Shy Moon

by Greatazuredragon

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Fluttershy
Length: 5542

A chance meeting one night between Fluttershy and the Princess of the Night leads a certain shy mare down a path she had never thought she would tread.

It was a chance encounter at the night of the Grand Galloping Gala that led to Fluttershy and Princess Luna becoming friends. But as the moons passed and their friendship deepened, the shy pegasus started to realize that what she felt for the Princess of the Night was more than mere friendship.

It was something she had never expected. But now, at the night of Hearth’s Warming Eve, Fluttershy knew it was a path she had to tread if she wished her feelings to be known.

This was written for Miller Minus as a part of Jinglemas 2020. For more information about Jinglemas, check out our group!

Beta reader: The amazing Emtu!

Published 2020-12-27 16:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-12-27 16:30:01 UTC

When Words Fail

When Words Fail

As she left the hustle and bustle of the gala behind and ventured deeper into the palace gardens, Fluttershy could barely contain her excitement. The menagerie of exotic animals that the Princess was said to keep in the gardens was something that she had always dreamt about seeing! And besides, the great crowds of ponies filling the castle chambers to the brim had been starting to make her nervous. The quiet calm of the night outside was far more pleasant.

She really wasn’t looking forward to having to brave the crowds when she would inevitably have to go back. But some peace and quiet as she enjoyed a moment alone with the cute little animals would do wonders to soothe her nerves. Only, as she turned around a corner hidden by exquisitely sculpted bushes, she realized she wasn’t exactly alone. For sitting by a flowing fountain was a dark-blue mare, her eyes closed as the pale moonlight sparkled upon her wings and horn.

“Oh, my,” she quietly exclaimed, barely above a whisper. However, apparently, that had been enough for the alicorn sitting by the fountain to hear her, as she suddenly opened her eyes and turned as if startled.

“Wha- oh, Lady Fluttershy,” Princess Luna exclaimed in surprise as she refolded her wings that had flared involuntarily as she swiftly got up. “Our apologies, you surprised Us. We did not expect to see another pony upon the gardens this night.”

“No, no, it’s alright,” Fluttershy hesitatingly replied, conscious that she hadn’t exactly gotten permission to be here in the first place and so she was the one that was intruding.

Both mares simply stood there for a moment, wings fidgeting and eyes darting one way and then the other, not sure how to proceed or what to do. Until, with a deep breath, Princess Luna took a step forward and took a courtly bow towards the yellow-coated pegasus. “Lady Fluttershy, we have yet to offer our gratitude to you and your friends for freeing us from the Nightmare, so allow us to express our thanks for your aid.”

“Wha- Wait don’t… I-I mean, hmm… you’re welcomed?” Fluttershy managed to squeak out in a barely audible tone after a few false starts, quite embarrassed upon having the Princess of the Night bowing towards her. “We were glad to help! So please, stop bowing!”

As Luna did so while giving her a small tremulous smile, part of Fluttershy couldn’t help but note that the princess of the night no longer looked like a foal, but instead was about the same size as the shy pegasus herself. And another, far less welcomed part of her mind, couldn’t help but note that she looked quite beautiful as the light of the moon bathed her dark wings and coat.

“So… what were you doing in the gardens? If you don’t mind me asking, that is,” Fluttershy found herself asking, after noticing she had been staring in silence for some time, a small flush of embarrassment surfacing on her muzzle as she averted her eyes.

Luna fidgeted in place for a moment, before with a sigh she answered as she turned her gaze towards the stars above. “We did not feel comfortable dealing with the crowds gathered by our sister’s grand gala, and so sought the solitude of the gardens.”

“I understand. It can be quite overwhelming, can’t it?” the shy pegasus softly said, a small understanding smile on her muzzle. After all, the mere thought of the mass of strangers inside the palace walls enough to make her dizzy at times.

“What about you, milady, what brings you to the gardens this fine night?” Luna asked after another moment. The question made Fluttershy fidget in place.

