Today was Sunday, also known as Cadance’s favorite day of the week. It wasn’t too surprising considering it was also her usual day off. As a ruler of the Crystal Empire, she’d never expected to be getting regular days off. But as was customary of crystal pony hospitality they had practically insisted that she and her husband take parts of the weekend away from their duties.

Of course, that didn’t mean she was entirely exempt from her duties. Sometimes certain things took precedence, and Cadance would never allow herself to fall into any lax habits.

Today’s particular precedence had brought Cadance to Canterlot Castle, where she was currently walking purposefully through its towering halls. She was headed for a meeting with the royal sisters, Celestia and Luna, to discuss something about some new regional matters.

Honestly, Cadance hadn’t read the letter properly. It was clearly written for state affairs by a professional, which also meant a stranger. To Celestia, she’d hold no surprise in learning Cadance had just skimmed it. She held no patience for formal jargon and undecisive writing, it just wasn’t in her nature.

Thankfully the Crystal Empire shared many of her ideals, which allowed Cadance to generally have a pleasant experience while she presided over the kingdom.

Cadance abruptly forced herself to a halt several doors away from her destination, all her senses were going off, telling herself something. Of exactly what she wasn’t sure of, but there was one particular aspect that she was sure of.

As an alicorn, Cadance was gifted with a sort of influence over love, and with that came the ability to ‘see’ it. At least that’s how she would describe it, she was never one to question such things. However, what she saw now was something to question.

Love was something Cadance had to deal with every day but it was never overbearing. What she could feel now was something only comparable to the time when the changelings had been banished from Canterlot during their invasion. But that was something only felt in an instant, this, this was constant. A massive aura of love that while not that active was immensely strong.

Cadance honestly had no idea what to make of it, not from here at least, so she slowly started moving further into the anomaly, wanting to find answers. The white stone of the familiar castle walls could easily disorient any unknowing pony wandering them, but for Cadance they did nothing of the sort. She’d lived far too many years within the castle. And so she was quite aware that she was still heading towards her original destination, and what was apparently the center of her new discovery.

That almost answered her biggest question, who exactly was causing this. It had to be either Celestia or Luna, but Cadance knew that should be impossible. The royal sisters were always too concise with their obscuring magic for anything to truly peer into what they didn’t want to reveal.

Cadance arrived at her destination all too quickly, still just as confused. But seeing as though she still had her duties to perform, she decided she’d better muster up some resolve. She figured she’d hopefully receive her answers regardless.

Placing one golden clad hoof upon the meeting room’s door, Cadance pushed forward through the nondescript door. She was immediately hit with the brunt of her kindred magic, so much so that she almost couldn’t stop herself from fainting from the overabundance of it.

It felt desperate, and… lonely.

Cadance, of course, had felt this many times from many different ponies, but this was something else entirely, to the point where she was having difficulty just focusing. Trying to find some way to start thinking clearly, Cadance focused on analyzing the familiar room, hoping it would ground her before she actually lost consciousness.

It was a standard affair, a well sized 4 wall room, out of the way from the rest of the castle. It allowed those using it to conduct their business decisively. It also made for a surprisingly good hiding spot, in fact, Cadance and Shining Armor had used it many times while avoiding the arrogant nobles. Though they had learned they should make sure it was empty first. There was more than one occasion where they had stumbled upon some very unimpressed ponies. Needless to say, they had not enjoyed the reprimand they received from Celestia afterward.

As much as Cadance would have loved to continue reminiscing about the past, there was no way she could once she saw two distinct princesses looking at her with concerned expressions.

They must have noticed Cadance coming to her senses a bit, as Luna moved to speak. “We will ask again, are you alright?” Luna’s voice was tinged with worry, which did not help Cadance’s own apprehension. “You look rather, distracted by something.”

“I-I, um, sorry. I suppose I haven’t been entirely focused lately,” Cadance managed to stammer out. It wasn’t a whole lie, but something told her that being truthful may not be the best decision. That unto itself was something unfamiliar to Cadance, she’d never considered deceit lightly, but sometimes it was necessary. After all, if this was being caused by either of her fellow princesses letting down their guard, then they had every reason to keep it secret.

Cadance’s wondering was swiftly interrupted by a motherly wing laid upon her, Luna was always a mare focused on comfort, so it was no surprise to Cadance as she was ushered by her towards her seat.

“We will try and make this as quick and effortless as possible then. Though if you would prefer we could start this tomorrow, it is of little consequence. Besides the day is growing late.”

“No, no, I’ll manage,” Cadance answered, if she was being honest with herself her curiosity had been piqued.

Cadance let herself out from Luna’s presence to sit into one of the three chairs surrounding a table adorned with some loose parchments. The position allowed her to see the once again seated Luna and Celestia, who had remained silent so far, likely out of courtesy.

“Hi, Aunty,” Cadance greeted.

“Good evening Cadance, I’m glad to see you, you really do need to visit more often,” Celestia replied with a smile, acting as if little were amiss. Which of course made Cadance suspicious, Luna had always been easy to read but Celestia was a completely different story.

While Cadance tried to avoid dishonesty whenever she could, Celestia had to lie every day. To be fair, the current generation of nobility didn’t give her much choice, lest she let Equestria fall into chaos. But that did little to help Cadance at the moment, with the sisters seemingly unknowing, Cadance was left to figure out this problem on her own.

The sheer intensity of the raw emotions Cadance could sense didn’t help matters either. It was like a pink haze enveloping the room, but for her, it was by no means overwhelming.

Cadance had always found love itself fascinating, though that was to be expected. But what she was surprised to find once she truly delved into it, was just how magical it was. To some, they would consider the power held within it abstract and lawless. But she knew better, she was living proof of it, being able to wield its power with no consequence.

Though that didn’t mean it was easy. Initially, Cadance had very little control over her inherent talent. Being exposed to the violently fluctuating emotions of the heart had easily overwhelmed her. It was only once she learned how to ignore it, that she could reign back her focus.

