He woke up at the crack of dawn like he always did, but his sleepless eyes told a different story than that of rest. He had only gotten to sleep a few hours before, after a long study session with Twilight at the library. They had started with simple pony physics and finished with advanced teleportation magic.
Even though Latenighter was a Pegasus, he had enjoyed reading and learning the spells with Twilight. After they had been introduced a few months before, they had become great friends, after all, she did help him finally earn his cutie mark. Latenighter took a moment and looked to his mark, an open book with a picture of the moon on one page while the other was filled with writing.
He heard a light knocking on the front door of the house as he slowly got off his bed and stretched as he looked for his glasses. He heard Ma trot happily from the kitchen beside his room to the front door to greet their guest.
"Hello," he heard a light voice of a mare that sounded like a harp.
"Why hello there dear, it's been a while, come on in, I think I still have some coffee on.." he heard Ma say as the front door creaked open and the two ponies walked across the hardwood.
"Do you know if Latenighter's here?" The new mare asked as Latenighter opened his bedroom door.
"Here I am," Latenighter said as a large yawn escaped him. "Who's asking?"
"Latenighter dear, you remember Starlet Gaze don't you?" Ma asked as she poured hot coffee into a thermos for the Pegasus.
"Starlet?" He said as he looked to his guest. The magenta earth pony mare hadn't changed much. Her coat was still silky smooth by the looks of it, and her blue mane still fell from her head like the mountain stream, falling gently down her neck until it ended in a small curl. Her face had looked as if it was carved by angels, and she had a glow that he couldn't quite place.
"It's been a while Late, want to catch up in the library?" Starlet said with a playful grin.
"S-sure, as long as Twilight doesn't mind," Latenighter studdered.
"Well? Whatcha waiting for?" The Magenta mare asked as she began to trot to the door. Latenighter followed, trotting like a young colt.
"So.." Starlet asked as they left the old farm house and began to walk down the stone road that led to Ponyville. "Whats all changed since I've been gone?"
"Well about six months ago, Princess Celestia sent her student Twilight Sparkle here to learn about the ways of friendship and report her findings," Latenighter said as they passed the old Oak tree that stood as a road sign where his road split off, one road leading to town while the other led to Sweet apple acres. "Here last month or so we had a parasprite outbreak, but other than that, town hasn't really changed much.."
"So.... nothing out of the ordinary?"
"Nope.."
"Hmm... not even a cutie mark??" She said as she gestured to Latenighter's flank, in which he started to blush.
"Oh Right! I completely forgot, I got my cutie mark! Thanks to Pinkie Pie and Twilight," he said proudly.
"Pinkie, wasn't she that one hyper pony from school?"
"Yep! And she hasn't changed," he said as they began to walk passed the first buildings of the town.
"So, how was Canterlot? Did you finish your degree in astronomy and get into the castle?" Latenighter asked as they passed Sugarcube Corner, where a hyper Pinkie waved from the window. Latenighter waved with his wing as he kept on his path to the Golden Oak Library.
"Well, I did finish my degree, but as for the castle... I didn't get in... they said since Princess Luna was back, they didn't need an astronomer," Starlet said with a huff. "They didn't even look at my resume, all because Luna was back!"
"Well, Princess Luna does know the night sky pretty well," Latenighter said before he was cut off.
"Your defending her! Late! I can't get in with her there and you're here defending her! Come on!" She yelled as they approached the library.
"Starlet, Luna is the bringer of the night... but maybe I could ask her about it?"
"What! As if you even knew her... they wouldn't even let me in the throne room, and you have connections with the Princesses? Don't make me laugh Late!" Starlet mocked.
"Well you see Starlet, that was one thing I forgot to mention... Luna has been helping me getting my writing career started..." Latenighter said softly, a little hurt.
"Late, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been so mean," Starlet said softly
as they finally reached the Library. "If you could, that would be amazing!" She said as she brought her hoof to the door and knocked.
The library door opened to reveal a small purple and green dragon.
"Hello?" The dragon asked curiously as he looked at the two ponies standing at the door.
"Hey Late, weren't you just here?" He asked with some confusion.
"Yeah Spike, my friend Starlet wanted to see the library," Latenighter answered as he smiled at the young dragon.
"Oh.." Spike said with an awkward laugh. "Well today might not be the best time... Twilight started reshelving today.." he said as he opened the door farther to show the library a mess as books were scattered everywhere. In the center was Twilight, humming a familiar tune while she levitated books with her magic, placing them in their new homes.
