Author's Note
To be honest, I had to cuddle my dogs to see what kind of reaction would they get. 
It’s my first time to write a cuddle story since I just started, but I think I did a good job on this one. Any constructive criticism is okay, positive or negative.
~~Sequel?~~
Maybe....
Something In Common
Princess Celestia raises her hoof and rubs it on the side of her aching head, to try and ease herself from the pile of drudgery on her desk, which seems to tower above, much to Princess’ inconvenience.
“Ughhhh...”, Princess Celestia groaned in discomfort as she dipped her quill in black ink with her glowing horn, which emitted a pale color of yellow, and continued to scrutinize through the letter. Her eyes began to feel heavy as she scans through each sentence, giving a sense of enervation that steadily worsens each paper she reads and finishes. All she yearns for right now is a nightly slumber, with her head buried in her soft and comfy lilac pillow in her bedroom. She closed her eyes for a bit to at least have a quick rest from her paperwork. A few moments passed as time seems to stand still, but before Celestia knew it, she faceplants onto her desk which made her bolt straight back up, recovering her senses.
Breathing heavily, one of her eyes are near lidded to closing and her posture slouched from pure exhaustion. A few minutes later, Princess Celestia decided to rest her forehead on the desk once again slowly and begins to sigh in frustration. What would be the best solution to her conundrum? She tilted her head to the side and thought about it. Nothing but royal duties plagued the mind of the jaded princess of the sun. Celestia had too much work on her hooves lately and as of now, her shimmering pastel mane just stopped...flowing.
Princess Celestia stifled a yawn as the moon shone through her windows, emitting a luminescent light on her mane. Taking a deep breath, she finally decided to hit the hay for the night. Settling her quill down on the side table, she headed for her room. She entered her sleeping quarters and turned to approach the rectangular mirror placed on the wall in front her bed. Once she saw her reflection, Celestia could not describe how disheveled her mane has gotten, let alone her complexion.
"Huh. Well, there goes my beauty sleep." Princess Celestia groaned gently. "I wonder if Lulu can also raise the sun. That would be a huge relief." She shook her head from the thought. "No, Tia. That is your responsibility to do. Don't place it on your dear sister. She goes through the same duties as you do, so it is only fair for her to be left alone in performing her royal obligations.” Princess Celestia looked at the mirror and saw how drowsy she looked. “Look at yourself, Celestia. Your’e tiring yourself out and you can’t even sleep well. You’ve got to take easy,” she told herself. Sighing at her sluggish visage, she heads for her queen sized bed. She buried her face onto the soft pillow cushion as she snuggles it with content.
“Oh, how I miss you,” she cooed. Celestia turned to face the ceiling and wondered in thought. After much deliberation, a relieved smile formed on her face. A few words escaped her mouth before she finally succumbs to the deep sleep.
“Mmmm...Maybe. Just maybe,” Princess Celestia softly muttered as her voice faded.
The cold night enveloped the vast sky as lights lit up the city of Canterlot. Gaster strolled through the cobblestone streets, surveying the area and seeing ponies having tête-à-tête with one another. A small smile formed on his face as he walks by the stalls and houses, enjoying the pleasant view under the stars that seemed to stretch beyond the boundless sky. It was truly astonishing to experience this kind of feeling. The freedom to experience a world where there isn’t a prison to sulk in. Where there are no boundaries keeping you away from the true light.
Gaster continued to pass along the structures until he finally arrives at the Canterlot Castle. There is one but unspecified reason on why his presence is to be expected by a certain alicorn princess.
*Earlier
Dear Twilight,
I apologize for this sudden letter of mine, but I have one request to ask of you. Could you please invite our skeletal friend to the castle here at Canterlot? I have something to ask of him personally, if he is not occupied with work in his time. I need help with... something and he might be the only one who can do so. Tell him to meet me at the Canterlot Castle tonight.
- Celestia
“Hmmm...That’s something you don’t see everyday. A Princess just asked me to help her with this ‘something’ and she thinks that I’m the only capable being who can help her. Splendid,” Gaster said as he waves a hand in a sincere gesture.
Twilight floated the letter in front of her, with Gaster and Spike on each side. She scanned the letter carefully and she groaned gently. “I just wish Princess Celestia would be more specific than ‘something’.”
