>Luna was frustrated.
>And why shouldn't she be?
>She'd spent all day yesterday talking to her sister, trying to get some idea of what was wrong.
>Celestia could be remarkably tight-lipped when it came to certain things.
>Luna, however, had the advantage of being even more stubborn than her older sister.
>Luna knew that eventually, she would wear her sister down.
>It was only a matter of time before Celestia cracked, just like she always did.
>...Still, this time, it was taking too long.
>Whatever had happened, it must have run deep.
>Luna sighed.
>She missed her bright, cheery sister.
>She tried again.
"Sister, what happened? Tell me! I know you can hear me, Celestia. Don't pretend you can't!"
 
>Celestia screamed in anger from her position on her bed.
>"Fine! You want to know what's wrong, Luna? I'll tell you what's wrong!"
>Celestia stormed over to her sister, getting into Luna's face.
>"It was 'just a bet'! It meant nothing to him!"
>Luna stepped back in surprise.
>"Anonymous doesn't LOVE me! I was a fool to think..."
>Celestia's voice lost its volume as she lowered her head.
>"...To think that I wouldn't spend my life alone."
>Celestia walked back to her bed and simply collapsed.
>"I hope your curiosity is satisfied, sister. Now, please just... leave me be."
"...As you wish, Celestia."
>Luna closed the door behind her on her way out of her sister's room.
>Anonymous had some explaining to do.
 
>You couldn't get to sleep last night, or the night before
>You fucked up royally
>Yes, you could be ignorant at times
>But even you saw just how badly you fucked up this time
>It was time to stop ignoring the big questions
>What did you really think of Celestia?
>>She was easily one of the best friends you'd had in a long time.
>Could you picture her as more than just a friend?
>>Sure enough... you could. Wasn't that hard, really.
>Were you even okay with the whole "Not a human" thing?
>>Human or not, she was obviously hurt - that simple fact told you more than enough.
>You knew where you stood. Now, you just needed a plan...
>And a bit of help
 
>Fortunately for you, help arrived this morning
>...Angry help
>Luna teleported straight into your bedroom, skipping any common pleasantries
>No knocking on your door, for her
>Though she was a bit surprised when you weren't in your bed
>Or even the same room
>She stormed throughout your house, finally finding you in the kitchen
>"Anonymous! You WILL answer for what you have done to my sister!"
>Luna's magic flared, her horn glowing
"Princess Luna?"
>She ripped you right out of your seat at the table, levitating you in front of her face
>She took a breath to start yelling at you, when you decided to pre-empt her
"I'm going to need your help if I'm going to make this right."
 
>A look of confusion spread across Luna's face, before she narrowed her eyes at you
>"I will not help you toy with my sister's emotions, brute!"
>Luna's magic flared once again, and you found yourself being shaken in the air
>"You have already broken her heart! Is that not enough for you?"
"No- I mean, yes- I mean, just- I can't- PUT ME DOWN AND LET ME EXPLAIN!"
>Luna unceremoniously dropped you on the floor
>"You have five minutes."
>You stood up and rubbed the arm you landed on
"When she left, that's when I realized I'd hurt her. It forced me to work out some issues I've had."
>You sat back in your place at the table
"I haven't bothered with trying to find a 'special somepony' because all I could see were the differences in species."
>You sighed
"I regret that it took me this long to realize those differences don't mean jack shit, and that I hurt her because of it."
 
>Luna stared at you, deciding whether to believe you or not
>She sighed
>"...Very well. What do you need help with, then?"
"I'm hoping you can convince her to see me, and hear me out."
>"Is that all?"
"I might need your help with the guards, too. I doubt they're too pleased with me, either."
>You glanced at the fridge
"The fact that I'm going to be bringing something special won't make it any easier."
>Luna raised an eyebrow at that
"There's one last thing - I want to be able to see her tomorrow."
>"What?"
"It has to be tomorrow. You know what day tomorrow is."
>"I don't know if I'll be able to convince her by tomorrow, Anonymous."
"I'm sure you'll find some way."
 
>You get up from your spot at the table and start raiding your cupboards
>"What are you doing?"
"Assembling ingredients."
>"For what?"
"That special something I mentioned."
>You've got everything you'll need to make a cake from scratch, except for the most important ingredient
>You hesitate, hand in the fridge
>You're going to hate having to use all of them up
>You shake your head, refocusing on the task at hand
"It's for a good cause."
>You pull out the strawberries and set them on the counter
>"She told you, then?"
>You crack your knuckles and get started making the cake batter
"Yeah. Would you believe it's just another thing she and I have in common?"
 
>It took a few hours to get the cake just how you wanted it
>When it was done, though, it looked great
>A double-layered strawberry cake with a layer of vanilla frosting in the middle
>You covered it in more vanilla frosting, and even managed to get Celestia's cutie mark in frosting on the top
>Luna, who had been silently observing as you decorated the cake, finally spoke up
>"I should get back to Canterlot and make sure my sister is okay."
"Yeah, you probably should... Luna, please, please, don't forget to convince Celestia to see me tomorrow."
>Luna groans
>"Yes, Anonymous, I won't forget."
>She turns to leave your house
"...And, Luna? Thanks for not sending me to the moon."
>Luna chuckles a bit, then turns to face you, her expression hardened
>"Don't worry, Anonymous. If I find out you are still toying with her heart, it won't be the moon I send you to."
 
