When Flurry was ready she climbed onto Starlight’s back. “So what do you think?” the mare asked. “Should we bring the dork with us?”
“Of course!” said Flurry, and a with a flash of her horn they were outside Starlight and Sunburst’s room.
The door was half open, and Starlight could see Sunburst sitting at his desk reading a book. She jogged up to the door and bucked it open, making Sunburst jump and drop his book.
“Alright, you!” Starlight said in a playful tone. “You are hereby being abducted!”
“S-Starlight, please!” said Sunburst, catching his breath.
“So is this your thing now?” asked Flurry with a touch of annoyance. “Kicking doors open instead of just knocking?”
“Could be!” she replied with a giggle. “Let’s go, Mr. Wizard!”
“But I’m right at the best part,” Sunburst complained as she dragged him by his tail towards them. He was going to grab the book with his magic, but noticed it wasn’t on the floor anymore.
Sunburst flipped onto his back. “We just went out,” he said in a defeated voice.
“This isn’t about me.” She lifted Flurry off her back, levitating her in front of Sunburst. “This is about this cute little filly who just had a magic lesson and wants her ice cream sundae.”
“So what do you need me for? Isn’t that your bonding experience?”
“Because she wants you to come along. Right, Flurry?”
Flurry had a sad face now. “I… I had a bit of a bad day today, Uncle Sunny. I just want to surround myself with the people I love to feel better. But if you want to stay here that's okay. I won't be mad.”
“So… you still want to go back to your book?” asked Starlight knowingly.
Sunburst stood up. “Of course not. If you need me I’ll always be there, Flurry.” Flurry put her hooves out, and Sunburst hugged her close.
“Aww, I knew you’d see reason.”
Sunburst rolled his eyes as he gave her a flat look. “You could have just asked nicely instead of giving me a heart attack.”
“Oh, but what’s the fun in that?”
Sunburst sighed. “Out of all the mares in the world I just had to choose you.”
Starlight nuzzled his nose lovingly. “And I know you don’t regret it for a minute.”
Reluctantly Sunburst smiled and gave her a kiss. “You don’t make it easy sometimes.”
“I love you too, Sunbutt.”
Flurry snickered. She was already starting to feel better again. Everything felt normal once more. Aunt Starlight was being a troll and Uncle Sunburst was being his dorky, timid self.
As she released Sunburst she smiled and threw a hoof in the air. “Let’s go! I want my ice cream!” As much as she didn’t care for Starlight’s methods she couldn’t deny that her emotions were sitting less heavy on her after their magic fight.
Starlight flashed her a smile. “See what you did, uncle of the year?” She kissed him on the cheek.
His eyes turned into hearts for a moment. Starlight could grate on his nerves sometimes, but she was perfect to him. “As her Crystaller it falls on me to take on this task.”
“So you ready?” asked Starlight, her horn starting to light up.
“No!” said Flurry strongly. “No magic. I want to walk.”
“Suit yourself.” The glow faded.
Flurry climbed up on Sunburst’s back. “I’m ready now.”
She felt at ease as they walked out of the castle and to her favorite ice cream store. Like with her parents and Twilight before they didn’t talk about anything important, but that’s what made it important to her. She just wanted to forget her troubles for a while by talking about regular stuff with no big significance.
Sunburst didn’t press her for details on what made her day bad, for which she was grateful. Some might find it inconsiderate he didn’t do so, but she knew the way he was. When she went through hard times he offered her his unfailing support, regardless of what he was doing, knowing that she would talk about it when she was ready.
When they arrived at the shop they all took a booth. Since Flurry and Starlight were such regulars all the waitress had to ask was “The usual?” The two nodded, Flurry licking her lips in anticipation.
Sunburst wasn’t big on sweets, and the few times he tagged along he usually didn’t order anything.
Flurry wasn’t having that this time. “Uncle Sunny, you’re not just going to stare at us eating today!”
He knew he couldn’t argue with her. “Look, I’ll just share with Starlight.”
Starlight blushed lightly as she gave him a warm smile. “Oh, you romantic, you.”
