Dangly Bits

A week later, Rarity brought Spike in to get his opinion on a material that was spot-on exactly how his wing membrane felt and behaved.

And another three weeks after that, they were done.

“Darling, I’m so sorry I couldn’t finish this all sooner,” Rarity said as she fit him into the set. “A huge dress order came in and completely swamped me.”

He was laying on his back and wasn’t quite sure what was going on down there as Rarity had refused to show what it looked like until it was firmly attached. Something about disembodied dicks not being the ideal first impression of his new genitals.

“It really is fine, Rarity. You got things to do.” It hadn’t actually been that fine. He kept getting comments from other ponies about the shorts he wore and had been anxious for that to stop. But couldn’t bring himself to stop wearing the shorts because he still really liked that cover story that his genitals were growing and he didn’t want any creature to see.

“But it really took more time than I wanted it to,” Rarity frowned. “By the way, this adhesive will keep everything firmly attached. And the auto-cleaning spell will keep everything sanitary between the genitals and your scales behind it. But you will need to visit me once every two years or so for spell maintenance. And you’ll still need to keep everything clean down there. It is a sheath after all and debris can get caught inside. So be sure to be in the habit of checking and cleaning every. Single. Day. I had a client that didn’t pick up that habit and it—y’know you don’t need to hear that. Just clean regularly with soap and water and everything should be spectacular.”

Spike could only nod at all that.

“And voila!” said Rarity, the blue aura of her magic dissipating. “You can get up now and look in the mirror.”

Spike breathed in. The first thing he noticed was the weight. It was as if he suddenly had little weights attached below his belly. He got up, feeling as his scrotum slid between his legs as he walked. It was a bizarre sensation, made only stranger when he actually got to the full length mirror.

He was male.

Of course he had always been male. But this felt different. Like it was a confirmation of his masculinity? Or like it was an affirmation that he belonged where he thought he belonged?

Right along his lower belly, a small sheath attached itself and curved into a smooth set of rather dangly testicles.

“Wow,” said Spike. For that was the only thing he could say. It looked far more natural than he had ever imagined. He lifted his leg up and swayed side to side. They moved along with him like some bizarre piece of clothing.

“Are they always umm… this dangly?”

Rarity smiled. “Not always, I put on some spells that will extend or withdraw your testicles based on temperature just like a mammalian scrotum would be.”

“Really?” Spike asked.

“Yes, I didn’t even have to use my full set of enchantments either. Your needs are a bit simpler than most of my clients.”

Spike nodded and felt his new genitals. They were the same stretchy, soft material as his wings but masculine shaped. He kept touching his scales, then his wings, then back to the set. It fit! It really did fit!

“This is incredible, Rarity,” he tore his eyes away from his new genitals to look at Rarity. “Thank you so much. You… you have no idea how much this means to me.”

He had been anticipating this moment for so long. Would he cry? Would he be overwhelmed? All he felt was an immense relief that he was finally as he should have been all along.

“You’re very welcome darling. I’m just glad you can finally feel like you.”

Spike smiled, he was him! He had physical dangly evidence and any creature could see it and it was absolutely incredible!

“Alright Spike, ready to head out and face Equestria?”

“Not the whole thing, no,” said Spike, trying to chuckle but the weight of how nervous he was caught up to him like getting kicked in the face with a buckball.

“You’ll be fine, Spike,” said Rarity.

Spike nodded, and he glanced at his shorts which were draped on a hook on the wall.

“Oh, I’ll take care of your shorts, don't worry.”

“Wha—what!?” said Spike. “You don’t need to do that, I can walk out of here just fine. And I only have one pair. I need to have at least one pair of shorts.”

“Most stallions don’t have any,” said Rarity.

“You make dresses for a living! How can you be against me having shorts?”

“Because you are graduating to a great new beyond, and I know how naked one can feel without a piece of clothing you’ve grown attached to. Shorts are so last season Spikey-wikey.”

He frowned.

“Consider it a trade then? I’ll trade you one set of male dragon genitals for your shorts.”

He sighed, but then thought about it more. He already felt so much better being himself. Why hide it? “Okay, Rarity.”

