Gallus's Walk of Shame

Gallus the griffon bore down on the tightness in his rectum, massaging the metal plug with one forefoot over the thin layer of sheer pink fabric covering his occupied tailstar. The grooves of his benefactor's cutie mark engraved on the surface of the plug provided a taunting, haptic reminder of the pony who'd gotten him into his current predicament.

"I can't believe she's making me do this," he grumbled. "Might as well enjoy myself while I wait for the Sun to drop, though. That way at least I won't be 'out' while I walk there." Despite being mid-afternoon, the room was dark. The curtains had been drawn and taped to the wall, leaving a single candle as the sole light source.

Without warning, the hallway door burst open and Spike thrust his torso into Gallus and Sandbar's dorm room. "Hay, Gallus! Have you seen my—" the little dragon began to ask, but the rest of his query evaporated in his throat. It was dimly lit in here, but not nearly dark enough to hide the strange clothing worn by the griffon crouching meekly beside his bunk bed.

Gallus wasn't certain whether Spike had ever seen him wearing clothes before, but he knew he'd never been seen dressed this way. Over the griffon's body was draped a fashionable-looking charmeuse gown far too short for his midriff. The dress was made from a magenta fabric shocking enough to compete with Pinkie's mane. The hue provided a strong contrast to the bright royal blue of his feathers and fur. The garment was poofy around the shoulders and chest, cinched high up around his withers by a pleathery saddle in layers of purple, pink, and gold-toned metal. The saddle was significantly further toward the head than it would be on a horse, but Gallus had a long, slender body so it managed to work. The saddle was clearly bespoke, and not only because it appeared to fit his figure exactly: it also matched the dress's colors perfectly. The skirt portion was short, ending before reaching the loins of his back, and was hemmed in gold lace. The dress hid nothing aft of his waist. The skirt portion was held open wide by a set of very short, extremely frilly-looking sheer purple petticoats.

The feathers of his face and neck were currently poofed out as far as they possibly could be. This was a signal Gallus hoped with all his heart Spike wouldn't be able to translate.

Spike's eyes wandered Gallus's body, but his mouth hung open wordlessly. Gallus remained frozen in place, afraid to move a muscle, but this only made it easier to examine his appearance.

The dress's abnormally short length kept it from covering his panties, which were the same shade of pink as the dress in a semi-sheer, stretchy fabric... but even if the panties had been opaque, the bulge within them wouldn't have been a mystery. A dot of wetness dribbled through the fabric where the blunted tip of his cat-like penis pressed. He also wore a strange pair of matching pink shoes whose undersides went all the way up the hock, looking more like a costume piece than a wearable shoe. At the hocks, the ends of the shoes had very long heels which kept his rear legs tilted up higher than normal, elevating his rump lewdly. They looked challenging to walk in.

Headmare Starlight, please teleport in here and murder me, thought Gallus, without a hint of sarcasm in mind. Now is fine. Do it now. Please hurry.

"Um," Spike finally said, awkwardly leaning further into the room. "Um."

Gallus cleared his throat as he managed to dredge up a modicum of resolve. "Spike, I need you to do two things for me, right now," he said in an unusually soft voice as his feathers began to lie flat again.

"Uh?" asked Spike, still staring, jaw agape.

"One, never mention this to anybirdy. Ever. Two, close the bucking door."

Spike paused long enough to close his mouth first. Then he jumped into the room and shut the door behind him.

Gallus placed one set of talons over his face. "For Guto's sake... Did I say enter the room? And haven't you heard of knocking?"

"Oh. I guess I wasn't thinking when I opened the door, and Gallus, I, um, well... I've never seen another guy dressed like this before," said Spike. "Sorry. Is this... are you a girl now?"

"Do I look like a hen?" asked Gallus, glaring at Spike. "Wait, no, don't you dare answer that, it was rhetorical. And lock the bucking door while you're in here! I can't believe I left it unlocked."

Nuts. I really hope my subconscious isn't to blame...

Spike locked the door behind him. "I mean, the dress and panties... wait a minute," he said. "Gallus, you do know saddles and underwear are only for adults, right? I mean, I guess you're big enough for the smaller ones to fit you, but that's hardly the point."

Gallus narrowed his eyes. "Well, I'm practically an adult. Besides, Spike, you like Professor Rarity, right? Do you really want to get her in trouble for this?"

