Dawn had only just broken on the horizon on this very early Monday morning. And in the bedroom of the sun princess, a certain white alicorn and a certain draconequus sat side by side among some throw pillows on the floor between the bed and the fire. The draconequus looked as he usually did but the alicorn lacked her crown, yoke and shoes. Beside them were a couple of long stem glasses nearly empty of cider and plates with the remains of some sort of chocolate and cotton candy chaotic dessert.

The pair appeared quite happy for two people who had been up since the middle of the night…probably because they had spent most of their time sitting as close as could be, smiling, whispering things to each other, even laughing from time to time (and doing other little things) as they savored their quiet, private meeting together (hopefully the first of many).

“You know, that really is not a bad idea, Discord. Not at all.” Celestia smiled at Discord in pleasant surprise regarding a suggestion he had just made.

Discord rolled his eyes with a bit of a sarcastic grin. “Yes, well, I can come up with good ones from time to time, you know.”

Celestia laughed softly. “You know what I mean. But really, Discord, I like it. I think it would be wonderful if Luna and I and even Twilight set up a time to tour the lesser-known parts of Equestria, and especially to seek out old friends to the crown, reformed or not. We could learn a lot about Equestria’s history, spread good will, and we could gain a more thorough perspective on the varied culture of our nation. I would be more than happy to set it up as long as you’d be willing to help me.”

“But of course.” Discord nodded, smiling more. “I was hoping you’d ask actually. I have a lot of ideas, and besides it’ll give us an excuse to ‘work’ closely together for a while.” He chuckled.

Celestia rolled her eyes to the side, blushing a little. Then her smile picked up a bit as she added softly, “We don’t need an excuse for that.”

Discord perked up quite a bit, then glanced down in a touch of shyness. “No, I suppose not,” he added softly in return.

Celestia giggled but did her best to keep it under control. She moved a bit closer to him. “Speaking of which…I still can’t believe you’ve actually had these feelings for me ever since we met all those centuries ago…” She gave him a little teasing nudge.

“Oh, you know that is the exact opposite of what I said earlier,” Discord countered, rolling his eyes with a blush and waving her off. “I said that back then I…may have been unable to help noticing that you were a rather fetching mare—you know, because I’m not blind. There weren’t any actual feelings attached to it until we beat Tirek and you took a bouquet of flowers as a sign to start shamelessly flirting with me.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stuck out his tongue at her playfully.

Celestia blushed a lot. “Mmm hmm, right.” She looked down, a little giggle escaping her again.

Discord chuckled. “And speaking of shameless flirting…you know, your gala dress was beautiful enough, but I must say I’m partial to the look you chose tonight for our evening together. I think you look prettiest like this—no ensemble, no crown or yoke or shoes even… Natural works on you, Celestia. An interesting choice for a first date…all alone…in your room…with a former ne'er-do-well…” He moved extra close to her.

Celestia blushed and did her best to stifle another giggle. “I didn’t see the point in wearing anything extra. Just before you came over I was sleeping, and I didn’t need anything special for raising the sun. Besides, I thought a more casual look would help us relax with each other in case we were nervous.” She glanced at him. “Speaking of which, you looked very dashing in your tuxedo at the gala, and the hat and cane were nice additions too. I suspect you put on such an elegant show in part for me.” She grinned a little, raising an eyebrow.

Discord just chuckled and shrugged. “Oh, it’s a distinct possibility.” He smirked. “Maybe I even had the whole night planned out to the last detail. Show up in a stellar tux to impress you, flirt with you to relax you, get Smooze to distract everyone so we could have a dance alone, and finally talk to you about all of our coy little looks so we could just get to this already.” He sighed, and there was something just a little dreamy about it. “Celestia, I really, really, really like you these days. Have I mentioned that yet?”

“Quite often tonight, yes. But I enjoy hearing it.” Celestia smiled. “And I’ve enjoyed all of our talking tonight.”

“I’ve enjoyed that and our ‘more than talking’ too.” Discord chuckled.

Celestia blushed, looking down a little again, though her smile grew.