“Splendid! It’s been a pleasure doing business with you Spike.”

And with a few goodbyes, Spike found himself standing outside the door of Carousel Boutique the most naked he had ever been in his entire life. He had been so grateful to have those shorts, and it was going to feel very strange not only not wearing them, but also sporting a new look.

The wind in his scales where his shorts used to cover felt odd. But not nearly as odd as the feeling of his sheath against his lower belly, and his new dangly bits.

He started walking back to the castle, taking the most direct route possible. He was scared to fly because getting a full upward view might be too much for some creatures. Then again, maybe it was fine? Male pegasi and griffons flew all the time.

A mare started walking past and Spike could feel his cheek’s reddening.

But she paid him no heed and kept trotting along.

Spike breathed a sigh of relief.

Only for Big Macintosh to come slowly barreling his direction with a full cart of apples. It was imperative that Spike at least give a greeting. He played Ogres and Oubliettes with him all the time. He was practically a few notches below best friend.

“Hey Big Mac,” said Spike, waving.

“Eeyup,” said Big Mac as he kept walking.

Spike had thought he had gotten away with it when Big Mac stopped in his tracks a few feet from him. Big Mac stared at Spike, then down to where Spike’s shorts used to be. Then back up to Spike’s eyes.

“Looking good, Spike,” said Big Mac, smiling. Then he went right back to walking.

Was that a compliment? What did ‘looking good’ mean? Had he even noticed? Spike had always wondered if he had poor eyesight. Of course he noticed, right?

Not taking any chances, Spike continued along as well.

A few more mares and two stallions passed by Spike without incident. He was pretty sure one of them had given him a gift for his birthday a few years ago, but couldn’t remember who.

He stared back at the pony now walking away, maybe it wasn’t any of them? That had been a very strange birthday.

Spike bumped into a very solid wall of pink. He blinked and Pinkie Pie reached out a hoof and helped Spike up.

“Spike! I’m so happy for you!” said Pinkie Pie.

Oh no.

“When did these come in!?” she asked, glancing down between his legs.

“Uhh… ummm…. dragon uhh… puberty…?” Spike spluttered out.

“I knew it! Oh we’re gonna need a party for this one! Just like when you got your wings! I love it when my friends grow pairs of things!" She put a hoof to her muzzle. "It happens surprisingly often.”

“No,” Spike peeped out softly.

But Pinkie’s mouth was already running a mile a minute, spewing ideas of how this was like Spike having a cutesceñera, and the interesting pin the genital on the Spike games, and an absurd sounding cake, and—

Spike breathed in deeply and did the most dangerous thing he had ever done to his good friend Pinkie Pie: he reached out with both of his claws, and shut her mouth.

Pinkie looked alarmed as Spike spoke firmly. “Pinkie, this is something very personal and private to me that I don’t want proclaimed around like most of your parties. This doesn’t mean what you think it means. Rarity made me a set of genitals because dragons don’t grow genitals. And I won’t even know my gender until a few decades from now when I actually hit puberty. Got it?”

Spike let his claws go, and Pinkie breathed in loud and deep.

“You’re transitioning!?” she shouted so loud, half of ponyville must have heard it. “Gender reveal parties are an absolute blast!”

“NO! NO! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA NO!”

Pinkie stared at Spike, her hair deflating, “Do you… do you really not want a party?”

Now Spike felt like a monster. “No, no I don’t. I—this is” he glanced down for a moment. “This is not something I want broadcasted. It’s not a big deal. I…”

But Pinkie looked very upset, “gender reveal parties are so much fun though. And it’s so rare the actual creature whose gender it is gets to come too…”

Those eyes pored into Spike’s soul like she was piercing him with spatulas.

Spike bit his lip, quivering at the very thought of Pinkie throwing him a party. But the extremely distraught Pinkie in front of him was far more uncomfortable than any party he would endure.

“A small one. A really small party.”

Pinkie gasped, her hair blooming into shape, “Do you mean it!?”

“No penis or genital shaped ANYTHING. And a max of 15 guests, and I get to approve or disapprove of any creature.”