"Oh, gosh. You're right, of course this is Rarity's work!" said Spike, shaking his head. He walked up to Gallus, the curiosity apparent in his eyes even in the dim lighting.

The griffon's ear tufts flattened out and he winced. "Okay. If you have to be here, at least put that... thing away," he asked. "And you don't have to be here. Seriously."

"Put what thing..." Spike started to ask, then looked down to see his erect bifurcated penis sticking boldly out of his genital slit, glistening in the candlelight.

"Ah well. I guess I can't complain," said Gallus, frowning. "It's not like I'm any more decent at the moment."

"It doesn't usually do this," said Spike, trying and failing to shove it back into the slit. "This... this is a weird day."

Gallus groaned. "Let's get this over with. What were you trying to find? I'm sure I haven't seen it, whatever stupid thing it is," said Gallus.

"I, um... huh. Weird. I can't even remember," said Spike. "Gallus, are you, like, transgender?"

"Huh? No!" said Gallus, wide-eyed. "I mean... I don't think I am. Am I? I like being a guy a lot, but... I never really thought about it. Are you?"

"I'm not the one wearing a dress, dude," said Spike, crossing his forelegs defensively over his chest.

"Don't give me that. You're the reason Rarity tricked me into asking her for this ridiculous outfit in the first place!" said Gallus, rolling his eyes. "You crossdress all the time. I'd never even thought about it until I saw you do it. Seriously."

"What? When have I ever crossdressed?" said Spike, sitting down on the floor next to Gallus as his penises finally relaxed and slumped partly back inside his body. "Oh, wait—you mean when I'm modeling clothes for Rarity? That's just because I'm her friend. She can get me into poses and positions other ponies can't."

"She has a way of putting creatures into awkward positions they don't want to be in, that's for sure," said Gallus, staring at his forefeet.

"Is this something you're trying out for her?" asked Spike, reaching out to feel the softness of the saddle. "It looks too perfectly tailored for you to be wearable by anypony else... Do you have a twin sister or something?"

"No. I'm an orphan, Spike, just like you," said Gallus. "Wait. Not like you. You have a family."

Spike winced. "Right, right, I forgot. Sorry," he said. "Okay, I'm guessing this is some kind of a sex thing because of the saddle and panties, so you probably don't want me in here."

"You think?" said Gallus, his voice sardonic. Then he closed his eyes and said in a gentler tone, "I'll level with you. I'm just waiting for the Sun to go down so I can walk to the Carousel Boutique. Professor Rarity promised me I could keep everything I'm wearing if I walked from the School grounds to her shop today, as long as I get there before it closes. There's no way I can afford any of this."

"You... want to keep all this?" asked Spike, raising a brow ridge.

Gallus buried his face in his talons. "I don't understand why. I thought it was because I could sell it or something, but that doesn't make any sense since it's tailored for me and I wouldn't be able to bring myself to part with it. I'd like to give it to Silverstream as a gift, but she's too large for it to fit her," he explained. "It just does something for me, okay? So I guess it's a sex thing, or... whatever. I don't know." Gallus then looked up to Spike with pleading eyes from where his head was lowered to the floor. "Spike, please don't tell anybirdy. Seriously, my life would be over if they knew I did this."

"Okay. We're not very close yet, but I'm your friend and I would never do anything to hurt you. That said, there are a couple things you need to know," said Spike.

Gallus gulped audibly. "Such as?"

"First of all, your friends don't care, silly! They'd probably find it cute," said Spike, clearly suppressing a giggle himself.

Gallus stood up straight and grimaced. "Yeah, no thanks. I'd rather not take chances with friendship. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me, by a long shot. What else?"

"Well, it's a good thing I came in here. Today's Saturday. Rarity closes up shop at Sundown on Saturdays. You need to leave before Sundown if you want to make it there on time," said Spike.

"What?!" said Gallus, recoiling. "But... I'd have to walk around wearing this in broad daylight? I can't do that! Everybirdy will see me! It could take a half-hour for me to get there in these heels, too."

Spike shrugged. "I'm sure being seen is the whole idea. Rarity wants you to be a walking billboard for her merch," he said. "Though it's still super generous for her to give you all this. It looks really expensive."

"I'm doomed," said Gallus, lying flat on the floor.

Dammit! I don't understand, but I wanted this so badly...

"Aw, cheer up! Sure, you might have to walk slowly, but it's not that far away. Would it help if I went with you?" asked Spike. "It sounds like you really want this, and I want you to be happy."

