I Love You, Shining Armor

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Opportunity
Chapter 3 - None But the Lonely Heart
Chapter 4 - Will You, Won’t You
Chapter 5 - Renaissance
Chapter 6 - The School of Love
Chapter 7 - Where to From Here?
Chapter 2 - Getting to Know You

Chapter 1 - Opportunity

Shining was beginning to regret signing up as a Royal Guard. It wasn’t that he knew that it would be easy. Bootcamp had prepared him for this kind of life where he had to wake up early for physical training every morning, stand at his post for hours on end, and then return to the barracks exhausted. Since he graduated, he chose to go into the guard if for one good reason - Cadence.

“How’s the job, soldier?” When Cadance asked this, Shining had been standing guard at the front gate of the palace since nine in the morning. He had been standing stoically for the past hour or so with a hoof wrapped around a spear. Cadence, as per routine, would talk to him before she headed off to the university.

Shining still looked forward, not out of disrespect, but partly because there was another guard as well. He knew that if he had broken the rigged posture for a moment, he would get into trouble with his superior. At the same time, however, he also knew of two other rules: speak when spoken to; and when a princess asks you something, you have to answer.

“Going to be a long day, sweetie.” Shining answered, “I won’t be off until five.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Cadence told him, “Though I will be having my hooves tied too with classes.”

“Isn’t this your final semester though?”

“It is. And I just want to make sure that I get this done and finally graduate. But… it’s progress.”

“That’s understandable, at least you’re still moving on while I just feel stuck.”

“The whole being a Private thing?”

“Uh-huh. I’ve been waiting and waiting for a promotion but so far, nothing. All the others in my barracks have been progressing but I haven’t moved up one bit.”

“Didn’t you ask your superiors about it?”

“Of course. But all I got was that I haven’t done enough to deserve it.” Shining sighed. “Still, the only comfort I have is that when you do graduate, at least I should see you around more often, right?”

“Um-hum,” Cadence nodded. “It won’t just be on weekends at that point. Honestly, I can’t wait to be done and over with.”

“I get it that it’s important. Princess Celestia made it clear about us. That we could finally get engaged after your graduation.”

“I just wish it wouldn’t be for another five months. Still, I’ve waited this long for you to pop the question,” she kissed him on the cheek, “maybe I can wait a little more.”

Shining smiled, “We’re almost there at least. And you are still going out with me on Saturday, right?”

“Don’t you worry, sweetie, I haven’t forgotten.” In the distance, a clocktower chimed. Cadence, wide-eyed and wings flared said, “Oh shoot! Sorry Shiny, I gotta go right now.”

“I understand,” Shining saluted her, “See you tomorrow morning, Princess.”

“Bye Shiny!” And like that, Cadence took off, racing through the air towards the city of Canterlot.

A wistful sigh escaped Shining’s lips. Although he was proud of his marefriend’s dedication, making strides for them to be allowed to be engaged - at the same time he felt that he still wasn’t doing enough. Not that he wasn’t working hard. No one who was a Royal Guard ever had an easy job regardless of what rank you were. But at the same time, Shining did wish that he could move up. Earning a higher rank would bring some much-needed benefits. A higher pay for one, getting a private residence of your own, even more respect from the other guards. Even though he’s starting at the very bottom, the pay was decent, but it was always still tight, especially when he and Cadance go out on dates.

What he needed was an opportunity, someway to earn his place among the Guard that would earn him the upgrade he needed. All he has to do is to keep his eyes and ears open. Maybe there might be something that he could take on that nopony else would. Eventually, something should come up.

What ordinary ponies don’t typically understand about the Royal Guard is how exhausting it can be. Even for a sentry who stands guard in front of the palace gates, it’s a killer for the hooves and the back. For Shining, as soon as he’s relieved of his post and heads towards the cafeteria for chow, he quickly gulps it down and heads straight for the barracks to rest on his cot.

Unlike the ordeal of boot camp, the barracks of the palace have one great advantage. It’s not one long hall of cots where everyone sleeps in. Instead, there are rooms with doors, but the guards below the rank of sergeant are grouped. In groups of four per room. With Shining, he is paired up with three other ponies. All three corporals were using the only nightstand in the room as a table to play cards on.

“Hello there, Private Shining,” the one closest to the door, Corporal Morning said, a unicorn that was the biggest built of the group who turned his head around. “You up for a round or do you want to crash?”

“My back is killing me,” Shining slugishly dragged his sore forehooves to his bunk on the bottom left. Rolling onto it to let his back settle the strain of a full shift of standing in place.

“Need any ice fer ya back?” the second pony, Corporal Wheat, an earth pony that had a country twang in his voice didn’t look up when he sat a card down.

“I’ll be okay if I don’t move for a couple of hours,” Shining replied. “Honestly, I don’t know how you guys do it.”

“Yeah, we know, Sentry work is a sucky job.” The last of the group spoke. Corporal Nightshade, a pegasus meditated on his cards. “Just take it easy for a while and you should be alright.”

“Sir yes sir.” Shining weakly saluted.

For a while, Shining didn’t pay attention to anything. Not the game, not what his bunkmates were talking about, not even paying attention to the time. He lay there in the bunk to rest his aching back, and his legs to where he could get the sense of feeling again. If he had it his way, he wouldn’t get up from the bed until the next morning. However, his ears perked up when he heard Wheat say something, “What was that?”

“What?”

“You said something about someone dropping out?”

“Weren’t you paying attention?” Morning raised an eyebrow.

“Not really. What were you guys saying?”

“Just a new position had opened up,” Wheat told him, “Did you hear that Sargent Hourglass had quit his job not too long ago?”

“No, what happened?”

“Didn’t like it apparently. If you ask me, the guy was being paid well but I guess all of us have our limits.”

Now this got Shining to sit right up, “Wait, what’s the job?”

“Bodyguard duty,” Nightshade said. “Why?”

“Is it possible for me to apply to it?”

The three corporals looked at one another. “I don’t think you would want this job, Private.” Morning told him.

“Why not?”

“Do you know who you would be bodyguarding for?” Nightshade asked and Shining shook his head. “Prince Blueblood. Yes, he’s one of the royal family but we know the guy has a… reputation.”

Shining tilted his head. “I mean I’ve heard of him, he’s a nephew of Princess Celestia, isn’t he?”

“That’s the one.” Wheat nodded. “Look, we know you haven’t been here long, so here’s some inside information about ‘em. Blueblood is one of those aristocrats that’s a royal pain in the flank. Imagine the most prissy, arrogant, self-entitled, narcissistic prick you can think of - that right there is Blueblood. Someone that is intolerable jus’ being around for more than five minutes.”

“He’s not exaggerating either,” Morning nodded, “One time I was unfortunate enough to be in the same room with the guy and he was unbelievably whiny. Highest set of standards you’d ever see from a pony.” After a beat, he added, “Come to think of it, maybe that’s why he now lives in his Prench-style chateau because the castle wasn’t perfect enough for ‘em already.”

“That, along with one other thing,” Nightshade added. “Don’t know if you’re aware of this, Private, but the prince had come out about a month ago. It was big with the Canterlot presses, you should’ve seen the camera crew that came in.”

“Come out?” Shining blinked, “Like gay or something?”

“Bingo!”

“Though to be fair, we kinda figured,” Wheat pointed out, “There’s a running joke among the guards that Blueblood was so far in the closet that he found his Hearth Warming presents. So imagine our surprise when it turns out to be true.”

“Just makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” Morning looked up from his cards. “Forgive me gentlecolts but if he’s gay, then has he been… ya know, eyeing us when we weren’t looking? It just makes things uncomfortable to me if I’m honest.”

“So has anypony applied for the job, even if the pay is good?” Shining asked. “Someone must’ve thought of doing so, have they?”

“Doubt it,” Nightshade returned to the game. “In my opinion, anypony that would apply to be Blueblood’s bodyguard must either be really brave, or really stupid, never both.”

Shining didn’t reply but laid back down in his bunker as they returned to their game. It got him thinking. Here was a position that no one was taking up. A job that promises to be well paying and, maybe, could finally go up the ranks for it. On the other hoof, gay or not, those other behaviors sound intolerable to work with. Shining knew that working with someone with that sort of description was just a recipe for a miserable toxic work environment. Then again, he did tell himself that Cadance would be graduating by the end of the semester. Just five months away. Supposing that if he could just bear and grin it, he could come out of this okay. The only hesitation, however, was the fact that the prince is gay. Shining didn’t have much of an opinion for the simple reason that he never knew anyone personally that was gay, only Cadance knows plenty of gay stallions who she’s good friends with. He figured that if there was any pony who could understand gay ponies better than anyone, it’d be her. There was that factor of the unknown of what might happen that made the prospect uncertain. Then again, even if it’s for Cadance - should he take the risk of employment? Would it be worth it in the end? All answers lead to the same conclusion, to find out for himself.

‘Then again, I don’t know a lot about this guy.’ Shining thought to himself. ‘For all I know, maybe he might be misunderstood. Then again, these guys have been here longer than I have so maybe there’s some grain of truth in it? Still, what do I get to lose anyway? Worst-case scenario, the prince is an ass and I can simply quit the position and figure out something else. Best case, we could end up as friends. Who knows? If nopony else is gonna do it, why not just give it a try?’

“Rise and shine, Sire.”

From a tall window, curtains were drawn back, letting in bright sunlight into the cozily dark room. Blueblood hated the way his butler woke him up every single morning. The light was a slap in the face to someone who would rather prefer to sleep in. Like clockwork, he would try to cover his face, but the butler has the blankets taken or the pillows pulled to the side. Thus forcing him awake.

Sitting up, Blueblood felt the familiar groggy post-sleep. With curlers still in his mane and tail that poked against his head, he felt like a zombie that had unwillingly been brought back to life. The first thing he sees is Maximilian - an unshakable butler who, despite his age - is a unicorn who is firm in procedure but never too strict.

“Must you always do this every single morning?”

“I’m afraid I have to sir, you may be out of the castle, but you still have responsibilities. Besides, I could wake you up by this or dumping some ice water on your head - but I figured you prefer the former.”

Blueblood muttered “Smartass,” under his breath while his butler lifted up his morning robe. A baby blue silk overcoat lined in puffy white fur that he helped the prince into. Slugging out of bed, he is immediately drawn to the prepared kettle of coffee and scones from the gilded table nearby.

“Where are the newspapers?” Blueblood asked, forcing himself to walk towards the table.

“They will be here shortly, in the meantime I will prepare your cup,” Maximilian said, taking the kettle in his aura to pour the dark liquid before stirring in the sugar and cream befor the Prince slumped down on a pillow.

Blueblood took a small sip and immediately found the taste a little more springy and sharp than usual. “Is this a new blend?”

“The kitchen staff has informed me that they had to substitute to Prench blend for a Bahamares, it’s a little more on the stronger side from what I was told.”

“When will I get my usual blend then?”

“Tomorrow.”

Blueblood frowned, ‘Figures…’ and proceeded to delicately drink a little more coffee.

Minutes later, a hoofcolt came in with a small collection of newspapers to be laid on the table. As the perks with Royalty, every newspaper printed, Celestia, Cadence and he gets the first editions as soon as they come out of the press.

As soon as he was feeling more awake, Blueblood’s horn glowed, opening all the newspapers at once to first quickly scan for three topics and disregarding the rest. First: world news. Being the head diplomat for Equestria, he has kept his eyes peeled for what might be happening, especially the kingdom’s neighbors, and adjusts accordingly. Second: any mention of the royal family. Even with tabloids where the policy is to write first, research later, any word that mentions them he has to look into. And third: anything that even has his name in passing. Being a royal, not only does he have to worry about keeping up with appearances, but he adopted the policy to know what public opinion of him is at all times.

Once he narrows it down and reorganizes the leftover pages into one paper of a jumbled mix of news sources he really focuses on what he needs to know.

Saddle-Arabian Princess Gives Birth to Twins

Blueblood made a mental note to send his congratulations along with some flowers to be flown overnight.

Trottingham Composer Set for Debute in Equestria

‘It’s been too long since I’ve been to a concert,’ Blueblood thought. ‘Hopefully, there might be something good there.’

Celestia’s Youngest Student Solves Paradox: Rewrites Magic Theory

‘I wonder if it’s the same student my cousin has been foalsitting. Not as if she has enough to do already.’

Prince Blueblood Unmasked - Exclusive Tell All From Formal Guard

That one he had to make a double-take. First, he checked to see where the article came from - Saddle Enquire - a gossip paper that Blueblood knew was filled with sensational journalism, rumor, and splashy headlines. Taking a look through it, the article was filled with one-part truth and ninety-nine lies. Of how he supposedly seduced his former bodyguard and got too personal to where he had to quit.

Blueblood frowned.

“Another example of Yellow Journalism, sir?” Maximilian asked, opening the butter and jam jars for the scones.

“That, and thinking about sending a lawsuit for libel.” Blueblood’s frown deepens, “I mean the sheer nerve of some ponies! I barely came out not too long ago and suddenly I’m a sex fiend!”

“Assuming that they know what they’re talking about. Though I wouldn’t dwell on listening to fools, nor engage with them.”

“And why not?”

“In the words of my grand-uncle: ‘Never argue with idiots, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.’”

Blueblood folded the papers, “In a way, I wish I did have a coltfriend - at least then I would give them something to really talk about.” Just then, he spotted the back of another headline. This one read: Princess Celestia, Meet Prince Fruit. He frowned slightly, “It is rather worrying still, not everyone has accepted me being honest with myself.”

The butler gave Blueblood a hoof on the shoulder. “That may be so, but if they have a problem with it - that is on them, sir. Sometimes you can’t influence how ponies think about you, but you can however influence how you see yourself. You can’t let them tell you how you ought to live your life.”

“Try telling that to them.”

“Very well sir,” the butler sarcastically said, “While you’re spending your morning enjoying misery, you should at least schedule your time on interviewing at the castle.”

This got Blueblood’s attention, “What interview?”

“Remember that you send out the message that you’re looking for a new bodyguard? Someone has done just that.”

“Really?” Blueblood blinked, “Just one or…?”

“So far only one. And prefers to have you be interviewed as soon as possible.”

Humming, Blueblood turned his attention back to the newspapers. “I suppose this afternoon wouldn’t hurt. Two o’clock. I still need to get myself decent, talk to a few dignitaries, and have lunch with my Aunt to take care of first. Honestly I, just hope that whoever it is applying is decent enough. With all these headlines it wouldn’t hurt to have a bodyguard. Just in case.”

“Very good sir. Anything else?”

“Be sure to have someone draw the bath.” Giving a side glance he added, “You know how I like mine.”

“Of course, sir.”

Privately, Blueblood had two reasons for putting it off until the afternoon. The first was that he did in fact have plenty to do. Not only finishing up his morning routine of a bath after breakfast, half an hour of combing his mane and tail, and then choosing the right suit to walk out in - but there were also other things he had to juggle. Visiting the dignitaries in accordance with which nation needed the most attention that morning. This takes the longest as every single one of them has the habit of running their mouths - even when they have already told the latest deal they have.

There was also his aunt. Ever since he became a full-fledged prince, almost every afternoon when his Aunt Celestia was in Canterlot, he would always have lunch with her. Not only to get in touch with her but to see if he could overhear any bits that would give him a heads up for whatever upcoming events. Anyone coming to the palace, any festival that was being prepared, anyone from the nobility that might ruffle feathers - he must keep a note of it - his aunt and her secretary Raven were there to let him know.

The other reason for scheduling for the afternoon was a… just in case. Just in case someone else may decide to take on the position. Sometimes there have been those who, at the last minute, would be asked to be interviewed. Years ago this was more common when he was starting, where he would have entire lines of ponies seeking to work for him. Now, for whatever reason, that line seemed to dwindle to a few. But there was still a chance that someone else might come along.

He usually has it in the same place. There is a study that he tends to work in the palace that can be described as small enough to know where everything is, and big enough for plotting out big plans. It looks out towards the west where one room has a wide window to look out from. In the center is a desk from the Prench Baroque era that is positioned right underneath a crystal chandler. To the left is a towering bookshelf that reaches up to the high ceiling and contains maps, encyclopedias, and memos. To the right, is a portrait of his younger self - before he became a Prince. The face of an ambitious, bold colt who could take on anything while standing confidently at the top of a high, breezy mountain made his mane flow.

Shining sat before the desk, eyeing the oil painting and wondering to himself if by chance that picture might be exaggerated. While he has seen Celestia on occasion, the prince is one that he isn’t too familiar with. He isn’t the kind that pays attention to the news all that much if he was honest - if anything, it was, as Cadance best put it: “The most depressing pastime that anypony could ask for.” He was entering into this with a clean slate - and he knew it. For all he knew, maybe the prince doesn’t resemble that in the picture, maybe he isn’t as big of a jerk as his fellow guards paint him as… Or maybe they’re right. But it’s hard to know if you don’t know.

At two o’clock, just as he heard the chimes of the clock tower, the twin doors behind him finally opened.

When Blueblood walked in, there was a pause.

From Shining, at first, he thought that a model had walked into the wrong room. Not just because the body type looked as though he was sculpted out of marble down to perfection, but the long flowing mane looked as though it was something from the cover of one of those romance novels that Cadance has.

For Blueblood, however, he paused there - if be it a touch too long - for good reason. This stranger didn’t seem like any of the guards that he had seen they tended to blend into one another. From the ocean blue mane to his sapphire eyes, the snow white unblemished coat, even the curious face that looked over his shoulder was so…

Blueblood coughed into his hoof, “Oh, hello.” Taking a moment to gain his bearings, he walked over to behind the desk, “Are you here for the bodyguard position?”

“Uh-huh.” Shining nodded, “I take it you’re Blueblood. Er- Prince Blueblood! Sorry, sorry.”

Sitting down, Blueblood was… intrigued. He barely knew him in less than a minute and already this stallion is coming off as such a dork… and he found it… “Prince Blueblood, if you please.” Then after a beat, he added, “Nervous?”

“... I mean, I am.” Shining took in a deep breath, “It’s Private Shining Armor, twenty-fourth division Solar Guard, sir.”

“Private? So you just joined up?”

“Yes sir. Officially past basic training about six months ago, and I’m hoping to earn my rank beyond that by gaining experience, sir.”

“... I see. Let’s begin, shall we?” Blueblood lit up his horn, taking a book off the shelf to float over to him. In this particular memo, he had the usual interview questions to guide him through. “Now, first question,” he opened up the book. “... Shining, why are you seeking this position?”

Shining shrugged, “As I said, I’m hoping to earn my place up the ranks if possible. Hopefully, I would gain the necessary experience among the guards. To… prove myself among my superiors.”

“Who is your superior, currently?”

“Sargent Hour, sir.”

Blueblood raised his hoof, “Don’t… don’t call me sir. I’m a prince, not a general.” Looking back at his notes, he asked, “What do you hope to gain out of this position?”

“Apart from what I said? Better pay, earning trust from my superiors.”

Blueblood smirked, of course, he should have known. “How would you describe yourself?”

Shining shrugged, “In a nutshell, I’m very much aware that I still have plenty to learn from. I’m a hard worker, who prefers to show by merit of what I can do. To my friends, I’m loyal and determined. And while I like to think that I’m easy to get along with, I will say that I don’t like bullies.”

Raising an eyebrow, the prince asked, “Would you expand on that?”

“For one, I never liked anyone that bullies anyone. Nor me, which I have been. However, I’ve learned not to take something like that face down without doing something about it.”

Blueblood hummed, thinking to himself, ‘Shining Armor… a fitting name if he were a knight.’ Clearing his throat, the Prince asked, “What kind of past experiences have you had in terms of this position?”

“Well let’s see…” Shining took a moment to think. “I mean, outside of boot camp that has gotten me trained for this sort of thing, I had protected royalty before.”

“Oh really?”

“Uh-huh. Do you know Princess Cadance?”

Blueblood nodded, “Yes, I’m familiar with her. Why?”

“Well, back when she was foalsitting my little sister, she had asked me to go with her sometimes to the more dangerous parts of Canterlot. Nothing serious ever happened, but I went with her just to keep her safe. You know?”

‘Now that’s interesting…’ the Prince thought, ‘I wonder if she knows him at all.’ Looking back at the questions, he asked, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

“Okay, I’m someone who makes sure that I have done my job as best I can. I’m stubbornly deadset in trying to finish something, even if it takes a long time. I’m someone who can be capable of doing all sorts of things if I put my mind to it, but I hate failure of something if I mess up. I’m loyal, but I’m not the kind that won’t question you if something needs to be brought up.”

“What do you see yourself doing in the next five years?”

Shining went quiet for a long time. “I mean, while I can’t predict the future, I just hoping for something better than what I have now. To be in a job that my parents can be proud of. To live off alright but still do some good.”

Blueblood closes the book. “I see. And I have a few more questions for you. This is off the book here because I know because it’s more… personal. You don’t need to answer them but I would still like to know nevertheless, if that’s alright with you?”

Tilting his head to the side, Shining asked, “What kind of questions?”

“Well, let me ask you the biggest one just to get it out of the way. Do you have a problem with me being gay?”

“I… don’t think so?” Shining shrugged. “Personally, I never known anyone that is. I’ve been talking to you for the past… what? A couple of minutes? Already I don’t think I would have a problem with you being my boss as long as you don’t try to hurt me in any way.”

Blueblood leaned back in his chair, looking up and down at him. Shining was still in the Solar Guard uniform of a gold-plated saddle with the helmet set aside. “If given the chance, would you want a different uniform?”

“Sorry?” Shinning blinked.

“I mean, if you’re going to work for me, I could pull some strings to get you to be in a different kind of uniform. If you’re going to be working with me as my bodyguard and we’re in public, would you prefer to have something on that makes it say that you’re with me and no one else?” Blueblood asked with a smile smile.

“I… guess?” Shining looked down at his golden boot, “Although you probably might want to talk to my superior about that first.”

“How can I get in contact with you?”

“Huh?” Shining glanced back up, “What’s that?”

An embarrassed blush painted the prince’s cheeks pink, so coughing into a hoof he quickly added, “As a… security measure, I mean. Just in case something comes up or I’m attacked and you’re not around. Do you have some way for me to get in contact with you?”

“Oh, that makes sense. Currently, I reside here at the palace, at the guard barracks. In particular, I’m in barrek five, room 202 where I reside with Corporal Morning, Corporal Wheat, and Corporal Nightshade as roommates. My superior is First Sargent Hour. But if you want a more direct way of getting ahold of me, however,” Shining took a sheet of scratch paper on the desk and the pen to sign his name and drew his cutie mark. “If you know about teleporting messages, there’s the cutie mark to send it to and I should get it right away.”

Blueblood eyed the drawn shield and thought what an elegant mark for someone like this to have.

“So if you’re off duty and I’m through with my duties for the day, could there be anyplace for us to… oh how do I say this…? Have a hideout at?”

“Hideout?”

“I mean, is there any place that we could go to unwind at, casually and off work? Forgive me if I sound forward, but I figured that if you’re going to be my bodyguard, it wouldn’t hurt to have an environment to relax and get to know one another.”

“Okay…?” Shining scratched under his chin, “If it’s just off hours and such, and just a place to hang out at… Do you like coffee?”

“I wouldn’t survive without it.”

This got a chuckle out of Shining. “Well, I do have a favorite place that’s my go-to, especially if I’m having a bad day. Ever heard of the Copper Pot Cafe? It’s a hole-in-the-wall place downtown where everything there is good. Not just the coffee, but the food there is always great.”

“Funny, I’ve never heard of it before. Maybe one of these days I could go with you to have a cup?”

“Great idea! Wait till you had their desserts, they are to die for.”

Blueblood smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now is there anything on your end that you have? Questions? Concerns?”

“Just one. Is it possible to have Saturdays off? I get you may have stuff going on, but usually Saturdays are my relief time.”

“Might be a problem, because depending on the day I would have to go outside of the castle…” Blueblood hummed thoughtfully, “Suppose, I give you a warning ahead of time? You can have your Saturday off, but if something on my end comes up, I would give you at least a week or so notice in advance.”

Shining nodded, “That sounds fair. Other than that, that’s it on my end.”

“Great,” Blueblood nodded, “I will notify you by tomorrow to let you know if you got the job.”

“Thanks, I hope I get it.” Shining stood up and saluted, “Thank you for having me, Prince Blueblood.”

The prince smiled back and saluted, “Dismissed, soldier.” He eyed Shining as he turned around and walked out of his study. His eyes lingered longer than intended by the time Shining had left. Turning his attention to the cutie mark drawn on the table, he lit up his horn to hold it in front of him as though it was a masterpiece. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in as a realization dawned on him.

“... I think I have a crush.”

“I swear this semester is going to drive me insane,” Cadance said, hooves pulling the side of her face. “Already at the first week and everypony is given an essay due next week where we have to read fifty pages of a unintelligible book. How is anyone going to pass a class like…”

If Blueblood was being honest, he wasn’t paying all that much attention to his cousin’s first chaotic week in college. Not that he was being rude about it, but lately he has been rather… distracted. He’s not the kind that would be described as absent-minded, but since yesterday, all he could think about is-

“So what do you think?”

“What?” Blueblood blinked, snapping back into reality. His cousin sitting across the white-washed, raw iron table in the royal garden. A table that had breakfast from croissants to coffee. Oh yes. Breakfast with Cadance every Friday. That’s where he’s at now. “Forgive me, I suppose I’m not fully awake myself.” He said, sipping his coffee. “Could you… repeat that?”

Cadance raised an eyebrow, “Are you feeling okay? You’re not usually this distracted.”

“Distracted?”

“You look like you were daydreaming there, eyes glazed over like you’re in a world of your own.”

“Oh… Is it that obvious?”

She nodded.

“Sorry, you’re right. But something has come up that I’m not sure how to process.”

“Did something bad happen?”

“I wouldn’t call it bad. It’s just… you know I have asked for a new bodyguard, right?”

“Sorry, I’ve been focused on my studies, so no, this is new to me.”

“Well, long story short, my old one quit and I’m considering hiring a new one. Yesterday, someone applied for the position… the only one to do so. And already, I realized there’s a major hiccup.”

Cadance raised an eyebrow, “That being…?”

“... Don’t laugh.”

“I won’t.”

Blueblood took in a deep breath, “I think I crush on him.”

“No way!” Cadance instantly sprang up, her hooves on the table, leaning over towards him. “Bluey why didn’t say this before?”

The prince frowned, “Don’t call me Bluey, I’m not six.”

“But you have a crush, this is exciting!” Cadance exclaimed, “Tell me everything, what’s he like? Is he handsome? Have a nice flank? Tell me!”

Blueblood blushed, “First of all, cousin.” He gently pushed her back to her seat. “Personal space. Secondly, I know you’re technically the Princess of Love, but seriously? And third, I don’t know since I only met him yesterday.”

“Alright, fair enough,” Cadance sat back down. “Is there anything you do know about him? What does he look like?”

“Not a lot I’m afraid, except that you apparently foalsat his sister once?”

Cadance raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t narrow it down at all. I’ve foalsat a lot of foals in the past.”

“Anyway, what I know is he’s a private in the guard who wants to climb the ranks by gaining experience. He’s… kind of a dork, but in an oddly charming, honest way that’s refreshing. Not to mention that he’s chiseled close to perfection as you could get from a stallion. I mean, seriously, he could model for one of the covers of those cheap romance novels you like.”

