The sun sat low in the sky, now, the bottom edge of his immensity resting precariously at the edge of the mountains. The wheels of the universe turned, ticking like clockwork. Celestia could not claim to be the maker of the clock, but she was the horologist in charge of her piece of the magnificent machinery that made up the universe. It was not precisely a clock, though that was an easy comparison, but the complexity of the celestial workings and astral spells that wove this corner of the universe together were meant to be tuned and cared for like one. There were many ways to think of it, but Celestia appreciated clocks.
Her unending partner in this work, of course, was the sun. He spoke to her, in his fashion and particular manner, just like he did every day. His voice was a song, unending, speaking of fire, warmth, energy, life. Sometimes, though, he was more plain spoken.
"Hello, Celestia."
"Hello, Sun. How are we?"
"Large. Exploding. Very hot."
"Sounds uncomfortable."
"It's a dry heat."
"Mm. I suppose you're used to it."
"One does tend to adapt, after a few millennia. Oh, Discord would like to pay you a visit. Should I burn him to a crisp?"
"No, probably not, but I'll keep that in mind. Shall we dance?"
"Seems about that time. Good night, Celestia."
"Good bye, Sun."
With her wings flared, Celestia rose into the air, partially flying, partially lifted in the celestial arms of the sun like a father lifting a child to throw her into the air. Her horn glowed golden and intertwined with the sun's magic, like dancers holding hands, and he was ever the careful partner. He moved with her, as equals, neither leading the intricate dance that would send him around the planet and back into her waiting arms; a 12 hour twirl ending in a magnificent catch. The sky was purple and crimson for a few brief minutes, a by-product of the natural world trying to reflect the beauty of their dance and rapport. If only her little ponies could see it as she could. The truth was far more magnificent and breathtaking.
Celestia landed on her rear hooves, one foreleg outstretched and eyes closed as she bid her partner farewell. She closed her wings and dropped onto all fours once more, exhaling slowly. On the opposite balcony, across the castle, she could feel Luna and her moon embrace as they were reunited, and the celestial machinery was turned over to their tender care. Celestia felt the weight of the universe ease from her mind, just a bit.
She turned around and faced the squeaky gear in her celestial machinery: Discord himself, standing behind her at a respectful distance. He was missing his usual grin and bravado, and Celestia could tell that he was not himself.
"Hello, Discord," she said evenly, "What do I owe the pleasure of your company, tonight? Back for a round of chess, perhaps?"
Discord chuckled weakly. "No, Princess, I'm already feeling rather defeated at the moment. Any more and I'd probably turn myself back into stone."
Celestia frowned. "You are troubled."
Discord arched one bushy eyebrow and mustered a smirk. "We should promote you to the Princess of Obvious Statements."
Celestia allowed him a small smile, "There we are. That sounds more like you. Come in, speak with me. If you've come seeking my help, you must truly be in trouble, and I would be remiss to turn away a friend in need."
Celestia walked through the wide curtains of her balcony, entering her inner sanctum. A desk with papers and quills, shelves of books and trinkets. A carefully arranged wall of portraits. In the middle of the room, a large rug with pillows strewn about a low, circular wooden tea table that was marred with a hundred year's worth of circular stains from mugs and cups left to collect moisture. A hundred years of partially finished teacups, left to cool as Celestia dealt with the running of the realm. She'd had more of a chance to finish her tea, as of late. There were very few new stains.
Celestia sat down atop a pile of cushions on one side of the low table. Discord sat across from her, looking nervous. Celestia sighed, stretching her wings out and arching her back to pop it, and adopting a more relaxed posture. "Tea?"
"You know I don't care for tea, Celestia," Discord said with a laugh.
"Hmm. I hear that you drink Fluttershy's tea when she offers," Celestia replied with a knowing smile, and ignored Discord's unsubtle attempt to wipe the sweat from his brow. She summoned a teapot from the kitchen with a pop of golden magic. The kitchen staff always left a kettle on in the evening for her. Celestia selected a box of tea from a cleverly hidden compartment on the side of the table and scooped some loose leaf into a conjured tea cup, and then poured the water over the leaves. She met his eyes, then, while the steam from the cup swirled in the air between them.
Discord swallowed, unable to meet her gaze for more than a minute before he began to fidget nervously. He finally slapped the wooden table with his paw, "I'll cut to the chase, Celestia, because I've got a lot to do tonight. Fluttershy told me she loves me."
Celestia smiled a genuine smile, feeling her heart melt at the admission. "Oh, Discord! Congratulations!"
Discord stared at her like she was crazy. "Are you crazy?"
Oh. It was complicated, then. She tempered her enthusiasm. "Discord, whatever is the matter?"
Discord rolled his eyes. "Celestia, don't play coy. You know that being immortal and loving a mortal is more complex."
"It's only as complex as you make it, Discord," Celestia said gently, even though she felt his words in the deepest parts of her soul.
"That's ridiculous, and you know it. Giving away your heart when you know that their existence is doomed isn't easy. It's hard. I know that, you know that, the only difference between you and me is that you've done it. I don't know what I'm in for, Celestia. Help me out."
Celestia could see the fear in him, then. Discord was afraid of something, but she wasn't certain what it was that he feared. Did he fear for himself and his emotions? For Fluttershy, perhaps? She glanced town at her tea, buying a bit of time while she sorted her thoughts. "It... isn't easy, Discord. There isn't an easy answer, either. Fluttershy will never live as long as you wish, even with your most potent magics at your disposal. You'll be giving away a piece of yourself that you will someday lose and never get back. But, that's assuming the relationship works out."
"Works out?" Discord said, puzzled.
Celestia stared at him for a moment. "What? Not all relationships stand the test of time. They are like flame, Discord. Some are wild and passionate, quick burning and gone in a flare of beauty. Some burn slow, fed carefully and over time."
Discord frowned. "I was lead to believe that love is some magical force, not a pile of kindling."
Celestia giggled, nodding, "Well, I suppose with an Alicorn of Love around, you can't discount the magic part, but it is still an emotion, as fleeting and ephemeral as all the others. My point," she said, sipping her tea, "is that you haven't started the fire yet. Fluttershy has offered you a spark. You can never know what fire you possess until you have lit the tinder."
Discord stared at her, deadpan. "Once more, but with less poetry. There's only so much sentiment I can take."
Celestia rolled her eyes and clacked her tea cup down atop the table. "Go for it, you dummy, and stop putting love on a pedestal. If you're really worried, go talk to Cadance. She's much better at this than I am."
"But... she's so pink," Discord whined.
Celestia laughed and waved a wing at him. "Begone, thou villian!"
Discord laughed as well, but Celestia could see the gratitude in his eyes. With a snap of his fingers, he was gone.
Celestia exhaled slowly, a blush slowly rising across her features. "Ah, love. I'm proud of Fluttershy."
She took a sip of her tea, and promptly spat it out. "Sour Milk?! Ugh! I take it back, Fluttershy should reconsider!"