Dearest Luna,
Princess Celestia tip-hooved into the room, the gentle taps of her golden shoes quieting the instant she stepped onto a plush, velvet carpet. Behind her bobbed a bowl of steaming carrot soup, its sweet scent wafting enticingly into the air with a silver spoon and a small brown bottle bearing the design of a cartoony strawberry following shortly at its side.
The room was dimly lit, the main source of light being the blazing fireplace encapsulating the space with a pleasant, toasty warmth. A small crack in the heavy curtains cast a slim pale strike across the bare tiles, revealing a sliver of the winter wonderland outside, a new sheet of snow sprinkling down onto the capital of Equestria like icing sugar.
For a few, peaceful moments, the only sounds which accompanied her were the cozy crackling of the fire and the distant whisper of wind just outside the tower.
I hope you’re doing well, though I know that you most likely are not. All I can do is hope the Elements are merciful in their cruelty and have at least allowed you to remain unconscious in your banishment - but you have heard this from me thousands of times already, so I shall refrain from dwelling on it.
Then a sickly cough broke through, bringing Celestia back to the matter at hoof.
Shutting the door behind her with a small click, she swiftly made her way to the tight bundle of blankets, pillows, and more blankets - burying everything underneath with naught but a small, lavender horn managing to poke itself out from between two plushes.
The Princess set the objects down quietly onto the bedside table and gingerly took a seat on the edge of the bed, shedding her cold, metal shoes with the sudden dip in the mattress seeming to alert the owner of the horn to the presence of somepony else.
“Princess?” It was a small mumble - a filly’s voice - coarse and muffled slightly by the covers over her mouth.
Smiling faintly, Celestia leaned down and nosed at the lump where a head should be, “Yes, Twilight. I’m here.”
The pile shuffled a bit before a muzzle reluctantly followed the horn into the outside world, red and sniffly. Celestia nudged the rest of the pillows off of Twilight’s head and smoothed a hoof over the mane of the disgruntled filly.
The neat little tri-colored bangs which usually framed her student’s delicate features with not a hair out of place were all tangled up, sweat dampening her fur at places and a feverish flush tainting her cheeks. Twilight squeezed her eyes shut as an admittedly adorable sneeze flew from her mouth, causing her to curl into herself and sniff again, trying to once more retreat into the dark sanctuary of her blankets.
Princess Celestia snuck her bare hoof underneath the pile and rubbed the side of Twilight’s warm barrel in methodical circles, slowly easing the filly back out again. She mewled miserably and let her brilliant amethyst eyes crack open a bit, snuggling sluggishly into her mentor’s side as Celestia settled down onto her belly instead.
I will have to catch you up on so many things when you finally come home to me - for every one of the thousand winters we will have spent apart, there will be a thousand more intricacies, times where I have thought to myself: Luna would have liked to see this. Though, I suppose that that is the very purpose of this journal.
“Are you feeling better, little one?” Celestia whispered into Twilight’s ear - which twitched at the sound of her voice - as she pulled her hoof out of the bundle and gently pressed her lips to a burning forehead, frowning at how warm it was before pulling back with a small kiss.
Twilight grunted unhappily and shook her head, still nestled into the wing that had been extended over her. She shivered, and Celestia fluffed up her feathers a bit more as her little student pressed in closer to her.
“It’s cold.” The filly whimpered, “Can we turn on the fire?”
The Princess ran a plume down the length of Twilight’s knotty mane, “The fire’s already ‘turned on,’ as you say, and I don’t think it would be very sensible of us to fetch you another blanket, hm? Your body is quite heated already…” Celestia trailed off, biting her cheek and trying to smile for Twilight as she shuddered again.
“Okay.” Another sniffle. ”Can you stay then? You’re really nice an’ warm...”
I still refuse to believe that you are forever lost to me, and whether that is faith or folly, perhaps you will be able to tell me once you are yourself once more. I only know that the sister whom I so loved was stubborn most of all, and would never be content to giving up without a fight. Or winning that fight.
