> Basking in the Sun
>  by Deathtoheaven731
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Basking in the Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight Sparkle sighed, dabbed her quill with ink, and rewrote her letter for the third time.

“To Sir Argyle, the esteemed Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Gryphonia,

On behalf of their majesties, Princess Celestia, High Queen of Equestria and Duchess of Canterlot, and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Empress of the Crystal Empire,

I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, do amicably implore you and your nation to recognize the legitimate Personal Union between the Kingdom of Equestria and the Crystal Empire. This Union is born from the liberation of the Crystal Empire by Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her pre-existing royal marriage with Prince Shining Armor, my own blood brother. It already holds the recognition of the Sultanate of Saddle Arabia and the Serene Zebra Republic.

Recognizing this Personal Union would be met with the joy and gratitude of both nations and place the Pony and Gryphon peoples on a renewed path of mutual respect and friendship.

I await your response with great anticipation. Good health and prosperity on you and your people.

Sincerely,
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Bearer of the Element of Magic”

She set the quill down with another sigh, in relief this time, and slumped down, laying her head on the desk. Writing diplomatic letters to dangerous foreign powers was nothing at all like writing a friendship report, or an extensive research paper (which could be tedious but ultimately fun) for that matter. As a newly crowned princess, she was starting to learn that one in her position had to treat with unsavory characters in a reasonable and patient manner. It was making her put more thought into her words than ever.

For example, Chancellor Argyle was a long-lived military dictator who had violently seized power in Gryphonia when their royal line died out and the country had been plunged into civil war. Though he had officially declared the establishment of a republic, he presided over a military police state that imprisoned his critics and political dissenters. Gryphonia was never exactly a pleasant place by Equestria’s standards, but gone was the culture of honor and loyalty that had made the country great. The two nations used to have a valuable art exchange, but that too had fallen away as Argyle tightened his grip on the nation.

This letter to the Chancellor was only one of several diplomatic communications Twilight was tasked with writing, but it was probably the most important. Granted, it was unlikely that she could bring the magic of friendship to a brutal dictator overseas with a mere letter, yet it was the start of a larger effort. Her other letters included a trade renewal with Saddle Arabia, a second trade renewal with the Serene Zebra Republic, and a statement of peaceful intent to the Holy Felonian Empire. Of all of them, though, she was most concerned about Gryphonia; war was something she and the Sisters wanted to avoid if at all possible, and their increased militarization was more than worrying.

Her work finally complete, Twilight smiled to herself as intrigue and political maneuvers fell back into their neat boxes in her mind. After all, there was a secret reason to why Twilight was in Canterlot, writing diplomatic letters in Celestia’s chamber while the Sun Princess attended court. It was the same reason why she had arranged for a full week in the capital under the premise of tutelage in her royal duties, leaving Spike to tend the library and her friends to tend to their own priorities.

Twilight Sparkle had fallen in love with Princess Celestia.

Maybe “fallen in love” was too strong of a phrase for what Twilight felt. Infatuated, or deeply enamored, were probably more apt descriptions, though she would like to think her feelings toward the Living Sun were more… pious? Respectful? All she knew for certain was that the very thought of her former mentor made her giddy, joyful, and a little light headed at times. Spending time with her was almost overwhelming as her mind spun with a heady mix of emotion and reaction that often left her trying to hide her blushing cheeks and twitching wings.

It began shortly after her return from the Alternate World and her conference with the other princesses in the Crystal Empire. She explained to all three how she had handled the theft of the Element of Magic by Sunset Shimmer, for which she received considerable praise. Two days later she had been invited for an afternoon walk in the garden with the Sun Princess, and given how busy Celestia was she found this even more of an accolade than any other praise she had received.

During their walk Celestia congratulated her further, and Twilight struggled with her reaction to being alone - at least, as alone as one could ever be - with the country’s ruler, to whom she had never confessed or even hinted at how she felt about her. In her efforts to project modesty she almost stumbled, and Celestia stopped and apologized for making her uncomfortable... and then narrowed the distance between them, step by step, wearing a warmer and more genuine smile than her usual calm grin.

“You continue to amaze and delight me, Twilight Sparkle,” she had said softly, for her ears alone. Her head had dipped closer, her breath warm on Twilight’s cheek, and she had barely whispered “I can no longer resist” before giving Twilight her first kiss.

Oh, to not only to receive her first kiss, but to receive it from the Solar Diarch herself, the wise and lovely goddess who had reigned benevolently for one thousand years! And not just that, but to receive that kiss from the very pony Twilight admired most! Of all mares in Equestria, she was the most kind and patient, the most gracious and understanding, and certainly the loveliest. Twilight had always found Celestia beautiful, but after that kiss the word took on an entirely different meaning in her mind.

Even more striking to Twilight was that this very special blessing had come to her, after she had dedicated so much of herself to being her student. A dedicated student to be sure - that was no boast, but a fact - but one who less than a month ago has been just another commoner, despite her talent with magic and her extensive education. Even recently having become a princess herself didn’t mitigate the utter, wonderful shock she felt at having such affections offered to her. Celestia had been alive for more than a thousand years, and probably had some amazing lovers during that time. Elevation aside, what quality could Twilight possibly possess to have earned this amazing privilege?