“Hey! They’re not trashy!”

“I said cheap. Those are your words, not mine.”

Cadence huffed.

“Other than being that… I can’t for the life of me say what he’s like. Other than I do want him to hire him for… reasons. However… it’s because of all those unknowns that I hesitate with.”

“How come?”

“For starters, I can’t tell if he’s…” He waved a hoof over himself, “You know. It might entirely be possible that he could have a marefriend already. That, and even if he was, I don’t know how to approach it either. I’m afraid that I could come off as a creep at best, or as a psychotic prince that tortures puppies in the dungeon at worst. But of course, I don’t want to come off as either. Hopefully, sweep him off his hooves, and have him swoon in the moonlight to live happily ever after. That sort of thing.”

Cadance gave an amused smile. “It’s funny, I too had the same idea when I came across my coltfriend back in high school. To have a fairy-tale-like romance that, looking back is kinda embarrassing.”

“Speaking of which,” Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “when are we going to meet your elusive coltfriend anyway? I don’t believe I ever once saw him.”

“I already told you that I’ll properly introduce him after graduation when he becomes my royal consort. I would have done so sooner, but Celestia wanted it that way.”

“That’s fair,” Blueblood sat back, “Again, it’s true that I have a crush, and I want to get to know him more. But how do I go about it?”

“Honestly? If I were you, I’d befriend him first. Just be curious about him by asking his likes and dislikes.”

An eyebrow was raised when the prince heard that, “There is no way it can be that simple.”

“Hey, it’s a start.” Cadance shrugged. “While I do hope something good would come out of this, it wouldn’t hurt to just straight up ask him questions. Start from something small and work your way up. Even if he might give answers that you might not like, it’s better than not knowing at all.”

On some level, he did agree with Cadance. He doesn’t know anything whatsoever about that handsome face, apart from his name and that he wants to work for him. While the dread of the unknown was still present, he knew that she was right. Maybe he won’t be interested in him as he is to Shining. Maybe he might be boring, or psychotic, or might be a brute. And maybe his fears could be proven right. But he would never know… unless he asks.

Chapter 3 - None But the Lonely Heart

Cadance never once played a game of poker, but she supposes that if she ever did, she might be good at it. Having their weekly brunch, she felt in a way that she cheated somehow by peeking behind Blueblood’s cards accidentally and quickly piecing together what her cousin was doing.

“I just can’t stop thinking about him,” Blueblood told her, not noticing that the servants subtly replaced his bowl of soup five times because he had been blabbering for so long. “I swear he has the personality of a teddy bear in the body of a classical god. Sure he doesn’t know everything but I find it enduring because of his curiosity from the events we’ve been to so far.”

She knew who he was talking about, not about his bodyguard that he had developed a crush on - rather that it was about Shining. Not giving away that she knows exactly who her cousin is talking about, she now knows a good deal of the context of it. Being a pony who has a deep understanding of how love develops and maintains it, she could tell by the way Blueblood babbled on and on that he’s got it bad.

“Not only that, but I just feel genuinely sorry for him.” Blueblood laid his head on his cousin's shoulder and went on. “I asked him the other day about his situation here at the castle, and he told me that he’s been waiting for a good long while to get promoted, and is still in the barreks despite having done much for the guard. All this time he never once raised a complaint about it. Clearly, he’s overdue for a promotion and I went to his superior to demand to promote Shining beyond Private. I mean, he has earned it. But I can’t help but think if I should have done that or if he would approve of me taking action.”

Nodding, Cadance was certain of one thing at least - Blueblood was in love. He was in love with Shining. Any other mare would have told him to stop, that he’s their coltfriend so the prince should have backed off. Any other mare would have confronted him, revealing what Blueblood was doing. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel her love life was being intruded upon - she was. However, she couldn’t bring herself to blame him for it either. After all, besides Celestia, none of the nobility knows that she’s been dating a commoner. She hadn’t told anyone but was planning on doing so after her graduation.

“Honestly, I have no idea what I should do.” He continued. “I would love to date him if given the chance, but I don’t know if it would work. What if he has a marefriend? What if he doesn’t want a relationship right now? I don’t want to scare him off so soon. I mean, do I even ask? Is it possible that I want to rush things or am I overthinking it?”

“I think-”

“What if he’s straight?” Blueblood interrupted, “Suppose I did say I want a relationship, would he just turn me down or say that we’ll be just friends? But even if he’s remotely interested in stallions at all, would he even want to go out with me? What if I’m simply not his type? What if-”

“Blueblood!” Cadance, having enough had decided now would be a good time to pull on the brakes. “Bluey, I get it, you’re nervous.”

“Nervous! But Cadance, if you just let me-”

“What? Talk?” Cadance raised an eyebrow. “Listen, the moment I got here you let your mouth run almost non-stop. Running up the hill, down the hill, dancing around the question of will he, won’t he. Bluey, I get it. I really do. However, you do at least need to take a step back and take a deep breath.”

Blueblood finally gave her space to pause for a moment. Thus giving Cadance time to choose her next words very carefully.

“Now, I may be a Princess of Love, but I’m still learning when it comes to these relationships.” She began. “I’m only speaking as someone who has known a couple of gay guys back from High School, and I know how complex the dating pool can get, especially when you’re not sure if the one you like is interested in you. Are you following me so far?”

He nodded.

“So, this is only speaking from experience. And from what you’ve told me, I’m going to be blunt and say that this is probably more than just a crush… is it?”

Blushing, Blueblood nodded.

“Okay…” She took in a deep breath, “From what I’ve been hearing, you do care about your bodyguard, and you do want to look after him.”

“... I’m just… concerned is all.”

“I understand,” she nodded sympathetically. If she was honest, if she had more time aside from finishing up college, she would have done so as well. “So, if I were you… I think it wouldn’t hurt to at least get to know him a little more.”

“What do you mean?”

“For instance, you say that you’re not entirely sure if he would ever be around you if you said you liked him. May I point out that there’s probably… maybe… a good chance that he knows that you’re gay. And that fact he has stuck around despite it should tell you something. Yet, I do applaud you for wanting to know what he wants as well. It probably wouldn’t hurt to talk to him about how he feels and what he wants to do in a relationship if he wants to.”

“But that’s the thing. What if he’s in a relationship?”

Cadance rubbed the back of her head, “That is I’m afraid I don’t know how to answer that. If he is honest and upfront about it, regardless of whether he wants to be committed or be in an open relationship, that is something you guys would need to talk about and make sure that everypony involved is okay with it. However, it depends from pony to pony - so really it all boils down to simply asking.”

Blueblood let out a heavy sigh. “And part of me wonders if it’s too soon to even ask that. I mean, I haven’t known him for that long. Maybe I should at least get to know him a little better before going into something so… complicated.”

“... I won’t lie, this is new to me,” Shining said as he and Cadance skated side-by-side.

Being Saturday, the two had gone out on a date, this time to the indoor skating rink that had opened up. A bright place where ponies slip and slide on the oval ring going round and round while pop songs play on the intercom. The rollerskate thing was Cadance’s idea as she wanted to try out something different. It took them a while to figure out how to stand, let alone move on those skates, but once they got the hang of it, the two with interlocking hooves went round and round in a loop.

“What? The skating or that my cousin loves you?”

“... Yes.” Shining slowed down to rest against a bumper. “It’s one of those things that I don’t know what to do here. I mean it’s not one of those things that anyone covers in Sex-Ed about what to do if somepony of the same sex likes you more than just a friend. This is all new to me and I have no idea what to expect or do.”

“Understandable.” Cadance nodded. “Still… what do you feel about it?”

Shining tried to shrug but he yelped as he slipped and fell on his flank. “Ouch! Ow… I really don’t know how I feel.” He answered, rubbing his sore flank. “It’s one thing when the hottest mare in the land asks you out, it’s another when her flamboyant cousin is thinking of doing the same. But he also has a very good heart hidden behind all that sass and gossip, and his soft voice…”

Cadance snickered and gave him a peck on the cheek when he got himself back up. “In a way, he is right about you.”

“What about me?”

“You have the personality of a teddy bear. Though… it does bring up something.”

“Being?”

They interlock hooves again and continue to move around the rink. “Shining, can I ask you something personal?”

“Well yeah. What?”

Cadence tapped her chin and went ahead to ask an interesting question on her mind.

“Shining, If given the chance… would you want to be included in an open relationship?”

This caught Shining wide-eyed and off guard. So much so that he misplaced a step and the two of them came down together. Cadence landed on top of Shining while he was pinned between her and the floor.

“Ouch!” Cadance exclaimed, “Oh sorry! Sorry!” She scrambled and slipped, trying to get off of him while falling over.

Shining blushed mad red and looked up, “Cade, sweetie? Are you okay!?”

“Yeah, just-”

“No I mean… what you’ve just…” Shining’s face was turning red and getting concerned with confusion. “I mean… are you serious!? Do you know what that implies?”

“It’s a suggestion, not a request you dummy! Now get up.” Cadence used her magic to pick each other to be placed upright. “Still I realize it’s something we’ve never… you know, talked about.”

Shining looked around, especially at the passing ponies that gave weird looks as they rolled by. “Why ask here? Why Now?”

“Okay, here.” Cadance leads Shining to a gap to get out of the rink. Skating over to one of the benches where there were few ponies, they sat down. “To be fair, I didn’t know how to bring this up either. Do you know how often I find ponies that have come to me for advice for this sort of thing? Only once, and I didn’t imagine that we would fall into that as well.”

“Fair enough, but still…” Shining lit his horn to get one of the skates off his hoof. “Even if I wanted to, even if I did have any attraction to the guy at all, what about you? If I were in your horseshoes, I’d probably be jealous from the start.”

“Well… you’re not wrong. But at the same time…” Cadance too was taking off her skates when her words trailed off. “... At the same time, I know my cousin. And I know where he’s coming from.”

“What do you mean?”

“For starters, I know that ponies think of him as an arrogant jerk, but I think that’s mostly due to how he was raised. His parents were… how do I put this…? Monsters. Try to imagine a set of perfectionists who are absolute control freaks who expect you to be a certain way and have a schedule for your entire life. Imagine too that you have this superior complex being drilled into your head, and if you break away from that at any moment…” She shook her head. “I sincerely believe that Bluey was abused. So much so, that when they died, he didn’t cry once. No. He celebrated his freedom from them.”

“Yikes…”

“There’s more. Once upon a time before he came out, he was going to marry a dutchess that he wasn’t given any say in.”

Shining’s jaw dropped, “You’re kidding!”

Cadance shook her head. “In hindsight, knowing what I know now, that marriage would have been a disaster. It was only after his parents died that he called off the engagement. So yes, while I’m conflicted about this whole thing… but having him fall in love with you makes sense. I think to him, you’re not just a pretty face, but you’re freedom incarnate. Honestly, a good part of me just feels bad for him.”

“Now wait a minute!” Shining interjected. “Look, I get it that he’s had it rough. I won’t hold that against him. But at the same time, is it really a good idea to… ya know… share me just out of pity?”

“I agree. But on the other hoof, I think we probably need to be real here about something.” Cadance told him. “Be honest, I haven’t been around you enough, have I?”

“But Cade, you have collage and-”

“Exactly.” She nodded. “Shining, I love you too, and if there was a way for me to be around you more, I would. But lately, I know I can’t because of things that are outside of my control with a lot going on. I imagine if I was you, I’d probably get lonely. Not because I don’t love you anymore, but because I can’t always fulfill everything when you need it. It’s why I’m asking about this in the first place.” Cadance placed a hoof on his shoulder. “How do you feel about it?”

Shining let out an exhausted breath, running his hooves through his mane. “Even if what you’ve been telling me is true, I haven’t seen Blueblood as someone to be more than friends with. If I’m honest, the guy does seem lonely. And I don’t know what the other guards were talking about, but I just see a decent enough guy who is interesting and knowledgeable. He’s probably a bigger nerd than I am, so I think can be a good friend if given a chance. And look, I’m flattered the guy likes me, and I personally haven’t reached anything that makes me want to date him.”

“And if that changes?”

Hunching over, Shining looked out at the skating rink with ponies going by. “... I still don’t know. He’s not a bad guy as everyone makes him out to be. Yet, if I were to like him back…” He blushed, and a guilty look came across his face. “It would be like I was cheating on you.”

“Shining, cheating would imply that you went behind my back. The fact that we’re talking about this now before anything happens doesn’t make it that.”

“I know you’re right…” After a long pause, he finally said, “But I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Oh Shiny,” Cadance kissed him on the lips. “I know you well enough that you always try to be good. Even when things change, you still strive to do the right thing.”

Shining hugged her. “I still don’t know what I’m doing.”

“And it’s okay.” She patted him on the back. “Just know that if it ever becomes too much, don’t be afraid to say something.”

He nodded. Even though he knew, it’s moments like this that he needed a reminder like that.

Blueblood was done with today. It was bad enough to be in a mandatory summit on behalf of Equestria, but he had spent hours upon hours of arguments and negotiations to make sure that the dignitaries didn’t rip each other’s throats. Having to deal with the pettiness of it all, the stubbornness over the smallest little things, the egos that were so big that they could be seen from space… the conclusion of it couldn’t come soon enough.

Shining was standing guard, just outside of the meeting hall to make sure the summit went uninterrupted. By the time every “i” was dotted and every single “t” was crossed to finalize the paperwork of the negotiations, having him there was a welcoming sight.

“I take it that the summit didn’t go well?” Shining asked with the dignitaries walking past him.

Blueblood shook his head, “No, we did get it settled, it was tedious is all. Trying to get the dignitaries to settle down and talk was like trying to get cats and dogs to behave without tearing to pieces. It was unquestionably rough, but at least progress was made in trade negotiations.”

“Sorry to hear that. You guys were in there a long time and I was getting worried something had gone wrong.”

“I know, I know… Politics and all. At least that’s done with, but it was a pain to get through.”

“Sounds like you needed a break.” Shining glances over at a window, “There’s still a couple more hours of sunlight left anyway. So do you want to go somewhere to unwind?”

At first, Blueblood thought about going to soak up in his bathtub to relax with a good book. But then, a thought came to him. Yes, he indeed had a long day, but there was also an opportunity to get to know his bodyguard a little more. “I would love to but… come to think of it, what about you?”

“Me?”

“Well, you have been standing out here for hours now. Surely you want to relax as well.”

“Yes but-”

“I’m curious. Where do you go to unwind?” Blueblood asked with a small smile on his lips. “How do you relax when you’re off duty?”

“Me? Most of the time I just crash on my bed for being sore but…”

“Hm?”

Shining shrugged, “There is a place but I haven’t been to for a while now. A café that I go to when I want to be by myself to unwind or get a good cup of coffee.”

“Is that so?” Blueblood asked, intrigued. “Shall we go there?”

“Wait, really?” Shining blinked. “At this time of day? It’s almost eight.”

“Why not? This shop, does it only serve coffee?”

“Well, no but-”

“You know what? I’m feeling rather peckish. And I want to try out something different. So perhaps I should go there and have my bodyguard accompany me.” Blueblood winked. “After all, it isn’t off duty when you’re with me, is it?”

Shining looked over his shoulder, to make sure that no other guard was around. “I know I’m technically not supposed to at this hour but… if you wanted to go there, then it technically isn’t a break for me.” A smile crept on Shining’s face. “It’s not too far from the palace. Maybe a block or so unless you want to get there by your palanquin.”

“Properly I should… but,” Blueblood’s smile widened, “A little walk would probably do me good.” “Especially with you” as he could say, but kept that sentence in his head as he offered a hoof.

For a moment, Shining hesitated. With what Cadance had said still fresh in his head from a few days ago, he considered what exactly he should do for a moment. If he took his hoof immediately, Blueblood might misinterpret it for something else. On the other hoof, if he doesn’t he might come off as inconsiderate at best and dismissive at worst. So after a beat, he thought of a compromise. “In that case, I think I should be by your side while we’re outside.” He took Blueblood’s hoof, “Best to stay close, of course.”

Eventhough Shining led the way, and he didn’t see Blueblood’s expression, he could sense how bright fiery red the prince’s face must be. He imagined that at this point Blueblood might be far too flustered, so he thought it might be best not to say anything.

Down the halls, down the stairs, out the front doors, and eventually out the gates, Shining and Blueblood walked out hoof-in-hoof just as the Canterlot streetlamps were being lit. For a while, as they walked over a couple of blocks, Shining was self-conscious if anypony else saw them. Silently he was worried if someone of the paparazzi might misinterpret what they were doing and take a picture. But his worry was thankfully in vain as there weren’t many ponies that were on the street or looked their way.

After twenty minutes since they left the palace, they came to the café. Out in front were a couple of outdoor tables with a sign overhead that showed a shiny copper coffee pot. Shining pushed open the door for the prince to step through first, and Blueblood got a good look at the interior of the café. Passing through a red door, the place had a warm, cozy glow from the wood on the walls and floor, the shiny copper chandeliers that hung overhead, and at the other side of the entrance was a bar where behind it was a large coffee machine that roasted, ground, and brewed gallons of coffee. It was the kind of place ponies could relax in at the little round tables with the air being perfumed by freshly roasted coffee beans, vanilla, and cinnamon.

“My, this place seems promising,” Blueblood remarked. Then after a sniff, he added, “Ohh… Now there is a complicated scent.”

“What? The coffee?”

“Indeed. You could tell the quality of the coffee by the scent alone. And this is an elegant blend too that might rival the coffee I have every morning.”

“Oh yeah, everything they make here is amazing. And it’s affordable for someone like me to have a cup.”

Just then, a waitress pushed through a pair of doors from the back and seemingly caught off guard yelled out, “Be right out!” She ducked under the bar to quickly put on a forest green apron before trotting up. “Sorry about that, wasn’t expecting anyone. How can I…” The mare trailed off. “Hey, aren’t you Prince Blueblood?”

“Indeed I am,” Blueblood said with a hint of pride.

“Oh…” The waitress blinked and awkwardly bowed. “Well hello there, Your Highness. What could I do for you?”

“I was recommended by this gentlestallion that this establishment is worthy of the royal pallet. So I’m going to be taking up on that to see if that was true.”

“O-Of course!” The waitress smiled nervously. “Here, you can pick out any table you like and I’ll go fetch some menus.” And like that, the mare rushed out from where she came from.

Having chosen a spot, at a table that was closest to the enormous coffee machine, the waitress returned with menus and took down what they wanted. They ordered a few pastries and a small cup of Prench brew from the machine that was placed on their table in a matter of minutes. Afterward, the waitress left to leave two of them alone.

“That was quick,” Blueblood remarked, eyeing the apple tart and the ceramic cup before him.

“I gotta say that is the fastest service I’ve seen,” Shining commented as he sipped his cup. “Coffee’s a little too hot at the moment.”

“How did you know of this place?”

“Well… I’ve heard about it years ago but didn’t come here until I was in training at the castle. You know, being so close and all.”

“I see.” Blueblood took a small sip of his cup. He meditated on the taste before saying, “You know, my chiefs had said that making a Prench brew is something that can easily be botched up by those who don’t know what they’re doing. And these ponies certainly know what they’re doing.”

“Like I said, everything’s amazing. If you want, we can come here more often if you like. I certainly would.”

Blueblood didn’t say anything, his eyes averted and he felt his cheeks turning pink.

This didn’t go unnoticed by Shining who coughed into his hoof and changed the conversation. “You know, since we’re alone, mind if I ask you another personal question?”

“Pardon?”

“Could I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“It’s just something I’m kinda curious about. Since I don’t know anypony that’s gay, what are the dates like?”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow.

“I mean… have you ever…?”

The prince shook his head.

“Okay, let me rephrase that. Let’s say that you got a date with someone you really like. So what would you want that date to be? What sort of things would you like to do?”

“Oh.” Realizing what he was asking, Blueblood answered. “If I’m blessed to have a coltfriend, I would probably take him up on my airship for a dinner over Equestria and under the stars. If I had a coltfriend, I would have a portion of the Royal Garden be a secret to us if we wanted to get away from the world for a while. I would take him with me when I travel outside of Equestria so he may see the world through my eyes. If we’re close, I would like to wake up with him in the morning undisturbed by the servants. To have a quiet morning where it’s only us, close and hooves embraced that we could be happy to spend eternity in.”

“Huh, a real romantic, aren’t ya.” Shining smiled. “Ya know, whoever does end up being your coltfriend would be winning the lottery.”

Blueblood shrugged, “It would all come down to the stallion that catches my attention.” He said slyly. Now lighting his horn to taste the tart, a thought came to him, “What about you?”

“Sorry?”

“I mean, if we’re asking personal questions, do you mind if I ask one?”

“Fire away.”

“Are you… in a relationship with someone?”

Shining nodded. “Yeah. I have a marefriend but…”

Blueblood tried not to show it, but hearing that was like an icy knife to the heart. In less than a second, it seemed all his hopes were slaughtered yet… “But…?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Shining told him, “Lately I’ve been seeing her less and less. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still a couple but she hardly has time to go on dates, or even to talk longer than five minutes. It’s not that she doesn’t care, but there’s so much on her plate. And I get that, but most of the time it just… sometimes it gets lonely, ya know?”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Shining waved a hoof, “You had nothing to do with it. I don’t blame her at all. Yet, we haven’t been seeing each other as much as we used to. Sometimes I wonder if our relationship is still strong, even when we hardly see each other.” Shining frowned, “It’s a depressing thought, I know. And I probably shouldn’t share with you something so personal.”

“Oh no, no! I don’t mind at all.” Blueblood interjected. “Honestly, I had no idea what you were going through.”

“I’ll be okay,” Shining picked up his cup of coffee, “While I do wish otherwise, I don’t know how long this will last. Sometimes I wonder if something needs to change. A guy can only be alone for so long.”

“But not that alone clearly?”

Shining left out a small chuckle. “I guess you can say that,” he said as he drank his coffee. He stares at Blueblood’s face full of a newfound hope, “Still, for what is worth, at least here I still have someone to talk to at least. Eventhough I see her only once a week, it’s still helpful that you’re around. I suppose what it does do is that I’m a free guy all week now, I’m all yours for the time being.”

The Prince puts on a wide smirk as he places his hooves under his chin as he stares. “My my, are you suggesting you are willing to guide me through nightly activities, Mr Armor?” He professionally states with an eyebrow raised.

Seeing the Prince be a mixture of being professional as his superior and a flirtatious risk-taker is somewhat expected. But to Shining, it’s making him feel at ease, and perhaps even more of an opportunity to explore what a night with Blueblood is like beyond just being his bodyguard.

“Hey, I’m not suggesting anything,” Shining smirked with a shrug. “All I’m saying is that with all that’s going on, you’ve helped a good deal already. Besides, I don’t have that many friends within the guard anyway. And despite what I’ve heard about you, you seem a pretty okay guy overall.” Then with a small smile, he added, “I hope that we will at least become friends, because really, you make my job easier when I have something to look forward to.”

Blueblood huffed, “Oh never mind the rumors! It’s just that I have high standards is all. Besides, you are much better than any of the guards put together. I would rather spend all week with you than an hour with any of those ruffians.”

“You know, if I may make a request…. What better night than tonight?” He says in a way that’s almost like he’s asking for a date, even if not on purpose, he wants to know how the Prince could react to such a scenario.

Blueblood blinked, “I beg your pardon?”

“You don’t have to worry about work or anything like that, we could have this night reserved casually. Just us.” Shining added, “Unless, of course, you got something else you needed to do.”

“Well, I…” Blueblood said abruptly, caught himself, and blushed. Taking a sip from his cup, he answered, “Strictly speaking I don’t have any commitments for the rest of the evening. Besides, this place is quite lovely in a rustic, cozy sort of way. I wouldn’t mind if we just came here at least once a week. Maybe try out other items on that menu as well.”

“I would like that,” Shining smiled, taking another sip of coffee.

Shining didn’t expect to come back to the barracks as late as he did. He really didn’t, but by the time he finally got back to the castle and dropped off the prince, it already had been an hour after the lights out. In the dark, Shining had to report late to his superior before being dismissed to go back to his room.

Pushing through the door and closing it behind him, the dark room was suddenly lit up by the light of a candle. His three roommates stared at him from their bunks.

“About time ya came back,” Wheat commented.

“Sorry to wake you fellas,” Shining went over to his bunk and undid the straps of his armor.

“No, we’ve been awake for a while,” Nightshade told him, raising an eyebrow. “Where were you anyway? You’ve been gone for hours after lights out.”

“I know, I know,” Shining took off his helmet. “The prince kept me and I lost track of time.”

The three corporals exchanged looks. Morning cleared his throat, “So… while you’re here, we wanna know something.”

“What?”

“How do you do it?”

Shining paused, raising an eyebrow.

“You’ve been a bodyguard for almost a month now. Even for the guard, that’s a new record. So how do you do it?”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Shining told them, “Look, I’ve said this once, and I’ll say this again, Blueblood isn’t the nasty aristocrat you guys say he is. If anything, the guy really needs a friend. He’s just lonely and wants someone to talk to.”

Nightshade shook his head, “Na-uh, it can’t be that simple. What is Blueblood doing, really?”

“What?”

“Is he bribing you?” Morning asked, “Does he have some kind of blackmail hanging over your head? Maybe you’ve come down with Stockhoof Syndrome? Seriously Corporal, what is going on?”

Shining frowned. “He’s not doing anything to me.”

“Ain’t that right?” Wheat shifted, sitting up in his bunk. “What exactly about you that makes you get the special treatment from the prince while he treated the rest of us like shit?”

“Hey, I don’t know, he just likes me.” Annoyed, Shining unloads his armor on his bunk with a noticeable thump! “How many times must I say this? Sure he can be flamboyant and flirty, but that doesn’t make him a bad guy.”

“So what?” Morning raised an eyebrow, “Are you gay now, what happened to ya?”

“Oh for the love of - You guys do know I have a marefriend, right? Blueblood may be gay, but he can be a good friend if you, oh-I-don’t-know, give him a chance. Say whatever you want about me, but the prince isn’t the stick-in-the-mud as you’re all making it out to be.”

“A marefriend huh?” Wheat looked at the other two. “Come ta think of it, have any of you two ever seen him around a mare before?”

Shining glared, and wrapping up his armor in a blanket and a pillow, he marched out of the room.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Nightshade asked.

“To sleep out in the garden,” he said with his hoof on the doorknob, “being outside in the cold is better than being in here.”

“Oh c’mon, you don’t have to be such a-” Morning protested but Shining was already out the door. He turned to the other two. “What’s his problem?”

Blueblood looked out over at the orchestra as the strings carried out the final part of a symphony. Watching as forests of bows bend up and down in the whirlwind of their melody. Meanwhile the winds and brass build up their crescendo towards the titanic, crashing ending that send chills down the prince’s spine.

In a darkened opera house, he and Shining sat in the reserved royal box that was closest to the stage, looking down at the musicians, the conductor, and the audience like deities. While Blueblood was on the edge of his seat, Shining was fighting to stay awake. Not because of the lack of sleep, but rather that he was bored from the near hour of listening to a type of music that didn’t grab him like the Prince.

But finally, at the buildup of the crescendo, the orchestra bellowing out the melody one last time, the music came to a triumphant end and the audience erupted in applause. Shining snapped back to reality when the prince stomped his hooves in delight.