“Yeah. What could she possibly need help with?”, Spike asked.
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, I’m sure Gaster would be obliged to help. Right?”, Twilight added as she lowers the letter and glances back at the scientist.
“Oh, sure. I can attend to whatever she needs of assistance. As a royal scientist, I am honored to help anyone...or anypony in need for this matter, I guess,” the skeletal scientist grinned.
Twilight giggled and beamed a smile in response, which Gaster did the same. “Glad to hear it.”
“No problem, Twilight. No problem at all.” Gaster replied as he grinned.
“Hmmm...I wonder what Celestia needs from me. I hope I’m not in trouble. I swear I didn’t eat one her scrumptious, blueberry cheese cakes during our meeting when I first stepped into this world.” Gaster thought anxiously. “Nah, I doubt it. She asked help this time..... or is this just a ruse to lure me in so she can give me a scolding? Hmmm... we’ll see.”
As he stood before the two golden gates, Gaster took a deep breath. Again and again...
He raised his hand and knocked on the door casually. There was no immediate response, but it took a few seconds for the two gigantic doors to open and emit a creaking sound that echoed throughout the room inside. He returned his hand to his pockets and scanned the room before him. In the distance, he could see two thrones and a red carpet that trail down from there to the doorstep. Once again, Gaster inhaled and exhaled to alleviate himself.
He walks in and was suddenly stopped by two guards that appeared behind each door.
“Halt. What is your business here?”
“The Princess requested my presence here. Is she around?”, he asked in a formal tone.
“Yes, she is.” a voice reverberated through the room as the two colts guarding the door had their ears perked up with Gaster looking intently at who just appeared at the scene. There she is, Princess Celestia, who came from the left side of the long, carpeted hallway with an angelic smile on her muzzle. She begins to approach them, with elegance in her hoofsteps, until she is between the two royal guards that were blocking Gaster.
“It’s alright, my subjects. He is with me,” Princess Celestia said as she shifts from one colt to the other, and finally focusing her gaze at the scientist.
“I’m so glad you could make it. Come, walk with me,” she offered with a beaming smile.
“Lead the way, Princess,” Gaster grinned as he and Celestia left the two colts, who bowed in respect and then proceeded to close the two doors and returned to their guarding post.
They continued to walk through the hallway, with the moonlight outside that shone through the ornate windows.
“I apologize for taking your time, Gaster. I sincerely hope I’m not intruding in any of your important businesses tonight,” Celestia said with a worried tone and expression.
“Don’t worry. I don’t have a skele-TON of work at the moment,” Gaster shrugged. Princess Celestia snickered at his jest as she smirked.
“Princess,” he began. “I attend to my majesty’s concerns before I return to any of my personal work. I make sure that the needs of others come first rather than myself. Although there is a fine line where I have my limits, but nevertheless, I help to the best of my ability,” the skeleton elucidated as the Princess smiled warmly at him.
Without a second to react, the Alicorn princess unfurled her left wing and pulled Gaster to her soft and tender embrace.
“What the-”, the shocked scientist, much to his dismay, felt his face press against the white fur of the pristine alicorn.
“You are just quite a dear, aren’t you?”, Princess Celestia giggled. “Taking the time to help those in need. Oh, how noble of you!”
No matter how embarrassing it may be, Gaster could not resist how fluffy Princess Celestia’s fur is. The feeling was quite mesmerizing as this is his first experience to feel this kind of softness just by physical contact. He could not convey any words on how to describe this heavenly feeling. It’s just like a hugging a goddess, which it is.
Gaster can feel himself getting lost in the Princess’ embrace just by the feeling. His falls into a reverie, as he leans into the hug Princess Celestia generously offered him.
“Well, someone is certainly enjoying this moment,” Princess Celestia said as she nuzzled the head of the seemingly tired skeleton. With her muzzle on top his head, Gaster widened his eyes in pure shock of what he has been doing. He suddenly breaks off the hug and regathers his composure.
“I apologize for my misbehavior, Princess,” he placed both of hands behind his back while avoiding eye contact with Princess Celestia. “I just...didn’t know what I was doing,” the scientist rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
The white alicorn giggled, with a hoof covering her muzzle. "It's fine, dear. No need to apologize."