“Make it fifty guests and you’ve got a deal!”

“Forty,” said Spike.

“Forty and I get to surprise you with who comes.”

“One.”

“One?”

“A party of one can be fun too,” said Spike.

“You spend way too much time with Twilight,” said Pinkie. “Forty creatures I get to invite, and half the cake is chock full of sapphires.”

“That would take weeks to finish,” Spike’s eyes widened.

Pinkie nodded, “deal?”

“Deal,” said Spike. Who fifteen minutes later immediately regretted the entire encounter and dragged himself up to his room in the castle to drown himself in comic books.

A few hours later, Spike heard a knock on his door.

A surge of anxiety coursed through him. Who was he about to see? How would they react? He could wrap himself up in a blanket and stay on the bed. Or—at that moment Princess Twilight Sparkle burst into the room.

“Spike, I need you to substitute for Pinkie’s classes tomorrow. You’re the only one I can rely on for this. She’s apparently got a big party to plan and—Woah.”

For the first time since entering the room, Twilight actually looked at Spike and her eyes went wide.

“What time is her class tomorrow?” asked Spike.

“Noon and 3pm,” said Twilight, who quickly averted her eyes, blushing.

There was an awkward silence where one of the comics that Spike had been reading fell onto the floor. Spike thought about picking it up but then shrugged and said, “I umm... decided to be more male. I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable.”

Twilight’s wings ruffled and she shook her head, “N—no—not at all. I uhh... Is err... this more comfortable for you?”

Inwardly he wondered which was worse, not fitting in by not being physically externally male, or not fitting in by needing some add-on to feel male. The confirmation clunked into place inside his mind.

“Yup,” Spike smiled. “This is a whole lot better.”

“Okay,” was all Twilight could say.

After a few more seconds of silence, he asked, “Anything else you needed besides a substitute?”

“W— whe—,” she said flustered. “When did this all happen? Did you get surgery or?”

“No, nothing like that,” Spike waved his claw. “I worked with somepony and got a set that would feel natural for me. But it’s not real or anything, I can’t actually feel it if that’s what you’re asking,” said Spike, giving the top of his sheath a poke.

Twilight nodded, “That’s… good.”

“Yep,” said Spike.

Twilight paused for a few moments, until she eventually said, “good.” And then left the room.

Spike breathed a sigh of relief and then picked up his comic book from the floor. He couldn’t even remember if he was reading it or not. He had read the story so many times he knew what happened next and where he was reading right before this didn’t seem to matter.

He felt the bottom of his scrotum with his claws. It felt like he should be able to feel it. It wasn’t real after all. And it did feel nice in his claws. He just had a numb pair of dangly bits, that was all. He could (hopefully) enjoy whatever was the real thing for a dragon a century from now. That gave him something to look forward to.

He heard a trotting sound coming up from the hallway next to his room and quickly moved his claws.

There was a knock at his door, and Spike took another second to glance around to double check and then told the pony on the other side to come in.

“Sorry, I just needed a moment to digest that.”

“Digest what?”

“This,” she said, gesturing to all of him. “I just… umm…” she pawed the ground as if it would reveal some kind of secret for what to say to him, “Sorry, I haven't been more there for you lately. I’m not sure what possessed you to want this but I probably should have at least been helpful through—“

Spike held up a claw. “You’re fine, Twilight. I have friends I can talk to about these kinds of things, and it’s alright if they aren’t you. Different friends help with different problems, you don’t need to be the one to talk about every problem.”

“I don’t?” asked Twilight, her wings puffing out a little. “As Princess of Friendship, I feel like I should at least be able to tackle every friendship problem in every circumstance.”

“This wasn’t a friendship problem. It was just a personal matter for myself. That I happened to talk through with some friends. If anything a self-love and acceptance problem would go through Cadence than any pony else.”

“Do you want to talk to Cadence?”

“Nope!” Spike said a little too quickly. “I mean, no. I— this particular gender discomfort is largely solved. And I have friends I can talk to about this already. So, no, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Sometimes ‘I’m fine’ can mean ‘I’m not fine.’”