With a soft nod, Celestia acquiesced easily, “Of course.” She bent over and nuzzled Twilight’s nose under her wing, “For as long as you want me to.” Her fuchsia eyes fluttered shut as the filly squirmed forwards and nudged her back, pressing a warm brow into her cheek, content to lay there for hours to come.
Only for Twilight to withdraw suddenly, burying her face into her petite hooves and coughing, a larger hoof once again rubbing her back until the small fit passed. “S-Sorry,” The unicorn apologized weakly, shrinking down.
“You have got absolutely nothing to apologize for,” Celestia murmured, stroking Twilight’s cheek with a feather before straightening up and reaching out for the bottle and that spoon with her magic, “But it is time to take your medicine. I have the strawberry flavoured one~” She sang, shaking the brown bottle in what she hoped was an enticing manner. Judging by how the filly’s muzzle wrinkled, her actions had had little effect.
Twilight sniffed and turned her head mulishly away in the opposite direction, “It doesn’t taste like strawberry.” She protested quietly.
The Princess shuffled up a bit so that she could curl her long neck around and face Twilight again, the sick filly still stubbornly refusing to meet her gaze. “Twilight, I know you don’t like it, but this will help you get better. Don’t you want to go to school? Tomorrow's a school day, you know?” Of course, Celestia would never be so irresponsible so as to let her go anywhere even if she somehow got better today, but Twilight didn’t need to know that.
Huffing, she shook her head, “I can get better myself.” Twilight insisted.
That is something you have in common with Twilight, I think. I’ve mentioned her a great number of times before. She’ll even be there when you come home, grown-up and all - nearly nineteen years of age by then. I pray she’ll not be hurt, please don’t I cannot wait to introduce you to one who has made such a profound impact on my life, and I am sure you two shall become the best of friends.
“Pretty please?” The Princess nuzzled her student’s fluffy ears - even wilted as they were. They flicked, but Twilight herself would only pout. “Not even for me?” The filly looked up at this, only to quickly avert her eyes once more. She shook her head again, the action accompanied by a small cough - something she naturally tried, and failed, to hide.
After a few tense moments, Princess Celestia finally backed down and sighed as she tried to rein in her disappointment to the best of her ability, realizing that her pushing was only going to succeed in making those lavender ears press more firmly onto Twilight’s scalp.
Speaking of my the filly, I will be the first to admit that it has been a rather rough day. I ought to tell you that Twilight woke with a fever this morning, and it was partly my own fault, much to my eternal shame.
For a second - just one - Celestia was frustrated. She was frustrated. Why couldn’t Twilight see that she only wanted to help? Didn’t she realize that a few moments’ discomfort in downing that medication was worth so much more than having to suffer through the whole course of the illness?
And then the frustration was gone, leaving behind only a good dose of shame. Because Twilight didn’t realize - of course she didn’t. She was brilliant, talented - a genius, even! - but underneath it all, she was a child like any other. Somepony who didn’t know any better - somepony who was just sick and, like all foals, despised medicine. Who was Celestia to be disappointed and frustrated at a filly, as if it were reasonable to expect her to be a mare?
So, though the spoon stayed, the medicine bottle drifted reluctantly back to the small table, and Celestia swapped it out for the bowl instead. “Alright, Twilight. Perhaps a bit later then.”
It was supposed to be for after Twilight took her medicine, but, well, if she would eat... “I did also bring you some warm soup though - are you feeling well enough to eat?” Despite herself, the corners of her lips curled up hopefully as she shook off what lingering feelings she had held from before. “It’s sweet carrot, your favorite.”
Twilight blinked and looked up at her mentor, ears lifting just a bit. “How’d you know it was my favorite?” She croaked curiously, tilting her head - still rested on her forehooves.
At this, the Princess couldn’t help but release a soft laugh - after all, Twilight had only mentioned it about three dozen times at the dining table. “Well, I can’t tell you all my secrets, now can I?” She gave the filly a playful wink.
But if there is going to be a silver lining to this-
That giggle - small as it was - did her heart good.
Taking the laughter as a good sign, Celestia levitated the bowl over and dipped the spoon in, blowing gently on the orange liquid - so as not to accidentally burn her poor little student - before sending it towards Twilight, who’d lifted her head from her hooves and was eyeing the approaching food nervously.