"You'd do that?" whispered Gallus. "Wow. Thanks, but the only way you could help me is if you can find a tarp to cover me with. She'd probably take back the offer, though."

"Don't be ridiculous. You look great in this! If you were a mare, or a hen I guess, the guys would be all over you," said Spike. "They might be anyway, to be honest. I mean, it's obviously feminine, and you're obviously, um... what do you call a boy griffin?"

Gallus bruxated his beak. "You're going to laugh."

"No, I won't," said Spike. "I'm not speciest."

"We're called cocks," said Gallus, stone-faced.

Spike's mouth twitched. "I, I..."

"Go ahead and let it out," said Gallus, rolling his eyes.

Spike laughed, but it was brief. "Sorry. That's... actually, that's kind of terrible. Cock is a speciest word? I never knew."

"It was probably a thing before ponies and griffons started mingling, so I doubt it's an intentional slur. Plus, we kinda like it. Most of us call our dicks cocks," said Gallus. "Prepubescent boys are called cockrels, but pubescent and adult males are cocks."

"So you're definitely a cock," said Spike, failing to suppress a smirk.

"Don't push it... huh. I don't know what a male dragon is called," said Gallus.

Spike opened his mouth, then closed it and grinned. He leaned in toward Gallus's face. "Whatever we tell you to call us," he whispered.

"F-fuck," said Gallus, and his wings reflexively jerked. They appeared to be constrained enough by the dress that they couldn't open all the way. "Spike, don't tease me like that! I'm already feeling weird and I think my body might be confusing you for a... whatever it is female dragons are called."

"Tease? I don't understand. It's just an old joke," said Spike. "Male dragons are called drakes. I'm sorry, Gallus. I'm really bad at this. I want to help, but I keep saying the wrong things. I should leave..."

"No, no! Please, please don't leave me," whimpered Gallus. "I... I need you to help me get to the Boutique. I can't do it without you, and... I appreciate you being a friend. I don't care what I'm called, I'm just upset that I have this thing I really, really need to do, and I don't even know why, and I'm afraid I'm going to lose my friends because—"

Spike reached out and hugged Gallus around his neck. "Relax. I'm here for you dude," he said.

"Th-thanks," croaked Gallus, sniffling. "Ugh. I think I have allergies or something... I just... I need to be more brave than this, Spike. I wanted to join the Equestrian military..."

"Why don't we talk and walk?" suggested Spike. "We don't have a lot of time to waste."

"Oh, right," said Gallus, feeling oddly grateful for the interruption. "It gets worse, though. I have to take these with me too." He reached under the bed and pulled out blinders, a small bridle, reins, and a mouth bit, which matched the colors and gold of the saddle. He also produced a couple of strange, hoof-sized garments which matched the pink of his outfit and shoes.

"Wow. Pony sex gear sized for a griffon? Are you sure she wants you to wear this in public?" asked Spike, watching as Gallus strapped the items onto his face.

"Positive. I assume Professor Rarity must know what she's doing," said Gallus. "I'm not covering for her if the Ponyville guard interferes. Wait, you wouldn't throw me under the cart to save her, would you?"

"Don't worry. I can get us out of any trouble," bragged Spike. "I'm one step removed from the future monarch, remember."

Gallus unlocked the door, blew out the candle, and removed tape from the window covering. "We'll be less likely to bump into students if we go out this way," he argued, opening the window. Then he pulled and strapped the pink garments onto his forefeet. They were slipper-like, but molded for each of his digits, clearly made for him. The tops of the shoes were covered in pink sequins. "These shoe-like things fit around my toes so I can still grip things, just not very well. There are holes at the tips for my talons, but you can see that."

"Oh, those are called gloves," said Spike. "They're mostly used by minotaurs, but I've seen a griffon with them before. Rarity made some for me, but they're only appropriate for formal events. I'd get them dirty all the time if I wore them outside."

"Huh. Well, these have hidden rubber padding in the soles, probably because she knows I'll be walking a lot in them. Griffons aren't comfortable walking long distances because our forefeet aren't as durable as our rear paws, but I don't have a choice because this dress is too restrictive to fly in," explained Gallus, looking left and right out the window. "Okay, the coast is clear. Hop on, I guess."

Spike mounted Gallus's saddle. "It could use stirrups," he said, gently pulling the reins.

