A Sort of Homecoming

Chapters

Chapter 1: On My Way Back Home
Chapter 2: Impossible Weight
Chapter 3: More Pressure
Chapter 4: All Our Lives

Chapter 1: On My Way Back Home

Spring break had arrived and the entirety of the School of Friendship was empty. The halls had not a single creature roaming, each classroom was vacant, and even the dormitories were empty as each student went home to spend time with their families. However, there was one sound that echoed throughout the school, and it came from the Headmare’s office.

In the office, a pinkish purple mare was at the large desk with a dark purple mane with a blue streak. The unicorn had her head down on the surface of the desk on top of a makeshift pillow of papers and folders. Around her body, a dark blue starry cloak was draped over her. A little bit of drool was coming out of her mouth as she loudly snored in her sleep.

Coming in from the aside room, an orange unicorn stallion had finished up some paperwork. He looked at the snoring mare and smiled as he silently trotted to file the papers away. The stallion couldn’t help but find the sleeping Headmare adorable. He took great care to not bother her as he took a folder off of the same desk.

The doors to the hallway opened, revealing a light blue unicorn. The mare trotted in, up to the other two ponies in the room with a bewildered look on her face. As she got closer, she looked closely at the snoozing mare.

“Can you believe that Starlight’s snoring can be heard all the way out by the track field?” the blue unicorn claimed. “Trixie thought she was imagining but coming here proves that she wasn’t losing her mind at all.”

“Yeah, she can be pretty loud. Sometimes I wish she would come with a volume knob. Wait, what were you doing by the track field, Trixie?” the stallion asked.

“Don’t worry about that, Sunburst,” Trixie insisted, “Also, unrelated, there may or may not be a hive of angry hornets by the field when we get back from spring break.”

Sunburst gave a quick glare to Trixie before he looked back down at the sleeping Starlight Glimmer. Taking the folder of files, he went to one of the cabinets against the wall to file it away. He then returned and stood next to Trixie on the opposite end of the Starlight’s desk. Both of them watched as she continued snoring.

Trixie was the first to speak, “She’s drooling on that paper.”

“Yeah,” Sunburst said, “I don’t have the heart to wake her yet.”

“How long has she been asleep for?”

“About twenty, thirty minutes? I figured she needed it, so I got to work on the last bit of paperwork for her.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Trixie commented, “Looks like the Great and Powerful Trixie was right about you two being the perfect couple!”

“Trixie, you literally shoved us together,” Sunburst said flatly.

“And the Great and Powerful Matchmaker Trixie told you that you both would thank me!” the mare proudly claimed.

Sunburst added, “You locked us in her office.”

“You are welcome!”

With a sigh and a silent chuckle, Sunburst rolled his eyes.

“Did she steal your cloak before or after she fell asleep?”

“I draped over her right after the snoring started,” Sunburst explained with a little bashful smile.

Trixie couldn’t help but give a playful nudge to the stallion, “Such a romantic. Didn’t know you had a lovey-dovey bone in that body of yours.”

“Well, I don’t try to broadcast my private life for everycreature to see,” Sunburst said, and then added with a small laugh, “Besides, each of us have a life that doesn’t include you.”

“Impossible!” the blue unicorn proclaimed. Trixie then looked back at the sleeping and snoring unicorn, “So, how should we wake her?”

Sunburst shrugged, “I honestly still don’t have the heart to wake her.”

“Well, how do you wake her when you two share a bed?”

The stallion blushed at Trixie’s words. He couldn’t tell if Trixie was sincerely asking her, or if she was trying to get a reaction from him. Sunburst’s guess was a little bit of both.

“Wait, the Great and Powerful Trixie has an idea....” she said as she used her magic to open one of the desk drawers and pulled out a party popper.

Sunburst was puzzled, “How did you know that was in there?”

“Who do you think Starlight confiscated it from?”

Sunburst silently looked down at the still snoring Starlight, before he stared back at Trixie as she readied the party popper. Holding the popper in her hooves and aiming it into the air, she pulled the string causing a loud bang to ring throughout the room. Starlight immediately shot up awake with her eyes wide open and her heart trying to break out from her chest.

“Gah, chumbawumba!” Starlight blurted loudly as she looked around her. A small amount of confetti and streamers fell onto her head. She then saw Trixie and Sunburst standing in front of her desk.

“And a good morning to you, Starlight Glimmer,” Trixie said with a mischievous smirk.

Sunburst couldn’t help but add his own jeer, “Did you enjoy your nap?”

The recently awoken Starlight gave both ponies a sour look before asking, “How long was I asleep?” She tried her best to discreetly wipe the drool off from her mouth.

“Not long,” Sunburst answered, “maybe about thirty minutes tops.”

Trixie added a joke, “Though with your snoring, it felt much longer.”

Starlight simply rolled her eyes and did a mocking laugh, “Oh, ha ha. Do I need to point out about a certain showpony who has her own sleep issues, such as reciting her entire stage routine in her sleep?”

This caught Sunburst’s attention, “Really?” He smirked a little.

“That’s not important right now!” Trixie quickly stated.

With a bit of a smile and an eye roll, Starlight changed the subject, “Are we the last ones on the campus?” She looked down at the paperwork on her desk and began moving them around to arranging them into neat stacks.

“Trixie has just finished her rounds of the school and can report all students have left, and so have the professors,” Trixie answered.

“And the filing?” the purple unicorn asked, looking around with a mild worry.

“All taken care of for you,” Sunburst said with a hint of pride.

A tired and relieved sigh came from Starlight as she leaned back into her chair. It was then she noted that she had a cloak wrapped around her shoulders. Taking a hoof, she lifted it up to examine it to confirm her curiosity: it was Sunburst’s cloak.

The stallion blushed and gave a small nervous laugh, “It seemed like you needed that nap.”

“No, what I need is a vacation. I’m so happy it’s finally spring break,” Starlight said as she slid the cloak off to return to Sunburst. She did have a heartfelt smile as she passed the garment over the desk. “Also, I do appreciate that you both helped me finish up everything we had left to do.”

“But, of course!” Trixie proclaimed, “The Great and Powerful Trixie is more than happy to assist and lighten the burden of her friends!”