Discord just smiled back at her with that new happy smile of his and shrugged. “What? You can’t tell me you haven’t enjoyed it too, just a bit at least.” He raised her foreleg and started slowly kissing it from her hoof to her shoulder, continuing to speak between kisses. “I mean, you must have. I never knew you could be so…giggly!” He laughed warmly, making progress toward her knee.

Celestia sighed…and her smile grew all the more. “I’m trying very hard not to be actually. I feel like I sound ridiculous. But I can’t help it. I’ve never… It’s been ages since I did anything like this, and never so spontaneously.” A slight giggle left her that she couldn’t help—she had learned his beard could make his kisses tickle. “I still can’t believe my actions. I at least have to get the giggling under control.”

“Oh but I wish you wouldn’t.” Discord chuckled. He placed his final kiss upon her shoulder and then raised his head and moved extra close to her. “I love the sound. And so what if it’s a little silly? Be a little silly, Celestia. Relax, it’s just me. Who would I ever be to judge you?” Still holding up her leg with his claw, he tiptoed the fingers of his paw up the appendage delicately. “I’m too distracted anyway wondering why a captivating woman such as yourself is off playing with me instead of with the countless ponies out there who would certainly give a leg or a wing or a horn even to get a glance from her…let alone to cozy up with her in the dead of night swapping secrets and holding hands and sharing special moments in the moonlight.”

Celestia kissed Discord’s cheek, causing his eyes to go wide and his tiptoeing to cease. She smiled at him. “Maybe I’ll rethink my policy on giggling—I could stand to be a little silly. And I don’t want to be here with just anypony, Discord. I want to be here with you. Please don’t doubt yourself ever. I think we’ve found something nice together. Let’s just…pursue it and see where it goes.” She nuzzled the side of his face a little before pulling back to look into his eyes.

Discord looked positively smitten to say the least—so pleased and yet so shy and yet so elated with her response. “I, erm…thanks. A-And I’m glad you’re reconsidering the giggles policy.” He practically giggled himself.

Celestia let herself giggle openly. “Discord, breakfast is starting in just an hour. Would you like to join Luna and I?”

Discord nodded, releasing her hoof and resting his hands down at his sides on the throw pillows below. “Yes, I’d like that very much, Celestia. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Discord.” She nodded her head, glancing over at the warm, beautiful fire for a moment. When she glanced back to her companion again though, Celestia had to raise an eyebrow. Discord was looking forward into the fire too, but something about his gaze seemed slightly troubled despite any smile he tried to maintain. “Discord?” Concern came to Celestia’s eyes. “What is it?” She touched her hoof to his paw on the throw pillows.

Discord swallowed and shook his head. “Nothing. We can talk about it later. I don’t want to ruin the date.” He still tried to fake a smile.

Celestia raised an eyebrow but smiled encouragingly. “Discord, you won’t ruin the date. I promise. If something’s bothering you, just tell me. I’d like us to be as open and honest with each other as possible if we’re going to pursue this new relationship.”

Discord sighed but he did nod as well. “Yeah. Me too.” He looked at her. “Celestia, if we have some fun but then this doesn’t work out…are we still going to be okay as friends?”

Celestia blinked a few times but then smiled and nodded. “Yes, Discord. It might be awkward at first depending on how things go, and we might need some time apart in the beginning…but I think we would be okay. As long as for now we both do our best to see to each other’s and our own happiness.” Her smile grew. “But we only just decided to try a little courting, Discord—it’s a little early to be thinking about things being over.”

Discord didn’t smile again at her little attempt at lightening the mood though. Instead he looked into her eyes, his own a little wide, and insisted quietly, “No, it’s not. Because it’s very, very important to me that nothing bad happens to our friendship ever again, Celestia.” He squeezed her hoof. “I just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing. I don’t want to hurt you. And…I would feel very hurt if I lost you as an important person in my life.”

Celestia smiled at him so affectionately. “Oh Discord,” she spoke very softly, “Listen to me, it’ll be okay. Our friendship will only grow stronger from all of the experiences we have together, both positive and negative. Hasn’t that proven the case so far?”

Discord’s smile finally did return a little at this excellent point. He had to nod. “Yes, I suppose it has at that.” His purely happy smile spread over his features now.

