“Twilight?” Luna asked, wrapping a wing around her guest. The purple unicorn had come up for the night, joining Luna as she worked. Though it was Luna who knew how the stars needed to be moved, Twilight helped by taking notes, tracking the changes, and recording them.

“Yes Luna? And, you just moved Eris-b31 off its course by 5 degrees to the north, correct?” Twilight asked, checking her notes.

“No, Eris-b32. Pay attention.” Luna chided innocently, a gentle laugh escaping her lips. Twilight hastily scratched out her line, correcting it “Twilight” Luna began again, looking down at her. “I need to ask you something.”

“Yes Luna?” she asked, looking up at her host. Though she was just doing clerical work, she was still glad to help out either princess, no matter what the help may be.

“Will you....” Luna mumbled quietly. She couldn’t bring herself to ask that question. It was the look in Twilight’s eyes that broke her resolve the most. It was a look of intellectual curiosity, without a trace of caring or emotion in them. ‘Will you be my marefriend?’ How can I just ask her? Pulling her wing back, Luna sighed deeply.

“What was that?” Twilight asked, looking up, slightly confused.

She shook her head. “Nevermind.” Luna couldn’t bring herself to admit her love for Twilight to her. She couldn’t bring herself to risk being rejected.

“Luna, please, tell me what’s up.” Twilight begged, unaware of what Luna had tried to say. “If I messed up with the notes-”

“It’s nothing Twilight. Your notes are fine. Shall we continue?” Luna asked, trying to push past it.

Shaking her head, Twilight pressed the issue. “No, what’s up? Please, tell me.” Luna could tell by the look in her guest’s eyes she wouldn’t let this drop. “I’m here for you if you need to talk. I always will be.”

The princess sighed, her resolve to not ask crumbling. “Alright. Twilight. Will you be my marefriend?” The words rushed out of Luna’s mouth in one breath, her voice fading to a whisper at the end.

Twilight stared, shocked. Her horn’s glow faded, her quill falling into the inkpot. While her mouth slowly moved, Twilight’s mind rushed through what Luna had just asked her, unable to believe it.

Tears welled up in Luna’s eyes as Twilight failed to respond. I knew I shouldn’t have asked her. She’s not ready for it, or she’s found somepony special already. Luna’s mind continued listing the possibilities until she reached one that scared her the most. Or she’d rather be with Celestia. And she just sees me as a patient, at most a friend.

Luna jumped up, unable to stay next to the mare she loved. Her heart felt like it had just been ripped apart. She burst out her window, jumped off her balcony, and flew off, tears streaming out of her eyes. Twilight called out after her, but her words fell on deaf ears, Luna blocking out every word she said, unwilling to hear her say no. Slowly Luna circled the castle, clearing her mind. She flew for hours, doing everything she could to clear Twilight from her mind. But as hard as she tried, the purple unicorn, her three toned mane, and her starburst cutie mark kept floating back into her mind.

As dawn approached, and Luna knew she would have to land to sleep soon, she made her way back to her room.  She landed on her balcony, surprised to find the glass doors closed. She gave them a small tug with her magic and was again surprised to find them locked. A quick scan showed that it was Twilight who had locked them. Luna raised an eyebrow, wondering why Twilight had tried to lock her out. With a shrug, she began inspecting the lock. Luna found the spell to be powerful, and complicated, but nothing that could hope to keep her out. Is she trying to keep everypony else out? She knows this is my room, and that she couldn’t possibly lock me out Luna thought to herself.

With a flash of her horn she undid the lock, strode in, and closed the door behind her. Still puzzled, she looked around her room, noticing a figure curled up in her bed. “I knew you’d come back eventually.” Twilight mumbled, her voice slow and tired.

“Twilight, what is the meaning of this?” Luna’s voice shook with pain as she tried to stay calm and collected. Why is she still here? Did she feel the need to say no in person? Doesn’t she know how much that will hurt me? A few tears dropped off her muzzle, falling silently to the floor.

Twilight sat up, staring at Luna. “You left before I could give you an answer.” Twilight climbed out of Luna’s bed, slowly making her way over. “Honestly, it takes a mare more than two seconds to make up her mind about something this important,” she continued indignantly. Luna’s head fell, her mind fully expecting Twilight to say no. She started quickly running through her possible reactions as Twilight reached her. With a chuckle, Twilight leaned up and kissed Luna on the cheek. “Yes,” she whispered, leaning into her marefriend, nuzzling her side. “Gladly. Now, I’m tired, I stayed up waiting for you, and I’m sure you are too.” Twilight yawned, emphasizing her point. “Let’s go to bed.” Twilight added, turning around, slowly returning to the bed.

As what Twilight had just said and done fully sank into Luna’s mind she broke out into a massive grin. SHE SAID YES! Luna wanted to jump around, screaming her joy to all of Canterlot. Looking over, she saw her love slowly making her way to the bed, obviously ready to sleep. With a small evil chuckle, she launched into the air,  grabbed Twilight and landed with her in the bed. Holding Twilight close, Luna nuzzled her love while stroking her mane. Twilight, though shocked at being grabbed so suddenly, relaxed in Luna’s embrace. She quickly fell asleep in Luna’s arms, a single foreleg draping across her marefriend.

As Luna herself drifted to sleep, her horn briefly flashing to lower the moon, a voice drifted through her mind, uttering a single word. “Congratulations.” Next Chapter: Chapter i Estimated time remaining: 11 Minutes