"What's a stirrup?" asked Gallus, fixing the bit into his beak. As he clumsily clambered out of the window and landed behind a decorative bush, Spike flapped his wings to stay upright on the saddle.

"They're like hanging rings you put your feet in for balance while mounted," said Spike.

"You know an awful lot about fetish gear for a minor. I guess if you're dating Professor Rarity it stands to reason," said Gallus. He walked onto a path leading around the School of Friendship and paused there after stumbling once on a missed heel step.

"Dating Rarity? I wish! She's always friendzoned me," said Spike. "Considering my age, it's probably for the best, though. She teases me sexually sometimes, and when I pushed the point one time she told me she wants a closer relationship when I get older. Maybe she doesn't really mean it, but I like being with her so much I don't care."

"Do you work for her? Like, for pay?" asked Gallus. "I know you do things for her. I've seen you two out before."

Spike shook his head, which sent a little shimmy through the saddle. "I'm just a friend. It feels nice to do things for her, y'know?"

"Sounds to me like she's stringing you along because she enjoys your flattery and indentured servitude," said Gallus. "You're a money-saver for her, Spike. You do her dirty work for free. That isn't an economically good position."

Spike sighed. "Fine, you're probably right. I still think she's a decent friend, though. She does things for me too sometimes," he said, though his voice sounded defensive. "Hold on, let me get situated better in the saddle." Spike squirmed in his seat. Turning his head one-eighty, Gallus could see his Spike's cocks pressed against the pommel and horn of the saddle.

"Whoa, that's kinda creepy," said Spike, "no offense."

Gallus turned his head back. "Sorry, it's a bird thing. It's not as creepy as a colt getting off as he parades me across Ponyville," he accused, adding with obvious sarcasm, "no offense."

"I'm a drake whelp, not a colt," corrected Spike. "I can't control that part of me, and I don't know why I'm horny right now. Probably because we were talking about Rarity, and you kinda look like a sexy slut when I can't see your face. Like, I almost can't tell you're a boy right now. Do you want to do this by yourself?"

An erotic throb pulsed beneath his taint, confusing Gallus. "By myself? No! Please, don't leave me! I'll be fine, just... just hold your forefeet over it or something, in case anybirdy gets close to us. We don't want to attract attention. I assume it would be just as embarrassing for you."

"Eh, not really. I've been embarrassed so many times I gave up on caring a long time ago. Best thing I ever did for myself," said Spike. "I'm ready to go. I'll try to remember to hide it with my forefeet."

"You're more mature than you look, Spike. Wish I could say the same for myself," said Gallus, and he began to walk down the path. "I can't see well to the left or right of me with these stupid pink blinders on, so you'll need to warn me if somebirdy—er, somecreature, whatever—approaches."

"I think that's what this thing is for." Spike pulled gently on the pink reins connected to the griffon's bridle. "I can direct you left, right, or to slow down, without needing to say anything."

"Wow. Who even thought of this? Some of this kinky stuff is too much work to be sexy," said Gallus.

I hope to my tailtuft he can't tell I'm lying. For some reason being controlled like this is hotter than Tartarus. It must be his voice... I mean, he sounds enough like a girl, right? And he thinks I look like a girl... so this... maybe this is still straight...

"You still there?" asked Spike, whipping the reins once.

Gallus nearly jumped. Realizing he'd stopped walking while deep in thought, he picked back up. "Sorry, I'm pretty distracted right now. Oddly enough, the blinders seem to help with that. Maybe it's because I don't want to know if people are staring at us. I just want to get to the Boutique and get this over with before any of my friends catch me." There weren't many students out at the moment, but Gallus was certain they'd been spotted by now. The teenage rider and mount were already making a spectacle of themselves.

"Right," said Spike, as they passed around to the front of the School. "Gallus, can I ask you something personal?"

"Might as well," said Gallus. "It's not like I have any shame left."

"You said 'please don't leave me' twice now," said Spike. "It just sounds a little weird. Most people—uh, that means sapient creatures—would just say 'please don't leave'."

A sinking feeling hit Gallus in the pit of his stomach. "Sorry. It's my worst fear," he said, pausing for a long moment between two steps.

"I take it that's why you don't want your friends to see you like this?" asked Spike.

"Exactly," said Gallus. "I can't take chances. I've been alone my entire life, Spike. Abandoned by everybirdy I ever knew. I'm always mentally preparing for it to happen again. It isn't fun."