“I’ve thinned it a bit, to see if you can keep it down better. Take your time, okay?” The alicorn gave her a soft, encouraging smile as Twilight hesitantly opened her mouth, letting Celestia carefully tip the spoon’s contents in before tugging it out and plopping it into the bowl again, another spoonful hovering up soon after, ready and waiting - though Celestia did first want to wait and gauge her student’s reaction.
Twilight let it swish around in her mouth for a moment before finally swallowing, biting her lip, and looking to the Princess.
Celestia leaned down and nuzzled a wayward trickle of soup travelling leisurely down her chin off her face - almost as if by instinct - as she secretly delighted in the filly’s embarrassed little squeak. “Was that any better? Do you feel sick? Is your tummy hurting?” She held her breath, frowning worriedly until-
The filly shook her head happily, surprised, and blessed the alicorn with another giggle, offering her mouth wide for another gulp. Sagging slightly with tension she hadn’t even known she’d held, Celestia positively beamed as she brought the soup over, presenting another spoonful.
And another.
Then another.
Then another more, until the Princess was left scraping the very last drop out from the bottom of the bowl for Twilight, watching gladly as she licked her lips and came out of her blankets just that little bit more.
Twilight looked so much better than before - it was as if the color had returned to her coat and the sparkle had returned to her eyes. She was perkier, livelier, and didn’t look so lethargic and-
She was on the right track. Celestia had to have done something right.
-it will be that I have grown as a pony just as much as she has.
She’d been concerned, to say the least, when she’d found that Twilight was unable to keep her food down. The filly’s energy had been sapped, almost, and though she’d at times be able to stomach some juice, anything else had come right back out again. The nurses, of course, had assured her that it was perfectly normal in young cases of the flu - nothing overly worrying - but...
The alicorn chided herself for what felt like the umpteenth time - told herself to stop fussing. It was just the pony flu - not some matter of life and death, for Sun’s sake! There was no need to be so worried, Twilight was so strong, so brave, and it was hardly the first time she’d ever gotten sick, after all.
And yet she had felt… helpless, almost. The little filly who’d somehow squirmed her way into Celestia’s tired old heart had been uncomfortable - she had been suffering - and Celestia for all her supposed power could do naught but watch and hope she inevitably got better; preferably sooner, rather than later.
It had been her fault. She should’ve insisted on more layers, she should have kept more of an eye on the foal, a heating spell, anything - if she had, then Twilight wouldn’t have-
“Can we go play in the snow again now?” Twilight rubbed her stuffy nose and blinked at the alicorn pleadingly, only her slight shiver detracting from the scary effectiveness of her puppy-dog eyes.
“Absolutely not!” Princess Celestia inadvertently snapped, allowing a frown to pass her features as she fluffed up her wings again, pulling the blanket underneath her plumes higher on the filly’s back whilst drawing Twilight herself closer to her own body - if such a thing were even possible.
Yes, Twilight was looking better, but that was not an open invitation to make her sick again! Especially when she hadn’t even recovered yet!
Yet, one single glance at her student’s hurt look was enough to pile another mountain of guilt onto her withers, making her soften and sigh. “I apologize, Twilight, but you know that was what made you sick in the first place. At least wait a few weeks before you go out galavanting in the gardens again.”
The filly pouted and sniffed, “But I feel better! A-And-” She coughed, “-the snow’s going to be all gone in ‘a few weeks’!”
Celestia shook her head sternly and made to speak, only to be cut off by Twilight’s hoarse voice, “I can wear more layers! Please?”
Poking Twilight softly on her side, Celestia frowned, “Don’t give me that, little missy! Last time you said you’d wear the layers I told you to wear, you took them off the second you got outside!” She wasn’t making that mistake a second time.
“You made me look like a ball!” Her student whined, another painful hack following swiftly, making the alicorn flinch.
“Well, I would rather you look like a ball than you be sick!” Once again, Twilight recoiled, and once again, that mountain weighed down. “I-I meant...”