"Oh, uhhh...heh, heh." Gaster chuckled weakly.
"Now, come. The night will only last for so long. I called you here for a reason. Remember?", Princess Celestia asked as she starts to trot down the hall at a normal pace, with the skeleton following behind.
Gaster nodded his head in response.
"Good. We shall discuss it somewhere private", Princess Celestia told him, with Gaster giving her a puzzled look.
After sauntering through the halls in the tranquil of night, Princess Celestia and Gaster finally arrived at a door with intricate patterns lined up from top to bottom.
“Wait here for a moment,” she told him. Lighting up her horn, the doors swing wide open as she entered into the room and the doors closed, leaving Gaster outside. A few seconds elapsed and the doors opened up again, revealing Princess Celestia with a contented smile on her muzzle.
“Now, you can come in,” she invited the skeleton as Gaster ambled along.
Gaster examined the quarters of the white monarch as he gazed from left to right, including the high ceiling. “Not as wide as Asgore’s throne room, but I guess it passes for being ostentatious.” Gaster thought as the doors behind him shut with a loud creaking noise. Startling him a bit, he turned his attention to Princess Celestia, who is pacing around back and forth with words that were barely audible for him to hear.
“Is there a problem, Princess? You seem to be bothered,” Gaster asks gently.
“Oh, ummm...”, Princess Celestia scuffs her hoof on the ground, not knowing what to say. “Well, I was just thinking about...something,” she replied nervously, letting out a weak laugh.
“That...something, Your Highness, was also stated in that letter you sent to Princess Twilight earlier this morning,” Gaster reminded her. “With all due respect, I was hoping you would provide a more definite reason rather using a poor word to cover up your true intentions. No offense by the way,” he apprised her as he held up his hands.
Princess Celestia knew she had to blurt out the truth soon, and judging from the situation, it’s now or never.
“Gaster,” she trots forward until she is inches away from Gaster. “You wish to know the truth of why you’re here?”
“A rhetorical question, Princess,” Gaster replied calmly. “But please, do tell.”
Princess Celestia closed her eyes and sighed in defeat. “Follow me,” she said in a gentle voice as she turned to the door next to her and walked up to it. Her horn lit up once again and the door knob shined, producing a clicking sound as it turned. The door opens as she walks in elegantly, along with Gaster. Using her magic, she removes her full regalia and places them on the drawer to ease herself.
“Mmmmm, much better”, she hums happily as she trots over to her bed, and ascended to the soft cushion.
Gaster could only gape at such a magnificent creature to behold. In all his life, he has never seen such a sophisticated and prepossessing mare. Her coat dipped in pure white, as to her mane that flows freely, showing how majestic she is in her exposure. Captivating as it may be, Gaster recollected his thoughts altogether to avoid getting the wrong idea. He shook his head to remove any unnecessary impressions of her demeanor.
“S-So, I guess now would be the opportune time to tell me what am I here for...again?”, he cleared his throat.
“I suppose, but before I tell you...,” Princess Celestia patted the space next to her, which she was sitting on, to emphasize her point. “Sit next to me.”
“Oh, uhhh....Okay!?”, Gaster asked confusingly as he walked up to her, with some reluctance in his steps. He sat down on the empty space of the bed and shot her a small grin.
“How about now?”
Princess Celestia circled her hoof on the bed, as she bit her lip nervously. She can’t seem to muster enough courage to tell him the truth, for in her case, it is an embarrassing question that might be accepted or declined. Either way, it’s worth a shot.
“Gaster,” she looked at him with an anxious look. “If I told you the truth of why you are here, will you still agree to help me?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t want you to be left disappointed now, would I?”, Gaster abruptly spoke in a formal voice. “You called me here to aid you. It must be of importance, right? So, tell me,” a gracious smile slides across his face.
“I am most grateful for your service. Now...”, Celestia smiled merrily at him as she scoots over next to Gaster and placed her head on his lap. She turns her head and looks deeply into his eyes, with cheeks that burned bright red in embarrassment.
“Would you...cuddle me?”
*Meanwhile...
“Yes, yes, yes...YES!!” a voice squeaked in the throne room.
“Twilight, what are you so excited abo-”, Spike stopped abruptly.