Sunburst gave her a questioning look at first, then blushed heavily. “Oh, um, I…” He coughed. “That wasn’t a…”
Starlight looked up at the waitress. “The usual, but supersize it so I can share it with my darling husband here.”
“Right away,” said the mare, leaving to put in their order.
Starlight nuzzled him. “Don’t be shy, honey.”
“I’m not being shy!” he said firmly.
“Oh, but it’s okay for you to be. That’s what I fell in love with, you adorkable twit.”
Flurry put her head on her hooves, feeling a sense of joy. “You two are always so charming together. I hope one day I find a cool stallion like Uncle Sunny too.”
“C-cool… stallion?” Sunburst said, looking flattered.
“Even if you don’t have a lot of magical power like me and Aunt Starlight, you still helped to save the whole Crystal Empire when I broke the Crystal Heart as a baby and no one else knew what to do. You’re a real hero, Uncle Sunny.”
His blush grew deeper, unable to stop himself from smiling.
“Hmph!” Starlight snickered. “Didn’t help that you also destroyed the book we were going to use to recreate it.”
“No,” Flurry replied, “but you still couldn’t have done it without him. You tried and failed to put the Crystal Heart back together, and it was only because he read so much stuff he knew what to do.”
“True enough.” She rubbed his beard. “Couldn’t let a catch like that get away.”
In an oddly confident tone he said, “So you only like me for my fame?”
“Is there anything else about you I should be interested in?”
His confident act faded almost as quick as it arrived. He took the question seriously, awkwardly trying to list his good points.
Starlight resisted laughing, and let him go for a bit before kissing him to quiet him down. “You know what I think is the best thing about you?”
Sunburst looked a little love struck. “W-what’s that?”
She kissed him again, looking at him adoringly. “The fact that you’re mine.”
He looked back at her lovingly. “And I love that you’re mine.”
Flurry was beaming, loving to see them being affectionate. Just like with her parents, her aunt and uncle were at their best when she could have them together.
“So,” Starlight started, “when are you going to give me a baby?”
“WHAT?” His hoof shot up, knocking his glasses askew as he went to adjust them. “Look… um… t-this isn't the best time to... uh...” He gulped.
“I don’t want to wait anymore.” Starlight said seductively as she slowly got right in his face. “Let’s make it happen! Right here, right now. I don’t care who sees. Let them watch!”
“STARLIGHT!” he said in a panic, jerking back and going green as he sputtered incoherently.
Starlight burst into laughter as she retreated.
Flurry cracked up too. Starlight was such a joker.
Sunburst adjusted his glasses, still flustered as he panted and tried to regain his composure.
Starlight threw a hoof around him, nuzzling his cheek. “You’re such a dork,” she said lovingly. “I’m willing to wait as long as it takes for you to be ready. I would never rush you, silly.”
“Some jokes just aren’t funny!” Sunburst said with a huff.
“Aww, but it made Flurry laugh. Isn’t that worth something?”
Flurry snickered. Unintentional, but this was the second time today her family had made an embarrassing joke and asked to get a pass because it made her laugh.
When their ice cream arrived Flurry was feeling real good inside, and she knew she’d only feel better once they were done.
Sunburst was still in a bit of a sour mood over Starlight’s joke, sitting quietly with his hooves crossed.
Starlight thought of teasing him by throwing some ice cream at him, but she didn’t think it would go over well. She had gone a bit too far for that to do anything but push him away.
“I’m sorry,” she said sincerely. “That joke was in poor taste. Sometimes I don’t know where to stop when I mess around.”
For a few seconds Sunburst didn’t respond, just staring at the large bowl. “I’m not really in the mood for ice cream anymore, so you can have it all.”
Starlight pushed her side up against his, giving him puppy dog eyes. “Oh, come on, baby. I really am sorry. Let’s not let one tasteless joke ruin things for Flurry.”
Starlight felt a bit of guilt. She had said it mostly to appeal to Sunburst’s good nature, but now that she thought about it she really didn’t want Flurry’s good mood ruined because of her. She couldn't afford to let this time out go south. There was too much at stake here for her, and if things went bad it could taint her relationship with Flurry forever.
She gave Sunburst some space, looking down at her ice cream but not seeing it. “I guess I really did screw things up, huh?” She couldn't bring herself to look at Flurry, feeling some fear now that she had made a huge mistake.
