Celestia groaned. She had a headache. This wasn’t all that unusual, but the fact that she had a headache after a night of drink was. Even more unusual was the fact that she didn’t quite remember the whole night. She opened her bleary eyes, and for the first time in centuries she cursed her own sun- if only for a moment.

“Oh sorry dear, you know I didn’t mean it.” She whispered to the blazing orb in the sky. She frowned at it, then. If it was that high in the sky then that means she’d missed her morning court. She racked her brain a moment, trying to remember the previous day at least, and smiled. Twilight had just had her 25th birthday, Celestia had signed a series of highly lucrative trade deals with the Dragons and Griffins, and Luna had offered to handle court for the week to offer her sister a vacation.

And so she took Twilight out clubbing. As she remembered that, exactly, she realized that she was partially entangled with another pony. This late it certainly wasn’t Luna, and the only other pony she’d ever share a bed with would be the student in question. The warmth was so familiar she barely even noticed it before, but now there was something… different.

Celestia couldn’t help but grin widely, despite her throbbing head and slightly churning stomach. Twilight looked like a wreck, but she was in innocent bliss at that moment wrapped in her mentor’s legs. Celestia realized what was different, this was the first time they’d shared a bed in years- since long before the lavender alicorn become just that. Even in the near rat’s nest, her mane was stunning. Her coat, somewhat sweaty with a near miasma of alcohol mixed well with her scent- or maybe that was just her. Her wings were nearly as impeccable as Celestia’s own, she was taught how to preen and take care of them by the best Wonderbolt since Spitfire afterall.

She leaned down to kiss the mare on the head like she always used to, but she froze halfway down. She wasn’t heading for the mare’s head. Her eyes almost crossed as she screwed her face up and she felt her wings shifting in surprise. That was… unintentional. Also an image she’s going to have to take a VERY cold shower to get out of her head. Her body must not have broken down the alcohol all the way yet. She refocused on the mare sleeping in her bed and let her soft smile return, even ran a gentle hoof through the nest of hair. She even used a bit of magic to untangle it a bit, those knots would be murder to brush out.

She frowned as the image returned to her mind, she really didn’t understand why she couldn’t remember much. She’d used cyanide mixed into toothpaste before and it barely gave her an upset stomach, alcohol has never been able to muddle her head so much. She shivered slightly as she realized what heavy intoxication used to do to her and quickly examined the room. It was in disarray, two drunk mares stumbling in would do that. There was a slight musk of sweat and the smell of alcohol in their breath- that would take some time in the bathroom to remedy. The musk wasn’t any stronger than that, though, and she was relieved that the conclusion she came to was certainly not the one she feared.

Her wings fidgeted at that thought, though, and she glared at the traitorous appendages. They only twitched like that when she was disappointed. Any further machinations were interrupted by the lavender mare in question groaning and nuzzling deeper into Celestia’s chest. She couldn’t help but smile again and nuzzle the younger alicorn back.

“Five… five more.. Hours…” She grumbled, earning a laugh from Celestia. Twilight looked up blearily and gave a gentle smile. Celestia kinda froze, that wasn’t a smile Twilight has ever given her before. It wasn’t raunchy or anything, she got those whenever the mare had drank far too much. It wasn’t some special smile, or a forced smile, or a happy familial smile they often shared… It was sweet, it was tender. It was loving. Celestia felt her heart practically melting at it, but it skipped a beat when the mare extended her head up to close the distance. It was almost like… what actually happened last night? Half of her body wanted her to shy away and ask just that. The other half wanted to intercept the mare, assuming she was coming in for a good morning kiss. She didn’t know where either of these thoughts came from, and Twilight took it out of her hooves a moment later.

She didn’t really know what to feel as the mare gently nuzzled her neck, but after a moment she chuckled softly and returned the embrace.

“You’re so… comfy…” Twilight mumbled, earning a much heartier laugh from Celestia.

“You know, I really could just lie here all day. Buuuut, we both need to freshen up. I also feel like I’ve been kicked by a mountain and accidentally used sulfuric acid as mouthwash again.” Celestia replied, squeezing the smaller mare a second before begrudgingly untangling them. Twilight didn’t seem too happy about the action, but assented regardless as they both got to their hooves. Celestia actually wavered a bit on hers, though Twilight seemed surprisingly steady.

“Are you ok Princess?” Twilight asked, her tone still bleary. She really was having trouble waking up.