It was that focus that she needed right now if she wanted to figure this little puzzle out.

“Well then, shall we get this meeting officially started?” Luna asked, to which both of the other alicorns absently nodded their heads.

“Good…” Luna said already clearly doubtful. “Hmm, I believe we should start with affairs in the Crystal Empire. If I remember correctly, Cadance, you were preparing some expeditions into the surrounding area?”

“Yes,” Cadance answered, “We sent out a team from our military now that they’ve been trained just a few days ago, we’re hoping to start mapping the frozen north to some degree.”

As Luna asked her next question, Cadance readily split her attention. She utilized a certain trick she’d taught herself from dealing with the many dignitaries that used to harass her. It was surprisingly easy to fool them into thinking she was paying attention, not that she wanted to do that to Luna. Quite the contrary, Cadance knew the importance of these meetings, it was the perfect way to discuss the state of Equestria. Away from any unsavory intervention.

However, despite its importance, Cadance knew such a thing would have to wait, matters of love always took precedence, at least to her.

It was with that knowledge that she subtly focused her attention back to Celestia, who, by her accounts, was being too obviously quiet. It wasn’t her usual ‘observant’ quiet either, the kind where she was just waiting for the wrong sentence, so she could cut in and kindly ‘correct’ them. And you could trust Cadance, there was always a wrong sentence. No, this quiet meant she was thinking about something, it wasn’t the normal sort of contemplation either. As sad as it was for Cadance to admit, Celestia had a bit of a problem when she was left to her own devices.

In the past, a much, much younger Cadance often took it upon herself to figure out what exactly her aunt Celestia got up to in her spare time. She’d already found out, through persistent stalking, that the lone alicorn would often go to an abandoned observatory in the castle when there was nothing left to do. So on one night when Cadance arranged a day off for Celestia she chanced on hiding herself in the near empty room, luckily for her, there was an inconspicuous cupboard left discarded at the end of the domed chamber.

It didn’t take long till Celestia arrived to Cadance’s relief, it wasn’t at all comfortable constantly looking through a peephole in a cramped piece of furniture. Cadance knew it was worth it though, there was nothing that was going to stop her from reaching past the last thing keeping her aunt distant from everypony else.

Cadance had expected some sort of magic held within the room that Celestia would inadvertently reveal to her. To her surprise though, nothing of the sort happened, Cadance could only stare as Celestia walked to the dead center of the room and sat down.

And she did nothing.

To Cadance’s puzzlement, Celestia remained motionless, as if in deep thought. What she could possibly be thinking about escaped Cadance, but even still, she never stopped wondering.

It took four hours of painstaking stillness before Celestia left and more time still for Cadance to get over thinking about what she had just seen.

With time Cadance learned that it wasn’t an isolated case either, she’d seen her many times with the same dead gaze and idle stance when she thought she was alone. She never knew how to broach the subject with her, it was surely something Celestia would be upset about if anypony knew.

A hope kindled when Luna returned, it made a lot of sense, of course she was lamenting her sister’s mournful fate. But it still didn’t stop. Even Luna found out about it eventually but she had no insight into the matter either, to their shared frustration.

What Cadance knew now though, was that she might finally get her answers. It was clear that this oddity of love had something to do with Celestia. Even still, the unaware mare wasn’t making it easy, her posture was as reserved as ever and with millennia of practiced restraint there was no tells for Cadance to observe.

She had half put her mind to just confronting the issue when the sound of somepony clearing their voice cut through her train of thought.

“Ahem, by the stars what is with you two today?” Luna asked successfully grabbing the attention of the otherwise distracted individuals. “I honestly do not know how you are both paying so little attention. Sister, you’ve been staring at the middle distance making nary a move nor sound. And, Cadance, do you really think the noble’s trick is going to work on me? I had just started talking about bunnies and rainbows, and neither of you has noticed.”

“U-uh,” was all Cadance could stammer out in response.

Luna narrowed her eyes now clearly suspicious, “Are you sure neither of you would like to end the day? We see no reason why we can’t just continue this tomorrow.”

“No!” Cadance abruptly exclaimed, suddenly seeing her opportunity slipping away. She went wide-eyed though once she realized her less than discrete pleading.

Both sisters stared at her with stunned expressions before Luna spoke up.

“Uh, Cadance? What is the matter?” she asked, concern filling her voice. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Luna herself was mildly baffled that her sister wasn’t asking such questions first, and so she shot a quick glance at Celestia.

Meanwhile, Cadance was already distracted by said mare, she’d noticed something about her once Luna had started speaking, a faint flutter echoed through the atmosphere, or rather through Cadance’s atmosphere. Call her obsessed if you want, but the fact that such a thing had just happened sent Cadance’s love senses into overdrive.

She noticed everything, every otherwise insignificant detail, from the slight twitch of Celestia’s left ear to how her eyes shifted ever slightly as if trying to glance at Luna, yet they were held back every time.

It all led to one answer, one that stopped Cadance in her tracks.

She thought she was being silly, it had to be something else, after all, there were many kinds of love. But no, she couldn’t lie to herself, there was no other reason as to why something this strong could slip past the cracks of Celestia’s will. It was a wonder in and of itself that she hadn’t cracked yet, Cadance knew all too well how unresolved emotions could chip away at you.

There was no denying it, Celestia was in love with Luna.

Just the idea itself left Cadance reeling in thought, wondering about the past and future with this insight. She knew Celestia wasn’t going to do anything about it, otherwise, this wouldn’t have happened. Celestia’s love was built upon a longing left unchecked for far too long. The question was though, what could Cadance do about it?

She contemplated leaving well enough alone, sure it’d be the right thing to do in regards to Celestia’s trust, but even so, she feared what would happen if she did. Celestia’s heart was aching from as far as Cadance could tell, it’s manifestation to her senses was evidence enough of that.

