Twilight yawned, covering her mouth as her eyes watered. Making her way back to her bedroom, she paused as she felt a cool breeze brush her feathers.
Did Spike leave a window open again? Letting out a sigh, she adjusted her nightcap as she looked for the source of wind. She paused when she reached a pair of open doors, leading out to one of the castle’s balconies. Starlight was sitting outside, wearing a nightgown of her own, looking up to the clear evening sky.
“Starlight?” Twilight asked, making her friend flinch, looking towards Twilight in surprise.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you—”
“You didn’t,” Twilight quickly assured, stepping out onto the platform, looking down to find a lovely view of Ponyville. Only a few lanterns were lit at this hour, leaving most of the town bathed in moonlight. Twilight paused as another pleasant breeze blew by. “I drank too much before bed,” she added offhoofedly, making Starlight glance over her for a moment, before looking back to the sky. “Can’t sleep?” she asked, making Starlight shake her head.
“No. This is…” She tilted her head for a moment, “Hobby. This is a hobby of mine.”
“Stargazing?” Twilight pressed, getting a flat grin in reply.
“Plotting evil schemes without considering the big picture,” she said in a snarky tone, earning a sheepish laugh in turn.
“I thought you were through with that,” Twilight tossed back, prompting Starlight to give a sheepish laugh of her own.
“...In all seriousness, this helps me, well, level out. I have trouble sleeping if I don’t,” she added, briefly glancing to Twilight, before looking back to the heavens.
“Is something wrong? You could always use a sleeping spell,” Twilight offered, making Starlight shake her head.
“No. I mean, yes. I used to do that, back in my ‘villain’ days. But, this is what I did, to get through the night after I lost Sunburst.”
“Who you’ve found again~!” That won Twilight a flat look.
“No need to rub it in,” Starlight replied, a hint of playfulness in her voice. Twilight smiled, before looking to the sparkling lights.
“They really are pretty... I used to stargaze a lot, before I became the Princess of Friendship, that is.” Starlight frowned at that, before her ears slowly fell, getting a concerned look from said princess.
“They are pretty, but, that’s not why I gaze.” She hesitated for a moment, before glancing to her friend. “Twilight... Imagine waking up in a dark place. You’re ... all alone. You try to get your bearings, never realizing that you’re going nowhere, fast. You don’t question it, because the answers hurt, so you just keep going, because it’s all you can do to stay yourself.”
Twilight’s ears fell, before she placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. She got a weak smile in return.
“And you keep going,” Starlight added firmly, frowning to the sky, “Isolated, time lost to you. Looking for purpose, you blaze on by, paying no mind to the faces that turn to you, passing those that don’t see you.” She stretched out, a hoof extended to the stars, “You reach out, hoping to find it. A pair of eyes that see you, that smile for and acknowledge you.” She brought that hoof to her chest.
“I … couldn’t find those eyes. My stubbornness, bitterness and fear left me in the cold, vast dark.” She frowned. “So instead, I made it all bend to my will, my rules.” She then looked to Twilight with that fragile grin, “You, destroyed that. For a moment, I shined in the eyes of those ponies, and just as quickly as it came, it was gone.
“Yes, I hated you for it. I hurt you, and put Equestria in danger for it.” Her eyes were stinging. “I- I just wanted to be seen. For that one chance, to be something more than a moment of starlight.”
Twilight tilted her head, before her eyes widened, glancing to the sky.
“I know how those twinkling lights feel. Wanting to be a glimmer in somepony’s eyes. That’s why, I don’t want to look away. You- You let me in, and now, I’m- Happy!” Her eyes were wet, her chest aching. “I haven't felt like this since I was a filly!” She let out a small chuckle. “I mean, I still stumble, but this is still so much more than how I used to be, flying alone, through the darkness.” She looked to Twilight, giving her a heartfelt grin.
“I know it’s a little silly, looking at the stars like this, losing sleep over this, but, you’ve shown me that it’s okay to be a little silly.” For some reason, she started laughing weakly, sounding confused. “G- Great, now I’m laughing.” There were tears running down her cheek. “I-It’s okay, right? To feel like this, after what I-” Twilight placed a hoof on her mouth, making Starlight’s heart skip a beat.
“There’s nothing silly about it at all,” Twilight affirmed. “I’ve always liked looking at the stars.” Starlight simply smiled at that. “I mean, well, I’ve never seen them that way,” she added, getting a curious look from her student. “Being alone in the dark. After all, there’s so many of them. So, they have each other,” she said simply, looking to Starlight. “Right?” Her friend looked at her dumbly, before bursting out into another fit of giggles. “W- What’s funny?” Twilight asked, confused.
“I- I never thought of that,” Starlight admitted, shaking her head in wonder. “Honestly Twilight, why do you have to keep messing with my beliefs?” There was no cynicism in her voice.
“Princess of Friendship,” Twilight answered matter-of-factly. That only made Starlight laugh harder, her sides starting to ache. Twilight started to laugh as well. Eventually, their mirth died down, leaving both of them out of breath, feeling absolutely wonderful.
“Twilight... Thank you, for giving me a second chance.”
“I’m glad I did,” she replied, before tilting her head. “Want to stargaze with everypony? Tomorrow?” she asked with a playful grin, making Starlight blink in surprise, before glancing to the side.
“I’d like that. I … want to share the stars with everypony.”
And the following night, that is exactly what happened. A glimmer of light, surrounded by friends, sitting under the stars, shining with happiness.
Author's Note
I get a fun idea for a one-shot fairly often. Unfortunately, I'm at work when this happens, and the drive to write is gone when I get home.
The inspiration for this short little thing hit me when my computer was in reach!
So yeah. I hope you enjoyed it! 
~~~
Big thank you to Cloureed for the cover art, and Llyrisviel for the editing!
