love. She would send her most beautiful stars to ward away the danger and wish them a happy life together…” Spitfire said, rolling on her side to face Thorax.
Being a changeling, Thorax was always drawn to love, so he knew that Spitfire’s tale was true, because he could feel the love between them. And as the stars danced around them, the couple leaned toward each other and shared a true love’s kiss.
Author's Note
Hello everybody!
This is my first free request of January! I'm using these requests to train my proofreading so you can expect a few more mistakes than usual 
hopefully just a few more
I hope you liked the story!
Here's a cool music to celebrate this weird but rather interesting Shipping:
Bye!
-AM