“Not particularly, but nothing breakfast and a shower won’t fix.” Celestia replied with a smile. Twilight frowned.

“Maybe next time you’ll accept my hangover cure.” The lavender mare said with a snort. Celestia was a little confused at that.

“Hangover cure?” She voiced. Twilight looked back, confused as well, before surprise and a little concern marred her tired expression.

“Wait, you really don’t remember the night?” Twilight asked. Her tone was strange. There was worry abundant, as well as a bit of confusion. There was a hint of… disappointment, though. And not the kind of disappointment that comes with forgetting a good night. Well, not unless it was VERY good.

“Bits and pieces. I remember we took on disguises and started a pub crawl, then went to some clubs. Beyond that I’m afraid I can’t remember a thing.” Celestia recounted. She almost missed Twilight’s very quick break in attitude. The concern went to something entirely different. She barely caught the mare pawing the floor with a hoof, almost as if in embarrassment, but she just opened the door to the bathroom with her magic and smiled back at Celestia.

“Well then, since you refused my help last night I’ll just have to take care of you today. Whether you like it or not.” Twilight said with determination. Celestia chuckled and bumped her flank against the other’s as she passed.

“Well then, my caretaker, we are in desperate need of a shower.” The elder Princess said and turned to look at Twilight, who seemed to have blushed at the contact. They locked eyes for a moment and Celestia couldn’t help but wink, which caused an even stronger blush.

Ok, something definitely happened last night that she doesn’t remember and she will have to get to the bottom of it. Twilight wasn’t uncomfortable about it so it wasn’t terrible, on the contrary actually. Twilight seemed to have much less inhibitions concerning their closeness at the moment. Celestia had started the shower, opened up her wings to catch the water, and waited. She heard Twilight’s snort, but nearly fell to her haunches as she sighed from Twilight’s magic rubbing shampoo into her coat and mane. She was carefully but expertly massaging the princess with her magic as well, something she only had done on the rare occasions a diplomatic meeting took place in a spa. Last time that had happened was when the trade agreement was signed in Saddle Arabia over a decade ago.

“Wow, Princess, you really needed this vacation. You’re so knotted up I’m surprised you can even move without pulling anything.” Twilight said, almost in wonder. Celestia couldn’t even respond, she felt like nothing in the world could possibly feel this good. She was broken out of it as a tiny little pain in her wing startled her. She looked down to catch a bent white feather in the face, blown playfully by her acting caretaker.

“And your wings, I guess you must have rolled around in your sleep so much. They look like Dash’s after she negates a tornado!” She exclaimed before continuing, gently and expertly adjusting, bending, and every now and then plucking damaged or bent feathers. All this while continuing to massage shampoo into her coat and mane. Celestia was in bliss, she could only hum softly in response as her still tired eyes slid down into slits.

She then became loosely aware that she was leaning against Twilight, nuzzled into the smaller alicorn’s neck. They were both giggling, but Celestia noted a sultry hint in it. Both of their giggles. She opened her eyes and noticed Twilight’s blush. Why did she feel the strong urge to nibble the mare’s ear? That wasn’t like her. Maybe she really did need this vacation.

But Twilight… She had started her own cleaning while doting over the Princess, and hot damn there was something about her coat covered in the small layer of lather that made Celestia’s knees just a little weak. Unfortunately, they were already weak from the previous treatment and she did practically slip, though she landed on her haunches.

“Celestia, are you alright?” Twilight asked quickly, helping to steady her mentor. Celestia just giggled.

“Not every day I’m floored by a pretty mare in the shower.” She said with a mischievous wink. Twilight blushed but rolled her eyes. Celestia couldn’t tell if the poorly masked sincerity in the reply was heard, but at that moment she didn’t care. She continued down to the floor, lying down on the wet tile, and sighed heavily.

“Do I need to fetch your physician, Celestia? You really aren’t yourself today... I’m sorry. I should have insisted more on the hangover cure!” Twilight said, worry dominating her tone. Celestia stopped the torrent of apology by quickly extending a wing and pulling Twilight close.

“You’re right, I’m not myself today. Today I have a hangover and I can’t remember the night, which is concerning, but then I get you to take care of me. Which is elating. But… My dear, where in the hells of Tartarus did you learn how to do all of that? I feel like… well… I was so relaxed I couldn’t even stand.” Celestia explained. Twilight smiled sheepishly and tapped her hoof on the tile a few times before looking up.