Sunburst heard the shift in her tone, and glanced over at her, feeling like she was actually taking responsibility for things. Her face was downcast, and she looked genuinely sorry now that she wasn't making light of it. “Look, you crossed the line, but you’re right. Flurry deserves to be happy.”
Starlight glanced over at him. “So you forgive me?”
“Not quite.” Sunburst’s horn glowed, and Starlight let out a squeak as an invisible pressure forced her head downwards right into her bowl of ice cream.
Flurry gasped. She had never seen him do something like that before.
With a smirk he said, “Now you’re forgiven.”
Starlight sputtered as she raised her head, wiping off ice cream from her snout with her hooves. "SUNBURST!" Her eyes narrowed, and she looked like she was about to lose it. "Did you seriously just do that?"
Flurry began to laugh hysterically. It was one of the funniest things she had ever seen, if only because it was Sunburst that had done it, the very last pony she'd ever expect to do something like that.
“Come on, babe,” Sunburst said in a mocking tone. “I got Flurry to laugh. Doesn’t that count for something?”
Starlight tensed, hearing him repeat his words back to her. After a few moments she got a big grin on her face, pleased at this rare display of boldness. She let out a smug laugh as she used magic to clean the mess on her face. “You know you’re a dead pony later, right?”
“Worth it.”
“Woohoo!” Flurry cheered, pumping her hoof. “Go, Uncle Sunny! Show her who’s boss.”
“Oh, please,” said Starlight, chuckling. “Like I’m afraid of this guy.”
Satisfied, Sunburst grabbed a spoon and began to dig in to what remained of the ice cream. After a moment Starlight joined him, with Flurry starting in on hers as well.
Once they finished up they walked back up to the castle. When they reached Starlight and Sunburst’s room Flurry thought they’d spend some more time together inside.
“Say goodbye to Sunburst, Flurry.”
“Where’s he going?” asked Flurry.
“Yeah,” Sunburst said right after. “Where am I going?”
“Thanks for coming along, Sunburst,” Starlight said as she gave him a big kiss. “Flurry really needed it.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “Of course I’d do anything for my little Flurry, but that doesn’t explain-”
Starlight’s horn glowed, and a book floated over to them from inside. “I think we’ve bothered you enough for now, so we’ll let you get back to the book you were reading before I so rudely interrupted you.”
Sunburst took the book, and to his surprise there was a bookmark in it. When he opened it to that page he saw that it was exactly where he had been. He was pleased by her thoughtfulness. “Thank you, Starlight.”
“You’re very welcome.
“Give Uncle Sunny a hug and a thank you, Flurry.”
Flurry hopped off Starlight’s back and gave him a big hug. “Thanks so much for coming out with us, Uncle Sunny. You're the best!"
Sunburst got a bashful look on his face. “C-come on. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“It was to me! I love you!”
He hugged her back. “I love you too, Flurry. It was a pleasant outing barring that joke from Starlight.”
“Hey,” said Starlight playfully. “You already got your revenge so I think we’re even, hmm?”
Sunburst rolled his eyes.
When they split apart Flurry levitated herself onto Starlight’s back again. “See you later, Uncle Sunny!”
He waved goodbye as the pair walked off, feeling so lucky to have the two of them in his life.
When they got back to Flurry’s room Starlight set her on her bed, sitting next to her. “So did you have fun?”
Flurry nodded. “Yes, Aunt Starlight. I had a blast!”
Starlight’s chipper attitude slipped, and she suddenly had an oddly heavy look about her. “Well, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“What’s that?” Flurry asked, feeling a little concerned.
“Like your feelings about your friend’s betrayal.”
Flurry tensed, pulling away and looking up at her. How did she know about that?
Hm.
Bringing Sunburst is actually for a practice run of being parents?
Since she apparently already knows about what happened, she wants to make a lasting good impression for herself after the incident not just to have a genuine moment of happiness connected to her as a reinforcement of their relationship, but also to...help soften the blow of the coming discussion/help Flurry be in a better mood for te diacussion and/or reinforce her changed ways?