On the stage, the musicians stood up and bowed with the conductor. After a while when the audience quieted down, the conductor announced, “We will have a fifteen-minute intermission before we proceed with the final piece on our program.”

Lights came on, brightening the baroque-style theater with its red walls, gold moldings of cherubs, and the enormous crystal chandelier above. The audience got up from the steats and the theater became abuzz with chatter.

Blueblood turned to Shining, “What a wonderful finale that was!” he said with a smile, “I do hope they would play that again in the near future.”

Blueblood pokes Shining on the cheek to gain his attention, “Hey, are you dozing off?” he says in a teasing tone.

Shining gasped, jumping out of his seat like a surprised cat, “No! No no, I’m awake!”

“Are you alright?”

Rubbing his eyes, Shining told him, “I’m fine, didn’t mean to shout.”

“Is something wrong?” Blueblood tilted his head, “You were almost asleep during that wonderful finale.”

“I’m okay, just didn’t get enough sleep last night… That, and I’m not exactly a fan of this.”

“What?”

“Classical music. It’s not that I hate it, just that this sort of thing never… clicks with me. I’m more of a rock guy than anything.”

“What’s so boring about it?”

“Well apart from that it goes on forever, the slower songs drag on a lot.”

Blueblood was going to correct him, but he shook his head, “To each their own, but knowing this, I can say that not all classical music is like this. They come in all sorts from the virtuosic soloist to some contemporary that experiment. To even play this is still a feat of its own if you ever played an instrument.”

“I have, for the record.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

“Oh yeah. Back in High School, I took up a band class, and my parents encouraged me to take lessons.”

“Is that so? What instrument did you play?”

“The euphonium.” Shining rolled his eyes. “To be honest with you, I hated that thing.”

Blueblood laughed, “Violin for me, and I was tempted countless times to smash that thing.”

“You didn’t like playing it?”

“Listening to somepony who knows what they’re doing, it’s divine, me… not so much.” The prince’s lips stretched into a smirk, “Why do you hate the euphonium?”

“For one, it may not look like it, but those things are heavy. Not to mention that if you play on a high note for too long, eventually you’ll lose consciousness and fall out of your seat. Believe it or not, the case it comes in is huge. And in band class, there’s no way you could be the cool kid when the case you drag around is bigger than you.”

Laughter escaped Blueblood’s mouth, “Oh my! That’s too funny! For me, while I can’t say I had the same experience, I didn’t like my instrument all that much.”

“How come?”

Blueblood shifted in his seat, “You have to understand that I didn’t pick the violin by choice, my parents forced me into it as part of my aristocratic education. The violin is considered the noblest of instruments, but it’s certainly in my experience the most finicky. I could never get the right notes when you have to be precise on that instrument; sometimes I could get it to work, but most of the time it sounds like I’m torturing a cat.”

This got both of them laughing.

“You wanna know something?” Shining asked, rubbing the back of his forehoof, “What do violins and hearts have in common?”

The Prince looked at Shining and gave a mysterious expression of curiosity. He already knew the answer but decided to play along. “What is it exactly?”

“No No, I insist you answer,” Shining smirked as he stated, “I want you to tell me.” He says as he puts a hoof on the Prince’s shoulder playfully.

“Well…” Blueblood laughed nervously. “You could always tug on their strings.” And this got them laughing, eventhough it wasn’t a good joke, the prince couldn’t help but briefly wonder if his bodyguard was just playing with him, or…

Eventually, the lights flicked to let the audience know that the next part of the performance was about to begin. From the box seat, Blueblood and Shining watched the opera house be filled back up before the space darkened again and the conductor came on stage to perform a concerto for two violins. They began at a fast pace with the two violins weaving melodies, and performing all sorts of musical gymnastics.

A few minutes in, Blueblood noticed that this time, Shining was paying more attention to the virtuosity of the violinists in their intense duet. Transfixed to the players on the stage, unlike the previous symphony they heard. His eyes traced down to Shining’s hoof nearby where an intrusive thought came to him. For a good few minutes, he wasn’t entirely sure if he should place a hoof over or not. Yes, Shining did see him as a friend - there was no question about it - yet… would this be going too far? He didn’t want to cross any boundaries that would sour what they had been building on over the past few weeks. For all he knew, doing so could make him leave. Besides, it would be in public for everypony to see…

Then again…

Looking between the dark opera house, the bright stage, and Shining’s hoof. They were nearly in the dark anyway where if he modestly rested his hoof on his, who would notice until the lights went up? And besides… out of all those who had been his bodyguard, Shining has been the noblest, the most patient, the most understanding. He already knew about his sexuality before he even applied. Not to mention that even though he has a marefriend… he too has been lonely. If it were the other way around, he thought, and he had been lonely for so long, would it be nice to have someone there to subtly hint that they care about you?

So… Perhaps…

Shining felt something brush up against his hoof before feeling something being on top of it. Blinking, he looked down to see the Prince’s there. And before he knew it, Blueblood’s head rested on his shoulder - oddly similar to how Cadance would as an intimate gesture. Shining was surprised by this, but… he didn’t flinch away. If anything, he wasn’t entirely sure what to do next.

“It’s wonderful to have you around to rest my weary head on,” Blueblood whispered, and although he couldn’t see it, Shining imagined that the prince said that with a smile.

For Shining, any idea that Blueblood is just being innocently friendly had faded. Now, there was no doubt in his mind that Cadance was a thousand percent right - Blueblood does like him more than a friend. Because friends are never this intimate to where they would nuzzle you in the dark, holding your hoof while they said that. During the concerto, Shining realized that without saying much, Blueblood was being vulnerable to have him there. Every so often he would look down at the prince, his eyes closed and a smile while he listened to the music. He was happy. At peace even, more so than any time he remembered in the short time since he started. It made me think that if there was any truth to Blueblood’s reputation - this is certainly something truly rare. And it’s brought on simply for him being by his side.

From the second movement onward, Shining gently rested a hoof on Blueblood’s back and just… held him there. He also remembered what Cadance said about the prince’s upbringing and wondered… when was the last time Blueblood was ever shown tenderness? When was the last time he was given so much as a hug? To be told that everything was okay and that he was… loved? Perhaps, that was why, Shining thought, Blueblood liked him so much. Because although he is intellectual and tactically full when it comes to navigating the political stuff; emotionally, he’s starving for affection. Any at all.

In that gentle, silent embrace, Shining thought that he should be careful with the prince emotionally. After all, he doesn’t want to hurt him. He doesn’t want to damage the view that even someone like him is worthy of love. Stroking his back, Shining thought that surely out of everypony out there, Blueblood could find someone better than him. Because he of all ponies knows how fragile a heart could be.

Chapter 4 - Will You, Won’t You

Cadance blinked, “Pardon?”

“I know what I said,” Blueblood breathed in and let out an exhausted breath. “But I still don’t know what I should do at this point. Shining told me that he has a marefriend but they haven’t seen each other a lot recently. While part of me does hope that maybe he does like me back… But what if I make it worse for him? I think he’s lonely too, but do I ask him out while he’s technically in a relationship? Would he say yes or is it a step too far? And even if he said yes, would it be considered cheating?”

Cadence blinked again. Brunch had certainly taken an unexpected turn. Out of all the things she expected to hear from her cousin when she arrived in the gardens, she never thought that Blueblood would be asking her for hard-hitting advice on how to ask her coltfriend out. Right from the moment she sat down, her cousin was agitated, to say the least. Questioning if asking Shining to be his coltfriend would have severe consequences since he’s already in a relationship. If she was honest, this whole surreal situation was like she was taking part in a Shakespurian comedy where one character reveals their thoughts to the most dramatically ironic character of all.

“This is very… interesting, I must say…” Cadence laid back on the couch. “You think a guy is straight till his marefriend runs away.”

“Well… could you blame me? I might think he’s anything but straight now, he held me so comfortably for that matter.” Blueblood pressed his face against the couch's pillow flailing his hooves. “He’s so hot too, I think I felt his pecs.”

Cadence gave a nervous smile and said “Hahaha, you don’t say,” as she kept going through her thoughts. ‘He sounds so certain Shining isn’t that straight… I think I have to keep my opinions of his sexuality to myself.’

“My heart completely sings thinking about the idea of asking him out, but I don’t know what I should do for that to become reality.” Blueblood swooned to a thinking Cadence. “What should I do now?”

Cadence had to go through a lot of scenarios to consider, she has an idea of how many things Blueblood could do to win over Shining. It’s pretty clear to her that Shining’s sexuality can be branched out, and she can see the potential of himself being at least Bisexual. That said, is Shining the type to fall in love regardless of gender? Is Blueblood the kind of stallion he’s into?

What’s interesting about what Blueblood told her is the fact that Shining cuddled him, similar to how they would cuddle in the past. Perhaps, as she would guess, Shining saw how similar she and Blueblood's views are in approach to intimacy. Cause she was clingy before she matured to be the kind and caring mare that she is. What Blueblood is doing is eerily similar to the actions of her own.

“I suppose that I should give you some credit for being self-aware,” Cadence told him. “I have seen many couples be torn apart when they fail to both communicate and consider the other’s feelings. Still, I would be lying if I said that this would be easy to resolve. Because this is a complicated issue.”

“You could say that again,” Blueblood huffed.

“That said…” Cadence knew that she needed to choose her next words carefully. “Would it hurt to ask him?”

Blueblood lifted his head, tilting it to the side, “What do you mean?”

“Look, I’m not going to pretend what your bodyguard might think or feel about it. The only way you would really know at all is if you sit him down and ask. Maybe he would say yes. Maybe he would say no. Maybe he… might be up for an open relationship. Or perhaps not.” Cadence patted his shoulder. “I get it that it’s scary not knowing, or worse, being rejected. Believe me, I understand. Sometimes… Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to jump into the unknown and see what’s there.”

Sitting up, Blueblood ran his hooves through his mane. “I understand what you’re saying… But the idea still scares me.” Ears folded back, he added, “I don’t want to hurt him.”

As bizarre as the whole situation was, Cadence did feel sympathetic. A complicated set from silently protective to pity. If it were anypony else that might be hitting on Shining, instantly she would have thought that they were ponies who were entirely selfish and only wanted her coltfriend for his good looks. But being her cousin, however… she didn’t sense any maliciousness from him. Not only did he seem sincere, but since he met Shining, he’s been showing a vulnerability that she rarely sees in him.

“I get it,” Cadence rubbed her foreleg. “Still… it wouldn’t hurt to give your bodyguard credit. If he is as sensitive as you make him out to be, maybe he would understand you - even if he said no. It’s possible that your heart may get broken, at least then, you would know.”

“And how would am I suppose to do that?”

“That is entirely up to you. You could just ask out of the blue, or create a situation that you would ask in.”

Blueblood didn’t say anything to that, his thoughts were elsewhere, inspired by what his cousin said. An idea that took root in his mind, that as a Prince, he could do just that - arrange a situation that would express Shining his hopes, his passions, to something magnificent. Something to amaze him, to swoon Shining off his hooves in a setting that could rival any fairytale.

“Hello?” Cadence waved a hoof in Blueblood’s face, “Equestria to Bluey, anypony home?”

“Huh?” he blinked. “Oh yes, yes I’m alright.” Getting onto his hooves, confidence swelling within him, he told her. “I’m afraid I’ll have to cut our brunch short, I do believe I have work to do.”

“Is your cousin angry at me?”

Cadence stopped mid-lick of her ice cream. “Sorry?”

Setting aside his Sunday, Shining had a look of guilt on his face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He hasn’t asked me to accompany him anywhere for the past week. Come to think of it, he hasn’t even left the palace at all. I haven’t seen him once. Not a note or anything. Do you know if something’s wrong?”

“No…?” Cadence raised an eyebrow. “Bluey isn’t angry as far as I’m aware.”

“But I think he’s outright avoiding me like I had the plague. So far I can’t figure out what I have done wrong. Because I don’t I said anything to offend him. So I was wondering if he said something.”

“Not really. I mean he hasn’t said anything either. But to be fair, I had been preoccupied with catching up with reading for my classes.”

Shining sighed heavily, running his hooves over his face. “I want to say he’s probably busy - and that could be it. But I can’t help but think something’s wrong.”

Cadence shrugged, “Chances are, it might not be serious. He probably is taking a break from his duties - it happens sometimes.”

“Princesses take breaks?”

“Why not? Even for me, I need a little time to recharge. Besides, Blueblood has been working hard with diplomates as of late so maybe it might have something to do with it.”

Shining lit up his horn to turn back to his Sunday. “Maybe I am overthinking it… Still, I hope you’re right.”

In concept, this should be the easiest thing in the world. Unless, of course, you happen to be a Prince.

If one were to walk into Blueblood’s chambers, to see the blueprints of the palace grounds laid out, the strings, tacks, pictures, lists, and time charts strewn about, one would think that either he’s planning for war or lost touch with all reality. Between the webs of colorful strings, the notes scribbled, and the several cups of coffee that the servants bring in and out, Blueblood was rushing with maddening speed from one side of the room to the other.

“Three-thirty I send him a note to invite him to dinner…” Blueblood tied a blue string around a pin before going over to his bed, “If he arrives a few minutes before six, I will personally take him into the gardens…” Then towards the vanity table, “Where a string quartet will be cued to play when the glass doors at the west wing open. But should that happen before or after the chiefs send out dinner to meet us or have it be set before we arrive?”

Just then, the doors to his chambers opened and his butler slipped in.

“Maximilian, there you are!” Blueblood rushed over, “I still haven’t quite got this asking out thing hammered down yet, so go to the kitchen and send up another pot of coff-”

“No.”

Blueblood blinked, “Come again?”

“Sir, no. This has to stop.” Maximilian waved a hoof around, “You’ve been up for days planning this out for an entire week and frankly this is getting concerning.”

“You don’t understand! It must be perfect!”

“If you’re planning for your wedding, it would be understandable sir. But look around you, you’ve been obsessed for days with making all of this more elaborate than a movie production. Frankly, Your Highness, what you need is to calm down for a few minutes and take a break.”

“But-”

“Blueblood.” Maximilian looked at him dead in the eye. “Sit.” He pointed and the prince obeyed. “Breathe.” He did so. Taking in a deep breath, his butler told him, “I understand that you’re nervous. I understand this is the first time you’ve done something like this. But why exactly is planning all this out down to the very second necessary?”

At first, Blueblood didn’t respond, his ears folded back against his head. “I want to do it for him. If it were the other way around, I would think he would do all he could to make this moment special… even if it… doesn’t work out. Besides, as a prince, I feel obliged to make it… well… fantastic. To make a spectacle for someone that I care about. To you, it may be just asking someone out, but to me… it’s life-changing. I don’t want it to go wrong… but it would be worth remembering if it did go right. To let him know how special he means to me. How irreplaceable. I want to do this to make it clear with no misinterpretation what my hopes are for us.”

Maximilian placed a hoof on his shoulder, “If I do say so, sir. From your impression of your bodyguard, maybe you don’t have to be flashy - but sincere. Sometimes the simplest approach can be more than enough. That said,'' he patted his shoulder, “why not take a rest for a while? I will bring you some camellia tea to calm you down.”

“Hey… Max, can you make sure Shining knows about when to arrive tomorrow night?” Blueblood gently commands with a smile “You don’t need to bring the tea, I’ll be fine.”

“Very well. But I insist you rest. And… when and where shall Shining be arriving?”

“Seven o’clock… As for where…” An inspired thought came to him. “Let him come here.”

Shining wandered around a bit through the streets of Canterlot, seeing the bright lights and other ponies walking past him. He had gotten word from the Prince’s Butler that the prince was planning a special surprise for his employer at a place that wasn’t in the palace. If anything, it was in a place in Canterlot that he hadn’t been to before. Although the Prince does work within the castle, he doesn’t necessarily live in it. While it is true that he does have a suite in the palace that he sleeps in from time to time, the place he calls his own is outside of it.

The first time Shining had laid eyes on it was surrounded by a tall iron gate where inside was a garden that surrounded a Prench-style chateau. Straight down a paved path towards a handsome building dolled up in rococo gold, azure blue, and alabaster white. Stepping through the gate that was guarded by a few of the royal guards, he couldn’t help but notice the lights that illuminated the trees, the flowering bushes, and even the shimmering reflective pools as though he was stepping into a fairytale setting.

It dawned upon him that despite being quite the good friends they’ve become, he never knew where the house he slept, the castle he resided in, or even the address until now. Usually, he found him in front of the barreks or within the palace where he called him up. But to be summoned where he lives… There’s a sense of worrisome shivers through his body, recalling the conversation between him and Maximilian.

“What does he want from me?”

“There’s no need to worry sir, Prince Blueblood wants you to come over for something special.”

“Something... Special? And what do you think that is?”

“I’m afraid I can’t give that away for several reasons. But...”

“But…?”

“Is this Prince special to you?”

“... Excuse you?!”

“My apologies for a daring question, but you and the prince seem to be quite the cuddly duo. His Highness tells me about your appreciation all the time.”

“I… You could say that he and I are quite the interesting pair.”

“If I may, I know you are feeling nervous about this evening, but I’m willing to give you this advice. Before I give you that advice, you need to answer one important question.”

Shining began to feel his heart start to beat slowly recalling the all-important question, a question that made him shiver when it was asked.

“By all accounts… it sounds to me that you’re interested. By all means…. From the way you carry yourself well, enough to be the closest friend he’s ever had… The only real friend he’s ever had… It sounds to me like you're in love with Prince Blueblood, are you?”

That question was implanted into his brain, a question that lingers inside for a while until it explodes in the body. As bizarre of a sequence of events that could lead to any direction… Is he?

‘Dear Celestia, please give me strength.’ Shining said to himself as he slowly approached the opening of the twin front doors to Blueblood’s establishment. Just entering the foyer, he was greeted by the sheer wealth and flamboyance that he expected Blueblood would have. Of checkered marble floors, crystal chandeliers and candelabras, mirrors, gold molding, and on the walls hang the oil paintings of pegasi myths in gilded frames. And before him was the grand staircase where the steps split over a door in the center.

He was greeted by a hoofcolt who told him that he was expected. Shining followed the servant towards the door in front of him where it led to the prince. In an impressive room of tall windows that looked out to the gardens, the first thing Shining noticed was the prince who stood up from behind a table. A small table that was set for two. The second thing he noticed was the smell and the source of it. It smelled like he stepped inside a flower shop and no wonder. All around the walls were bouquets of roses in vases the size of foals that lined up against the room. The third thing he noticed was the guards. Most of whom he recognized right away, including his roommates and even his superior in one corner. They looked at him with an expression that asked if he knew what all this was about.

“Shining, there you are!” Blueblood went up to him and greeted him warmly. “So firstly, welcome to my home. And secondly, I have a dinner set up for us. I have much I want to discuss.”

“Uh… glad I can be here?” Shining replied with uncertainty in his voice. Even though the moment he stepped inside this room he had a pretty good idea what Blueblood was going to “discuss,” he was still unprepared for it.

“Come, have a seat,” Blueblood placed a hoof on his back, guiding him towards the table. “I encouraged my chief to go all out with this meal for the occasion.”

Shining sat down on the velvet pillow, before him a silver dome with at least a dozen forks and knives flanking each side. A servant came to lift the dome to reveal something that he could easily mistake for sculptures in food form.

“You know I haven’t seen you in a week, Shining,” Blueblood remarked as the silver dome was lifted to show his meal. “How are you doing?”

Even though he had a pretty good idea where this was going, he had to ask something to make absolutely sure. “Prince Blueblood… are you mad at me?”

This made the prince froze. “Beg your pardon?”

“Over the past week, I haven’t heard a word from you at all. You practically saw me almost every day except weekends and suddenly out of the blue, there was just nothing. Did I say something wrong? Had I offended you somehow? If that’s the case, at least let me say I’m sorry.”

Blueblood blinked, “No. No no, Shining, of course you didn’t offend me. I’m not angry with you at all.”

“If that’s true, why the silent treatment over the past week? Were you busy or something?”

“You… could say that.” Blueblood lit his horn to place a napkin over Shining’s lap before his. “In truth, I was dealing with something rather… personal.”

‘Oh boy, here it comes…’ Shining gulped. “About…?”

“For starters, before I say anything, just know that I trust you enough with something like this. Even with my family, there is only so much I could share, but with you… I felt that I could turn to you for anything.”

“Okay, so is something wrong?”

Blueblood shook his head, “Nothing that serious, I assure you. But it is rather… important to me. Because the fact of the matter is… I’ve found someone I’m considering dating.”

“As in… you have a coltfriend now?”

“Well… yes and no.” Blueblood blushed. “You see, I have unexpectedly fallen for someone that I consider important.”

Shining was sweating bullets, “O-Oh yeah? Must be a lucky guy.”

An amused laugh escaped the prince’s lips. “You have no idea…” Blueblood muttered, levitating up a fork to pick up a bite of his flower salad. “But we are friends, no? And I say this because I consider you as someone that I trust. With something as monumental as this, I thought that you should be the first to know.”

“Well uh… thanks…” Shining swallowed. “So who is the lucky stallion?”

“That’s just it…” Blueblood’s hooves reached across the table, taking hold of Shining. The prince tries to present himself as charismatic, Shining could see it in his eyes and feel it in the tremering hooves that Blueblood was anxious. “I… never done this before.” Blueblood told him, “I’ve spent the entire week to make this as perfect as I can, a-and I could have done more but… Maybe I should just be honest with you.”

“... Okay…”

“What I want you to know… what I want to ask you is…” Blueblood took in a deep breath. “Shining Armor, do you… would you want to-”

“Oh, just purpose already you fag.”

Whatever sense of nervousness Shining had, and the feeling of being unprepared for what Blueblood was going to ask - he certainly didn’t expect this. Shining’s head snapped towards where the voice had come from, and more specifically, who. Even if he had no idea, the other guards had turned directly towards Corporal Morning.

“What did you just say!?” Shining stood up, hooves banging on the table.

It was as though time had suddenly frozen for a moment. Everyone’s eyes widen, including Morning as they all turn to Shining.

With getting no response, Shining broke away from Blueblood, “I asked you a question!” Shining demanded as he marched towards Morning. “What did you just say out loud!?”

Morning frowned. “I don’t have to repeat myself.”

“No, I think you do.” Shining glared at him, “What exactly did you just say out loud?”

Staring back at Shining, Morning told him, “I wasn’t speaking to you. Just the fag.”

Shining nodded, “Yes. That’s exactly what I thought you said. What you called a royal, a prince of Equestria, and my friend. You had the sheer, blind nerve to even utter that in the same room as him.”

“Hey, it’s nothing personal.”

Before Morning knew it, Shining’s horn lit up, and with his magic, grabbed him by the collar of his armor. “Except… it is personal. Unlike you, I had gotten to know Blueblood, I had the patience to know that he isn’t the slur that just escaped your mouth. That he isn’t some low-standard, annoying stereotype that has the personality of cardboard and glitter. You, as a royal guard, who has sworn to treat the royal family with the utmost respect have just insulted one based on who he happens to be.” He held him close, face to face, “You need to apologize.”

“Two things with that, no. I don’t need to apologize for speaking the truth. And second, we may be the same rank, but that doesn’t mean I have to listen to another fa-” and that was as far as Morning got before Shining punched him in the throat.

In a matter of seconds, the two of them got into a fight, throwing hooves at each other and tussling on the floor. Guards from around the room rushed to break them up, even Blueblood ran over to them. Yet, as much as they tried to get them to separate, they punched, kicked, and bit at one another. Shining lit up his horn where he pushed Morning off of him and flung him to a wall where he took off his helmet to beat him with it.

At this point, their superior, Sargent Hour pried Shining away. “Enough! That’s enough!”

“Get off me, Sargent!” Shining yelled.

“Attend-hut!” Sargent Hour’s voice boomed in the expansive room. In moments, the guards stood on their hooves to back away, thus giving Blueblood a proper look at the scene.

By the wall, the homophobic guard was bruised and barely standing. Shining was in the same way, with a bruise forming in his eye. Between the two was a unicorn that was bigger than them. A gray wall of muscle with a look that could split mountains and a voice like thunder.

“Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves!” the sergeant yelled. “This is no way for a Royal Guard to behave, especially with a royal present! How dare you have a fight like this and fall into such petty, undisciplined disorder! Corporal Shining Armor, you especially have disgraced us tonight!”

“Sargent?!” Shining’s mouth hangs open.

“You are in no way in charge of discipline, and your violent outburst will cost you. You will be court-martialed for this, do you hear me Corpal?!”

Shining didn’t answer.

“Are you deaf Corpal!? Do you understand me?!”

Looking up at him, Shining handed Sargent Hour his bent helmet. “With all due respect Sargent Hour, if this is the best that the guard stands for if this is what I can expect after doing my duty… I want none of it.” He dropped his helmet in front of him. “Sargent Hour. I quit.”

The guards all were wide-eyed at the declaration of Shining Armor’s exit, including the terrified Prince Blueblood. The Prince ran to Shining to give him a big hug, a hug which Shining had to accept. Shining kept the hug going as he whispered, “We should step out of the house for now... I suddenly don’t want to be here anymore.”

Shining wanted more than anything to simply leave, but after that display that his fellow guards had witnessed… in a way, he couldn’t simply up and go either. After all, his friend was called a slur within earshot. If anything, he wanted to see if the prince was okay at least.

Blueblood walked Shining out towards the gardens of his estate. Towards the grove of trees that were out of sight from the chateau, and especially away from any of the guards. For a while, the two of them walked side by side in silence, not sure what to say. But eventually, they knew that after something like that, someone had to say something.

“I’m so sorry.” Shining finally said.

Blueblood stopped, “No, no, don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Not that, just…” he frowned, “Be honest with me, Blueblood. Was that the first time someone said that out loud about you?”

Blueblood didn’t respond.

Sighing, Shining shook his head, “I told you from the start that I don’t like bullies. Even if it's something like name-calling, and especially when it’s towards a friend… I didn’t imagine that my roommate would be so homophobic.”

“Shining-”

“It’s disgusting, that’s what it is.” Shining interrupted, sitting down on a stone bench. “When I joined the guard, I was sworn an oath that I would defend the safety, honor, and dignity of every royal we serve. Hearing that while you were in the same room shocked me. Even more so that you’re my friend. Hearing something so ignorant and dismissive when I got to know you a little…” He shook his head, “I don’t even want to be in the guard after something like that.”

“Shining, wait,” Blueblood sat down next to him, his hoof on his shoulder and a look of desperation on his face. “Let’s not rush into things like that.”

“Not rush? Celestia’s flank, Blueblood! My superior was more upset that I threw the first punch than Morning calling you a…” Shining didn’t want to finish that sentence. “It’s hypocritical to me. No, I don’t even want to work with these ponies anymore.”

“But Shining-”

“What horrifies me the most is… Is this the kind of stuff you have to deal with? Not just from nobility or Canterlot’s elite, or even from dignitaries, but your own guards? The very same that swore to protect and defend you? And the fact I’m in it just makes me sick.”

“You don’t need to leave,” Blueblood insisted, fearing that unless he said something, this might be the last time he would ever get to see him. “I-I have sway over the guard. I could explain it to my aunt. I could-”

“Blueblood,” Shining stood up. “Look, do whatever you need to do, but I’m done. Got that? I’m done with this job. There isn’t much for me here. I’m sorry, but you’re gonna have to look for someone else to be your bodyguard. I just… I can’t do this anymore.” Shining bowed, “Goodbye, Your Highness.”