He stares in disbelief at the sheer amount of paperwork that stacks like a mountain of pancakes. On the other hand, Twilight was clopping her hooves cheerfully at the pile of papers.
“So much responsibility! Spike, isn’t this wonderful? Princess Celestia wants me to work on ALL of her documents,” the purple alicorn remarked.
“Yeah, awesome,” Spike replied with sarcasm in his voice. “Well, good luck with that. I’ll be going to sleep now. See you in the morning, I guess,” the small dragon left the overjoyed Twilight, as she was fain to quickly respond by grabbing her trusty quill and ink and began perusing the paper works one by one. Few moments later, the sound of the doors creaking behind Twilight’s throne caught her attention as she turned to see Spike, with his sleeping attire on.
“Don’t work yourself to death, Twi. I don’t want you to end up like Gaster. That would be a shame,” Spike snickered.
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” Twilight responded as she giggled lightly. “You’re glad he’s not here to hear that. That’s kind of offensive, you know.”
“Yeah, I think I went a little too overboard there. Anyways, good night Twilight,” Spike yawned as he waved a hand and left Twilight.
“Sweet dreams, Spike”, Twilight returned a soft smile and resumed her mentor’s work.
Gaster stared at Princess Celestia with a look of shock upon his face. All alarms went off in his head, as he never expected that a mare as stunning as her would choose him, out of all the ponies that exist alone in this world. Him, a skeletal being from another world that serves only as a royal scientist working for the king. Instead, the stunning mare whose head sits on his lap treats him like a therapist. Gaster somewhat enjoyed this moment, but he was too bashful to admit it, even to her.
“What a tempting question from you. I would accept your request, but I don’t have much experience doing it. I feel like I’m going to disappoint you rather than satisfying you,” Gaster hid his grin, as he lied about being unskilled about cuddling. In fact, he isn’t. Back in the Underground, he spends his leisure time by snuggling with numerous dogs that reside in Snowdin. Once, a pack of dogs immobilized him by overcrowding his space and as a result, he fell on the cold lump of snow. He rubbed ears and bellies just to get out of the fluffy situation. Now, he’s here to relive that moment, but a little fun couldn’t hurt.
“I guess I’m not good for you, Princess,” Gaster shrugged.
Princess Celestia’s smile began to fade slowly, feeling all she hoped for would be laid to waste. Her ears droop on the side, feeling downhearted.
“Oh, ummm... That’s okay. I’m sorry I wasted your time here,” she replied with a hint of disappointment in her voice. “I suppose I can-”, Celestia was promptly stopped in her words, as she tried to lift her head off of Gaster’s lap. She was brought back to her headrest position once before, with a hand supporting the back of her head.
“Wh-What are you-”, Princess Celestia tried to speak, but Gaster placed an index finger on her muzzle to shush the shocked and confused mare. Slowly but surely, his hand slides under her ear and begins to scratch it gently. Celestia purrs into Gaster’s hand as a smug grin formed on the scientist’s face.
“I thought you were inexperienced at this,” she says in a soft tone.
“I lied,” Gaster chuckled. “Do you remember what I told you earlier? I hate seeing you disappointed and unsatisfied, but I would do anything to put a smile on that adorable face of yours,” he smiled sweetly at her, still nuzzling her ear.
Princess Celestia hummed tenderly as she tensed up, stretching her hind legs and wings. “My, my. No one has called me adorable,” she smirked playfully at him. “...Until now.” As this continued, all her problems seem to be far away, and all was replaced by a sense of warm comfort and contentment. “Again, your assistance is much appreciated . Work hasn’t been merciful recently, and I couldn’t even have a decent amount of sleep.”
“I could relate,” Gaster let out an exhausted sigh, as he proceeds to rub her soft midriff. “As a royal scientist, which you might already know, I conduct experiments and breakthroughs that will prove beneficial to the inhabitants of the Underground. Each day is a total hassle, and its a rarity for me to have adequate rest. I guess you could say I always work myself down to the bone,” he gave a light-hearted laugh.
Princess Celestia giggled under her breath, while she folded her wings and sighed happily. “I guess we both have something in common after all.”
“I suppose,” Gaster replied. He continues to rub her belly passionately, as her body tenses up again from the comforting feeling.