“Ah, hmm, I- I wanted to see the cute little animals that live in the gardens.” she finally said in a near whisper, cheeks tinted pink due to both admitting her plans to another, and due to the fact that Luna kept calling her a lady.

“I see,” Luna simply said as she gave the pegasus a considering look that made her fidget in place even more. But then, a small tentative smile surfaced on the princess’ muzzle. “Many are the exotic creatures that call our sister’s gardens home, though most of them are quite skittish around strangers. It took us many moons before they grew comfortable with our presence, and the ongoing gala has made them even more prone to avoiding others than normal.”

“Oh, I see…” Fluttershy sadly commented as she realized that her task would be harder than she had first imagined.

“If you would so desire, we could show you some of their havens,” Luna hesitatingly said after seeing Fluttershy’s saddened visage. “While by no means an expert in the care of such beasts, the presence of one they are familiar with may be enough to ensure they see you in a more favorable light.”

“Really, you would do that?” the pink-maned pegasus happily exclaimed, until she remembered who she was talking to and promptly proceeded to hide behind her mane. “Ah, I mean, I would like that, your highness.”

“Please, if anyone has earned the right to forgo the use of our titles it’s you and your friends, Lady Fluttershy,” Luna said with a small smile as she started to trot further into the gardens while gesturing with a wing to follow. “Then let us not tarry any longer, with our aid your quest shall surely be a success this night!”

“Okay… and please, just call me Fluttershy,” the shy pegasus, her cheeks once more tinted pink, murmured as she started to follow after the alicorn. Hesitatingly at first, but with more and more confidence when she started to see clear signs of the animals she was seeking as they delved deeper into the gardens.

A few moments later, with Luna’s help, they slowly convinced some of the animals to come out of their hiding places. Fluttershy smiled as she found herself enjoying the other mare’s company as the hours went past.

Giving the tall and imposing form of the beautiful alicorn by her side a brief look, Fluttershy couldn’t help but wonder if she had just made a new, unexpected, friend this night.

Fighting for breath, Fluttershy ran as fast as she could through the crowded streets. But no matter how fast she ran, or where she ran, she could not leave behind the hordes of ponies and the flashing lights of the cameras. No matter what she did, or how she tried to escape, they were always there. Seeking, probing, suffocating her underneath the pressure of so many strange eyes watching her every movement.

Whimpering in fear and distress, she curled up on the floor, hiding behind her mane and wings In a vain attempt to shield herself as the crowds kept getting closer and closer. The racket of the crowd grew louder and louder with each moment that passed.

Tears started to pool upon her eyes, she waited for them to pounce upon her, only for the soothing feeling of feathers gently caressing her back to greet her instead, the raucous sound of the horde disappearing as if by magic.

“All is well now, my dear little pony, it is over.” a melodious voice soothed her. All the while the soft caress of a wing upon her back continued. “There is nothing to fear any longer, you have our word.”

Recognizing the voice, Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly turned her head to the side and timidly peeked past the curtain created by her mane and wings. The sight of a midnight-blue alicorn warmly smiling as she caressed the pegasus’ back with her wings greeted her view.

“Princess Luna?” she hesitatingly asked, wondering what was happening.

“Indeed, though we do believe we had asked you to forgo our title last we met,” Luna calmly said, as Fluttershy slowly relaxed. The pegasus’ wings slowly folded back to her sides so that they were no longer attempting to shield her. “Unless you desire for us to call you by your title as well, Milady?”

“…No that’s alright,” she squeaked, a hint of pink tinting her cheeks and causing Luna to chuckle. Rising her head fully, Fluttershy cautiously looked around without leaving the small warm nest Luna had created with her large wing. But all that greeted her eyes were empty streets. “But… where did the crowds go?”

“I banished them,” the Princess simply replied, while still gently caressing Fluttershy’s back.

“Banished?”

“You were having a rather severe nightmare, my friend, and as such, I banished it away from your dream,” the Princess of the Night explained as she folded her wings and slowly rose.

