Ponies were yelling in the background as the sun shone just above the horizon. Behind me ponies were loading the airship with the last of the cargo and supplies.
Nopony was happy.
Midnight was nervous about meeting Tempest and Talon.
Twilight was stressed about us having forgotten something.
Sunset was pissed because we were already behind schedule because the entire cargo apparently had to be restacked for a new weight balance.
Luna was unhappy to leave her sister to handle Equestria on her own for several weeks.
Celestia was unhappy because she couldn’t come.
I was just unhappy in general for a multitude of reasons. Having to leave Celestia and the ache in my shoulder being first on my mind. Followed by going back home and to my duties.
“We’ll come visit for Hearths Warming,” Twilight said and looked to Cadance, “In the Crystal Empire.”
Crystal Empire in the winter.
Shudder.
Cadance nodded, “We have everything planned,” she confirmed with a smile.
Sunset glanced back, “Loading looks like it started to get done,” she said, “We should board.”
Twilight looked up from the list she and Midnight had been going through for the third time, “We should. I think we have everything.”
Luna looked down at me and then poked me with her wing gently.
I glanced at her and then to Celestia before I stepped forward, “...Miss you, Sunshine.”
“And I will miss you, Page,” she answered just as quietly as she met my eyes, “Meet me for a lesson tonight?”
“Of course.”
Cadence facehooved, “And I thought you were bad before,” she groaned.
We both shook her an annoyed look.
“Buck off,” I told her, “We’re having a moment.”
Cadance sighed, “Just kiss him you stupid filly,” she told Celestia in annoyance before she brushed her wings across Shining and Sunbursts backs, “Come on, we have to prepare for todays’ events. Everypony, I wish you a safe trip and we’ll see you at hearths warming.”
With that, they headed towards the entrance back inside.
I glowered after her, “Nosy pink narwhal,” I grumbled and turned back before I found myself wrapped in sunwarm feathers and-
Strawberries. You wouldn’t expect Celestia to taste like strawberries. But she did. Sun warm strawberries.
I kissed back, feeling myself lean against her. My pain, my worries about going home, suddenly none of it mattered as my mind just kinda went blank..
After a split second and the lifetime of the universe, Celestia slowly pulled back from the kiss and I was able to breathe again.
“W-what happened to being discrete?” I asked quietly as I looked up into her eyes.
“Think anypony noticed?” Celestia whispered back with a small smile.
I glanced out from between her feathers. Luna looked amused. Twilight was smiling and Sunset were hiding giggles behind her hoof. Midnight were still looking at the list and may actually have missed it.
Everypony else was doing that sort of thing where you were suddenly very busy with your duties and pretending they didn’t see a thing.
“I think they did,” I admitted and looked up at her, “Are you sure?”
Celestias nose touched mine softly, “Let them talk,” she said, “Because I’m going to marry you and I think they may notice that. Not now, but eventually.”
I smirked up at her, “So sure are you?”
She smirked back, “That’s what I can do with a kiss,” she whispered and nosed my ear, “Imagine what I can do with more. You only had a small taste before.”
Gulp.
Celestia watched me for a second before she smiled and shifted. She pulled a feather from her right wing before nosing in and fitting it into the braid with the two I was already wearing, “There,” she said as pulled back and folded her wings with a small playful smile, “Now they can really talk.”
Luna smirked at Celestia as she walked up and slipped her wing across my back, “I told you, sister,” she said as I tried, and failed, not to blush as I touched the feathers in my mane with my hoof.
“Yes you did,” Celestia grumbled and glanced aside, “You were right.”
“What was that sister?” Luna asked with a smile, “I didn’t quite hear that?”
“You were right,” Celestia repeated in slight annoyance, “Now you better go aboard, our Prince shouldn’t be on that hoof for this long.”
I looked up at her, “I’m perfectly fine and still not made out of glass, Celestia.”
“No, but you were shot with a crossbow,” she told me in turn, looking down at me before she smiled softly, “And we both know you are too stubborn not to overdo it. So excuse us for looking out for you.”
I sighed softly, but in all honesty… she wasn’t wrong. And I knew exactly how much I would worry about and dote over if it was one of them.
So I lifted my right hoof off the floor, “...Yeah, alright,” I admitted, “And we should get going onboard anyway. I think everypony is waiting for us.”
Celestia smiled and lowered her head to brush her lips against mine once more, “Safe travels, Page.”
“I’ll try. See you tonight, Sunshine.”