"Your friends are good creatures, dude. They would never abandon you, and neither will I," said Spike. "Not in the sense you mean, at least. Pretty soon Twi and I have to move to Canterlot, unfortunately. I'll even be leaving Rarity behind, at least for a while. She'll probably move there eventually too."

"I'm headed that way after graduation myself," said Gallus. "I already told my friends, and they were a little sad about it. I don't think any of them plan to return to their countries. They want to stay here in Ponyville so they can help out with the School, and maybe act as an emissary back to their old homes. I was worried I was the one abandoning them, but they don't see it that way, thankfully."

"You have to do what's best for you," said Spike. "Er, don't look to your right. We're being gawked at."

"Ugh," said Gallus, and he felt his penis thankfully retract a bit. "Anyway, I'd stay here if there were an earth pony recruitment center, but there isn't. Ponyville is still too small. Wait, nopony watching us has a camera, do they?"

"Nah, we're in the clear for now. Hay, if you're headed to Canterlot, have you considered the Royal Guard? I'd get to see you all the time if you were assigned to the castle there," said Spike. "I guess it's a little selfish for me to ask that."

Gallus hid a blush beneath his feathers. "It'd be nice to see you. I think I need a friend there, or I might not have the guts to go through with it," he said. "But I doubt I qualify. I know the military in general takes griffons, but I doubt the Guard would. The Royal Guard is partly concerned with domestic matters in Canterlot, but they primarily protect the Princess. That requires unwavering commitment, and who would trust a griffon with that kind of responsibility?"

"There are a few nonponies in the Guard," said Spike. "I'm sure they'd love to have you. Canterlot is highly... what's that word Rarity uses? Oh, yeah: cosmopolitan."

"That's reassuring, but they definitely won't want me if word about this gets out," said Gallus, wincing. "Dammit. I knew I shouldn't have done this."

Spike laughed. "My big brother—Princess Twilight's brother, to be clear—was Captain of the Royal Guard up until he became a Prince, and he did this sort of thing all the time."

"Prince Shining Armor used to dress up like a sissy and prance around Canterlot?!" said Gallus, lowering his gaze to avoid making eye contact with a flying pegasus overhead. "I'm sure I'd have heard of that."

"Not that public, no. But he crossdresses—at least he used to, dunno if he still does—and it was common knowledge in Canterlot," said Spike, tugging left on the reins. It took Gallus a brief moment to realize the yank to his face meant he should turn left. "They don't really care what you do off-duty as long as it's legal and you aren't formally representing the Guard when you do it. I think he even dressed up for a party the Guard hosted once or twice."

"That's actually kind of cool," said Gallus. "Huh."

"Uh-oh. Gallus, I don't know how to tell you this—"

"Then don't," interrupted Gallus, closing his eyes as he continued to walk forward. "Especially don't tell me if it's one of my friends. I'll just shut my eyes until I bump into something, which will be less embarrassing."

"It's not one of your friends," said Spike, and he pulled back on the reins.

Gallus stopped and opened his eyes. In front of him landed Ocellus and Smolder.

"Spike, these ARE my friends," said Gallus. "At least, they were prior to seeing me dressed like a slutty idiot."

Spike huffed. "I said it wasn't one of your friends. See, there are two!"

"Oh, Gallus. You look so pretty," said Ocellus, smiling brightly.

Gallus sighed. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this, but if Spike would kindly incinerate me now, we can all pretend this never happened."

"Dude. You don't need to be incinerated," said Smolder. "You're already smoking hot dressed like that."

"Stop teasing me!" said Gallus, frowning.

"Gallus, I think they're serious," said Spike.

"We are!" said Ocellus, her elytra raising so her wings could buzz a little behind her. "I've never seen anycreature dressed this fancy before. Are you going to a costume party?"

"We're headed to Rarity's Boutique. Gallus has to get there before Sundown if he wants to keep the outfit," said Spike.

Gallus bruxated his beak and brooded to himself. Blast it! Why did you tell them?

"It's yours? Nice. Hope I get to see you in it more often," said Smolder, with a disarming wink.

"Oh. Uh, thanks?" said Gallus. "I'm actually pretty surprised. I was afraid to bump into any of my friends while wearing this. You seriously don't think this is shameful?"

"Why would it be shameful?" said Ocellus. "You're just dressed pretty. I think it's lovely. You non-changelings can't modify how you look, so I don't understand why clothing isn't more common. And these are the nicest clothes I've ever seen!"

