How to be a couple
Pip’s heart was bouncing out of happiness.
He still didn’t get how it happened, and he still thought the situation was kind of weird. But he couldn’t complain on the result. His inner child was cheering out of pure happiness.
He was so excited and full of joy that he barely could sleep that night. But he did his best since he had to wake up early with his companions.
“Morning guys…” said Pip, yawning at the next morning.
The others mumbled their own half-asleep greetings as well, and together they went to the communal showers and then to have breakfast. The same old routine, but that day something changed.
“Pipsy!” called a cheery voice behind the trio of soldiers.
Pip turned, only to see a very happy Princess Luna, who ran to embrace him with her wings, much to everypony’s amusement. Not surprise.
The Princess kissed him on the cheek, and then nuzzled him. Pip could barely breath under the surprise attack, but he was happy for it.
“Good morning Princess Luna. What can I do for you?”
“Come on Pip, don’t be so formal. I’m here to say hi to my coltfriend and taking him to have breakfast with me. Our first date as a couple, how does it sound?”
Pip’s face turned red as the other Lunar Guards chuckled, and talked among themselves.
Luna’s ears twitched, ready to react at the very first negative comment. But, instead, she heard some giggles and a lot of ponies counting money from the bets they made on them.
“So what do you say Pipsy? I can hardly wait.”
Pipsqueak raised a hoof. “Your Majesty, with all respect, I can’t.”
“What? Why are you so formal, and, more important, why can’t you come with me?”
“Because I am on duty, my Princess.” Said Pip. “When my shift ends, I’ll gladly join you as your… ehem, coltfriend. Dude, it feels so weird. Anyway, right here right now, I am cadet Squeak, a soldier at your service.”
He walked away from Luna, shaking his head. This was what he needed to finally awake completely.
“I must admit his work ethics are pretty high!” smiled Lightning Flash, walking to the Princess. “That would open a lot of doors here at the Lunar Guard.”
“Yes but I’ll be anxious the whole day!” complained the Princess. “Was it this way when you met Black Swordsman?”
“Each couple is different, Your Majesty.” said Lightning. “But yeah, when I realized my feelings, I couldn’t help but thinking about him the whole day. Luckily we could spend some time together after certain incident, but anyway, things like this happen all the time.”
“I guess so. Well, I suppose I’ll see Pip at the end of his shift.”
“Thank you Princess, now if you excuse us, we have assignments to attend.”
Luna nodded and left.
For that day, Pip was assigned to the gardens, right where his new relationship started. He had problems focusing on his duties all day, but fortunately almost no pony came nearby that area so his distraction was not noticed.
Finally, it was time for training. That meant that his shift was almost over.
Luna decided not to show up, knowing she won’t be able to fight properly.
Unfortunately, Pip had no choice in the matter and he ended up beaten in all his combats.
“I hope you have your date soon!” sighed Acid Javelin, after defeating Pip for the last fight of the day. Usually it was Pip who defeated her. “Seriously pal, is not funny to fight you in this state of mind.”
“Sorry, sorry. You would understand when you have somepony you like too.” apologized Pip.
“I do have… had…”
Pip smiled weakly. “Oh, well, you had already beaten me. Next time challenge our boss and you’ll be happy again.”
Acid frowned. “Really funny Squeak.”
“Sorry it didn’t work for you, but hey! You are pretty and funny and a great friend. I’m sure you’ll find somepony when the right time comes.”
Acid blushed but in the end she smiled, bumping hooves with Pip.
“You better hurry, or do you want to keep your Princess waiting.”
Pip laughed, and after dropping his armor at his room, he went to the castle’s main entrance, ready for the date.
The guards laughed at him when he rushed out of the barracks, but in the end they only wished him good luck. After all, they were between friends.
Finally, he met with Luna at the entrance.
“Pipsy, you came!” said Luna, dreamily.
“I guess I did.” smiled Pipsqueak. “Now what?”
Luna shrugged. “To be honest Pip, I have no idea. Shall we go to eat or something?”