So Twilight had been completely thrilled, very elated, and more than a little terrified. She and Celestia had enjoyed two more days finding ways to be together whenever they could, trading kisses and professing their affection during many a stolen moment. Their courtship went into abeyance when the conference ended and Twilight was expected to return with her friends, whom she had somehow managed to keep in the dark about her new relationship. She regretted doing so, but assuaged her guilt by reminding herself that it was purely a temporary measure due to her own emotional confusion.

After Twilight returned to Ponyville, she and Celestia continued their careful courtship through letters over the subsequent days and weeks, and found that their desire to reunite was too great for either to bear. They hatched a simple plot to provide a convenient excuse for bringing Twilight to Canterlot for a full week. Somewhat to their surprise it went off with only one minor hitch: Spike ended up reading one of their steamier correspondences. After a quiet and hurried explanation, though, he rolled his eyes and grumpily agreed not to tell anypony, and soon Twilight found herself ensconced in a chamber of her own in the castle.

She was nose-deep in a book on how pony magic manifested in pegasus flight when the chamber doors creaked open. Assuming it was a maid, she didn’t even look up as she muttered, “Ah good, I was hoping someone would show up. I’d like a cup of my usual afternoon tea.”

In the ensuing silence Twilight raised her head to see Princess Celestia standing in the doorway with a bemused expression. She leaped away from the lectern, her cheeks bright red, and babbled in consternation. “OhmygoshIthoughtyouwereoneoftheservantgirlssorry!” she blurted out before offering her a wide, sheepish smile.

Celestia shook her head gently and closed the door behind her with a flick of her magic. “If you want tea,” she said softly through her usual calm smile, “you need only look outside the door and somepony will take care of you.” She allowed a bit of amusement into her voice as she added, “Not that I expect your devotion to your studies to change.”

“Heh heh! You know how I am with books,” Twilight replied happily, drawing slightly closer. “I may actually probably have a serious addiction problem." She chuckled nervously as she searched for a change of subject. "So, how was court?”

With tiny movements that few would have noticed, Celestia reflexively checked the area around her for observers. She relaxed a fraction as she found none, then favored Twilight with a smile that she knew made her student flush. “It was, unremarkably, the same as it always is, other than a question about why I was delegating important matters of state to such a relative unknown, heroic efforts in saving Equestria aside, being both understood and irrelevant.”

Twilight cringed slightly. “The nobility probably doesn’t trust a ‘young upstart’ or something like that, right?”

Celestia repeated her check and relaxed a little more. “You could put it that way,” she said as she walked up to Twilight and nuzzled her mane. “Though they tend to use fancier words like ‘unproven’, ‘inexperienced’, and ‘potentially untrustworthy’. Though that last has only been said once,” she said with a touch of fierceness.

Twilight couldn’t help but sigh at Celestia’s words and touch, and her apparent defense of her made her blush and grin happily. “Maybe we should see about ‘unproven.’ Would you mind reviewing my letters? I’d be happy to make some tea for both us!”

“I am sure they are excellent,” Celestia said mildly. “But even if only so that I can say that I have, I will look them over. And please, tea would be nice.” She walked over to the table where the letters lay, taking in the rather obsessive neatness of the quills, parchment, and ink set out upon it. The rest of Twilight’s quarters were just as carefully organized, though Celestia knew that the small kitchen, at least, was only so because of the efforts of the castle staff.

Meanwhile, Twilight almost skipped into said kitchen, starting some hot water with a few simple spells. “Earl grey?” she called out, opening the cupboard where all the tea varieties and spices were stored.

“Yes, please,” Celestia answered as she looked over Twilight’s letters. She left the one to Gryphonia for last, knowing it was the most sensitive. Her smile widened a bit as she read, nodding at the carefully worded missives. “Are you sure you haven’t done this before?” she said teasingly as she finished the third letter and moved to the last and trickiest.

“Absolutely positive!” said Twilight. "But I read a lot of source documents in the history section of the library, cross-referenced them with some of the more recent archived exchanges with Gryphonia, and I spent quite some time working on those." As she spoke she prepared the tea leaves in the strainer, her magic accelerating the heating of the kettle until it sang with the sound of concentrated steam moments later. “Perfect!” she murmured, telekinetically pouring the water. “How much sugar and cream?”

“Two hundred grains, and fifteen drams,” said Celestia with a grin, knowing that Twilight wouldn’t even blink at her use of the archaic measures - and would give her exactly that amount. She allowed herself the tiniest frown as she read the letter to the Gryphons, then slid it aside, separate from the others. She looked up as Twilight entered, all trace of concern vanishing from her face as she saw how casually her belo…

Pausing mid-thought, Celestia froze. Her court reflexes unfroze her before Twilight noticed, and there was no sign on her face of her momentary lapse, but a faint twitch of her tail almost gave her away, if only in her own mind. She took a silent breath and felt her usual small smile reappear, then widen naturally as the thought that had disturbed her flowed into a mental compartment for future perusal... though if her guesses were right, it would be a near future.