“I agree, you already had enough on your plate,” Sunburst agreed as he put his cloak back around his own body, “Especially with having to deal with Gallus and his....issue.”

Starlight hit her head on the desk as she recalled the incident, “Oh, please don’t remind me. That whole debacle was a long week.”

Trixie shrugged, “Actually, Trixie thought it was funny.”

Ignoring her friend, Starlight lifted her head up to rub her forehead with one of her hooves. “Well, for the next week I don’t have to think about anything relating to the School of Friendship and I’m going to enjoy every second.”

“Any plans for spring break, Starlight?” Trixie asked, then adding a sly smirk, “Perhaps romantic in nature with a certain orange stallion?”

While Sunburst was a bit flustered by Trixie’s question and addendum, Starlight answered, “Are you kidding? Sunburst and I haven’t had a chance to do anything as a couple since we really started dating.”

“Excuse me?!” the blue unicorn was shocked to hear this news. She turned to glare daggers at Sunburst, who seemed confused by her look. Raising up one of her front limbs, Trixie hit the back of the stallion’s head.

“Ow! What was that for?” Sunburst asked as he rubbed the impact area with his own hoof.

“For not treating Trixie’s best friend, the great and powerful Starlight Glimmer, like the amazing unicorn that she is!” Trixie proclaimed with annoyance.

Starlight stepped in, “Trixie, it’s not like that. We’ve been so busy with our duties as Headmare and Vice-Headmare that all we’ve been able to do are a few small dates here and there. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Sunburst nodded, “We have been planning for something special in the future, but it might not be until summer break.”

“Oh, okay,” Trixie nodded, now understanding the situation. She then proceeded to repeat her action of hitting of Sunburst on the back of his head.

“Ah! What was that one for?!” Sunburst asked.

Trixie spoke smuggly, “Not telling Trixie sooner.”

Rolling her eyes at Trixie’s repeated smacking of Sunburst, Starlight then stepped in again, “That being said, we do actually have plans for spring break.”

Sunburst added, “We’re going back to visit our parents back home. Both of them wanted to spend some time with us.”

“Yeah,” Starlight confirmed, “we’re taking a train tomorrow afternoon. This will be the first visit as an official couple. I’m happy our parents approve of us and all, but I will admit I can do without them being all gushy about it.”

Trixie raised an eyebrow, “Your parents were gushy about it?”

“Oh, like you wouldn’t believe, Trix,” Starlight said. “After I sent a letter to my dad telling him about us, he sent a letter back filled with confetti and a fourteen page reply of how excited he was for us that slowly devolved into a blubbering mess by the end of it. I think there were actually tear stains on it from his crying.”

“And what about you, Sunburst?” Trixie asked, trying not to snicker too loudly.

Sunburst sighed a little, “Well, my mom is overbearing, but I think she took it well....”

The purple unicorn glared at the stallion, “Sunburst, tell the truth.” Before he could give the correct answer, Starlight turned to look at Trixie, “His mother is hounding us for grandfoals already.”

Trixie snorted with surprise and a laugh, “Beg pardon?”

“My mom isn’t that bad about wanting grandfoals,” Sunburst insisted.

Starlight shot a glance over to Sunburst, “Oh really? How did she respond to the news when we started dating?”

The stallion adjusted the glasses on his face a little as he admitted, “Well, she admitted that she wasn’t sure if we were just hiding that we had engagement plans in the works. However, she did state that, hypothetically, if we were engaged, she was disappointed that said hypothetical engagement wasn’t pregnancy related.”

Trixie started snickering, raising a hoof up to her muzzle.

“I assure you, she isn’t that grandfoal crazy. At least as far as I know,” Sunburst stated.

“Well, I’m not looking forward to hearing about her wanting to be a grandmother nine months from five minutes from now,” Starlight said as she sat up from her desk.

Again, Trixie chuckled at the thought while Sunburst had a both defeated and exhausted expression.

Starlight continued, “Sunburst’s mother invited us over for the break and, to be honest, I’m a bit worried about it. I feel there’s some sort of ulterior motive behind it.”

Trixie seemed surprised at the thought, “Do you really think that?”

“Sadly, I believe there might be,” Sunburst admitted.

“By the way, Trixie,” Starlight pointed to the blue mare, “I’m trusting you to take care of Phylis for me while we are on vacation.”

“You have nothing to worry about, Starlight. The Great and Powerful Trixie is also a Great and Powerful plantsitter!”

“I’m not feeling very confident with her abilities,” Sunburst expressed.

“I never did.”

Chapter 2: Impossible Weight

There was a light rumbling as the train moved down the tracks. It gently rocked the passengers back and forth in the cars, including the unicorn mare who was resting against the stallion next to her. Another light jolt was enough to cause the mare to open her eyes. She looked up to see an Sunburst, who turned to look back at her.

“Hey there, Starlight,” he softly greeted with a smile.

She returned the smile, she sat up and shuffled a little to righten her posture in the train seat. Starlight rubbed one of her eyes as she looked at the moving scenery outside of the window. “How much longer?”

“Our exit is next. They announced it a few moments ago,” Sunburst explained.

Starlight sighed with a bit of happiness, “Good, I can’t wait to just get off this train and enjoy spring break.”

Sunburst agreed, “Finally, we get a break for ourselves.”

The purple unicorn added with a bit of annoyance, “Yeah, visiting family. I can’t wait to hear about why we don’t have any foals yet.”

“My mom isn’t that bad about hounding us for grandfoals,” Sunburst insisted.

Starlight scoffed a little as she spoke, “Oh really? How did she respond to the news of us with eventual plans of getting hitched again?”

“Well, she didn’t know we were even dating to begin with,” Sunburst cleared his throat a little, trying to avoid answering the question.

“Well?” She was still waiting for the answer.

The stallion looked away from Starlight to anywhere else as he answered, “She had a long list of names for us already planned, and mailed it to us overnight.”

“I rest my case,” Starlight crossed her hooves, satisfied about making her point.

“Look, I know you don’t get along all that well with my mom, but can you please try to have a nice vacation with her?” Sunburst asked.

“I could say the same to you about my dad,” Starlight said with a smirk.

A flash of dread went across the stallion’s face, “He just....has no sense of personal space. At all.”