Celestia sighed softly. “Good, I’m glad you see my point.” She observed him…and then couldn’t help smiling more and finally remarking on the phenomenon before her. “I like your new smile by the way, Discord.”

Discord raised an eyebrow, though his smile remained. “My new what?”

“Your new smile.” Celestia’s horn glowed with magic, and then a small mirror appeared floating before him. Celestia explained, and while she explained Discord observed himself in the mirror. “When you were evil, the only time I ever saw you come close to smiling was when you would laugh at one of your own jokes or smirk in satisfaction at besting Luna and me. When Fluttershy first reformed you, you’d still smirk but sometimes you’d grin too, which was nice to see. But now you have this smile…it looks like it comes from pure happiness. Your features all soften, and seeing that smile makes me smile too. I like it, Discord, very much.”

Discord was quiet for a moment, and then he snapped the mirror away. He was still smiling happily, but there was something shy about it too. He swallowed, twiddling his fingers together. “Sheesh, Celestia…I wasn’t aware you cared enough to notice that much about me. But I guess your right. It’s different. And I feel different. So I suppose, however much I hate to admit it, the whole thing ‘makes sense’ somehow.” He chuckled softly.

Celestia laughed softly too. “It’s a cute smile…if you were interested in anything else about my opinion on the matter.”

Discord blushed a little, his smile uncontrollable now. “Kind of like how your giggle is cute?” He raised an eyebrow, glancing to her.

Celestia smiled more and blushed too. “Yes, I suppose.”

Discord sighed. “I cannot believe we’ve gotten this sappy together after only one date—so much for the almighty lord of chaos and the legendary princess of the sun. We’re little better than your average unicorn academy high-schoolers, I’d guess.”

“I know.” Celestia sighed as well and shook her head, trying not to laugh. “I’ve noticed it for a while. We get like children around each other. Between the compliments and the shy glances and the abundance of intimate gestures…I’ve tried to control it, but I almost don’t want to.”

“Control’s overrated.” Discord moved up close alongside her, smiling and shrugging. “We’re in the honeymoon phase of this little thing between us, and we’re exploring a little and enjoying ourselves. I say we just milk the delightful chaos of it all. There’ll be plenty of time for more serious parts to our relationship later provided this keeps working out.” His grin picked up on one side. “Then we can act all gloomy and grim and boring and mature sometimes if it really means that much to you, Celestia.”

Celestia laughed a little again, and Discord did too.

Celestia let out a deep breath and nodded. “I suppose you’re right. If this is the best way for us to relate now, why fight it?” She blushed, looking down.

“Exactly.” Discord blushed and looked down too.

Then they both looked up and to each other.

Their smiles slipped away and their eyes hazed until their mouths moved together for a kiss. It was different than any of the shy pecks they had given to each other earlier, and somehow even more tender than the one they had shared on the dance floor at the gala. Discord’s paw came up to gently hold Celestia’s face as one of Celestia’s hooves hesitantly came up to touch his side, and they embraced for some time among the quiet and low light and their own soft sighs of pleasure.

Eventually they separated, pulling apart with light breaths, eyes fluttering open. For a moment they shared a look that was a mix of awe and curiosity and something overwhelming. But then with another breath each they managed to let each other go and share shy smiles again.

Discord and Celestia both sighed and just observed the crackling fire together for a moment in peace.

Then Celestia cleared her throat. “So…the sun won’t be up fully for another hour, and we’ll have privacy until then. What shall we do until breakfast, Discord?” She glanced at him, her fluster just barley under control.

Discord blinked at this question…and then Celestia was surprised to see him turn to her and grin in a smug way she hadn’t seen in a while. She was even more surprised when he leaned in very, very close to her, using the tuft of his tail to raise her chin, and set his eyes to give her a burning sultry look.

“Well,” his voice was low and playful, and it made Celestia’s heart flutter again, “I can only think of one thing, the obvious thing…”

Celestia blushed, her eyes going wide, her heart beating fast. “Y-Yes?”

And then Discord delivered the punch line. “Tickle fight.”

Celestia instantly blinked, raising an eyebrow. “Discord, what do you…A tickle fight? Discord!”