"It has sexual connotations, Ocellus," said Smolder. "Gallus is dressed like this so boys will want to fuck him. Girls, too."

"Uh, no, I just have to wear this in order to keep it," countered Gallus. "It's part of the deal."

"Oh, I see. So that's why they both have erections. Totally innocent," said Smolder, grinning evilly. "Oh, Ocellus... that was sarcasm."

"Thanks! I picked up on it this time, though," said Ocellus. "Mostly because calling Gallus innocent right now is completely ridiculous."

Spike chuckled. "Oops. Forgot to hide my junk."

"I'm not trying to advertise sex, guys! I swear. I just... I like to wear this when I'm alone. I don't know why," said Gallus. "Are you... are you still my friends?"

"What? Of course we are, dumbass," said Smolder. "You don't actually think I'd dump you as a friend because you look better in a dress than I do?"

Gallus breathed a sigh of relief. "No, and there's no way I look better in this than you would."

"Smolder! You should get something like this and wear it when we have sex!" said Ocellus, rearing up to clop her front hooves together.

It was Smolder's turn to blush. "Ocellus, I really didn't want Spike to know I like wearing dresses, remember?"

"You're both weird," said Spike. "More embarrassed by talking about dresses than having sex? I don't know why you can't just enjoy yourselves. If you like dresses, wear dresses. It's simple."

"Smolder, you're one of the bravest creatures I know," said Gallus. "It's weird to think you're actually worried about how others see you."

Smolder snorted smoke, and pouted. "You don't understand, guy. Dragons are... well, they can be cruel and judgmental."

"Everycreature can," said Spike. "But you can't let it get to you! If you respect yourself and carry yourself with pride, other ponies will respect you too. Er, and dragons, I'd imagine."

"I guess I feel a little better about it, then," said Gallus. "I've always been embarrassed about my appearance, and that's when I'm not even wearing anything. I'm sure Smolder can overcome her fears, but she's way braver than I am."

"What are you talking about?" asked Smolder. "You're the one conquering your fear, right now! I'm impressed, honestly. It's kind of inspiring, like maybe I could do it too."

Gallus looked up and made eye contact with his friends for the first time. "I don't feel brave right now! I feel like a coward."

"Bravery isn't a lack of fear, Gallus," said Ocellus. "It's a willingness to confront your fears. You're very brave."

"Couldn't put it better myself," said Spike.

A warmth spread through Gallus's chest. "Huh. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Guys, I really appreciate you being there for me on this."

"That's what friends are for," said Smolder, with a naughty grin. "You silly, sexy, sissy birdbrain." Gallus's penis slipped back out of his sheath and pulsed as a light breeze tickled his sheer panties.

"Uh, yeah. Well, I hate to chat about my disturbing state of dress and zoom, but there's no time to lose and we don't want to be late," Gallus quickly uttered, wearing a nervous smile.

"You have to go? Damn. Now I'm horny. Ocellus, since Gallus and Spike are clearly busy, we should go fuck. Can you turn into Gallus again, but make it look like the clothes he has on this time?" asked Smolder.

"Sure! Just be careful, because the clothes are soft and will still be part of my body," said Ocellus. "Bye Gallus! You're super cute, really!"

"Oh, and give him the dog collar again..." said Smolder as the pair flew off.

As the pair flew off, Gallus paused for a moment before returning to a walking pace. "Uh, what. Turn into me? Again?!"

"I'm trying to wrap my head around the dog collar thing," said Spike. "Do you think that means you were wearing the collar? Why would a person wear a collar meant for dogs? I mean, I've done it before, but it was part of what I'm growing to suspect is an interdimensional joke at my expense. Long story."

Gallus resumed walking. "I'll take your word for it. To be honest, I don't know why I do anything at all, Spike."

"It does sound like you've been missing some signals from your friends," said Spike. "I'm terrible at that sort of thing, though, so what do I know?"

"This is easily the strangest day I've ever had, and I vividly remember the Tree of Harmony trying to kill me," said Gallus, nearly stumbling when his heel caught an uneven patch of grass.

"Whoa. What was that about?"

"It was one of the Tree's challenges for us. At the time I thought it was some kind of a physical challenge, but later I realized the challenge wasn't being stabbed to death by the Tree. It was being in crisis while separated from my friends," said Gallus. "We were all separated from each other to face our worst fears, but it was the separation itself that was my fear."

"Right, being abandoned in your time of need," said Spike. "I didn't mention this before, but that's my worst fear too."

