> Reticent Affection
>  by Enigma Pip
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> Chapter One (because I'm very unimaginative)
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Chapter One


"No! No, no, no, no, absolutely not!" Princess Luna's voice echoed around her sister's bedroom chambers, making Princess Celestia wince slightly on the inside, but she kept her demeanour calm and cool as always, her legs tucked comfortably under her body on the soft, plush mattress.
"Yes, Luna. You will be attending the Grand Galloping Gala with me this year, and that is final." Celestia spoke in a hushed, but audible voice, her head raised high. "It would do you some good to get out more, and meet some of our little ponies. Twilight and her friends will be there, if only to relieve some of the tension."
Luna stood from her lowered place on a small pillow on the floor in front of Celestia's bed, having deemed it unfit for them both to share a bed at the same time, and stamped a hoof on the tile angrily, her face shifting into a foalish pout. "Nay, Tia! We refuse! The last Grand Galloping Gala was a disaster, and we did not even attend! The press' coverage of it was shameful, and we will not be caught up in any more negative gossip than absolutely necessary! Not to mention, those aristocratic Canterlot ponies are snobbish and hateful!"
Celestia sighed and rose from her place on the bed, her hooves clopping on the tile beneath her as she approached Luna, gently nuzzling her younger sister's withers. "You're behaving like a filly, Lulu. You and I both know the only reason you don't want to attend is because you're afraid to interact with any ponies other than the Royal Guard and me. You're withdrawn, and standoffish, and to be brutally honest, I'm sick of it."
Luna sputtered slightly at the accusation, backing away from Celestia to scowl at her more intricately, stamping her hoof once again and tossing her starry, flowing mane. "How dare thee! To accuse us of having an attitude other than that of regal standards! We- we are introverted! Not standoffish! I'm offended that you could even think of me as otherwise!"
Celestia withheld a groan at Luna's sudden defensive behaviour, retreating back to her bed to rest. "Oh, stop grousing, Lulu. All you ever do is lock yourself in your bed chambers for hours at a time, and even when you do come out, you take off to Faust knows where! You're worse than Twilight!"
Luna huffed and stamped her hoof yet again, scraping at the floor with it, attempting to come up with a rebuttal, but failing miserably. She simply squealed in frustration and took off to the balcony, flinging the doors open with her magic and taking to the air, flapping her wings and gliding off, leaving Celestia to ponder her actions alone.
Celestia heaved an exasperated sigh and closed the doors behind Luna, levitating her crown and shoes off to the side of her bed and turning out the lights.
"She'll come around eventually."
Luna's cheeks burned with humiliation at how her sister had spoken to her, her body on autopilot, her wings taking her to the only place she knew she could be alone and complain to herself in peace. The night sky was beautiful as always, her stars sparkling and shimmering, covering the sky. Her moon shone bright for all her little ponies to gaze at as well. The thought that at least one pony was enjoying the gorgeous night Luna spent so many years on put her a little at ease, erasing some of the less than PG thoughts she was having about what she would say to her sister once she regained her wits. Luna grumbled as she flew, the chilly night air rustling through the feathers on her wings.
"How dare that ignorant pony we are forced to call our sister refer to us as such a simple mare...I am just as much royalty as she is! She needn't speak to us in such a manner, and- and to force an act on us as well! We are nearly as old as the stars and moon themselves! We are capable of making our own decisions! Shameful! Mother and Father would have given Tia such a chastising if they were still alive...Faust bless their hearts...."
Luna finally came to a landing in front of a set of trees, peering close enough to see a small marking of a star on one of the trees, signalling her clearing was ahead. Luna gave a sigh of relief and began walking into the forest, ducking her head under a particularly low branch and dodging twigs and fallen leaves on the ground below, attempting to avoid making any noise, though not worried about startling any ponies, as she was quite certain nopony would be out traipsing in the woods this late at night.
Luna immediately felt more at ease walking through the dark forest, slowing to a leisurely stroll, the thick smell of pine and grass hitting her nostrils and making her inhale deeply, attempting to catch as much of the relaxing scent as possible. Luna paused occasionally to smell a few different types of flowers, though never taking a bite, having already had the night cook create for her a delicious bouquet. She finally approached her clearing, stepping into it eagerly, before letting her jaw drop in utter confusion.
Sitting in the spot where Luna usually made herself comfortable, facing away from her, was a yellow pegasus, her pink tail being blown and rustled playfully by the cold night breeze. Luna's hoof came down on a twig, snapping it accidentally in a way that echoed through the silent clearing. The mare's ears perked up immediately and she leapt up and spun around, her head whipping around to try and spot the source of the noise, her voice soft and scared.
"Eeep! I-I-Is somepony t-there? S-Show yourself, I mean, i-if that's okay with you...." Fluttershy's voice dropped as she spoke, making it difficult to hear her. Luna had stepped back into the shadows as soon as Fluttershy stood, peering at her warily, before her shoulders drooped at the familiar sight of the yellow pegasus. Luna gave an inaudible sigh and stepped from the darkness, nearly sending Fluttershy jumping out of her skin.
"P-Princess Luna! You s-startled me! O-Oh no, I'm so sorry about being so abrasive...you don't have to come out if you don't want to...." Fluttershy kneeled to bow, shielding her face behind her mane, her cheeks flushed a complimenting shade of pink. Luna waved for her to stand, raising her head high, frowning down at Fluttershy.
"We would not do anything we would not want to do, Element of Kindness. We are royalty after all. But we digress; what are thee doing in my clearing, and not at home, snug in bed?"
Fluttershy stood obediently from her kneel, but soon sat down, still wary of the Princess, terrified she was going to begin shouting. "I was just enjoying the beautiful night sky...this is y-your clearing, Princess? Oh goodness me, I didn't see a sign or anything, I'm so sorry." Luna squirmed slightly and sighed, moving closer to Fluttershy and taking a seat, exhausted from the flight and the trek through the trees.
"There...is no sign. We found this place a few months ago, and claimed it as our own after seeing there appeared to be nopony else who had discovered it yet. But it seems thou hast discovered it as well, and since thou appears harmless...we shall share. After all, the night is not something to spend alone." Fluttershy smiled and scooted closer to Luna, tucking her legs under her own body and peering up at the stars, nodding in appreciation.
"Thank you, Princess. The sky is always beautiful out here. O-Oh, I m-mean, it's beautiful everywhere, b-but I meant especially h-here." Luna chuckled slightly and nuzzled Fluttershy gently, as to sooth her.
"We are not offended, Element of Kindness. We agree, it is more beautiful out in the forest." Fluttershy relaxed and gave a soft sigh of relief at Luna's words, giggling softly. "Um, Princess, if you'd like, you can call me Fluttershy...." Luna furrowed her brow momentarily, before perking up and nodding, blushing a bit.
"Oh, yes, our apologies, Fluttershy. And you may call me Luna." Fluttershy giggled again and rested her head on Luna's shoulder tentatively, but relaxed at Luna's gentle warmth, shivering from the brisk, cool wind. "Of course, Luna." Luna smiled at the mare beside her, extending a wing over her to protect her from the wind, before shifting her gaze to the sky, smiling up at her stars, all thoughts of Celestia vanished. For now, she was content to watch the stars with her newfound friend.