“I’m dreaming?” she curiously asked, even as part of her mind felt slightly saddened due to the loss of Luna’s warm wing. “This is a dream?”

“Yes, on both accounts,” Luna said with a smile as a ripple seemed to pulse away from her, and a moment later, the street around them transformed into a beautiful forest meadow underneath a truly breathtaking starry sky.

“Oh, my…” Fluttershy quietly exclaimed as she took in the magnificent sight. Until she realized what the Princess words’ meant. She was the one that had banished the nightmare the shy pegasus’ had been suffering. And so, cheeks tinted pink once again, she bashfully continued. “Ah… hum… Thank you for your help."

“Your thanks are appreciated, but unneeded. As the Princess of the Night, safeguarding our subjects’ dreams is our greatest duty,” Luna calmly replied, even as her smile seemed to grow slightly warmer. “Now, you still seem slightly harried by the experience, so would you like some tea?”

Blinking in surprise, Fluttershy took in the full kettle Luna was using to fill two small teacups set upon a nice little table right next to them. She was quite sure those hadn’t been there a moment ago.

“Oh, right, this is a dream…” she whispered in sudden realization, as she sat down upon a very fluffy cushion she knew hadn’t been there before she sat down. “And, yes, please… if you wouldn’t mind, that is…”

A few moments later, she was calmly enjoying a steaming cup of fragrant tea alongside the Princess of the Night. Both of them enjoyed the peace and quiet of the moment, and the presence of each other. And, after a few false starts, and another cup of tea, Fluttershy managed to gather some courage, aided by the knowledge that this was but a dream, and managed to start a pleasant conversation with the alicorn.

“While this has been highly pleasant, I fear we must cut this short,” Luna said as she rose while placing her cup back on the table. “Time may be fluid in the dream realm, but there are still many dreams we must patrol this night, and as such we must be on our way.”

“Oh… I see…” Fluttershy quietly commented, feeling far more saddened by the thought that Luna had to go than she thought she would after having talked with the Princess of the Night. But this had been…. pleasant. The pressure and nervousness she normally felt around others was nowhere to be seen. She had enjoyed the time spent talking with Luna and didn’t want it to end so soon.

“May you have pleasant dreams, our dear friend,” Luna said with a smile as she spread her wings.

“Wait!” Fluttershy found herself squeaking in a barely audible tone, much to her own surprise. Her embarrassment only grew as Luna apparently heard her and stopped.

“Yes?” Luna curiously asked, head slightly tilted to the side as she acceded to the shy pegasus’ demand.

“Ah… hmm…Would you like to have tea with me?” she managed to say in a near whisper after quite a bit of fidgeting and false starts, saying the first thing that came to her mind.

For her part, the princess of the night simply looked at the empty tea set right in front of them, making Fluttershy's cheeks burn crimson at the unasked question. Gathering her courage as she reminded herself that this was simply a dream, and so there was nothing to worry about, she attempted to amend her statement and make her current feelings known.

”That’s not what I meant… what I wanted to ask was… well… I mean, would… would you like to have tea with me some other time? When we are both awake, that is?” she hesitatingly explained, doing her level best to not cower back behind the pink curtain of her mane, each word that she spoke making her doubt more and more this crazy, spur of the moment idea. “If, if you wouldn’t mind, of course.”

As she took in Princess Luna’s slightly surprised face, Fluttershy felt like this was truly a terrible idea. What had she been thinking, asking a Princess of Equestria for tea! With her of all mares! She-

But before she could fall deeper into the growing panic attack, a pair of warm wings embraced her, cutting it short. All the nervousness and panic was immediately banished by the warm embrace.

“It would be our pleasure,” Luna warmly stated, a large smile on her muzzle as she let go of Fluttershy’s astonished form. “Would next Wednesday be a good date for you?”

The shy mare felt herself woodenly nodding as a response, still more than a bit shocked by this development.