“Well uh… I’ve read a lot of books about it. A lot of them aren’t really for this purpose but I u-uh… adapted it… I’m glad I can help you relax though!” The younger mare replied, her embarrassment causing her to stutter. Celestia was interested about the material she got this from, but now she was REALLY interested. She smiled and, the trickster in her coming out again, gave Twilight a big kiss on the cheek.

“Well, I think we’re going to have to learn just how far your new skills extend tonight then. I haven’t been treated like that in over a decade and I can’t believe how much I missed it.” Celestia said, though by Twilight’s little shiver and full blown blush she started to get an idea on what kind of books she read.

And then she flushed up herself.

Why did being hungover tear down so many inhibitions like this? She resigned to think on it later as she stood, helping Twilight to her hooves as well.

“For now, though, we should dry off and head to the kitchens. I haven’t been hungover in over a millenia and I need to make a particular breakfast to help abate it.” She said, looking at herself in the large wall mirror. She smiled and looked at her pink mane. She was on vacation, she never gets to wear it like this- the masses expect her usual multicolored aesthetics. She hadn’t been on a real vacation since Luna was banished, maybe she’d start a new tradition.

“Wait, you’re going to cook for yourself?” Twilight asked, levitating a towel to Celestia as she was drying herself off. Celestia nodded and accepted the towel.

“I never thought I’d have to deal with it again, and so I never taught the recipe to anyone else. It’s rather simple, not much fo a recipe at all, but making it yourself has a certain… power to it.” Celestia answered as they dried off and stepped back into the room proper. She didn’t even look twice at her regalia as she set to brushing her mane. She was a little surprised when the brush was taken from her magic by Twilight’s.

She wasn’t surprised by the fact that she took it as Celestia looked over to see the smiling Twilight holding it. She was surprised at how fluidly the object transferred into Twilight’s care. As the brush started through her mane with Twilight’s magic, she felt a pang of worry. It wasn’t uncommon for unicorns, or in this case Alicorns, that are close to be able to do things like transfer an object in telekinesis fluidly. She barely noticed it, however. Even she and her sister didn’t have that level of harmony together, and Twilight was no different before today.

She noticed Twilight’s frown before her own. Her face had fallen to a frown of concern, Twilight’s shortly after.

“Don’t tell me I’m hurting you, am I?” Twilight asked. Celestia immediately shook her head.

“Heavens no! I was just thinking… I really want to remember last night. I’ve never felt like we’ve been so close, and I must admit I’m quite enjoying it. I want to be able to replicate it.” Celestia explained quickly, ending with a sweet smile. Twilight smiled back, but there was a tinge of melancholy in there.

“Well, I’d tell you, but I think it’d be more fun if you tried to figure it out on your own.” The younger alicorn said with a hint of mischievousness in her tone. Celestia snorted.

“Using my own method of education against me I see? It would appear the student has become the teacher.” Celestia said, earning a little giggle from Twilight.

“Well, if that’s the case then maybe I should give you detention. You wouldn’t have this problem if you would have just taken the cure.” Twilight retorted. Celestia replied by sticking her tongue out, earning a snort from the other mare.

“Speaking of that, what exactly is it? I imagine I thought it wholly unnecessary at the time. I won’t make that mistake again.” Celestia promised halfheartedly.

“It’s an alicorn strength, at least advertised as alicorn strength, seltzer tablet infused with a clear of mind spell. It won’t stop you from puking your guts out if you go too far, but it’ll take care of the hangover afterwards. Tested by Rainbow Dash… extensively.” Twilight replied. Celestia nodded.

“A very potent combination, I should think. So, for this ‘lesson’ of yours. Is there a deadline, or will I never know until I jog my memory?” Celestia asked, getting back on subject. Twilight hummed, and Celestia only caught the slight blush through the mirror.

“I suppose there is a deadline. I have some things I need to figure out exactly, so you have until then.” Twilight said with a little smirk. Celestia snorted.

“Rather unlike you. I was expecting a time down to the millisecond.” Celestia said. Twilight snorted back and rolled her eyes.

“You’ll understand by then either way.” She said softly. Celestia looked at her then, there was more melancholy in her tone. This time it was prominent.

“Twilight, did I do something you didn’t like? Or that we’d regret if I remembered?” She asked just as softly. Twilight gave her a little smile and shook her head.