Dread filled Blueblood’s chest as Shining turned around and began to head down the path toward the gate. His greatest fear was being realized before his very eyes. He knew that unless he did something right now, Shining was never going to come back.

“Shining!” Blueblood galloped after him, “Shining wait!”

“No, I told you I’m-” Shining felt a strong tug on the collar of his armor that forced him to turn around, “What are you-”

What happened next occurred so fast, that even when Shining realized what Blueblood was doing, it still took time for him to process it.

Blueblood… Prince of Equestria Blueblood… Kissed him. Full on the lips and a hug that begged him not to go. Shining, wide-eyed, looked at Blueblood’s shut eyes that squinted hard enough for tears to form. It was more than clear to Shining that any hint or doubt that the prince had loved him had died with the kiss. He didn’t know how long Blueblood held him there, a few seconds, maybe hours; he was far too shocked to tell. Yet, one thing he did know, what probably shocked him more was how it felt to him. If there was disgust, it wasn’t there. If there was outrage, it too was absent. Instead, the kiss, though being from a stallion, felt like how it felt to kiss Cadance. He could feel from the trembling lips how vulnerable the prince was. And Shining was aware… he wasn’t backing away at all.

When Blueblood finally pulled away, tears rolling down his face, Shining was still shocked.

“I want to love you.” The prince whispered. “I… I want to be with you till the end of our days. I want to be more than a… friend. But look what I did… I’ve ruined everything. And now I’ve made it so much worse by giving you my first kiss… I didn’t want it like this.” Tears clouded Blueblood’s eyes, shutting them tight he added, “P-Please forgive me!” He broke away from Shining, galloping towards the chateau.

There aren’t that many situations where Shining felt genuinely helpless. But seeing Blueblood not only kiss him but say that he loved him was a deal-breaker. His voice choked up of anything to say, and even when he did, the prince was already out of sight.

Only when the Blueblood was gone that he notice something cold on his cheek. Reaching up, he felt that it was a tear that had landed on his face. His shock subsided with the sober realization that even though he had seen this coming from miles away… He did end up hurting Blueblood. And the worst part is, he had no idea what to do at this point.

Bucking at a nearby tree, Shining swore, “Damnit! Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!” he kicked between his curses, and his legs buckled underneath him. His flank on the ground and against a tree, Shining covered his face in shame. In the silence of the garden, Shining found himself doing something that he hadn’t done since he was a colt. He cried. Tears formed in his eyes and they refused to stop. Tears of sorrow, of anger, of confusion, and regret that it had dawned that the kiss had made clear.

Whether he likes it or not, there is a part of him that loves Blueblood.

Chapter 5 - Renaissance

In a long hallway, Shining was scrubbing the marble floor with a toothbrush and a bucket of soapy water. But his punishment also included that for him to complete his task, he would have to do it without using any magic at all. Given what had happened the other day, and had changed his mind about quitting, he wasn’t let off the hook. If anything, Shining had expected something far worse than this laborious task.

“So wait, Blueblood kissed you?” Cadence asked. Although she technically wasn’t supposed to help Shining at all, she did use her magic to help scrub the floors when no one was looking. That, and so to free Shining from holding the brush in his teeth.

“I know, I know,” Shining said quietly, trying to keep his voice down from anyone else hearing him. “But Cadey, you were right. You were a thousand percent right. Blueblood is in love with me and now I just feel horrible.” Shining caught a glimpse of another guard about to walk by, so he ducked his neck back down and took the brush back in his teeth to continue scrubbing.

Cadence shook her head, “I’ll give you that you did stand up to that bully, but I still find it unfair that you’re still being punished anyway.” Looking up, the guard down the hall had passed by, and she lit her horn again to brush the floor again. “What about the other guy? Did your sergeant do anything?”

“Of course not.” Shining huffed, “Which is beyond stupid. That it's perfectly okay to call Blueblood a… you know, but it’s not okay to punch the guy that said that? I can’t be the only one that thinks that's a little hypocritical.”

“Believe me, Shiny, I completely agree. But back to Blueblood for a second. What happened next?”

“Next? Well, he just poured his soul out, cried, and ran back to his home. And I just stood there like an idiot. I wanted to do something, but I had no idea what. It’s not every day that you had a friend kiss you saying they’ve been in love with you this whole time.” Cadence gave him a look, “I know we saw this from the start, but it’s still a surprise that it happened at all.”

“True. But what do you suppose you should do now?”

“I don’t know…” Shining looked over his shoulder. “Cadey, I totally broke the guy’s heart. I doubt he would even want to see me after something like that. And if he did… I don’t have a clue what to even say. He wants me to be his coltfriend, and meanwhile, I’m already in a relationship with you.”

“Why did you think I suggested the open relationship thing.”

Shining ran a hoof through his mane. “I just don’t know what to do at this point.”

Cadence dipped the brush in the soapy water, “Shining, can I ask you something personal?”

“Personal, personal?”

She nodded. “That kiss that he gave you, how did it feel?”

“What?”

“Just think about it for a second, when he kissed you, did you feel anything?”

Shining’s cheeks blushed, looking over his shoulder again, he took up the brush in his teeth to scrub the floor some more. There was a long pregnant pause as Cadance waited for an answer and Shining brushed the marble tiles, almost hoping that she would change the subject. Not just because he was uncomfortable with the question (although that too) but because he feared if he answered it honestly.

Cadence placed a hoof on his back, “Shining,” she said in a caring tone. “It’s okay. You can tell me.”

Eventually Shining traded the brush over to her. With his cheeks still pink he answered, “Remember when we first kissed at the dance back in High School?” She nodded. “It… It felt something like that. The only difference was that somehow… I could just feel his heart was breaking when he kissed me. But that spark, that euphoria was there, but I was still shocked. It felt like how I kissed you. That it felt… right. Eventhough I can’t explain why.”

“Sounds to me that you like him back,” Cadence softly smiled.

“... Maybe…” Shining’s blush deepened. “Personally, I feel that even if I wasn’t in a relationship with you, I don’t think I’m worthy of him.”

“Really? Why not?”

“Like… I feel that if he had come out of his shell a little more, and… maybe know what he was doing, he could probably find somepony better than me. Besides, he told me that he’s never had a coltfriend, despite him coming out. Part of me thinks that he just saw the first good-looking stallion and latched onto me without considering that there might be plenty out there that could be a better fit.”

“Firstly, call it bias, but I think that you are good enough to be loved. Secondly, to a degree, I agree that Blueblood might be inexperienced when it comes to things like dating. Still, what do you think you want to do?”

“I don’t know…” Shining sighed. Taking the brush back into his teeth.

While he scrubbed, the gears turned in Cadance’s head. “Unless…”

Shining looked back up, “Huh?” He asked with the toothbrush in his teeth.

“Well… hear me out. What if…?” She looked over her shoulder, “What if… You could teach him?”

Shining’s eyes widen.

“What I mean is that not only will I allow you to date him, I think I will encourage you to. Because in a way, you are right. We have years of experience in what we like and learning things about communication, love languages, and such. But Blueblood doesn’t likely know that. Even if he did fall out of love with you, you would still pass on some insightful things that could be very helpful for him in the future. Of how to be more confident, what to look out for, and learning about another pony’s boundaries.”

Shining placed the toothbrush on the floor. “Okay but… what if he doesn’t move on? What if I end up dating him more than you? I’m all in for teaching, but what would happen if it might develop into something else?”

This gave Cadance pause, “I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought of that. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what I would do if that happened. Yet, emotionally and logically, I think this would be a step in the right direction. I’d say do what you think is right, and the rest will follow.”

“You’re going to take the leap of faith on this?”

Cadence kissed him on the lips. “Why not, I’ve done it before.”

Before Shining had knocked on the bedroom doors of Blueblood’s bedroom, he had a gut feeling that this was going to be difficult. From the cold stare of the butler to the muffled sobs as he walked down the halls of the prince’s chateau, he had a feeling that this might go messy. If he was honest, it would be shocking if it didn’t, given the state of Blueblood as he imagines.

But for Blueblood, Shining had to try.

“Your Highness,” Shining knocked on the doors, “it’s me, Shining Armor.”

The sobbing became quiet.

“I guess you probably don’t want to see me right now, but I need to talk to you. Could you please open the door?”

No response.

“Look, I’m not angry, okay? I changed my mind about quitting the guard and uh… I figured that I should come clean here. Can I come in?”

After a beat, there was a click, and one of the twin doors opened.

Shining braced himself for the worse; a slap, a kick to the groin, anything that he could honestly accept by this point - if not expected. If he was honest, that would be the best-case scenario. At worst, Blueblood wouldn’t listen to reason, perhaps firing him as his bodyguard. Yet stepping into the enormous bedroom that was as big as a house, he found the prince in a sorry state.

On the bed, wrapped in a fuzzy night robe with pillows surrounding him, the prince looked… disheveled. It seemed that depression had hit Blueblood hard from the red, most eyes that had been crying for hours to his mane that was as chaotic as a pile of straw. He looked at Shining like a little colt who had the worst birthday, Hearths Warming, and the first day of school all rolled into one.

“W-” Blueblood croaked before coughing, “What do you want?”

Shining took out a white handkerchief from his armor. A humorous if universal sign to defuse conflict. “Wait, before you get angry at me, could I at least give an apology?”

“Apology?” Blueblood sniffed, his horn glowed and a box of tissues floated over. “What do you have to apologize for? If anypony should be saying that they’re sorry, it should be me.” He took out a tissue to blow his nose in.

“But… you didn’t do anything.” Shining pointed out.

“Oh c’mon! Of course, I did! Chances are, you probably don’t want to associate with me ever again after what happened.” Another blow, his nose resembling a sour-note trumpet. “For starters, I kissed you. Not even the most romantic way in the best conditions either, but out of stupid desperation that you wouldn’t… And that’s another thing, I should be apologizing for being so clingy. Look, I know you have a marefriend, and it isn’t fair for me to just take you like that. I shouldn’t even have asked you to be my coltfriend, it was stupid of me! I would ask what I was thinking but I don’t I had. Of course, I would ruin everything at the last minute for me being a dumb fa-”

Shining slammed the doors behind him with a loud bang. Blueblood looked at him, wide-eyed. This was the second time he saw Shining get angry, and when those doors slammed, he was looking at him as though he said the most offensive thing he could think of.

“Do not, ever, talk yourself like that again,” Shining told him. “Did you think I wanted to do that? Either you have gone completely deaf, or you would realize all that hot, stinking bullshit that just came out of your mouth.”

Blueblood was stunned, not just for Shining snapping at him, but it was the first time he used any kind of profanity directed towards him.

“You listen to me now. I get your upset. I understand why you are upset. But between the two of us who should apologize for screwing up, I clearly have.” Shining exhaled out his nose, getting himself to calm down a little. “For starters, I suspected that you… liked me from the start. As in… more than a friend.”

“What!” Blueblood sat up from this bed, causing several pillows to tumble over. “You knew this whole time!?”

“Not at first but… eventually I and Cadance caught on.”

“Cadance?” Blueblood tilted his head, “As in Princess Cadance? What does she get to with anything?”

“For one, she pieced it together a lot quicker than I did. And second… remember when I said I have a marefriend?” Shining gestured a hoof as though presenting, “That’s her.”

Blueblood’s jaw hung open in shock. “That… is unbelievable!”

“You’re telling me, but it’s the truth. She knew right away but… I had my doubts. For a while, I thought that maybe you just… I don’t know… needed a friend. With everything said about you and how much we’re together, I figured you might be lonely. But over time, it became clear to me that you saw me more than that.” Shining frowned, “In hindsight, I should have at least asked you about it directly instead of waiting around.”

“Now you tell me!” Blueblood grabbed a pillow, fell backward into the bed, and screamed into it. “Of all the stallions of all Canterlot of all those in the guard I happened to fall for, it’s the coltfriend of my cousin!”

“To be fair, I didn’t know how to bring it up either besides the I had a marefriend thing.”

“Fantastic!” Blueblood flung the pillow off his face, “Now I’m going to have to deal with an irate Princess of Love.”

“Uh…”

Blueblood sat up, “She is upset with me, is she?”

Shining coughed into his hoof awkwardly, “Before I get into that, another thing I should apologize for. I know I said that I didn’t like bullies, and it gets personal with me when someone I know is given something hateful. But that said, I did lose my cool, and maybe I shouldn’t have thrown the first punch, but I shouldn’t have gotten so violent. That and… I should apologize for breaking your heart without… meaning to.”

Blinking, Blueblood stared at him.

Walking towards him, Shining added. “Yes, the kiss did come out of nowhere, but to be fair with the heat of the moment, I forced it out of you. And when you ran off crying I should have said or done something but I had no idea what to do. Maybe I should have stopped you and said… I don’t know what, but I just to sit down and talk it over. Now, however, while you’re here, I want to make sure of two things.”

Sitting back up, the prince sat on the edge of the bed. “And… what would that be?”

“For one, to make sure that you’re still okay. You know, being your bodyguard and all. And second,” Shining placed his hooves on his shoulders, “I also want to make absolutely sure of this…”

Before Blueblood could ask what he was talking about, Shining instead showed him. Closing his eyes, Shining took a leap of faith and kissed the prince. To Blueblood, this was the very last thing in the world he expected to happen at all. Then again… he wasn’t complaining either. In his most vulnerable state when he felt he was at his lowest, Shining’s lips came like the gentle rays of summer, of the sweetest fruit he ever tasted, and with a level of charity he never expected to receive. Blueblood’s hoof rested on Shining’s neck to draw closer, and another to his face. It was something that he couldn’t easily put into words, nor just past experience. For it was… poetry, in physical form.

Neither was sure how long their second kiss was, but when Shining did pull away for breath, they gasped for air. Blueblood looked at him, he could see that his cheeks were as red and hot as his. Stepping away, Shining wiped his lips with a hoof.

“... Uh…” Shining cleared his throat. “Hey uh… Blueblood…?”

“Yes?”

“... I don’t think I’m entirely straight.”

This finally got a laugh out of the prince, “You are now just realizing it?”

“Well… yeah.” He nodded, “Still… Just know that with everything, I am sorry for screwing up.”

“You’re pardoned… But it is still wrong, isn’t it? I mean, you are Cadance’s coltfriend.”

Shining breathed in, “True… but there’s a little more I haven’t said yet.”

“What do you mean?”

Scratching the back of his mane, Shining hesitated to say it out loud. “She uh… Wants to share me with you.”

Out of all the shocking news Blueblood has heard, this bomb makes all the other revelations look like firecrackers. “... Now you’re just pulling my leg.”

“No no, I’m serious! But it’s for a good reason. We know that you aren’t exactly… knowledgeable when it comes to romantic relationships or the like. And not to bash you, but you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Gee, thanks.” Blueblood deadpanned.

“So,” Shining cleared his throat, his cheeks still radiating red, “Cadance and I talked this over, and we think for the long run, it would be a good idea for… Me to teach you how.”

Blueblood blinked… and blinked again, “Come again?”

“I get it, it’s a weird idea. But we have experience with this sort of stuff. We know the pitfalls and we know the reality of being in a romantic relationship. Both of us have seen a thing or two that I think would benefit you. Even if this doesn’t work out for whatever reason, you would at least have a good idea of what to look out for in a romantic partner. To help navigate you through even the most trickiest situations. So in a way, Cadence is permitting me to date you. But when we do, it’ll be more teaching than anything else. To help you out so that you would know what you’re doing.”

“And… Cadence is okay with this?”

“Hey, you could ask her yourself, but I’m telling you the truth.” Shining sat down on the bed next to him. “All things considered, I don’t think you’re a bad pony. Even as a friend you did help a lot, and you’ve taught me a thing or two. So in a way, I want to return the favor and ask you a… well… a really big question.”

“What would that be?”

Shining looked away, his blush still hadn’t gone away as he meekly asked, “If it’s okay with you… do you want to be more than just friends?”

Blueblood, with tears of joy in his eyes, hugged Shining tightly, “I thought you’d never ask.” And kissed him again, but this time, without regret or shame.

Shining stood to the side in the throne room of the palace to bear witness to something remarkable. Blueblood stood in front of rows and rows of the entire palace staff. Everypony from butlers to cooks, guards of every rank to even gardeners stood in this mandatory meeting. By the looks on their faces, they didn’t know what was going on or why the prince had summoned all of them in one place. Even Shining, who knew what was going to happen, still can’t believe that Blueblood was even doing this at all.

The prince looked out at the entire servant staff like he was facing an army. But instead of cowering, he stood his ground to make a sort of last stand.

“You’re probably wondering why I summoned all of you here in one place.” Blueblood began. “Namely, it’s to deal with an issue that has been brewing for some time. I understand that some of you have a major problem with me. Not for my character, per-se, but for the fact that I am a gay stallion.”

No one dared say a word.

“Over the past few days, thanks to a certain… incident at my residence, I saw the true colors of the very ponies that have taken an oath to protect and uphold my honor. I will not name names. You know who you are. And you know the result of it. The only stallion, neigh, the only guard that had come to my defense at all, was punished. While the one who provoked it, but dared to call me a fag, did not. So it has become clear to me, that defending my honor isn’t much of a priority. That apparently, there may be some of you in this room that would rather do the worst things imaginable, than to be around me for five minutes.”

There was a long pause among them. No one dared say anything.

“Therefore,” Blueblood continued, “I shall offer every one of you one of two choices. Option one: you can hand in your resignation. It will be accepted fully and as an extent of my charity, you will not face any negative consequences. If you have some deep-seated hatred towards me for the high, unspeakable crime of existing, the very least any of you could do, is say it to my face!” He stomped his hoof which echoed in the great hall.

After taking in a deep breath, Blueblood added, “All you need to do, is simply step forward, and we’ll arrange your resignation, here and now.”

For a long, tense minute, Blueblood looked out at the army of staff and guards. Scanning over for any movement. Yet, in that stillness… not a single one stepped forward. Not a single one made any remark. If anything, as Shining looked on… there was a look of shame. Even among his superiors, he didn’t look the prince in the eye.

“Which leaves with the second option,” Blueblood finally said. “You will all be permitted to stay, but from here on out, I want all of you to make a promise. Now, repeat after me: I will be kind and courteous towards the prince, regardless of sexuality.”

Now the entire staff looked at one another, partly in surprise, and partly in disbelief.

“Well?” Blueblood called out. “I want to hear it. I will be kind and courteous towards the prince, regardless of sexuality.”

In a murmur, they repeated. “I-I will be kind and courteous towards the prince, regardless of sexuality.”

“Louder, again,” Blueblood commanded.

“I will be kind and courteous towards the prince, regardless of sexuality.”

Satisfied, Blueblood nodded. “I want all of you to remember those words exactly. That is a promise to me. And let it be warned, if I hear any one of you say or do something in disrespect towards me, you will be fired. It won’t matter to me what rank you are, and how long you’ve worked, if you are not kind or courteous towards me because of my sexuality, you will be fired. End of story. And before any of you get ideas to petition my aunt, she already knows this and approves of the addition to the rules. For I might be gay, but do not, for one minute think that you won’t face any consequences. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” They said in unison.

Nodding, Blueblood looked over them one last time, “You are all dismissed.”

The entirety of the palace staff turned and walked out of the throne room. As they were exiting, the prince turned his attention towards Shining.

“As for you, I want to offer up a royal pardon. To have your rank be restored and to write off what you did was the right thing.”

“Thank you,” Shining nodded, “No offense to you, but I didn’t think you could be intimidating while in front of everypony.”

“It had to be done,” Blueblood huffed. “What happened to you was unjust. Sometimes you need to give them a swift kick to get them to act right. To show that there are consequences from being narrow-minded like that.”

“Frankly, I’m shocked you didn’t fire anyone.”

“Oh, I could have. But what would be the point? After all, my Auntie would be disappointed in me if I didn’t at least offer them a road to redemption somehow. Or at least, a second chance. Besides, even to those who are homophobic, I had to demonstrate that I will neither tolerate their disrespect nor stoop down to their level.”

Moments later, the remaining of the palace staff had left the hall. Leaving the two of them alone.

With them being in the clear, Shining asked with a smirk. “So…?”

“Hm?”

“I’m just curious is all, when will we be going on our first date?”

The prince’s eyes went wide, his cheeks turned pink. “Uh… beg your pardon?”

“Well, I’ve never been on a gay date before, but I think that if I’m technically going to be your coltfriend, then I would like to know when we start dating.”

“I… My I haven’t even thought of that.”

“It’s alright. If you want, you could probably ask Cadance for help planning it out.”

“Right…” Blueblood let out a heavy breath, “Oh, this is going to be stranger than I thought.”

“It’s okay,” Shining patted him on the back. “I’m as much new to this stuff as you are, so at least there’s that. Just take your time to figure things out and then we’ll carry it from there.”

Blueblood softly laughed, “The very notion of it makes me wonder if I’ve gone made.”

“Then I’ll be glad to take you on a tour through Wonderland,” Shining smirked, kissing Blueblood. “So, will that be all, Your Majesty?”

Blushing, Blueblood grinned. “Yes, that will do for now.”

“So… why are you okay with this?”

Cadence looked up from her glass of lemonade. “What?”

Blueblood frowned, “You know.”

“What?”

“The elephant in the room.” Blueblood set his fork aside. Out in the royal gardens underneath a canopy, the two royals were having a rather tense brunch. Tense being that now the secret is out - both of them are seeing the same pony, and yet, the Princess of Love hasn’t mentioned Shining once. Propping his elbows on the table, Blueblood inquired, “You’ve been dating Shining Armor.”

She nodded.

“Since around High School?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And you knew that I was falling in love with your coltfriend this entire time?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “How come you never once brought it up? If you knew from the start, why didn’t you say anything to me that I had been infatuated with your coltfriend?”

Cadence didn’t answer right away. She used her magic to swirl the ice in the lemonade with a straw. “Truthfully? It’s something that I had been trying to figure out myself. But I could answer part of your question. The reason why Shining and I had been keeping this under wraps is that of timing. If word got out this soon that I’d been dating Shining before I graduated, everyone from the press to the nobility would see it as irresponsible on my part. And before you say anything, this was Celestia’s idea. We were planning on letting the public at large know after I get my degree.”

“... I’m not sure if that’s a good reason.”

“Whoever said it was? Is it a fair reason? Not really, but it is the reality of the situation. Another part has also to do with Shining.”

“How so?”

After a sip of lemonade, she told him, “Between you and me, until Shining took up that position of being your bodyguard, I thought that Shining was straight. But as time went on, I had this growing suspicion that maybe he has an attraction to you without realizing it. So there is the idea that I considered before - that he could have feelings for males as well. I didn’t say anything to him either, because I know that figuring out one's sexuality is a personal journey that could only be discovered individually. The last thing I want from Shining is to be in denial of himself, to pretend to be someone that he’s not.”

Blueblood leaned back in his seat. “Even if that’s true, that still doesn’t answer the question. Why are you okay with him dating me?”

Cadance shrugged, “That for me is the most difficult thing to answer. It’s not that I’m conflicted at all. Of course, I am. Is it jarring that Shining would be seeing both me and you? Oh absolutely. But the more I gave this some thought, the more I started to piece together why. If Shining wanted to also date someone who is a stranger to me, that would be one thing. I think I would have a problem with that, especially if he went behind my back about it. However, this is different. For one, Shining and I have pieced together almost from the beginning what was going on. That, and I know you.”

Blueblood rubbed the back of his head. “I never thought that this would happen either. Technically speaking, I’m going to date a stallion that is already in a relationship. I want to ask that before anything happens any further, are there any boundaries I should be aware of?”

Humming, Cadence tapped her chin. “Good question. If I’m honest, this is new to me as well. Yet, the only thing I can think of is that I don’t want you to mistreat Shining. If I hear you did anything bad to him, I will be ending this. However, you must understand that the idea behind all this is that in a way, I’m lending you Shining to be as a… a practice coltfriend?”

“Practice? What does that even mean?”

“... Can I ask you a personal question?” Cadence leaned forward, “And be honest with me here, but have you ever gone on a date with anypony?”

Blueblood was silent, folded his forelegs, and shook his head.

“The point of this is to help you gain experience with dating. Shining and I have learned a great deal in the years we’ve been dating, which I think would benefit you. If anything, we think this would teach you what to look for in a coltfrined, in case for whatever reason it doesn’t work out with Shining. Our end goal is to help you gain confidence and experience so that you would know what to look for.”

“So it’s not just me dating him, but he’s going to be teaching me?”

Cadence nodded, “That’s the idea.”

There was another long pause. Blueblood stirred the ice in his glass of lemonade when a thought came to him, “Suppose… And this is a what if… What if Shining and I do end up with a deep connection like yours? That we both end up falling in love. What happens then?”

Now it was Cadance’s turn to be deep in thought. “That is a tough question, but one worth considering. It’s a possibility, and while I can’t predict the future, I think I know one thing. Regardless of how this will go, from now on, that will have to be determined by the three of us. Maybe he would prefer to me, or maybe you, or perhaps both. From now on, all of us will have to work together, to play by ear to see how this would turn out.”

“I understand,” Blueblood nodded. “Which leads to the next thing I want to ask.”

“Oh?”

“... How do I date Shining?”

Cadence raised an eyebrow.

“I mean, this will be the first time we will be dating, knowing fully that this is a date. My problem is that being outside of our duties, I’m at a loss where to start.”

Humming, Cadence tapped her chin, “When Shining and I do it, we take turns of who hosts it. I guess that you’re going first?”

Blueblood shrugged, “I assume so.”

“Okay. If I were you, I’d start something simple like having dinner somewhere. Don’t worry, Shining will eat anything as long as it’s good.”

That gave the prince something to think about. He remembered how Shining took him to the Copper Pot Cafe where despite being humble, the food and coffee they served was quite good. He wondered if he should return the favor and take Shining out to a place that he likes.

A smile crept on Blueblood’s face. Yes, that would do nicely.

If Shining was honest, he wasn’t entirely sure what Blueblood had in mind for their first, real date. Knowing royalty, money is no object, and exclusive is laughable. So as the palanquin was sat down on Restaurant Row, it came as no surprise that the prince had started at the most expensive place to eat in Canterlot.

He had heard about this particular restaurant. A place so expensive that either you go for very special occasions, or that you are wealthy. Canterlot is no stranger to Prench restaurants and bakeries, but Trop Cher pour Mager is legendary among foodies and food critics for being the best of the best of the best.

“Not that I’m questioning it,” Shining said after he and the prince got out of the palanquin, “but I am curious as to why here.”

“Outside of the palace or my home, it’s a personal favorite of mine. Not only all the food here is imported from Prance, but they serve it with a flare that most restaurants don’t do. That, and I also love the name too. Trop Cher pour Mager. I wonder what it means.”

“Maybe my High School Prench is resty, but doesn’t it literally mean: Too Expensive to Eat?”

“Not for me at least.”

“Yeah, but that’s because you’re royalty.”

Blueblood blinked, “So?”

“Never mind,” Shining shook his head but smiled amusingly. “Let’s see how this goes.”

Taking them through the doors, the waiter usured them through the restaurant. The first thing that stood out was that the interior was nearly white. From floor to ceiling, window curtains to table cloths, everything about the restaurant was a spotless white. In terms of decoration, it was minimal with a few monochrome pictures in white frames and each table had a single white orchid. The only colors that popped out were the staff, customers, string trio, and the flood. The latter especially as the colors were vibrant, the smells were inviting, and the presentation of each plate served was arranged like a work of art.