“Excellent! Then until then, our dear friend, may you have pleasant dreams!” Luna joyously exclaimed as she briefly nuzzled the side of Fluttershy’s neck, before with a final smile she spread her wings and disappeared from the clearing in a gentle flash of moonlight.

Fluttershy stood rooted on the spot for quite a few moments, before she promptly collapsed into a heap upon the floor, cheeks burning crimson and heart hammering against her chest.

But, even so, an undeniable feeling of happiness slowly blossomed within her as she lay upon the peaceful clearing underneath the light of the moon.

Busying herself one way, and then another, Fluttershy kept fixing and cleaning everything in sight around her cottage. Despite the fact she had already done so but moments before, twice. All the while, the myriad animals that also called the place home gave her amused, resigned, or understanding looks, or, more often than not, a mixture of all three.

Briefly looking outside to make sure Luna hadn’t arrived yet, Fluttershy checked once again that everything was set and ready for the alicorn’s visit.

This wasn’t the first time Luna had come for tea, it wasn’t even the tenth, in fact. After the first nerve-wracking visit, Luna’s visits had become a weekly occurrence of sorts as Fluttershy realized how lonely the Princess was, and sought to fix that, as any good friend should! And by this point, Fluttershy gladly called Luna a close friend.

But nonetheless, preparing for her visits was always somewhat nerve-wracking.

Not that that was an imposition! Far from it! Fluttershy adored these meetings, after all! Luna’s visits never failed to be the highlight of the day! The beautiful alicorn’s presence filled Fluttershy with joy as they talked about the past week and simply enjoyed each other’s presence.

But that didn’t stop her nerves from acting up as the hour of their weekly meeting grew near.

Fidgeting in place Fluttershy started to move to check if the tea was ready again, only for a tiny bunny to jump in front of her, blocking her path.

“Oh, Angel, is there something wrong?” she asked her long time friend, who started to tap one foot against the floor while giving her an admonishing look.

“What is wrong, Angel?” she asked the bunny, who promptly proceeded to shake his head and point back to the couch in the living room.

“Oh, no, I have to check if the tea is read-“ she started to say, only for Angel to jump forward and lightly boop her on the nose.

Rearing back in slight surprise, Fluttershy blinked as the tiny bunny once again pointed towards the couch while stomping once on the ground with finality.

“I’m not fretting, Angel,” she attempted to reassure her friend, who apparently thought she was needlessly worrying, and wanted her to stop her checks that everything was ready and go rest a little.

The bunny scoffed at her words, before crossing his arms as he tilted his head to the side and gave her a look that made her fidget in place.

“I am not fretting, really. And what do you mean by that?” she repeated before asking for clarification about what he could possibly mean about her needing to stop dragging things and hurry up and go ahead already. But as far as she knew, she wasn’t postponing anything, nor was she avoiding doing anything, so she had no idea what he could possibly mean.

Tossing both paws upwards in apparent exasperation before looking her right in the eye and explicitly saying what he meant.

“W-what?! A-Angel! It’s not like that!” she exclaimed in shock, cheeks burning with embarrassment at Angel’s crude language. “I-Its not! I don’t like Luna like that! She is just a friend!”

Angel, in silent reply, simply raised one eyebrow, clearly not believing her words, before proceeding to question why she was putting so much effort in this overly complicated mating ritual if that was the case, rendering Fluttershy speechless for several moments.

“Angel! This is not a mating ritual!” she squeaked in mortified embarrassment. The fact that several of her animal friends eavesdropping from the sides made disbelieving noises upon hearing her words only made her cheeks burn even redder. “She is just a friend! I have tea with my friends all the time! Rarity was here just yesterday!”

Angel simply gave her a long look, a cocky smirk on his face as he pointed out several differences between how she prepared tea time for Rarity, and how she prepared tea time for Luna. How much more effort and care she put into the latter. And how much more anxious she got when it was the Princess of the Night, the one that was visiting.

That made her stop and think for a moment because Angel did have a point about that. She did invite Rarity for tea almost as often as Luna, and yet she never grew fretful or obsessed that everything had to be perfect when it was Rarity who was coming over.