"Alright Spike, we'll come back later.." Latenighter said as he and Starlet turned to leave.
"Sorry Late.." Spike said as he closed the door.
"So... what now?" Starlet asked as they began to backtrack through the town.
"Well," Latenighter started, "We could go to Sugarcube Corner, or maybe the astronomy tower?" He said as they walked passed the market, which bustled with ponies going about their daily errands.
"Does your family still own the field behind the pond?" She asked as she looked back towards the library, and the fields beyond.
"Yea, wanna go over there for a while?"
"Yea, let's go!" She squeaked as she ran down the road toward the Ponyville pond.
As they passed the last building of the town, Starlet began to change. Her confident stride turned to a slow sway, letting her body touch Latenighter's with every other step. She then began to flutter her eyes to Latenighter, who began to blush and get a little nervous.
"What are you doing?" He asked as she bumped into him again.
"Oh I dunno Late.. I guess I'm just feeling good right now," she said as she passed another eye flutter towards him. "Maybe it's just being here with you..."
At this, Latenighter blushed harder and began to stammer with his words as he started to shake. "w-well, m-maybe it's the the p-plants... you w-were allergic to blue daisies, w-weren't you?"
"Hehe," Starlet giggled, "you act like you haven't been around a mare before Late," Starlet teased playfully.
"W-well.." he started.
"You haven't, have you?" She asked as she stopped.
"N-no.." he answered quietly.
Starlet made a small smile before leaning in and taking a small peck at his cheek.
"Tell ya what," she said softly as she pulled away, "how about we talk more tomorrow, ok?" She said as the already shaking stallion nodded.
"Alright Late, see you tomorrow.." she said before turning around and starting to walk back to Ponyville.
Latenighter was shaking down to the bone... she, she liked him. He thought she hated him after they had last talked a couple years back, and he had decided to stay on the farm instead of going to college in Canterlot. He turned to the town and began to walk back, but something caught his eye.
At the far edge of the pond sat Princess Luna, who appeared to be looking at her reflection with a sad interest.
When the Pegasus lifted off the ground and flew towards the night bringer, her gaze shifted to the pony approaching.
"Greetings Latenighter my friend, does this day find you well?" She asked with a slight regality.
"Hi princess... I'm.. I'm.. well I don't really know how I'm doing," he answered as he lightly touched down beside her and sat down.
"Ahh, is that how you truly feel my friend, because your eyes tell us a very different story.."
"I-it does? They do?" He asked, a little worried.
"Yes," she answered with a small chuckle, "the look of a lovestruck stallion.."
"Is it that obvious?" Latenighter asked as he began to blush again.
"Yes, but it is good to see.. for a while we had thought you had fallen for the night sky.."
"Luna?" Latenighter asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, Latenighter?"
"Why did they reject her from the castle, all she wanted was to be the royal astronomer?"
Luna made a small sigh before continuing. "Yes my friend, I did reject her, but only for her own good... when she looks to the night sky, she sees beauty and knowledge, and the royal astronomer would only see the pony behind it... she would only learn what she already knows.." she said as she looked back at her reflection. "That is why I rejected her, she needs to be somewhere where she can blossom into greatness.."
"Thank you..." came a voice from behind them.
Latenighter turned around to see Starlet standing behind a tree a few feet behind them.
"Princess," Starlet began, bowing in respect, "I, I thought they rejected me because they had you... but you rejected me so I could get better..."
"Yes Starlet Gaze, we think you will grow to become a great astronomer, if given the right opportunity.." she said with a smile, "which is why we want you to begin your new studies here at the Ponyville tower, and report to us your findings about the night and it's beauty."
Starlet had a look of pure happiness on her face. "Thank you Princess, thank you!" She said with tears in her eyes.
Luna then turned her attention back to Latenighter. "And you.."
"Me?" He asked.
"Yes, you," she chuckled, "we want you to act on your heart and pursue your dreams, both on paper... and in front of you," she said as she gestured to Starlet, who began to blush.
Luna then looked to the sky where the sun had taken its place in the sky. "As the sun rises, we must take our rest... farewell my young friends, until we meet again.." Luna said as she rose into the air and began to fly to the north, where Canterlot awaited.
Latenighter slowly walked over to Starlet and with a deep breath, closed the gap between their lips...
The end