“And tea is ready,” Twilight announced merrily, setting the tray down on the table and adding a cooling spell to bring the heat of the cups down to ‘drinkable’. She noticed the letter to Gryphonia set aside. “So… um, what did you think?” she asked with a slight tone of nervousness. “I was working on that one for the better part of the day, and that’s my third attempt. You don’t think he could take offense at anything there, right?”

Celestia sipped her tea, its warmth soothing in the cool night air. “It is very well done, but there is one small thing,” she said carefully. “The Gryphons are predators, and take a bit more pride in strength than in unity, though they understand the latter’s value.” She glanced at the bottom of the page. “I might suggest instead of ‘prosperity’ that you wish them ‘good hunting’. The former will not insult them, but the latter, while perhaps not what most ponies would think of, is a nod to their culture that will likely be just a touch more appreciated.”

Noting Twilight’s increasing tension as she had spoken, she set down her teacup and favored her with a proud look. “Other than that little improvement, it is truly a fine letter.”

Twilight sighed in relief. “Thank you! Writing a diplomatic letter is nothing like a friendship report. You can’t say anything about how you actually feel or commit strongly to any meaning. I’m just amazed at how you’ve managed to do this for a thousand years!”

Her brow furrowed slightly, and she chewed one corner of her lower lip before voicing her concern. “You know, supposing the Chancellor likes this letter and I keep writing to him on behalf of Equestria… would I end up visiting Gryphonia and meeting him in person?”

Celestia sat by the desk, arranging herself neatly so that she could see its contents and Twilight. She nodded and glanced at the letter briefly. “It’s very likely. The chancellor is gregarious in his own way, and though he likes a bit of roughhousing I doubt he would indulge in it with you.”

Twilight nodded in understanding. “That’s good to hear. Have you met him? I know that you’ve met some of their kings when they weren’t a ‘republic.’” She frowned lightly. "Also, why wouldn't he roughhouse with me? Not that I want him to!" she added hurriedly.

Nodding again, Celestia smiled at Twilight. “I have indeed met him, and I have hunted with him.” At Twilight’s look of surprise, she shook her head slightly. “And no, I did not soil myself or my magic by killing for meat or for sport. I threw a few spears and missed, to my ‘embarrassment’ and to his loud and vocal pleasure.”

Her look turned more serious. “You should not hunt with him, though, no matter how he cajoles you,” she said quietly. “You are smaller than he, and that means something to Gryphons. Instead, I recommend you memorize this phrase: ‘I do not hunt; I am of the privileged. Others hunt for me’.”

She smiled again. “It will mark you as a bit decadent, perhaps, but still respectable. Your size is also why you shouldn't wrestle with him, but again, that's for the best."

Twilight giggled. “Decadent, huh? Okay, I can live with that. Though when it comes to decadence,” she said with a saucy waggle of eyebrows, “I’m not the one with a massive sweet tooth.”

Falling silent at the jibe, Celestia slowly turned her gaze upon Twilight, staring at her without moving. She held the silence, letting it build into something with weight and substance, her face placid and serene. All the sounds of the castle, of the world outside the windows, fell away as her calm expanded, awful and inexorable, through the room. Barely taking a breath, she waited with ancient patience.

Feeling uncomfortable in the growing silence, Twilight began to fidget, unsure whether to simply watch her or look away, perhaps at the letter. She knew that Celestia liked to stare at her from time to time, but this strange intensity was new outside of occasional occurrences at Court, and it was stretching out longer than usual. Finally she swallowed and timidly asked, “Um, Celestia… are you alright?”

With a slow blink and an intake of breath, Celestia dropped the aura of ineffability she had donned in an attempt to break through Twilight’s remarkable obtuseness. She allowed herself a small smile and a shake of her head. “I am fine, Twilight, though I do confess to a sudden desire for cake. Perhaps you would be so kind as to request some for us?”

“Mmhm!” Twilight walked over to the doors and stuck her head through the opening to speak with the attendant outside. A moment later she retracted it and closed the doors. “One small cake on the way,” she announced merrily.

One of Celestia’s eyes gave a single, tiny twitch, and it took more effort than usual for her not to snort out a little laugh. Her smile relaxed a bit as she saw the happiness in Twilight’s eyes. “Thank you, Twilight. Now, while we wait, I wish to open a rather different discussion with you,” she said quietly. “One that is both more and less serious than the good work you have already done today.”

Twilight nodded, gesturing to the cushions near the empty fireplace. The two alicorns sat down opposite each other, bracketing the mantle like oddly paired sculptures. “Is something going on?” she asked. “I get the impression you have something on your mind….” Her eyes widened. “Is this about us? I’m sorry, I’m so new to this--”

As she arranged herself, Celestia glanced at the fireplace. A flicker of light from her horn was answered by a burst of fire and heat from the logs stacked within, and she smiled, relaxing as she stared into the crackling flames. “It is indeed,” she said as she turned to look into Twilight’s eyes. “We have been…” she hesitated, her brows brushing downwards briefly. “Playing, I suppose, for a while now, and it has not gone unnoticed.”