If she didn’t do something to fix this, Celestia would never be able to move on, and Cadance didn’t want to think about how impossibly tragic that would be for an immortal.

“Ok, will somepony please tell me what is going on?” Luna asked, yet again startling the two other alicorns.

Celestia shook her head as if trying to get some bearings over herself, Cadance had a hard time telling but she imagined the mare was in a bit of a daze. The reason for that she still didn’t quite know, why was all this happening now, she wondered.

Celestia stood up from her seat, “Luna I don’t think there’s anything to tell. I think we’re all just a bit agitated today. Let’s just start this again tomorrow with fresher minds okay?” she asked, uncharacteristically biting her lip.

Luna was having none of it and also got up from her chair with a sigh, “Sister, don’t lie to me, you’re not any good at it. If you both insist on skirting around… whatever is going on here, then you shouldn’t do so in such an obvious manner.” From her sharp tone, everypony in the room knew she was not going to let this go now.

“I-I,” Celestia tried to say something but found she couldn’t before looking to Cadance, her eyes searching for any sort of help. Her niece only gave a sympathetic look back at her to which she dejectedly hung her head, giving up.

It was at this moment that Cadance knew she had to take Celestia’s first step for her. The mare in front of her had stewed with this alone for too long. It’d be no surprise to her if her aunt was only ever thinking of the worst outcomes, not thinking of what everything that could be.

Cadance couldn’t take it anymore, she could not let her aunt suffocate in this self-pity, not when she was willing and able. And so she turned to the subject of Celestia’s worry.

“She loves you, Luna,” Cadance admitted, she felt there was purpose in being vague, it would be best to let Luna fill in some of the gaps herself.

The mare in question looked to each of her cohorts, settling back on Cadance with expressed confusion, “Well, of course she loves me, we’re sisters. Why would that concern you for such trepidation?” Luna looked between the two of them again, searching for an explanation that just wasn’t there. “Honestly, you are both acting very weird, why is any of this surprising…” Luna trailed off, clearly realizing something before recentering her gaze on Cadance intensely. “There's more to this, isn’t there?”

Cadance nodded, “She doesn’t just love you,” Cadance starts, lightly biting her lip in trepidation before continuing.

“She’s in love with you.”

Luna’s eyes quickly narrowed with skepticism toward Cadance as a loud silence settled in the room. However, her expression just as quickly softened before settling on frozen confusion. Luna’s stare was unwavering as she failed to form any meaningful response.

Cadance herself was in a similar situation, she could never have imagined a potential subject of Celestia’s affection before this. And now, once she’d actually said it, she could scarcely believe the undeniable reality. But she did have to believe it, all her senses would not let her do anything else.

Cadance didn’t have the luxury of being able to ignore the signs of love, and while she often had no qualms with her gifts there were those few times where love could get complicated. While Cadance always remained hopeful, those complications could very easily lead to heartbreak.

To say this was complicated would be an understatement.

So Cadance sat there, still as a rock, unwilling and unable to break the peace before the storm.

The silence between the trio continued while they each pondered over their unexpected circumstances. That is until Luna broke that silence causing Celestia to look back up.

“I-I, Celestia… just, um. Sorry, you,” she fumbled over her words. “I think I just, need to leave, and... think,” she finished to herself, starting to make for the door. As she reached it she took one last look at Celestia, her mouth opened trying to make out some words but nothing came out. Giving up she frowned at herself and left the room.

With Luna out of sight, Cadance heard Celestia let out a held breath. The love princess was sure that that could have gone much worse, though she had wished that she’d been able to glean some sort of information as to how Luna felt. But it remained that Cadance had little to offer for this particularly difficult problem, at least in regards to her specialized perception.

At least Celestia looked a bit more calm with her sister, and apparent love interest out of the room.

“Are you alright, Celestia?” Cadance asked sincerely.

“I have been better,” she sighed. “To be honest, I’m just relieved, does that seem strange..? It feels strange.”

Cadance got up and moved to comfort her aunt, wrapping one of her pink wings across her back, urging her to sit back down. “I don’t think it’s strange at all, confessions are always going to be stressful, but that’s over now. Though I’ve got to ask, why?”

“Why Luna?”

At Celestia’s glace Cadance nodded.

“Hmm, sometimes I wonder that myself. Ever since she’s come back there’s this air about her. Some sort of peace I haven’t felt in much too long. I grew envious, but that didn’t last. just having her with me was enough. Though I think I may have become too reliant, nowadays I seem to get agitated without her.”

A light giggling interrupted Celestia’s explanation, to which she found Cadance snickering mirthfully behind a hoof.

“Oh, you’ve got it bad.”

Celestia glared, miffed by the simplification, “Excuse me? I’ve barely said anything,” she retorted.

“Oh, you don’t have to, there’s no need to explain anything. I can just tell you’re head over heels for her,” Cadance said, tightening the hug. She was trying to lighten the mood, she never did like playing to Celestia’s game, she was much too light-hearted. But that didn’t mean she was lying, there was enough conviction in Celestia’s voice to convince her. “The only pony you really need to explain this to is your sister, I’ve heard all that I need to.”

Celestia wasn’t as convinced, “I don’t mean to,” she stated.

“What?”

“I’m,” she sighed, “I’m not going to pursue this, Luna does not need this, and neither will I. This is just an unhealthy infatuation that I need to deal with, for both of our sakes.”

Cadance retracted her wing from Celestia and tried to gain eye contact with the princess. “You can’t seriously believe that, no infatuation lasts as long as you’ve kept this to yourself. What in Equestria makes you think it’s wrong to be in love with somepony?”

Celestia looked at her niece as if it were obvious. “She’s my sister! It’s wrong, perverse.”

“Oh for the love of…” Cadance mumbled.

“I would never want to alienate her so. Besides neither of us has the time, there are much more important things to worry about.”