“Twi, you’re worrying too much. Not everything is about you. And if I have a problem that I think you’re a good pony to solve, I’ll come to you. This,” he gestured downwards, “isn’t something you needed to worry about. I’m okay. In fact, I’m feeling a whole lot better than how I used to feel.”

Twilight was silent for a few moments, “you really are growing up.”

Spike smiled, “it happens sometimes.”

The next day was going to be a doozy. Just a nice morning going around with Gabby on her deliveries. But doing so would involve flying with everything for the first time. And he didn’t have the benefit of walking, where everypony else was taller than him so his genitals would be mostly covered up just by the nature of being shorter than others. Anypony could just look up and see clearly that something was different about Spike and—sweet Celestia why was this so terrifying?

He flew out from a castle balcony and made his way to the post office. The added weight didn’t seem to affect his flying at all. He supposed it was probably because the set he had was pretty small all things considered. The cool morning air compacted his scrotum and he had a tough time not wanting to look down and see it change shape. That spell was really odd. How did stallions and other male creatures deal with how strange that was?

He arrived at the post office, and spotted Gabby picking up her saddlebags of mail and packages.

“You look amazing! Congrats!” Gabby said a bit more loud than he would have liked, which brought some stares from a few of the post office employees. Though with Derpy’s eyes she could have been staring somewhere else for all Spike knew.

“Yeah…” said Spike. “Well, where are we off to today?”

“Southeast Ponyville,” said Gabby. “Race ya’ there!”

Spike smiled and zoomed off with her, only slowing down once they got to their first mailbox.

“So tell me everything, how’d it go? How’re you liking them? They look fantastic by the way.”

Spike blushed. There was something musical about hearing that Gabby liked the way he looked.

“It’s amazing!” Spike said. “Rarity just put this on me yesterday. And they feel so nice to have.”

“Do you take it off every night or—?”

“No, it’s got an adhesive spell that Rarity put on. It can last for decades, but she still wants to take a look at it every few years or so and keep the maintenance spells going.”

“Wouldn’t it get dirty? I mean—it is for peeing and everything.”

“I got a cloaca that handles that,” said Spike. “So this is literally just for show.”

“Huh, well that’s neat.”

He had been filling her in every time they had met previously, and then filled her in on everything that had happened yesterday.

“Big Mac really just said: ‘looking good?’” Gabby laughed.

“I know! No questions asked or anything!”

Gabby put a piece of mail in a mailbox. “No kidding. So has anypony you don’t know very well asked you anything about it? I know you had been debating on lying or explaining the complicated truth.”

Spike scrunched his snout. “I haven’t needed to lie yet exactly. I had this big plan in my head to say: ‘Some dragons are different, and have different puberty things happen to them, and this is happening to me.’ But I haven’t really needed to explain that. And of the ponies I have explained to, it seems like a better idea to tell them the truth.”

“You could just decide in the moment of a conversation” said Gabby. “Just see what happens when you start having those conversations. No need to think beforehand as that’s just gonna make you anxious.”

“That… doesn’t sound like the best idea.”

“I think that the anxiety you’re feeling is going to be far more stressful than any actual conversation you have about it. If anything, just run your excuses past Smolder to be sure.”

“Smolder… hmm... that is a predicament to the whole lying route. I wouldn’t want to cause some kind of dragon biologist to investigate claims of dragon balls or something.”

“Do you really think there’s a dragon biologist out there that cares? That Twilight hasn’t heard of? I think you’re going to be fine, Spike.”

Gabby picked up several pieces of mail and a package out of her saddlebags, and started putting them into a rather large mailbox, when the owner of the mailbox burst out the door of his house.

“I can take those!” said Filthy Rich, immediately grabbing all the items as Gabby passed them over to him.

Rich paused and tilted his head at Spike. “Did you always have testicles?”

Spike was flummoxed, how could anypony even ask such a question? Well if anypony would, it would be the richest pony in Ponyville.

“No,” said Spike.

Filthy Rich put a hoof to his muzzle and then shrugged. “Well thanks for the mail and package,” said Rich, nodding to Gabby. “And congrats on your male package,” he said, nodding to Spike.