Twilight swallowed. “The only one who I know has found out in Ponyville is Spike,” she said. “I’d tell the girls, but… this is so new to me as I keep saying again and again. Who else knows, or suspects?”

Celestia sighed and favored Twilight with an indulgent smile. “Many in the court. Luna is quite aware, of course, but her discretion is certain. The Canterlot rumor mill is all abuzz about it; those long walks in the garden when we were first figuring out whether we could flirt with each other no doubt started it all.”

She smiled as she leaned a bit closer to Twilight, gently stroking her nose against her student’s muzzle. “There is very little I do that is not observed. It is one of the prices I pay for being who and what I am. You will soon start paying it as well - more than you already are, I mean.”

“Well, there’s a downside to everything, right?” Twilight sighed, Celestia’s touch electric against her coat. “And I’m not really concerned with gossip… much. But...” Her eyes widened, and she dropped her head to stare at the floor between them. “Celestia… you’re so generous with me! You always have been, ever since that entrance exam, and sometimes I feel like… I don’t know. Like I just can’t be worthy...”

Her smile fading to a look of compassion, Celestia reached out and pulled Twilight into an embrace, her wings spreading to mantle over them protectively. “That,” she said firmly, “is a conceit that I must beg you to discard, Twilight Sparkle. I indulged you in the past because I saw promise in you; I indulge you now because I have grown to care for you.”

She bent her long neck to look once more into Twilight’s eyes. “I may never be able to be as generous to you as you have been to Equestria, let alone to me. You are tireless in your pursuit of knowledge, and you use that knowledge freely in defense of the land, your friends... and yes, your Princess.”

Celestia sighed softly, and Twilight was surprised to to see her hesitate; she rarely managed to catch the Sun Princess in anything less than a composed mood. Remembering one such moment during their garden walks she blushed lightly, her eyes dancing, and licked her lips reflexively. Her blush deepened when Celestia finally spoke.

“We haven’t had much frank discussion about what has been building between you and I,” Celestia said quietly. “I think it’s time.”

“I agree,” Twilight said with a swift nod, “because, well, I don’t know what this is exactly and it’s driving me crazy!” Her smile was wide and slightly manic. “I’ve never felt so elated and anxious at the same time! It’s a miracle I can even focus on work… though I suppose that’s not really why I am here this week.”

Celestia uncurled herself from around Twilight and shifted to lay so that her forequarters were in front of her so they were a little closer to being eye to eye. “Indeed, it is not - though I am grateful for your help, and what you are doing is, in fact, important for you to learn.” She glanced out the window, smiling at the afternoon sunlight glinting off the snow in the courtyard. Turning back, she caught Twilight with her gaze.

“It may even be more than you think,” she said softly. “It really comes down to this: what do you want of me, Twilight Sparkle? Don’t say what first comes to mind,” she added quickly as she saw Twilight’s mouth open almost immediately. “Think for a moment. We have been... well, I think ‘courting’ is the best word for it, for some time. Will you tell me what you desire?” She smiled as she quietly added, “Please?”

Hearing Celestia’s gentle plea sent a thrill through Twilight that almost distracted her from the request itself. She looked down in contemplation, searching her heart. “What do I want?” she whispered, her wings rustling at her sides.

She nodded at the floor, then raised her head to meet Celestia’s gaze. “I want to love you, and to be loved by you. But not just some casual, easy love, if there is such a thing. I want it to be deep, passionate love, something to rival the friendships I’ve made in the past few years.” She blushed again. “I know that is a tall order for my very first romantic relationship, but if it’s possible, well, that’s what I want.”

Celestia nodded, then dropped her own gaze as she pondered her response. When she finally spoke it was almost too soft for Twilight to hear. “There are some parts of your dream that are difficult, to say the least.” Her eyes flicked up to lock with Twilight’s. “I am old, Twilight. More so than you may realize. I have been through a great deal of joy and pain in my lifetime, and while I would certainly argue that the joy has been worth the pain, it has not become any easier to deal with being hurt.”

Her eyes closed slowly, and some of the unnatural silence she had manifested earlier flowed from her once more. “Few know of this,” she whispered into it. “None currently in Equestria - and perhaps none at all; I do not know - are aware of the extent of it: I am afraid, Twilight.” She opened her eyes, and the Sun was visible within them. Not as a source of power and fire, but as an ancient entity, orbited by her children, yet rarely touched.

“Love is a great risk for me, my beloved student,” she continued, her voice still sounding very far away. “Yet once again I feel the need to take that risk. For you.”

The depth of Celestia’s eyes caught Twilight and spun her heart, her ears falling flat against her head as she tried to catch her breath. She shivered and almost stepped back, but Celestia’s words kept her from moving away. Instead, she pushed herself forward with a gasp, the rush of joy from breaking down that last wall making her wings spread and tears come to her wide eyes.

“You don’t need to be afraid, Pr... Celestia,” she said in a voice full of hope and wonder. “I love you, and I want to be with you!”

The distant fire in Celestia’s eyes faded to her normal hues, and tears appeared in them as she stood, her wings opening to match the courting display Twilight had unknowingly offered.

