When Luna opened her eyes, she was back in her nightgown, and back in her bed. Sunlight peeked in through the blinds.
Was it all a dream? she thought, mind working furiously despite just waking. Did I actually go to Equestria? Heavens, did we really go until morning? Is... is she still...
"Luna?" she said aloud.
No answer. Until someone beside her groaned. Startled, she nearly fell out of bed. Then she saw Celestia in her own nightgown, one arm reaching for Luna.
As Luna watched her sister, the words of both the Night Princess, and of one of her students, echoed in her mind.
"The night is patient," Princess Luna had said. "Its patience, its endurance, its willingness to step aside and let others shine when they wish, is its strength. This is who we are, Luna. We are guardians."
"A lot of people, people I don’t even know, fight so their lives can be what they want them to be," Rainbow Dash had said. "Which means you have to, too, Miss Luna. You deserve way better. You and Principal Celestia do. My friends and I didn't save the school just 'cause it was the right thing to do. We saved it because it was worth saving."
A weight lifted from Luna's shoulder—weight she'd known for years.
So be it, she thought, taking Celestia's hand. I shall guard. And together, Celestia and I shall fight. Fight to have the lives we want. Lives free of regrets.
Celestia stirred, squeezing Luna's hand sleepily. "Mmmm... long night," she mumbled.
Luna nodded. "Yes, for both of us," she said.
Celestia sighed, rubbing at her eyes with her free hand. "...couldn't sleep," she said, voice tight. "Alone, in my room, I mean. Came in here. I'm..." Celestia sniffled. "Luna, I'm so sorry. About everything, I mean. Not just collapsing here without your permission. But... but for being completely unable to—"
"Shhh." Luna placed a finger to her sister's lips, sighed, and pulled Celestia closer. She stroked her hair. She wondered what talks Princess Celestia had been having with the woman in front of her. Whatever they were, Luna could see that they weren't the ones she needed.
Luna would fix that. As best she could, anyway.
"Never say sorry to me again, Celestia," Luna said. "I should have told you this long ago: between us, there has never been anything to forgive."
Celestia froze, looking up into Luna's eyes.
"I... I-I love you, Luna," Celestia said, her own wide eyes and choked voice speaking volumes. She embraced her sister. "I always have. Even when I was caught up in myself. I should have told you that long ago as well."
"Later is always better than never." Luna hugged back. "I love you too, Celestia." She closed her eyes, hugging her sister tight. "And I always will."