“You’re telling me. I’m sure he’ll break out the scrapbooks the moment we get there.”

At that moment, the train pulled into the station of Sire's Hollow. Both Starlight and Sunburst gathered their bags and exited the train to the platform. The small train station brought back memories of the two when they first visited together. They chatted a bit as they trotted through the town square toward Sunburst’s old home.

“Is it me or does this town always seem like it’s locked in time?” Starlight asked.

“What do you mean?” Sunburst tilted his head.

“It sort of feels like Sire’s Hollow hasn’t even grown or really changed since I left to do all that....unpleasantness,” the unicorn mare seemed to be unsure what word to use to describe what happened after she left her home years ago.

Sunburst tried his best to not snicker too loud at Starlight’s word choice. “Well, I can understand what you mean,” Sunburst spoke, “I think that’s part of the charm and why a lot of creatures insist on living in a place like this. It’s a calm, quiet, and close-knit community.”

“Well, it’s boring if you ask me.”

“I do agree. It sort of feels too nice,” Sunburst commented.

“Yeah. Whenever there is anything that feels this nice and quiet, it usually gets ruined by something,” Starlight explained as she started listing off a few thoughts, “Like Discord, or Trixie, or those six students....”

Sunburst interjected himself into Starlight’s list, “Hey, there’s no need in worrying about anything relating to the School of Friendship. This is our vacation and we’re here to relax.”

Starlight nodded, “Right. We shouldn’t let anything bother us. So let’s just go to your mom’s place and rip the bandage off and get it over with.”

“Yeah, let’s try to make this as painless as possible.”

The two came up to the door of Sunburst’s childhood home. The orange stallion reached his hoof out and knocked on the door. Not even three seconds later, the door opened revealing Sunburst’s mother. Stellar Flare had a darker orange coat compared to her son, same with the shade of her orange mane. She was wearing the necklace, scarf, and headband that always seemed to be a part of her attire.

“Sunburst, Starlight, so good to see you!” Stellar Flare greeted happily with a smile. Her smile remained the same as her tone changed to one of demanding, “And why aren’t there any grandfoals yet?”

“And it’s nice to see you too, mom,” Sunburst said flatly as Starlight raised a hoof up to her forehead, already preparing for the headaches that would arrive.

“May we come inside? It was a long train ride getting here,” Starlight asked as she rubbed her forehead with her hoof.

Both Sunburst and Starlight Glimmer entered the house as Stellar Flare moved to the side.

Stellar Flare spoke as the two younger ponies entered, “You both can take your bags into Sunburst’s old room. I hope that will be good accommodations for you two.”

“That will be fine, mom, thanks,” Sunburst said as he led Starlight through the house.

Upon entering the room Sunburst placed his bags on top of his bed. He then motioned for Starlight to pass her bags to him so he could place them together.

Starlight gave her bags to Sunburst. Afterwards, she took a look around the stallion’s old room. One wall was nothing but a bookcase stretching from the ceiling to the floor with books ranging from the subjects of magic, history, and sciences. Also on the shelves were a collection of guides and monster manuals for 'Oubliettes and Ogres' along with numerous pieces of literature that Sunburst had enjoyed when he was younger (including ‘Rainwater Down’, ‘The Sovereign of the Rings’, and ‘The Great Galloway’). The other walls of the room included a few different posters, including one with the periodic table of elements. The bed itself was large enough for two creatures, even if it would be a little cramped.

“Wow, I haven’t visited your place since we were foals,” Starlight commented as she looked around the room. She took note of the bookcase and smirked, “I kinda forgot how much of a dork you were.”

Sunburst seemed a bit flustered as the mare poked fun at him, “Yeah, being in here does bring back some....awkward memories....”

Continuing her self-guided tour around the bedroom, Starlight giggled. She then took note of the small stacks of music discs on the desk, “Wow, you actually listened to Death Colt For Cutie? I guess that explains a lot since you sort of sealed yourself off from other creatures.”

While he was a bit embarrassed by the statement, Sunburst returned fire on his own, “This coming from the pony who took over a town due to jealousy?”

“Touché,” Starlight raised her hooves up in surrender. She continued looking around the room. The smile on her face grew as she remembered her early memories with Sunburst.

“Hey, I know you don’t exactly see eye-to-eye with my mom on....a lot of things,” Sunburst started.

“You mean like when she sent me that letter congratulating us but made thinly-veiled shots that I wasn’t good enough for you?” Starlight asked, remembering how annoyed she was she

Sunburst gave a nervous laugh, “Yeah, like that. But, do you think you try to be civil with her? I assure you she means well.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow in disbelief, “Really?”

“Y....Yeah....” Sunburst said unconvincingly. “Can you please try?”

“No promises.”

“I’ll take what I can get.”

A voice called out to the two ponies in the room, “Sunburst, Starlight! Would you two please come into the living room?”

Both Starlight and Sunburst left the room and headed toward the main room of the house. Upon entering, both of them saw not only Stellar Flare, but also Starlight Glimmer’s father, Firelight, standing in the middle of the room.

“Dad? What are you doing here?” Starlight asked, surprised.

Without wasting a moment, Firelight hurried over to greet his daughter as she entered, “Oh, there you are, sugarplum! How have you been, my pumpky-wumpkin?” The purple unicorn quickly hugged Starlight closely, against the wishes of his daughter.

“I’m fine, dad,” Starlight explained as she annoyingly pried herself free from her father’s grasp, “now tell me why are you here? We were going to visit you tomorrow afternoon for tea.”

Stellar Flare interrupted and insisted, “Oh, go ahead and sit, we have some news to share.” She took a seat on one of the sofas, with Firelight taking the cushion next to her. Starlight and Sunburst took a seat on the other sofa, across the coffee table from the other.

“Mom, what’s this all about?” Sunburst puzzledly asked.

A look was exchanged between Stellar Flare and Firelight. There was a mixture of messages in that look, such as sheepishness, playfulness, and attraction. Though that last one could have been because of the embarrassed smile between them.

“Sunburst, Sugarbun,” Firelight said as he looked at Sunburst and then to his daughter, “There’s no easy way to exactly say this but....Stellar Flare and I have been dating for quite some time and....” he trailed off as he looked over toward Stellar Flare with a smile.