Their waiter showed them to their table, tucked in a corner of the restaurant that was closest to the kitchen.

“Would you gentlestallions care for anything to drink?” their waiter asked.

“As a matter of fact,” Blueblood said, “do you have a bottle of Romanée?”

“We do indeed.”

“Bring us a couple of wine glasses and the Romanée.”

After the waiter left, Shining asked, “I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s the most expensive bottle on the menu,” Blueblood smirked, “And only the best for you.”

Shining let out a sigh, “Okay, I think I’m gonna have to stop you right there.”

“Huh?” The prince blinked, “What’s wrong?

“So first lesson here, what do you think a date is?”

Blueblood blinked again, “I don’t follow?”

“I mean, what do you think is the goal of going on a date?”

Tilting his head, Blueblood answered, “Isn’t it to… impress the pony you like?”

Shining shook his head. “Not really. From my experience, dating is more like an audition. You’re trying to see if the pony you like would be the kind you can see yourself living within the long term.”

“... But I thought this is how dating is supposed to go.”

“It’s not necessary. You don’t have to impress anyone into a relationship.” Sitting up against the seat, Shining added, “Besides, as someone who has dated, there is an unhelpful idea that I think we should talk about before going any further.”

“And what’s that?”

“Well, to give up the idea that we’re angels incarnate. We are ponies. Deeply flawed, deeply damaged, and deeply imperfect ponies. I’m not pointing this out to discourage you, but to point out that anypony you think is perfect are those you haven’t gotten to know yet.”

“Huh…” Blueblood rubbed the back of his neck, “This is such a bizarre concept.”

“But a helpful one. Cadence and I came to this realization when we started dating. Each of us thinks that the other is this flawless being, but the more we go out and get to know each other, the more we realize that despite being imperfect, we still find many lovable things.”

Blueblood paused for a moment, “This is… a radically new way of approaching romance that I anticipated. With so many love stories and movies tell about how two ponies are met up by fate, fall in love, and live happily ever after.”

“I get it, but it’s not always helpful when it comes to this sort of thing. So, how about we start this over by asking a simple question.” Shining leaned forward, and with a smirk asked, “In what way are you crazy?”

“Beg your pardon?” Blueblood laughed. “You think that question is simple?”

“Yet you answered, did you not?” Shining pecked him on the nose.

Rubbing his nose, the prince giggled, “You can’t be serious.”

“Actually I am. Trust me on this, it’s a lot more relatable when someone tells you their flaws than their accomplishments.”

“Like what?”

“Well, for example,” Shining cleared his throat. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I might be short-sighted when it comes to social stuff. That it takes me a while to piece together that someone wants to be their friend or…” he waved a hoof, “ya know. Another thing I have is that I hate to raise a complaint, even when it’s justified.”

“Really?” Blueblood blinked, “But I saw you do just that a couple of weeks ago.”

“That’s another thing too,” Shining looked away, “as paradoxical as it sounds, I’m quick to defend ponies, that they come first before my own needs. It’s not a good habit to have, I know, but I don’t want to personally inconvenience others.”

“Huh, here I thought you had the personality of a teddy bear, not a welcome mat.”

“Maybe,” Shining shrugged, “But why did you think it took me so long to get above being a private?”

Blueblood was about to make a remark but found nothing came out of his mouth.

“What about you?” Shining asked, “Is there anything that makes it difficult to be around?”

Humming, Blueblood looked away from Shining to think. This was certainly radical from any expectations he had, yet at the same time… it did make sense. Since Shining had applied to be a bodyguard, he had seen him as this perfect being who didn’t have too many serious problems. And yet, here Shining was, openly talking about those flaws.

“I suppose,” the prince said, “That I could be a bit… arrogant.”

Shining raised an eyebrow.

“Fine, I am arrogant. Yet you must understand that I was brought up to have a high opinion of myself. There is pressure to be the height of Equestrian high culture or else, I would be seen as a laughing stock.”

“Huh,” Shining tilted his head, “So most of it is due to keeping up with appearances.”

“Very much so. After all, when the eyes of the entire kingdom are on you, ponies aren’t so forgiving if they even suspect that you might be like them. Frown at the wrong moment when a camera snaps your picture, you’re seen as an unsympathetic grump. Say a name wrong, and you are seen as insensitive. Have a disagreement, and half the kingdom will see you as something worse than any demon in Taterus. In a way, it’s where my reputation of being a perfectionist comes from.”

“How so?”

Blueblood folded his forelegs, “It’s probably no surprise that I had so many ponies that worked for me quit. Yes, I’m very much aware that my expectations are high, very high, but I have them for a good reason. A prince is only as graceful and flawless as those who serve him. I indeed expected everyone who works for me to go the extra mile, but that’s because I don’t tolerate those who don’t take it as seriously as I do.”

“All because the whole world is watching, huh?”

There was no reply.

“I mean, I get it,” Shining said. “When your family has done a great deal, it’s tough to keep up with something like that. I mean, my little sister, Twilight, is way smarter than me and she was able to be Celestia’s student when she was just her cutie mark. She’s been learning to do all sorts of things that I didn’t think a unicorn could do. Meanwhile, I’m just some guy trying to get a good enough standing in the guard, waiting for Cadance to graduate so that what we have won’t be a secret anymore. Some days I wonder if I’m even doing enough.”

“But… I thought you already are.”

“Huh?” Shining blinked.

“Shining, you stood up for me when a guard had said that slur. Not many ponies could do what you did - you stood up for what was right when doing so is the most difficult. You stood up to your principles when most would leave them when it's convenient. If anything…” Blueblood looked over his shoulder and said softly, “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but I’ve been talking to my aunt about giving you a knighthood.”

Surprise didn’t cover what Shining heard, his mouth hung open, eyes wide, and he wasn’t sure if his ears were working. “I’m sorry,” he finally said, “I think my ears might be clogged, but did you say want to make me a knight?”

“Why not? I think you deserved it. Besides, Sir Shining Armor has a nice ring to it.”

“Uh… Okay, wow, thanks…” Shining ran a hoof over his mane. “Of all the things out of this date, that I didn’t see coming.”

“Don’t thank me yet, I’m waiting on Auntie Celestia’s decision.”

“Pardon, gentle stallions,” they turned to the waiter who arrived with the bottle, two wine glasses, and a decanter, “I have your drinks.”

“I take it you enjoyed dinner?” Blueblood asked with a bemused smirk.

Inside the palanquin, Shining sat across from him. A hoof on his belly and a satisfied look on his face. “I won’t lie,” he told me, “I think I ate well at that place than I probably had in months.”

“There’s a reason why it’s one of my favorite places to eat. Although… I confess that I’m not entirely sure what to do next when my turn comes around.”

“Maybe nothing like that, but something we can still enjoy.” Shining smiled, “And by the way, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to have another date.”

Blueblood’s eyes widened, and his ears perked up, “Really!” An excitable squeak escaped his maw. As soon as he realized this, a hoof to cover his embarrassing squeal, he cleared his throat. “I mean, I would like that.”

Shining laughed, “There, that’s what I want to see,” he leaned across over to the prince, “the real you - warts and all.”

“And here I didn’t think you would be the kind that would like an ugly ducking.”

Reaching a hoof under Blueblood’s chin, Shining drew in for a kiss. Never had the prince ever humiliated himself so much and yet felt so happy that he did. He threw his forehooves around his boyfriend's shoulders to kiss back, enjoying the moment.

Shining pulled away and nuzzled their noses, “What you see as ugly, I see as beautiful. You don’t need to put up an act, because the real you is who I want to see.”

Chapter 6 - The School of Love

“Why here of all places?”

Shining glanced up at what Blueblood was referring to. Being his turn, Shining thought that this time they should go somewhere a bit more… remote. Not out of the city, but in a place where not many ponies go to at this time of night. In front of him was the Canterlot Aquatic Center, an indoor pool that is usually crowded during the day. But being the evening, however, the building is closed up for the night.

“Well, why not?” Shining asked with a smirk, “Can’t swim?”

“That’s not the issue. Why come here when it’s closed?”

“Because we’re going inside.”

Blueblood’s eyes widen, “You mean breaking in? Surely you can’t be serious?”

“Yep,” Shining went over to the chainlink fence. “Besides, there’s no security here anyway, the doors are never locked, and no one comes by until morning.” Another smirk, “Wanna give it a chance?”

“... I’m rather surprised at you. I never thought you had a mischievous side.”

“Well… You could blame Cadance, really. She had done this before we even started dating and showed me how to get in. Besides, we’ve done it plenty of times and we’ve never once been caught. And besides, I thought it would be fun to take a dip with you.”

Blueblood peered upwards at the building. At the roof were huge windows that showed an aqua light that reflected the pool. In front of them was a chain-link fence that encompassed the entire building, where the gate was barred and padlocked. Beyond it, was the wide entrance that led towards the changing rooms. Only the full moon and the pool gave any lights.

“But why?” Blueblood asked, “In the time I’ve known you, you’ve been the most law-abiding pony I know.”

“I am. But sometimes a little rule-breaking is fine as long as it doesn’t go too far.” Shining started to trot towards the fence but noticed that Blueblood wasn’t following him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that he hadn’t moved. So he turned around and walked back to him. “Hey, we don’t have to if you don’t want to. I just thought it would be fun and relaxing for us. If you wanna go somewhere else, we can.”

Blueblood eyed the building, “It’s just… strange is all. I’ve been brought up to always follow the rules and laws. Never step out of line in that, but… Never once been tempted in doing it.”

“Especially when if we do, I guarantee that we won’t get caught.” Shining softly smiled. “I promise that you’ll be safe, nopony would know we were here. I’ve done it countless times with Cadance, and now, I’m giving that opportunity to you. To cut loose for a bit and have fun where no one is looking.”

Another glance at the building, “But neither of us brought any bathing suits.”

“Ha, so?” Shining’s smile widened, and Blueblood’s face went red.

“You mean… as in naked?”

“Your Highness, apart from that tie and suit piece thing, you have no clothes.”

There was a long pregnant pause.

“And… how do we get in?”

Shining lit up his horn where he took a part of a fence and peeled it upwards. High enough for a full-grown stallion to squeeze through. “The owners never fixed this part of the fence.” He waved a hoof. “After you.”

Blueblood glanced between the opening and over his shoulder. The palanquin had left them minutes ago at a side of Canterlot that is almost deserted. Looking around, it didn’t seem like anyone was watching. “So… you won’t tell anypony about this?”

“Only if you don’t.”

One last glance over his shoulder, and the prince ducked his head under the opening with Shining followed after. The two of them approach the entrance with Shining lighting up his horn to illuminate the tiled space. Weaving through the lockers and showers until they came to the indoor pool. A strange serine place where both the moonlight and the lights underneath the water gave a quiet, peaceful scene. Being empty of swimmers from the day, the two took in how massive this pool is from the looming diving board to the slide in the back that makes it look so otherworldly in the light. And being so empty, every sound they make comes back to them in an echo with nothing interfering.

“You know Shining,” Blueblood commented, “I never thought a place like this would have a uniquely calming atmosph-”

“CANNONBALL!” Shining galloped at full speed towards the pool, lept at the edge, and curled into a ball before crashing into the water letting lead out a splash from it. Blueblood took a step back when the water threatened to get his hooves wet. A moment later, Shining’s head poked out of the water. “Hey, the water’s great! Come on in!”

“Like… now?” Blueblood looked down at his suit collar. “As in… Now, now?”

“Yeah, take that off and get in.” Shining swam up to the pool’s edge.

Reaching up to his collar, a sense of embarrassment was painted on the prince’s face. “As silly as it sounds, I think I would feel naked without this.”

“You’re naked already, it’s not like you’re putting on a strip show. Besides, I don’t think you want that to get wet, right?”

“Well… no.”

“Then c’mon,” Shining flipped around, kicking against the pool’s tilted walls to propel him out further in the water.

Out of modesty, Blueblood turned around to undo his bowtie and unbutton the collar off him to place them on a nearby sun chair. Although what Shining had pointed out was indeed true, to him it was like flaying himself, to be completely without any hide at all to where he’s at the most vulnerable with nothing to cover him. He was thankful at least that Shining wasn’t looking by the time he slipped into the pool.

At the same time while getting in, he also began to wonder… why. Why did Shining choose to come here to skinny-dip in a public pool after hours? Didn’t Shining also want him to teach him about something or other? This seemed like a rather unorthodox way to approach it if that was his intent. Then again, it probably wouldn’t hurt to ask.

“So what’s your reason for coming here?” Blueblood swam over to him. “Is this another lesson you have for me, or do you have something else in mind since we’re alone in a pool?”

Shining’s face turned red, “Okay first off, I’m not sure if I’m ready to go that far. And second, there is a lesson I have for you.”

“So why here?”

“Because this one needs… privacy. It’s on a topic that might be too sensitive for anyone else to hear.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “And what would that be?”

Shining moved in the water to where he was floating on his back with his forelegs stretched out to balance him. “If there’s anything I’ve learned about relationships with Cadance, is that we might think we’re looking for someone that makes us happy… But the truth is, it’s not.”

“No?” Blueblood swam over to him, taking hold of his foreleg. “If not to be happy, then what would we be looking for?”

“This is going to sound odd, but there is truth in this: in terms of a relationship, what we’re really looking for is someone who feels - deep down - familiar. Some traits of them that remind us of someone we’ve known. This could be anyone from our earliest memories to even yesterday can have a huge effect on what we expect out of love. It could be our parents or caregivers, siblings, even friends, teachers - anyone that we care enough for. But even then in love, there is something that most aren’t aware of is that we can be attracted to ponies that were awful because we knew someone in the past that was also awful.”

“But why would anyone do that?”

Shining tilted his head over towards him. “Because growing up, we may have experienced some bad things from the ponies we loved. Maybe they bullied us, or belittled, didn’t take us seriously, maybe shouted - of course it was awful, but that is the sort of thing we were familiar with. What ponies may not be aware, of is that even when they’re dating someone who on paper is good for them, they feel disconnected. Because they sense that this pony won’t make them suffer in the way they need to suffer to make them think that love is real.”

“Sheesh! That’s a cheery thought.”

“Maybe not, but the reason why I’m bringing this up now is that boil it all down, our pasts affect how we love in the present. And sometimes you have to look at it for what it was. Like if you’re into the bad colt, let’s say, who smokes, drinks, and treats you like trash… that should give you some pause. But then again, not everypony has the same experiences.”

Shining flipped around in the pool, diving under for a second and reappearing behind the prince.

“I suppose that makes sense.” Blueblood said thoughtfully, “I never realized that before.”

“With all that in mind, let’s play a game.” Shining swam over to the prince, placing his front hooves around his body. “Who do I remind you of?”

This was such a revolutionary idea that Blueblood was at a loss for how to approach it. Until now, he had seen Shining as someone rather unique. Like a of a one-of-a-kind event. It’s rather hard to even come close to his mind… at least, as a whole. Then he thought about about possible individual traits.

“I suppose…” Blueblood began. “There may be a few ponies you vaguely remind me of. But only in parts.”

“That’s a great place to start,” Shining nodded, “Like what?”

“Well, first to come to mind is that you are the strong type… Reminded me of my first crush when I was a teenager.”

“Really?” Shining smirked, “Who was he?”

“Hm… For the life of me, I don’t know who his name was, but I remember what he looked like. He was this strong athlete that had the kind of muscles to die for. I think he had this personality that he could carry the entire world on his back and make it look easy. I never got to know him personally, at the time I was too nervous about going anywhere near him for fear that I might come off as a lunatic, or an idiot.”

“If it helps, I did the same when I met Cadance - took weeks just to say hello to her.”

“You also have the kindness of Aunt Celestia.”

Shining blinked, “Wait, really?”

“Honest, aside from Cadance, I remember liking Celestia. But in hindsight, it’s because she treated me a lot nicer than my parents. While… not saying much, she was always excited to see me and was willing to listen and play with me when I was a foal. Where my parents expected me to grow up quickly, she allowed me to simply be a kid. She’s always been kind, and I trusted her enough to come out to her first.”

Ears folded flat against Shining’s head, “Sorry to hear that.”

“What?”

“It sounds like your parents weren’t that great, were they?”

Blueblood frowned. “That is an understatement. When they died, I didn’t cry once. It’s rather hard to feel sorry for someone who only saw you as a political tool to gain the upper ranks of society. But on the other hoof, there is a small trait of theirs that you remind me of?”

“I do?” Shining blinked.

“Remember when you stood up for me? For all their faults, the one commendable thing about my parents was that they were strong-willed. Whenever anypony doubted my abilities, they stepped in to tell them off, insisting that I wasn’t a failure at all. That I can become great, entitled to be so…” Blueblood paused, “That came out wrong.”

“Point is, they build up your self-esteem.”

“If you like.” The prince shrugged. “And what about you? Who do I remind you of?”

“Well like yours, you have traits of ponies I know here and there?”

“Such as?”

“For one, you kinda remind me of my little sister. I think I had told you a little bit about Twilight, had I?”

“A little. That she’s Celestia’s student.”

“And also ridiculously smart.” Shining nodded. “Seriously, growing up when I had trouble understanding my homework, I didn’t turn to my parents, I turned to her because she’s like a walking library despite being younger than me. Like you, she knows all sorts of cultural trivia stuff that I never even heard of. Ask her about anything like a particular piece of classical music or modern art, and she could give you an entire lecture on it.”

“I’m flattered that you think I’m a walking librarian of Equestria.” Blueblood pecked his lips before continuing. “ But it’s not like I know everything… I know everything about Canterlot and classical music, fine art, and cultures around the world, but I had to due to being the Prince that I am.”

Shining embraced Blueblood gently. “But that’s the trait that makes you special. I’d say you're the smartest stallion in Canterlot by default. I can’t imagine what it’d be like if you weren’t the voice of reason in my life.”

“Really? Voice of reason?” Blueblood laughed. “I never thought I come off as such. But we’re getting off-topic, who else do I remind you of?”

“Well, in a way you have certain traits that remind me of my parents.”

“How so?”

“I can see that you have my mother’s strong will, and my father’s need for organization.”

“Speaking of which, I am curious, what are they like?”

“In a nutshell? Dad is an astronomer for the Canterlot Observatory. Mom is an editor for hire, who loves thrill rides. I mean seriously, whenever we’re at a park with a rollercoaster, she immediately makes a B-line for it. Overall, they have their hooves full, but I still think they’re good enough.”

Blueblood frowned, “Is it bad to tell your coltfriend that you envy them?”

“What do you mean?”

“That you had the one thing I would love to have, but didn’t? You had a good family, I only had Celestia and later Cadance. My parents had skipped my foalhood altogether and went straight to make me into an adult in miniature form. There were days I wished that I could exchange them for someone that would treat me better.”

Shining hugged him, “Hey, I’m here at least.”

In that embrace, Blueblood planted a kiss on his lips. “And I thank you all the more for that.”

For what it’s worth, perhaps having a coltfriend like Blueblood is a beautiful destiny he never knew he wanted. It had been a few days, and their secured yet tempting relationship had been simple. Even today, he welcomes the Prince with a full embrace of hooves as they kiss in Blueblood’s office.

Blueblood had been getting used to embracing Shining day and night, having his forehooves caressing the shoulders and face of his lover. He felt calm having felt his lover's pair of hooves around him, feeling the warmth of his gentle arms. At the same time, they squealed against their kiss in sheer delight on the inside.

They didn’t need to worry about any work-related issues for that day, as they had a full day to themselves this time. They had the excuse to be clingy in the daylight hours at the office, cuddling and whispering in peace with nopony walking in.

“You're such a delight, you know that?” Blueblood whispered against his ear, “I bet it’s the first time you’ve heard it come from a stallion.” he teased as he kissed his way on the cheek.

“It’s beautiful coming from you.” Shining responded, his hooves exploring more of Blueblood’s waistline. “Beautiful in every way.”

“Shiny…” Blueblood squealed at the massage on his waist by his lover's hooves, he threw his forehooves around his shoulder passionately as he whispered seductively. “Darling, how much I love you do I have to say for us to sleep over tonight?”

Shining blinked, “Sleepover?”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry, but this is news to me, what sleepover?”

“Well it is my turn to host our date, is it not? I took your word of doing this simple to heart, and I thought what could be simpler than a sleepover with just the two of us.”

“Huh…” Blinking, Shining paused for a moment, “Ya know, I don’t think I’ve been to a sleepover since I was a kid. Though I am curious, what exactly do you have in mind?”

“Besides being at my chateau? Nothing too over the top. A movie here, a dip in the hot spring there, some cuddles, and uh…” Blueblood’s face turned beet red. “Perhaps other things if you’re up for it.”

“Other things? What are you…” It then hit Shining like a fallen piano on his head. “Wait, you’re not asking what I think you’re asking.”

Blueblood traced circles on Shining’s withers with a hoof. “What do you think I’m asking?”

There was a long silence as Shining tried to figure out what to say, “... But we haven’t been dating officially for that long. I mean, I’m flattered, but isn’t this too soon?”

This gave the prince pause, “You’re not a virgin, are you?”

“I-I uh, it’s not…”

“Let me guess,” Blueblood smirked, “Cadance?”

“... Maybe.”

“Ha, I knew it.”

“Look, the point is, I don’t know if I’m willing to cross that line there. Yes, I’m dating you, but remember that I’m in a relationship with Cadance too. If I did this behind her back, I would be betraying her trust in me.”

“Ask.”

Shining blinked, “Sorry?”

“Ask her.” Blueblood wrapped a hoof over his coltfriend’s neck. “Before tonight, you should sit her down and talk it out. While I would love to show how much I adore you, it wouldn’t be fair to you either unless you let her know upfront about it. So I will make you a deal, if she says no, then you have my word that I will not do anything. If she does say yes it’s alright, then I will let you take the lead. Maybe we would get intimate, maybe we won’t. Eventhough it's my turn to host our date, at least you will have full control.”

“I just don’t want this to go too far.”

Blueblood kissed his forehead, “It never hurts to be considerate.”

“He wants to do what?” Cadence asked, wide-eyed at what she heard.

“All I said was that I would talk to you about it.” Shining looked over his shoulder. Having asked to talk to her in private, Cadence had pulled him aside into one of the castle’s empty rooms. And yet, as Shining explained what was going on, Cadence had slumped her hunches to the floor, her jaw hanging open from what she heard. “I didn’t think he would want to do it this early, and I don’t want to jump in this right away. But I thought that this is something you should know about.”

“I mean… at least you told me about it ahead of time. But really, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“And at least he told me that I would have control of our date tonight. But Celestia, that seriously caught me off guard.” Shining ran his hooves through his mane.

Cadence nodded. Deep down she half expected that her cousin would harbor some lustful feelings towards Shining, but didn’t expect such an open invitation to it. There was a part of her that thought that this was crossing a line. This didn’t exactly feel like sharing as invading something that was personally hers. On the other hoof, if she had found out after the fact that Blueblood seduced Shining without being upfront - naturally she would have been far more upset. If anything, asking her was her cousin’s idea.

“How do you feel about it?” Cadence asked.

“I mean… I’m flattered that he wants to sleep with me. But I’m unsure if I could really… ya know with him without possibly hurting you. It’s more than just sex, it’s about trust. He placing his trust in me to know what I'm doing (which I don’t), and yet at the same time betraying yours. Even if you did say yes, I’m not entirely sure if I would go through with it. It’s… It’s overwhelming if I’m honest.”

Cadence hugged him tightly. “Remember before we did it the first time that you used to tell me, ‘You don’t have to do it if you feel you’re ready?’” Shining nodded. “Because you’re right on one thing. It is a matter of trust. Even a leap of faith. Trust that he wouldn’t hurt you in any way, and you wouldn’t intentionally break my heart.” She cupped his face in her hooves. “Be honest with me, Shining Armor, if given the chance, if you had my full approval, would you sleep with him? Maybe not tonight, but in the future, would you?”

Shining hesitated, looking her in the eye he told her the truth. “... I don’t know.”

“Okay…” Cadence quietly said, nodding. “If you do, the only thing I would ask is use protection.”

“Wait…” Shining blinked, “You’re saying yes to this?”

“Yes, but remember, you do have the right to say no. You don’t have to sleep with him, yet if you do, at the very least make sure that you two wear a condom. The last thing I want is either of you catching something the other might not know about.”

“... Not gonna lie, I thought you would be way more upset at this.”

“I would be more upset if you didn’t tell me upfront. What matters to me is that eventhough you’re dating someone else, you still love me too.”

“And I do.”

Cadence planted a kiss on his lips. “Whatever you end up doing, do so because you think and feel that it's right. I have faith that you will do so regardless.”

Blueblood wished that he had a crystal ball that would reliably show him the future. To say that he was anxious was an understatement. Although his turn to host the date, he wasn’t absolutely sure of how it would end. Chances are (and a good one at that), knowing Shining’s personality it probably is unlikely that this evening would end in more than a cuddle. On the other hoof, if (and this was an enormous if) Shining were to go further… Unlikely perhaps, if all the stars aligned, but still possible that he would sleep with him… If he was honest, he wasn’t sure what he would do.

Still, in either outcome, it didn’t hurt to be prepared. In his theater room, the screen had been pulled down, the projector set up and some films were waiting to be picked. The kitchen staff had been working to provide snakes and delights from scratch from homemade marshmallows to a chocolate fountain. Even the natural hot spring underneath the Chateau has plenty of candles to light the mood at his command. His butler had a box placed at the foot of his bed with certain… goodies if things escalated to that.

All that was left now was Shining.

At sunset, just as the sky was darkening and the lights were lit, a servant informed the prince that Shining was coming up from the gate. Before he could go meet him, Blueblood checked himself in a mirror one last time. Running through a mental checklist of his appearance. Mane. Teeth. Nose hairs plucked. Bathed. Hooficured. His stylish evening robe of black and white. He nodded. Whatever happens, he was ready.

He arrived in the foyer just in time to have Shining enter. “Good evening, Shiny.”

“Hey there,” Shining nodded. There was a sense of quiet anxiety in his tone, as though he was uncomfortable in his horseshoes. After a beat, Shining looked up and down at him, “Somehow, I feel that I’m underdressed.”

Blueblood laughed, “To me, you certainly are not. However, if you want I can let you borrow one of my evening robes.”

“No, I’m fine. Just didn’t expect you to be uh…” Shining’s cheeks turn pink and turns his head away, coughing into a hoof. “So, this is your sleepover. What do you want to do first?”

“I figured to start with something simple.” Blueblood said, flicking his tail playfully at Shining’s face, “Let’s go to the theater room and watch a movie there.”

Blueblood walked forward a bit but stopped when he noticed that Shining wasn’t following behind him. Looking over his shoulder, Shining seemed nervous. Lost in thought about something. “Everything alright?”

“Huh?” Shining blinked, “Oh yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” Shining trotted over to his side.

“Is something the matter babe?” Blueblood asked, “You seem to be more nervous than usual.”

“I mean… yeah, I am.”

“About?”

“Well, I’ve had a talk with Cadance earlier about… ya know.”

“Oh?”

“She uh… she said she was okay with it.”

This got Blueblood’s attention, “Really?”