Celestia couldn’t help, but her hind leg begins to kick a little with every stroke from the skeleton’s hand. She was entranced the way Gaster was handling her and needless to say, he was good at it. Very good.
“Looks like somepony’s animal instinct is kick-ing in,” Gaster chuckled.
“Oh, you and your humerus jokes,” Princess Celestia giggled playfully. As Gaster was persistent in rubbing her belly, she felt like she was in an endless dream. A dream she never wants to wake up from, for all she ever worked for was repaid at last. She was ultimately glad Gaster came to Equestria, and she knew it was fate for him to come. Maybe this was her long-awaited gift after all? Perhaps it is.
“Hmmm...Let’s change things up a bit,” Celestia got up and moved to the center of the bed, laying on her side with her favorite pillow supporting her head. Waving a hoof, she beckons Gaster to come closer. The skeleton reluctantly removes his lab coat and placed it on the small drawer next to the bed. He got up and went to her side, until he was within her reach. She unfolds a wing and drapes it over him, pulling him closer, in which he was not prepared for.
“Hrkkk!”, Gaster squealed in shock, feeling the silken coat of the alicorn.
“Feeling comfortable yet?”, she cooed with her muzzle only inches away from the perturbed scientist.
“The way you say that makes me both uncomfortable... and comfortable. I don’t which is more probable to choose,” he smiled weakly.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she responded softly, as she closed her eyes and let his hands do all the magic.
Gaster begins to rub her side under her wing, that was possessively wrapping him into a soft and tender hug. Princess Celestia sighed with satisfaction, as she rested her muzzle on top of his head. She nuzzled his head compassionately, as the hug gets tighter. Neither of them want to let go.
“Princess Luna would feel envious, you know,” Gaster spoke up.
“Yes, yes she will feel that way.”
“Don’t you think it’s unfair for her, that she works as hard as you do and she doesn’t receive this kind of privilege?”
Princess Celestia pondered deeply on this. Then, an idea formed in her head.
“Tell you what. In due time, if you’re available, I could ask you to cuddle with my sister. So, we’ll be even. Sounds fair?”
An excited smile slid across Gaster’s face. “Snuggling with two of the most beautiful mares in all the land. Sounds fair, indeed”, he thought.
“...But now,” the soft embrace tightens between the two. “Let us not ruin this moment.”
Minutes passed, as the two clasped together in the moonlit night. Princess Celestia was sleeping soundly, with the scientist in her tight clutch, until a soft voice murmured under her chin.
“Princess, Princess,” a voice said gently.
“Mmmmm...Yes, Gaster?”, she yawned.
“I think I’ll be on my way now.”
“Why?”, she pleaded faintly.
“I have to go home. I don’t want your subjects to get the wrong idea I slept in with the princess”, Gaster whispered to her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll release you once I have raised the sun. After that, I’ll let you eat with me, and you can go back to Twilight’s castle, if you’re in such a hurry”, she reassured him. “Also, I have one question...”
“Yeah. What is it?”, Gaster looked up to meet her gaze, but all he saw was a scrunched up expression from her. She eyed him carefully.
“Did you...”, a hoof was placed on his chest. “Eat one of my blueberry cheese cakes during our meeting the first time you set foot to this world?”
“...Maybe,” Gaster pursed his lips and averted his eyes from her. “How did you know?”, he asked her quizzically.
“Because I can see right through you.” Princess Celestia smile widened. “Get it?”
“That was just patently horrible. Truly,” he teased the Princess with a smug grin.
“You had bits of cake pieces on your face then. I just let it slip by since you were our guest. I didn’t want to be rude, and as punishment, you’ll be staying here with me until morning.”
“That’s a fair punishment. Maybe the best one I have ever received in my entire life,” Gaster gave her a huge grin as he was pulled again into her soft coat that feels like heaven. “Did I ever mention that your fur is the softest thing ever?”
“Why, no. I did not know that. Thank you for that admiring compliment,” Celestia’s blush deepened as her eyes slowly closed, before she finally yields to sleep once more.
“Sweet dreams, Princess”, Gaster muttered in a soft voice, as his drowsiness began to get the better of him. A small smile slips on his face, before sleeping in the most comfortable position he has ever experienced.