She returned the smile and picked up where he left off, “We plan on getting married!” Stellar Flare reached over to Firelight to hold his hoof.

There was a silence between Starlight and Sunburst after their parents made their announcement. The stallion’s expression was one of shock and disbelief, which was reflected by his dropped jaw. As for the mare, she had a straight deadpan with no discernable reaction.

After what felt like an eternity of deafening silence, Starlight stood up and excused herself, “Excuse me for a moment.” She then proceeded to trot into the nearby hallway. Once out of view, she began to dry-heave. The sound of this was audible to the other ponies.

“What’s that sound?” Firelight asked.

“It almost sounds like a cat trying to cough up a hairball, but it’s unable to,” Stellar Flare commented with a bit of curiosity.

Sunburst finally addressed the topic that the older ponies mentioned. “I’m sorry, you two are getting married?!” he asked in surprise. He then double backed on his words, “Wait, you two were actually dating?! When did this happen?!”

“Oh, Sunburst, it happened not long after you two visited for that little friendship problem,” Stellar Flare explained matter-of-factly. “We were chatting about everything that had happened, as well as about the two of you.”

Firelight added on, “We started spending time with one another, and then one thing led to another.”

“These sort of things just happen!” Stellar Flare insisted with a smile.

“No, these things don’t ‘just happen’!” Sunburst didn’t agree with his mother.

Eventually, the sound of retching ceased and Starlight returned to the living room and her spot on the couch. The expression on her face was exactly as it was when she had left.

“Sorry, the news of you two being together is so sickening to me that I thought I was going to vomit,” Starlight explained with very little inflection to her voice. She then started to stand up again, “Actually, I think it’s going to happen again.”

Sunburst used his hoof to stop Starlight from moving and guided her back to her seat. “Starlight, stop. I need help trying to make sense of this.”

Raising a hoof to her forehead, Starlight asked Firelight a simple but frustrating question, “Just....why, dad?”

Firelight smiled as he waved off his daughter’s frustration “Oh chipmunk cheeks! You certainly can make the cutest faces, doesn’t she, Stellar?”

“Oh, you are absolutely right! Starlight looks absolutely adorable!” Stellar Flare agreed.

“Dad, you’re embarrassing me....” the purple mare said

“No I’m not!” Firelight happily insisted, “Now, I thought you two might like to help take part in the planning of our wedding since we know we would love to help take part in yours!”

“Oh, sweet Celestia,” Sunburst muttered.

Stellar Flare agreed, “Oh, I know I certainly will! I already have the best locations in mind for both the wedding and the reception!”

“And we can display all of the photos of them playing together as little foals!” Firelight added, “It will just be absolutely precious!”

“This. This is why I don’t stop by more often, dad. You are absolutely smothering and embarrassing.”

“But I’m sure Sunburst doesn’t mind,” Firelight said.

Sunburst started to speak, “I-”

“See!” her father quickly interrupted.

“Is it possible we can try to sabotage this?” Starlight asked with a bit of bitterness

“Nope!” Stellar Flare cheerfully answered.

Sunburst shrugged, “Dang, there go the schemes I already came up with. Worth a shot.”

Stellar Flare and Firelight continued their conversation, seemingly ignoring the two younger unicorns seated on the other couch:

“So, what do you think we could do for their wedding?”

“Oh, how about instead of a large wedding cake, it can be a collection of matching cupcakes!”

“Oh, I love that idea! And we can imprint a photo of them! Maybe even different photos from when they were younger to that special day!”

“Brilliant! And what about entertainment?”

“What about a live-band?”

“We could get my hun-bun’s favorite band; The Stirrups of Mercy.”

“Do you think they would play for them?”

“I’d spare no expense for my pumpky-wumpkin!”

“Agreed! Oh, we could actually do a double-wedding with ours as well!”

“That is such a fun idea! However, I do think we shouldn’t try to overshadow their big day with ours.”

“Oh, you’re absolutely right. Not a very motherly thought of me thinking like that.”

“ENOUGH!” Starlight Glimmer shouted as she stood up onto her hooves. “We don’t need either of you intruding in our lives like this! Sunburst and I are doing things at our own pace, so leave us alone!”

With that Starlight stormed off from the living room and into the hallway, leaving behind Sunburst, Stellar Flare, and Firelight in a stunned silence.

“Was it something I said?” Firelight asked.

Stellar Flare shrugged, “I can’t think of anything it could have been.”

Sunburst sheepishly commented, “Goodness, I haven’t seen Starlight like this since I didn’t take care of Phyllis to her specifications.”

“Phyllis?” Stellar Flare’s ears perked up, “Sunburst, are you and Starlight hiding a grandfoal from me?! I can’t believe this! Why didn’t you tell me when you were both expecting? I could have shown you my brand new list of planned names for our newest addition!”

“Mom, for the last time,” Sunburst sighed, “Phyllis is a philodendron; a plant!”

Chapter 3: More Pressure

Night had started to fall and dinner was served at the house. However, Starlight Glimmer was still locked away in Sunburst’s room. The meal was a little tense between Sunburst, Stellar Flare, and Firelight. The discussion was light and done best not to pry between any of them.

Afterwards, Firelight went to the hallway in an attempt to convince Starlight to come out. As for Stellar Flare, she retreated to the kitchen to both clean up after dinner and prepare dessert. Sunburst joined his mother in the kitchen to help.

“I do hope Starlight knows we didn’t mean to be so pushy earlier,” Stellar Flare said as she used her magic on the mixing bowl and its contents.

“I’m sure she does,” Sunburst replied as he was washing the dishes in the sink, “I think she just has a lot on her mind. It might be our vacation, but she can’t just take off all the pressure on her shoulders. It’s not who she is.”

Stellar Flare continued mixing the ingredients into cookie dough, her voice was a bit melancholy, “I do hope I didn’t ruin our relationship. She really is a lovely filly.”

Sunburst tried his best to snicker too loudly, “You didn’t think that when I told you we started dating.”

“I-I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sunburst,” Stellar Flare said with a bit of guilt.

“Oh really?” Sunburst spoke as he adjusted his glasses with his magic, “If I remember correctly, you said, and I quote, ‘Starlight is a fine mare and all, but don’t you think she’s a little bit of a delinquent? Wouldn’t you prefer someone nice such as that one filly you went to school with, Riverdream?’ And do you remember what I said to that?” The stallion looked over to his mom to gauge her reaction.