“As long as we use protection. But…” Shining let out a heavy breath, “Celestia, it’s still heavy for me. I mean with all my knowledge of romance, this one has thrown me through a loop. Kinda like her being okay with me cheating on her but it… isn’t? Does that make sense?”

“So what I’m hearing, is she gave you permission to sleep with me, but you don’t quite feel like that news has settled in yet.”

“It’s still… new to me. A concept that I’m having a hard time getting my head around.”

Blueblood hummed, “Remember, you’re not being forced into anything.”

“I know. I’m just… conflicted is all.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “Conflicted?”

“Like I don’t know if I would be able to go through with it, even if I wanted to. All I know is I don’t want to risk anyone’s feelings getting hurt.”

Shining felt the prince catch his lips in a kiss, “Your sensitivity is a rare make of nobility in its purest form. I’d say that for now, let’s not worry ourselves about what we may end up doing and simply enjoy ourselves. And right now, let’s watch a movie and snack a little.”

Agreeing, Shining followed the prince to a set of twin doors towards the theater room. Much like the rest of the chateau, the Prench rococo style was on full display, making the space like a miniature opera house rather than a screening room. In front of them was a small stage that had rows of shell-shaped brass floor lights. In front of the red curtain, a screen was pulled down, and a projector was positioned overhead above the door as they walked in. Shining saw that this room had red silken fabric that was used as wallpaper on the walls, gold molding that decorated the ceiling had a mini chandelier overhead, making the space shimmer. And where he expected to find regular theater seats, he instead saw a couch with a table set with a small banquet. One that had a chocolate fountain, marshmallows cut into squares, cookies, popcorn bowls that were mixed with things sweet and savory, and a fountain that ran red wine.

Shining let out a low whistle. “This certainly beats any movie theater I’ve ever been to.”

“What’s great is that I can get to see films a full day before they’re released to the public in here,” Blueblood said proudly. “As well as a library of films that at my becking call.”

“Celestia, Blue, you must throw some awesome movie parties in a place like this.”

“Well… Not often, I’m afraid. That teenage activity completely passed by.” Blueblood nuzzled him again.

Shining laughed, “Oh c’mon, you’re never too old to have some fun. Even with a bad movie playing, it’s more fun when you have other ponies around to riff it.”

Blueblood blinked, “Riff? What do you mean?”

“Ya know, making jokes at a movie.” The prince however blinked. “Have you ever done it before?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Okay…” Shining tapped his chin, humming in thought. “So you have a whole library of movies, right? Among them, which one is the worst movie you’ve seen?”

Tilting his head, Blueblood was perplexed. “Why?”

“Trust me, the worse the film, the more fun it is to riff it. Now think, what’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen? I’m talking about where the special effects are terrible, the acting is more wooden than a coffee table, and the story makes no sense at all. Do you have any movie that sounds like that?”

“Well… now that I think of it. There is one that I despise the most.” Blueblood frowned, “Have you ever heard of My Highschool Demonic Marefriend from Space?”

“Oh! Yes!” Shining’s expression brightened like a foal on Hearth’s Warming Morning. “That one’s perfect!”

“But it’s horrible.”

“It absolutely is, but you have to see it with me. I have so many jokes,” Shining excitedly rubbed his hooves together. “Please, just this once.”

This was certainly an unexpected turn that the prince certainly didn’t expect. As far as this date was going to go, he thought he’d show a high-quality movie to show. Perhaps something from a famous director, or maybe an arthouse film that he thought should gain more attention. Never had he thought that not only would Shining ask for a bad film, but one that he was excited about. It was certainly unconventional… on the other hoof, just dating Shining was unconventional in so many ways.

“Oh very well, you’ve twisted my foreleg,” Blueblood sighed, turning to one of the servants to have the movie brought up. “Just this once.”

“You won’t regret it,” Shining hugged him happily.

So far, not what Blueblood was expecting, but he wasn’t complaining either.

To be fair, however, while My Highschool Demonic Marefriend from Space, is still bad - having Shining make jokes as it plays made a world of difference. He never thought of just having someone there, someone he enjoyed being with, making fun of a movie that otherwise would make it a chore to watch, enjoyable.

Before his eyes and ears, he saw a terrible movie turn into a laugh riot. From the cheaply designed set pieces (“Who knew that didn’t have enough crayons and cardboard.”) to the awful acting, (“Is that supposed to be anger or her reading a dictionary?”), and the horrifically bad story, (“Remember kids, having to blow up the world is bad, but if you have a hot marefriend, it makes it okay!”) made an awful movie into a comedic masterpiece.

“I feel as though I have been missing out,” Blueblood confessed, his back against the smooth rock, bubbling spring water swirling just underneath his withers. “Perhaps I should invite you around to watch terrible movies more often.”

Across from him, Shining was leaning back. His hooves rested on the back of his head and a satisfied smile on his face. “You know, I haven’t done that since I was in High School. Reminds me of when I used to have a guys' night with my friends where we put on movies to make fun of. It’s good to be cracking jokes like that again.”

Underneath a vaulted ceiling where the air was humid and lit up entirely by candlelight, the two stallions sat in a natural hot spring that was underneath the chateau. A spring that still had the original smooth stones that the entire room was built around accumulated in three pools that poured from one to the next. Aside from the pools were a rack of towels, a folding screen, and a record player that despite the humidity was able to play Horseshoepin clearly in the acoustics of the room.

It was, apart from the gardens, the most tranquil place in the chateau. A place where the sound of running water, the scent and ambiance of the candles, and the wonderful warmth of the spring is the kind of place where one goes to let go of stress. The kind of place where anypony would be calm enough to ask anything.

After a long silence, Shining tilted his head up. “Hey Blue, mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“There’s no reason why you couldn’t.”

“Okay,” Shining’s forelegs flopped into the water. “So… hypothetically speaking, if we ever did… ya know… have sex. Why me?”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “Pardon?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered, really. Though, I am curious about something. Out of everyone in Canterlot alone that would do it with you, why pick me?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because I trust you enough.”

“I mean… fair enough, but what I mean is that technically speaking, prostitution is legal where there are certain houses that are government-regulated. And not every worker there is female either. I mean, as a Prince, had you ever thought of… ya know?”

Blueblood frowned, “To be honest, I had gone back and forth on that very thing even before I came out. While money was never an issue with me, what was, however, is that I have a reputation to maintain. Besides, even if I did and somepony spotted me, there would still be the risk of causing a scandal. I can’t imagine how my Aunt Celestia would react. On the other hoof, part of me almost wanted to and a few times I almost did but chickened out at the last minute.”

Shifting, Blueblood got out of his seat and floated over to Shining, his head still above the water, graceful as a swan. “To me, if I were to have sex with someone, I don’t think I want to do it with someone that I have to pay an experience for. That seems like cheating to me. No, if I were, I wanted to be with someone that I would trust the most. Someone that I could be in their arms and know they wouldn’t hurt or take advantage of me. And let’s say that you immediately came to mind.” Blueblood wrapped his hooves around Shining’s shoulders. “I trust you. I love you. If you ever wanted to go beyond just hugs and kisses, all you have to do is ask.”

Shining’s cheeks reddened, and his embarrassed expression turned away. “Thing is, even if I wanted to, I don’t know if I could. I may be dating you, but at the same time, I’m still loyal to Cadance. What makes it so confusing for me is that while part of me knows that I have her permission, emotionally it feels that I would be betraying her trust in me. I don’t think you would appreciate it if all this was the other way around.”

“What do you mean?”

“Say that instead of her, I had dated you first. Done so for years to the point we trusted each other to get so intimate. Now imagine after all that, Cadance has developed a crush on me. Eventually, it gets to a point where she wants to date me, and let’s say that you agreed for me to do so. Now imagine that after all of that, she wants me to sleep with her. Even if you gave me the go-ahead, how would you feel?”

This gave Blueblood pause. “My… I haven’t thought of it like that.” Another pause. “If that were the case, I suppose it would be complicated. Because it isn’t like having an affair, to be doing this in secret - because this was known from the very beginning. However, if there was anything I would worry about, more than anything, is the question that even if you slept with her, would you still love me?”

“Exactly.” Shining nodded. “I guess for me it was easier when I loved one pony. But two… this is something that I don’t have any idea what I’m doing without screwing this up. Like I said, I don’t want to hurt either of you. And I don’t want either of you to think you’re not loved.”

Blueblood placed a gentle hoof under Shining’s chin, to make him look at him in the eye. “Do you still love Cadance?”

“Yes.”

“And me?”

“Yes.”

“If I were her, that is all I wanted to know.” Blueblood planted a kiss on Shining’s lips, a reassurance that everything was going to be alright. He didn’t expect that Shining would return the kiss either, but he wasn’t complaining either.

Shining only broke the kiss when he realized that his hoof had slipped underneath the spring water, groping at Blueblood’s flank. “Oh, sorry!” Shining pulled back, “Sorry, I didn’t mean-”

Blueblood wrapped a hoof around him, “I didn’t say for you to stop,” he said with a smile.

There was an awkward pause between them. “Do you…” Shining asked timidly, “Wanna… Keep going?”

Blueblood answered it with a kiss.

Chapter 7 - Where to From Here?

“So you know why I needed to see you?” Cadance asked.

Blueblood shrugged, “I thought this has to do with Shining.”

“It does.” Cadance sipped her tea, as it was getting colder outside, their weekly brunch had moved indoors into the sunroom of the palace. The two of them sat alone with a table of light snacks, tea, and a tense atmosphere as Cadance was being more serious than usual. “But more importantly, it’s to give some full disclosure on my part.”

“Being what, exactly?”

After another sip, Cadance set aside her teacup. “You see, Bluey, at the beginning of all this, Shining was supposed to rise the ranks in the Royal Guard while I finish up my final semester in college. Now the reason why I’m bringing that up, is that it was the only condition that Celestia promised us before we could get engaged.”

Blueblood’s eyes widen. “I beg your pardon!?”

“At the moment, however, we’re still technically dating, and we won’t be fully engaged until I get my degree. For Shining, he hoped to get beyond basic training and earn his way up. And he certainly did. Yet, things have gotten a little more complicated since then, have they?”

“I can see that,” Blueblood took a sip from his cup. “But what I don’t understand is why are you bringing this to my attention now?”

“Originally we wanted to surprise both our families before we made it official to the whole of Equestria. At least, that was the idea several months ago. Since then, however… things have changed.” Using her magic to levitate a teaspoon to stir her tea, she added, “You do know that Shining loves you too, right?”

“Yes, but he loves you as well.”

Cadance nodded, “Let’s be honest, we both love Shining, and Shining loves us. The idea of him dating you was so that you could gain experience with dating to give you confidence to possibly move on. Yet, realistically I don’t see that happening anything soon.”

Blueblood nodded.

“So the real question here is where do we go from here? Do we continue this or try out something different?”

“I see.” Blueblood leaned back in his seat. “You are right in one thing, I don’t want to let go of Shining so soon. Perhaps things may change in the future, but I feel a strong attachment to him. Of course, you do as well and you’ve been with him for much longer.” Then after a pause, he added, “Going forward, there may be one of a few possibilities for us.”

“That being?”

“Option one, Shining might marry one of us but he will still be allowed to see either one he wishes. Option two, we don’t get married and instead keep the status quo that we currently have. Option three… one of us may have to let go of Shining.”

“That’s all assuming that the three of us will still feel this way in the long term.” Cadance pointed out. “Ya know, it’s a little hard to figure this out when you’re unfamiliar with polyamorous relationships.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“Polyamorous is a word meaning to be in a relationship with more than one pony at the same time. The funny thing is that although I have heard about it, I never knew anypony in one. I never would have expected it of Shining either until recently, but here we are.”

Picking up his cup of tea, Blueblood meditated on the matter while consuming a little of the flavorful brew. “Of course, the real question is what does Shining want out of this? We could go back and forth all the whole long day on this and that - but in the end, Shining would be key in how this will go.”

“Agreed.” Cadence nodded and took another sip. “Bluey, could I ask you a personal question?”

“Why?” He raised an eyebrow, “How personal is personal?”

“Very. A couple of days ago you had Shining over at your place. He didn’t say much about it but I was wondering about something. Just be honest with me here, did you two… you know?”

The prince’s suspicious brow hadn’t lowered one bit. “Didn’t you say it was okay for him to do so?”

“Yes, but he never said anything. So…?”

Blueblood’s cheeks turned red. “I would be lying if I said that nothing happened that night.” Taking a deep breath, he added, “But at the same time, I don’t regret it either.”

“Thank you for your honesty.”

There was a long pause between them. Finally, Blueblood asked, “Aren’t you the least bit angry?”

“Angry? Not really, I mean I did encourage him. Jealous? A little. Still, between you and me, the idea of someone as hot as Shining doing it with another stallion is something I wished I had a front-row seat to.”

“...”

“Hey don’t judge me.” Cadence sipped her tea.

In hindsight, this might be a bad idea. No, scratch that, this was an insane idea in every regard. There were at least a million ways this could explode in their faces, and Shining knew it. For anypony else, this would be difficult to even explain. It might be harder given that he’s been seeing two ponies at the same time - and now, everything is in motion.

He is bringing both Cadance and Blueblood to his parents.

For dinner.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Cadence asked.

“Truthfully? Not really.” Shining shook his head. “But this is something that they should know about.”

Blueblood eyed the house - Shining Armor’s foalhood home. To his eyes, the two-story, renaissance-style white stucco with wooden beams home in a decent neighborhood of Canterlot was like a toolshead compared to his chateau. A part of him almost couldn’t believe that somepony as amazing as Shining had grown up in a place so… humble. He didn’t say it out loud, but he was taken aback that both he and his sister - the personal student of his aunt - originated here.

“Do they know that we are coming?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, but I didn’t say why.” Shining let out a heavy breath, “This is gonna be so hard.”

Cadence patted Shining’s back, “It will be okay.”

“I hope so, I'm just not sure how to explain all this.”

“Do the best you can,” Blueblood told him, giving a nuzzle. “I know better than anypony that this is the most terrifying thing in the world. But you can do it.”

Shining let out an exhausted whinny. “And if… if it doesn’t go well?”

“Even in the worst-case scenario,” Cadence said, “just remember one thing - both of us are royals, I’m an alicorn. Even if things go south, at least we will be there with you.”

“She’s right, even if they do more than disapprove,” Blueblood added, “I’d like to see them try.”

Taking a deep breath, Shining prepared himself for the worst and the three of them approached the front door. Ringing the doorbell, there was a moment before the red entryway opened to a gray mare. “Shining, how are you?” She hugged him.

“Hi, Mom.” Shining hugged her back. “Did we keep you waiting?”

“Oh no, you’re just in time. Your father is getting dinner dished out right now.” She noticed Blueblood there, “Where are my manners? How do you do, Your Highness?” She gave a bow. “I’m Twilight Velvet, Shining’s mother.”

“Hi Miss Velvet,” Cadence waved, “haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Same here, dearie. But come in, all of you. Dinner is just about ready.”

Entering through the front door, Blueblood spotted a set of stairs right ahead, an opening to a living room to the left, the dining room to the right, and along a wall by the stairs were hung family photos and certificates. No doubt displays of the more prouder moments of the family drew his interest.

While Shining and Cadance went into the dining room with Velvet, Blueblood went over to the wall of memories. There were plaques and awards from the parents - one of which gave the name of the father: Night Light. An astronomer going off by the college degree, Velvent had awards for editing a few books. Yet, what drew his attention were the photos. Pictures of not just Shining and his parents, but also a purple unicorn. ‘This must be Twilight Sparkle I’ve heard about,’ he thought. There were photos of Shining when he was a colt, a picture of his graduation gown for high school, and one in his Solar Guard uniform. He also took notice of a couple that had Cadance in a few pictures, one of which looked like when they were at prom.

He was no detective, yet from what this wall of memories tells, this was a loving family that was proud of their children. A cynical part of him wonders if the parents loved their children for who they were, or who they thought they were based on their accomplishments.

“Blue? Aren’t you coming?” Shining called out.

After a moment of pushing his thoughts aside, Blueblood walked into the dining room. There he found Shining and Cadance taking their steats while Velvent and a blue stallion that he figured to be Night Light were setting the remaining glasses on the table. There was a part of him that saw the table arrangement as simplistic, and the food elementary, yet he told himself that he was a guest in their house and they were offering their best.

“Good evening, Prince Blueblood,” Night Light said, giving a bow. “Care to take a seat?” He asked, pulling a chair for him. While the prince did take a seat, a part of him wondered if Shining’s parents were on their very best behavior simply because he was there. “You know, we’ve heard a good deal about you.”

“How so?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow.

“Shining told us that he’s your bodyguard and that you two have become fast friends.”

“That, and you two stood up for each other,” Velvet added, taking a seat at the table. “Shining took a stand against a bully within the guard and you reprimanded them for punishing him unfairly. I mean, it was shocking that they did that in the first place.”

“I agree, it shouldn’t happened at all.” Cadance nodded. “His integrity is something that I admired, and Bluey has seen that first-hoofed.”

“Our kids are amazing, you know.” Night Light said, opening a cabinet filled with wine bottles. “With Shining, he has done the right thing, even when it got him into trouble.”

“Trouble?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow.

“For example, back when he was in…” Night Light looked over his shoulder, “Was it the seventh or eighth grade that you got into that fight?”

“Seventh,” Shining answered.

“Anyway, back when Shining was in the seventh grade, I was called by the school principal saying that he and another kid had gotten into this big fight during lunch. It was unexpected because Shining was never the type to do something like that. So I went to the school, and I found Shining in the school’s office where he was bruised and had a black eye. Same with the other colt next to him. As it turned out, the kid in question was teasing a filly to the point that it made her cry. Yet, what was the tipping point was that the kid also had a pair of scissors and was about to cut her tail off. Shining pushed the kid aside and the two got into a fight.”

“Don’t get us wrong,” Velvet added. “We were upset that it got so violent. However, the fact that he stood up to bully, not for himself but for somepony else made us proud.” With a smile, and her husband had uncorked a bottle, she said they should go ahead and eat.

“So, how’s the studies for you?” Night asked as he sat down, looking over to Cadance.

“Looking good so far, I will be filling in the paperwork to apply for graduation.”

“That’s good to hear,” Velvet said, getting some salad. “It would be nice for you and Shining to get engaged, finally.” An uncomfortable hush fell on the three of them. Velvet took notice, “I mean it’s still gonna be happening, right?”

“Uh…” Cadence rubbed the back of her neck.

“Yeah, about that.” Shining coughed in his hoof.

“What’s wrong?” Night tilted his head, a worried look on his face. “The engagement is gonna be announced after graduation, right?”

“Yeah I… I think so…” Shining said with confidence left out of him. “However, things had gotten a bit complicated as of late. Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad but…”

“Did something happen?” Velvet inquired.

“It’s a little hard to explain,” Cadance told them, glancing over to Shining she saw how teetering on the anxiety he was. In a look at him, she can read that they were on the edge of jumping into the unknown like budgie jumping over a cliff without a rope.

Even Blueblood could see that both Shining and Cadance were a little too unnerving to make the first move. So, he decided to pour himself some wine and say, “Shining is dating two ponies at once, and they’re both at this table.”

“Blueblood!” Cadence and Shining yelled.

“What? If neither of you were going to say it-”

“Hey, I was trying to break this gently.” Shining interrupted.

“But both of you were hesitating.” Blueblood turned to the rather shocked parents. “Sorry about this, these things turn out the way we thought they would.”

“Wait, waitwaitwait, back up.” Velvet raised her forelegs, “I’m completely lost. What’s going on?”

“Two ponies?” Night blinked. “Shining, where did this come from? Why are you dating two ponies at once?”

“Well…” Shining was at a loss for words, “I mean… aren’t both of you mad?”

“Kinda difficult to do when you don’t know what’s going on.” Night said, filling up his glass with wine. “I mean… who else are you seeing?”

“That would be me.” Blueblood raised a hoof.

Velvet looked between him and Cadance, “Wait, how? Why?”

“How much time do you two have?” Cadance inquired.

One bottle of red wine, a gallon of vanilla ice cream, a pint of coffee, and three re-dos of explanations later, the conversation had moved from the dining table to the living room. If Shining was thankful for one thing, is that at least his parents hadn’t acted as though he betrayed them. To say that they were flabbergasted at the beginning was an understatement. They held confusion for the first twenty or so minutes when the three of them explained how all of this started. Yet once they got past that, they had plenty of intrigue and questions.

“But aren’t you jealous, even a little?” Velvet asked. She was seated on the loveseat with her husband while the three sat across from them on the couch.

“I felt more conflicted than anything else,” Cadence said. “If anything I was more worried that Shining was falling out of love with me. But I don’t think that’s the case.”

“It isn’t.” Shining looked down at the mug at his hooves. The still coffee reflected his eyes back to him. “I still love Cadance, that’s the honest truth. Yet, at the same time, I also love Blueblood just as much.” Looking up, he added, “What’s hard for me is that I don’t feel right in simply letting the other go. Truthfully, while I still want to marry Cadance after she graduates, I don’t want Blueblood to be out of my life either. So really, I’m stuck.”

Blueblood patted him on the back, “Honestly, I thought you two would have a conniption over Shining being attracted to a stallion.”

“I won’t lie,” Night sat his mug down on the coffee table in front of him. “That is surprising since… as far as I’m aware of, Shining didn’t show signs that he was. If he did, we didn’t notice it.”

“So…?” Shining raised an eyebrow, “Do you have a problem with it or…?”

“What? The attraction?” Velvet asked, “Hon, you can’t help who you happen to like. I mean, for Celestia’s sake, you do know that your Uncle Shore is gay, right?”

“He is?” Shining blinked. “Wait, I always thought that he was living with Uncle Tide, ya know, brothers.”

“No sweetie, Tide isn’t related.” Velvet then added with the thought of, “Didn’t we tell you that?”

“This is news to me,” Shining shrugged.

“Point being, I don’t have a problem with your sexuality. Besides, if it turns out that you went behind Cadance’s back about this - oh yeah, I would certainly be more upset.”

“Though I wished we’d known about this sooner,” Night said. “Still, what exactly are you going to go from here? Last time I checked, polygamy isn’t exactly legal in Equestrian. That and Shining, you have known Blueblood over here for less than a year.”

Shining let out a heavy sigh, running his hooves over his head. “I’m very much aware. Personally, I didn’t expect to be caught up in this at all. Of course, I didn’t expect to fall for Blue here, but here we are. I hoped that by teaching him what I know about love he might move on without me, but I didn’t think I would be this invested in it. If it sounds like I’m rambling or that I’m lost, that’s because I am.”

Velvet took a sip of her coffee. “From what I’ve been hearing,” she says, “it sounds to me that you two trying to give the prince over here some experience about dating that has gone off the rails. At the moment you are too emotionally invested in both, but uncertain how to move forward.”

“Pretty much,” Shining nodded.

“I see,” Velvet nodded. “Well Shiney, if it’s advice that you’re looking for, I’m going to say something that may sound harsh, but this will be me being realistic about the situation.”

“And what’s that?” Cadence asked.

“To put it bluntly, if you’re still planning on getting engaged with Cadance, you can still go ahead and do it. But that probably wouldn’t mean that you still can’t see Blueblood either. If something like this has any chance of working, I’d say that compromise and communication from the three of you would be critical.”

“That would be smart,” Night nodded. “Blueblood, I know that you love my son, but has it ever occurred to you that maybe your feelings about him could change?”

Blueblood folded his forelegs, “Nonsense! My love for him is forever!”

“It may feel like that,” Night said, “and believe me, as someone who has been around the block for a while, having a crush on someone eventually does fade away. And while you would be passionate about someone for a while, eventually you will be left with the pony you chose to stay with - warts and all. And believe me, before I married Velvet, I dated her for eight years before we got married. My perception of her has changed, but what remained was a remarkable mare that made me a better pony.”

The prince raised a suspicious eyebrow, “So you’re not exactly telling me that I shouldn’t see him either, aren’t you?”

“On the contrary, if you still want to be around Shining because he makes you happy and can make you a better pony than you were before, then there’s no reason to stop you. At the same time, if someone else were to come along and you think they would be a better fit for you; then you aren’t entirely tied down.”

“So why let him and Cadance get married anyway with advice like that?”

“Because she has known Shining for much longer,” Velvet pointed out. “They had gotten to know each other for years. I would call their relationship inseparable, but the one good thing about all of this, however, is that at least finding out that Shining might want an open relationship is brought out before marriage instead of later. That way, at least you all know what you’re getting yourselves into. I’ve known a few couples whose marriages gone up in flames simply because they didn’t communicate what exactly they wanted.”

“That said,” Night added, “I should point out that you three are adults. You can take what we said, or do something else. This is a leap into the unknown, and the best any of you can do is figure out for yourselves where you want to go from here.”

There have been a few decisions in Shining’s life that he would call life-changing. Decisions such as if he should go say hello to Cadance, go to college, and he should join the Royal Guard. They’re the kind of decisions that need plenty of time, thought, and gaining opinions because to do so otherwise could easily go disastrous. Needless to say, how to go forward between Cadance and Blueblood is certainly one of those decisions that need a second opinion.

Deep down, he knew that he was what was holding this love triangle together. If there was anyone that had the biggest stake in all this, it was him. And he would need all the help he could get to settle this.

So that left him to seek out the one pony that he was the most uncertain about.

Because of his relationship with Princess Cadance, Shining had one privilege that few ponies in the entire world had - to be granted an audience with Princess Celestia herself. Shining rarely used this privilege, partly because he didn’t want to bother her unless it was absolutely, one-hundred-and-ten percent necessary. And partly that even though he could ask to see the princess at any time, even as a private, he was determined to prove with worth through his merits.

“Shining, it has been too long,” Princess Celestia said warmly.

In this case, Shining felt this was absolutely necessary. “Good Morning Princess.” He bowed down and exhaled, “There’s something I like to talk to you about, something personal if you don’t mind.”

“Of course,” Celestia nodded, “but first, can I offer you anything? Something to drink or nibble on?”

“No thank you, I’ve already had breakfast. Still, if you could spare a few minutes, I figured you could help me a little.”

Celestia tilted her head, “Well that’s new. You don’t usually ask for my help on anything.”

“I know. But this might be an exception.” Shining’s ears folded back, “I would appreciate it if I could talk to you in private.”

“Now things are getting interesting.” Celestia stood up from her throne, “Very well, follow me.”

“Where?”

“Behind the throne.” She pointed, “Come here, I’ll show you.”

Curious, Shining walked up the steps toward the throne, and Celestia’s horn glowed to pull away the curtains behind the chair. He never knew that the throne itself was a heavy door as thick as a safe that led to a room he didn’t know existed. The only way Shining could describe this small room was cozy. If almost sickly sweet. The first thing to greet him was an enormous stuffed rabbit in front of a small table. There were other plush animals around in bright pastel colors with friendly faces.

“What’s all this?” Shining raised an eyebrow, following Celestia inside.

“I call it my de-stressed room.” She said, taking a seat on the lap of the large plushy rabbit. “When I have days when it becomes too much, or have a lot of pressure put on me, or if I just need a nice, quiet place to sit back and let everything go - I come here. And don’t worry about the sound, the walls are thick enough to withstand having a cannon being fired at point-blank range. So yes, we will have all the privacy we need. In fact, one moment…” Celestia’s horn glowed, and the heavy door behind them was sealed behind them. As soon as the door was shut, Shining could instantly tell that all the sound had ceased. Any normal noise such as the wind outside, the distant chatter of servants, or anything else had stopped the moment they were sealed in. “There we are. Now we have all the privacy we need.”