It was an exceedingly rare thing for the Princess Celestia to be caught speechless; it was even rarer for her to be seen not knowing what to do at all. She rubbed her face with a hoof, clenching her jaw - it was just not her lucky day, was it? “Twilight, I’m... sorry for snapping again.” Celestia sat up onto her haunches and pulled the sick filly up along with all her blankets, holding her tight as if she were planning to teleport away in fear any second now.
“It’s just been...” The alicorn shook her head and ran her hoof down her student’s mane, the familiar action somehow doing more to calm herself down than anything else, “You know how much you mean to me, don’t you?” An unsure nod, and Celestia squeezed the filly again, “Well, I guess it’s just... it’s just a little hard for me to see you like this. You’re so playful, energetic, and lively all of the time, now you’re...” That didn’t feel like all of it, but Twilight didn’t need to be burdened with all her troubles.
Twilight tapped her hooves together and cuddled into the alabaster fluff, “A-Am I okay? I thought you said it was just the flu? You, um, make it sound wors-”
“No!” Celestia exclaimed, “No, no, you’re very right, it is just the flu,” She chuckled reassuringly and cradled the precious bundle to her chest, “Princess Celestia is just being a very silly old mare right now... Truth be told, I don’t think I’ve ever had to look after a little filly as young as you, much less a sick one.” After all, she’d never once taken in a protege younger than at least sixteen years of age - a five-year-old had been an entirely novel experience. One she wouldn't trade for the world.
The alicorn looked down as her student turned her head sideways, her cheek now against her fur instead, eyes still turned towards Celestia. “I suppose you’re just special that way.” Celestia murmured softly - oh, and how true it was!
“So you just don’t know how to play with me?” Twilight tilted her head quizzically, as if ruminating on a tricky algebra equation, “Cause by process of elimination, you’re the best teacher ever, so that definitely can’t be it!” She grinned, tightening her hooves around the alicorn. Yes, of course life would be centered around play and study - oh, to be young again! “But... you do play! You’re really fun, and nice, and Mommy-like, and fun...” She tapered off, coughed, and snuggled feverishly into Celestia’s fur, most likely not even aware of what she was saying.
Princess Celestia smiled fondly, “Not quite, little one. It’s more like, sometimes, it’s hard for me to know how to take care of you. I see the answers, the way is so simple, but I forget sometimes that you’re so young, even as responsible and smart as you are.” She booped the unicorn’s snout softly, eliciting another adorable squeak.
Pulling her own covers closer, Twilight bit her lip, “Is it... my fault then?”
The alicorn’s eyes widened and she shook her head quickly, affectionately rubbing the side of their muzzles together, “No.” The harsh whisper rang out, “No, of course not. I’m only saying that...” She pursed her lips - how to explain this? Her eyes lit up and she pulled away, making eye contact with the unicorn. “Well, you see, I’m actually learning as much from you as you are from me, believe it or not.”
Twilight’s brows knotted together and she fiddled with the plentiful chest fluff she was nestled in. “You are?” She croaked, sniffling. “But you know everything about magic!”
Celestia chuckled, “Just most things, but no, it’s not magic I’m learning. What do you think learning is, Twilight?”
“Is it a trick question?” A shake of the head. “Okay then, um- learning is to know or do something you didn't know how to do before...? Like a spell!” It wasn’t quite it, but it’d do for Celestia’s explanation.
“And what did I say about my experiences with a pony as young as you before, do you remember?” The alicorn smiled patiently, levitating a pillow to the head of the bed as she gently eased the filly off her chest and onto the mattress again, layering all her many blankets on top and pulling them up snuggly to Twilight’s chin.
“Uh...” Twilight settled into her new position, seemingly searching her memory before suddenly perking up, “Ooh! You said that you didn’t have any experience with fillies and that I was special!” Truly, that smile could melt a heart.
Brushing slightly damp, navy bangs gently out of her student’s face, Celestia nodded calmly, “That’s right, and so...?”
“So... you’re learning from me cause you’re taking care of me when you haven’t taken care of me before!” Twilight clutched at her pillow with a triumphant, if sleepy, grin.
