By the Moonlight

The Last - Harmony

Luna gasped and cursed herself for not hearing the hoofsteps. She turned to face her sister, eyes still moist. "Oh. Hello, Celly. What's keeping you up?"

"I've got... things. On my mind. Why the tears, dear sister?"

"There's a few thoughts troubling me as well, it would seem," She sniffled. "I've been, ah, observing the night, you see."

Just as Celestia had thought. No point in being vague about it. "Still disappointed almost everypony sleeps through it?"

The dark one sighed and looked down. How could she expect to hide her secrets from her closest friend, neigh, her only friend? "Yes."

The other joined her on the balcony. "Well, anypony who does happen to be awake is delighted by it, I'm sure."

Luna sighed. "It is rather beautiful, isn't it? The way the stars all seem to gather around the moon..."

"And just the stars themselves! Identical at first glance, but they're all so wonderfully diverse," Celestia was genuinely delighted. "Some have just been born, a faint glow in the sky. Others have already collapsed unto themselves but their last glimmers have yet to reach us. Meanwhile, I've only got one star to worry about." She chuckled.

"Oh, sister. I've just felt so lonely lately. Unwanted."

"I'm sure spending your days in the library catching up on the last thousand years and never going out to actually meet your subjects has helped your reputation." As soon as she had spoken, the white alicorn wished she hadn't. Where had that come from?

Luna, unsurprisingly, didn't take it very well. "And I'm sure spending your days with the six holders of the Elements and touring the nation in that damned chariot of yours has helped your relationship with your sister," She looked down in shame, her seething rage fading into melancholy. "I'm sorry. I suppose we've both been neglecting our duties- as rulers and as siblings." And now it was out. Relief flooded her, followed by a rush of worry.

Her companion seemed to recognize this. "Feeling better, sis?"

She nuzzled her compassionately, crying again- but her tears were of exalted joy. "Yes. Yes." The words flowed out of her as they embraced each other- and for the first time that day, the pair smiled, as one.

Celestia closed her eyes and let the simple pleasure of happiness hit her. Somehow they were together again- and the moment seemed to last forever. Until she herself broke it, the tenseness gone from her voice. "Ah, Luna, I was just wondering if you- if you could give me some room to breathe!" She chuckled.

The azure one retreated. "Oh, sorry!"

"As I was saying... I was wondering if you'd like to switch places for a day. You raise the sun and I'll take care of the moon."

"Seems to me you've taken an interest in my stars." She trotted over to the edge of the overlook.

The other skipped after her like a little schoolfilly. "Well, aren't they simply amazing? Great glowing masses of plasma, suspended in the sky, as unique as the populace of our nation. And the constellations-"

"Alright, alright. I'm sold!" She gave a hearty laugh. "Anything for you, dear sister."

Celestia gave an involuntary yawn. "Thank you. I'm off to bed now." She turned away.

"Oh, uh, sis? I was going to ask you something as well."

She stopped. "Yes?"

"Could I..." She paused. "Could I sleep with you tonight?"

"I do hope you aren't planning anything mischievous." the alicorn teased.

"Wha-?!"

"Only kidding. Of course you can."

"Yay!"