A Royal New Year

The cool breeze of the winter night was gently rustling the trees below the balcony patio of the Canterlot castle ballroom. The soft blue light of the moon illuminates the entire castle and Canterlot in it's radiance. Fireworks lit up the night in colorful explosions of magic and gunpowder. The sharp hiss and booms sound off into the night, Celebrating the new year in Equestria.

You, on the other hand, leaned across the railing of the balcony. The balcony patio was populated with the occasional pony couple. A gryphon, minotaur and changeling intermingling with other ponies and species alike. Kisses and cuddling of limbs among them as they celebrated the night with their loved one.

The sight made your chest give a low quiet sigh. Your arms dangling over the edge of the balcony as you held a bottle of cider in your hand. The fizz and bubbles of the beverage have long gone flat. You give a small swig and down the soft burning but sweet liquid.

"Another year gone. Surprised it went by so fast."

You mutter under your breath. Your eyes glancing down the mountainside of Canterlot. Lights and fireworks lighting up Canterlot and the small village of Ponyville far in the distance. Wonder how the girls are doing. Only Twilight made the trip to Canterlot to celebrate the occasion for her first year of assisted rule. Twilight Sparkle was almost ready to take the throne and replace the royal sisters. Celly and Luna. Your Celestia, finally reaching her dream of retirement.

You groan. Why did it have to be so soon?

You take another drink of your flat cider. Crossing your arms to rest your head on them. Your thoughts drifting to that beautiful sunhorse that stole your heart, You should be inside, offering her company. Your mind said otherwise, you needed to be alone for a bit and think. Thinking helps you take control of events around you, or to find a way to rationalize it all. She was so kind to you, she gave you her world in a way. She was never scared of you. She was always interested in how you were, always concerned in that adorable almost mother-like worry of hers.

You hear soft giggling coming from your right. A stallion was nuzzling his mare affectionately against her neck. You could hear them whispering, most likely loving words and nothings for his loved one. The sight makes your eyes go blank for a moment. That could be you and Celestia. But you're here just stuck in your head.

"Come on...she needs this dude. She's been ruling far longer than you've been alive. She deserves the break. This could also be…a new chance."

You say quietly to yourself, Your lips meeting the bottle of cider again. The last drop going down your throat as you set down the empty bottle of cider on the balcony.

Your ears heard something familiar. It was faint but the sound of metal shoes hitting stone was coming from behind you. The hooves so dainty gliding across the patio. Only one pony moves that quietly and gracefully in metal shoes. You lean up and look over your shoulder. Your eyes finally lay upon her.

Celestia, the princess of Equestria. Her magenta eyes see yours as she smiles softly. The dress she wore was long and trailing behind her. A soft maroon dress with wispy lace. A toga-like scarf around her neck with a gold sun pin on it. She continued her approach and stood in front of you. Her head barely over yours as she cleared her throat. You thought you could see a small blush appear on her cheeks.

"Anon. Why are you out here? All by yourself?"

A small hint of concern was in her voice as she said the last sentence. The princess's brow was gently furrowed as she was genuinely wondering why you were out here in the winter air. The air around her didn't feel so cold as she was near you. Almost like her body was radiating warmth to keep the cool bite of the air away.

You felt a pang in your chest as you decided to look back out across the cityscape of Canterlot. You weren't sure how to answer her. Celestia gently walked until she was right beside you. She also looked out to the cityscape with you, her mane billowing in the unseen magical wind and the winter breeze along the castle's walls. She occasionally looked at you out of the corner of her eye that wasn't covered by her elegant mane.

You decide to answer her. "Just was thinking through some things."

The Princess closed the gap a little more between you. "About what if I may ask?" She says.

You rest your hands on the balcony as you turn your head to her, meeting her gaze. "If i was honest. It was about you."

Your ears heard a soft hitch in her voice as she desperately tried to cover it up with a tap of her hoof. "R-really anonymous?"

You chuckle as you hear her failed attempt to hide her surprise. This princess's mask was so much easier to read around you. The pink maned filly who loved adventure, pretending to be a princess under her pastel colors. "Your retirement is coming soon. I was wondering about it."

You say shifting your legs slightly. A cool breeze shivered up your back as you tried to fight off the sensation. Even with your heavy jacket and slacks made it hard to fight the chill. The chill was suddenly gone as you felt a warm wing wrap around your back and shoulders. Celestia was pressing herself up against you as you looked up at her.

"Thank you Celly." You say her nickname softly eliciting a pink blush on her cheeks. Her snout gently curving into a smile.

"Can't have my favorite human catch a cold on my watch." She says with a small hint of mirth. "But yes...my retirement. It's been decades in the making. I hope it doesn't upset y-"

Celestia stopped speaking as you gently placed a finger on her lips. The mare looks at your finger then back to you with a slight sign of confusion.

"It doesn't Celly. You have lived a long life, you deserve the down time. Whatever will bring you happiness will make me happy."

You swore you felt her heart was beating more loudly, being so close to her almost seemed like hers was synced with yours. She lowers her head a little. Her eyes glistened in the moonlit night. Strands of her mane slightly cascading over her face a bit as she gave a small smile.

"Then what makes you seem so worried about it?" She says softly to you. "What's wrong anon. You can tell me anything" She says.

You respond with a smirk "Same to you Cel. But yes...I don't want you to go."

She chuckled softly. "The only place I'm going is to Silver Shoals with my sister. We will stay there before we make the journey back to Skyros. We are unsure if it's survived this long. Equestria will always be my home, but I want to see what's become of my birthplace. "

You gently clasped your fingers into a soft fist as you dragged it on the balcony. You wanted to ask her, but what will she say? Will she say no, is this the last few months with her? Please don't let it be possible...

Your mind is pulled from its spiral as she is gently squeezing you against her. Her wing pressing you to her barrel and dress. A small hopeful smile on her face. "I know that look, you want to ask me something. What is it nonny?"

You take a deep breath as you close your eyes. You open them and see the soft loving magenta eyes staring into you.

"Can I...come with you?"

You ask as you wait on baited breath for her answer. The princess was silent, but in a small motion, she rubbed her nose gently against yours. "Of course you can. I didn't want to leave without telling you. You've....brought so much light in my life anon. Along with Luna's. You bring new meaning to our lives since we found you. It would be selfish of me to ask this of you. Because I know Twilight and the girls adore you so much. But..."

She trails off as she looks to the side, unable to meet your gaze as a blush was overtaking her cheeks quickly.

You only knew one thing to say in this moment. You gently touched her soft and plush chest fluff poking out of her dress and said the words you've been meaning to say for a long time. Her wings ruffled softly as she felt your hand on her. Her muscles relaxing after her coat was being rubbed by your warm hand.

"I love you too Celestia. With all my heart. I want to spend as much time with you as I'm able. For many years to come if need be."

The princess softly gasped as she heard you. The confession hitting her heart like a crashing tidal wave. Her eyes filled with hope and happiness as a tear escaped her eye. The wet mark trailing down her cheeks as she smiled with love at you. A soft chortle escaped her lips. She presses her forehead gently to yours.

"I've waited for many years to hear you say that. My sunshine..."

You gently wrapped an arm around her neck and through her soft mane. She sighs in bliss as she stays pressed to you. The fireworks lighting up the sky in hues of blues and reds. The night air was electrifying with two new pronounced lovers standing together on one of Canterlot castles' many balconies. A princess and a human, ready to take on what the future may hold for them.

"Happy New Year Anon."

"Happy New Year Celestia."