I had a feeling in the previous chapter that Starlight knew. Didn't expect it would have to go with a lot of cute fluff. Nice fluff chapter!
9528244 Fluff...you say fluff twice. I think you've said in the past you don't read the author's notes, but I don't write those for nothing. I said that this WASN'T just filler, because it's going to pay a vital role for Starlight on a personal level. There was something important she had to find out through the experience.
Then you say it's fluff twice and it almost feels like you're mocking me. I know you're not but it still bugs me because I stated quite plainly it's not.
9528062
Sunburst was brought along simply for Flurry's sake. The baby thing was simply her being a troll and nothing more.
You're a little off-track in Starlight's mindset and the importance of this outing for her. She did want to get Flurry in a better mood before their discussion, but she needed this personally.
You did quote the added exposition line though, so you got that right.
9528716 Oh. Perhaps hearing what happened and deciding to talk to Flurry about it brought up some not fond memories. So Starlight wanted the outing for some happiness before heaviness for herself as well(?).
9528695
Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just thought this was really cute. Sorry.
9528765
You're getting warmer. Let's just say there was something Starlight wanted to figure out from observing Flurry.
9528860 She wanted to see if Flurry was still comfortable around her or if she was even a bit wary? That way she can take a guess as to her attitude when they talk and proceed accordingly?
There's two things I could think Starlight wants to talk about. But one of those things I think would be unrelated to talking with Flurry Heart about what happened.
Relating to what she wants to talk about with Flurry, I'd have to say that after learning what Flurry experience, specifically the version of Starlight that Flurry had to fight (even if it was Sombra in disguise...and a fake one at that), Starlight wants to reassure Flurry that that's not her. But more than that, I think Starlight wants to remind herself that that's not her. I'm willing to bet that Starlight has had thoughts like that in the past. Not actually considering acting on those thoughts, but rather just thinking about them out of morbid curiosity. A part of her may feel guilty that she has had those thoughts. But she also wants Flurry to know that she would never hurt her like that. And considering how she views things in canon, I think Starlight is in fact afraid that Flurry may not have forgiven her for what that alternate Starlight did. And as I said, that fear comes from the fact that she may have had those thoughts.
To make a long story short (too late), Starlight wants to help Flurry work through her emotions, but also wants Flurry to help her work through her own emotions as well.
On another unrelated note, I think Starlight was only half joking. I think she honestly wants to have a child. And as willing as she is to wait for Sunburst, I think on the inside, there's a part of her that's growing impatient. She wanted to spend the day out with Flurry, and bring Sunburst along not just to cheer up Flurry, but to also make herself feel like a mother for a little while. Helping to raise Flurry heart has gotten her motherly instincts going.
9528874
We haven't seen enough of them to actually make that a plot point, though considering how often I run with reader comments it may well come up. I mean, the reason this arc didn't end with the children being close to their families is because of another comment that they expected something to happen with Flurry (not saying what cuz spoilers) and I said "Why not? It sounds good to me."
As for the rest you've basically nailed it.
9528871
You pretty much got it.
How classy. Using the kid's emotions as ammunition, like during an ugly divorce. Using that line once, she can get away with that. Doing it repeatedly...
I see Starlight still has that evil, manipulative side of her. Abusing Sunburst (even teasingly) and deflecting/justifying it by implying it hurts Flurry if he doesn't take it is pretty clear warning bells of a toxic relationship down the line. Sunburst had better get out while he can.
9530849
Wow, did you take this whole thing out of context. And you weren't even paying attention, considering you're quoting SUNBURST'S line. Starlight said it once, then Sunburst used it as an ironic echo. There was no repetition of Starlight using the line.
As Flurry stated, Shining did the exact same thing, making a joke at Twilight's expense then using Flurry as an excuse for why she shouldn't hold it against him. It wasn't meant to be taken so seriously.
And abusing him? Really? She made a lewd joke. Come on. Laying it on pretty thick. They've been married for a while. He knows her teasing style of humor. This one just went a bit too far for his taste and Starlight eventually acknowledged it and apologized.
I think you just come off as a Starlight hater here and seeing what you want to see if you could get THAT out of a cute scene, especially when you're basing it on incorrect information.