The few individuals who knew Queen Chrysalis even a little bit knew that soulmates were a topic one didn't bring up around her if they valued not having broken bones. Her soulmates' words had appeared on her neck some three thousand years ago, and it only took a hundred years or two before she realized her soulmate was in all likelihood dead. It had been a sore topic ever since that realization, so much so that when she spotted a pair of soulmates having fun together she'd usually walk in another direction. It wasn't fleeing, she told herself, them being all mushy just makes me sick.
In retrospect it was kind of obvious from the words printed on her carapace that, just like herself, her soulmate may very well have been immortal.
I've waited so long for this moment.
In fact it wasn't just kind of obvious it was blatantly spelled out for her. Of course, if she'd known this earlier she likely never would have met her soulmate in the first place.
It had to be her, because of course it did. Princess Celestia, avatar of the sun, and someone she'd... she'd hurt. Chrysalis had done the one thing that you never ever do. Even back when she was born in less... civilized times, it was common knowledge.
You never turn your magic on your soulmate.
She'd done that at the wedding, took down Celestia in front of dozens of witnesses. What kind of monster hurts their own soulmate?
The clack of Celestia's hooves on the stone floor as she took a step forwards brought Chrysalis out of her thoughts, and it took everything she had to look away from her soulmate instead of flinch backwards. If her soulmate desired to yell at her she would hold her ground. No one could ever say that Queen Chrysalis was a coward.
That resolve lasted all of about twenty seconds, so about how long it took Celestia to take another step in her direction. The sound of the second step made Chrysalis flinch back violently, being unable to repress the urge this time. Another step followed shortly after that, and another after that. Chrysalis tried to put more distance between them but she could only move backwards so far before she found herself backed into a wall.
It didn't take more than a few more seconds for Celestia to close that distance, and Chrysalis ducked her head in anticipation of... well she wasn't sure what would happen but she very much suspected that she wasn't going to like it.
Celestia didn't yell or strike her or do any of the things Chrysalis had been preparing for, however. Instead, Celestia pulled Chrysalis towards her chest and wrapped her up in soft wings. Chrysalis instinctively attempted to break free, not used to being touched in such a way, but Celestia tightened her hold before she could get anywhere.
"Shhh... It's okay. Just let it out. It's okay." Celestia whispered in her ear.
"I-" Chrysalis was cut off almost immediately.
"It's okay. You didn't know."
"But-"
"No. You couldn't have known. Okay?" Chrysalis shuddered and drew in a deep breath, but eventually submitted to her mate's wishes.
"Okay."
~~~
Celestia couldn't tell anypony how wonderful it felt to finally gaze upon her soulmate. She'd been waiting for as long as she'd known what soulmates were and here they stood in front of her. At first she'd thought It was a bit of a mystery why the words on her body were not the words Chrysalis had first said in her presence, but it had been a matter of a moment to remember that the words of your soulmate were not the first words they said that you heard, but instead were the first words they said to you. It was for this reason that Celestia had made it a point to talk to everypony she met at least once for her entire life.
Celestia, how kind of you to join us.
She'd treasured those words for as long as she'd lived, and to finally hear them from the lips of another was simply divine.
She was so overjoyed that she had to forcefully press her eyes close upon feeling the well of emotions coming from her other half to prevent the shock from showing on her face. The soul bond was a curious thing, allowing both bonded to feel the emotions of their mates so long as the emotion was especially powerful.
It didn't take long for Celestia to figure out why her mate was so upset. It was a well known but unwritten rule that you never harm your soulmate, and Chrysalis' first interaction with her had been knocking her unconscious and trying to take over her nation. She would have to nip these feelings in the bud before they became problematic as she refused to allow her mate to be so upset over something like that. Celestia had waited for almost three thousand years for her soulmate to show themselves, and there wasn't a chance in Tartarus that now that they'd appeared before her she would allow them to be unhappy.
A smile graced her lips as she rested her chin on Chrysalis' neck and breathed in her scent. It had taken surprisingly little time to calm her mate down, just wrapping the changeling up in her embrace and being a little forceful had done the job.
It was only now that Chrysalis seemed content that Celestia chanced a glance towards the rest of the room, and she found herself pleasantly surprised to see that everypony had left. Good, it was nice to see that her little ponies knew when she required a moment of privacy.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah..."
~~~
That moment, much as Celestia wished it had been, was not the end of Chrysalis being upset over what she had done. It had taken several months and their wedding for Chrysalis to accept that Celestia didn't care about what had happened and only cared about making her happy.
That wasn't the last of their problems either. Chrysalis had somehow gotten it into her head that she wasn't pretty enough for Celestia, and it wasn't until they'd come back from their honeymoon, during which she had to be constantly reassured "Just because you aren't conventionally pretty by pony standards does not mean I don't find you attractive.", that Chrysalis accepted Celestia really did like the way she looked and wasn't just trying to make her feel better. Not to mention Chrysalis' territorial phase. No seriously, she didn't want to mention it.