“Twilight…” she whispered, closing the remaining distance between them. “I accept.” She leaned down and kissed Twilight, warmth flowing between them, for a long time. When she lifted her head once more her cheeks were wet, but her smile was bright. “I love you.”

With a big grin and watery eyes of her own, Twilight leaned up to kiss away the tears on Celestia’s cheeks, leaving them more evenly wet. As soon as she was finished, she caught those snow white lips, slowly and tenderly, then more eagerly. She relished the taste and softness of Celestia’s lower lip, pressuring it with her own to convey the force of her desire. Meanwhile her wings flared out to flirt with Celestia’s, feather-tips just barely grazing each other, lightly stroking. Even that little touch sent pleasurable shivers down her spine.

Twilight stepped back, her cheeks red, to catch her breath. "Wow," she said with a little tremble in her voice. "Rainbow Dash wasn't kidding when she said wings could be as sensitive as horns!"

Celestia smiled at her, then gently ran the side of her horn along Twilight’s cheek. “You’ve been talking with Rainbow Dash about me?” she asked playfully. “Given what I know of her and you, I believe I shall consider myself flattered.”

“Oh no!” Twilight said, shaking her head. “Well, yes, but not that way. She gave me this ‘pegasus crash course,’ all the basics on how to use wings, taking care of them, that sort of thing. At one point she was showing me how to clean them and, well, she made a rather blatant advance. I was flattered, but I ended up turning her down. She’s… not the most committed of ponies.”

Nodding sagely, Celestia caught Twilight’s eyes with hers. “I am glad you are finding ways to become accustomed to your new form,” she said, hesitating for a brief second before adding, “It has certainly not diminished your beauty.” Politely ignoring the flustered blush on Twilight’s face, she asked her, “I am curious. Why were Rainbow Dash’s actions around commitment so important to you? From what I have heard, she would most certainly have been... entertaining.”

Twilight blushed and bit her lip. “Yes… actually, just about everyone knows that Rainbow Dash is a… oh, what was the phrase Pinkie used? ‘Fantastic time’? Yeah, that was it.” She shook her head again. “I don’t know. Rarity would call me a romantic, but I always thought that if you’re going to do something so… carnal, it should be with someone you deeply care about. I look at Cadance and my brother, then at Rainbow and the many ponies she’s been with… something gets lost if there’s no commitment!”

She shrugged, her cheeks suddenly very hot. “I don’t know, I’ve never done ‘it’ at all, so I was kind of hoping you’d have something wise to say.”

Celestia cringed slightly. “I think you attribute a great deal more wisdom to me than I actually possess,” she said with a modest chuckle. “It is true that sexual passion is often consistently stronger between committed, loving couples. However, all carnal acts are inherently… messy, and obviously not just in the physical sense of the word.”

She stroked Twilight’s wings lightly with the tips of her leading flights as she continued. “For some ponies, the best way they can handle this is to ‘take it slow’, and commitment is one such means of accomplishing that goal. Others, like Rainbow Dash, approach sex like any challenge: An obstacle to be overcome, or a goal to be reached and done with.”

Her wide eyes held Twilight’s gaze intently, though she spoke with a smile. “And while I admit that I do have a certain... skill and insight with such things, I say again: I can only help you in this if you tell me what you desire.”

Twilight nodded and swallowed, her cheeks simmering and her chest pounding from the possibilities that awaited her. “In… the general sense, I want what my brother and sister-in-law have,” she finally spoke, trying to word her response as carefully as she could despite her slight shortness of breath and the growing tightness in her groin. “Or I mean, what I think they have. But for my first time, I want to do it like Rainbow would. Not literally!” she added hurriedly when she saw Celestia’s brow rise. “Not as a challenge or without deep connection. I just… I just want to….” she stammered, trying to force the words out.

“‘Do it’?” Celestia offered patiently. Twilight nodded enthusiastically, eliciting a knowing smile. “And from the delightfully agitated state you find yourself in, I believe I am correct in assuming you want to do it now?”

“...yes,” Twilight managed to squeak out, her cheeks burning.

Celestia drew in even closer, leaning over to speak softly into her ear. “There is no shame in wanting that,” she stated reassuringly, “and in this instance, I have no reservations in satisfying that want. There need be only one rule.” She pulled back and looked at Twilight squarely. “If I make you uncomfortable, you will tell me. Agreed?”

Swallowing again, Twilight answered, “Agreed.”

As if to seal the agreement, Celestia gave Twilight a tender kiss. “Good,” she said, almost quiet enough to be a whisper. “Then let us begin.”

Twilight’s breath caught, and she shivered at the feel of Celestia’s lips grazing her cheek. “What... what do I... do we do now?” she stammered out, looking up at her with wide eyes.

“You,” said Celestia with a warm and knowing smile, “will just stand there and watch while I divest myself of my badges of office.” She stepped away from Twilight and opened an ornate chest with her magic. “Since after all, I believe it is not the mask of the Princess you seek, but the pony beneath it,” she said as she levitated her crown off and placed it in the chest.