"Really? You're always surrounded by friends, Spike. I mean, most of them are girls, but still."

"I know, right? But as the only dragon growing up among ponies, I still felt isolated. I would have nightmares where my family abandoned me, and I'd be surrounded by ponies who didn't know me and thought I was some kind of a monster," he said, "but it's a lot better now. I know I fit in, and talking to Smolder helps too. She's helped me to understand my dragon heritage."

"It sounds like sex with Smolder is also an option. Maybe for both of us," said Gallus. "I'm not sure how to feel about that right now because there are all sorts of weird feelings inside me at the moment, but for you, she's a dragon, right?"

"I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind. She's cute. She even asked me once if I wanted to fool around, after the molt, but I was super nervous and not ready for anything serious, plus I'm still crushing on Rarity. She was nice about it, though. Smolder may have a rough exterior but she's a softie on the inside. Kinda like you, Gallus."

Gallus's ear tufts lay flat and he gulped a mouthful of air, feeling an odd warmth deep in his belly. "Uh, I'll take that as a complement, I guess."

"It is! Hay, Applejack," said Spike. Gallus turned his head this way and that until he saw Applejack approaching from between his blinders. She trotted up to them both with an unusual grin on her face he'd never seen before.

"My goodness, Spike. Y'all grow up so fast," she said. "I ain't seen anything this lewd in public in Ponyville in a dog's age, but I s'pose these days it's bound to be more common. Time's are a-changin', and all."

"Yeah. Oh, dang—I forgot to cover up again," he said. "Damage done, I guess."

"That's just fine by me. Your little tallywhackers are kinda cute, hon. Has Rarity ever... y'know? I know you keep tryin' for her, but if you've made progress, she hasn't let on about it."

"Still in the friendzone, but I like her as a friend so it's fine for now," said Spike. "I think my age is the biggest obstacle. Sometimes it seems like she's turned on when I'm around... I'm sure of it, actually, because I have a great sense of smell."

"Eww," said Gallus, which caught Applejack's attention.

"And this mount of yours looks mighty cute to boot," she added. "Is it giving you any trouble, or is it pretty tame?"

It? Did she just call me an 'it'? Why... why does that feel right?

Spike laughed. "It doesn't bite, if that's what you mean. Maybe if you ask it to, but it's really tame otherwise. It's been an easy ride, and it always obeys commands like a good mount. Couldn't ask for a better one, really."

Gallus pressed his flexible beak tightly together. It clearly wasn't flattery, but it felt that way. I'm a good mount... what a strange feeling. Is this what 'pride' feels like?

"Hope it don't count as bestiality if I have myself a little touch," said Applejack. Standing close enough that Gallus could see her by turning his head a bit more, Applejack reached behind him with a forehoof and slipped it right into his panties. Then she gently rotated the plug inside his anus, twisting it in his rectum where the lubricant slithered and sent a surprising amount of sensation into his rear. A pulse of pure pleasure tickled his insides, and he gasped. "Cute butt plug on the little guy, too. Gotta admit I was confused for a moment. Before I felt the metal, I thought the bump meant griffons had ponuts. I think I like that soft pit of a hole even better, though. More convenient. Must feel mighty nice to stuff it."

"Heh. I didn't notice the plug when I picked him up—I mean it, of course. It looks like it really enjoys the attention you're giving it." The sarcasm was thick in Spike's voice.

"I'll say! Why, this pretty little flesh rocket down here feels like it's about to go off in a mayfly's sigh," she added, slipping her hoof between his legs to give his rigid cock a squeeze. "Oh, and it has bumps on it, I think? My, that's real nice."

"P-professor," whimpered Gallus. His right rear leg began to twitch uncontrollably.

"What? Oh my Stars, it's Gallus!" said Applejack, quickly withdrawing her hoof. "I was looking forward to getting to know y'all better. Dagnabit, what a run of bad luck."

"Oh. I guess... knowing it's me is a turn-off? Yeah, that's fair..." said Gallus, his voice trailing off.

"What? No, sugarlump, you're plenty attractive! I'd be absolutely thrilled to mess around with you, even though I'm almost always one for the ladies rather than the laddies. You're just, well, a little young, and I can't have any play with a student anyhow. I'm assigning grades and supervising you, and it ain't ethical. We can talk about this sorta thing after you graduate, if you catch my drift," she said. "In full honesty, I didn't recognize you with that stunning dress on. Must be a Rarity creation, because it looks perfect on you. The purple in the petties and saddle match Spike to a 'T' too, of course."