The mare did her best to shrug off what was being said, “I don’t really recall.” Stellar Flare seemed a bit nervous at being reminded of her past statements as she placed a bit of the cookie dough on the baking sheet.

“I’ll be happy to remind you,” Sunburst said with humor in his voice, “I had to explain to you that there were a number of issues, such as Riverdream and I hadn’t interacted since the seventh grade. But the main issue was that she was already married.”

“Oh, that’s right....”

“But that wasn’t the end of it,” Sunburst pointed out as he finished the dishes and turned the water faucet off, “Almost immediately, you said that you would be more than happy to break them up for me.”

Stellar Flare sighed and finally admitted it, “Yes, I remember! You don’t have to remind me of all of that, Sunburst!” She was flustered as she looked at Sunburst laughing at her. Using her magic, she opened up the oven and took out a tray of freshly baked cookies. Quickly, she placed it safely on the counter and then used her magic to then put in a new batch of cookies to be baked. As she closed the oven door she spoke again, “I just want you to be happy, Sunburst.”

“I am, mom. We both are.” Sunburst insisted, “We’re happy to take things at our own pace. All good things require patience.”

With a sigh, the mare nodded as she started taking the cookies off the sheet and to a plate, “I know. I’m just excited for the both of you and want the best. But now I feel like I may have caused a serious rift between Starlight and myself concerning....Firelight and myself....”

“Just give her some time. She can’t stay locked in my room forever.”

“Maybe you can get her attention by standing outside her window and playing her favorite song on a boombox?” Stellar Flare suggested with a smile.

“Mom, I’m not recreating that film,” Sunburst said with a slight chuckle. “However, I have another idea.”

“Starlight? Hun-bun?” Firelight knocked on the locked door.

“I already told you: go away, dad!” a voice called from the otherside.

“Please come on out, Starlight. You know I’m not going to just give up.”

“And that’s why I keep asking you to go away!”

Firelight still continued to knock on the door as Sunburst started trotting into the hallway. With his magic, he was carrying a tray which had a small plate of cookies, two plates with a slice of blueberry cheesecake each, and a mug of hot cocoa.

“Any luck?” Sunburst asked as he got closer.

The older stallion simply shook his head, “My little chipmunk cheeks still hasn’t budged.”

“Did she used to do this when she was younger?”

“Oh, all the time,” Firelight answered, “In fact, I remember one time she refused to eat her Brussels sprouts. When I told her that if she didn’t finish her sprouts, she wouldn’t be allowed to have dessert. She stormed off to her room and said she would never come on. Two hours later, she came out and finished the sprouts so she could have her scoop of ice cream.” He reminisced with a smile, remembering his younger daughter.

In response to her father’s story, Starlight gave her commentary from the other side of the door, “I only came back to finish the Brussels sprouts because I was still hungry! I did not accept defeat, I just wanted to finish my dinner!”

Stellar Flare entered at the far end of the hallway and trotted closer, “Oh, are you telling the story about Starlight being a picky-eater? It’s such a cute story, Firelight. You know Sunburst was just the same way? He really didn’t like mushrooms for the longest time, but now he just loves portobellos!”

Before Firelight could start bonding with Stellar Flare about their offspring, Sunburst cleared his throat and silently motioned what he was going to do. Both of the older ponies mimed zipping their muzzles and moved back a little, allowing him to start.

Sunburst knocked on the locked door of his own room. “Starlight? It’s me, Sunburst.”

“What is it?” Starlight asked from the otherside.

“May I come in?”

Starlight answered back, “What makes you think I’m going to let you in?”

Sunburst was prepared for such a question, “Two reasons: one, I have a tray filled with cookies, cheesecake, and a mug of hot chocolate and you haven’t eaten since the Ponyville Train Station earlier this afternoon. And the second reason, this is my bedroom and I’m going to have to get in there sooner or later.”

There was a pause before the voice called back, “....what kind of cookies?”

“Chocolate chip.”

After another pause, Starlight listed a demand, “No parents inside.”

“Of course,” Sunburst agreed as he looked at Stellar Flare and Firelight. Both silently agreed to the terms.

The lock on the door handle was unfastened from the opposite end. Sunburst waited a moment before reaching for the handle. He turned the unlocked door handle and opened the door slowly. Upon entering, he saw Starlight lying on the opposite side of the room on the top of his bed. She was facing towards the door, hugging one of the pillows close to her. Her eyes were fixated on him as he entered. There was a faint sound of music coming from the headphones of a disc player that was in use.

“Close and lock the door,” Starlight demanded.

Without a word, Sunburst obeyed. He then trotted to his desk with the levitated tray. He placed it down near the playing disc player.

The entire time, Starlight didn’t take her eyes off of Sunburst, hoping he wouldn’t betray the trust that she placed in him.

Using his magic, Sunburst offered a cookie to Starlight, “Hungry?”

Still staring daggers at the stallion, Starlight muttered, “Curse this sweet tooth of mine.” Sitting herself up properly on the bed and with one hoof, she reached for the cookie and took a bite of it. She continued to clutch the pillow close with her other hoof.

Sunburst couldn’t help but chuckle a little. He took a seat on the floor, with his back resting up against the bed. “Want to talk?” he asked.

“I’d be happy to,” Starlight started as she raised her voice and turned her attention to the door, “once my dad leaves the hallway!”

“But hun-bun!” Firelight called out from the otherside.

“Now!” Starlight ordered, “And same for you, Stellar Flare!”

The older mare protested from the other end of the closed door, “But this is my house!”

“Mom, will you please?” Sunburst asked.

“Okay, okay,” she conceded, “We won’t be far if you need us.”

“Just let us know if you need anything, pumpky-wumpkin,” Firelight said.

“Alright, now go!” Starlight shouted back.

The two ponies were quiet in the room for about a whole minute (which allowed for Starlight to eat another cookie).

“Think they’re gone?” Starlight asked in a hushed tone.

Sunburst had an idea, “Let me try something.” He then cleared his throat and spoke up, “These cookies taste like concrete and are just as hard!”