“Auntie! Have you completely forgotten what it means to be in love?” Cadance exclaimed, the very idea seemed ludicrous to her. “Why do you seem so intent on closing yourself off?”

“None of what I’ve been feeling has been anything but detrimental, I have no need of it. And Luna clearly wants nothing to do with it,” Celestia stated, pointing to the door where she had just left.

“You don’t know that,” Cadance argued.

“I don’t have to,” Celestia answered solemnly.

The persistent silence overfell the two ponies again as Cadance began to fully realize the extent of Celestia’s problem. It was no surprise to her that her aunt could get a bit stubborn when she wholeheartedly believed she was right. In this case, she had every reason to believe herself, she’d only had her own opinion for what had to be years if Cadance had to guess. There was no hope in convincing Celestia, but Cadance did want to at least give somepony a better chance if they were willing.

“Please, will you at least listen to Luna if she’s willing to talk.”

...

“We’ll see.”

Celestia had no intention of following what Cadance had asked. As far as she was concerned it would be better if this mess was just forgotten about. But she’d still have to face what exactly Luna was thinking, as far as she was concerned it would be best to prepare for the worst.

She decided to await that judgment in the most obvious place so Luna could find her, her bedchamber. The large room in and of itself was undoubtedly one of the most lavish rooms in the castle, to the point where it was shame many ponies never got to see it in their lifetime. The white marble interior matched what was expected from Canterlot Castle but the gold trim that usually accented its design had a particular luster in this room, mainly because it was actual solid gold instead of the fake substitute found elsewhere.

Celestia had often been guilty when she spent her earliest nights within the newly built palace, though that past with time, it wasn’t her fault her ponies wanted to gift her with such extravagance, but it had certainly paid off. Even after the many, many years of living within Canterlot, she’d never gotten bored of wandering and living in its halls.

However that didn’t mean things didn’t change, there was a lot of blank space to decorate the abundant hallways. With Luna’s return, there was all the more reason to debate over monthly themes and artworks to display.

Celestia’s own bedroom was not exempt from this either, she preferred to cycle through furniture and displays of her millennia of discoveries. Today though found her room unusually spartan, with little but a wooden bookshelf and a few empty stands. It was of little consequence however as Celestia had no desire for indulging in vanity.

Her current position held her staring at the stars from her balcony letting her mind go blank while she awaited her sister. She’d figured Luna would visit sooner rather than later, it was in her nature to confront things headfirst.

Celestia heard a distant knocking coming through her room announcing sisters arrival, it was weird hearing her knock, most often she’d just barge in.

“Come in,” Celestia called, getting out of the cold night air to greet Luna.

The Princess of the Night looked as radiant as ever, something Celestia wasn’t entirely enthusiastic for noticing. What surprised her was the lack of any ill manner towards herself. Celestia had expected glaring or an intense stare. But there was nothing, it was just her sister, as she normally was.

“Good evening, sister,” Luna said walking to a standstill near the center of the room and taking a few short glances around. “You need to decorate,” she flatly added.

Celestia rolled her eyes at Luna’s typical, crude remark, “Hello, Luna.”

A minute or two passed while the ponies tried to think of what to say. They had, of course, attempted to prepare themselves but as was often the case no words ever felt like they would fit in the moment.

“I’m sorry,” Luna started, the admission coming unexpectedly to Celestia, “I shouldn’t have left so suddenly before, I can’t imagine what that made you think.”

Celestia frowned, “I don’t know why you think you have to be sorry for that. This is nopony’s problem but my own, we should just forget this ever happened.”

“Sister, stop. Don’t start pretending like that, we’ve been down that slope before. You know where it leads.”

“This is different Luna,” Celestia stated, trying to dissuade her sister.

“More extreme maybe, but different no,” Luna argued.

Celestia grunted in annoyance, “Fine, at least tell me what you’re feeling,” Celestia asked, eyes wide with frustration, more at herself than Luna. “You have to be mad, or disappointed, or, or something! Just,” she faltered, “Just don’t leave…”

Luna watched her sister sit down and hang her head in front of her, seemingly unwilling to put up the same fight she’d been dealing with for years again with her sister. Luna sighed trying to pull herself together for a way to help her sister, she knew no comforting words would really stick, Celestia was too thick-headed for that, it wasn’t a trait many ponies knew of, eons of knowledge went great lengths to hide that fact.

“Sister. Look at me,” Luna asked with a calm yet authoritative voice, Celestia was oddly reminded of their mother, needless to say, she couldn’t stop herself from complying, meeting Luna’s eyes with her own quivering ones.

“I’m not leaving. And I don’t hate you over this. In fact, I think it’s enough to say that I believe I know why you’ve been desiring a romantic connection.”

“I-”

Luna held up a hoof silencing Celestia, “I’m not done, sister. It’s been apparent to me for a while that you’ve been lost and alone. You have isolated yourself as the ruler of this kingdom, and as a consequence have become more of an idea than a mare. If you didn’t have your ponies, I fear you’d lose yourself to ashes of the sun.”

“Luna I-”

“You don’t dream anymore, sister!” Luna interjected, letting unbidden emotion fill her voice, “You are aimless, I’ve barely seen you do anything for months. You’ve become Equestria, a name, and nothing more…”

“I suppose I have been a bad sister,” Celestia managed to say, only causing Luna to frown again.

She shook her head, “No, I don’t believe so, the fault rests with me.”

Luna continued to clarify, “When I returned and saw what you had built and how you had changed, I assumed that you had done well enough without me. But I was wrong, I was too naive and blind to realize that you still needed me.”

Luna took a couple of steps forward, closing the distance between them, and proceeded to lay a hoof on her sister’s chest, just above her golden peytral. “It was only natural for you to think of love now that you have the time once again. And I understand why it’s me you think of.”

Luna looked up and met Celestia unsure gaze with her own, the two holding the moment for mere seconds before Celestia put a hoof on top of Luna’s own as if in some kind of inferior embrace.

