Sunburst has a secret.
He is deeply and utterly in love with Shining Armor and Princess Cadance.
Though, honestly it's probably best that this stays a secret. Shining is a stud and Princess Cadance the most beautiful mare in Equestria. They're way out of his league and happily married.
It's just a bunch of dumb day dreaming and childish fantasies. They couldn't possibly like him like that.
Right?
Proofread by my lovely and utterly fantastic friends Nova Quill and Undome Tinwe .
Cover art was done the fantastic Silfoe, special thanks to her for letting me use it.
"This was a delight to read. Cute and fluffy all the way through.
Also, I appreciate the actual in-character bits and what they did for the story and progression a lot." - Carapace
"I rather enjoyed this one, gar." - Cynewulf
"What is there to say, if you like cute fluffy shipping, then you’ll like this one, and should go read. If you don’t… what’s wrong with you?" - Hopeling's 27/05/2019 Review
"This story was immensely enjoyable, one of the best I've read in quite some time. All the characters were an absolute joy to read, and the chemistry between them was perfect. The only thing that could've made it better is if there was more of it " - Krickis
I can definitely get behind this ship!
Congrats! You get a like.
Always nice to get some Bi-Poly happiness :)
Very cute, nerdpone's got game.
This is very valid...
This has to be one of the best stories I've read this year. Fun, romantic and cute all wrapped up in one wonderful work of art.
9605764
It's honestly such a good triad ship. The commissioner of the image used for the cover art told me about it one day and its stuck with me ever since.
9605774
Thank you!
9605886
It really is.
9606024
It's the beard, ponies can't resist playing with it.
9606130
Extremely valid.
9606173
Oh my gosh, thank you so much, that means a lot. I'm really glad you enjoyed it.
O&O Dorkiness is great, and the awkewardness... kindof want to see how it plays out, and the difficulties involved while they figure things out. I like it.
One question, I thought Sunburst was a paladin, but it's described like he's playing a Magus or a Eldritch Knight... is O&O just different from D&D? :p
The Barbarian of Love, there's all kinds of passion aren't there :p
Woke as in "pretentious"/"derogatory"? Because that's not really the case. Polyamory means multiple romantic partners, Polygamy means multiple spouses. Similar, but not the same. Of course, Candence was still right in correcting Shining if they don't plan on marrying Sunburst.
Heh, re-read it again already. I'm just picturing the future in my head of Flurry calling Sunburst her other daddy. ~<3
This was a delight to read. Cute and fluffy all the way through.
Also, I appreciate the actual in-character bits and what they did for the story and progression a lot.
This leaves Starlight free for her relationship with Twilight and Sunset.
9606182
I'm going to keep it real with you. I have never actually played DND.
9606480
Aww thank you so much, Cara. I'm really glad you enjoyed, thanks for the nice comment.
9606481
I wrote that fic before :P
9606521
Paladin is traditionally a Holy Knight type thing, whose magic is divine and Smite Evil and Heal the Wounded and I'm Immune to Damage Temporarily type stuff.
Also, Fireball is an iconic level 3 spell, which is typically unlocked by level 4-5 spellcasters (depending on edition). If they were level 1s, he'd be casting Firebolt. ANd probably be a Cleric of a Fire God, or possibly a Hexblade Warlock.
"That's it! I want a divorce." Shining said as he got up and walked up to Sunbursts side. "You and I are going to Las Pegasus. I refuse to have a wife that says 'woke'."
9606521
AH okay. Then O&O is just different :p
Paladin is a holy knight with smite evil, healing hands, and eventually an enchanted sword or celestial mount.
Fireball is a classic wizard spell, lowISH level but very effective.
A magus is from Pathfinder (a version of dnd), it’s a spell-using swordsman who can spend spend spells to enhance their weapon, like Sunburst was doing.
The others you pretty much got right.
Oh wow. This is adorable and I want more of this.
Okay that was definitely cute. Also barbarian Princess Cadance trying to seduce Sunset was actually kinda hot to me? :D
9606250
Technically, it's also used as an umbrella term to describe multiple mating in animals as well, usually with specific terms like polyandry or polygyny for animals with multiple male mates or multiple female mates. Polyamory is much more neutral in connotation as well.
I rather enjoyed this one, gar.
Book stealing goblins. That's happen to me couple plus one times in RPGS that I fear them more than stairs.
That Amber seems like a fun pony..