Both ponies were quiet in hopes to hear a reaction from Stellar Flare. However, there was silence from the hallway. The only actual noise was the faint playing from the disc player.

“Looks like they’re gone.”

The mare breathed a big sigh of relief, “Oh, thank Celestia. Why can’t they take a hint? Also, that seems a bit mean to say about your mom’s cookies. They’re really good.”

“That’s how I know it would work,” Sunburst explained, “She takes a lot of pride in her cooking. I think that’s why she was a bit heartbroken that you didn’t join us for dinner. She explained that the meal was a bit more special given....their announcement.”

Starlight didn’t say anything. She scooted herself to the edge of the bed to grab another cookie which she took a bite out of.

Watching her, Sunburst smirked a little. This caught Starlight’s attention.

“What?” she asked with a full mouth.

“Nothing, just that I can see why your dad calls you ‘chipmunk cheeks’. You do look a bit like a chipmunk when you eat that cookie.”

Starlight’s face was flushed as she gave a sour look to Sunburst. She quickly kicked him with one of her hind legs that dangled off the side of the bed. “Not funny, Sunburst! If you’re going to make fun of me, then I’m going to do the same with your room! And you give me plenty of fodder with your taste in music!”

“Seems to not stop you from listening,” Sunburst pointed out.

“Of course I’m going to raid your room after I locked myself in here!”

The two unicorns went quiet as the disc player continued to faintly play: ”What if it'll always be this way?/Not comforted by anything you say./We were wrecks before we crashed into each other.”

Finishing the cookie she was on, Starlight asked, “Who is this?”

“Cart Seat Headrest,” Sunburst answered, “I got really into them back when I went to school in Canterlot.”

“What kind of band name is that? I swear, some of the band names just make no sense,” Starlight commented with a small laugh.

“And like any of your favorite bands are any better,” the stallion said.

“Hey, I would say The Curse is properly named, thank you very much.”

“Oh, and what about The Stirrups of Mercy?”

“I kinda haven’t really listened to them all that much in years. But it fits their dark sound beautifully,” Starlight explained, with a bit of smugness, “Which is more than I can say for Death Colt For Cutie.”

“Lecturing me about my music tastes, are you? If I wanted to be called out for being who I am, I could just talk to Trixie,” Sunburst joked.

A hearty and sincere laugh came from Starlight. She lowered her body and sat down next to the stallion on the floor. “If it makes you feel better, Trixie has absolutely no taste in music if you ask me,” Starlight spoke.

Both of the ponies laughed as the player fell silent, reaching the end of the disc.

Sunburst turned to look at Starlight who was chewing away at a new cookie, “Feeling better?”

“Yes, a bit,” she admitted. “Thanks.”

“Of course.”

Still clutching the pillow close to her, Starlight asked a question aloud, “I swear, is it mandatory for parents to be embarrassing?”

“I think it’s in the job description,” Sunburst answered.

“That was a rhetorical question, Sunburst.”

“When do I not answer a question I know the answer to?” the stallion replied. “Besides, those two were always hatching schemes. Both separately and together. My mom let it slip that our parents were planning a fake friendship problem to draw us together, and then suggest a number of different rom-com tropes.”

This seemed to surprise Starlight, “Really? Like what, sharing a scarf or going on one of those tunnel-of-love rides?”

Sunburst shrugged, “Probably? I honestly don’t want to know.”

A loud and long exasperated sigh escaped from Starlight as she used her magic to levitate the hot cocoa to her. She took a sip and then spoke, “I’m starting to worry about our parents. I’m beginning to think that they might be completely insane.”

To the mare’s surprise, Sunburst didn’t object or make any comment.

“See, this is where you would normally tell me something along the lines that I’m overreacting or something,” Starlight explained.

“No, no you’re absolutely right,” Sunburst said. He continued, “But I feel insane isn’t the right word. See, saying that they are insane would imply that they are mentally ill and need help. Saying they are insane is letting them off the hook and eluding prosecution for their embarrassing crimes against their children.” The stallion shook his head, “No, these two are not insane, but rather fit to stand trial for their embarrassing atrocities.”

Starlight moved the mug of hot cocoa away from her as she covered her muzzle to laugh at what Sunburst said. The two shared in the laughter for a moment.

“Dealing with such embarrassing parents is such a painful headache,” Starlight commented after a bit of laughter. She then added, “I feel like I should have done other things to rebel. You know: drink, smoke....”

“Dating what daddy hates?” Sunburst interjected with a joke.

A laugh escaped from Starlight, “Oh please, my dad could find common ground with Queen Chrysalis, invite her over for Hearth’s Warming Eve, and then break out the photo albums.”

“True, he did find common ground with my mom, and now they’re....”

Starlight quickly interrupted Sunburst, “Don’t say it! I don’t even want to imagine it!”

A wicked smile appeared on Sunburst’s face, “Too late, I’m imagining it, and now you must too!”

“Noo!” Starlight cried out as she playfully hit the stallion repeatedly with her front limbs. Both of them were laughing.

As the laughter died down a few moments later, Sunburst looked across the room towards his towering bookcase. “You know, maybe we should just let them be and....you know, do what they want....”

Starlight paused in mid-sip of her hot cocoa as she turned to look at the stallion, “You’re joking, right?”

“Hey, I don’t take this whole situation lightly,” Sunburst admitted, keeping his gaze elsewhere, “The thought of our parents together seems a bit....uncomfortable for me. But they’ve been friends for quite a while now. In fact, they’ve known each other longer than we have. But they’ve been friends for so long and then....something just happened, you know?”

The mare was quiet as she turned to look elsewhere.

Sunburst turned to see that Starlight’s head was turned away. “Are you silent because it sounds a bit familiar to you?”

Starlight’s face was a little flushed as she answered with two words: “Shut up.”

Sunburst smiled at Starlight’s comment. The two sat in silence for a while. From the corner of their eyes, both could tell that the daylight from the sun was gone and it was well into the evening. Using his magic, Sunburst pulled the cord of the lamp on his desk, supplying the room with a little extra light.

“Maybe it’s okay....” Starlight mumbled.

“Really? Are you sure?” Sunburst asked, a bit surprised to hear such.