Celestia all to quickly used her hoof to force back down Luna’s own and turned away, breaking their supposed link. “Then you know why we can’t let this be.”

Luna walked around Celestia, taking a seat of the ground beside her, both of them looking at the distant scenery through the open balcony. “No Celestia I don’t, I’ve seen enough dreams to realize I have no qualms with such sibling relations, baring the obvious problem. And if you’re worried about everypony else well, I imagine if Cadance is fine with it she’d be able to convince anyone.”

Celestia grumbled, knowing it was nearly futile arguing with Luna, it was something she hardly ever won. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to win anymore. “Well, what about the few that do speak out?”

“Frankly, sister, if you’re worried about that, I’d call you stupid, why should we care what they think?” Luna asked, her distaste for the obvious ‘few’ Celestia was talking about was clear.

“We’re royals Luna, we have to care.”

“Celestia, our nation is built upon friendship and love, if somepony is going to speak against that then I see no reason why they should deserve that opinion.”

Celestia looked down at her sister beside her, “And what about you? I doubt this is something you want.”

Luna continued staring forward as she answered, “No, I don’t want it.”

Celestia herself was just puzzled as to why Luna was making such a fuss about this then.

“But,” she continued, “I think that’s a good thing,” she said now lightly smiling up at her sister. “Love isn’t built on certainty sister, but I still want to try, for the sake of you finding some happiness, and maybe I’ll find something along the way too.”

Celestia tentatively laid a wing over her sister shifting her closer, “Luna I just… Thank you, this is nothing like what I had expected.”

Luna leaned into the embrace that she seldom experienced, “I’m not guaranteeing anything, but I at least want to reconnect with you, sister. We’ve changed a lot from our past, and not entirely for the better either, I’d like us to be more like what we were.”

The sisters lulled into a companionable silence, together enjoying the warm feathered embrace they gave each other.

“I missed this,” Luna muttered, completely content under her sister's wing.

Though that was shattered piece by piece as she felt Celestia slightly fidgeting. Luna pushed out of the embrace, “I’m assuming that’s the heat?” she asked simply.

Celestia gaped at Luna in surprise, “Sorry, what?”

Of course, Luna saw right through it and smirked, “Do I have to spell it out, sister? You’re going through that phase when a mare hasn’t had sex with somepony in awhile and-”

“Fine,” Celestia interjected, wielding an unimpressed glare, “I’m in heat.”

“Thought so, I’m guessing that’s why Cadance knew something was wrong?” Luna asked, to which Celestia nodded. “I suppose you were lucky with that then…”

The topic in question brought an air of awkwardness into the room that had the two alicorns idly looking around the room. A sharp intake of breath brought back Luna’s attention to her sister, “Um, it is getting late, we should turn in for the night.”

“Wait, won’t you want help with well, that?” Luna asked, eyes briefly flashing down trying to illustrate her point.

“And who exactly would ‘help’ me? It’s not like I can just go and ask anypony,” Celestia said in an annoyed tone, bothered that her sister was still bringing it up.

“I thought we already, uh, established who,” Luna said with a sheepish smile and rubbing a hoof against her leg.

Celestia stood there, trying to process what she’d just heard and not being too successful either. “Uhh, wha- but I thought,” she sputtered, not quite able to form a sentence while she stood there baffled. “Do you think we’re ready for something like that...? Already?”

“I don’t know, maybe. I just know that I don’t want you like this for days with nopony to help. That isn’t being too forward is it?” Luna asked as unsure as Celestia was.

“Maybe? I don’t think I know either. I won’t deny that a part of me wants this, but not at your expense. We can just as easily turn in for tonight, sister,” Celestia said, a small part of her almost pleading. Even with Luna’s reassurance she still had some reservations.

The decision ultimately rested with Luna but as far as she was concerned she’d already made up her mind. There was no way she wasn’t going to help her sister, even with this. And, well, she couldn’t deny that she was slightly curious.

It was with that knowledge that Luna decided to take the first step, closing the nearby opening to the balcony with her magic and moving to face her sister. She took note at how her sister was trying not to examine her and failing spectacularly. Luna couldn’t fight a smirk as she imagined just how many times her sister had done the same thing in the past.

“So, how do you want to start this?” Celestia asked, noticeably nervous despite being rather still where she stood.

Luna’s eyes narrowed as she realized some of the implications of their current situation. “How long has it been since you’ve been with someone, sister?”

Celestia very visibly looked like she was counting in her head before she furrowed her brow, “I don’t really remember…”

“And what about since you, ah, played with yourself, ugh,” Luna paused, she was about to have sex with her sister, there was no point in getting hung up about it, “Since you’ve masturbated,” she clarified.

Celestia blushed, the rosy pink visible against her white fur, showing her embarrassment on her cheeks. “Um, awhile?” she asked, having no clear answer for herself.

“Huh. Is that... is that because of me?”

Celestia sighed, “Yes.”

An awkward quiet settled into the room as was customary of the circumstance. With the act that was looming over the heads of both sisters, neither of them were able to find that final push to alleviate the tension.

Celestia coughed, “We should probably take these off,” she said while idly tapping a hoof to her regalia.

Luna agreed and walked to one of the empty stands away from her sister. It didn’t take long for her to take off the adornments as it was always a simple process. As she used her magic to neatly place each piece on the stand, she let the thin, dark metal of her chest plate hover in front of her, “Do you think I should get something new?” she asked, turning to her sister. “I mean I like this but-”

Luna cut herself off, the question did not seem as important anymore. A short way in front of her stood Celestia but something was different. Luna had seen Celestia unattired many times in the past, but since her return from the moon, those occurrences became much less frequent. With this perspective she also realized something else was different, the thought of actually being allowed to properly look at her sister stirred something within her.

To say Princess Celestia was beautiful would be stating the obvious. But to see her as Luna saw her now made her seem so much more. Out of her confinement of needless gold, Celestia’s body made its presence shown in a way of purity. Luna had always been envious of her sister’s white coat for how it made her stand out all the more. There was truly no mare Luna knew of that could compare, though certainly many had tried but none succeeded, not in her eyes at least.