But… but surely that didn’t mean she had feelings for Luna! Right?

Sure, she did find the midnight-blue alicorn beautiful, and endearing, and she really liked to spend time with her, and found her voice soothing, and really, really liked when she hugged her, and-

The sounds of knocking upon the door cut her musings short. Shaking her head free of silly thoughts, Fluttershy gave a still cockily smiling Angel a look, before rushing towards the door.

“Hello, Luna, welcome,” she said with a small but heartfelt smile as she opened the door and saw that it was indeed her guest who had just arrived. “Please, come on in.”

“Greetings our dear friend, our apologies for being slightly late,” Luna happily said with a smile that stole Fluttershy’s breath away. A small package carrying the logo of one of Canterlot’s best confectionaries was held securely within her magic as she stepped forward and enveloped Fluttershy in a tight hug. “We sought to acquire a few confectionaries to share with you but we fear that we underestimated how long such an endeavor would take!”

“Don’t worry, I don’t mind,” she dreamily said, all but melting into the embrace as Luna’s beautiful and warm wings encircled her as if to protect the shy pegasus from the world itself. Feeling happy and safe, Fluttershy answered Luna’s embrace with equal enthusiasm as she rested her head against the taller mare’s fluffy chest. All the while butterflies fluttered inside her stomach.

And then it hit her.

Oh, dear… Fluttershy thought with a sudden sinking feeling as her cheeks tinted as crimson as the setting sun as they separated and Luna moved towards the table to lay down the cake she had brought. She realized that she did like Luna like that.

“You can do it, Fluttershy, you can do it!” the shy mare softly psyched herself up in a quiet corner of the Golden Oaks Library, while the Hearth’s Warming party they had prepared started to pick up steam.

Several weeks had passed since Angel had made her realize that she liked Luna as more than a friend. She still wasn’t really sure how she had managed to keep her composure during Luna’s visit that day, or the other times she had come for tea the following weeks. But she had somehow managed to pull it off. Oh, sure, she had had quite a few anxiety attacks afterward, but the important thing was that she had managed to do it.

But after quite a bit of thought, more than a little prodding from Angel to get on with it already, and a very embarrassing and nerve-wracking talk with Rarity in search of help, Fluttershy felt that she was ready.

After more than a bit of swooning, Rarity had promptly decided to give her as much help as she could with a level of enthusiasm that worried Fluttershy a little, if she was being honest. But now it was all ready.

This would be the day. Here, surrounded by the colorful decorations and happy carols of Hearth’s Warming, she would finally confess her feelings to Luna.

Looking at the neatly wrapped present she was holding, Fluttershy felt a blush briefly surge towards her face, for she knew what lay wrapped within the night-themed wrapping paper. It was a scarf she had knitted herself under Rarity’s firm tutelage. A dark blue scarf, which had taken all of her courage to knit, due to its pattern of butterflies flying around a crescent moon, surrounded by hearts. A Hearth’s Warming present so that she could try and convey her feelings towards the Princess.

She had blushed fiercely during almost the entire process of making it. She had felt like fainting almost half a dozen times. If not for Angel and Rarity pushing her onwards the entire time, she may have well dropped the project halfway through. The thought of giving it to Luna had been almost too embarrassing for her to bear.

But the moment she had started to have second thoughts as she laid eyes upon the finished product, Pinkie Pie had appeared at Rarity’s boutique and told them both that there was going to be a Hearth’s Warming party at Twilight’s library, and they were both invited. A nice, friendly party with just them, the other girls, and their closest friends, nothing to worry about. Oh, and that Luna had already been invited too. So no need to worry about inviting her. And with a final wish of good luck toward the still slightly shell-shocked pegasus, Pinkie had disappeared just as fast as she had first appeared.

Which led to this particular point in time.

With this gift, she was going to confess her feelings towards Luna and ask her if… maybe… perhaps… she may want to be… more than friends…

Fighting down the blush burning her cheeks, Fluttershy held the wrapped gift tightly and took several deep breaths. She could do this! She knew she could!

