Twilight Sparkle was having a crisis. She’d spent her whole life believing she liked stallions and stallions only. Sure, she fully supported others loving whoever they wanted, but she’d never imagined it would be her feeling something for another mare. And why was she feeling this way? Her husband just died! She couldn’t move on to someone else so soon! What would her children think? What would Cheerilee think?

”Mother?”

The alicorn snapped out of her thoughts and met eyes with her son, Dusk Star, who stared at her with a concerned expression.

”Yes, Dusk?”

”Are you okay? You seem tense. You’re breathing heavily.”

Twilight faked a smile. “I’m fine, I just have a lot to think about. Thank you, though.”

”You don’t seem like you’re fine. I know you, Mother, and I know you have a lot on your mind.” He got up and started leading her towards the couch. “Why don’t you talk about it? Let it all out like you always told me to.”

Twilight followed her son to the couch and sat down, feeling just like she was in a therapy session as he invited her to lay across his lap and rest her head on a pillow.

“So, what’s on your mind?”

Twilight sighed. “Nothing, Dusk. Well…I just don’t want you to have to deal with it. You have enough going on with your father-“

”Don’t worry about me, Mother. You look like you’ve been worrying for weeks. I don’t like seeing you like this.” Dusk became unusually stern. Twilight couldn’t back out of this, she had to tell him. She couldn’t keep lying to him. Or to herself.

“I’ve been…going through a lot lately. Fla—your father just died and I’ve been worried sick about how you and Galaxy are dealing with it. Especially Galaxy. And I know it sounds silly, but…well, you know how I’ve been spending more time with Miss Cheerilee? Your old teacher?”

“Yes? Is something going on with her?”

”Yes—no—I don’t know!” Twilight exclaimed. “Cheerilee and I are very good friends. But lately, after your father died, I’ve been feeling…strange. I feel good around her, Dusk. Really good. Like I did when I first met your father.”

”Like you’re in love with her?”

”I don’t think I’d call it love, but…I don’t know. I thought I only felt this way about stallions, but I’m not sure anymore. Looking back, I did have feelings for my friend Sunset for awhile. And even Commander Tempest, in a sense. But I still like stallions a lot too. Dusk, please don’t think any less of me for this, but I think I’m bisexual.”

Twilight braced for her son‘s response. She was prepared for him to be hurt, for him to have mixed feelings about her falling for someone else so soon after the death of the stallion he called Dad. With a mare, no less! But instead, he smiled.

“Why would I think less of you? I’m glad you’re discovering yourself, Mother. I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy again. What’s wrong with that?”

”Well, your father died only a few months ago. It’s too soon. I wouldn’t do that to you and Gal. Plus, I don’t even know if Cheerilee likes mares!”

”You can’t choose who you love, Mother. And you can’t choose when you love. I want you to be happy and move on whenever you’re ready and I’m sure Dad would too. Gal might have a harder time, but she will come around.” Dusk’s mouth formed into a sly smile. “And you never know if Miss Cheerilee likes mares until you ask her. I just know she’d make a great addition to the family, if you want to go that far.”

”You really think so?” Twilight felt a weight lift off her shoulders. “You’re not upset?”

”Of course not,” Dusk stroked her mane comfortingly. “In fact, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

Twilight sat up. “What is it?”

Dusk ran a hoof through his mane and cleared his throat, telltale signs that he was nervous. “You’re actually the first pony I’ve told, but…I’ve been realizing some things about myself too. About certain…feelings I’ve had for other colts that I never really felt towards fillies. I’ve waited a long time to tell you this, but…Mother, I’m gay.”

”Oh Dusk,” Twilight pulled him into an embrace. “Why did you wait so long to tell me?”

“I don’t know,” Dusk seemed to hesitate a bit. “I guess I was just…afraid of what Dad would think. He was fine with Gal being a lesbian but…that’s different. I didn’t want to risk anything. With him or with other ponies I love.”

Twilight’s heart dropped a little at this, but she tried her best not to let it show. She had to be happy for him.

”Well Dusk, no matter what, I will always love you. And you can tell me anything, anything at all and I will always be here to support you.” She began to tear up. “I love you more than you know.”

Dusk choked up as well and held his mother tightly.

”I love you too, Mother. Whether you love a mare or a stallion.”