It was her snowy fur that made it all too easy for Luna’s gaze to wander, from her celestial mane and tail that depicted an ethereal rainbow, to her loving eyes, whose magenta tinted radiance would always kindle hope in those who saw them.

Celestia’s body itself only ever sought to accentuate what mattered to the mare herself, though that didn’t stop many from admiring the subtle curves of its slender form that concealed lean muscle of which held little use to the motherly ruler.

But it was at that moment that Luna noticed Celestia’s eyes listing lazily around the room while she waited, though they quickly settled back on her sister once she saw she’d recollected herself. “You know, I’ve seen many ponies with that same stare, I’d never thought you’d be one of them.”

Now it was Luna’s time to feel embarrassed, though thankfully her dark coat hid the most obvious culprit of the fact, “Uhm, sorry,” she said.

Celestia smirked feeling a surge of playfulness, “Well it is only fair, I’ve looked at your flank far too many times,” she winked to added effect and walked past the now stunned mare.

Luna had not expected Celestia to be quite that confident all of a sudden, and then she noticed she was functionally as nude as her sister, leaving no room for the imagination for either of them.

Feeling foolish that her sister had effectively one-upped her, Luna shook off her fluster and turned to see Celestia climbing onto her bed and laying her back against the silken sheets. The act in itself was utterly seductive, even if the mare performing it wasn’t entirely meaning for it to be. The large bed she laid on was set with a silvery theme that built itself on being unobtrusive yet unintentionally made the princess more captivating than what should have been possible. It painted a picture that rivaled the most magnificent artworks of the age, and once again Luna could not stop looking.

Celestia patiently waited as Luna’s gaze sought to burrow into every detail, though missing Celestia making a show of rolling her eyes. Luna started at the top and made her way down, finding exquisite interest in how Celestia’s spayed wings had each feather laid upon the faintly silver backdrop of the bed’s sheets. Luna’s eyes continued down until she saw what exactly Celestia was presenting.

Luna instantly snapped her head back up, she wasn’t quite ready to see that.

Celestia let her playful smile die down and rolled to her left till she was on her side. She motioned for Luna to take place opposite her, leaving her little choice but to comply. While she walked along she could feel a distinct, creeping wetness just slightly making itself known. She reached the opposite position of the bed and placed a bare hoof upon the lustrous bedding. Considering it was summer Luna wasn’t surprised that Celestia only had such light linen.

Luna slid onto the bed in a way she was sure was nowhere near as elegant as what her sister had done. While Luna set herself opposite Celestia she couldn’t help taking another quick look, becoming that much more enamored from the closed distance. Luna was in a state of absolute comfort from the smooth as sin satin caressing her and a beautiful mare to gaze at.

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself,” Celestia said.

Luna shook her head to reset her focus before speaking, “That obvious?”

Celestia nodded. “Before we continue do you want to lay any boundaries? You know we can stop-”

“I know,” Luna interrupted. “Just, uh, no kissing,” she added nervously.

Celestia blinked a bit puzzled, “Ok? That’s oddly... romantic.”

Luna just shrugged, not really in the mood for explanations.

Celestia shifted forward very slightly, moving her head to get a better purchase on her pillow made from a more stable material than the sheets, but no less comfy. “Well then, are you ready?”

Luna mirrored her sister’s movement only leaving a small space between them. Luna could feel the light drift of air coming from Celestia’s bated breath only causing her to be more aware of just how close they were.

They both reached out their free hooves to the other, letting the two meet and lean against each other. It wasn’t anything noticeably spectacular but for the sisters, it was the first contact. For Luna, she could feel Celestia’s occasional shudders and likewise, Celestia could only feel her sister’s almost cold stillness through their sole connection.

It didn’t take long for Luna to let her hoof slip as she closed the rest of the space from her sister. Luna wrapped her hooves around her sister and entered an embrace neither of them could have imagined ever happening. As they held their chests together with their forearms wrapped around each other lovingly, Luna let her neck lay over top her sisters. There was an undeniable connection between the two now as they shared the beating of their hearts in a kindred rhythm.

Luna sighed in contentment built to be broken and replaced with something greater. “This is nice,” she stated simply, letting her voice describe that which she couldn’t say.

Celestia mumbled incoherently while she drew a breath, indulging in her sisters' scent, she could only tell there was a fruit of some description, beyond which she didn’t care for the moment. Keeping the smell lingering in her mind she pulled her head back a bit and tried to push further into Luna.

Getting the idea, Luna eagerly did the same causing their entire bodies to lie together. The feeling of closeness shattered into an entwined duality that she couldn’t get enough of. The constant fluctuations in Celestia’s body from her breathing and the floating touch of her mane sent Luna into nirvana. She wasn’t even sure she was fully comprehending what she was experiencing, she’d spent millennia with her sister yet never had she felt this connected.

While Luna was entirely happy to revel in intermingling fur and flush bellies, it only made Celestia want more. Years of unrepented desires that were now being granted in ways she could never have sufficiently imagined only succeeded in making her desire more what was to come. The thoughts were intoxicating, and Celestia found herself unable to think of anything other than the love she wished to share with her sister.

Celestia abruptly flipped on top of Luna, placing her sister on her back and bringing out a cute yelp out of her. Luna’s wings spread out along the bed with their owner being too unwilling to bring them back in, Celestia repeated the action spreading her longer span and laying them over top delighting in the melding of their feathers.

Celestia followed by leaning her head down to her sister and gently nuzzling her, an act that would be motherly if it weren’t for the level of intimacy the two partook in. Celestia leaned her head back up and spoke with a voice burdened only with love, “Do you want me to start?” She accentuated the question with a slow grind of her hips, the sliding of private places gifting pleasure that promised of a euphoria that was sure to follow.

