>The fireplace crackles and illuminates the darkened room you and Celestia sit in.
>She lays next to the fireplace, reading a book, while you write in your journal in a seat a couple feet away from the fire.
>It was a stormy, dreary night, so a comfy moment by the fire was all you needed.
>There was a flash of lightning outside.
>Celestia gasped at the flashes as the thunder rumbled afterwards.
"Afraid of lightning, Celestia?" you teased.
>"No. It just startled me is all."
>Another bright flash passed through the window.
>The thunder was loud and low.
>You look at Celestia, whose ears are lowered against her head.
>She notices your gaze, then averts her eyes quickly.
>"Alright, I've been frightened of thunderstorms since I was a filly."
>She returns to her book with a light huff.
"Hey," you attempt to comfort, setting down your journal, "it's okay to be afraid, Celestia. We've all got something we're scared of, right?"
>She returns her attention to you.
>"I suppose that is so..."
>She grins mischievously.
>"But if that's the case, what're you afraid of, Anonymous?"
>You breathe deeply through your nose.
"I've always had this weird irrational fear of needles," you admit as you stare at Celestia's horn.
>She notices where your eyes are at.
>She chuckles.
>"Don't worry Anonymous, I promise not to poke you."
>Lightning flashes again.
>Celestia jumps in response.
>You rise up from your seat and go over to the shaken princess.
>You wrap your arms around her torso in a hug.
"Hey, calm down. It's just a little storm, right?"
>Another stream of lightning flashes.
>Celestia yelps and flinches in your grip.
>You hug her a bit tighter.
>You soothingly brush your fingers against her cheek.
>Her coat feels nice and soft against your skin.
>She closes her eyes and leans on you.
>As another lightning bolt strikes the sky, she mostly ignores the flash, save for a small twitch.
>"Anonymous, I realized something," Celestia coos.
"What's that?"
>"Little fears like yours and mine are terrible to face up against alone, but when you have a friend by your side, they're a bit easier to cope with."
>You stare at her horn again, though this time without fear in your mind.
"I couldn't agree more."