“I guess....” Starlight paused before she started again, “I guess I just don’t know what I want with my dad. He’s always been so embarrassing, he has no sense of personal space, and is always babying me. I know it wasn’t easy for him when my mom left all those years ago, or with me....doing what I did. But I just don’t like either of our parents intruding in our personal lives. It’s our own thing.”

Sunburst nodded, “I understand, believe me. But I do think it’s because they really do care for us. Like with my mom bringing pack lunches to me in the Canterlot Grand Library. Or when she would try to have me take up speed-dating.”

The last comment got Starlight to snort with a laugh, “Are you serious? When was this?”

“Around a few months before we reconnected. I had to lie to her over and over, telling her I couldn’t because of my studies. I’m surprised she bought that line for as long as she did,” Sunburst joined in the laugh.

“It’s always something with parents, isn’t it?”

The stallion nodded. As he used his magic to levitate one of the plates from the tray, he thought aloud, “That being said, I do kind of like your dad.”

Starlight gave a bewildered look to the stallion, “You’re kidding.”

“No, I do mean it,” Sunburst said as she picked up the fork with one of his hooves. He continued as he cut a small bite for himself, “I like how he’s always there for support, embarrassing or not. We always seem to have a fun conversation with one another, and he always has a good joke ready when needed.”

Continuing to hold the pillow, she smiled at Sunburst’s kind words about her father, “Yeah, he always does seem to have a joke ready and waiting.”

Sunburst added before taking a bite of his cheesecake, “And it’s sort of nice to see him as a father figure since my dad’s passing. It’s nice to just talk and spend some time with him, and I’m sure he might see things the same way.”

In a hushed tone, Starlight spoke, “I guess I never thought of it like that.” She waited a moment before adding more to her thoughts, “I do have to admit, I do admire your mom. She is a very headstrong and independent mare who always does what she feels is needed of her. Not to mention she is a wonderful cook.” A thought came to Starlight’s mind right then, “Now that I think about it, what did she make for dinner?”

“Falafel pitas,” Sunburst answered.

“That’s why it smelt so good,” Starlight commented as she used her magic to bring the other plate of cheesecake to her. “I’m sure it was good.”

“There’s still a plate ready for you.”

While Starlight did sincerely think about the offer, she shook her head, “No, I think the cheesecake will suffice for tonight. I rather not go out and be smothered right now.” The last part of her statement was more playful than serious.

The stallion smirked at Starlight’s words, “How do you think I feel when it comes to her?”

Both of them laughed as they enjoyed the blueberry cheesecake.

With the last bite, Starlight did lament, “Why can’t parents just stay parents? Why do they have to become....normal?”

“You mean normal as in creatures with their own thoughts, feelings, flaws, desires, and aspirations?” Sunburst asked as he placed the empty place and fork on the floor in front of him.

Starlight couldn’t help but joke, “Yeah, why can’t they just be....I don’t know, robots?”

Sunburst turned around and threw a jest right back, “Are you sure it’s not just about our parents being in a relationship?”

“No, it’s more than that. But that still sickens me.”

The stallion laughed at Starlight’s comment. Starlight shared in the laughter as she leaned her body against Sunburst. In return, Sunburst wrapped his nearby front limb around the purple mare.

“I’m sure it’ll take some time, but I’ll get used to it,” Starlight commented.

“Maybe this will get them to stop bugging us?”

“Are you kidding, now they’ll be able to team up against us.”

The orange stallion laughed a little at the comment, mostly because he knew it was absolutely true.

“So, when are we going to tell them we’re already legally married and got a courthouse wedding last spring?”

“Not any time soon, Starlight.”

Chapter 4: All Our Lives

It was morning at the house. In the kitchen, Stellar Flare was preparing breakfast for the entire house while still wearing her pajamas. A sweet scent was starting to fill the air from her cooking. The pleasant aroma was enough to awaken the rest of the inhabitants of the house. The first to enter were both Sunburst and Starlight Glimmer, still dressed up in their pajamas.

“Oh, good morning, you two!” Stellar Flare greeted from her position in front of the stovetop.

“Morning, mom,” Sunburst replied with a yawn.

“Good morning, ma’am,” Starlight spoke as she took a seat at the kitchen table, “What is that? It smells wonderful.” Sunburst took the seat next to her. The table was already set with plates and glasses.

The praise from Starlight Glimmer caused a smile to appear on Stellar Flare’s face, “Banana pancakes, I thought it would be nice to cook Sunburst’s favorite breakfast for your visit!”

Sunburst smiled, “Oh, thank you, mom.”

Not a moment later, the fourth pony entered the kitchen, Firelight. Like the others, he was still wearing his pajamas.

“Good morning, all,” Firelight greeted as he entered.

“Ah, good morning, Firelight,” Stellar Flare welcomed.

“Anything I can do to help cook breakfast?” he asked.

“Oh, no need to worry about that,” Stellar Flare said as she flipped a pancake in the pan. “However, if you’d like to help, you could fetch the orange juice out of the refrigerator.”

Firelight nodded and trotted to retrieve the juice. He then took and placed it on the table where he saw both Sunburst and his daughter.

“Oh, good morning, Sugarplum.”

Starlight reached for the carton of orange juice almost immediately as it was sent on the table, “Morning, dad.” She poured herself a glass.

“How....” Firelight was a bit unsure about what to say to Starlight, “How are you doing this morning?”

“Hungry,” she simply answered as she took a gulp of juice.

“That’s what happens when you only eat sweets for dinner,” Sunburst jabbed.

“Not like you helped with bringing me those cookies!” Starlight snarkily replied.

“Like you were going to say no to chocolate chip cookies.”

Firelight smiled as he watched the two younger ponies have their back and forth. “Well, other than ‘hungry’, are you feeling better?”

Starlight looked to her dad. The smile on his face reflected onto her. “I am doing better now, dad.”

“That’s my chipmunk cheeks!” Firelight said as he used his hooves to pinch at one of Starlight’s cheeks.

“Please let go, dad,” Starlight asked.

Firelight did as he was requested, with Sunburst snickering a little.

A few moments later, Stellar Flare made an announcement, “Go on and take your seats; breakfast is ready!”