Twilight’s wings twitched open as Celestia continued by slowly removing the golden slippers from her hooves, one by one. Each time, she lifted it to look over it at Twilight, her smile gradually shifting from its usual serenity to a look of... anticipation? Desire? Twilight was not accustomed to seeing these things on Celestia’s face. She caught herself staring, her mind awhirl as she tried to figure out what they meant - and her body responding to the oddly lascivious act of watching Celestia strip for her. Lowering her gaze with a blush, she saw Celestia smiling at her as she set the last of the slippers into the chest and closed it.

“I’m glad you enjoyed that little game,” Celestia said quietly as she slowly walked toward Twilight, her hips swaying slightly. “There are many more we can play, once we figure out what will make us both happy.” She stopped very close to Twilight and lowered her head so she could look at her eye to eye. “And I assure you, I want to make you happy.”

Letting out a breath she hadn’t been aware she was holding, Twilight nodded. “I... yes. Please. Will you teach me?” She tried to hide a sudden rush of anticipation as, unbidden, her mind recalled a trick Rarity had mentioned during one of their infrequent but always interesting late night conversations.

Celestia’s response was soft but heated. “Of course.” She leaned forward to run the tip of her horn lightly along Twilight’s ear, then down the side of her neck. She watched with languid eyes and a bit of playfulness in her smile as a soft shudder rolled through Twilight’s body, leaving her wings ruffled and her breath fast and hot.

Distracted as she was by Celestia’s touch, the moment was perfect, and even as Twilight shivered in pleasure a mischievous grin appeared on her face. Slowly, so that Celestia could see clearly what she was doing, she turned her head and ran her tongue from the tip of that smooth, white horn to the base, then back along its length to the tip. Once there, she leaned back and even more slowly wrapped her lips around it, smiling as she sucked it gently.

Celestia shivered at the touch of Twilight’s lips, though she was careful not to let her horn move. Twilight held her gaze with an intense expression of desire touched with fear of the length and sharpness of what she held between her lips. Even a slight jerk forward could impale her - and yet she slipped more of it into her mouth, her tongue lapping at it, making Celestia gasp and half-close her eyes, though otherwise she remained still.

“Twilight,” Celestia gasped, the uncharacteristic sound almost making Twilight release her horn, “I... I don’t know who told you... about that,” she said between breaths that were shorter and faster than Twilight had ever heard from her, “but I must... oh... thank them.”

Humming her approval at the compliment, Twilight swirled her tongue around the tip of the horn in her mouth several times before releasing it in a ragged gasp for air. Note to self, master breath control during oral horn stimulation, she thought wryly.

Catching her breath, she ran her tongue up and down the horn again, this time with just a little more eagerness. She was getting into the swing of things, but she was determined to take it slow. From everything she’d read - and what little she’d heard from Rarity - the purpose of the act was sensual stimulation to please her lover, and as much as her own passion continued to roil and burn inside her, Twilight was not going rush this.

Celestia eyed Twilight carefully, trying to keep the surprise off her face as her horn was sucked with just a tad more skill than she would have expected. She could no longer hide her reaction, though, when she felt her cheeks burning as Twilight’s tongue wrapped around the base of her horn. By the all-consuming eye of the Sun, I’m blushing! she thought in amazement, her tail twitching to one side in sudden readiness. Her eyes opened wide to look at as much of Twilight as she could see. Who is this mare to affect me so?

As Twilight lifted her head to catch her breath, Celestia moved hers back and up to stare down at her. Her shock continued as she found herself speechless at the sheer beauty of Twilight’s face as she reacted to her pulling away - a mix of frustrated lust, clear passion, and a touch of fear that perhaps she had failed somehow. Celestia was sure the sudden thump of her heart was audible in Ponyville, and that the unbidden rustle of her wings would blow the curtains from the windows behind her.

“Twilight,” she whispered as she took a half step closer. “Twilight..." she bent down to run her nose along Twilight’s neck and under her mane, taking a deep breath. The scent of her filled Celestia with a heady mix of contentment and excitement. She nuzzled against Twilight’s cheek, a small, sharp gasp coming from her as she felt a crack appear in one link of the chain with which she had bound herself centuries ago.

“Twilight,” she breathed, almost too quietly to hear. “It’s been... so very, very long....”

“I’m here!” Twilight cooed, reaching up to wrap a hoof gently around Celestia shoulders. Moving closer so their coats rubbed together, she raised her head and kissed her way down from her left ear to the nape of her neck. “I’m here, to serve your desires and worship your body,” she whispered, her arousal and the heat of the moment overriding her usual caution.

The offer brought a bemused and knowing smile to Celestia’s face. "Beware, Twilight Sparkle,” she said in a soft and sonorous voice. “My heart is as the blazing sun, unconquerable fire and roiling strength. My heart reflects the deep oceans, placid yet implacably moving, and ultimately unknowable. My heart is ancient starlight on a clear night: a spark of inspiration, but nothing you can hold in your hoof." She kissed Twilight softly, then breathed into her ear, “Good luck."

