The Prince's Predicament

"Indeed, I look forward to it," smiled Shining as he left the room. "I'll definitely be around tonight."

He took a deep breath. Luna had listened to his plan, and while it had some flaws, she had encouraged him to go through with it. For example, going along with the dream's wishes and pretending to be amenable to them would not change anything, nor would fighting against it. But it may change the experience to be more enjoyable, and if there were some malicious element that had latched on, it may come out of hiding. As for trying to find a stallion to have sex with that was into BDSM, Luna would not judge. It likely wouldn't change anything in his dreams, but if it made Shining happy, she would not stand in the way. She loved all of her subjects, including those who were no longer under her rule.

Shining had two more planned events for the rest of his day, at least before he went to sleep. Before going to bed, he would be having dinner with Luna, but as there were still several hours before that, he was planning to go to the gym again. He had brought it up to Luna in discussing the plan, and she thought it a wonderful idea. He could clear his head, tire himself out for tonight to make sleep easier, and if possible, spend some time with the pleasant company of Pyre.

Shining was very much looking forward to talking with Pyre. He had been a stable source of advice throughout this whole ordeal, and Shining expected nothing less today. Even if he didn't know how to proceed, Pyre would still do his utmost to keep Shining on the right path. Besides, it would be a great opportunity to brag about this morning.

He usually spoke to Pyre in the afternoons, as that was after Pyre's shift and when Shining had time. He was a bit late, but Pyre was still there, having just stepped off the treadmill.

Pyre looked up from his data sheet as Shining walked up. "Hey, you made it!" he smiled. "I thought when you didn't show up that I'd scared you off with that little display yesterday."

"No, no," waved Shining. "I had an unscheduled meeting with Princess Luna. I mean, I was expecting her to show up, but I didn't know when. Turns out it was last night, but I wasn't here, so she's sticking around a bit longer."

"Ah. So where were you last night?"

Shining looked around, making sure they were alone. "I went to a strip club with some friends."

Pyre nodded. "Out looking at girls, huh?"

Shining blushed. "No..."

Pyre flicked his eyes to the side. He was silent for a moment as a big grin slowly stretched across his face. "Lightning Rod's?"

Shining sheepishly nodded.

With a laugh, Pyre placed his hoof on his shoulder. "Hey, don't be embarrassed! Be proud! Be proud of yourself, because one of two things is true. Either you went and didn't enjoy yourself, meaning you tried to be accepting of a culture that isn't your own, in which case you should be proud of your efforts, or you enjoyed yourself, meaning you found out something new about yourself, in which case you should be proud of your discovery. You should be proud! I'm proud of you, anyway."

Shining took a deep breath. "You're right. I went, I had a good burger, I had some non-alcoholic drinks, and I watched some stallions dance. And you know what else?"

"What else?"

Another stallion walked by at that moment, heading off to the showers. As he brushed by Shining's tail, all the wind left his sail, and his pride was deflated.

"What else?" asked Pyre.

"I... um..."

Pyre shook his head. "Shining, be proud of who you are and what you've done. Unless what you did was wrong, and you know it, then you have no reason for regret. I doubt you did anything wrong on purpose, so what was it that you were so proud to tell me a moment ago that now has your tail between your legs?"

Shining looked around again, and quietly whispered, "This morning, I..."

"Speak up."

"Today, when I woke up..."

"Yes?"

Shining took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I sucked a dick."

The world was silent. Shining listened for Pyre's response, but none came. Not in the form of words, anyway, but in the form of a hoof across his cheek. Shining opened his eyes and looked at Pyre, shocked that he would slap him.

"What's wrong with you?" scowled Pyre.

Shining lowered his head, but Pyre grabbed him and lifted his jaw. "What...?"

"I asked what's wrong with you?" demanded Pyre. "Why are you ashamed of doing something nice for somepony else? What you did shows your appreciation for the stallion. Any guy in here today would love to be on the receiving end of that! Why would you smother it away? Be proud of it! Be proud of yourself!"

Shining still shrank away. He knew Pyre was right, and he should be proud of his achievements, especially since Cinnamon had praised him for being a fast learner and having a smoother technique that made him that much better than Mustard after very little practise, but the clenching in his chest told him to be ashamed. He was scared of being judged. He was supposed to be the prince, leading the ponies of the Crystal Empire and all of Equestria by example, but here he was, going to strip clubs and sucking cock. Was this the Equestria he wanted to see?

"I'm disappointed, Shining. I expected better from you." Shaking his head, Pyre walked off toward the showers, leaving Shining in an empty room.

As Pyre's last words sank in, Shining knew that he was right. If he hid this aspect of himself, if he was ashamed of the time he spent with Cinnamon and Mustard, he didn't deserve to be their friend. They had been good to him, and he'd not returned the favour. He should have been more proud. He should have been able to stand up and confidently say, "I sucked a dick. More than that, I sucked two back to back, and the stallions they were attached to are magnificent, and I'm proud to call them my lovers, because here in the Crystal Empire, we are accepting of all sexualities."

But he wasn't. He was ashamed to admit that he spent the night and morning in an all-male threesome, and had a good time. He deserved to be slapped for that. He deserved to be slapped for even thinking that being a bisexual prince would tarnish the Crystal Empire's reputation. And that slap had lit a fire in him that needed to grow.