“Yes,” Luna could barely say, much too distracted by the heat trapped between their interlocked legs.

Celestia pushed her upper half up creating a sensual curve with her back that Luna could barely stand gazing at before she looked down and noticed their revealed crotches, linked in a way sisters would never think of. Two pairs of teats were all she could really see between them, while they were in no way ready for nursing she was surprised to spot a subtle pair of bulges that could only rarely be found naturally.

Celestia herself found the view just as breathtaking and with a final, short hump pulled apart the joined hindquarters. A strand of glistening liquid kept a meager link between them as if they had been sharing a breathless kiss. That strand just as easily collapsed landing along Luna sending an unbidden shiver through her.

Making sure to reposition herself quickly the solar sister had soon slid down her counterparts barrel so she was halfway up Luna’s length. Celestia could readily feel her sister's hind legs clutching against the middle of her own barrel, with certain other effects pressed against her in tandem.

Luna was being rather quiet through the process, though Celestia had suspected she wasn’t like most mares in that respect. However, that didn’t mean she felt any less pleasure and was currently well past ready to be indulged. So Celestia began kissing her sisters body where she was, laying sweet but short-lived marks as she quickly made her way lower to more rewarding prizes.

Celestia stopped at the pair of prominently displayed teats, they were sticking up straight and colored darker from Luna’s normal hue. They were begging to be suckled and there was no way Celestia was going to say no. Taking the left nip in her mouth, she began licking and gently pulling at them, wanting to tease them into revealing themselves entirely if she could. They, of course, complied with the one in her mouth hardening even more from the slipping of her tongue. Celestia proceeded to release the teat with a loud pop revealing it swollen in need and coated in an intimate sheen, she could almost feel it aching for pleasure that would only be satiated by ignoring it.

Believing she was done with her handiwork Celestia leaned back down to repeat the process with the other one. While she did so she looked up to see Luna’s expression, she had only been able to hear her light intakes of breath that did little to reveal what pleasure she was feeling, but her face still told all. The suckling alicorn took glee from how Luna was struggling to keep her gaze constant on the sight between her legs. Celestia even began to feel the rush between her own as they splayed out behind her pressing down on the sheets.

Taking Luna’s desperate stare as a sign to move on Celestia left the tall nipple for the stimulation of the air alone and shifted the last few inches down till she had a perfect vantage on her sister's inner self. It took an instinct guided for pleasure for Celestia to not immediately dive in. Instead, she sought to admire it as only her sister deserved. The scent it gave off was as intoxicating as the marehood itself, it’s darkly blue frame already slightly parted to reveal beautifully contrasting, deep pink walls.

Unable to wait any longer Celestia wrapped her forearms around her sister's legs to keep them pried apart and took in a breath of her sister’s musk right in from the source. Taking no more time she started running her tongue along the rim of the labia slowly making her way inwards. Finally being able to feel Luna’s deliciously smooth lower lips against her tongue was heavenly for Celestia, she didn’t even notice herself slowly grinding down on her satin fabric.

Celestia’s path towards the center of her sister’s pussy came to a stop and just before she continued she stole a glance up. She was surprised to see Luna still staring between herself, many mares would have just leaned back by now and relaxed, though perhaps the sight itself was just as exhilarating as what Celestia was feeling now.

Celestia steeled herself and prepared to taste her sister for the first time and leaned in. She wasn’t too surprised by the taste, though to describe it would be of little use. Nevertheless, she delighted in Luna’s essence of sex and raw love as she explored her pulsating pussy. Celestia made an effort to make her mark on as much of the intimate as possible as she searched for the places that would send Luna over the edge. As much as she wouldn’t like to admit it Celestia now realized just how much she had missed this, the sensations she’d feel from her slippery tongue as its unique texture ran along a mare’s walls as she felt them give in or tense up from instinctual whims, she’d never get enough of it.

Exiting out of Luna’s marehood Celestia was left panting just as much as Luna was, and not entirely from lack of air either, if the damp stain she felt on the sheets was any indication. Celestia didn’t stop entirely though and made her way back to coating the outside of Luna’s crotch with saliva and her accumulated juices.

It was then that Celestia took note of Luna’s ass and decisively took a tentative lick, quickly glancing up to see her sister’s reaction.

“Ah, what the?” she asked with an expression struggling to define itself as startled.

Celestia decided to stay quiet and go for another lick.

“Are you serious, sister?” she asked again, becoming a bit annoyed.

Celestia wasn’t convinced and made a full circle around the puckered ring feeling a quivering clench as a reward.

Luna grunted from the strange pleasure and gave up arguing leaving Celestia to her ministrations.

Celestia went back to lathering the so-called ponut with her mouth, even going so far as to take it into her mouth as if it were one of Luna’s still standing teats.

Then Celestia noticed her sister’s clit finally winking out and went to make a show of trailing her tongue against Luna’s dock up to it and latching onto it, refusing to let it hide once causing a spiking shudder through Luna’s body before letting it go again.

Realizing her sister was getting close to climax Celestia set back to work on her vagina, much to Luna’s relief. She could not remember anypony who had matched what her sibling was doing now, it was strange for sure but the absolute bliss made her quickly forget about it. Luna had even sooner found she couldn’t stop watching her sister making love to the core of her pleasure. She seriously stressed ‘making love’ too, the sheer determination and joy on Celestia’s face solidified the fact of her love. This was certainly no forgettable fling for her.

Luna was quickly devolving into a quivering mess while Celestia was perfectly building her up past the point at which she should’ve found release. Luna had no idea how she did it, even with her own years of knowledge and access to dreams, she’d never been able to achieve something like this. There wasn’t any magic either just a dutiful tongue and muzzle.

The soft brush of fur from Celestia’s muzzle against her winking clit seemed to randomly set Luna into what she believed was the point of no return. A state of immeasurable tension and sensation that Celestia still somehow drew out. Luna continued to endure her sister’s sweeping appendage against her trembling surfaces, which were now desperately latching onto the elusive tongue.