Those words gave Twilight pause, and with wide eyes she took a deep breath and let it out as their impact rolled through her. “I’ve come too far and learned too much to give up easily, Celestia,” she said with an intense confidence she had not felt before. Her expression relaxed into a determined smile as she kissed snow white lips with sudden passion. “It is enough for me to try, so long as I am here… basking in the sun, with you.”

Celestia’s laugh was a harmony of silver bells. “Then let me be your sun, and we will be warm together,” she said, her wings spreading wide as she pulled Twilight into her hooves. She slid her nose under Twilight’s chin, lifting it gently. She opened her mouth and ran it along Twilight’s throat, her lips tugging skin and her tongue flicking her coat as it went. She brought one hoof up and stroked Twilight’s mane, then ran the tip along the edge of her ear.

The rush of relief and joy at their verbal exchange had started a fire deep in Twilight’s body, and Celestia’s mouth and hoof quickly stoked it to a roaring blaze. She held herself still, her breath coming fast and hot as she was licked and sucked into a warm, euphoric haze.

“Ah... oh, Celestia!” she moaned as her eyes fell shut, her mind and body wanting to concentrate on the burning pleasure roaring through her. She shivered in its wake, her wings twitching on her sides, kept from spreading wide by Celestia’s wings around her and the barest remaining thread of control she still retained. She could feel her loins pulsing as that sweet mouth coaxed more heat from her skin, and each breath she took was harder to catch than the last.

Her own wings enfolding Twilight, Celestia marveled at how good she tasted, and how beautiful she was when driven so far, so fast. She stroked her hoof over Twilight’s cutie mark at the same moment she sucked a bit of her skin into her mouth, and the way Twilight held herself still as she answered with a gasp and a shudder - and the waft of aroused scent that rose from under her tail - fed into a hunch she had been harboring for some time.

Turning her gently around to hold her from behind, Celestia kissed and licked her way along Twilight’s neck and shoulder, slowly and teasingly, coaxing her into a shivering mass of arousal. When the sweat in her purple hair and her short, hot breaths started to show the extent of her tension, Celestia wrapped a foreleg tightly around her. “Do you like being held and teased, Twilight? Does it bring you close to release?” she whispered into her ear. “Tell me.”

“Y... yes,” Twilight managed to force out between gasps, her eyes fluttering. “Ah… yes… so close!”

A spark of joyful triumph lit Celestia’s eyes. “Then hold it, Twilight. Just hold it there.” She warmed Twilight’s coat with her breath, flicking her skin with her tongue on the tip of the ear, the nape of the neck, the spot where shoulder met foreleg. All the while her hoof stroked Twilight’s cutie mark, the circles it made getting ever closer to the folds between her rear legs that by their scent must already have been dripping with desire.

An almost overwhelming sensation passed through Twilight as she was ordered to keep control of her rapidly mounting pleasure. She nodded briefly, then cried out as Celestia’s hoof brushed the barest edge of her sex. She fought to keep from screaming out her pleasure, biting her lower lip and shaking her head slightly. “I... I... Yes. I’ll be... good!” she moaned in frustrated ecstasy.

“Such a good filly,” Celestia cooed as she curled around her, almost lifting her from the floor as she held her against her body. “You can let it go the moment I count down to one.” She stroked her wings along Twilight’s side, her hooftip now gently sliding down to tease the moist slit of the smaller alicorn she held.

Twilight practically vibrated with desire as Celestia parted her folds with a hoof just as she softly whispered “Five”. She let out a sharp gasp, shuddering almost violently, then followed it with a brief nod of understanding. “Four,” Celestia said a moment later as she lightly brushed Twilight’s clit, her wings and mouth exploring her all over. Taking her time now, she swirled her hoof over and between Twilight’s folds, as she licked and nibbled her way along her jaw. Twilight’s eyes fell closed as she drove her closer to the edge with a flick of tongue and hoof, breathing out, “Three.”

Twilight felt like she was being packed into a smaller and smaller space, the knot of tension in her body so ripe and palpable that she could barely hear Celestia’s count. But she so wanted to please her, and it felt so good to offer herself this way.... “Two.” The word raced through her with abandon, leaving trails of lightning-traced nerves and a strange silence in her mind that presaged the storm about to strike the shores of her being.

Celestia held Twilight tightly and slipped her hooftip deeper inside her folds, curling it to open them and push her, teetering, to the brink. “One,” she breathed into Twilight’s ear, and then sank her teeth into her shoulder as she stroked the flat of her hoof over her clit.

The scream that tore from Twilight’s throat startled the guards outside Celestia’s door even through the sound suppression spells she had set. It went on for a long time as she writhed in Celestia’s grip, soaking her hoof and the floor beneath it in sweet, sticky fluid, Her horn lit up with crackling energy that exploded in a burst of multicolored light, the smell of blooming honeysuckle, and the taste of sweet tea.

Seconds - minutes - hours? - later, Twilight opened her eyes to find herself wrapped in Celestia’s wings and hooves, her panting breath still not quite under control. As consciousness returned she became aware of the intense afterglow, and a silly smile spread over her face. Her eyes unfocused, she turned her head toward the sound of Celestia’s breathing.

