For as long as Dusk Star could remember, his father had always ignored him. Whenever he wanted to spend time with him, Flash always had some excuse. “I’m too busy, maybe next time.” Yet, he always seemed to have time for Galaxy. He had no idea why.
 
Did he…not love him?
 
Galaxy would know. Flash always spent time with her; she’d surely know something about him that Dusk didn’t. At the very least, she’d have another perspective on the matter.
 
But Dusk knew how much she idolized her daddy, how headstrong she was. She might not take it well hearing that he wasn’t a perfect parent after all. Still, it was worth a try and he was willing to take that risk. He approached her just as she was organizing her boot camp supplies.
 
“Gal, c…can we talk?”
 
Galaxy Guard turned back to her brother with a soft smile, tilting her head as if to silently ask what the matter was. Dusk knew she didn’t understand what he was going through; after all, they seemed to be living two separate lives with how their father treated them.
 
Dusk took a deep breath and forced a smile, to show her that he meant well.
 
“S-so, you know how you spend a lot of time with Dad? D-does he ever…talk about me?”
 
“Hmm..”
 
Galaxy seemed to be wracking her mind for a moment, before shaking her head and turning back around to continue what she was doing.
 
“Nope. Then again, we’re always super busy with training. We don’t have time to talk about you OR Mom! Why?”
 
“I…I see…”
 
Dusk sighed, unable to keep his heart from dropping. So his dad wasn’t even thinking of him…it just went to show where he stood in his priorities.
 
“I-it’s just…Dad NEVER wants to spend time with me. Whenever I want to do something with him, he says he’s too busy. But he always has time for you, and even his friends in the guard. I just don’t understand.” Dusk swallowed deeply. “Do you think he…doesn’t love me?”
 
His little sister took a sharp breath and turned back to look at her brother again, chuckling softly and shaking her head. She was blissfully unaware of the full scale of the situation, like she always was when it came to their family issues.
 
“That’s because the guard is his job! He’s not interested in all that boring sciencey stuff. You have Mom, don’t you? She never practices with ME and you don’t see me freaking out about it!”
 
“Mom at least WANTS to spend time with you! Just last month she offered to help you with your training while Dad was on a trip, even though it’s something she wouldn’t normally do!” Tears threatened to spill from Dusk’s eyes at Galaxy’s dismissive attitude. “Dad doesn’t even try!”
 
“You’re being a little foalish don’t you think? You’re almost old enough to go to high school! Dad is a high-ranking officer, not a “Princess of Friendship” like mom. He has a lot of duties to attend too! Please let me finish my packing now! Dad is taking me to meet Turq and Sen at the train station early tomorrow!”
 
Galaxy put a hoof to his chest and waved him off, flaring out her wings to try and block him off.
 
“F-Fine! Go have fun with Dad like you always do!”
 
Dusk stomped his hoof and galloped off before Galaxy could see him sob his heart out. It was clear to him now: his father didn’t love him. He never did, and never would.