As Celestia passed a balcony, a sound caught her attention, a sound she really hoped she wouldn't hear. It was a quiet sob, and the voice behind it was hauntingly familiar. "Luna? Is that you?"
The princess gasped and cursed herself for not hearing the hoofsteps. Of all the times...
"Oh. Hello, Tia." She stood facing away from her intruder. "What's keeping you up?"
"I might ask you the same thing." She sighed. "I've been ruminating. But why the tears, sister?"
"It seems there are a few thoughts on my mind as well. You may join me, if you like." Celestia stepped out onto the balcony.
Silence.
"You're staring off into the night again, aren't you?"
"I... yes."
"Does it make you feel anything? Sadness, perhaps?"
"Hm?"
"Does the night make you feel anything?"
Luna sighed. "No. Why should it?"
"Luna, Luna... you're still disappointed most everypony sleeps through it- so callously."
She frowned. Her sister knew. She knew and it had all been pointless in the end. "Tia, I'm not. I've already told you that, and it's the truth."
"Is it? Then tell me why you're crying."
"I- I have nothing to say to you if you insist on being like this."
The white one couldn't help but smile. She was close, and once she passed the threshold, all should work out.
Luna whimpered. "I've just felt so... unwanted. Lonely, Tia, lonely."
Something inside her raged. It wasn't like her to be angry at anypony, especially her sister, but this... Unwanted. The recluse laments her feelings of rejection.
"Oh, I'm sure spending your days in the library catching up on the last thousand years and never going out to actually meet your subjects has helped us all accept your presence." It was out, and she wished it wasn't. What was this doing to her?
"Yes, well, I'm sure spending your days with the holders of the Elements and touring the nation in that damned chariot of yours has helped your relationship with your sister."
A bitter silence fell on them again, until Celestia found her voice- she had to try.
"Luna, I'm so-"
"No. Don't say you're sorry. Don't!" She turned to look at her, though the gaze wasn't returned. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I was the mare of darkness."
"Oh, goodness. Luna, you... you silly filly. That was never-"
"Never me? I know, sis, I know. But it definitely felt like it was me."
"I... I told you that you were an unwilling hostage before and you agreed with me. Why?"
"Because, well." She sighed. "I wanted to make you happy, Tia."
"Oh, Luna. If only you had told the truth."
"If only you had told the truth! If only you had told me how you felt all those years! I'm not as weak as you'd like to think."
Celestia sighed."Lying... is part of who I am. I can't help it, but I'm good at it. You, on the other hand..." She chuckled. "You're the most honest pony I know. Applejack can't hold a candle to you."
"Who?"
"The one with the accent. Always wears a hat?"
"Ah."
"I should really get to introducing them properly."
"I'd prefer to do it myself."
"Alright then."
"Tia?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for this. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." She nuzzled her affectionately. "Feeling better, sis?"
She was crying again, but her tears were of exalted joy. "Yes. Yes." The words flowed out of her as they embraced each other- and for the first time that day, the pair smiled, as one.
Celestia closed her eyes and let the simple pleasure of happiness hit her. Somehow they were together again- and the moment seemed to last forever. Until she herself broke it, the tenseness gone from her voice. "Ah, Luna, I was just wondering if you- if you could give me some room to breathe!" She chuckled.
The azure one retreated. "Oh, sorry!"
"As I was saying... I was wondering if you'd like to switch places for a day. You raise the sun and I'll take care of the moon."
"Seems to me you've taken an interest in my stars." She trotted over to the edge of the overlook.
The other skipped after her like a little schoolfilly. "Well, aren't they simply amazing? Great glowing masses of plasma, suspended in the sky, as unique as the populace of our nation. And the constellations-"
"Alright, alright. I'm sold!" She gave a hearty laugh. "Anything for you, dear sister."
Celestia gave an involuntary yawn. "Thank you. I'm off to bed now." She turned away.
"Oh, uh, sis? I was going to ask you something as well."
She stopped. "Yes?"
"Could I..." She paused. "Could I sleep with you tonight?"
"I do hope you aren't planning anything mischievous," the alicorn teased.
"Wha-?!"
"Only kidding. Of course you can."
"Yay!"