As each pony took their seat, Stellar Flare used her magic to plate two pancakes on each plate. Then, she added whipped cream and assorted berries to each stack. Finally, Stellar Flare took the plates and placed them in front of each pony. She then took her own plate and sat down herself.

As the banana pancakes were set down, almost immediately each of the ponies wasted no time beginning to eat their breakfast. The kitchen echoed with the sound of the utilities against plates.

Halfway through her pancakes, Starlight paused her eating and spoke up, “I want to apologize for last night.”

“Oh hun-bun, you have nothing to apologize for,” Firelight was the first to reply.

“No, I do,” Starlight insisted, “I didn’t mean to outburst like I did and then seal myself off in Sunburst’s room like that. I think I’m just struggling with a number of things about....everything going on with you two....”

“Like how they keep intruding in our private lives so much?” Sunburst joked in-between bites.

To Starlight’s surprise, both Stellar Flare and Firelight actually seemed to silently laugh at Sunburst’s comment. “It’s not just that, though that is a big factor,” Starlight said as she tried to hide her own smile. She continued with a bit more solemn attitude, “It’s also about the two of you....being together.”

The older two ponies of the table seemed stunned by Starlight Glimmer’s words.

“Wait, let her explain,” Sunburst was quick to clarify.

Starlight did just that, “What I mean is that I was having some issues with the two of you being together. Like how you two are always so nosy in our lives, and now even more so with the two of you teaming up against us, endlessly bugging us.”

“Well, we certainly are going to now!” Stellar Flare happily joked, to which Firelight chuckled at.

“Like that,” Starlight pointed out, “I don’t need more intruding on my private life, my dad does that plenty on his own.” She sighed as she continued, “But it’s more than just that, it’s just how it seems you two are just throwing caution to the wind and getting married. I....I don’t know how to really feel with this news, especially with how the two of you keep pushing us to move our relationship at your pace, and not ours.”

Stellar Flare absorbed what Starlight said before looking to her son, “Sunburst, do you feel the same way as Stalright?”

“I have to agree with Starlight,” Sunburst stated, “How you both keep pestering us has gotten old really quick. We both just wish you would let us go at our own speed. On the other hoof, it still surprises me that you two are already talking about marriage so quickly.”

Both of the older ponies looked at each other and returned to look at the younger two with a smile. Firelight spoke, “It’s completely understandable to be concerned for us. But I assure you both, this is not something either of us take lightly. We have known each other longer than both of you have been alive,” he seemed to find his own comment amusing as he chuckled. “We’ve been friends for so long, with our highs and our lows, our disagreements, and so on.”

“We have shared many laughs, just as we each have been a shoulder for the other to cry on in a time of need,” Stellar Flare explained as she reached to Firelight’s hoof with hers, “We’ve been so close for so long, it just seems like a logical step for the two of us. But we assure you, we both had reservations about this next step, especially with how you two would feel about such.”

“It is true,” Firelight agreed, “We were worried dearly about how my pumpky-wumpkin and Sunburst would feel about Stellar Flare and myself. Honestly, we were scared if we were doing what’s right for them more than what was right for us. The first and foremost important thing for both of us is our children.“

Stellar Flare smiled as she looked at Firelight, “Now you see why I love this stallion.”

Both Stellar Flare and Firelight looked at each other lovingly and closed the gap between them. They lightly brushed noses with one another, much to Starlight’s displeasure.

“Please, not in front of the breakfast!” The rest of the table laughed at Starlight’s comment. She then continued, “Well, despite me being disgusted at the thought of my dad and my boyfriend’s mom talking about marriage....”

“Yeah, I think the family tree might be a little....off now....” Sunburst quickly interjected.

“....if the two of you being together makes you both happy, then who am I to stop you?” Starlight continued, ignoring Sunburst’s comment. “I know the two of you aren’t perfect, just like I know we aren’t. But you’re our parents, and we love you and support you with your decision. Just as you did us.”

Firelight and Stellar Flare both had smiles on their faces. “You know, back when you two were little, both Stellar Flare and I had our issues with one another. It was how we felt the other’s child wasn’t good enough to be friends with ours,” Firelight explained.

“It is true, I didn’t think Starlight would be good enough to cheat off my Sunburst’s tests,” Stellar Flare commented.

“But we both learned that there are many things that we love about the other’s child. The most important being that if the pony means a lot to our child, then they mean a lot to us,” Firelight finished.

“That’s all that truly matters to us,” Stellar Flare reiterated.

Sunburst smiled, “Thanks, mom.”

Starlight nodded, “Yes, thank you, both of you.”

“And thank you to you two as well,” Stellar Flare smiled back to the younger ponies, “We love you both dearly.”

With a smile, Firelight then changed the subject, “Now that we talked about that, I believe it’s time we addressed the elephant in the room: Starlight, don’t you think it’s time we do something about Sunburst and his fashion sense? I’m sure we can do something about that beard and that cloak of his, don’t you think, hun-bun?”

“Thank you, dad!” Starlight loudly concurred with the same sentiment, “I’ve been saying that to Sunburst since day one! That beard has been driving me mad for the longest time. And that cloak is fine, but he can look so much better if he puts in just a little effort!”

Sunburst was a bit taken back by Starlight’s agreement with her father, “Oh come on, it’s not that bad. Right, mom?” He turned to look at his mother.

“Dear, I’ve been wanting to get rid of that thing for so long!” Stellar Flare candidly said.

“Of my cloak or the beard?”

“Both!” she cheerfully answered.

Firelight had a lightbulb go off in his head, “Oh, I’m starting to get some ideas for an entirely new wardrobe for Sunburst! I’m thinking preppy meets bohemian! I believe it would truly fit his style!”

Stellar Flare was quick to agree, “Oh, I believe that would look great for him! Especially if we can just tidy up that overgrown mane and tail of his! In fact, I do have one of my barber sets with me, we can see if we can start to tame all that hair of his!”

“Oh, marvelous idea, Firelight!” Stellar Flare clapped her hooves together, “I can get some of the magazine clippings that I’ve saved to help for just such an occasion!”

As the older ponies started to gossip back and forth, the orange stallion sighed as he looked at Starlight Glimmer, “Why did you have to get them started on this?”

“Just getting the family drama started now,” Starlight wickedly smirked.

“How about I tell them about how you still get lost in the school that you run?”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

END