“Okay, do you want me to sit down or…?” Right away, Shining noticed that aside from the table, there were no other chairs around. Not even a cushion to sit on.

“You can sit on the stuffed animals,” Celestia leaned back, “you’d find they’re quite comfy.”

“Um… no thank you. I’ll stand if that’s alright.”

“Suit yourself. But anyway, what is it that you want to speak to me about?”

“Well… Lately, I’ve found myself in something I didn’t expect to get in.”

“Do tell.”

“Firstly, you remember about wanting to get engaged with Cadance, right?”

Celestia nodded, “And only after she graduates, yes, I remember.”

“Okay, and you do know that I’m also Blueblood’s bodyguard, right?”

“I think he has mentioned you once or twice,” Celestia smiled.

“Well… truth is, Blueblood has developed a crush on me.”

“Yes, I know that.” Celestia nodded. “Blue told me about that.”

“Wait…” Shining blinked, “You knew? From what Blueblood has told me, he said that you didn’t know who he had a crush on.”

“Shining, of course, I knew. And I also know that you have been taking turns dating him and Cadance.”

“Wait, if you knew this whole time, how come you didn’t say that I was with Cadance, to begin with?”

“Because, when he told me about it at first, I saw him in a state that rarely happened. He was happy. Genuinely happy. Yes, I could have told him that you were already seeing somepony else. Yet to do so would, I believe, reinforce his biggest fear.”

Shining blinked, “And what’s that?”

“The fear that he isn’t worth being loved. Yes, I lied about that, however, I also felt that he would also need to take that important step into the dating pool. To learn how to get to know a pony you like.”

“Well, apparently it has worked. A little too well. Because on the one hoof, I did promise Cadance that after we jumped through these hoops, we’d be on our way to finally getting married. Yet, on the other hoof, I also have a guy who not only brought my sexuality into question, but I don’t want to break his heart either.” Shining ran a hoof through his mane, “If I’m being honest with you, Your Highness, I feel like I’m in a loose-loose situation.”

“How so?” Celestia tilted her head.

“In that no matter what choice I make, somepony is going to get hurt. If I end up marrying Cadance, I could risk Blueblood thinking that everything we’ve built was for nothing. But on the other, if I went with Blueblood, I’d be betraying Cadance despite the years we’ve gotten to know each other. Then again, if I do nothing, eventually something is gonna give.”

Shining slumped to his hunches. “You know that I don’t come to you unless it’s necessary. Well, now, not only is it necessary, it's personal.”

“It sounds rather overwhelming,” Celestia said. “That I hear you’re scared overall.”

Shining shamefully looked away.

“It’s okay to be. There’s no shame in being in a situation where most of it is out of your control.”

“Except, this one is. Not just for me, but for two others that I could effect dramatically.”

After a long pause, Celestia leaned forward. “If I may, I would like to offer up what I think, if that’s alright.”

“Yes please.” Shining nodded.

“Now, do keep in mind where I’m coming from with this. You see, Shining, I’m a mare that has over a thousand years of both watching ponies falling in and out of love and my experiences with it - however rare they were. I’m speaking as someone who has seen relationships being born, and marriages die in front of me. Do you understand me?”

“I think so.”

“With that said, if there’s anything I’ve learned about the nature of relationships, especially since the Romantic period sprang out, it is this. Using reason, when your gut feeling says that it’s the least bit romantic you could be - is oftentimes what is most needed. Yes, having to set your emotions aside and look at it rationally is… forgive me for saying this, the least sexy thing you could do. Yet, doing so has saved marriages and dissolved those that should have been broken up.”

“But how?”

“Well, let’s do a thought experiment. Let us say that you are a father who has a son. Let’s say that over the years, this son has developed a deep emotional relationship with a mare that he intends to marry. But then he also has feelings for a stallion just recently. Although relatively short, he also has a connection with him but doesn’t want to let the mare go either. Now, if you were the father of such a son, what would you say?”

Shining thought it over for a long time. Be it minutes or hours in that room, he wasn’t sure. Yet, here he seriously thought it over. He reflected on the relationships he had, the ponies whom he trusted and trusted him. As personal as it was, thinking of it through this hypothetical scenario was something completely different. It was one thing to have it all experienced. Yet, it’s another if you think of it as someone else going through it.

“I suppose-”

“No, don’t suppose.” Celestia cut him off. “What do you know for certain?”

Another pause. And this time, Shining had an answer. “I would say… You can still marry your marefriend, and yet find time to date your coltfriend. Because at the end of the day, when everypony knows about you and each other… love is still love. It’s meant to help you grow. It’s meant to show how to be the best pony you can be with the ones you care about. If one feels they want to move on, let them. If they want to get closer, let them. As long as you still have love, even if it’s from one pony - it makes a world of difference.”

“That sounds very wise.” Celestia nodded, “Love is complicated, yet having to deal with the trouble gracefully is always worth it.”

“Still,” Shining adds, “I’m also worried about Blueblood too. From what you’ve said, I don’t want him to think that he’s unlovable either.”

“And I don’t think he is either,” Celestia smiled, “perhaps, what he might need is confidence and a wing guy.” She winked.

“Maybe, but do you think he would take it well? I’ve already broken his heart once.”

“Shining, I may be someone who has outlived countless ponies in my life, but even I have still one life like everyone else. If I learned anything, is that it isn’t wise to uphold others' happiness at your own expense. Death will not show up at your door one day to give you a break because you spent years to make everypony happy while you remained stressed and miserable. Sometimes you have to learn that it is better to inconvenience others temporarily than to inconvenience yourself permanently.”

He nodded. “I think I know what to do.” Shining got back up on his hooves. “Of course, it will be unconventional, what I, Cadence, and Blueblood have.”

“Maybe. But at least it is something that will make you happy.”

One Year Later

Overall, not what anypony expected, but the royal wedding ended happily.

Nopony could have seen the Changeling invasion coming - that was, except for the sister of the groom, Twilight Sparkle - no could anyone expect that anything positive would come out from such a catastrophe. And yet, despite all the setbacks: the foalnapping, the brainwashing, the invasion of creatures that Equestria has never seen before - there was a happily ever after.

The real Cadance and Shining did get married. Shining and Twilight did reconcile after the day’s events. And the afterparty went off without a hitch.

“I take it you haven’t seen him either?” Cadence asked as the two engaged in their slow dance.

When Cadance, now his wife, asked that, it was already evening in the royal gardens. The two danced on a quickly built platform where overhead a disco ball spun with specks of light glittered everywhere. The DJ was playing their love song loudly over the speakers while their friends, family, and palace staff watched on.

“Not really, not since the… you-know-what,” Shining looked over Cadance’s shoulder. “Do you think he’s okay?”

“I don’t know, though if I were in his horseshoes… probably not.”

“He seemed fine last time I saw him. But maybe we should make sure.”

“Do you want to check up on him?”

Shining nodded, “Yeah. It couldn’t hurt. Besides, we don’t need to head out for our honeymoon until tomorrow morning.”

“That’s fair.” She nodded, “To reassure Bluey or… reassure?” Cadence smirked.

“Hey, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But yeah, just that after today and all, I still want to reach out to him to make sure he’s okay.”

Cadence kissed him on the lips, “Alright, once everything is done and we head out, we’ll swing by Bluey’s chateau first. Okay?” Holding him close, she added, “And if you want to crash there for the night, you can.”

“Cade, it’s our wedding night, I’m supposed to be with you.”

“Just a suggestion, not an ultimatum. Besides, once we get out of Canterlot there will be plenty of nights where you will be with me. Remember that you still have plenty of love to go around.”

“I understand,” Shining nodded. “Do you think he might be mad at me?”

Cadence raised an eyebrow, “What makes you say that?”

“That I end up marrying you. Blueblood insists that he loves me but I married you instead. I couldn’t help but feel that I broke his heart again.”

“Or maybe he isn’t upset?”

“But we haven’t seen him at the wedding, so how do we know?” Shining’s ears folded back flat against his head, “Even if he is okay, I just wanna make sure.”

About an hour later, Cadence and Shining bid everypony goodbye as they boarded the carriage to be driven away. Once they were out of sight, Cadence told the driver to take them on a detour to another part of Canterlot. The carriage passed through several streets where signs of the invasion were still present. They spotted patches of green slime here and there, while passersbyers waved at the newlyweds. Although neither of them said it, they both wondered if Blueblood was affected by it in any way.

Upon reaching the chateau, Shining got out and went to the front door. Before he could knock, Maximilian opened it. “Shining Armor? What are you doing here?”

“Hey, is Blueblood here? I want to come by to see if he’s doing okay.” After a beat, he added, “Actually, is everypony here okay?”

“Mercifly yes. We had quite a scare when a portion of the staff had turned into those bug things. They trapped the prince in a green slime at one point and I was certain they were going to eat him until that burst of pink light swatted them away. The prince is fortunately unharmed, and so are we, yet he has been taking a long bath to get the slime off of him.”

“Can I come in?”

Nodding, Maximilian let him inside, escorting him through the halls and up the stairs towards the prince’s chambers. As they got closer, the sound of a violin concerto was heard through the door. “How is he?” Shining asked.

“After being attacked, sir?” The butler raised an eyebrow, “I’d say he’s trying to destress himself as much as possible.” Stopping at the doors, he bowed to Shining, “I will leave you to it. If you need anything, ring the bell.” And like that, he left.

Bracing himself, Shining knocked on the twin doors. “Blue? Are you in there? It’s me, Shining.”

For a moment, nothing but the concerto was heard, but a moment later Shining heard the doors unlock, and it opened to Blueblood in a pink bathrobe. His mane wrapped in a towel turban on his head, the prince looked at him, wide-eyed.

“Shining?” Blueblood blinked. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see if you’re doing okay.” Shining leaned his head over, spying the phonograph playing a record, and a tray that had a cup of coffee and pastries. “I’m sorry, is this a bad time?”

“No, no, come in,” Blueblood said, stepping aside.

Stepping inside, Shining glanced at the state of the room. Right away, he noticed a few things. The scent of lavender and sweet orange loomed over the air, coming from a humidifier that blew mist out. There was a collection of records near the phonograph - most of which had labels of soothing classical music. Joke books were towered up in piles near the bed. And there were tell-tell signs of crumpled tissue paper that filled nearly half a garbage can nearby.

“I thought this was your wedding night,” Blueblood asked, closing the door behind him. “Were you able to get married today?”

“Despite everything, yes I did.” Shining enveloped the prince in a comforting hug. “Are you doing okay?”

“As much as I can be, given the circumstances.” Blueblood nuzzled him. “I was attacked today by those things.”

“So I’ve heard.” Breaking the hug, he added, “I also noticed that you weren’t at the wedding.”

“It would have been too awkward,” he shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense in my mind to be at an occasion where my coltfriend was getting married to someone else. Bug invasion notwithstanding, it didn’t feel right for me to be there.”

“I imagine that you might have been feeling down-”

“Down is an understatement, Shining.” Blueblood went over to the table, picking up the coffee in his aura. “How would you feel if your first real coltfrined whom you trusted and cared for than any other stallion had gotten married to someone else?”

“Not great…” Shining blushed. “Believe it or not, it wasn’t anything against you. Seriously, I didn’t regret those dates we were on, if anything you showed a side of myself I didn’t know was there. I’m thankful that you showed me that. Cadence especially has encouraged me to embrace my sexuality, even in our marriage.”

“It’s still cold comfort.”

“Blue, you have to realize that I did so because I had gotten to know Cadance for much longer. If the situation was the other way around instead, I would have married you. But as it is, we have to be realistic. I’ve known you for about a year now, and we all agreed that you can still date me.”

“I already know that…” Blueblood sighed into his cup. “Where does that leave me now?”

“Sorry?”

“Now that you’re officially married, is it only a matter of time until you don’t want to see me anymore?”

Shining trotted over, nuzzling him. “You remember why I dated you in the first place?”

“Pitty?”

“No. To teach you so you can have the confidence to pursue other guys with confidence. I still stand by in saying that you’re not cursed to be unloved. If stallions gave you half a chance, they will come to see what I see from you.”

Blueblood shook his head, “I’m not sure if I could move on after you. I don’t know if there would be anyone like you out there.”

“Maybe not, but if there’s one thing that you taught me, and I hope I could get across to you, is that it’s possible to love anyone. Yes, there aren’t many ponies like me, but why should there be? Chances are, there might be guys who would be a better fit for you than I am. After all, I’m not the first pretty-faced stallion with a good heart, and I doubt I would be the last you’ll meet.”

“But I still want to see you.”

Shining kissed him, “And you will. The circumstances have changed, but the three of us are still the same ponies as we were from the start.” He hugged him again, “I’ll still be here for you.”

“Will I ever find love again?”

Shining pat him on the back, “As certain that the sun will rise in the morning. I’ll even be there to help you out with it.” Then, after a pause, he added. “Blueblood, do you want me to stay with you for the night?”

Blueblood was surprised by this, “But Shining, this is your wedding night with Cadance.”

“I know. Do you still want me to?”

There was a long, long pause between them. Shining could see Blueblood’s conflicted thoughts on his face. That desire to have him be here and yet… “No.”

Shining blinked, “Are you sure?”

“A wise aunt taught me a saying. ‘If you love someone, let them go. If they come back, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.’ Believe me, part of me wants you here. To show you the love that only I can give… But it wouldn’t be fair for you, or Cadance. Perhaps it’s that pesky conscious stuff speaking, but stealing you from your wife - tonight of all nights… No, you should go with her.”

This was new for Shining, in all the time he had gotten to know the prince, he had never seen such a level of sacrifice coming from him. An act of selflessness. Kissing him again, Shining said, “Thank you, Bluey. We’ll go on a date when I get back.”

“Don’t keep your bride waiting.”

After a final hug, Shining bid Blueblood goodbye before he left.

It was strange. A part of Blueblood thought that after something like that, he would enter a state of mourning that he may never get out of. It is depressing that the love of one’s life not only had gotten married but said would help find somepony else that he could love. He thought he would… but that never came. Blueblood knew that it’s never easy doing the right thing, even when it would put one at such a great disadvantage, and yet… it didn’t seem so bad. Yes, he didn’t get Shining, but something told him that this wasn’t the end either.

Eight Months Later

“All I’m saying is that I’m a little jealous that you got a kingdom of your own.”

Shining laughed, “Oh, c’mon, Blue, I wouldn’t call it a kingdom. If I’m honest, it’s not an empire either. Just a city.”

“Still, a city-state run by you and your wife where the ponies and everything else is made out of crystal. That certainly beats out my chateau any day!”

Sat at a booth where in a dark, neon wonderland of an underground bar - Prince Blueblood and (now Prince) Shining were on their weekly date. Tonight Shining decided to finally take the prince out to a place outside his element - a gay bar. One of three in Canterlot, this one, The Rainbow Railroad was unique. Not only was it the oldest, not only said to be the most popular but once upon a time, it used to be the old railway station before Celestia had a new one built. Here underground, the lights changed color like a mood ring, with bright, twisted neon wrapped around the walls and mirrored ceiling above. There was a soundtrack of synthesizers and thumping beats that some ponies were dancing to.

Shining took a sip of his drink. Given the ever-changing light of the place, he wasn’t sure what color the flamboyant drink was, but he could taste the tropical pineapple and mango on his lips. “So what’s been new with you?” Shining asked.

“Not too much, except that I’ll be heading over to a summit in Casaflanka soon.”

“Oh really? What for?”

“More or less to act as a referee between Shanghay and Neighpon. From what I know, the diplomats have been on edge since last month so I expect things will be tense. Yet what they need is for someone to sit them down and talk some sense into them. Being the third party in all of this, I’ll be acting as the mediator.” Blueblood took a sip of his drink which had a twisted orange and a cherry sticking out on a toothpick. “Still, I’m surprised that you were able to come down here since you and Cadanced moved up north.”

“Well, as long as there’s a railroad, I have a way. Besides, it was Cadance’s idea that we should continue our dates. Part of me wishes you could move with us.”

“I would love to, but unfortunately I’m needed here.” Blueblood took another sip when a thought came to him, “Speaking of Cadeance, I’ve heard a rumor about you.”

“That being?”

“She’s on the lookout for a new coltfriend for you.”

Shining sat his cocktail down on the table, giving it a swirl with his aura. “Well, that’s not exactly true. In reality, we’ve been so busy trying to do a bunch of things at once. Stabilize the Crystal Empire, get the ponies up to speed on what they’ve missed, introduce them to new technologies, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We barely had time for anything else but…”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “But…?”

“I would be lying if I said that Cadance didn’t float the idea past me once or twice. You know, since I’m not exactly straight, she wondered about the possibility of me hooking up with a guy. Maybe someone in the guard?”

The prince laughed, “Oh that would be ironic on so many levels.”

“Yeah, but remember, nothing’s settled or anything. We still have priorities that need to be taken care of before we can figure out where to go from here.”

“I understand.” Blueblood took another sip of his drink.

“What about you?”

“Hm?”

“Has anypony caught your eye?”

Blueblood shook his head, “Not at all. Even if I did, I don’t think they would want me. I still have a reputation, remember?”

“With mares, but not with guys. I mean, look around, I’d bet any one of them would be lining up to even go out with you.”

“Then why hasn’t anyone done that?”

“Maybe it’s because I’m drinking with you.”

Blueblood’s mouth hung open for a moment, but nothing came out. “Still, I doubt that anyone would even come up to say hello.” Before he could take another sip, Blueblood paused as he spotted something from the corner of his eye. “What’s he doing here?”

“Huh?” Shining looked over his shoulder, “Who?”

“Over at the bar, do you see what I see?”

At first, Shining didn’t know who Blueblood was talking about. He didn’t see anyone recognizable at first as all the stallions at the bar were strangers. All, that was, except for one at the end. At first, he thought maybe it was a trick of the light, but no, it was. From the suit to his blue mustache, his monocle, and the three crowns as a cutie mark - it was Fancy Pants.

“Didn’t imagine he was here,” Blueblood thought aloud, “I wonder what he’s doing here.”

“I would say probably getting a drink, but then again, it is a gay bar.” Shining downed the rest of his drink when he got an idea. “Hey, I’m gonna get a refill, I’ll be right back.”

Getting up from his seat, Shining carried the cocktail glass over to the bar, close over to where Fancy sat. “Hey can I get another one of these?” Shining asked the bartender.

“Which one was that?”

“The Flaming Tiki.” Once the bartender grabbed his glass, he turned over to Fancy, “You look familiar, have I seen you before?”

“Huh?” Fancy looked up from his drink. “Wait… Aren’t you Prince Shining Armor?”

“Yep.”

“By jov, what are you doing here? Don’t you have a wife?”

“And don’t you have a marefriend?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“Fine. Firstly, yes. Secondly, she knows I’m here. And third, if anything, I’m here to help out a friend of mine.”

“Who?”

Shining pointed, “Over there, the booth in the middle. That’s Blueblood. The three of us had met once before.”

“Really? When was that?”

“That modern art exhibit a couple of years ago. The one that had that mirrored cube?”

“Oh…? Oh! Of course, I remember now! You were once Blueblood’s bodyguard at one point.”

“Uh-huh. And I remember you mentioned how Blue’s coming out was a brave thing and all that… I guess seeing you here, I think I can piece together why.”

In the weird lighting of the bar, Shining could swear that Fancy’s cheeks had darkened. “Well yes… Not many ponies know this, but Fleur de Lis is my bodyguard. A wonderful friend who has saved me more times than I could count. I’m aware that ponies get the impression that she’s my marefriend by the way she drapes over me. In reality, however, I don’t feel attracted to her whatsoever. She knows this. If anything me coming to these bars is her idea.”

“Okay, I get it. Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Are you seeing someone?”

Fancy raised an eyebrow, “If I were to say that I wasn’t, why are you bringing this up?”

“Oh no, not about me. But uh… Blueblood over there.” Shining nudged his head towards the prince’s direction. “I couldn’t help but notice he’s been eyeing you for a while.”

“He is?” Fancy cocked his head to the side.

“Yeah. Just so you know, he’s single too and has been looking for a coltfriend for a while. I’m acting as his wing guy to see if he could meet somepony.”

“Why would he need a wing guy? He’s a prince.”

“Because partly he’s a little too shy, and partly because he doesn’t think anypony would come up to talk to him. With him eyeing you I thought, maybe you should pop by to say hello.”

“Me?” Fancy was flabbergasted. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Blueblood, Prince Blueblood wanted to meet him. “I don’t know if I should.”

“Trust me, I think he’ll appreciate it. Just go up and say hi. After all, what do you get to lose?”

Fancy looked between him and Blueblood. After a moment of downing the last of liquid courage and straightening out his bowtie, he said, “I swear, Old Sport, if this turns out to be a joke-”

“No joke, just go up to him.”

Fancy got out of his seat and went over to Blueblood. Shining knew that this was a gamble, for all he knew, they probably didn’t have much in common. He wasn’t sure if it would go beyond a simple hello.

Shining watched as Fancy went up, and said hello, getting Blueblood’s attention. Although Shining couldn’t hear them over the noise of the other ponies on the dancefloor and the music, he saw that the two got into a bit of small talk. He watched for a minute, watching the prince’s expression that transformed from confusion to annoyance (giving Shining a sharp glance), and then, to intrigue. There was a moment when Fancy was just about to walk away, but Blueblood stopped him and offered him a seat. Fancy accepted where he sat next to him. And just like that, the two started to talk to each other.

“Here’s your drink.” The bartender told Shining, placing his refilled cocktail down.

As Shining started to drink, a smile grew across his face as he watched the two become more engrossed in their conversation. He saw them exchange antidotes and laughter. He bet that if Cadance were here with him, she probably would say that the two have developed a connection. Seeds for something beautiful to grow between them. Minute after minute the two seem to be in a world of their own, engulfed in one another. About half an hour since they started, Fancy got up, took a card out of his pocket, and gave it to Blueblood with a wink.

Yet, before Fancy could leave, Blueblood hastily told him to wait before rushing over to Shining.

“What happened?” Shining asked.

“Fancy Pants, he… he wants me to go over to his home… What should I do?”

“I mean… do you wanna?”

“Yes but, what about you?”

Shining smirked, “I can get home. Blue, go after him.”

“But-” Shining’s hoof was on his shoulder.

“Maybe something will come out of this, maybe it will not. But sometimes you just need a leap of faith. If you think he might make you happy, go for it.” Blueblood looked over his shoulder. “Tell me how it went, okay? Same time next week?”

Blueblood looked over his shoulder once more, then with a small smile said, “We’ll see.” And like that, he trotted over across the dance floor, where he and Fancy Pants walked out.

Shining raised his glass to them, “To a brighter future.”

The End.

Chapter 2 - Getting to Know You

“.... Then the talent agent was quiet for a long, long time, trying to process what he had just seen. So finally he said, ‘That’s… an interesting act. What do you even call it?’ and the family goes, ‘The Aristocrats!’”

A fit of laughter burst out, and Shining looked on disturbed. Beside him, the prince laughed along in front of the hoofful of Canterlot’s elite. Mostly minor aristocrats. They gathered together for a charity fund for… Well, Shining wasn’t entirely sure what the fund was for exactly, other than it takes place at one of the nobility’s homes. The ballroom of a mansion that seemed a little too… gaudy for his tastes. Even just by looking up, he wondered if the owners of this place had looked up one morning and thought that their ceiling wasn’t covered with enough gold yet. But one thing he was certain about, is if these really are the elite of Canterlot… he wasn’t impressed.

“My word, Upper Crust,” Blueblood chuckled, “Where do you even come up with something like that?”

“From listening on the common folk when they think we’re not listening.” The mare that wore more gems than a jewelry store replied. “Usually they’re quite unimaginative, but on occasion, they say some rather amusing things.”

Shining rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything.

Next to the mare, a tuxedo-wearing gray stallion said, “Speaking of which, Your Highness, I wonder when you’re going to address it?”

“Excuse me?” Blueblood tilted his head, “I’m not entirely sure what you’re referring to, Jet.”

“The silent new face that has been hovering around you in the room. You haven’t even introduced us to him yet.”

“Haven’t I? Well, this here is my new bodyguard, Shining Armor. Hired him quite recently as a matter of fact.”

Shining gave a little wave.

“Not much of a talker, is he?” Jet Set smirked, “Surely, Your Highness, you don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel.”

Both Shining and Blueblood raised an eyebrow, with the prince asking, “What does that mean?”

“Well no disrespect to you, but I just thought that there are perhaps more dignified ways of picking up a stallion. Might I suggest a brothel?”

Shining’s jaw dropped as they laughed and Blueblood laughed along. He hadn’t known the prince for that long, and already he felt disgusted by the backhoof disrespect.

“Oh I’ll take your word for it, surely,” Blueblood answered with a wicked smirk, “I believe you have experience with it?”

Jet Set’s expression changed from mean joker to shocked, especially when the circle of elite and his wife laughed louder.

Blueblood then excused himself to have a few refreshments which Shining followed close by.

“Maybe it’s because I have hardly been around Canterlot’s elite,” Shining pointed out, “but they’re horrible.”

“For once tonight, I agree,” Blueblood said quietly, approaching the punch bowl.

“I just can’t believe they would say stuff like that.”

“And?”

“What?”

“Did you expect something else?”

“I don’t know, I almost half expected you to probably punch somepony in the mouth. It took every bit of restraint not to strangle what’s his name.”

Blueblood looked over his shoulder, “You should keep your voice down. They might be idiots, but they also have ears too.” Lighting his horn to levitate a cup, he laddled the punch into his cup. “Privately, I agree with you. The nobles and the wealthy can really try one's patience as you’ve heard.”

“Which makes me wonder why you come to events like these in the first place.”

“They are, as one would say, a necessary evil.”

Shining raised an eyebrow while the prince daintily sipped the punch. “In what way?”

“For one, like it or not, they provide funding and endorsements to all sorts from hospitals to roads.” Another sip, “That, and historically it’s unwise to upset them too much. There’s only so much agitation you could cause before they demand your head on a pike.”

“But they’re awful.” Shining said, “I mean where do you find the patience not to slap a few of them.”

“The trick is not to take it personally. Keep them happy and say that you’re on their side and they will follow you to the ends of the earth. You’re speaking to someone who has perfected years of the art of politics. Punch?”

Shining glanced down at the bowl, “No thank you, it’s not professional to be drinking while on duty.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, taking another sip he replied, “I don’t taste anything alcoholic if that’s what you mean by drinking.”

“I’d rather not risk it.”

“Suit yourself,” Blueblood shrugged. Privately, the prince did admire that he has integrity. Someone who knows when to take his job seriously, even when tempted. Then, a thought came to him, what is he like off duty? What does he enjoy when he isn’t working? Perhaps, while they’re taking a breather from the elite’s jokes, he could engage in real conversation. “What do you enjoy most?”

“Excuse me?” Shining blinked.

“I mean, what do you like doing when you’re not on duty?”

Shining raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Oh for no… particular reason.” Blueblood lied, “I was only curious. To hopefully gain some insight from someone of the common folk. I want to hear from the source what they’re into.”

“Well… I don’t think I speak for everypony.” Shining shrugged, “But if you were to ask just me, and what I’m into, I would say that lately, I haven’t had much time for leisure time.”

