Gilded hadn’t known what to expect of the dream realm, but a starry road lined by doors stretching on into infinity had not been it.

“This is what it looks like, um, in between dreams?” she asked, looking around. Aside from the doors, the only other thing to see was the starry walkway under her hooves.

“To the inexperienced. As a pony spends more time in the dream realm, it develops into something unique to them, but until then, the pony training them simplifies it to this to make things easier.” Princess Luna explained, as she started trotting away. Gilded quickly followed, sticking close. The last thing she wanted was to risk getting lost. They stopped when they reached a pink door with greenish-gray trim, bearing the name Salmon Run, and a picture of three fish leaping up a waterfall.

Luna’s wing flared out as she cracked open the door, stopping Gilded from entering her brother’s dreamscape.

“He is still dreaming of you. That’s good. But it may be awkward for you.”

“How so?”

“Come and see.” the princess invited. And when Gilded Lily looked through the open door, she saw her brother laying in the grass in an open field, during a breathtaking sunset. And cuddled up against him, between his legs…

“That’s me.” she said, just a little weirded out.

“It is a dream construct that merely looks and acts like you. Think of it like an actor on stage portraying you.” the experienced dreamwalker explained. “Except there is no real pony under the makeup. And when you enter the dream, you will replace it.” Then she continued, “I may need your help in keeping your brother calm, and making him realize my offer is real. He is deeply ashamed of his desires, so it will not be as easy for him to accept as it was for you.”

“Can do, Princess.”

“Until then, however, I would like you to pretend to be the construct you will replace, and not let him know you’re the real Gilded until I tell you otherwise.”

“Can do.” the pegasus repeated, smiling a little at the thought of cuddling with her brother. They hadn’t done that since…well, since soon after the first time they went into season.

“After you.” Princess Luna said, moving aside to let Gilded through.

“Hello again, Salmon Run.” Princess Luna greeted, startling the pink pegasus.

“Gah! Princess!” he yelped, jumping to his hooves, before falling into a bow.

“Relax, there is no need for formality. I am, after all, a guest in your dreamscape.”. But it did little good, and Luna soon asked Gilded Lily for her help. She merely grabbed her brother and held him close, refusing to let him squirm away. Salmon remained uncomfortable, though. Until Luna’s magic snared Gilded’s hoof and moved it to his sheath. That led to Luna repeating most of what she’d told Gilded to Salmon, ending with her offer to let them share the dream, if they wanted.

It didn’t take long for Salmon to agree, giving into his heart’s desire. Gilded celebrated this decision with a gleeful cheer and a long, deep kiss. She didn’t come up for air for a few minutes, during which, she maneuvered Salmon onto his back and embraced him in the most intimate ways.

When she did separate her lips from Salmon’s she looked up at Luna and asked, “Princess, when you said there might be more, earlier, what did you mean?”

“I mean that I can cast a spell that will create a long-term, conditional link between your dreamscapes. If you want me to.”

“What does that mean?”

“Any time you want to be together, so long as you are both asleep and both dreaming, your dreams will link themselves together. That way, you can be together like you are now, without risk of being discovered by others who would not approve.” the princess explained.

Gilded looked down at Salmon. “It sounds good to me. What do you think, Bro?”

“The chance to be with you every night? Yeah, I think I could get behind that.” Salmon agreed. Now that he knew the feelings he’d been struggling with since his first rut were not only reciprocated, but had the approval of one of his princesses, he was going to make the most of it.

“It will not be every night.” Luna clarified. “Only when you both want to share your dreams. For sex or romance, or simply to talk privately. Also, you will not necessarily be fully lucid, like this. That can be learned, though.”

The couple indicated that they understood and still wanted the spell, so Luna lit her horn. Strictly for show, since the spell actually had to be cast from outside the target dreamscapes. She then wished the siblings a good night and the best of luck, before leaving them to their passion.

Back in the dream realm, Princess Luna cast a spell on the shared dream that would make it reform more easily in the future, then returned to her rounds. Her work with those two might be done, but it wasn’t quite morning yet, so there was still more for her to do.

Author's Note

So, that’s it. I apologize if it’s rough, but after bouncing the idea around in my head since the contest announcement, I only made up my mind to actually try writing this the Saturday before the deadline. Once I got off my lazy, procrastinating ass, it only took me four days to type this, but that was too close to the deadline to give it more than a cursory editing pass.

I’ve given it a couple more passes since then, and while it’s still far from perfect, it’s as good as it’s going to get.

I hope you enjoyed it anyway. Vote, comment, you know the drill.