Preening by Nom_deCheval
“Ouch.”
She spit the feather out of her mouth and moved back to her wing, nuzzling through several until her lips found one that was slightly loose and she tugged firmly. Defiantly it remained in place as her lips slipped free. Something akin to a growl grew in her throat as she went back and clamped her teeth down onto the stubborn feather. With a sharp yank of her head and neck she popped the feather free.
“Ouch.” She said flatly as she spit the feather from her mouth.
“Luna?”
The Princess of the Night took a moment to look up at her sister who stood in the doorway to her chambers. She immediately went back to work.
“Sister.”
“Luna, what’s wrong?” Celestia stepped fully into the room, blinking as she tried to adjust to the dim light of chamber.
“Nothing.” Pressing her nose through her left wing, she continued to assess things on a feather-by-feather basis. She pulled back and quickly spit another feather out of her mouth.
“I was concerned. You didn’t show up for breakfast this morning.” Celestia spoke in a smooth, calming tone. “Everypony was a bit surprised, actually.”
“My apologies.” Her head was still hidden among her feathers.
“Luna, don’t be like this.” Celestia stepped closer and nuzzled her sister lovingly.
Even if she had been struck by lightning, Luna could not have reacted faster. She pulled away, scrambling back and away from Celestia.
“Luna…?” Celestia’s voice fell slightly.
“You startled me,” Luna answered quickly.
Taking a deep breath, Celestia let a smile grow onto her face. “Stop lying. You’ve never been very good at it, and it’s obvious that something is bothering you. As long as I can remember you’ve always turned to a rather aggressive preening session when something was on your mind.” Her own wings spread open with the feathers fully stretched open on display. “I’m your sister. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“…that’s what’s wrong,” Luna mumbled.
“I’m sorry? I didn’t quite hear you,” Celestia stated.
“Nothing. I was just saying that I fell asleep.” With a very deliberate motion, Luna flared out her wings and then pulled them in tight against her body.
“So?” Celestia laughed. “Everypony sleeps.”
“True, but…” Luna trailed off momentarily. “While I was away, you took on my role as the shepherd of the moon, raising and setting it each day. What you did not do was take on my duty as the guardian of dreams. It’s a difficult task.”
“Oh, I have no doubt of that, but I don’t see what that has to do with you falling asleep or being late to breakfast,” Celestia said.
“It is my duty to help guide ponies through their dreams, especially when they become a threat or danger to themselves. I help ponies in their times of trouble, and it brings me great comfort to do so,” Luna said.
“That’s wonderful, both in what you do and how it makes you feel, Luna,” Celestia replied, “but you still haven’t explained why—”
“No pony can do this for me,” she interrupted. “I do dream, you know. If something happens in one of my dreams, there is no pony who can help.”
“Oh, Luna.” Celestia stepped towards her, causing Luna to recoil slightly once more. “You had a nightmare. I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t…” she took a deep breath. “Yes, thank you. I was troubled by a…a nightmare.”
Celestia’s smile lit up and warmed Luna’s chamber. “I don’t pretend to understand what you went through when you were possessed during that dark time and I am sure that there are far too many times that those memories flood back, but I want you to know that there is nothing that you cannot share with me. I will always be there for you.”
Luna looked up into her sister’s magenta eyes and was momentarily lost. Her breath rushed out of her and her mouth went dry. She closed her lips and swallowed.
“Thank you,” Luna whispered.
“You’re welcome.” One more Celestia stepped forward, but this time Luna did not retreat. She felt the warmth of her sister’s neck caressing her own, and closed her eyes, relishing the sensation. Before she could stop it, a heavy sigh escaped her lips.
“There,” Celestia said softly as she pulled back, once more looking into her sister’s eyes, “you know that I’m here. I never want to lose you again, Luna.”
“Thank you,” Luna’s voice was barely audible.
“Are you feeling better?” Celestia asked.
“A little. C-could I have a few more minutes, though?” she asked.
“Of course,” Celestia answered. “I’ll go wait in throne room.”
“Thank you.” Luna smiled at Celestia, who had never let the smile fade from her face.
Turning away, Celestia began to walk from the room. Luna’s eyes traced over every bit of her sister's form as she left, lingering on some spots more than others.
As soon as she was alone again, Luna’s right wing flew up to her mouth, where she immediately began cleaning, straightening, and pulling free feather after feather.
“Stupid dream,” she muttered to herself in the darkness.