“How come?”

“Because I’m part of the royal guard. With physical exercise early in the morning, and guard duty that lasts for hours, by the end of the day I’m too exhausted for fun except for many days off.”

“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that. But are there any interests you have?” Blueblood picked out a creampuff and levitated over to Shining, which he accepted.

“Well, it’s kinda silly, really.”

“Do tell, silly is welcomed in a place like this.”

Shining’s ears folded against his head, “I’m pretty much a nerd. Like embarrassing big time. Back in high school my friends and I had an O & O session every Saturday-”

“A what?”

“You know the game Ogars and Oubliettes?” Blueblood shook his head. “It’s a fantasy role-playing game that gets interesting once you know what you’re doing. But when I’m not with my friends, I have an interest in comic books. Not just in superheroes (although that too) but really any that I could get my hooves on.”

“Like what?”

“For example, I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t stand my literature classes because I found the books we’re given were unbelievably dull. However, when dad gave me the comic book versions of them where I could see the story as it unfolds, suddenly I became really interested in them.”

“Oh? Do you have a favorite?”

Shining took a bite of the creampuff, taking a moment to think, “While I wouldn’t say favorite, there is one that I remember the most. You know the story, Gallup’s Travels?”

“Yes!” Blueblood unexpectedly squeaked, getting a few heads turned and his face turning pink. After clearing his throat he said, “I mean, yes, it’s a personal favorite of mine.”

“Oh really? Well, the books I had were both really interesting and funny. And the art is to die for. Whereas the book focused way too much on details and not the actual story, that one I could follow no problem.”

“You must be lucky, I had the actual book. But even then I still fell in love with it. I remember reading it many times when I was a colt. Looking back on it now, it was my foalhood escape, that desire to explore uncharted lands of small ponies and massive giants, of floating islands, and the Island of the Houyhnhnms and Yahoos. It’s almost funny how much influence that book has on me.”

“Maybe it’s because it was fun,” Shining shrugged. “I remember reading what I read because they were fun. Like… Oh! Like Treasure Island, the first comics based on books that I enjoyed. I remember pirates, the island, and the captain. Oh! And Long Pon Silver, I actually cried at the end.”

Blueblood smiled, “You know, I remember reading a good deal of adventure books when I was growing up. About faraway lands and ponies that were outside the palace walls. Why, every birthday Auntie Celestia would gift me an adventure book to add to my collection.”

Shining smirked, “Maybe you and my little sister should start a book club.”

“Pardon?”

“My sister, Twilight. She’s a much bigger bookworm than I am. Fiercely smart too. She’s a prodigy of your aunt.”

“Wait? Twilight? As in Twilight Sparkle - she’s your sister?”

“Didn’t you know?”

“No, this is news to me. Of course, I’d heard of her, but I had no idea that her brother was also working in the palace as well. Who would have thought?”

“Speaking of which, mind if I ask a personal question?”

“Depends. How personal is personal?”

“Well kinda. Do you have siblings or…?”

“Only child. I don’t have that large of a family outside of my aunt and a cousin.”

Shining’s smile dropped, giving way to a sympathetic look, “Oh, I didn’t think of it like that?”

“What?”

“That you don’t have that big of a family I mean.”

Blueblood shook his head, “Don’t be. I hate to cut this short, but I think I’ve spent too long from them.” Finishing the rest of the punch, he added, “Back to the grindstone.”

“.... This movie sucks.”

“Shhh!”

Every Saturday, Shining and Cadance would have a brief moment of the week where they could go out on a date. It was the only time that either of them to look forward to as any duty or job is set aside for a while to breathe and relax. Being Shining’s turn, he decided to take his marefriend out to the movies. However, when they went there wasn’t anything that was playing that truly grabbed their attention. With the theater they went to, they had the choice of The Wearmoles Strike at Midnight or Sea Goblins. They chose the former in hopes that maybe it would be interesting.

It wasn’t.

Not only was the movie cheaply made, it had a cheap script, cheap acting, cheap music, and a cheap-looking monster. If anything, privately, they wondered why they and the only other pony in the theater were still watching this.

Cadance offered Shining some popcorn, “No thanks.” Shining said, looking mindless at the screen. “I wish there was a good movie on.”

“Me too,” Cadance agreed, a few kernels being popped into her mouth. “So how was your week?”

The way she said it made Shining chuckle, “Yours wasn’t that good?”

“Busy, and borderline stressful,” Cadance replied, getting the other pony to shush them. She continued, with a lower voice, “I mean, my professors have given me a lot to read and write about.”

“So… what classes are you taking again?”

“Advance Psychology, Sociology, and Couples Studies.”

Shining raised an eyebrow, “That’s a thing?”

“The last one is for things like couples therapy and how to conduct them. Something I think would become very useful.”

“Sounds hard.”

“Hard? Not exactly, it’s just a lot of stuff to juggle that’s getting me. But I’ll live.” She levitated her paper cup with soda in it. “How was your week?”

“At least I have some good news for once,” Shining said when the other pony shushed him. He lowered his voice. “I think I’m gonna be climbing the ranks soon.”

“Wait? Really?”

“Uh-huh, I’ve recently taken up a position that the other guards didn’t want. My superior said that if I kept it up, I would finally earn my place as either Lance Corporal or Corporal, I’m not sure which.”

“At least there’s some progress there.”

“More than that, but thanks to my offering for the job, I should be getting a raise pretty soon.” Shining wrapped a hoof around her, “Which means I could finally take you out to much better places than this.”

“You know I could always pay.”

“C’mon, Cade, it isn’t fair that you have to pay for most of our dates.”

“I’m a princess.”

“So? It’s still the right thing to do to pay for the one you’re dating. Honestly, I don’t want to be a mooch for leaving you with the bill. And it’s not fair for you to have to do it.”

“What if I want to?”

“Then my code of chivalry will suffer all the more for it.”

“SHHH!”

The two fell silent, letting the actors on the screen battle out the Wearmoles with sticks.

After a while, Cadance asked, “What is your new job anyway? Aren’t you still in the guard?”

“Yeah. I took up the role of bodyguard.”

Cadance raised an eyebrow, “You bodyguarding someone?”

“Why not? Nopony else was gonna do it.”

“Really? Who are you guarding?”

“It’s one of the nobles here in Canterlot - I think you might know him.”

“Who?”

“Uh…” Shining raised a hoof, “I’m drawing a blank all of a sudden. But apparently, he has acted as Equestria’s diplomat several times.”

“Well, that doesn’t narrow it down at all.” Then after a beat, she asked, “Describe him?”

“Okay. He’s a unicorn. Blond with a long mane. Has apparently came out as gay and… Oh! He’s a prince.”

“BLUEBLOOD!” Cadance dropped her the popcorn but Shining was able to catch her drink.

“Hey! Keep it down!” The pony from behind them yelled.

Cadance took Shining by the hoof to drag him out of the theater and into the empty lobby.

“What’s the matter?” Shining asked.

She turned to look at him. “Blueblood? You’re bodyguarding for Blueblood?”

“Yeah! That’s his name. How’d you know?”

“Shining, he’s my cousin.”

Shining blinked, “Really? Huh, that’s news to me.”

“Hey, I’m in the same boat. I mean, Bluey said that he hired someone for the job of being a bodyguard, but he didn’t say who.”

“Bluey?” Shining tilted his head.

“Just a name we have for him. Still, this is a total surprise that you’re the one he’s talking about.”

“Why’s that?”

Cadance paused… does he know? “Shiny, has Blue said anything surprising to you?”

He shrugged, “Other than he likes adventure books? Not really. Why?”

Weighing her options, Cadance decided to tell him the truth, “Shining, I don’t know if you know this, but I think he has a crush on you.”

“What?” Shining blinked, “How do you know?”

“He told me, but I didn’t know it was you.”

Shining blinked again. “But… are you sure? I mean, from what I’ve seen, Blueblood isn’t that bad. If anything, he seems to be a nice guy.”

“Now that’s even more surprising.” Cadance commented, “Because he’s hardly nice, if ever. It sounds out of character of him, to be honest.”

“I mean…” Shining rubbed the back of his head, “But what if it’s true? What do I even do?”

Rubbing her chin in thought, Cadance said, “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“At least, not at the moment, it’s a little too soon to call since he just told me this week. For all I know, his feelings could change. Besides, he hasn’t done anything to you that made you uncomfortable, has he?”

“... No?”

She nodded. “Let’s not say anything to him about this. But if I were you Shining, I’d be careful with him.”

“Why? Has he done anything bad?”

“No no, nothing like that. The fact is we don’t know everything yet, and I think we should treat his emotions with care. For all I know, it could very much change, but just to be on the safe side, I’d say be mindful.”

“Okay, but what if he does like me? You know, beyond like a crush or something?”

“I hate to say this, but I’m not entirely sure. It’s hard to say when I just don’t know. In the meantime, just be yourself, be respectful, and if he does do something you don’t want to do - tell me immediately.”

Shining promised he will. But as they returned to the theater, he couldn’t help but wonder… does the Prince have a crush on him? He had only known him for about a week. And besides, he hasn’t done anything wrong. However, the next time he goes to work would certainly shake things up, assuming what he might know. At the same time, he’s just as uncertain as Cadance is. For all he knows, maybe it’s something innocent, that the prince might like him as a friend.

Perhaps.

“... Now there’s something you don’t see every day,” Maximilian muttered. What the butler was referring to was finding some of the serving staff crowded around Blueblood’s doors, taking peeks through the opening with intense gawking. They weren’t even paying attention until he cleared his throat. “What are all of you doing? Why hasn’t the Prince left to have lunch with Princess Celestia?”

One of the maids stepped aside, “It’s uncanny, did you see the Prince?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Something rare,” a Hoofcolt remarked without turning away from the sight. “Like something you would see in a lifetime kind of rare.”

“He’s… smiling.” Another maid said. “I think he’s happy.”

Maximilian raised an eyebrow, “Happy?”

“It’s bizarre, I know.” A waiter nodded in agreement. “He’s happy as a puppy - and what’s more, I think he’s serious about it.”

“Let me see,” Maximilian pulled several ponies to the side to see what they were talking about.

Immediately, he could understand why the servant staff were so taken aback. Blueblood was smiling. Genuinely. He was humming a happy tune, and skipping (yes, skipping!) like a foal about to open their present on their fifth birthday. Even in the years he’s served as a personal butler to the prince, he had never seen him in such a state. Usually, he’s stoic, cold, persnickety, whiny, and has a ridiculously high standard where he isn’t afraid to point them out to the servants. Seeing him like this, however, was not just out of character - it was surreal.

“You think somepony had put something in his food this morning?” A maid wondered aloud. “Maybe he’s sick?”

“I bet he’s finally snapped,” a waiter rubbed his chin in thought. “That or maybe bewitched somehow.”

“Or maybe it’s something else entirely,” Celestia said, which made everypony there nearly jump out of their hides. So intrigued and dumbfounded by Blueblood’s change in mood that no one had noticed the towering white alicorn that too was curious to see what everyone else was looking at.

“Princess!” Maximilian exclaimed, “When did you get here?”

“Between he’s sick and I bet he’s finally snapped. I was wondering why he hasn’t shown up for lunch so I came to see what was keeping him.” Celestia cranned her neck over. She smiled, “Huh… Most likely, I think he’s in love.”

“What!” The servant staff cried at once.

“Pardon, Princess,” Maximilian raised a hoof. “How do you know? He hasn’t even told us.”

“When you have been alive as long as I have, you tend to pick up certain things that repeat. By the looks of it, I think my nephew has fallen in love.” Celestia stepped towards the doors, and the staff backed away for her to pass. “Now if you all excuse me, I have some teasing to tend to.”

Pushing through the doors, Celestia did think that it was adorable to see her nephew be this happy. To prance about the room while the phonograph is playing a waltz - it’s rather rare to have Blueblood be this deep into daydreaming. He didn’t even notice Celestia entered the room until she lifted the needle off the record.

“What the?” Blueblood was finally brought into reality, “Auntie! What are you doing here?”

“I was wondering why you haven’t shown up to lunch and why your staff were gawking at the door. But it seems I interrupted your daydreaming.”

“Oh,” the prince took a moment to compose himself. “Is there something you need help with?”

“Not at the moment, but I am curious what brought this up. I haven’t seen you this happy since you were a foal. Had something happened?” she asked with a knowing smile.

“As a matter of fact, something has,” Blueblood said proudly, “Something wonderful that I didn’t would happen at all.”

“Oh?”

“You see I…” Blueblood trailed off, an embarrassed blush on his face, “Could I… offer you something while you’re here?”

“No thank you. But what were you saying?”

Blueblood went over to his table and took a seat, “I suppose there’s no way to sugar-coat this… but I recently think I’ve fallen in love.”

“Really?” Celestia said, acting pleasantly surprised. “Oh Bluey, that’s wonderful!”

Indeed, even though she had figured it out the moment she had seen her nephew through the doors - this was a pleasant surprise. Not many ponies know this, but she was the first pony that her nephew had come out to. It was still fresh in her mind, how heartbreaking it was to see him had choked on tears as he slowly revealed the truth to her. Knowing what she knows now, she was worried about Blueblood’s well-being, that it may drive him into darker actions. She was also concerned about how the palace, and outside the palace would take the news of him being gay. She was also worried if he would ever find a stallion of his own that he could love - though she may not show it, she was glad her worries were in vain.

“I mean I haven’t said anything yet,” Blueblood rubbed the back of his head. “That, and I’m not entirely sure if he would feel the same way back.”

“Who is it?” Celestia took a seat across from him, “Whose the lucky stallion?”

“Not anyone you would know… but you might know his sister.”

“Oh?”

“You know of uh… Twilight Sparkle?”

“Of course I should know, she’s my prize pupil. But her brother?”

“He’s a guard in the castle that I’ve hired to be my bodyguard. And Auntie, he’s the handsomeness, kindness, if a bit dorkiest stallion you might come across - but (and I don’t use this word often) he’s a sweetheart.”

“And how long have you known… I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught the name.”

“Shining,” Blueblood sighed happily, his hooves propped on the table in an unprincely manner, “Shining Armor.” He smiled, “It sounds like something out of a fairy tale, doesn’t it?”

No reply.

“Auntie?”

“Sorry, but I could have sworn I’ve heard that name before.” She held her chin, “It sounds familiar, but I couldn’t put my hoof on why… No matter. Still, how long have you known him?”

“Well not… too terribly long.”

“Meaning…”

“... Less than a week,” he muttered, “but if you could see him, Auntie, you’d know at a glance why I have a crush on him.”

“Now Bluey, what did I say about appearances?”

“I know, that looks aren’t everything - but already he’s close to perfect as you could get. He’s dorky, but not annoying. He’s dedicated to his job but not one-sided about it. He’s serious but he loves to laugh. He’s on time yet he can be clumsy in all the right ways. I would ask him out on a date, but I just…” He rubbed the side of his arm, “I don’t know if he would reciprocate my feelings back. For all I know, maybe he has a marefriend or is homophobic.”

“But Bluey, you don’t know that.” Celestia pointed out, “And I can already see that you’re about to fall into catastrophizing things again, but at times like this, you still need to remember that our minds and experiences can make things seem worse than they actually are. Remember that Twain quote I like?”

He nodded and recited, “I have survived many disasters in my life, most of which never happened.”

Celestia nodded, “Funny, and true. Even if your bodyguard doesn’t feel the same way back, the way you’ve described him sounds like he would be a good friend to you. Still, you would never know for certain, unless you ask him first.”

Blueblood pulled on the back of his mane, “You make it sound so easy. I do want to ask him out, but there are so many unknowns about him. I don’t know if I should be upfront about it, or wait to gather enough clues to see which way he would fall under.”

“Oh I understand,” Celestia said, “matters of the heart can be a tricky thing. While I can’t guarantee what will happen, I do hope things will work out for you. Though, just remember that your crush is his own pony and should be respected as such.” And with a smirk, she added, “And don’t overdo it by building a shrine in your closet.”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “I’m not planning on stalking him.”

“Maybe not, but I have seen ponies do something like that before.”

“Good to know,” Celestia got up from her seat. “I’d better be going now, there’s a slice of lemon cheesecake with my name on it. And also, if you want to come for advice, you can always ask me or your cousin.”

“He’ll last for a month.”

“Too optimistic, are we? No, he’ll last two weeks.”

“Two weeks? This is Shining Armor we’re talking about, he’s a lot more patient than that… I’d give it three at most.”

By the time Shining Armor had returned to his barracks, he found the three Corporles mentioning him. When he pushed open the door, the three of them paused to look at him.

“Speak of the devil.” Nightshade said, “You’ve been with the prince today?”

“Not really. I just got back with my date,” Shining went over to his bunk. “What were you three talking about?”

“Well Ah won’t lie,” Wheat said, as they returned to their poker game. “We have a bettin’ pool goin’ fer ya.”

Shining raised an eyebrow, “Betting pool?”

“I think most of the barracks is getting in on this.” Morning explained. “Since you got the job for being the prince’s bodyguard, all of us are making guesses of how long you would last before you quit.”

“It’s a well-known fact after all,” Nightshade nodded, “ponies who work for Blueblood, don’t stay for long. From what I hear, anypony who stays longer than a year is pretty rare.”

“Honestly Ah’m still surprised you took it up,” Wheat added, drawing some cards from a deck. “You’ll probably earn the rank of corporal in no time fer courage.”

After a beat, Shining asked, “Permission to speak freely?”

“We’re not officers, Private,” Morning said, “Go ahead.”

“What do you three have against him?” This got their attention. “Maybe it’s because I’ve only known the guy for about a week, but the way you three have described him is like he’s a demon out of Taterus. So what exactly have you three have against him? Have any of you worked for him?”

Wheat looked at the other two before saying, “As a matter of fact, we had. All of us have guarded the prince at least once. Now this is before he came out, but for us when we did it… he was unpleasant. And that’s me bein’ nice!”

“I found him way too whiny,” Nightshade added.

“Whiny?” Shining tilted his head.

“Oh yeah, every five minutes he would complain over the most stupid of things that a five-year-old could get around. Honestly, I think he wants someone to baby him, to look be looked after like his parent or something. Now I think you would need tremendous patience to be around the guy - I lasted for three days before I begged to switch me to latrine duty.”

“Ha! You two got off light,” Morning drew a card from the deck. “I know for a fact that he was staring at my flank for hours.”

“You’re kidding!” Wheat looked up surprised.

“Caught him too. Remember that embassy incident a while back when they've sent the prince to smooth things out with the Saddle Arabians? Well while I was standing at the entrance to the conference with my back against everyone, I spotted from a mirror that Blueblood was staring at me. When I looked over my shoulder he looked away. At first, I thought it was nothing but he kept doing it several times, at one point I think he crossed his hindlegs so no one would notice his… ya know. The rest of the trip just creeped me out that I asked for a reassignment by the time we back to Canterlot.”

Shining raised an eyebrow. “... Are we even talking about the same pony? Because so far the guy isn’t nearly as bad as you’re making him out to be.”

“Oh, just you wait,” Morning warned, “he may be all noble now, but when you least expect it, you’ll regret taking up the job.” Putting a card down, he added, “If I were you, I’d make sure I’d watch my back unless you want to get molested.”

Rolling his eyes, Shining went over to his bunk bed. “Call me crazy, but I don’t see the same pony you’re all talking about. If anything, I think the guy must be starving for a friend.”

“A friend?” Wheat questioned.

“With all that he has going on, I think he really wants someone to talk to. He’s pretty interesting once you get him away from any of his duties. He has a love of classic books, and he’s probably nerdy than I am. Besides, to me, the guy can be a bit flamboyant, but I think he’s overall harmless.”

Nightshade turned his attention back to his cards and put a card down. “By the way, when are you gonna be on duty with him anyway?”

“I think this coming Monday. Something about an art exhibition that just opened up.” Shining laid his head down on his pillow. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to one myself, especially for a reception. Wonder what it would be like.”

Shining had a confused look. Blueblood noticed it right away as soon as they entered the gallery. He wasn’t upset. Wasn’t disgusted. Wasn’t bored. Just… confused.

In particular with one sculpture in the center of the room. It was a mirrored cube that was as big as a pony that reflected the gallery. Showing the other pieces of paint splattered on canvases, a sculpture of airy, wicker-like things that hung from the ceiling. A carefully arranged set of lead tiles on the floor. A table that had snacks and horderves, along with wealthy ponies taking in the art around them.

“Interesting how you react to this the most,” Blueblood observed, holding a glass in his aura, standing next to Shining at the mirrored cube.

“I’m more lost than anything,” Shining told him. “For some of this stuff, I can’t tell if it's art or a mistake.”

“Most of the time, that is rarely the case,” Blueblood took a sip. “Everything here is intentional.”

“Maybe but I keep asking… why though?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…” Shining looked over his shoulder. “Everything else here doesn’t resemble much of anything. Just weird stuff for the sake of weird. At least with this thing that it’s just a mirror that’s a cube, but otherwise, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do with any of this stuff.”

“Understandable. I was confused with all this modern art when I first encountered it.” Blueblood nodded. “But later on I realized how challenging it can be.”

“Challenging?” Shining raised an eyebrow.

“For example, this piece here. This cube is made of mirrors, now, what do you think the artist is trying to do with this?”

Shining tilted his head. “Do? They’re mirrors. They reflect stuff back.”

“Exactly.” Blueblood nodded. “And notice too that this is roughly the size of a pony as well. It’s not an object that you could pick it up in your hoof, nor a monument that you look up and admire. But being pony-sized brings a different experience with it.”

“What does that have to do with any of the stuff here?”

“You see, if you ask what is this art for, you’d realize it's the wrong question. The real question is what can this art do? What kind of experience do you have when you encounter these. Like this piece.”

“Huh…” Shining looked back at the cube but his eyes wondered about it. This time look at it from different angles, even going around the thing. “Maybe… it’s about reflecting the space it’s in. This exhibit.”

“Correct!” Blueblood smiled. “This I think has more to do with bringing attention to this space and how we interact with it.”

Shining blink, “Ya know, you’re really good at explaining this stuff.”

“He certainly knows what he’s talking about,” both Shining and Blueblood looked over as a stallion emerged from one side of the cube. “I’ve been looking for you, Your Highness.”

At a glance, Shining could see that this was another of the elite. The stallion who spoke was a unicorn who was smartly dressed in a suit, a monocle in his eye, and a sky-blue mane. Whenever he spoke, he did so in a smart Trottingham accent.

“Fancy Pants, long time no see.” Blueblood shook his hoof. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I was on holiday but I came back just in time for all this. Besides, I can see that my patronage has paid off.”

“Sorry?” Shining asked.

“The artists here, I have been their patron for their housing and work spaces to create these marvelous works you see. And I’m relieved that they were able to… Oh, I’m terribly sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Fancy Pants.” He offered his hoof to him.

“Shining Armor.” He shook it. “I’m Blueblood’s bodyguard.”

“Is that right?” Fancy smiled, “I dare say that you’ve landed an honorable job for this brave fellow.”

“How so?”

“Well, just coming out.” Fancy patted the prince’s back. “Still a brave thing he’s done. Not many ponies could do what he did, but I believe it has done tremendous good. Why, I’ve had a few friends be inspired by this stallion here.” Fancy spotted something in the mirror and turned his head, “Excuse me, sir! Those squares are not meant to be touched!” He turned back to them, “Sorry for cutting this short, but I really must interfere.” Fancy rushed away from them.

After a while, Blueblood decided to move on to another work, and that bit from Fancy got Shining thinking. While they were looking at a painting that had an expansive color field of blues, Shining asked, “Do you… mind if I asked a personal question?”

“You may.”

“Okay so… I don’t mean any disrespect or anything here, just… keep in mind that this is coming from somepony that doesn’t know anyone who is gay.”

This got Blueblood’s attention, raising an eyebrow. “What about it?”

“Well… for starters, how did you know you’re gay?”

Blueblood let out an exhausted breath, turning his attention toward the painting at those hazy blues. “I can only speak for myself, but for me, it was a slow realization. Around the age of… oh… thirteen or fourteen, it started to dawn on me that colts my age were oogling over fillies but for me, I had no idea what they were talking about. Of course, I thought that some fillies were pretty but they never… grabbed my attention. Not like how a few colts my age were that made me daydream of being together. It took a good long while before I finally pieced it together that I wasn’t like most colts and even longer to come to terms with the fact.”

“And did you ever… ya know?”

“What?”

“Like, have a coltfriend or something?”

Blueblood shook his head. “I wish. But I did have a few crushes here and there, however, my experience is usually from a distance. Even after I came out, it’s still not so easy getting into a serious relationship when you’re not entirely sure if they would feel the same way back.”

“Oh… sorry to hear that.” Shining looked over to the color field and asked, “But I am curious though.”

“Hm?”

“Well… if you did have a coltfriend, what’d you think he could be like.”

Blueblood stared at the painting, hoping that Shining wouldn’t notice the blush. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, paint me a picture here. If you could maybe craft someone you would go on a date with, what would they be?”

Letting out a breath, Blueblood took a moment or so to choose his next words carefully. “Well… hypothetically speaking. If I had my way to say… make a coltfriend, I would say that I want him roughly the same age as me - give or take a couple of years. Physically, I would like to see him as… fit.”

Shining tilted his head. “Fit?”

“You know, someone who has neither let themselves go, nor let exercise go straight to their heads to the point where they’re just purely made out of muscle. I would like them to be… well… something like you would see from Classical Pegasi statues where they’re just right.

“If I had my way, I would make their manes not too long, but just enough when they flick their head, or if there’s a breeze, it would flow like a flag. The face itself, I would want to craft it in a way that’s not only just handsome but has its own qualities I would want.”

“Such as?”

“Oh…” Blueblood tried as hard as he could to fight his blush. “A face that is… strong, but knows when to be vulnerable. Mature, but knows how to be foalish. Sensitive, but not fragile. Compassionate, but not a push-over. The kind of face that you would actively try to listen to you and your problems; even when those problems are silly. A face that would offer you a comforting hug when you’re having a bad day. The kind that reminds you that no matter what… you’re not alone.”

As Blueblood talked, Shining tried to remain stoic, but his ears folded back betraying what he felt. With the memory of what Cadance suspected still fresh, he started to wonder what this prince’s life really must have been like. Picking out how… isolated Blueblood might have been. To him, this is someone who is emotionally starving for affection to want someone who is even nice to him. Of course, he wasn’t entirely sure if Blueblood was talking about him or being hypothetical.

“Perhaps there might be stallions out there who are really like that,” Shining told him. “Have you ever thought of maybe going to places to look for guys like that?”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Well…” Shining was going to suggest, but his mind immediately drew a blank. “Maybe like a… a gay bar?”

The prince shook his head. “Call me old fashion, but if I’m going to meet someone, I’d rather not do it in a seedy place. After all, it would be unbecoming of a Prince.”

“Then again, why not? Have you been to one?”

“Have you?”

“... Okay, you got me there. But still, you shouldn’t lose hope. Sometimes love can come at the most unexpected moments in places you wouldn’t expect.”

Blueblood ran a hoof through his long mane. “I don’t deny it. I think that the pony I described could be very real.” Blueblood decided to move on to the next art piece in the gallery with Shining following him. With a small smile and a small giggle, he thought, ‘More real than you could ever realize~’