Now what would a LGBT writing track be without everyponies favorite gay firepony showing up, look forward to seeing you all there.
I absolutely love this OT3, and have since Sunburst first showed up, so I'm VERY happy to see this story and how sweet it is. :)
9607992
I can't wait to see you there!
9608155
I'm really glad I could please. Thank you for the nice comment.
9607710
I'm glad you enjoyed it, cyne.
9606649
Well I hope I can scratch that itch.
This was a fun read, I would love to see more of this actually.
Very nice stuff. Sometimes open communication requires cornering one of the parties and cutting off their escape routes, but it's always worth it in the end.
9606182
It's nice to know I wasn't the only one bothered by that.
Soo... a cute romance story that doesn't involve sex, Anon or any kinky weirdness and even keeps the characters in... err... character?
Faved and liked.
9606610 Two words, my friend: House rules.
9606584
More like level 5 or 6; while being able to cast 3rd-level spells at 5th level is standard for both wizards and sorcerers in D&D 5th Edition, D&D 3rd Edition (and 3.5) had preparatory spellcasters such as wizards gain access to 3rd-level spells at 5th level, whereas spontaneous spellcasters such as sorcerers gained them at 6th level. Off the top of my head, I can't recall any edition where you gained access to a 3rd-level spell at 4th level (though rare character builds with truly out there spell progressions do pop up here and there, such as 3rd Edition's infamous ur-priest prestige class).
Sorry for the nitpicking, but as you can probably tell I nerd out about D&D pretty hard.
Oh, and the story was nice too!
This is a great beginning. It'd be a terrible waste for it to end here, though.
This is really well written, and potential for a continuation of the story. (that i would read if you choose to do so
)
Hard to up-vote a story that uses the term "woke"... =P but hey it was really cute anyway. Up-vote it is
Lota of fluff and cute and I like it!
More serious note, though, the writing is good. has a good pace to it too. Would be VERY interested in seeing more, should you choose to continue, but this oneshot is very much worth it on its own .
Yes! I feel the warm fuzzies after reading that. Good mix of teasing, honesty, and just >///< SO GOOD!
Loved it! Fav!
I’m always open to new ships and I found this incredibly adorable!
I always imagined Cadance and Shiny having a swinger-type relationship. I mean, she's the Princess of LOVE and I can't see him getting mad at her for just doing what made her a princess in the first place. So of course he would totally be down with it.
This was really nice.
You've captured the fun of a good gaming session quite well.
This was really fucking cute.
And the O&O section amused me immensely.
This story was immensely enjoyable, one of the best I've read in quite some time. All the characters were an absolute joy to read, and the chemistry between them was perfect. The only thing that could've made it better is if there was more of it
9838223
*looks at file titled A Simple Question sequel ideas*
*Sigh*
Soon
I'd consider that "a little detail" *smiles deviously*
This could have gone so much worse
Amazing story. Really get me hungry for a sequel. Simply sweet or even juicy. Both seem to be perfect
9606594
yeah, this comment really ruined my immersion.... it's bad enough people use it in the real world
Hint to author... there is a reason there's a list known as the 'Went Woke, then went broke'
Good story otherwise
10171873
i mean i was broke before i went woke.
Very cute story. I loved the first Shining-Sunburst interaction. He knew exactly what he was doing with that hoof!
Okay, so... first I thought that it's weird to present comments in the story's description like a oh-so-subtle 'look, these famous writers thought it's good!' - then again, that's exactly what (printed) books do, so... yeah. Now, after reading it, I gotta agree. It's a well-crafted, character-driven piece of absolutely fascinating entertainment and I smiled all the way through.
Hoooowever.
I cringed hard - like, hard - when he rolled a d20 for a fireball while Shining was right beside the target. 
There's no attack roll for a fireball, nerd nerd nerd, only a 20 foot radius in which all targets, including unconscious allies like Shining, nerd nerd nerd, have to make reflex saves or take nerd nerd nerd nerd nerd!
It's fine, really. As a narrative device, it served its purpose. And I suppose some systems or homebrew rules might even treat this spell like that.
Yeah. I think that's all for the nitpicking.
That, however, that got me.
I read that, immediately re-read that and thought to myself: Ohhh noooo, siiiix yeeeaaars, hoooow hoooorrible! I sat there and thought: Cadence, my dear, double that and we'll talk again. 
Anyway - this as quite an enjoyable ride, so thank you very much!