And at that Celestia lost all capacity for speech as she was suddenly being tickled by hundreds of multi-colored feathers Discord had conjured up suddenly coming around her and brushing her all over. “Discord!” She laughed and giggled and could barely breathe. “Stop, please! One of the guards will hear me!”

“Good, that beautiful laughter of yours should ring out throughout the kingdom!” Discord laughed as he kept his feathers all at their work. “Besides, didn’t we just have a conversation about you agreeing you could stand to be a little sillier from time to time?”

Celestia laughed more! “Discord!” And then finally she managed to get herself to cast a spell.

Discord blinked and then he burst into uncontrollable laughter as a dozen feather dusters suddenly started attacking him. “Celestia!”

“Stop this!”

“You first!”

“Discord!”

“Okay, okay, we’ll both stop together on three! One, two…” Discord lingered to get in a few more good laughs for the road, “Three!”

With a flash of magic all the feathers and dusters were gone. Celestia and Discord collapsed forward together on the rug before Celestia’s fireplace, catching their breaths and smiling and laughing. Then somehow their eyes caught and their mouths came together for another kiss…or two…or a few… They were both blushing fully when they finally pulled apart.

Finally, the two of them just settled in to admire the fire. Discord lounging on the floor with his form half wrapped around Celestia as she lay down, resting against him. They seemed so happy. They sat in peaceful, warm silence for a moment.

Discord played with a lock of Celestia’s hair. “Celestia, if we get married ever, do I get to be a prince?”

Celestia smiled a lot, though she did her best to give him a dry look over her shoulder. “If we get married, I’ll quit being a princess and just go off with you to be your full time mistress of chaos. The kingdom would handle that change better, trust me.”

The two of them shared a laugh.

Discord wiped a tear of mirth from his eyes, “Mistress of chaos…I like it. Can I reserve the right to call you that sometimes? At least when it’s just us?”

“It’s a deal, Discord.” She yawned. “Now, let’s just…enjoy the fire, and the last of our time together before…breakfast.” Celestia’s pauses in speaking were the result of some yawns that escaped her. She blinked few times.

Discord sighed. “Why don’t you sleep a little, Celestia? You had a long night and now a long morning with me. I’ll find a way to distract myself…somehow.” He placed some small kisses over the back of her neck.

Celestia giggled and nodded. “I-If you’d like, Discord.”

“In that case, don’t mind if I do.” Discord winked, putting an arm over her and giving her cheek a little kiss too.

“But, um…talk with me a little too, please,” Celestia added softly, turning her gaze to the fire and smiling. “I like it.”

“Very well.” He cuddled in close to her. “So everyone in my support group really, really, really wants to meet Luna. I talked her up quite a bit. I thought it’d be nice if we could have some double dates, so it seemed like a good idea. No need to thank me.” He placed a few more playful kisses on her neck.

Celestia giggled. “I’m not sure how Luna will feel about that Discord—she’s still a little shy about making new friends.”

“Eh, it’s okay, we’ve got a mixer coming up,” Discord assured. “Her dance card will certainly be full that night, provided of course one of the guys doesn’t get her to be his exclusive date for the evening.”

“And how might ‘one of the guys’ go about doing that, Discord?” Celestia raised an eyebrow, glancing over her shoulder a little.

“Oh dear.” Discord blinked, tilting his head to the side and smiling more. “Was I not supposed to give out her magical mailing address in case anyone wanted to zap her an invitation? It seemed like a fun idea at the time.”

Celestia just gave him a dry look. Discord just smiled innocently back at her.

Then the two of them broke into warm mutual laughter.

Celestia shook her head and yawned. “Discord, don’t push Luna too much. It’s better to let her come around to things in her own time if she wants to.” She looked to the fire again and yawned. “We can talk more about things like this another time, Discord. I really am sleepy. Maybe for now we could just enjoy each other’s company and talk about us if we want to.”

Discord nodded. “Fair enough on both counts.” He entwined his tail with hers, snapping up some throw pillows for their heads and resting against them along with her. “I’d like to request another date soon.” He played with a lock or two of her flowing hair again.

Celestia, eyes closed, smiled. “I think that could be arranged. We can work out the details over breakfast.”

