Dear Twily,
That's really sweet of you, sis, but I'm not sure if now's the right time for an all-Equestria Book Fair run. And I know I said that the last three times, but this is… you know, this really isn't the right time. Cadance wants me to join her in Satle Sadull Arabia(?) This hoofwriting's terrible. She's in Seattle Aruba right now for the negotiations, and she's super insistent that I hurry up and join her. SUPER insistent, I mean. You know how she gets. I'm sorry. Maybe next time?
Love Shining Armor
Dear Shiny,
That's fine. It's not like this is the fourth time we've tried to schedule something, and it's not like this is the fourth time Cadance has had other plans, and it's not like you're my Big Brother Best Friend Forever, and it's not like you said you would always be there for me if I ever needed you. I don't mind. You probably should go and be there for her. I'm starting to see exactly how she gets.
It's "Saddle Arabia", by the way.
Love, Twilight.
Dear Twily,
Great! Thanks, sis. Knew you'd understand.
Love Shining Armor
Twilight shifted silently as she waited for the procession to assemble. She wasn't much in the mood to wait right now, but she'd read plenty of the Crystal Empire's customs, and knew the importance of respecting them. Royalty couldn't just walk into the Crystal Throne Room. You had to have a procession, complete with dancers and drummers and—what else?—flugelhorns.
It was a fascinating culture, honestly. She'd have to study it in-depth sometime, when she was safely out of heat. It wasn't that distracting, but the equine biology had its ways. The need to mate crept like a shadow at the back of her mind, making her that little bit more sensitive. Making things look that little bit more phallic.
Her eye caught on the blunt end of a Crystal Guard's spear and her mouth felt that little bit dryer. A hoof wandered slowly downward… No. She stopped just in time. Heat or no, it probably wouldn't look good to the Crystal Empire for an Equestrian Princess to masturbate in public.
Later, though…
"Princess Twilight!" said a guard. "The procession is ready. Do you wish us to proceed?"
"Of course," said Twilight, nodding. "Let's go."
The throne room's door opened up in a blazing array of trumpets and flugelhorns. A dozen crystal dancers flew in with perfect form, followed by a herald to make the announcement proper.
"Here ye, here ye!" shouted the herald, as Twilight stepped forth. "Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria, here unannounced for business with Prince Shining Armor."
Shiny's face was priceless. Jaw, meet floor.
"T-Twily!" he said, rubbing his eyes. He shook his head. "What? I thought we were—you know, you said in your letter—I don't… What?"
"I said I was fine with it," said Twilight, stopping just before the throne. "And I am, obviously. I'm just here to see you off, since you'll be leaving for Saddle Arabia tomorrow." She bit her lip. "With Cadance."
"Uh, oh yeah!" said Shining Armor, his eyes brightening. Storm cleared. He stood and ran to hug her, wrapping Twilight in a warm, brotherly embrace. "Glad you came, then, sis."
"Mmm." Twilight returned the hug with gusto. He smelled of sandalwood and cinnamon and all the other scents the Crystal Empire thought royal. Perfect for a stallion like him. She took a deep breath, nuzzling her muzzle into his thick, strong neck. Yep, that was Shiny alright.
Just like the old days, nothing like the new days. It occurred to her that they hadn't hugged like this in a long time… Why?
Cadance, of course.
"So," said Shiny, breaking the hug (too soon!). "I was actually planning to wrap up with the court for the day. Do you want to, you know, stay the night and see me off in the morning?"
"I'd love to," said Twilight, waiting just a second longer to step back. She paused and took a moment to collect her thoughts. Deep breath. Now or never. "Can I… Can I keep my quarters with you?" She tapped her hooves awkwardly. "Since, well, Cadance isn't here right now…"
"Sure!" said Shiny, always happy to please. Always ready to do anything for her, so long as Cadance didn't have other plans. "You can room with me! It'll be just like that one time you were too afraid of the thunder to read about it, and you asked if you could—"
She coughed.
"Right, right, sorry. Old habits and stuff." He looked toward the rest of the procession and clapped his hooves. "Alright, guys, show's over. You can take the rest of the day off. Guards too."
Every mare and stallion gave a gracious bow and trotted off, leaving Twilight and her big brother—alone—together in the throne room.
"Show you to your room?" Shiny offered, holding out a hoof.
"Our room," said Twilight. She gave him a mock bow, just like in the old days. When she'd played princess and he her daring knight. "Lead the way, Captain."
Shiny cocked his head, vaguely puzzled for a moment—then he grinned and returned the bow. He remembered! He always remembered the important things, when it came down to it. "It would be my pleasure, Princess."
She tried to keep her eyes off him as they walked together down the corridor, but somehow or another she couldn't. All the fascinating architecture and interesting artifacts of the Crystal Palace couldn't compare at that moment to her older brother. His confident strut, his muscular flank, the slow, sensual movement of his tail as he…
Half of it was the heat, obviously, but another half of her couldn't help but wonder. Objectively—objectively—Shining Armor was an incredible catch. A well-built captain of the Royal Guard, who also happened to be the best older brother in the world? Cadance definitely wasn't a bad fit, sure, but maybe, just maybe, Shiny could have done just a teensy bit better.
His tail swished to the side again, revealing just the slightest glimpse of Shining Armor's tantalizing package. Gifted there, too, of course, but not a talent he'd bothered to ever show her. Oh, if only. She could almost feel herself slickening at the thought…
But no, she had to hold it. Not here, not now, not yet. Not yet.