Spike scrunched up his snout and felt his face go completely red as Filthy Rich closed the door to his house.

“See, that wasn’t that bad,” said Gabby, as they flapped their way to the next house.

Spike stayed silent, still mortified.

“Come on, he’s invited you into the ‘guy’ club. You’re a stallion now that you got all that dangling from your crotch.”

Spike breathed out. “It… it… did feel nice to be accepted so quickly.”

“See? It’s alright, Spike. You’re gonna be fine. Anything else happen yesterday?”

Spike’s breathing slowly went back to normal, “Well… Pinkie’s going to throw me a gender reveal party. Apparently. I’m still not really sure.”

“OH MY GOSH!” Gabby gasped loudly. “That’s amazing! Pinkie throws the best parties. Can I come!? Can I!?”

“Of course! It’s apparently a party for me. Even though it feels like it’s more for Pinkie because I really didn’t want a party focused on my balls.”

“I’m pretty sure if you said no, it would ruin her entire day! Sometimes you gotta let a party pony be a party pony,” said Gabby. “Knowing Pinkie, it’s going to be a blast.”

“Well, if you’re there, it can’t be that bad,” said Spike.

She grinned at him before grabbing another piece of mail and stuffing it into a mailbox.

Around half-past ten, Spike said goodbye to Gabby as he still needed to do some lesson prep for Pinkie’s class.

He walked into the school of Friendship between classes, while a lot of students were milling about. Most of them paid him no heed. Indeed, he probably could have been wearing clown makeup and they wouldn’t so much as bat an eye.

The only creature who did give him trouble was Smolder, who stared open mouthed at him. He was relieved that she couldn’t possibly have time to talk to him as she must be on her way to class.

That didn’t stop Smolder from following him and cornering him in the empty classroom he was to give Pinkie’s lesson in an hour from then. “Okay, Spike, spill,” said Smolder.

“What?” said Spike. “Don’t you have a class to get to?”

“You can’t be late to lunch,” said Smolder. “I gotta know what aaalll this,” she gestured to Spike’s genitals, “is about.”

Spike sighed. This conversation was going to come eventually. “I uhh… didn’t like not having a gender. And I especially didn’t like having to wait decades to know. So I’m deciding now what I’m comfortable with. And I’m going to be male.”

“Yeah,” she said, throwing a gem in her mouth. “But you were male before just fine.”

“Not—not exactly,” said Spike. “Remember when I talked with you a month and a half ago? I asked you what your strategy was to avoid being misgendered and you just threw me for the craziest loop ever.”

“Explaining basic dragon puberty, yeah,” she took another bite of gem.

“So I identified as male before, and now I’m just having something outward to reflect the way I’ve always felt.”

She chewed rather loudly. “Neat! So where’d you get it? It actually looks like what a male dragon would grow.”

“Th—thanks, Rarity made it.”

“Think she can make me a vulva?” she said without missing a beat.

Spike took a step backwards, “Uhh… probably? She’d at least point you in the right direction to go.”

“Cool, I might have to give that a shot then.”

“You don’t have to get one if you don’t want to. This was just a decision I made. I hope you don’t think this is some kind of gender arms race where if I look male to ponies that you have to do something to look female.”

“I ain’t gonna lie, it’s a little bit of that. And it’s also just wanting to fit in culturally. And there’s nothing stopping it from becoming a cultural tradition for dragons. I can see the billboard now: ‘Dragons coming to the Pony lands, grab your complimentary dick or vagina on your way in.’”

“That's a terrible idea,” said Spike, his face flat.

“Dragons that leave their homeland are a little more adaptable than you might give them credit for. You’d be surprised how good at money dragons in the griffon lands get. Or how resourceful a dragon in a snow environment becomes. This could just become another adaptation.”

“But—what about dragons like Princess Ember, you can’t expect her to grab a set on the way in?”

“We could have an asterisk on the sign saying: ‘dicks and vaginas optional.’”

Spike smacked his face. “That—uhh… no. Please no.”

“Relax, I’m just joking. Probably. Congrats on the balls Spike!”

Spike sighed, “thanks.”