… maybe…

Taking another deep breath, she opened her eyes and braved onwards, eyes locking on the regal-looking form of Luna as she talked with Twilight and Rarity at the other side of the room.

As she drew closer, Rarity noticed her approach and promptly proceeded to give her a subtle wink and an encouraging smile before guiding Twilight elsewhere, leaving Luna alone for a moment.

Not knowing if she wanted to thank or curse Rarity for making sure she had a moment alone with Luna, Fluttershy took a final deep breath, mustered her courage, and stepped forward.

“L-Luna, here, I made this for you,” she managed to say with only a minimum of stuttering and nervousness showing, as she presented the gift to the object of her affection.

“It is beautiful, you have our thanks!” Luna happily proclaimed after unwrapping the gift as she admired the scarf for a moment with a smile. Then she promptly proceeded to wrap it around her neck, nearly giving Fluttershy a heart attack in the process.

“You’re welcome!” she managed to squeak after several moments, cheeks once again tinted crimson and her mouth feeling suddenly very dry as she admired her scarf wrapped around Luna’s slender neck.

“We also have a gift for you, it is our hope that you shall enjoy it,” Luna happily said as she offered Fluttershy a small box decorated with pink butterflies.

Taking it with slightly shaking hooves, Fluttershy opened it. And promptly found herself completely tongue-tied as she laid eyes upon what was inside it.

It was a brooch. A beautiful brooch made in the shape of a crescent moon. In the shape of Luna’s cutie mark. She had received a piece of jewelry she was supposed to wear in the shape of Luna’s cutie mark!

“I-I love it!” she near whispered, eyes slowly rising from the brooch to Luna’s happily smiling face.

“We are glad. Here, allow us.” Luna cheerfully proclaimed as she moved closer and took the brooch from Fluttershy’s hooves, and promptly proceeded to place it upon the sweater Fluttershy was wearing.

Suddenly feeling very faint as Luna’s muzzle hovered inches away from her own, Fluttershy managed to make out a vague noise of agreement, all the while doing her level best to remain conscious. She did not know how long that dazed feeling lasted, but when she came to Luna was giving her a slightly worried look, her face once again but inches away from her own.

“Is everything alright, Fluttershy?” Luna asked as she placed a hoof upon the shy mare’s temple as if to check her temperature. “Are you well?”

“Y-yes, it’s just…” she attempted to say, only to find herself completely tongue-tied due to Luna’s presence so close to her. The warmth of her hoof upon her brow robbed her of much of her ability to think clearly.

She knew that she should be confessing her feelings now. That this was a perfect opportunity. But she simply couldn’t! The words simply refused to leave her lips.

Fluttershy kept attempting to give voice to what she wanted to say, only for her words to die every time they approached her lips due to her nerves. Feeling like screaming, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to firm her nerves.

She could do this!

Opening her eyes, the shy mare took in Luna’s beautiful form... and found herself unable to articulate a single word as her heart hammered against her chest and butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

She couldn’t do this!

“Would you like us to proceed to a less crowded area? I feel that some peace and quiet would do you some good,” the midnight-blue alicorn kindly said as she rested a wing upon Fluttershy’s back.

After managing to give Luna a shaky nod, she proceeded to follow the object of her affection as she led them to a less crowded part of the library. All the while she internally attempted to marshal her courage so that she could voice out her feelings.

She needed to act! She needed to make her feelings known and clear! But how was she going to do that when she could barely speak the words she wanted to say?! How could she convey her feelings when she was too nervous to even talk!

“There, this is much better. Please take a moment to collect yourself,” Luna said as they settled in a quiet corner of the library filled with cheerful Hearth’s Warming decorations.

Trying to regain her bearings as Luna started to fill the silence with polite small talk as she commented about the various new decorations that had become traditions during her time away from Equestria, Fluttershy desperately tried to think about how she was going to convey her feelings now that this newest stumbling block had made itself known. Her tongue still firmly refused to obey her commands.