The Princess smiled and stroked Twilight’s cheek with the back of her hoof, “My clever little filly~” She praised, earning herself another giggle, “Yes, you have the right idea. I’m trying the best I can, but I just need you to be a little patient with me, alright? And if I’m doing something wrong, or if I did something wrong, don’t be afraid to call me out on it - I promise I don’t ever mean to hurt you.”
“I can help you! I have, um, plenty of experience in dealing with me!” Twilight blinked, “Uh, just- just can you maybe just quickly tell me how?” A bashful grin, and she pushed into Celestia’s hoof with a yawn, snuggling down into her pillow and rubbing her eyes. “Cause you help me learn, so I really wanna help you learn too! Maybe we can be study partners or something...“ Celestia was left scooping her heart off the floor.
I think you might even be proud of your foolish big sister when you read that this is what I have learned today: Though raising a child is unquestionably one of the hardest things I will have ever done, and will ever do, in my long life-
Chuckling, the alicorn shook her head, “That’s alright, Twilight, thank you. You’re already the best foal I could ever wish for - your parents are very lucky to have birthed such a wonderful, sweet baby like you.” Twilight was polite, kind-hearted, responsible - well, most of the time, at least. She couldn’t ask for anything more than that... Though she did so wish the filly would play with more foals her own age, but there was a time and place for that type of talk.
“I can be better though, can’t I?” The filly half-mumbled, half-slurred, turning onto her side.
“Hm... Well, perhaps you could sometimes stand to listen to me a bit more. I will only ever have your best interests at heart - like when you stay up too late, reading with a dim light and I tell you to stop because I don’t want you to damage your eyes or be too tired in the mornings. Or even with that medicine just then.”
She smiled nonetheless, kissing Twilight’s cheek as she stood and looked over her student warmly. “But you’re only young, and it's only natural to want to make your own decisions. You’ve got a long time to go until you need to be mature, so make the most of it, hm?”
-for every late sunset spent pacing, every chewed lip worn from worry, and every early morning wasted trying to nudge her out of bed. Every headache and every heartache. Every toss and every turn.
Princess Celestia stood up, her hooves slipping swiftly into her shoes once more. Her golden aura enveloped all three items she bought in, pulling them into the air next to her. “I’m just going to hand these over to the kitchen, little one. Try and get some rest, okay?”
“You’ll come back?”
“I did say I’d stay for as long as you’d like, did I not? But, if you mean to say that you’d rather me attend to Court-”
“No!”
With a soft chuckle, Celestia made her way to the door, pulling the handle down and moving to push it open-
“Princess?” Celestia paused, looking back to see the bundled-up filly fidgeting with one of her spare pillows, eyes drooping slowly - though that did nothing to smother the fiery determination and the contrasting hesitance shining in her amethyst eyes. “When you come back... d-do you think you could help me take my medicine?”
The - slightly tearful - smile Twilight received in response was as bright as the noonday sun and as warm as a Hearth Warming dinner.
She is worth all of it, and so much more besides.
Author's Note
Not even Princess Celestia is perfect at raising the unpredictable, unsensible, chaotic little troublemakers we, for some unknown reason, call babies.
And yeah, she’s totally gonna get sick later. Should have put up one of Cadence’s shields from Three’s A Crowd.
The italics show a letter from the future / it was written after the events in normal font.
Half-unedited.
Just to clarify, yes Twilight has blood parents, no, Celestia is not one of them. She is eight years old here (She was 5 when she took the test).
I was a sick girl this week. And I was craving fluff. I dunno.
I tried to capture that frustration-then-love arc every parent inevitably experiences, but I don’t know how successful I was.
I’m not sure about that diary format letter thingy to Luna either, might choose to remove it later - tell me what you think?
And yes, I’m aware of the atrocious amounts of run-on sentences.
I’m don’t know if the whole idea even made sense, cause I wrote it and every crazy thing makes sense to the person who wrote it, but if it doesn’t - pretend I didn’t just try and be smart or anything.
Oh yeah, and I also forgot all about the snot from their schnozzles with all the nuzzling, nosing and nudging. Welp.
I also-also found out that I can write nothing but Twilestia. You know this fic was originally planned to be for Spike and Twi? 