>You found yourself outside Canterlot palace
>More specifically, you were in a side garden - inside the walls, but not in the palace proper
>There weren't many guard patrols around this particular garden
>Luna had told you to wait here, just in case the day guards had orders to keep you away
>You managed to sneak past the front gates when the guards on duty weren't looking
>Today wasn't going so well
>You accidentally slept in a bit longer than you intended to
>You had barely managed to catch the train to Canterlot in the first place
>The train itself was pretty crowded, too
>At least nothing happened to your precious cake
>You tried to calm your nerves
>You hoped Luna had convinced her sister to see you
>You REALLY hoped Luna hadn't forgotten about you
 
>Thankfully, you only waited around for about five minutes before Luna flew down to you from a window
>"Come, Anonymous, I will be taking you to the dining hall."
"Is Celestia going to be there?"
>"I will make sure she gets there. Now, follow me."
>Luna leads you into the palace
>A few of the day guards stiffen at the sight of you, but Luna waves them down
>"At ease. I will make certain he does not disturb my sister."
>The guards relax some, but they're still glaring at you
>The same thing happens at least four more times
>Eventually, you made to the dining hall, cake safe and sound
>You breathe a short-lived sigh of relief
"Thanks again for the help, Luna."
>"Do not thank me yet, Anonymous. I still have to bring my sister here."
 
(Celestia's POV)
>Hearts and Hooves Day.
>A constant reminder of your failure.
>Of your future.
>You're wearing your best fake smile.
>Have to keep up appearances for your loyal subjects, after all.
>Why are there so many happy couples here today, anyway?
>Why aren't they out celebrating with each other, instead of serving as unpleasant reminders?
>They're doing this on purpose, aren't they? Traitors!
>Your fake smile falters, slightly.
[You know they aren't, Celestia. There's no way they could know how you feel.]
>Of course... they're not doing it on purpose.
>You fix your smile.
>You wish this day would be over, already.
 
>Your little sister appears in the doorway, walking up to you at a brisk pace
>She seems nervous about something
>She whispers into your ear
>"Here to relieve you, sister. Why not go get a bite to eat from the dining hall?"
"I can continue, Luna. I'm... fine," you whisper back.
>"Nonsense, Celestia. You must be hungry. Go and eat!"
>You furrow your brow at your sister's insistence
>A bead of sweat makes its way down her face
"Is there something wrong in the dining hall, Luna?"
>"Um... yes. There's an... ape, making a mess. All the guards are busy, you're the only one who can handle it."
"Luna."
>"Just get out of here!"
>Your sister shoves you toward the door
>You sigh and leave as she takes over for you
 
>As you approach the dining hall, you hear somepony muttering
>The clopping of your hooves on the marble floor gives away your presence long before you even enter the room
>Whoever was muttering has fallen silent
>You clear your throat and step inside
>Your heart skips a beat
>Anonymous is waiting for you, just inside
>You swallow a the lump that suddenly appeared in your throat and look away from his face
>You freeze up, unable to move, unable to look into his eyes, unable to do anything
>He calls out to you
>"Princess-"
>You flinch at the sound of his voice, and finding yourself suddenly capable of movement again, try to leave
>The doors slam shut and magically lock - your sister's work, no doubt
>You're stuck listening to what he has to say
 
(Anon's POV)
>You watch as the doors slam shut in front of Celestia, before she can leave
>It's now, or never
"Celestia, I just wanted to say... I'm sorry."
>She flinches again when you say her name
"...I also wanted to tell you how I feel about you."
>She stares at the floor
>"...I know how you feel about me, Anonymous. I-"
>You interrupt her
"You're wrong, Celestia. See, I didn't even know how I felt, until a few days ago."
>Confusion spreads onto her face as she finally looks you in the eye
"I don't know if I can just say the words I want, so... I hope you won't mind if I sing one last time."
>You snap your fingers
>Music begins to play
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuuc2l-N8Vc
"Open your eyes, take a look, if you follow I will lead the way
It's never the same looking back, we don't wanna live in yesterday
You and I are alright because together we're the lock and the key
Come on put your hand in my hand, live far from it we can both be free"
 
>She moves a bit closer to you
 
"Always when I see you darling, you're up in the clouds above
And baby tonight, you got me so damn high that I think this could be love
And tell me if you think sometimes that the feeling gets too much
Cause baby tonight you got me so messed up that I think this could be love"
 
>A slight blush starts forming on her face
 
"Something unknown now I seen twas only you who woke me up from the daze
That we'll surely go together, you're the fire that sets my heart ablaze
Won't be long now baby til the only time I have is you
Every step we take together is a step nearer to feeling true"
 
>You move yourself up next to her, still singing
 
"Always when I see you darling, you're up in the clouds above
And baby tonight, you got me so damn high that I think this could be love
And tell me if you think sometimes that the feeling gets too much
Cause baby tonight you got me so messed up that I think this could be love"
 
>You stare into her eyes as the song starts wrapping up
>The blush is strong on her face
>Just as it ends, you give her a real kiss, none of that sissy cheek shit
>Her eyes close as she enjoys the kiss
 
 
>After a few seconds, the kiss breaks
"Can you forgive me?"
>She nods, silently
"I'm glad to hear that."
>"Anonymous... what is that thing on the table?"
>She finally noticed your surprise
>You walk over to it and pick it up
"This? I was going to give this cake to my special somepony. I even put her cutie mark on it."
>"But... you don't have-"
>You showed her the cake, allowing her full view of her own cutie mark on top of it
"I'm not about to let my special somepony be alone on Hearts and Hooves Day."
>You wipe away her tears
"Now, Celestia, would you like a slice of your strawberry cake?"
>She smiles
>"Yes. I would like that very much."
~END~