“You mean do what we always do, right?”
Luna nodded. “Yes, I don’t see anything wrong about it. You do?”
“Of course not, as long as we are together, everything will be perfect. Then, let’s go find a place with tables on the outside. I like how you made this night.”
Luna blushed. “It’s psychological. Our mood affects the color of the sky. Both for day and night.”
“I see…” said Pip, blushing as well, when he was surprised by a kiss on his cheek.
“I know you’re not ready for the next step, but at least let me give you this.”
Pip’s face was redder than a tomato but he had a dumb smile on his face. “Very well then, but let me give you this in exchange.”
And he gave her a kiss on her cheek.
“I love your company, Pip. Since always.”
“And I love yours… Luna… but I’m a bit worried too.”
“What do you mean? Are you still worried because we were friends since you were little?”
“No. That and the fact that the press would find out sooner or later. What if they bring you trouble?”
Luna frowned. “Yes. The Fourth Power. Another aspect of the modern life I haven’t finished to understand. But don’t worry, tonight is all about us, don’t let your fears keep you from enjoying it.”
And she hugged him tightly under her wings and forehooves.
“Luna…”
“Pst, let me enjoy this.”
“Luna… I can’t breath…”
“Oh, come on! You are one big and strong stallion, I’m sure you can handle some affection from your marefriend. Oh, I love being able to say that word!”
“And I still think is kind of strange, but I think all I need is some time to get used to the idea.”
The rest of the night went really well for the two of them, having dinner under the beautiful moonlight.
They wished good night to each other at the entrance of Luna’s castle wing.
Luna entered into the Dream Realm with a smile on her face, barely able to wait to see her coltfriend again.
Unfortunately, when she woke up at the next day she found an unpleasant surprise.
As soon as she opened her bedroom’s door, she saw her guards trying to hold back a crowd of reporters armed with microphones, cameras, notepads, and more cameras. Lots of cameras.
“Princess Luna, Ink Kid from Canterlot Chronicle! What you say about the rumors that you’ve been seen romantically involved with one of your soldiers?”
“Is it true you that you promoted him personally?”
“Princess, Princess! Can you confirm or deny that you’ve met this guard since he was a little kid? A very trustable source…”
Luna raised a hoof. “Please stop!” She asked patiently.
But she was ignored, instead they continued taking pictures of her and insisted on their interrogatory. “Princess, we want answers!” “The public has the right to know!” “Don’t let your little ponies waiting…”
Luna sighed, they wanted it this way. “Guards!”
One of her assigned bodyguards, Acid Javelin, aimed her ballista and shot.
A reporter’s camera blew up in a million pieces.
The assigned commander, Inner Darkness grinned, and at his signal, the Lunar Guard prepared their weapons and began to destroy cameras, notepads, microphones and recorders.
Everything that the reporters had was teared into pieces.
“Princess Luna, you can’t do this! The ponies have the right to know!”
Luna walked forward, calmed. “Mares and gentlecolts, this is my personal wing, and unlike Celestia’s, is not open to the public. I’ll count to five, and the one who remains here, would be escorted by my guards to the dungeons. Did I made myself clear?”
“You can’t do this!”
Luna moved a hoof, calling more guards. Including the Black Swordsman and the Lightning Flash with their swords unsheathed. And seeing them ready for battle was terrifying.
The reporters gulped, and escaped as soon as they could.
“Black Swordsman, Lightning Flash, I’ll need you to act as my bodyguards for today. I have a feeling I could use your assistance.”
The two bowed before her. “At your service, Princess Luna.”
“But your sister won’t like it.”
“I don’t care, now I’m pissed off. And is either sending you or make sure they don’t have a good night in months.”
Black and Lightning looked at the Princess in awe.
“What? I have more than enough patience and good memory.”
The guards didn’t dare to say more, and leaded the way to the breakfast nook.
On the balcony where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna used to have breakfast together, the Princess of the Sun was doing her best to contain the mass of journalists and reporters that came to ask Princess Luna about her affair with the mysterious soldier.