“I uh... whoo... that…” she murmured, unable to find words.

“Shhh,” Celestia urged with a soft smile. “Yes, that was very, very lovely. And I shall remember it for a long time.” She settled them into a more comfortable position and sighed happily, content for now to hold Twilight close and revel in the many wonderful things she had discovered.
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hours later.

“...Celestia?”

There was a soft ruffling of feathers. “Yes, Twilight?”

“That was... I mean... I want to say thank you,” the purple mare whispered. “I still don’t know how to describe what I felt, what we just did.” She nuzzled Celestia’s mane. “The closest thing I’ve ever experienced is when, well, that entrance exam where we first met. I just… exploded.”

“Yes you did, my dear,” Celestia chuckled, stroking Twilight’s cheek with her nose.

Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes, smiling wryly. “You’re funny.”

Her brow furrowed as another thought came to her. “So... this thing we have. Is it... is it real?”

Celestia raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly. “What do you mean?”

Lifting her head, Twilight searched that serene countenance. “Is what we have real? Was this more than...” She shook her head, frowning again. “No, that’s the wrong question. I’m done with that kind of doubt.”

Her breathing steady, she asked seriously, “Can we talk with others about this yet?”

Sighing, Celestia glanced at the dark velvet sky outside before responding. “As much as I want to,” she said quietly, “I think we should take care. This relationship is fraught with so many potential problems, at least in the minds of other ponies, that I’d like to assess - very carefully, mind you - what the reaction to it might be, through some very trusted contacts.”

She turned back to look frankly at Twilight. “And while yes, I fear the uproar it may cause, and its effect on you and I, my first thought must always be for the good of Equestria. So for now, I will continue to show you more about the castle and my duties here. It’s a chance for us to spend time together - carefully - while actually imparting knowledge you will one day need.”

Nodding, Twilight sighed in resignation. “That makes sense. Just like writing those diplomatic letters, we’re in a situation where as much as possible we need to say and do the right thing, in the right order, while barely scratching the surface of what’s really going on.”

She looked at Celestia with a dark drop of sadness in her eyes. “Is it always going to be like this?”

“Oh, Twilight, of course not,” Celestia said earnestly as she leaned forward to slide her chin along Twilight’s back, tucking her nose into her mane to catch a bit of her sweet scent. “This is just a delicate business that will take some time.”

As her breath warmed Twilight’s ear she whispered, “I will do my best to make it worth the wait.”

There was a knock at Celestia’s chamber door. Twilight leaped up from within the curve of Celestia’s forehooves, her mane frizzing in all directions. “Oh no! Who could that be?” she cried anxiously, one eye twitching as she jumped in place frantically. “Did they hear us?”

With her usual patience, Celestia smiled and put a hoof gently on Twilight’s shoulder. “Calm down, Twilight. All is well.” She turned her head toward the door and called out, “Enter!”, chuckling very quietly as Twilight pulled her wings tight against her body.

A cocoa-colored unicorn mare timidly pushed a tray cart into the room. “I... I believe the Princess requested... cake?” she stammered quietly, carefully not looking at them.

“Cake!” Twilight exclaimed. “Yes! Cake! I did! ...ask for cake, I mean,” she stammered hurriedly, seizing the cart with her magic and moving it through the air to land next to Celestia with a surprisingly loud ‘bang!’.

“Thank you, that will be all!” Twilight said through a smile full of gritted teeth.

The servant glanced up at the cart and almost took a step toward it, then shot a look at Celestia, her cheeks blazing as she attempted an ingratiating smile. For her part, Celestia simply nodded and gestured with her nose that the mare should depart, which she did with some haste.

As Celestia’s gaze settled back on Twilight she allowed herself a small laugh. “A bit brusque with the servants, aren’t you, Princess?” she asked mockingly.

She laughed more freely at the series of expressions that chased each other across Twilight’s face at the question. “Never mind,” she said gently. “Let’s just enjoy the cake, shall we?”

Sputtering, Twilight forced herself into some semblance of outward calm. She eyed the cake suspiciously, her self-consciousness trying to find something else to concentrate on.

“It looks safe,” she agreed grudgingly, her sidelong glance assuring the cake in no uncertain terms that she was watching it and would not tolerate any unpleasant shenanigans.

Chuckling softly, Celestia levitated the cake knife from beside the plate and cut the treat into four equal portions. “That should keep it from instigating any sort of uprising,” she said with a smirk.

Twilight blushed, shot a glare at Celestia, then shook out her mane. “Yeah, well,” she muttered as she lifted a piece up to her mouth with her magic. She sighed and grinned. “Can’t be too careful these days,” she said before taking a hefty bite.

“Oooh, this is good!” she exclaimed, and in her nervous energy devoured the rest of the piece.

The tinkling bells of Celestia’s laugh returned. “Careful, Princess,” she said with a playful emphasis on the title. “You might develop a decadent sweet tooth.”

Twilight’s eyes were wide as she rounded on Celestia. “Why... you…!” With a laugh she launched herself at Celestia, wrapping her up in a huge hug that went on for a long and wonderful time.