Making one final move Celestia released her makeshift kiss and made one last cautious lick at Luna’s hanging clit. The oversensitive bead broke through Celestia’s build up and sent Luna into an ecstasy that never seemed to end.

Luna was left twitching and thinking of little else but bliss as she calmed down. Once she’d more or less come to she found herself laying on top of Celestia who was giving off a gentle smile.

“Wow,” was all Luna could say

“I take it that was good?”

Luna nodded, “How in Equestria did you learn that?”

“Trade secret, sister,” Celestia said, mirthfully smirking.

“Fine, keep your secrets then…” Luna said. She looked at what she could see of the mare below her, she still looked warm with wanton arousal. That wasn’t to mention what Luna could feel against her, two damp rears slick with the results of passion. “So I’m assuming I should do you next?” Luna asked looking at the mare underneath her.

“That would be nice,” Celestia said, somehow despite her overflowing libido, she was still capable of making Luna consider her decision.

Of course, Luna had no need to think about what was already decided and hopped off the white mare. Walking around on the bed she sat behind Celestia, who was presenting her intimacy just as she had before. This time though Luna’s captivation wasn’t to be broken. Celestia’s marehood easily captured her attention and it was already very active from when its twin had received the pleasure it so desired.

Luna laid down in front of Celestia’s behind, with herself closer she could see the idle trickling upon the soaked crotch, the whole area taking on a darker tone because of the sheer wetness. Celestia’s clit was maddeningly hypnotic as Luna leaned closer and closer. But as she saw her sister’s most private parts something started holding her back. Luna felt unsure of herself, she wasn’t entirely sure why either, she did want this right?

She stayed still trying to think with a scent and sight that made it impossible. She tried looking to Celestia but she was already looking to the ceiling, her face contorted with desperation. The lack of stimulation must have been maddeningly slow in granting relief.

Luna looked back down, back to the active twitching and sputtering of marecum coming from Celestia’s depths. As time crawled by Luna didn’t notice herself being slowly drawn in by the compelling motions that Celestia’s pussy and clit produced. She also started hearing the sounds coming from within the marehood as it sloshed with a dampness Luna desperately wanted to taste.

As Luna got just slightly too close Celestia suddenly felt her breath washing against her overwhelming heat. The feeling of her sister’s breath was finally enough to let her find release, though it came slow and left much to be desired.

Time past as Celestia's groans gradually came to a halt and she sat back up to see Luna still sitting where she was with a confused expression.

“I take it you couldn’t do it?” Celestia asked, showing no signs that she was at all worried.

“No, and I don’t know why. I swear I should have been able to do this,” Luna sighed, “Sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize, I may not have been exactly forthcoming. I find I quite enjoy experiencing moments like that,” Celestia admitted.

Luna was confused, “You enjoy denial?”

“Oh no, it’s that feeling of constant pleasure that does it for me. Stalling it out until it’s inevitable creates a sort of anticipation that I can lose myself in.” Celestia got off the bed and started walking across the room, “As for why you froze that is easily answered.” She grabbed Luna’s regalia and walked back, “There’s a big difference between fantasy and actually having the thing in front of you, so I don’t blame you for it, it’s your first time doing something this taboo, it’s only natural to question it in the moment.”

“I-” Luna sighed also hopping off the bed, “Yeah I guess you’re right,” she admitted, taking her regalia into her magic and proceeding to put it back on.

“Well, we really do need to talk about this,” Celestia stressed, “But it is getting much too late, so tomorrow then?”

Luna nodded, “Love you, sister.”

“I love you too, and be quick, you’re not exactly decent,” Celestia added.

With the click of the door, Luna had left.

After the earlier mess of a day, Cadance had holed herself in her room, on her bed idly reading a book while she monitored Celestia’s abnormal love signature from afar. It took a while but eventually, she figured Luna must have shown up because all sort of things went down. It was difficult to tell at her distance but she thought she’d got the gist of it. Though that did have implications, which did lead to Cadance thinking about her aunt going at it with her sister.

That ultimately did get her a bit excited, the act itself would have been spectacular to watch. As alicorns, Cadance wouldn’t have been surprised if they had gone on for a whole day. Just as she thought about doing something about her building heat Cadance looked up.

Luna was right at the end of the bed.

“AHH,” Cadance screamed, to which Luna only rolled her eyes.

“I take it you’re enjoying yourself?”

“I think that’s of little consequence, Luna. What are you doing here, it’s late?” Cadance asked trying to feign annoyance.

“I need advice,” Luna stated.

“Ooh, already? This is about Celestia right?”

“Yes,” Luna put a hoof to her head, rubbing her temple, “I’m just unsure if this is the right idea, tonight didn’t exactly go smoothly because of me.”

“Hmm, alright, I’m going to be blunt. Do you love your sister?” Cadance asked, the question confusing Luna.

“Yes?”

“Are you in love with your sister? Be honest.”

Luna sighed again, “No.”

“Do you want to try and fall in love then?”

“Well, yes?” Luna asked tilting her head.

“Then that’s all you need, just ask yourself those questions for now and if you find you want to stop trying then stop. You don’t need to do this for her if you aren’t willing,” Cadance finished, smiling.

“Ok… thanks. And just one more thing, I have an uh, ulterior motive for this that you should know about.”

“Hmm?”

“Celestia is next to lost, we’ve both noticed it and if this doesn’t work then we need to do something about it.”

Cadance furrowed her brow, “So you’re doing this to get Celestia out of her rut so to speak?”

“Not entirely, I’m still interested, but beyond anything else, I want to make Celestia remember what it means to be a pony again.”

Author's Note

Sorry if the ending started to feel a bit rushed. I was on a difficult deadline and I'm by no means used to writing like this. If I find the time and am willing I may try and fix some of the problems towards the end if any of you are interested.