Celestia awkwardly poked at her desert with a levitating fork. Usually, she'd devour a triple fudge ice cream cake. But not tonight. For the first time in a while, dessert didn’t feel isolating. A welcome change from a thousand years of loneliness was now over–but replaced by an awkward sister whom she knew almost nothing about now.
"So," Celestia looked up at her equally awkward, unpossessed sister. "What do you wish to know of today in Equestria?"
Luna, looking far younger despite her age, thought a moment before answering. Mustering courage, after so much change, was anxiety-inducing. A "speak normally" spell at least helped.
"Well… I…" She cleared her throat. "I… fear I might blast our shaky relationship if we get to know about each other now, and-."
"Oh no, go ahead!' Celestia shoved her bowl aside and leaned forward. "I'm here for you."
Luna breathed in, taking a small bite of her mint fudge. She nodded whilst taking a swig of royally fine milk. Refreshing after so long without supplements.
Celestia thought she understood. “Is it something about today compared to yesteryear?” she guessed.
"I think an analogy will help segue," Luna suggested.
"Most assuredly, sister!' Celestia felt a small tingle of connection.
"Let's see… bread and breadcrumbs."
"Very simple," Celestia noted. "Good choice."
"Once I thought I liked breadcrumbs."
Celestia realized the time span involved. "Before… her."
The moon princess sheepishly nodded, subtle feelings of guilt still present. Celestia parted the table and hugged her sister. Their embrace lasted a few minutes before either spoke again. Celestia stood beside her, winging in comfort.
"I am here for you. Speak your heart."
Luna nodded. "As I was saying?"
"Yes, sister."
Luna took another bite and drink before continuing. "And… over time, stale breadcrumbs accumulate to become whole. I've changed internally, I’ve realized."
“So you feel, despite… her,” Celesta put delicately, “You now feel confident in part of your identity that changed over time?”
“Yes, while I had… fleeting moments… up there.” Her expression mixed between anticipation, dread, and haunted.
"You feel like bread now?" Celestia asked for confirmation.
"That's… that's right."
This confounded her, princess of a thousand years, a comparison so simple. Maybe she was out or touched, or new to sistering, but now she felt guilty. She decided to tighten her wing grasp in preparation. Luna gave her an inquisitive expression. It was no or never to become the sister she needed to be.
"Maybe…" Celestia let loose a small, ironic chuckle. "You could be more, um, direct?"
Luna's eyes lit with black fire. "I'M ASEXUAL, SISTER!"
Everything snapped into place. The shuffling since Luna has gotten here, deep nights in the law library, specific studies of the modern day, asking others strange questions.
"I'm sorry Luna!" Celestia panicked. "FORGIVE ME!"
She practically choke-hugged Luna in desperation to not offend her. Luna wheezed, though her wing wrapped back
"It's okay!" she gasped out.
Celestia loosened up, though remained hugging.
"A long time on the moon resulted in changes to myself… I felt hesitant to share."
"I won't judge you! Everyone is treated equally in Equestria!” Celestia wailed. “I’ve worked hard to make everypony friendlier to you-
"Calm down, breathe, sister!"
Ten deep breaths later, the atmosphere in the room was lighter. Celestia was now the one shuffling in place. Though, it was a bit more jubilant than earlier. The sisters held fast together, leaning while floating their desserts to each other. Eventually, their nerves soothed as the last of their milk rations drained.
Celestia decided to speak first.
"Sorry, I couldn't pick up on what you meant-"
"That's okay. I should've been more blunt,” Luna chipped in.
"No, no, you were right to be afraid of what I'd say. It's been… a long time."
Luna’s pupils sparkled. “I feared others might…. look down, to say the least, that we’d digressed.”
“Not at all! Never!” Celestia declared. “Not as long as I rule!”
The black princess smiled brightly. “Thank you, sister. It’s hard to say why I feel different about myself now.”
“What matters is treating you as who you decide to be, free of her.”
"Change is difficult for us both," Luna acknowledged.
A law book popped into the room. "We support everyone, sister, and I love you with all my heart."
"I'm sticking you to that!" Luna jokingly threatened.
Unexpectedly, Celestia found herself bursting into laughter. Luna smiled, genuinely, as she tried to dial it down, though to no avail for a whole minute. Once she'd died down, Celestia stood firmly.
"We shall be honest and supportive in all things with each other," the sun princess vowed.
"Including my newfound self-realization of asexuality," Luna asserted.
"And that as well."
They took another hug, this one their longest in a while yet.