"Th-thanks for the compliment," croaked Gallus, with a shy grin. "Gosh. Now I'll have to try not to imagine you with clothes on while I'm in class... wait, sorry, that was probably creepy."

"Nah, it was sweet. Besides, I'll have to do the same." Applejack winked at Gallus and tipped her hat. "You boys... or boy and girl... have fun, and keep outta trouble. Spike, make sure you feed it, water it, and keep it out of direct sunlight, okay?"

"Will do," said Spike, and then he snapped the reins. "Hiya! Onward, loyal griff-steed!"

"Bye," whispered Gallus, and he started trotting off at a rapid pace, nearly tripping due to the heels. After a few missed steps, he slowed back down to a careful walk.

"Heh. I never would have expected AJ to be into public sex," said Spike. "I guess you learn something new about your friends every day."

"That's for sure. And the way she touched me back there, without even asking... she was right. I'm on the edge of exploding. I've never been so horny in my life. I guess I'm a freak, Spike." Gallus sighed, and his legs and belly felt heavier.

"Oh yeah. You're the best kind of freak, Gallus."

Just like that, the heaviness disappeared. Is being a freak... is it something I can actually take pride in?

"She said the purple matched you, but that has to be coincidence," said Gallus. "Right? I mean, Rarity couldn't have predicted you'd be riding that saddle."

"I dunno, Gallus. Rarity doesn't do coincidences," said Spike. "And now that I remember, she was the one who sent me to you and Sandbar, for... now what in the blazes was it that I was looking for?"

Gallus remained convinced it was a coincidence, and Spike never answered his own question. The pair stopped talking now that the Boutique was visible in the distance. Gallus felt thankful for the brief respite from social stimulation.

I love getting to know Spike better, but I'm overstimulated and this moment of quiet is nice. It's so easy to behave, to just follow each flick of the reins pulling against my face, like a good, obedient pet...

Lost in thought, Gallus snapped back to reality when he felt something pressing under his tail. It took a moment for him to realize it was Spike's tail spade stroking against the metal plug, over the panties. He kept walking, afraid to say anything or even stop.

I have to pretend this isn't happening because it's too awkward to ask him. It's obviously a mistake, right? Spike isn't gay, and I don't look like a hen, even in this. His tail's just resting there, and he doesn't know what he's doing... that must be it.

Spike's spade gently caressed the divot beneath Gallus's leonine tail from where it emerged via a hole in his sheer panties. His spade began to stroke back and forth, casually at first, occasionally pausing for a few moments as though the touches were accidental.

He's doing this on purpose! Oh crap. Am... am I being molested by my friend?

Gallus kept walking in silence, pretending nothing at all was happening. If Spike were intentionally molesting him, then the dragon was pretending all the same.

This feels amazing, even though we're both pretending it isn't happening... No, that's not right. It's not amazing in spite of us pretending it isn't happening, it's amazing because of it! I'm letting him do whatever he wants to me, like... like a good friend does. A good, obedient, horny, sissy, pet... friend.

The Carousel Boutique was now just a stone's throw away. The Sun was near the horizon, but they'd made it here with a little time to spare. The rider continued to molest his mount as they approached, but maintained a slight inconsistency to his touches. It was a very weak pretense, as though what was clearly molestation were just an accident... but that pretense was barely enough to allow Gallus to pretend as well.

In other words, it was perfect.

He knows. He's pretending, and he knows I'm pretending too. He has to know I feel this and absolutely love it, even though I'm not doing anything. In fact, he knows because I'm not responding. I'd say something if it were bothering me. It's just barely fake enough that we can both pretend that... that we're not... mused Gallus, finding it strangely difficult to finish the thought. My flipping primaries, why does this feel so good inside? I've never been harder in my life, but this isn't just being horny. It's more than sex. This is satisfying on a whole other level. I feel like... it can't be. Am I falling in love with another guy? A guy who does whatever he wants with my asshole, because he knows it's what I need?

Do I... do I want to be his hen?

As they approached the door, Rarity opened it with a wide, knowing smile on her face. She quickly flipped the store's sign from OPEN to CLOSED with a hoof, then returned her attention to rider and mount.

"Magnifique! Come in, Spike... and bring the pet," she ordered.

She didn't have to tell them twice.