A small, warm chuckle left Discord. “I also think I should let you know in advance that I’ll be popping into the castle randomly from time to time in the hopes of a tête-à-tête. You know me—spontaneous to a fault. I’m curious about how strong your attraction to me is—whether or not I could tempt you from documents and decrees and dignitaries to dash into a spare room and have some fun ‘giggles’ with me.” With the finger of his paw he gently traced around the outline of her wing against her side.

Celestia took in and let out a deep breath, smiling more, eyes still closed. “As long as it’s not all the time…and absolutely not during court because that’s when the ponies need me most…try, Discord, and we’ll see how it goes. As you said, we are in the honeymoon phase, we might as well enjoy it.” He kissed her ear, causing it to twitch and Celestia to let out a distinctly pleased sigh. “You’re very warm, Discord. Did you know that?” She yawned and nestled more against the pillows (and him).

Discord laughed, smiling shyly. “I’d never thought about it much. I think you’re very warm yourself. But maybe we’re just very warm together, hmm?” He yawned and nestled in too.

“I like being together.” Celestia’s voice already sounded so peaceful and so full of slumber.

“Me too,” Discord agreed, his paw finally coming to relax rest against the soft feathers of her wing so that he could hug her completely as they reposed.

“Hmm…” Celestia sighed, starting to doze off, though a final little giggle managed to escape her.

Discord remained awake, though his eyes were little hazed in tiredness. As the fire glowed and the sun lit up the sky more and more, he continued to hold Celestia and savor her presence until eventually with a yawn he dozed off until breakfast too. His new perfectly happy smile was present upon his features during the entirety of their sleep together.

After breakfast, Princess Luna adjourned to her bedroom to start her day’s sleep. It had been an…interesting meal. Discord joining her and her sister at the table, Celestia blushing so much that rumors were probably flying amongst the staff and guards all over the castle already, Discord winking over at Celestia with this silly, shy smile on his face whenever he clearly thought Luna wasn’t looking. Not that it all hadn’t been sweet and not that she wasn’t happy for her sister, but still…Luna sighed, her look going dry as she opened her bedroom door. “It was a little too ‘charming’ for our tastes, and especially this early in the morning. Oh well...perhaps Celestia will try to schedule more ‘dates’ during the day so that I can get used to these new antics gradually.”

Luna shook her head as she walked into the chamber, having to smile to herself a little. “Though even I must admit that they are sort of cute together. And Celestia seems to be enjoying the little scandal of the whole thing, and Discord won’t stop beaming like a little school boy every time she looks at him. I suppose this could work as a fun way for them to explore their friendship for now.” Luna laughed softly to herself, going over to her dresser and starting to magically remove her yoke, crown and shoes. “Though if everything between them works out happily, I think I should insist on claiming first dibs on the next reformed villain. Perhaps I’ll talk to Twilight and her friends about putting the Rainbow Power to good use in that way.”

She laughed and shook her head, heading over to her bed. “But maybe I am getting carried away—I might just be a little jealous of my sister’s newfound close acquaintance. At the next ball we have that includes the gentry, perhaps I will examine the eligible royal specimens and see if any of them meet with my expectations for a proper suitor.” Luna smiled proudly to herself, pausing at the edge of her bed and putting a hoof to her chin with a smile. “Or perhaps I’ll just enjoy myself as usual by walking around in my stately finery and expressing my friendship to all who attend. Yes, friends first, Luna, and anything else second. One step at a time.” She nodded to herself.

Then Luna raised a hoof to climb into her bed, but paused, her eyes going wide.

Upon her covers in a pile were about a dozen sealed scrolls of various sizes and colors…and another one had just magically appeared. Luna hesitated, glanced around, and then reached out and took up a scroll, examining it.

Luna blushed distinctly.

“Celestia…” she called out uneasily over her shoulder into the hallway, “Why am I magically receiving scrolls addressed to “The Fiery Nightmare Mare Luna”…and sent to my bedroom care of something called ‘The Formerly Blackened Hearts Club’…? And why is one of them covered in smooze?”

Somewhere down the hall, Discord followed by Celestia actually fell to the floor in laughter.