“Come on, Princess Celestia! You never noticed something strange? She’s your sister after all…”
“And Princess Cadence was here not so long ago. Did she had anything to do with this? Did you realized about your sister’s feelings and asked for her help or something?”
“And that soldier, Piper Squeak, where did he met Princess Luna?”
And Princess Celestia just benevolently raised her hoof, asking them for patience.
“My little ponies, please. Let’s be civilized about this. If you promise to calm down and ask just one at the time I promise Luna would be more than happy to answer all your questions!”
The doors opened, and Celestia turned to receive her dear sister and ask her for some help to calm down the reporters.
But instead of her, she faced the two Lunar Captains.
And once again they unsheathed their swords, and destroyed all the reporter’s things. Cameras, recorders, notepads, microphones. Nothing survived to their especial techniques:
“Star Burst… STREAM!!”
“Mothers… ROSARIO!”
Behind the captains there were more guards, all armed and ready to kick some ass.
Once again, the reporters gulped, turned away and left.
“Luna!” scolded Celestia. “That’s intimidation!”
“So what? I have the strongest soldiers in Equestria, so I better give them good use.”
Celestia did not insisted.
Luna’s temper was calmed. She raised her voice from time to time but nothing else, but it was hard to make her angry. But when she actually got mad, even Celestia had to be careful. Last time she got truly angry, Celestia had to use the Elements of Harmony on her since Luna was the superior fighter.
“Let’s pretend this nothing happened!” suggested Celestia.
Luna smiled. “Thank you.”
They ate in silence for a moment, when Celestia asked. “So, you and Pipsqueak?”
“Oh, yes! We’re still figuring how to act as a couple but everything is going fine.”
Celestia smiled happy for her sister. “I’m glad you found your especial somepony. I knew calling Cadence was the right decision.”
Luna glared at her sister. “I haven’t forgive you for that Tia.”
“For most of the ponies saying ‘thank you’ is enough.” said Celestia trying to keep Luna on her good side. “But you are right. I shouldn’t interfere. I am
“Apology accepted.”
Celestia enjoyed of her pancakes for a little longer until she addressed the biggest problem. “He is a mortal Luna.”
“I know. But I’ve never felt this way before, and I don’t think I’ll feel it again.”
Celestia smiled. “I know you all too well to notice. So, are you going to do it?”
“Right now I plan to enjoy our thing just the way it is. But, if everything goes fine between us, I’ll ask him. And if he say ‘yes’, I’ll take her to Mister Boss.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow. “The Boss? For real? Well, He’ll be happy for you, Luna.”
“Thanks dear sister.”
Place between worlds; the Other One’s central offices:
Lucifer walked around the hallways until he arrived to the door. He looked at the secretary who gave him a small nod.
“He is waiting for you Mister Lucifer. Come on in.”
The Fallen Angel gulped.
He was one of the most powerful and feared creatures in the multiverse, but the idea of seeing his boss simply terrified him.
That horrible Being known as ‘the Other One’, or, the Source of all Evil. The One-True-God’s Twin Brother; the One-True-Devil.
Lucifer pushed the door, and bowed, offering a document to the Other One.
“The report, Boss.”
The Other One examined the document, unimpressed. “Huh… apparently one of my Brother’s employees have fallen in love with a mortal. How sweet.”
“It is a routine procedure, Boss. I’ll take care of it soon.”
The Other One shook his head. “No, no, no, no… after you screw up the last time I can’t let you handle jobs that require subtlety. I’ll take care of this.”
“Of course Boss! But I don’t see the point of you taking care of small business like this.”
“There’s something I need to see for myself in that world, so doing a small errand on my way doesn’t bother me. Leave.”
Lucifer ran as fast as he could.
The Other One watched him leave and checked on the file again. He wondered if the kid would accept or not. It didn’t matter, there was nothing he could lose but time, and time was meaningless for Beings like Him or his Brother.