It took some time to gather supplies for the trip. It took even longer for Starlight and Sunburst, working together, to camouflage the hot air balloon. By the time they were finished, the full moon was already riding high in the night sky. It seemed the cycle of day and night, controlled by the Royal Sisters, would not be interrupted by the current crisis. For that Starlight was most thankful. It would be easier to remain undetected if they traveled by night and the full moon would give them plenty of light to see by.
Starlight was still nervous about this plan of action, but in a way she was thrilled at the idea of a moonlit balloon ride with her friend Sunburst.
In truth once everypony was aboard and they began the long journey north, aided by magical winds conjured by Sunburst, the trip was incredibly uneventful. Time passed slowly as the scenery drifted by, far below. Flurry Heart and Spike both swiftly succumbed to boredom. Rocked by the magical breezes, and soothed by the steady creak of the balloons rigging, the younger half of their little group had swiftly fallen asleep.
Only Starlight and Sunburst were still awake now.
Sunburst was busy monitoring their altitude, heading, and the barometric pressure on a series of gauges set in the frame of the flame producing machinery of the balloon.
Starlight was busy monitoring him. He looked so handsome in the moonlight. The occasional burst of flame, meant to increase their altitude or adjust their heading, made his mane glow like a wild fire. His profile against the fire light was strong and more than a little handsome.
Starlight tore her gaze away to take in their surroundings. A sea of clouds spread out below their tiny balloon. Stars shone bright, like a thousand diamonds strewn across the sky. Though she wasn't normally one to be given to such thoughts, Starlight Glimmer couldn't help but find the setting intensely romantic.
With a soft sigh, she leaned into Sunburst, resting her head against his shoulder. Sunburst flinched, shocked perhaps by the sudden contact, but he didn't pull away. Instead he fidgeted with his glasses as he often did when he didn't know what to do with himself.
He's so warm, she thought.
Starlight knew that it would be cold up in the stratosphere, and had bundled up accordingly, but compared to her Sunburst was like a little inferno. She snuggled closer, drinking in the heat of his body and the scent of his soft, star-swirled cloak.
"You know Sunburst..."
"Yes Starlight?"
"I really was happy to see you earlier. With all that happened, I was very worried about you."
"I was happy to see you too Starlight. I mean... I was glad you were okay as well."
There was a quiet sigh of contentment. Silence settled over the balloon for a moment, only the sound of the whoosh of flames as Sunburst adjusted their altitude broke the stillness.
"Hey Starlight.... What should we do abo-"
"Shhh... Don't ruin the moment. Let me have this... Just for now."
Starlight smiled up at Sunburst's befuddled look, and grinned wider as the stallion blushed. She settled in again, finding that her heart felt strangely full, before slowly drifting off to sleep.