After that mess however, things had gone quite swell. A few months passed until Chrysalis' nervousness and uncertainty disappeared for good, and when they did Chrysalis became willing to leave Celestia's room in her normal form. She also became a bit clingy.
That was an understatement. Chrysalis, having nothing better to do and no responsibilities, wanted to go everywhere her soulmate did, and that included spending time with her during Day Court just like she was doing right now. She insisted on spending those hours cuddling up with Celestia on her throne and catching up on the sleep she was being forced to miss since Celestia always got up so early. She refused to take no for an answer of course.
Celestia had eventually been forced to commission a larger throne so that Chrysalis could cuddle up in her original form, not that she was complaining. It was about time for her to take a break though, which meant they'd need to postpone any further cuddling until later.
"It's time to wake up my little soulmate. I'm taking a break and I'd like to get some food." Celestia nuzzled her queen softly.
Chrysalis took a moment to grumble about not wanting to before accepting her fate and looking up at Celestia with a small grin. "I'd like to soulmate with you."
Celestia repressed a snort but her eyes still shone with amusement. "Maybe later."
Twas cute. Pacing was really fast. More Chrysalis is always nice
Yeah, the pacing left something to be desired. But good nonetheless.
9674320
Thank you! I'm glad you think so. Cute was what I was aiming for but I wasn't confidant in my ability to pull it off.
9674690
Thanks! Understandable, those three scenes were all that I wanted to write and I didn't want to bog myself down trying to fit more in when I wasn't feeling it.
How sweet and well written.
y'know, I usually despise the whole 'soulmate' thing, as it brings to mind a few rather, ah, somewhat triggering concepts. like brainwashing. and
rape. The way it's usually done tends to drift towards the non consensual, but you managed to stray away from mainstream. I genuinely enjoyed this. Well done.9674983
wait wtf have you read to think that having a soulmate is bad?
Not bad. Wish it was a little more fleshed out.
Cute, little fast.
9674828
Thank you!
9674983
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
9675508
If I can motivate myself I might turn that last scene into two or three different scenes, do a bit more showing than telling. We'll see.
I just wanted to actually finish the story and see how I felt about it before I deviated from my original plan. At least then I'd have a complete story even if I decided not to expand it.
9674983
I'm sorry I don't know which soulmate fics you've been reading
All the ones I've read have been pleasant
That was wonderful and I desire more.
9675639
I'm glad you liked it, unfortunately I cannot promise anything.
9675647
I'll take a soft "maybe".
At least source the image! Lopoddity is a pretty well known artist, I hope you got permission. Link to the original is here!
9675612
the wrong ones, it seems.
9675458
Apparently the wrong one. It was a while ago, but I can still remember enough to know that it left me with the impression that the concept of soulmates was a bit rapey as a whole.
Edit: the first book in the series was A Court of Thorns and Roses, or something of the sort, and the way the series did soulmates was pheromone based and very rapey/brainwashy
Now, with all my revulsion of the concept as a whole, I still want more of this. This is good. This is sweet. Ɯɛ иɛɛ∂ мσяɛ.
That was cute, but that pun was horrendous. Good job
9676194
I regret nothing.
9675947
Well there's your problem right there. There were fey involved.
There's something sweet, yet inherently creepy about this kind of interpretation of soulmates.
It's love, pure love and affection with no strings attached and it's beautiful. Yet it also seems to be compelling one to get together with their destiny chosen soulmate. It's the dilemma of Love vs freedom of choice and which you think is more important.
Of course I don't know the specifics of this specific interpretation in the story. It's just an interesting thought trail to follow.
Great story by the way. Despite my theories on the more glum nature of the main theme, it was written rather well and I enjoyed the story.
You get a mustache of approval
9676667
Thank you for the eloquent response! I won't confirm or deny anything because I'd rather leave such topics open to interpretation, but I'm glad you found some enjoyment in it.
9676624
Fair point. Fair point indeed. Maybe I should just steer clear of fae romance stories? Actually, come to think of it, maybe I should just avoid any stories written for a primary audience of horny teenage girls?
So fluffy and saccharine it's practically cotton candy.
I LOVED IT I NEEDED THIS TODAY OMG
This whole soulmate thing is stupid. This story on the other hand is very neat. Good job.
9676667
I seem to remember another Soulmate fic that addressed that. I can't recall the title, but it was a RariTwi fic where Rarity, upon finding her soulmate one day, still decides to stay with Twilight.
9678223
Colors of the Soul
That should probably be " 'mate's." The first apostrophe indicates contraction, but an apostrophe after an "s" indicates collective ownership.
9678731
Yes, thank you.
9675941
Do you mind if I suggest another? I will PM it to you if that's alright. Granted, I don't know if you'll care for the pairing or not, but still. Figure I can offer.
9675612
Can you recommend a few? And whose getting together.
D'aaaaw That was cute. I pictured Chrysalis weeping into Celestia's embrace, totally overcome.
Interessting story. Very sweet so far
9675458
Well the thing with being FORCED to love someone may be upsetting...
Ehhhh ship ship ship
Huh. Phrase embedded on the neck. We suppose it's no different to Cutie Marks. 🤔
10714284
Why not?