“That’s what I want to figure out. I don’t think so, though.” She replied. Celestia sighed in relief. She was a little startled when the brush moved from her mane and a smaller, finer brush came out and started brushing her coat. Her coat never really needed brushing, but she supposed after last night it would be for the best. She looked down and resisted the urge to eep slightly, the fur on her chest and around her hooves was longer than usual and it caught somewhat on the brush. She smiled and looked out of the window to see snow falling lazily. That’s right, her winter coat. Or winter ‘floof’ as many had started calling it recently. She looked back up to the mirror and couldn’t help but stare a bit.

It really has been a while since she’s taken this form. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d looked groomed like this. Her mane and tail weren’t a perpetual solar wind of chromatic energy, they were a soft sparkling pink with the texture of the finest silk. And it was brushed to perfection, and her coat seemed to shine where Twilight’s brush had been.

“Twilight, dear, you aren’t using prestidigitation on that brush are you?” She couldn’t help but ask.

“What? No, I didn’t feel the need. I’m just being super thorough. I’m taking care of you so I have to have you looking your best!” The younger mare replied happily. Celestia grinned and resumed looking at herself. Before long, though, she looked back at Twilight. The mare was focused on her work, clearly deep in thought as she did so. With a thought, Celestia raised the brush that had been going through her mane previously and began brushing Twilight’s. It took a few strokes for the mare to notice, but Celestia just giggled and gave the other alicorn a steel gaze. There was going to be nothing stopping her from returning the favor.

Ten minutes saw the both of them groomed and slightly pampered by the other. As they stood in front of the mirror, Celestia couldn’t stop herself from leaning her head into Twilight’s and giggling.

“Princess! You’ll rough up all your hard work!” Twilight scolded, but the giggle betrayed what she really thought about it.

“Oh, but my dear, we can’t look completely perfect for everyone else. That look of perfection is reserved only for us!” Celestia said. They both sighed in content at that, and the contact. Celestia had to stop herself from nibbling Twilight’s ear again, she really needed to get out of that mindset. Unfortunately, the moment was ruined by the deep rumble of both of their stomachs.

“Ok, but you’re letting me help you cook. I refuse to let you cook completely for yourself on your vacation.” Twilight said as they pulled apart and started walking. Celestia just giggled but nodded. She felt good today, really good. She didn’t even care that she was hungover, it was squashed by this feeling.

Needless to say the kitchen staff was surprised by seeing the two. For starters, they looked absolutely stunning in their natural beauty. No makeup, no solar aesthetics, no regal poise. It would have been deeply concerning to see their Princesses in such a state, but as they commandeered a portion of the kitchen and started to cook the good mood was infectious. The staff weaved around the two as they worked, and even played around a bit with batter here or there. It even got to the point where Celestia was stirring a few pots in her magic as she waited for her own to heat up. Someone was getting a meal aided in preparation by the Princesses, and they’d never know.

“What, I must inquire, is that deific smell coming from your station my Princess?” The head chef, Chef Iron, asked as Celestia and Twilight finished.

“Well these are just my home cooked pancakes. They’re mixed with syrup, vanilla, nutmeg, and a little garlic cloves in the batter. Made extra thick so that it fluffs up nicely, and big enough for an Alicorn!” Celestia started, showing the two pancakes as large as the entire pan on one plate.

“And the other is hot chocolate mixed with powdered sugar crystals infused with clear of mind and a heating spell to combat the cold and any headache.” She continued, pointing towards a very large pot. “We made enough for the whole staff, enjoy!” She said as she and Twilight levitated their massive pancakes and large mugs of the drink.

The staff all froze. Not only had the princesses cooked their own breakfast, they made some for them too? This was… well. This was a day they’d never forget, and a taste they’d never forget. There was even nutmeg in the cocoa, and the enchanted sugar battled the bitterness of pure cocoa- the kitchen refused to stock anything but- perfectly. The magic cleared the last dregs of weariness from their eyes in the still early morning and Chef Iron couldn’t help but peek out into the dining hall at the two. He smiled and laughed as he pulled back inside.

Twilight and Celestia had already started their pancakes, he didn’t hear what they were talking about. They had chosen a booth curved in front of one of the large windows showing the snowy streets of Canterlot in the morning sun. They were laughing as they both looked down at their muzzles, foam moustaches clinging from the hot beverage. Today was truly a day the staff would never forget. A day they saw their princesses in pure happiness.

Author's Notes:

I don't know where this will be going, as usual, or how long it will be going for, as usual. But, as usual, expect tons of fluff!