“What is this particular decoration?” Luna asked as she pointed to a bundle of green leaves dotted with tiny crimson fruits, all of it tied with an equally crimson bow. The whole arrangement hung from the ceiling right above both of them.

“…Mistletoe…” Fluttershy squeaked, her tongue betraying her by actually speaking when she would’ve rather remained silent. Her eyes shrank to pinpricks as she realized exactly under what sort of decoration the two of them currently were standing.

“Ah, yes, our niece has spoken to us about this new tradition. Of how two ponies that share feelings would share a kiss underneath this plant as a symbol of their love for each other,” Luna calmly stated as she observed the mistletoe for a moment, before lowering her gaze towards Fluttershy and giving her a warm smile. “A very pleasant tradition, wouldn’t you say so?”

Panic started to swell in the shy pegasus’ chest as she found herself once again robbed of words. All she could hear was the hammering of her heart, as the world narrowed down until all she could see was Luna’s beautiful face as she patiently waited for Fluttershy to answer.

Until, as if she had been hit by lightning, Fluttershy realized that, maybe, she didn’t need to find her words after all.

A sudden feeling of unnatural calmness suddenly fell upon her as Fluttershy suddenly realized what she had to do. She didn’t bother to think or wonder about consequences, for she knew that the moment she did either of those things she would collapse into a pile of nerves and be unable to recover. And so, she simply acted.

With a deep breath, she took the plunge and leaned forward.

The very next moment her lips were touching Luna’s in a gentle kiss.

Pulling back as if she had been burnt, Fluttershy promptly hid away behind the pink curtain of her mane, unable to believe she had just done that! What had she been thinking?!

But before she could even think about berating herself, a dark-blue hoof parted her mane, allowing her to see Luna’s beautiful face as she gazed at the shy pegasus, her magnificent aqua eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of pink upon her cheeks.

“Fluttershy, is this- is this a confession?” Luna simply asked as she leaned even closer to the now almost paralyzed pegasus. “Does this mean that you like us? Romantically, we mean?

Fluttershy remained perfectly still for a long moment, but Luna kept patiently waiting, while placing a warm wing upon the shy mare’s back. If it was to comfort her or to stop her from bolting away, Fluttershy had no idea.

After a few more tense moments, the yellow-coated mare found herself hesitatingly nodding her head, her eyes locked upon Luna’s own gaze, still mute with shock at her audacity of mere moments ago.

“Then, we suppose we have to give you a reply, don’t we?” Luna lightly asked, her muzzle inches away from Fluttershy’s still almost statue-like form.

And with those words, a smiling Luna slowly started to lean forward, as if a mirror of the previous situation. As she drew closer and closer, Fluttershy felt as if her heart was going to burst out of her chest, as if she was about to faint. And a moment later, with a sudden jolt, as if she had been struck by lightning, she felt the soft velvet caress of the lips of the Princess of the Night against her own as they kissed for the second time this night.

“We would gladly accept you as our mate, our beautiful shy mare, if you would only do the same.” Luna warmly said, holding Fluttershy close as she gave her a beaming smile while their brows rested against each other.

Face aflame and still mute, Fluttershy timidly nodded once again despite how faint she currently felt. A tiny smile formed upon her lips as Luna hugged her tighter upon her ‘answer’. A tiny smile that grew larger as the Princess of the Night decided to seal the deal with a third and far longer kiss.

Feeling pleasantly warm all over even as the world grew dark all around her, Fluttershy thought that, in the end, she hadn’t needed to find her missing words to get the best Hearth’s Warming present she had ever received.

And so, she proceeded to promptly pass out within the wings of her beautiful new fillyfriend, a silly, deeply satisfied, happy smile firmly stuck upon her muzzle.

Author's Note

You know, for my first foray into writing a Romance story, I must say I'm quite happy with the end result. :twilightsmile:
Hope you enjoyed this little gift, Minus!
And happy Hearth's Warming everybody! :scootangel: