> A Brush With Fate
>  by RadBunny
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One: THWACK!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Her sun heralding in a bright new day, Celestia let out a soft groan at seeing the mountain of paperwork in front of her as the alicorn sat on the plush seat in her personal study.

“Oh paperwork, how I dread thee,” she muttered. With Twilight set to take the throne within the next year, things were certainly picking up in terms of legal mumbo-jumbo. 

Even if we technically aren’t retiring. Poor Twilight would have a conniption if we vanished without help. A few years behind the scenes of course, but that’s for later.

A much more urgent matter occupied Celestia’s thoughts, her eyes drifting to a silly picture of herself and Luna placed on the polished wooden desk.

“Oh Lulu, I know something has been bothering you. If only you’d tell me,” she whispered.

It’s been months since you began looking more tired than usual. Something is eating at you, and rather abruptly. Is it the recent realization about Twilight? Cadence?

Was it the fact she isn’t like us? Did that realization shock you more than I thought? I know I still bear the brunt of that burden, but is it that?

Is that why you refuse to even tell Twilight your troubles? I know she has asked.

Or is it the political and safety crisis we’ve had, nobles trying to weasel their way into our lives to gain secrets, or perhaps that rogue changeling hive trying to infiltrate Canterlot? And here we thought they all were reformed, what a headache. What could…

Celestia’s thoughts stopped as a knock sounded at her door.

“Private Heart here to see you, Highness,” a secretary announced, prompting Celestia to immediate take notice.

Oh? I recall him setting up an appointment, something he’d prefer to discuss with me privately?

She had to resist a soft titter at that notion. Often times her guards came to her as they would a mother or therapist, seeking advice or simple reassurance. It was adorable really, that her ponies saw her as a parent of sorts.

Steel Heart trotted in; his grey armor shone to a bright polish that contrasted rather nicely to his dark-purple fur. The guard bowed in respect, then standing as he nervously chewed on a cheek.

Nervous? That’s odd. I don’t recall him ever being nervous in our presence. I suppose there’s a reason for that; meeting us, and Luna, under such extenuating circumstances. I have to say his ease to switch from night and day shifts has certainly helped him in the Guard. I’m slightly ashamed I don’t know his file as well as Luna does.

“Private Heart? You wanted to see me?” Celestia asked as the earth pony nodded, head devoid of any helmet as a symbol of what was to come, most likely.

“Yes, Highness. It’s a slightly informal matter, but not about me,” he explained, the alicorn then smiling at the cautious, slightly deep tone of the stallion.

Ah, there it is. What ails one of my guards?

“Just Celestia then, if it’s a personal matter there’s no need for the formalities, even if out of respect,” Celestia said, seeking to put the guard at ease.

“Erm, it’s kind of somewhat a professional issue, though.”

Oh?

“Do explain, now I’m curious, Steel Heart.”

The stallion looked up at Celestia, his bright green eyes making the Princess’s ears flick upright ever so slightly. 

He’s genuinely concerned. What is worrying you?

How odd it is that your name implies a lack of empathy, yet here you are. What could be troubling you so?

“Miss Celestia, is Princess Luna alright?”

It was rare that Celestia was caught off guard, having lived for a millennium did that. Usually she was three, four, perhaps a dozen steps ahead in a conversation or negotiation, able to adapt on whim to slew of scenarios and direct social convention at will.

But this stallion’s simple question caught her utterly flat-hooved, the Princess staring at the increasingly uncomfortable guard as the silence began to drag on. She had heard that Steel Heart was quite unlike his name suggested, and it was clear that observation was rather spot on.

“My Sister?” she managed to ask, the guard now having her full attention. “What makes you ask that, if I may?”

Steel opened his mouth, then decided to close it as he thought, only speaking once he had formatted the entire thought.

“I can just see it. I’ve only been on her Guard for four months, but she just seems more tired than usual.”

Observant little pony, aren’t you? Well, it’s not my or your business, as well-intentioned as you are.

“While that is most kind of you, we all are tired, Steel Heart, myself included. It’s been a rough few months,” Celestia explained kindly with a gentle smile.

“Her mask hides the deeper stuff though. That’s what has me worried.”

Once again, the stallion made Celestia stare in shock. It was rare she encountered such honest opinion. And in this case, it was opinionated fact.

“Mask? Do explain.”

The Guard looked at Celestia with almost amusement, gesturing towards her.

“My dad is a politician, as you know. I’ve been around Manehatten nobility and political circles my entire life, unfortunately. I know when someone is wearing a mask. My father has one, my mother, not siblings, thankfully, but they’re not in that business,” he mused. “But you and Princess Luna do, obviously. You can’t be tired for everypony. You get to be tired when it’s just your guard, but even then, it’s muted. That’s what I’ve heard aplenty since being here at least, and I’ve seen enough to back it up.”

“But Luna’s ‘mask’ you say, hides deeper troubles?”

Steel Heart frowned, the novice guard sighing.

“It has me worried, Miss Celestia. I know I’m technically on your guard schedule, the temporary ‘loan’ to the Night Guard as it were, and perhaps it isn’t even my business. But just…I’ve seen at times she just looks so sad,” Steel whispered, seeming to think to himself. “But we all have those moments of course. This seems different though. I can’t remember the last time she took a break for herself; those scheduled ‘have a fun event once a day’ things you used to do just disappeared from her schedule. It’s starting to show more and more, but I don’t think anypony else has noticed.”

“Hmm. I doubt they would,” Celestia remarked. “You have a unique perspective, Steel Heart, having grown up around politicians and masked individuals. Do others know about this?”

“No, Miss Celestia, just me. I voiced a general concern to my superior, but he reassured me that she was just tired. And that’s not wrong, it’s just not complete,” Steel replied, frowning as he spoke. “Princess, I was on a patrol and saw her crying off in a side hallway, just looking out at the night’s sky. I know it isn’t my business, but she helped me when I needed it most. I just want to know if I can help, even if it’s in a small way.”

You want to help; that’s quite a repetitive theme in your file. Luna did mention very briefly about your troubles but clearly, she was understating your good intentions. From what I know of you, Steel, I have to say you are quite the interesting pony, and I think you’d be floored if you knew who asked for the ‘loan’ of your time. 

Hmm. I think this will work out quite nicely. Sorry Lulu, but your concerned sister needs to help you whether you want it or not. All in love of course, and I’ll tell her promptly.

“You are correct in what you are stating, Steel Heart, and I’d like to be completely honest with you,” Celestia began, removing her crown as a gesture and setting it aside, much to Steel’s surprise.

“I…of course, Princess.”

Back into formalities; but you still insist on that ‘Miss’ bit. You are polite to a fault.

“Something has been troubling Luna for some time, and I don’t know what it is,” Celestia admitted. “I’d like to help her, but I am unsure how to do that. As her sister, I'm in a unique stance of being very close to her, yet far, in some aspects. However, you are in a different position in that regard.”

Steel’s black-tipped ears shot straight up, the pony shaking his head.

“I don’t- I don’t want to pry into her life, Highness, even to help! I’m not that-” he paused as Celestia held up a hoof, barely containing her laughter at the false insinuation. His distaste for political and noble cloak-and-dagger was clearly just beneath the surface.

“Not pry, Steel. What I mean is, you’re in a different social situation. Sisters are more open but also more guarded at times. You’re a guard, one who she knows from…well, you know what I mean. Even if as an acquaintance from before, you’re more familiar than others. I want your help to find out what it is that bothers her so. To do that, you need to be on her personal guard.”

The stallion stared, jaw dropping nearly to the floor as Celestia bit back another laugh.

“Oh dear, too much too quickly? Perhaps a better tile, her personal Courier maybe? Personal Assistant? Both? This is a request, not assignment or order. This is only how you could help, since you asked. My sister needs a break, and I need you to convince her to take one, and if she’s willing, to have her tell me what is the matter. I don’t expect you to solve her problems or be her therapist; that’s not your job nor should it be. I just want somepony to help her understand it’s ok to seek help, and that she’s just as appreciated as ever before. Can you do that? Will you do that? The change would take place immediately.”

Steel heart thought about it for all of two seconds, then nodding with the first smile Celestia had seen that day.

“Of course! Just tell me what to do!”

Celestia took out a bit of parchment and scrawled some orders down, sending it off to processing with an affectionate smile at the thought of her sister.

“Be her friend, Steel. Not only as Private Heart, but as a pony who is willing to see us as more than a Goddess. That’s what made us remember you from training, by the way, among quite a few other things.”

Steel stared in surprise, head tilting in recollection of the incident.

“Where you stubbed your hoof on a concrete pillar after the Guard evaluation? Erm, shattering the pillar I might add?”

“And let loose a few lovely curses to nobles and construction workers? Yes. You didn’t gasp, or fall flat on your face when we turned to look at you. Instead, you smiled, politely bowed, and went on your way. In those moments, you saw me as a pony and continued to see me as such, and that, Private Heart, is a rare thing indeed nowadays,” Celestia explained. “And I think that is exactly what my sister needs, if nothing else. You’ve spoken with her in an informal manner a few times, and I think that’s a blessing. As her personal assistant, I give you full reign to be somewhat less professional in your conduct if Luna is alright with it. No saluting, treating her as a friend rather than a boss. I’m leaving that statement purposefully open-ended, by the way.”

Putting his helmet back on, Private Heart’s colors dulled as the enchantment activated, the stallion clearly having been put at ease.

“I’ll do my best, Princess Celestia.”

“Then off you go. You’re free until nightfall, so get some sleep.”

As the pony trotted off, Celestia couldn’t help but smile as she drafted a letter to Luna.

‘Dearest Lulu

You’ll be pleased to know I’ve assigned a guard as your own personal courier, personal assistant, and general helper. Goodness knows you need just as much help with paperwork and errands as I do.

No this isn’t optional. 

Yes, I will make it up to you in form of those raspberry shortcakes you adore. I’m just worried about you, Luna.’ She paused, quill hovering over the paper as she pondered of what to say next.

‘I promised to be honest with you, Lulu, and so I will be. No behind the back meddling. I want to help you. I know there are things bothering you that are getting worse, as they have been these past months. Just know I’m here for you, be it if past doubts are returning or if something else looms. My hope is that perhaps if I can’t reassure you that you’re loved, and indeed cared about, perhaps someone not related to you can show that sentiment carries beyond immediate family and friends.

For the record, this guard is not operating under my, or anyone else’s orders. He specifically came to me asking if you were ok, because he could see you clearly were not even under that mask we both wear. He wanted to help as you aided him a few years ago. So, I’m letting him.

Yes, it was Steel Heart.

Love you,

-Celly

p.s. As per our ‘don’t assign others to meddle in our lives’ rule, you are entitled to three thrown pies that can be used at any time to douse me in in a sugary mess, since I did this without your permission.

But I did do it out of love.





Luna stared at the letter with a sigh, flopping across a cushion with a grumble. It was obvious, of course, that Celly would notice such things. 

Oh sister, I do appreciate you looking out for me, but I can’t voice these concerns to you. They’re too painful, too close to the surface.

For both you and me.

Looking over Steel Heart’s file a final time, Luna couldn’t help but chuckle to herself, clearly remembering the guard from a little over four years ago.

We have met a few times, have we not? I helped with your nightmares after that office building fire, and then after applying, you just seemed at ease in the guard. Not every recruit passes boot camp and then volunteers to stay behind and train two more sets of green guards.

All to help, you said. And now you want to help me as I helped you? That’s incredibly sweet, even if I know you can’t possibly understand my challenges. Your name and cutie-mark hide your empathy. It’s a shame that has been taken advantage of at times. Yet it still shines through even now…

Glaring at a stack of papers, Luna retrieved a brush from her desk and began to scratch at an itchy point between her wings.

I know my problems are quite out of your league, Private Heart, but you are quite noble to ask. Upper-class prying, changeling spies, all on top of realizations that a mortal can’t understand…

Ugh. I’ll think about that later.

She couldn’t help but now smile slightly, removing a bit of bunched up feathers and fur at the itchy point on her back. The downside of wings? Where feathers met fur was a constant point of irritation. Such personal spa treatments could be improvised with a certain large brush. 

And it most certainly worked. Like a massage, but not as good. It still was a nice relaxing feeling though, the alicorn letting out a relaxed hum.

Luna was fairly certain her tongue had lolled out of her mouth in enjoyment of the brushing when a soft noise brought her back to reality. Standing in front of her with a formal scroll, an earth pony stood expectantly.

The surprise coupled with the fact her door most certainly had been closed yielded the most prompt and appropriate action Luna could muster born from years of combat training. Swinging the brush like a saber, the Alicorn let out a single battle cry.

“SPY!”

*THWACK!*
> Chapter Two: Ouch.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You smacked him. He wants to help, and you smacked him.”

“I was startled!”

“You still whacked your new assistant with a brush!”

“It was just a light tap!”

“You snapped the brush in half and it dented his helmet! The medic said any harder would have given the poor stallion a concussion!”

Luna grumbled as Celestia laughed, waving a hoof at her as the pair dug into a stack of pancakes.

“How was I supposed to know he thought my hum meant ‘come in’ when he asked so? I just thought….”

“Well, the only thing he’s holding on to is an ice pack. I doubt he blames you. I’ve told him that he has full reign to tease you a bit if that will make him feel better.”

“That’s fair enough, I feel awful. It made sense at the time.”

“Thinking he could be a noble spy? Changeling infiltrator? Thorax has been handling the counter-insurgency rather well, do you distrust him so?” Celestia teased

“What? No! Forgive me for being off guard while brushing an itchy spot on my back to suddenly see a stallion in my room.”

“Pfft!” 

Celestia’s barely-contained snicker made Luna’s cheeks burn.

“What? Not like you don’t have a brush for such things!” A rather devious grin now dawned on Luna’s own face. “Or do you get General Seaspray to brush that spot for you?”

Orange juice sprayed out across the table as Celestia glared at her sister, Luna nearly falling off her chair from laughter.

“WHAT?! How did you-”

“Please, Celly. You might technically have a thousand years on me but I’m hardly blind,” Luna replied as she examined a hoof in a dignified manner. “Unannounced absences to the hippogriff kingdom, the magical signature of a personal portal to some land down south…” Celestia’s cheeks began to blush brighter and brighter with each passing word.

“Oh, and I did see you two when I was talking with Queen Novo the other week. Concealment spells never were your specialty, but it would have fooled others though. What did he say by the way, after he kissed your hoof and then your shoulder? Something made you blush absolutely crimson…”

Celestia grumbled into a stack of pancakes, Luna clearly enjoying the conversational high ground.

“I’m waaaaaaaiting!”

“I first told him, there’s other parts of me other than my hoof,” Celestia replied as Luna once again struggled to hold in her laughter.

“Sister! I had no idea you were …”

“WAIT! Not like that! This city has enough gutters, shame on you!”

“I know, I was just teasing.”

“He actually has an incredibly playful side. I was hoping for a nice kiss, but no, he kisses my shoulder.”

“That is rather adorable, I must admit.”

“He then said, your lips are for another time when you least expect it.”

“Oh, quite a tease! Do let me know if there’s any foals on the way though.”

“We’ve barely even hug- ah, joking again?” There was a dull *thud* as Celestia married her head to the table. “I’m a bit sensitive about that topic, it being a secret and all, and rather new.”

“Of course, and I’m just teasing of course. I’m quite happy my sister finally has a special somegriff…” Luna then revised her statement at seeing Celestia glance up at her. “Well, or at least an interested somegriff. My lips are sealed.”

“Thank you, Lulu. Now back to the original topic; I’ve shuffled the schedules around so he is all yours for half of his shift each day. Now, are you going to smack your new guard again?”

“Of course not!”

“Good. I think he’s always preferred you over me. I’d hate to steal your favorite designation.”

“That was an awful pun.”

“But am I wrong?”

*Sigh* “No, no you are not.”





Helmet?

Check.

Pillow?

Check.

Scroll for the Princess?

Check.

As Steel Heart trotted down the halls, he winced at the still-tender spot on his head. One would not think a hairbrush could do so much damage but when swung by an alicorn, clearly anything was possible. His new schedule was definitely a nice change; half to be spent with Luna as her assistant, more if necessary, but they’d see how things went.

Obviously, she’ll need some time to find things for me to do. It makes sense for just half a shift at first.

Careful not to drop the scroll in his mouth, Steel rounded a corner or two on the way to Luna’s study. Contrary to popular belief, mouth-carried items were surprisingly sanitary. Considering most had sanitizing spells placed on them such delivered items were cleaner than unicorn-hefted ones that could pass through a cloud of, well, anything.

It did make talking rather difficult around a mouthful of scroll, however.

Taking a deep breath, Steel adjusted his cranial protection and knocked on the study. Instead of a soft ‘Mmmm?’ he heard a clear “Yes? Come in!”

That’s a plus.

Trotting inside, Steel looked around the room, now that he wasn’t immediately besieged by a brush. Luna’s study-slash-bedroom was of a simple design. Numerous books, maps, paintings, and even a globe or two dotted the desks and tables along the walls. The colors were muted; blues, purples, dark greens and browns, catering to a more ‘natural’ feel. It was a very peaceful setup, indicating the occupants love of the arts and finer points of literature.

Reminds me of what I’d like my apartment to look like eventually. 

His attention then turned to the Princess, who was looking at him and apparently trying not to laugh.

“Is t-that a pillow attached to your helmet?” she asked, gesturing to his additional anti-brush helmet shield.

“Mmhmm!” Steel proudly proclaimed, standing at attention with his newest armor addition still securely fastened.

“Oh, right, sorry,” she remarked, taking the scroll with a neat pluck of magic.

“There, makes talking easier. It is good to see you again, Private Heart, despite my previous reaction,” she then winced, the faintest hint of an embarrassed blush on her cheeks flaring up. “And I am sorry about that. You just startled me.”

Making a snap decision, Steel decided to capitalize on Celestia’s previous words.

‘You poor thing! Well, feel free to tease my little sister in response. Nothing too drastic, but I think she’d appreciate a bit of levity, help break apart that ‘act formal around guards’ sort of thing. Now here’s three more ice packs, enchanted of course.’

Steel simply nodded, smiling gently as Luna looked at him.

“You are not speaking?”

He shook his head, struggling to maintain the pleasant smile.

“….my sister put you up to this, didn’t she?”

The stallion wagged his head back and forth in a ‘sort-of’ gesture, then wincing as pain thudded through his skull.

“This is payback for the brush is it not? Very well, it serves me right. I truly am sorry though.”

Steel nodded, meeting Luna’s gaze to let her know that he understood.

“Hmm. Did you really ask for this assignment?” Luna ventured, sincerely curious about the guard’s intentions. What she didn’t expect was for him to stare, gaze then drifting to his hooves as Steel nodded again, a slightly embarrassed smile edging onto his face.

“Interesting. Perhaps we’ll touch on that later,” the Princess added softly, examining the parchment and signing a few points. “Well, off you go to deliver that to the Supply Office. When you return, I’ll find something for you to do that doesn’t involve talking.”

The guard grinned, retrieving the scroll and began to trot out of the room.

“It’s good see you again, Steel Heart,” Luna whispered to herself. To her surprise, the stallion seemed to hear her, pausing ever so briefly before continuing onwards. The princess didn’t miss the surprisingly tender smile that flickered across the guard’s face as he left, however.

I’m glad to see you’ve chosen a path of growth and betterment, rather than the darker paths events could have sent you down.





“So, how is it going?” Celestia asked as the pair ate dinfast together, (breakfast and dinner respectively).

“It has only been a day. He managed to stay silent the entire time, so I applaud Steel’s dedication to the jest. It would not surprise me if he kept this up the entire week judging from how amused it seemed to make him,” Luna grumbled back as her sister let out a soft titter.

“Well I did give him permission to do so. He may be a tad late today though….” The solar Princess’s tone took a sharp, slightly sadder tone.

“Oh?”

“There was an incident at the kitchen. It was take-a-foal to work day, and somehow a grease fire got out of control. I don’t think you’ll need to guess who used a shield to help evacuate the group.”

Luna’s eyes snapped upwards, seeing Celestia’s mouth drawn in a thin line.

“Is he alright?”

“Minor burns; the armor absorbed most of it. But you know as well as I do, he’s been through worse.”

“I-thank you, sister. I’ll go see him in the infirmary, as a matter of fact.”

“I think he’d appreciate that,” Celestia remarked, then pausing. “Sister?”

“Hmm?”

“He really does care about you. How you helped him those years ago, he’s never forgotten that. Even if it was just another dream added to your usual duties.”

Luna opened her mouth to speak, but the alicorn could find no words. She simply nodded, trotting off to the infirmary as Celestia levitated a hidden newspaper back into view. The title bore the face of a familiar guard, the date a few years prior in Manehatten.

‘Local Politician’s son saves dozens during office fire. The badly-burned stallion is being treated at the local hospital…’





Steel Heart examined the thin scars that ran up and down the outside and inside of his forelimbs, matching lines present on his hindquarters and up his flanks both on the interior and exterior of the limbs. They were hidden by his hair, unless when wet that is. But they were an ever-present reminder of how close he had come.

It’s by a mere fluke the experimental treatment worked. Unlike so many others, I still have full range of motion, all my hair, and no limitations due to scarring. Then again, after three straight months of magical experiments…

The best money could buy of course. I still have some guilt about that, as irrational as it is.

Yet father has even more, I imagine, or perhaps not. A few thousand bits saved by that contractor cost a dozen lives, and nearly my own.

Maybe I should talk to him again. I’ve put it off for long enough.

If only things were as easy to smooth over as my physical scars. Mental ones are somehow worse. If only my mind could be re-built as quickly as the office building.

The grease fire had been an easy fix. Throwing down a shield over the worst of it and helping the trapped group out of the cornered-off kitchen as the anti-fire spells began to kick on. The images and feelings it brought back, however, were much more frightening than the incident itself. In this case, his hair had just been singed, but the doctors wanted to double-check him for smoke inhalation.

Deep breaths, you’ve been through worse.

Much worse.

Of course, I had some help.

There was a knock on the private hospital room door, Steel sitting up a bit straighter.

“Come in.”

Wonder who that could be? Another doctor to tell me to say ‘aaaaaah’?

His eyes widened on seeing a familiar blue Princess trot in, Luna sitting down next to him without a word. 

What do I say?

What could I say?

To the stallion’s surprise, Luna’s own eyes brimmed with tears, the Alicorn tenderly reaching down to wrap Steel Heart up in a hug.

“Thank you for saving our ponies, Steel,” she whispered.

Steel froze for a brief moment, then finally relaxed and returned the gesture. He didn’t even try to hide the shaking in his hooves, something Luna most certainly felt.

“Your dreams won’t be a problem tonight, I promise you that,” the Princess added softly.

“Thank you, Princess Luna,” he whispered, voice trembling ever so slightly.

The first words I ever spoke to her.

“Just Luna, Steel. No formalities,” she replied back.

And the first words she spoke to me.
> Chapter Three: Rubik's Cube of Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A dozen charred bodies being covered with blankets, ash still falling around them. Frantic shouts punctuated the air as the living huddled together, medical teams tended to them. The smell of smoke still lingering in the air as the building smoldered, the upper stories still burning. His view was then obscured by a pony in a respirator, the stallion’s eyes wide in horror as the responder looked down at him.

White lights.

Horrified gasps.

The smell of hospital antiseptic as the doctors began to try and restore flesh and hair.
The constant, never-ending ache of re-growing nerves and sinew.
The numbness of painkillers as he moved limb and bone to retain their flexibility.
The nightmares.
The fear.
A shocked and then caring gaze as a Princess directed her calming magic sooth his mind.

Was it worth it though?

Yes, that answer hasn’t changed, not in four years, and it never will. Who can put a price on what was saved?
…that question I shouldn’t delve into. I know that answer;

because someone did.

Semi-lucid dreaming was a skill passed down by his Thestral great-great-grandfather, a family talent if you will, along with an ease of nighttime living. Unfortunately, such a dreaming skill was only somewhat helpful with memories as Steel had long since discovered.

Steel felt the dream-memory shift however, a familiar voice causing the disturbing scene to flee as shadows did before the sun.

“I promised you, Steel. And I don’t break those,” Luna declared as her magic punched through the insidious thoughts that threatened to send his mind down a darker path. “Now sleep.”

Steel couldn’t remember the rest of the night’s dreams, only the last few moments and the feelings. Luna was the only one who knew of the dream, at least in general that is. It was an unspoken secret between the two, she having helped tease out what would help him most during the darkest hours a few years ago.

When the lights had been turned off in the hospital.

When the only ponies present were the night shift.

The constant ache and anxiety from being bound in a hospital bed, limbs wrapped and secured.

Friends and family having to go on with their lives…

The guard woke up to a tear stained pillow, the memory of two loving hooves wrapped around his body urging him onwards. Even now, he didn’t know who it was that nuzzled his neck and pulled the stallion close. He never saw her face or heard her voice, as much as he wanted to.

A dream or not, the warmth and comfort from such was enough to make Steel put on his armor without complaint as his alarm sounded, the pony getting ready for the night shift.

For now, a faceless mare. A comfort amid the fire; literally in one case.

Until that changes, onward I go.

Looking at himself in the mirror, the stallion took a deep breath as the scars peeked out from underneath his fur.

Onward. Always onward.

Grabbing a crossbow from the wall, the stallion began the trot towards the training grounds. He had an appointment to keep.





“Where is Private Heart?” Luna asked Celestia as they ate an early dinfast together, Celestia’s ears perking up.

“He’s at the training grounds. I was going to tell you after we ate, but I think you may enjoy his demonstration.”

“…his what?”

Celestia grinned, quite happy to know something about Luna’s assistant she didn’t.

It was the small things when it came to sister one-upping. Nothing critical, just a ‘I know something you don’t.’

And yet both Alicorns would deny being petty to a fault.

“He trains Unicorns in the manual use of crossbows when magic suppression is active, or when they are out of mana. They’re holding the training before I lower the sun in about two hours.”

“As an Earth Pony? Fascinating. I expect his rank to not stay static for long if that’s the case. I think I’ll take a look. Isn’t it supposed to rain though?”

“Do you think that’d stop him?”

Luna couldn’t help but smile slightly at that, her head shaking slowly.

“No, I imagine it wouldn’t.”





“Now then, recruits! Private Steel Heart will conduct the next portion of the training,” the drill instructor barked, horn igniting to arrange the firing line with various long-range implements. Crossbows, throwing knives, short spears, and a few other, lesser-used weapons.

“The reason you have been separated from your usual squads is because you are unicorns! That gives you an advantage in terms of loading a crossbow or any other more complicated implement. However, you are also at a disadvantage for when your magic runs out, your enemy will not care that you have never used hoof and mouth on your weapons!” the bright green unicorn said, then filling his impressively-large lungs once again as a light drizzle began to patter against the armored recruits.

“And the weather is to be no obstacle! You will learn and practice in rain or shine! To begin, give it a go without any direction. You completed crossbow training last week, as well as emergency use without magic for a single shot. However, now you must now try it without your magic for continuous fire! Private Heart will show you the golden standard for reloading speed and accuracy. Fire your bolts as fast as you can, or more if you can manage it. Now take the line!”

The dozen recruits trotted up to look at their weapons on the table, Steel Heart taking his place in the center of them. He didn’t seem to notice the recruits, nor the Alicorn teleporting to the side of the firing line and watching with interest.

Like the other recruits, he had a 5-bolt quiver strapped to his right forelimb, the crossbow itself laying on the long wooden table. It was identical to the other guard’s except Steel’s had his cutie mark etched into the metal near the base, a shield and barely-hidden heart.

“Begin in three...two...one…Load and fire, recruits!”

The unicorns began a mess of scrambling, each balancing the weapon a slightly different way. Steel Heart immediately snatched the weapon and loaded it, angling his forelimb to expertly notch a bolt and draw the crossbow in a single, fluid motion. He fired, the bolt zipping through the air and hitting dead center of the target.

*THWACK!*

“Come ON recruits, you haven’t even drawn back the string! If all else fails remember the steps! Draw. Load. Fire! FASTER! Teeth or hooves!”

Half of the recruits now notched their bolts, another sound ringing out.

*THWACK!*

The other half now figured it out, the dozen or so unicorns all firing in a staccato of bolts that hit the targets. 

Mostly.

As they put on their second bolts, Steel Heart sent another bolt soaring through the air, a rather tense grin now edging onto his face as the rain began to intensify, the slight spatter of water now quickly turning into a soaking deluge.

*THWACK!*

The recruits began to slip with their motions as the water complicated things. The drill Sergeant fell silent with a smile as each of the ponies now turned to watch the Guard continue, abandoning their efforts to watch and learn. It was clear that had been a teaching goal of the sly instructor.

*THWACK!*

The downpour continued, Steel slamming in the final bolt onto his crossbow.

*THWACK!*

Picking up a stray bolt with his teeth, Steel drew back the string with his hoof, notching the projectile without the use of the quiver and then sending the extra bolt down range.

*THWACK!*

Another object was picked up this time, a large throwing knife. Balancing it in his hoof, Steel torqued his body and sent it zipping towards the target, the weapon thudding into the packed straw.

Luna’s eyes narrowed as the recruits stared, the Guard’s sides heaving as the unnatural scars were now starkly visible against his soaked fur. Not hidden by fur or armor, it was as though a foal had drawn a stick figure up and down the stallion’s body, straight grey lines marking up his limbs and up across Steel’s barrel. It was a youngster’s interpretation of a skeleton, only now visible as the rain continued to fall.

“Thank you, Private Heart. Now then, recruits….RECRUITS!” the instructor roared, making all of the unicorn’s snap back to attention.

“That is the standard to which you must hold yourself. That is why we are taking three days of training for non-magical use of weaponry. Now, let me show you the steps in greater detail.”

As Private Heart trotted off with the crossbow slung across his back Luna could see a few of the ponies letting their gaze drift back to the scarred stallion.

Natural, but obnoxious. They should know better.

Would I have known better years ago though? Perhaps not.

Luna’s curiosity got the better of her, the alicorn putting on her royal ‘mask’ as she trotted around to inspect the royal training grounds. Nodding to the various recruits, her presence wasn’t a huge surprise, since both she and Celestia had tried to be more involved in the goings-on in their guard as of recently. 

The alicorn stopped when she saw Steel sitting on a hill overlooking the training grounds, just outside the limits of the actual camp. A pang rang through her chest as the stallion subtly looked down at his scarred forelimbs, head shaking slowly as he then stood tall to watch the various recruits training.

A quiet, introspective pony? Aren’t you quite the enigma, Steel Heart. One would hear your name alone and pass quite a few incorrect judgements on you. I most certainly was guilty of that for a brief moment.

Luna bit back a wince as Steel’s eyes drifted to her, the pony locking onto her gaze for a good, long moment, letting the Princess know he fully well saw her. A slight nod, and then he went back to surveying the camp.

Quite an enigma indeed.

The Princess walked around the camp a bit more, then vanishing with a *pop* of magic to return to the castle in time for Night Court. What she didn’t see after turning away however, was the faintest of smiles dawn on Steel’s face.





Luna let out a groan, flopping onto her half-couch-half-beanbag-half comfy thing.

I know there aren’t three halves. But ugh. I’ll take a dozen disillusioned changelings over five nobles trying to squeeze bits out of every royal coffer imaginable.

At least the captured changelings have been polite. Totally brainwashed, but polite. But that’s all on Thorax to fix.

Hmm, I wonder if Steel will talk today?

It had been almost a full week since Private Heart had been assigned as Luna’s personal assistant, and he still hadn’t spoken a word to her.

Clearly, he was milking the ‘payback’ offer as much as possible. The stallion was cheeky though, and that was something Luna had quickly begun to appreciate, if not look forward to in a rather endearing way.

He still wore a small, cream-colored pillow with a small blue moon pattern on his helmet every day. It was rather adorable, an interesting contrast to the rather handsome and fierce image he had struck on that training hill.

Handsome? Adorable? That’s a new combination and though. Or is it? I mean, he is, can’t ignore that fact. Not that I’d want to ignore-

The Princess’s amusing thoughts were derailed by the pain that shot down her neck and spine. She must have slept wrong, anxieties tweaking muscles in a counter-productive gesture of relaxation. It had started yesterday as a twinge, but now was a full-blown ache.

A knock at the door signaled Steel’s arrival, Luna’s ears perking up slightly. 

“Come in.”

He was a welcome addition to a day usually filled with drudgery, and she was quickly learning that the usual formalities were tossed out the window on the third day. It was relieving in quite a few ways, having less of a guard and more of a friend. Perhaps that was Celestia’s intention- no, not her sister.

Celestia only came up with the idea on the spot out of care, Steel offered to help. I won’t go down the path of thinking my sister is operating behind my back. Maybe he had the idea originally? I’ll have to ask him…whenever he decides to talk. He has a nice voice, ‘tis a shame that it has lacked this week.

“Steel, are you going to talk today?” she asked as the stallion trotted in, a smug grin on his face as he shook his head.

“…what about after the weekend?”

A nod, and Luna couldn’t help but smile. 

“Ah, so my penance is over? I have to say, the strong, silent type suites you rather nicely. What do we have on the to-do-list tonight?”

Steel grinned, passing over a parchment and standing slightly awkwardly, ears swiveling as Luna let out a hiss, pain shooting up her back.





Hmm. Should I suggest it?

I don’t…

Steel sighed internally, torn between what was appropriate, and what may help.

No harm in asking. I suppose my relationship with Luna is odder than most. Not sure if she trusts me enough though.

Trotting over to the simple desk and mirror on the side of the Princess’s room, Steel scanned the contents and located the preferred item in question. Luna blinked as he slid on a hoof-latched brush, gesturing to the Alicorn. The fact her ears continued to remain perked up was a good sign.

“I’m not sure a brush is going to help, Steel, but that’s nice of you to offer,” Luna replied, clearly not entirely convinced of her own words, judging by the tone. 

Steel shook his head, pressing a hoof against his other forelimb and maneuvering it in a circle.

“You know, if anypony other than my assistant offered this, I’d smack them with my…brush….erm…” Luna’s words trickled off as Steel began to snicker, gesturing to the pillow on his helmet. 

“Oh, quiet, you,” she grumbled, sighing and settling down with a flop. “I suppose it can’t hurt any more than it already does. Just not the wings.”

Steel nodded, slipping off the brush and placing it back. Wings were a sensitive matter for Pegasi and it would appear, Alicorns. That was both in a literal and metaphorical sense.

Trotting over to the prone Princess, the Guard pushed the slight absurdity of the situation out of his mind. This entire thing wasn’t exactly normal, so…

Frowning, Steel massaged the massive knot in between Luna’s shoulders, the Princess letting out a sigh of relief.

Stars above, Luna, you’re more stressed than I am. Then again, a bit more pressure for you to deal with. Giving a Princess a massage…what a way to end the week. 

I’ve always seen her as more of a friend though, even in a distant sense, ever since the incident. Maybe that’s why this isn’t odder.

The Guard couldn’t help but smile as Luna relaxed, the knot fading under his hooves.

Well, I imagine that was a bucket list for a few guards. Give a Princess a massage. Probably with a few different motives though.

Not that Luna isn’t extremely attractive in quite a few ways. Those eyes-
Focus. You’re a guard. Professional distance.

“Thank you, Steel,” Luna mumbled as she shifted, the Guard standing to the side. “That feels much better; I would not have guessed that you would be so adept at a simple massage…” her eyes then narrowed playfully, the Princess reaching over to gently ‘boop’ the guard on the nose with a hoof. “But I think there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye, hmm?”

The stallion’s eyes crossed briefly at the gesture, cheeks heating up at the comment.

Don’t over think it don’t over think it don’t over think it.

…

OHNOTOTALLYOVERTHINKING.

“I am just teasing. You don’t get to monopolize the payback after all,” Luna added with a cheery grin, clearly stifling a giggle as the stallion let out a sigh. “Perhaps I am pushing my luck with the ‘less-formal’ conduct though.”

Steel only shrugged, not entirely sure how to respond to that. It was nice to have another friend, especially one he held in such high regard. While many ponies may not be sure of how to treat a Princess in an informal manner, the Guard found it rather endearing that they trusted some with glimpses into their genuine personalities. He just happened to be getting a larger look than most.

Heh. Larger. Alicorn pun.





“Hmm. Well I think I need to go address a few things throughout the castle. If you could run to the general commissary and pick up some items, I’d greatly appreciate it,” Luna remarked as she levitated a scroll over to Steel, the guard looking over it curiously.

Such an interesting pony. If things were different, perhaps…no, I’d certainly–

Could I?

Dare I?

I still am coping with-

“Luna?”

Steel’s concerned tone snapped the alicorn out of her thoughts immediately, the stallion looking at her in genuine worry. 

“Hmm? You’re speaking now?” Luna asked, blinking at the Guard.

“You looked troubled. You haven’t said anything for a solid minute or two.”

His words caused the Princess’s wings to slump, Luna shaking her head.

“I…thank you, Private Heart, but it’s nothing to concern yourself with.”

Nothing you could possibly understand, as kind as you are.

The switch to the more formal address caused the guard to nod, making his way out of the room with the scroll tucked into a side-satchel.

“Steel, I’m sorry. It’s-I’d rather not speak if it,” Luna admitted, a pang of regret coloring her thoughts at the abrupt dismissal of the caring stallion’s actions as the Guard didn’t respond immediately.

“I’m not asking you to. I’m just saying there’s somepony to listen,” Steel said softly, slightly bass-colored tone filling the brief moment of silence. “And that’s outside any orders or assignments.”

The stallion then trotted off to complete his errands, leaving Luna to slump into some pillows.

“Luna, you idiot,” she whispered to herself in a pillow, “he wants to help, and you smack him. He wants to help, and you blow his concerns off. Celly was right; I do have quite a stubborn streak.”

Stubborn enough to push it all aside?

She did, and found somecreature.

Luna wrapped a pillow up in her forehooves, taking a shuddering breath as the alicorn ensured the door to her room was closed.

You’re seeing General Seaspray. After a thousand years, you’ve somehow dealt with the looming issue, even with the revelation about Twilight and Cadence. And Flurry Heart? There’s so much we don’t know.

Will it take me a millennium too, dear sister? I don’t know if I’m strong enough to wait that long.

Or did the General agree to that which few can fathom?

Have you asked him?

Do I have the courage to ask somecreature to make that choice someday?

In the privacy of her own room, Luna let a few tears stain her pillow, the Princess hugging it close as she cried.

And then the start of all this; is this what you dealt with, Celly? Losing friends over and over again? Enjoying lunch one minute, and the next…

I don’t know if I can do it.

I already miss her.
> Chapter Four: Inconceivable
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“And the next one up is your favorite!” Steel called out from his position next to the pile of paperwork adjacent to Luna’s desk.

“…it’s financial requests, isn’t it?”

“Aaaand another point for you!” the peppy guard called out, actually marking said point on a dry-erase board. Ever since the ‘not-so-official’ punishment had been broken, Steel had been a bright light in Luna’s day for the majority of this week. While the first day had seemed a tad awkward, the guard quickly acclimated to treating Luna like herself. Respectful nonetheless, but none of the formalities, the bowing, the princess-y stuff.

Luna was half-tempted to make such behavior a royal decree. It made dealing with unpleasant tasks so much more enjoyable for the half of the day Steel was assigned to her.

Or that might because Steel is the complete opposite of what his name suggests. A sincere, goofy, and adorable stallion.

Wait. When was THAT such an easy thing to-

“Uh…you ok, Luna?” Steel asked, pillow-armored head tilting to the side as the Princess realized a rather dreamy smile was starting to meander on her face. “First time I’ve seen you smile at the thought of more forms these past three days.”

“Just, well, nevermind,” Luna stammered. “It’s just nice to have a happy somepony here with me when getting these done. It makes it much more…enjoyable….” Her voice drifted off as she now saw Steel balancing two quills on his upper lip to emulate a fantastic moustache.

“Mmmmhmmm.” Steel mused in thought as he tried to suppress a smile, clearly enjoying the fact that Luna promptly began to gasp with laughter, a high-pitched wheeze leaving her frame. Luna could barely see him through the mirthful tears, but a smile that seemed to have been on her face only moments ago seemed to slide onto the stallions. A caring, sincerely happy gesture with a warmth that sent a warm tingle down to the tips of Luna’s hooves. 

And then it was gone as the Alicorn wiped her eyes, Steel now completely serious as he hoofed over a quill.

“It’s just a quill, Highness,” he said in a perfect deadpan tone, despite obviously biting his lip to avoid bursting out in laughter.

“Oh y-yes, of course,” Luna replied, taking the implement to then look over the form on her desk. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and looked over to the Guard briefly.

“Thank you, Steel,” she whispered, a bit of vulnerability shining through in her green eyes. “I’ve needed to laugh as of late.”

“Most welcome. It’s nice seeing you happy again,” was the immediate reply, one that made an increasingly-common sensation of warmth blossom in the Alicorn’s chest.

He just wants me to be happy? And stated so simply.

“I’m not going to ask what that smile is about this time, but we do need to get these forms done,” Steel replied softly, gesturing towards the parchment. “I then need to run them over to the second processing committee before lunch.”

“O-of course,” Luna said, turning back to the much-less-amusing paperwork. Out of the corner of her eye, the Princess saw the stallion shrug to himself, clearly curious at her behavior but politely not saying anything.

Oh, if only you knew.





Three more days passed with relative quickness, the company of a friend banishing the usual feelings of despair that usually crept it. 

Yet tonight was different, the emotions and looming inevitability of the ignored problem refusing to be silenced. She could barely focus. Luna went through the motions with her duties, banishing nightmares with ease as usual, yet her own doubts, her own dreams ate at her mind like a hungry worm. Steel Heart’s words from a few days ago still gave her pause, the Alicorn not able to shake free of them.

What was even more unsettling was of how much she just wanted to feel a caring hoof on her shoulder again, and had begun to enjoy his company with each passing hour.

It’s not even the massage, just the contact of somepony who….

She shook her head, those thoughts daring to become darker. Sooner or later she’d have to tell somepony about all of this.

Why not him?
He wouldn’t understand
Why not? He has seen death.
But as have I. This should not be as big a deal as I am making it.
And yet he is here. One of the few willing to listen and knows too well how thin the line is between things.

He cares.

Luna’s internal argument made her freeze mid-dream-space, the realization hitting her with enough surprise to make her magic waver.

He…would understand.
Of all the ponies here, he just might. Not completely, but dealing with it.
I’ve been a fool, even Celly doesn’t realize how much.

He cares.

Those two words made Luna’s heart skip a beat, the idea never really having taken hold until now. The silly jokes, the politeness, the caring smile when she was just happy.

He can understand, and he cares.

She continued on to her nightly duties, a bit of skip now to her step now that there was a definite goal in mind for the next day. 





Steel trotted with his usual, nightly summary scroll gently held in his mouth. Seeing Luna open up ever so slightly had been a bit of a surprise, but her reservations were certainly expected.

Hopefully you eventually trust me enough to let me try and understand. I’ve seen the darkness in your eyes after the laughter has faded and mirth has passed.

“Steel! There you are!” Luna exclaimed happily, waving as he rounded a corner to her section of the castle. “I had a few things I wanted to ask you!”

The stallion couldn’t help but grin, Luna’s bubbly mood being quite infectious as she took the offered scroll.

“Hmm? But of course,” Steel chuckled, Luna’s ears perking up at the sound.

“It is nice for me to elicit a laugh from you for a change. I’m glad you smile as often as you do,” she added, making the stallion blink in surprise.

I didn’t expect that.

No overthinking.
Just a nice compliment.
...I have a nice smile?

“On a less upbeat note, I had something I wanted to speak with you about, away from here,” the Princess admitted, looking down at her hooves that scraped against the ground nervously. “If that is alright?”

She’s asking me?

“I-of course. I’m not sure I understand, but yes,” Steel replied.

Luna’s horn sparked with magic, the alicorn then pausing.

“Oh. Before we go, do you have a special somepony?”

“W-wha? No! Not currently, what?”

The Alicorn promptly burst out laughing as the poor stallion’s brain short-circuited, Luna waving a hoof.

“I’m sorry, that must have seemed very out of the blue. I wanted to know just in case I needed to reassure them that I’m not kidnapping you for myself. Nipping rumors in the bud and all that.”

“Ah, ok. That makes sense,” Steel said slowly, thoughts slowly coming back on line. “You could have led with that, you know.”

“Probably should have I suppose. Well, without further ado….”





Luna’s magic whisked them away immediately, the scene resolving itself as a cool night breeze slipped through the pair’s fur. Sitting on a grassy overlook, a massive expanse of water spread out beneath them, the moon shining brightly on the slowly moving surface.

“Luna Bay. At certain times it is even a more marvelous sight,” Luna explained, “but it’s a lovely place to think, away from everything. And that’s not just to indulge myself in a location named after me.”

“I’ve never been here,” Steel whispered, looking out over the scene with wide eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

Apparently, that remark caught Luna’s attention, the Alicorn noting how the Guard seemed to soak in the entire sight, eyes flickering to the waves, the moon, and the silhouetted trees above them.

He turned away from the picture-perfect sight, focusing on the Princess at his side as she removed her crown in a familiar gesture.

“I don’t want to talk to you as a Princess, Steel Heart,” Luna whispered, her shoulders and wings sagging. “I know it may be difficult, but I’d like to be on as equal terms as possible, at least for what I’m about to say.”

Steel stayed quiet, only nodding once.

Luna opened her mouth, but no words manifested. Narrowing her eyes, the Alicorn looked down at her hooves, both of which were beginning to shake.

Why can’t I-?

“I t-thought I was ready to speak,” she whispered. “I realized that you are some of the few who may understand, be willing to understand in an issue that troubles me. I guess I was too confident in my own resolve.” 

A few tears trickled from Luna’s closed eyes, the Princess lowering her head in slight shame.

“I thought I was ready, I really did. I’m sorry for-”

“Don’t be. It’s alright.” Steel’s voice carried across the cold air, reassuring tone making Luna smile ever so slightly.

He does have a nice voice. Deep, but not incredibly so. Just sincere, as always.

“This wasn’t my plan, Private Heart,” Luna whispered, a soft snort drawing her attention again.

“You told me on my second day to call you Luna when we were alone. That goes for you too in terms of my name. Fair’s fair.”

“Fair enough indeed,” Luna admitted, noticing with a bit of endearment that the stallion shuffled his hooves awkwardly.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, just being here is enough,” Luna replied, “and not judging me for my foolishness.”

“Why would I do that?” his indignant tone made the Princess look up, the dark-furred pony glancing at her curiously. “You’re just a pony. Too many have forgotten that, I think.”

Luna looked back at her shaking hooves, Steel’s stalwart proclamation ringing through her mind.

Just a pony. Despite what everycreature thinks, holding us to such a high standard…

“Both my sister and I forget that at times too,” she whispered, feeling her sides starting to shake with sobs.

I’m allowed to miss someone.
To mourn.
To have emotions. Even as the ‘emotional’ Princess, I’ve always pushed them away, not wanting to deal with it…

“Steel H-heart?” Luna whispered, venturing an increasingly-blurry glance over to the concerned stallion.

“Yes?”

“May I borrow your shoulder?”

Steel scooted closer as he immediately nodded, Luna resting her head with a shaky exhale. The stallion being a little under a head shorter had the Princess laying down a bit more, but it was certainly worth it.

I might squish you if you didn’t have a lanky build. Quite a nice height, not too short.
In fact, the perfect height for a hug…

“Thank you,” she whispered, the stallion chuckling softly.

“No marefriend to get jealous, so you are free to borrow it. I may have to charge rent after too long though,” Steel added with a smile, seeming a bit relieved as Luna’s ears perked up ever so slightly. The Alicorn then closed her eyes and let her tears flow, sides shaking softly as the Princess cried.

Having somepony to lean on, figuratively and literally; how right you were, Celly.
I’ve missed this. 
I’ve needed this.

“No, really S-steel,” Luna added, scooting a bit closer as emotion began to fully clog her through. “T-thank you, s-so much…”

The sobs now came in earnest, the Princess not able to hold back her emotions any longer. The fact Steel’s reaction was to place a caring hoof over her shoulders only made Luna cry all the more, finally able to relax under the embrace of somecreature who cared.

I’m so scared. 
Will I remain after all turns to ash?
Who would dare tempt such an existence? 
Who would ever choose being with me over….

Luna wasn’t sure how long she remained there, only that Steel Heart’s shoulder was now soaked, the stallion still sitting with a scarred forelimb placed across the Alicorn’s shoulders. Wiping her muzzle, Luna felt her cheeks heating up as she scooted back upright with a sniff.

“Sorry, I didn’t intend any of that,” the alicorn muttered, suddenly finding herself cross-eyed as Steel gently placed a hoof on her nose.

“No apologizing, please,” he whispered, and for a brief second Luna saw something behind his green eyes, a desperate, pleading vulnerability behind the words.

And then it was gone, the concerned guard withdrawing his hoof as the Princess couldn’t keep a hesitant smile off her face.

“Well, if not apologizing, then I must at least thank you. It seems my sister was right in her plans to help me.”

Steel snorted, waving a hoof at her dismissively.

“She just gave a way to help. Kind of was my idea, erm…” the pony then apparently realized what he said, Luna peering close with an interested glint in her eye.

“Oh? I have heard that from Celly, and now that you’re talking, I’d very much like to hear it from you, Steel Heart.”

Seeing the guard blush was quite a rewarding sight, a warmth blossoming in Luna’s chest as Steel refused to meet her gaze.

“I just-I don’t like seeing others hurt, not when I can help,” he finally replied, gaze flickering over to Luna briefly. “And I thought I could try and help at least, even if I may not understand the problem bothering you. I said that I liked seeing you happy a few days ago, and that statement hasn’t changed.”

Try and she might, Luna couldn’t help but melt a bit at the pony’s words. It had been a very, very long time since somepony, somecreature had shown such genuine interest in her wellbeing outside of family and immediate friends.

“How in the world do you not have a marefriend, Steel Heart,” Luna chuckled as she shook her head. “That was one of the sweetest things I’ve been told in some time, thank you.”

Instead of perking up, Steel’s ears flattened, immediately putting the Princess on guard.

“Thank you, Luna,” he replied, now definitely avoiding her gaze. A hoof drifted to run up and down the other forelimb, massaging along a line of scars.

“The past mares just didn’t feel right, I suppose,” the guard muttered.

“Steel, I’m…” Luna’s words drifted off as the Guard shook his head.

“It is what it is,” was the gruff reply, the topic clearly being a sore one, so Luna let it drop. It was clear that was a loaded topic to say the least.

For us both, it would seem.

“By the way, I have to say I was greatly impressed by your crossbow demonstration. My sister informed me of such, and curiosity got the better of me.”

That subject got a smile out of the Guard, Steel letting out a happy sigh.

“Top three of my class, and I haven’t gone more than a week without practicing. It’s nice to teach others how to do something you yourself are accomplished in, and then see them excel.” His eyes then drifted to Luna, the mischievous glint in them making her heart skip a few beats for some reason. “And I did see you discovered my thinking hill.”

It was now Luna’s turn to blush in embarrassment, the alicorn mumbling to herself as a hoof traced the ground.

“Sorry. I was just curious.”

Steel’s snickering made her look up, the alicorn pouting as the Guard grinned.

“It’s no problem. You’re not the first, nor likely the last to find me up there. It’s just a nice place to think with background noise. This area though,” he waved a hoof around the peaceful scene, “is much more prudent to softer moments, different emotions. That…um, sort of thing,” he added, voice trailing off as Luna looked at the stallion in surprise.

“That’s a very lovely way of putting it, Steel,” Luna replied, finding his unsure reaction rather both endearing but sad at the same time.

It’s like he was expecting me to just dismiss his words outright. Hmm. No surprise as to if that happened before.
Seems like he’s a bit more sensitive than I originally thought. I suppose there is a lot I don’t know about you, Steel Heart. We’ve just been bantering and being silly this week…

“I suppose we should get back. Would it be acceptable if we returned here at a later date?” Luna asked, her Assistant simply nodding as his ears perked up.

As she charged up a teleport spell, the Princess’s last thought rang around in her head a few more times as her eyes glanced over to the loyal guard at her side.

Sensitive. It’s been a while since I spoke with a pony so open about such things, or at least willing to be.
And I rather like it.





“Sooooo?”

“Hmm?”

“You were zoning out again, Lulu.”

Luna sighed, eating the syrup-drenched pancakes in front of her as Celestia let out a soft titter.

“That is an introspective look if I’ve ever seen one.”

Nodding, Luna finally looked up, mouth working a few times before any words finally manifested.

“I just…it’s an odd thing to think you’re ready to talk about something, but clearly aren’t. It’s an interesting conundrum.”

That drew all of Celestia’s attention, the older sister shoving down her immediate, excited reaction.

“Well, sometimes we don’t fully understand the impact of what we want to talk about until it’s said. That’s what I have found,” Celestia finally explained.

“That makes sense,” the Lunar Princess mused, Celestia leaning a bit closer as a rather tender smile tickled at Luna’s mouth.

“Oh? And what’s that smile for? I haven’t seen that in ages!”

“Just…Steel.”

The absolutely smug, I-totally-could-have-called-this grin on Celestia’s face made Luna growl, waving a hoof in mock anger at her sister as her dark-colored face blushed a bright crimson.

“Oh, don’t you dare! N-not like that!” she stammered, Celestia continuing to grin and slowly levitated some pancakes into her mouth.

“Didn’t say aaaaanything!” Celestia proclaimed, thoroughly enjoying where the conversation was heading.

“I mean, you did seem a bit more relaxed four days ago. I heard rumors you snatched your poor assistant away to parts unknown…”

The tender smile returned, punching through the embarrassed blush as Luna averted her eyes.

“Oh, so you did?”

“In a manner of speaking. I…” Luna’s tone became much softer and more sincere, almost hesitant. Celestia quickly abandoned further teasing, sitting and waiting patiently for her sister to continue.

“I think you were right, Celly. Having somepony there to listen is helping. I do feel bad that I can’t speak of this to you, but…I…”

“Lulu, don’t,” Celestia whispered, scooting over to wrap her sister up in a tight hug. “We’re closer than ever, but we each are different. There are things and challenges I don’t want or expect you to understand about my life, and the same goes for you. I want to be there for you, and of course I’d prefer to be the one you talked to,” she reached down and gave her sister a soft nudge with her forehead, the older alicorn sighing. 

“But I understand when that isn’t the case, and that it’s healthy. We both have our own lives, as joined together as they are in a way. I’m just glad you’ve found somepony who can help you through whatever this is,” Celestia then paused, not able to resist a slight grin. “But I can’t take much credit for this. All I did was make Steel Heart’s idea official. I gave him a direction to help, he came to me on your behalf.”

“Then I think I need to thank him,” Luna whispered, “and make my thanks very clear.”

“With a kiss?”

“SISTER!” Luna blurted out, shoving the cackling alabaster alicorn away with a glare. “The moment! ‘Tis ruined!”

“Oh, but so worth it!”

“This is payback for the Seaspray comment, isn’t it?”

“I’d never be that petty.”

“Oh of course not…” Luna’s voice trailed off, an apparently new thought making the blush return all the more furious as she mumbled. 

“Hmm? What was that?”

“He is sensitive though, and doesn’t judge my weaknesses. That’s…extremely appealing in a few ways.”

Celestia snorted, waving a fork at her sister at that.

“A few ways? Try a lot of ways. Seaspray didn’t laugh when I told him of my fear of chickens. Talk about points in the potential special-somecreature department,” Celestia’s voice now took on a slightly whimsical tone, Luna grinning at her sister.

“You seem much more at ease talking about it now.”

“Well, you know now. And knowing my sister is a bit happier has put me at ease, perhaps in part due to her current company, hmm?”

Luna stayed silent as her sister chuckled softly.

“That’s not a no. But seriously, Lulu, I’m just happy you have another friend, and a handsome, sensitive one at that! Perhaps another Shining Armor scenario? I’ve seen that dreamy look on your face whenever he is the topic of conversation. Strong, handsome, goofy….”

“Mmmm…he is rather….SISTER!”

As Celestia laughed, Luna’s own smile began to widen. Conjuring up a fully-loaded lemon-cream pie, the alicorn took aim and sent the sugary projectile blasting directly at her sister’s face.

*SPLAT!*

Luna could sense the eye-twitch underneath the mound of cream, Celestia wiping a hole for her mouth.

“That is one out of three. Well played, Luna, well played.”

“I learn from the best, dear sister. Now I must finish my meal and go see that play before work,” Luna replied calmly with a smug smile, Celestia still cleaning the pie off of her face.

“Love you Tiaaaaaaa.”

Celestia tried to hold back a giggle, she really did.





Luna bit back tears as the final act began to wind down, silently trying her hardest to not completely break down.
Perhaps this was a mistake. It is too close to my heart…

Disguised as a normal-sized pony as a change, Luna sat in the far right of the theatre, the rest of the seats being about half-full, as it had been released a good month or two ago.
I enjoy film to be sure, but there’s a strange sincerity for live performances, especially songs.

Perhaps her current challenges were coloring the play, but what seemed like a standard plot of love, loss, and heartache, had turned into a maelstrom of emotions within Luna’s heart.

He served her for years, affection growing. A simple servant of royalty who could never be with a queen, yet that didn’t stop him from trying, staying at her side for thick and thin.

As she wished. Words left unsaid but their implication was not.

…and yet he never knew how much she cared, only suspected. Even when she thought him dead to the raiding nation that burned their castle, she still held out hope. 

Yet now she is destined to be wed to an enemy to save her people, and he is now found alive and seeking her under a new name and mask.
Yet now he bleeds in her arms, life draining away.

Luna had specifically avoided spoilers for this play- and it was her growing fear this would be a classic tragedy. A simpleton in love with a royal with whom he could only watch from afar. It was a common and heart-wrenching trope, but definitely not what Luna needed at this time.

“Death cannot stop true love, it can just delay it for a while.” the Servant whispered, and Luna had to muffle a choked sob into her hoof.

Another, similar sound caught her attention, the disguised alicorn glancing over to the seat in question. To her absolute shock, a familiar dark-purple pony sat with tears trickling down his cheeks, green eyes locked onto the scene in front of them all.

Steel Heart?!

“I've been saying it so long to you, you just wouldn't listen. Every time you said ‘Servant, do or fetch this' you thought I was answering ‘As you ask, Highness,’ but that's only because you were hearing wrong. 'I love you' was what it was, but you never heard,” the servant whispered, prompting the queen to draw a shaky breath, magic gathering on her horn.  “You would save me? But at what cost? No, you are a queen. To marry me would carry too great a cost, for what am I to you?” he continued.

“Love is many things, none of them logical,” the queen replied as she glared at her wounded servant. “And I don’t care about the price! Not anymore! What is the price for my love of you? You don’t know, do you? I cannot let that stand!”

Luna could only watch, more tears tracing down her cheeks as the final act concluded, the queen tossing off her title in favor of the servant, saving his life by binding hers to his.

The Princess joined the rest of the audience in a standing ovation as the cast members bowed on the conclusion of the play, tears still wet on her cheeks. Luna barely trusted her limbs to walk out of the theatre into the common area where she then sat down, struggling to categorize the emotions swirling in her heart.

“Miss?” a familiar voice asked, Luna looking up into two familiar caring eyes.

“Hmm?”

“Sorry. I was asking if you were alright,” Steel Heart added, Luna letting out a soft laugh and wiping her eyes.

“Oh, sorry. Y-yes. Just a surprisingly moving play.”

“A Queen Betrothed is a heart wrencher, that’s for sure. Third time I’ve seen it and still learn something new each time,” Steel remarked, Luna now torn between dropping her disguise.

I’ll tell him of course. Just…I don’t want to miss this chance of talking with him.

“What do you think about that?” Luna asked. “The Queen throwing aside her crown to be with a servant? Binding her life to his to forestall death?”

Steel shrugged, eyes narrowing in thought briefly.

“I think she did what her heart told her to do,” he finally said. “And sometimes the price of a choice doesn’t matter. The result is just worth it, whatever the cost,” the stallion’s voice seemed to have a dam of emotion in front of it, yet also carrier a knife’s edge. He then chuckled, waving a hoof towards the stage behind the large wooden doors. “He must have been one incredibly pony, that’s for sure. But love isn’t logical, so he just needed to be incredible to her. It’s a moving story regardless.”

“I agree, I suppose I wasn’t just prepared for it,” Luna admitted as she stood up. “Thank you for your initial concern by the way. It was quite sweet. I do need to get going.”

“Of course, it was nice meeting you, Miss…?”

Luna briefly toyed with the idea of a false name, a web of potential scenarios branching out from such a possibility.
No, that won’t do. He trusts me, and I don’t want to break that.

“You know me, Steel,” Luna whispered, the stallion’s eyes widening in recognition as her disguise faded briefly, then returning to the simple, yellow-colored earth pony mare. 

“Pri-Luna?” he asked in confusion, brow furrowing briefly. The stallion seemed a bit torn, looking at his hooves in thought.
“Suppose there wasn’t a good time to tell me that, huh? Not expecting to see me?”

Luna nodded, one of her hooves rubbing against the other in embarrassment.
“I didn’t think I’d know anyone here, much less you. I wanted to tell you right away, I promise you that. I just…I….”

I just wanted…

Steel’s head tilted in confusion, Luna not finishing her sentence until she let out a held breath.

“I wanted to talk to you as just a pony, not a princess,” Luna finally said, shoulder’s slumping.

The last thing she expected was Steel to snort, barely holding in a laugh as his ears perked up.

“Luna, do you think I’ve been treating you any differently when you’re a princess in that context?” he asked, making her stare in shock.

I’m an idiot.

“I, ah.” she finally stammered. “I’m not used to…I just thought…”

“I get it, Luna. I do,” he replied. “Your initial reaction is that I’d treat you differently based on your title. I’m a bit of a unique case, huh?”

“More than you know,” Luna whispered, knowing full well a blush heated up her cheeks at that remark.

Did I just say…

“Erm, sorry?”

“N-nothing. It’s…nice to see you, Steel. I suppose it’s time for work in a hour or two,” she added as began to trot off.

Dare I?

“Steel?” she asked, making the guard glance over to her curiously.

“Hmm?”

“What did you think about that, in the play,” Luna asked, a bit of excitement fluttering in her chest. “The Queen being interested in someone far outside her own social circle?”

The stallion blinked, pondering the question for a moment,

“I think that she, like any pony, shouldn’t be concerned about what others think, if it makes her deeply happy,” he finally said rather slowly as though thinking out loud. “She was willing to bind her fate to his. I’d say she cared enough to ignore the ones whose views weren’t based on her happiness. The Servant certainly tossed all caution to the wind to pursue her as well.”

Luna nodded; a tad perplexed at the answer.

Did he understand what I was implying?

Do I understand it?

“Hmm. Thank you, Steel. I’ll see you at the castle?” Luna asked, Steel nodding as he trotted off.

As Luna teleported back to the castle and got ready for her nightly duties, her eyes widened in shocked realization.

“Did…did he think that is what has been troubling me?” she asked her reflection in the mirror.

There was a soft *thud* as she let her head hit the pillows, the alicorn letting out a soft, muffled yell.

Did I make it clear? No? Yes? Ugh.
Note to self. Avoid hints.
Addendum. I should have learned that a long time ago.

One thing did however, make the alicorn smile ever so slightly.

At least I came to terms that Steel is attractive…in quite a few ways, even if I bungled my words.
I like somepony.

Those last few words made a soft squeal leave Luna’s lips, the princess hugging the nearest pillow close, her heart fluttering in a way it hadn’t for ages.

I like somepony.





In his apartment, Steel shrugged on his armor as the exchange with Luna continued to swirl in his mind. It was fairly well known amongst the guards that the Night Princess was a romantic, a fan of opera, plays and the like. He just hadn’t expected to run into her, let alone have that conversation of all things.

At least now a few more things made sense.

So, that’s what is troubling you? I’m afraid I can’t help with that. Fallen in love with a commoner…that is indeed out of my league.

Try as he might, Steel couldn’t get the slight regretful pang out of his heart at that thought. A quick glance in the mirror gave the stallion quite a sorry reflection indeed, ears laid flat as he shook his head. The usual, cheery warmth he felt when seeing Luna’s smile now seemed to turn to ash that slowly drifted down across his heart.

It was a whimsical notion, nothing more.
She’s a Princess after all, and I…
> Chapter Five: Candied Hearts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna stared at the letter on her desk, her previous jovial mood having long since evaporated. Between the play and this message, the emotional one-two punch was too great for her to deal with behind a mask of normalcy.

I knew this would be coming. Such a childish thing; if I didn’t think about it, maybe it wouldn’t ever happen.
Perhaps I’ll let Steel know. I’m going to be a wreck tonight, so it’s only right.

A customary double-knock on the door heralded that option, Luna taking a slow breath as she continued to remain flopped on a pile of cushions.

“Come in.”

Her Assistant Guard trotting in, the stallion’s ears immediately perked up in apparent concern, the pony walking a bit closer.

“Everything alright, Luna?” Steel asked.

Luna didn’t immediately reply, the alicorn not entirely sure what to say. The fact Steel’s concerned tone made the Princess’s heart flutter only added to the whirlpool of emotion in her heart.

“No, Steel, it really isn’t,” Luna finally said. “I’ve been ignoring a looming issue, one of a few actually, pushing it off until it has threatened to crush me under its weight.” Her loyal assistant simply sat down near her, listening attentively as she Princess continued. 

“I feel like a foal hiding under the covers from a monster. As long as I didn’t think about it too much, see it, acknowledge it, the issue didn’t exist.”

Her magic faltering under a surge of emotion, Luna levitated the letter over to Steel in a shaky grasp, the stallion carefully reading the title.

“Remembrance services for Cream and Peanut Whip will be held on…” Steel’s voice trailed off, the guard not saying anything immediately.

“I’m sorry, Luna,” he began, clearly thinking each word through before speaking. “May I ask who…?”

Luna nodded, sitting upright as her eyes watered. Fighting back the tears and sniffles, she took a picture out from a drawer and showed it to Steel. An off-white mare and light-brown stallion were waving at the viewer, matching tie-dye manes clearly a silly addition to their fashion.

“They were my friends, one of the first two I ever made back here in Canterlot years ago,” Luna whispered, looking at the picture with a shivering smile. “They were like you and a few other ponies, not groveling in my presence but just treating me as…me. They ran a bakery shop, and we just got talking there when I was browsing their goods. We had weekly lunches, sometimes more. Cream had just married that goofball a year or two before my return,” she remarked, reminiscing as Steel listened.

“Some of my first friends other than Twilight and the Elements to not hold my past against me. They didn’t even seem to care about the Nightmare Moon incident. Steel, I finally asked them why they weren’t frightened or treating me differently, for I could not understand it,” Luna then let out a soft laugh, wiping her eyes.

“I’ll never forget Cream’s response. She just looked at me with a raised eyebrow and gestured to her husband. ‘Highness, my husband cooked a peanut brittle wrong and we had to replace half of the kitchen appliances. We all make mistakes, big or small. Why should I hold your mistake against you? My husbands against him? Life’s too short for that.’” 

Steel couldn’t resist a smile, she sounded like quite a firecracker of a mare.

“I nearly broke down in tears at that. Nopony had been so kindly blunt to me up unto that point. So, we had lunches, even as their bakery grew and flourished, until three months ago.” Luna angrily slammed a hoof against the floor, causing the stone to crack.

“A fluke. A complete and utter twist of fate. Going into the cliffs for some special ingredients on one of their adventurous dates…” her voice now dropped to a whisper, Luna’s tone shaking. “and being in the wrong place in the wrong time. A rockslide tore off part of the cliff face …and that was that.”

Luna looked up and saw Steel’s own guard mask cracking. A barely contained wince, a clenched jaw.

“I barely made it through the funeral. These remembrance services are a happy affair, to celebrate their life. I just….” She looked up, watery gaze meeting the empathetic green eyes that stared at her.

“Steel, if I may be painfully blunt, how did you do it?” she asked. “Death is a part of life. But the suddenness, the realization that it’s such a fragile thing, how did you get past that? I t-thought I knew how to handle these things,” Luna’s voice cracked, a few tears dripping from her eyes. “I’ve lost friends before the Nightmare Moon incident. I’ve conducted services, come to terms with it, but nothing like this. This is so different somehow. They’re gone and I’m still here. I’ll always be here. I’ll always be d-dealing w-with…”

The sobs now came in earnest as Steel scooted forwards, the guard taking a bit of initiative and wrapping his arms around Luna’s torso. He said two words, voice a bit gruffer than usual as emotion stopped any smoothness.

“You’re scared.”

Luna hugged the guard tightly, nodding ever so slightly as her limbs and barrel shivered, the Princess of the Night fully leaning into his embrace. After a minute or two, she had calmed down enough to pull back slightly, seeing Steel still struggling to reign in his own feelings.

“You asked how did I get past it?” he asked, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “The fear? The realization of how delicate life is? I had plenty of time to think in that hospital when I lay awake at night.”

The guard’s brow furrowed, Steel clearly trying to put thoughts into words.

“I was scared. So scared. I was so pumped full of painkillers I wasn’t distracted by much pain; all I could do was think. A dozen ponies gone and I remained. Guilt over who I couldn’t save, why I lived and others died,” Steel explained. 

“My situation was a bit different, but how I got past it all? Not alone, that’s for sure. Support groups, pushing myself into a purpose; such events can destroy you, or push you forwards. I wanted to be happy, to find out what else I could do to help others. That’s how I got through it. I didn’t ignore it all or push it away, I faced it head on.” he paused. “Although some lessons can burn you a bit before it sticks.”

Luna stared at him in shock at the lighthearted joke, Steel shrugging. 

“Like that. You can run, hide, or ignore a tragedy, or face it head on and keep going forwards. Life is worth more than one single event. And Luna?” he asked, tone now a bit cautious. “I don’t know your friends, but do you think they’d want you to only remember this part of their life?”

Shaking her head, Luna couldn’t keep a soft smile off her face at the thought of being berated by Cream at the idea.

“No, I don’t think they would. She most certainly wouldn’t. I suppose it’s not losing them that is the entire issue. But I couldn’t think about that until I processed their passing,” Luna admitted, only now realizing she had, at some point, snagged Steel’s hoof and was still holding it rather tightly.

She reluctantly let him go, rubbing a forehoof against the other in slight embarrassment, then wiping away her tears.

“Thank you again, Steel. You’re quite a good listener.”

“And a comfy shoulder apparently,” he added, apparently enjoying the blush that came over Luna’s face at that.

“W-well I suppose I best get this form off,” Luna managed to say, levitating a scroll over to the rather smug but happy guard. “The supply order again. They mixed up three separate items like last time. Please have them double-check.”

Steel nodded, promptly trotting out of the room and leaving Luna to tidy up her desk. Instead of placing the picture back inside a drawer, she left it upright and to the side.

Of course, you’d throw a bread loaf at me for all of this, Cream. You’d probably be the one who smacked me with a hairbrush. No more avoiding things. Luna mused, going to a separate desk to address a familiar pile of papers.

Ugh. I’d much rather burn these. 





The time stretched and spread on, her previous sorrow forgotten under the warm memories of a spunky mare who would have most certainly not wanted the princess to mope. As she continued to fill out a particularly long financial request, Luna found herself staring rather wistfully off into nowhere, a smile on her face as a certain comfy-shoulder-comment floated through her mind.

Hmm. Speaking of avoiding things…

That was an easy thing in theory to address. But how in the world do you bring something up like that?

Bluntly? 

I think he’d appreciate that. It’s nothing serious, a mere possibility. I do enjoy his company quite a bit, and I’d like to see how that goes outside of a professional aspect.

Well. Less professional than it already is, which…well not very at this point. It’s still a step, and all I can do is ask.

Luna found the forms were quickly pushed to the side, the alicorn biting her lip in thought.

What do I say?

HOW do I say anything related to it?

Moving from the desk back to her pile of pillows, Luna hugged a larger one between her hooves, frowning as her wings slumped.

I’ve officiated hundreds of negotiations between ponies and creatures abroad. Surely, I can voice my interest of a stallion in a cohesive way?

…hopefully.

The fact that Steel continually brought a smile to Luna’s face indicated that at least she was going in the right direction.

Well, at least that is figured out.

A decent stack of necessary but obnoxious papers later, the Princess heard some hoofsteps and a familiar knock.

“Steel? That was fast,” she remarked, walking over as the stallion returned with a few filled out supply orders.

“They were faster than normal, thankfully. That place gets a bit hectic,” he replied, eyes narrowing as Luna shifted on her hooves. “Erm, is everything ok?”

“I….” Luna began, then let her head slump with a sigh. “This is harder that I thought,” she whispered, cheeks immediately reddening as the words were spoken a bit louder than she intended.

“Not really following.”

Luna let out a huff, nodding once as she looked at the perplexed guard.

“Yes, just-I was wondering if you’d like to go back to that Bay spot again sometime?”





Steel looked rather confused, shrugging his shoulders.

What does she mean? Wanting to talk about stuff again? I obviously don’t have a problem with that, unless she thought I was being imposed upon.

“I mean, sure? That overlook was quite lovely?” he then paused with a wince, “I wouldn’t want to give the wrong idea though,” he added, now adding a perplexed alicorn to the mix.

“Wrong idea?” Luna asked.

Steel nodded, gesturing to the Princess.

“The other thing on your mind, I think I figured it out after that play. There’s somecreature that caught your eye, and you’re not sure what to do about it. I wouldn’t want to give the wrong idea to him or her.”

I don’t want to be the start of anything like that. Perhaps a noble? A diplomat? A prince? 

Luna simply stared for a minute, then not able to hold back a laugh that brought her to tears. A soon as she got her chuckles under control, Luna swiped a forelimb across her eyes and pointed at Steel.

“Steel, that is so remarkably sweet, but you’ve completely missed my intentions.”

“I did?” he asked, blinking as he tried to come to the correct conclusion.

Luna trotted forwards, placing a single hoof on his breastplate.

“Servant,” she then gestured to herself. “Queen.”

Steel promptly sat down, jaw dropping slightly.
Wait.
WAIT.

“I-erm, hold on,” he stammered, removing his helmet to massage a temple with a hoof.

“So, the thing on your mind isn’t about another creature?” he asked after putting the metal and pillow armor back on, Luna still failing to suppress giggles.

“Well, the main issue isn’t about that, no. But this more pressing and interesting matter has clearly occupied my mind for a bit. You just happen to be that other creature.”

“M-me?” was the incredulous reply, prompting Luna to stare.

“And why wouldn’t it be?” Luna immediately asked as thought it was a personal insult. “You’re charming, sensitive, introspective, and quite obviously handsome. My question about a marefriend or any special somepony wasn’t in complete jest,” she continued, surprising herself with the defensive tone. “I find you quite fun to be around, and would like that to extend outside of an official work atmosphere, but I am not sure how that would go, since we already see each other a good half of the night…” her words trailed off, now realizing that it may make thing a tad awkward.

Steel clearly hadn’t thought that far ahead, still sitting and staring at Luna with a shocked expression on his face.

“Is…silence your answer?” she ventured to ask after a few moments, the stallion finally snapping back to reality.

“N-no! I mean, to the silence bit,” he stammered quickly.

Words. Cohesive sentences…Come on…

“Yes! Go to the bay. Date…it is?” he added and then smacked a hoof to his own face with a groan of exasperation.

Close enough.

Luna’s laughter brought a smile to Steel’s face, the alicorn struggling to catch her breath.

“Yes, Steel, I’d very much like it to be an official date if you’re interested,” she managed to say between gasps. “Stars above that was adorable.”

Luna’s smile only grew wider on seeing the guard blush, the Princess letting out a slight sigh of relief. 

“For a moment I thought I was in error, that perhaps you did have somepony, or just didn’t see me, well, in that way.”

Steel stayed silent for a moment, but the guard was clearly trying to put his thoughts into words as his brow furrowed.

“Not see- ah, I guess that’s a valid concern,” he mused, but then shook his head, eyes turning back to the still blushing Alicorn. “But a very incorrect one. It’s been a bit of an exercise to try and not think of you in the ‘available’ sense, if I’m being honest.”

Luna blinked, not having received a compliment in that sort of manner in some time.

“I-really?”

Seriously? She’s surprised at that? HOW?

“Really. I mean, I’m a guard. You don’t think about the Princess’s that way, both from a respect standpoint and because you’re our boss,” Steel explained, scuffing the stones with a hoof. “Doesn’t mean such feelings don’t happen, it’s just easier to push them off.”

Luna appeared to think about his words, then tentatively trotted over to tap her hooves together nervously.

“I’m just happy somepony can think about us, me in that way. I do think if you hadn’t been as relaxed this past week or two, that may have been a bit different. But seeing as how that isn’t the case I…” she paused, wings drooping slightly. “So, you are able to see me in that different light?”

Oh. I never directly answered her question.

“Luna, you are an absolutely gorgeous mare who is an absolute pleasure and joy to be in the company of, and I would be thrilled to accompany you to somewhere as your date,” Steel stated with a grin.

Judging by the fact Luna’s wings flared and her jaw dropped slightly, the Princess hadn’t been expecting such a blunt answer.

“Uh, you did ask…” Steel ventured, finding that Luna’s pink cheeks were a very cute addition to her usual color scheme. 

In fact, they were growing on him rather quickly, as well as across the Princess’s own face as she stared.

“I…you….right,” she stammered, Steel’s words apparently having a much greater effect than he intended.

Do I dare push my luck?

Well, I do love seeing her laugh and flustered.

Steel decided to up the ante a bit more, taking a few steps forward and gently pressing a hoof against Luna’s nose with a cheeky grin.

“However, no kissing on the first date though, or am I reading that adorable blush wrong?”

Luna’s face immediately flushed even further, and Steel could have sworn a soft squeak left her mouth at his words, the Princess’s horn flashing with magic.

Oh, that is the most adorable thing I-

Unfortunately, his thoughts were interrupted by a very familiar sensation and sound.

*THWACK!*
> Chapter Six: A Delightful Date
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You asked him on a date.”

“Sister, please.”

“You asked him on a date, he said yes and complimented you.”

“Cellyyyyyyyy.”

“He complimented you in what sounds like an absolutely adoring way, and you smacked him with a brush! Again!”

“I was flustered!”

“You hit your date with a brush!”

“I was throwing the pillow at him! I didn’t realize the brush was also in my magic until…”

Celestia was now unable to hold back her laughter, soft giggles escaping her mouth as Luna pouted fiercely at the raspberry pastry in front of her.

“H-here, d-dear sister. I h-had these made on a whim!” Celestia gasped, levitating over a large box.

Luna took a rebellious bite of the pastry, then opening the box and glaring at Celestia, who was now nearly falling out her chair with mirth.

Staring at her were a dozen sturdily-sewn and crafted hairbrush plushies.

“T-those won’t hurt him! S-so you can smack t-to your-”

*SPLAT!*

Luna grinned in victory as the cream pie plastered Celestia’s upper torso, the extra-laden dessert slathering her sister from chest, to neck, to the top of her head.

“I…may have deserved that,” Celestia grumbled as Luna took another, victorious helping of pancakes.

“Thank you for the gift, Sister. I shall use them in lieu of the wooden ones.”

“I’m sure Steel Heart would appreciate that. His pillow armor thankfully spared his poor head. I won’t tease you anymore since you do have your first date in a rather long time. Now I think you need to go to bed. You’ve got a date tomorrow!”

“I can only imagine what he’s going to say…”





Steel stood at attention; Luna barely able to look at him without breaking out into giggles. He had reported to her study an hour or two early, as they had planned….

But clearly his armor had the effect the stallion hoped for. His head and barrel were completely wrapped in pillows, and a shield of similar construction was firmly attached to his left forelimb.

“I just wanted to make sure,” he finally said with a grin, Luna now in silent stitches as she gasped for breath. She managed to clear her head enough to teleport them to the Bay, a lovely picnic basket and blanket set out amid some trees. It was only then that Luna hugged her sides in laughter as Steel continued to stand at pillow-covered-attention. 

Seeing her so relaxed, that I can make her laugh, it’s…I like that.

It was such a simple thing. Nothing as dramatic as a pink arrow to the heart or starry-eyes in Luna’s presence. Instead, just a warm glow at seeing the Alicorn happy, her eyes sparkling with mirth and life. It was something that had drawn Steel’s attention from when they had first met. It had grown from a curiosity, to an understanding. 

And now? Such a thing could grow more. She wanted it to grow more. It was a lot to process in a day, but when such affectionate feelings were already present, just ignored, it was a bit easier to shift such thinking.

Especially when she’s a friend, even if we don’t know that much about each other just yet.

But I hope to change that.

Luna finally got herself under control and sat in front of Steel as she wiped tears from her eyes.

“Steel, you look ridiculously fantastic,” she managed to say, now levitating off the helmet as her eyes softened. “But could you remove it for a moment? There’s something I’d like to address before anything else.”

He did so, curious as to where this was going. Luna trotted forwards, actually looking genuinely upset for a brief second.

“May I give you a hug?”

Steel blinked at the request, not ever having recalled hearing such a thing from…anyone.

“I…of course.”

As Luna wrapped the guard up in her forelimbs, Steel felt her shiver slightly.

“I really am sorry about smacking you with that brush. The thought of causing you any harm is extremely upsetting. I just-I wanted to say I was so very sorry.”

Gladly returning the gesture, Steel let himself relax for a few moments and enjoy the affectionate embrace. The fact Luna leaned into him ever so slightly made the stallion’s heart skip a beat, especially as her hug tightened.

The simple things.

“Well, apology accepted, and no hard feelings. I’d just prefer to avoid any future brush-related incidents,” Steel finally said, Luna reluctantly releasing her hold on him as her normally dark cheeks lightened up slightly.

Downside of your color scheme, Luna. I can totally tell when you even have the slightest blush.

Still very cute.

And it’s nice that I can let that thought linger.

“I can certainly promise that any such things will not be intentional. My sister gave me plushie brushes just in case.” Luna remarked, then gestured to the stallion as she averted her gaze briefly. “You have a comfy shoulder indeed.”

“Comfy? Is that a new adjective to describe me now?” Steel teased, hoping he wasn’t pushing his luck too far.

Judging by the quiet blush from Luna, he hadn’t crossed any lines. The stallion decided on a slightly different gesture, reaching down to gently hold one of Luna’s hooves for a brief moment.

“I just tease out of jest, but don’t want to push my luck too far,” he admitted, then letting her hoof down. Luna stared, but then her shoulders relaxed as a relaxed smile flitted onto her features.

“You aren’t acting out of turn, Steel. It has been ages since anyone has bothered to be so relaxed around me. I…rather enjoy having someone else to tease other than my sister, and vice versa,” she mused, then levitating a picnic basket over.

“Since it was I who asked you on this date, I put together a few ideas, if you’d like? Perhaps a snack and then exploring some nearby ruins?” the Princess asked, clopping her front hooves together nervously.

She’s nervous around me.

The Princess of the Night, who oversees the entire dream realm…is nervous around me.

That’s one of the most flattering things ever, and rather telling.

“That sounds rather nice, but if I may ask, did you cheat and ask a certain bubbly Pegasus guard about a hobby of mine?” Steel asked with a grin, Luna pouting with a nod.

“Your usual patrol partner was the only one I could think to ask. I wanted to solve that today though, if I’m being honest.”

“Oh?”

Luna nodded, the pair munching on some light pastries and vegetables as the moon cast a soft shadow over the rippling waters in the distance.

“I don’t know much about you, Steel Heart. My efforts to plan a date for today made that abundantly clear. And I’d most certainly like to know more about you.”

“Me?”

A simple nod was the alicorns answer, Steel’s brow furrowing.

“I mean, you know my file.”

“Steeeeel.”

The stallion couldn’t help but laugh, the pitiful whine from Luna coupled with her adorable pout was too much.

“I get it, I get it. Well, growing up in Manehatten was tricky, especially with a father into politics. He was none too pleased when I wanted to go into the guard, but my mother fully supported me, as did my siblings.”

“Sisters?”

“Two younger sisters and a brother, one older brother. They’re all doing their separate things after the…well, incident with the fire.”

“Ah, sorry, I-”

Steel shrugged, waving a hoof dismissively.

“It’s fine, really. I wouldn’t mind telling you the specifics later, but it’s not exactly happy first-date material.”

Luna nodded, relaxing slightly at his reassurances.

“I have to say, I was surprised to see you at the theatre,” she admitted, deciding on a different topic of conversation.

“I enjoy such things. Musicals, stories that tug at your heart; it’s a shame some creatures look down on other for enjoying such things.”

“What about Opera?” 

Steel wagged his head back and forth at that, letting out a hum in thought.

“While it isn’t my favorite, I can appreciate the talent and art form itself, your…self?” he asked, voice drifting off on seeing an excited grin on the Lunar Princess’s features. “I take it you enjoy it?”

“Very much so; it’s rather invigorating to find another who enjoys it, or at least appreciates the art. My sister can’t stand it,” Luna admitted. 

“Well, perhaps that can be a future date?” Steel suggested, the bright blush on his cheeks making his face burn as Luna giggled.

“Barely into the first date, and already planning a second? The boldness, Steel!” Luna teased, the stallion grumbling to himself. “But yes, I very much like that idea.”

The extremely cheesy and dopey grin on the stallion’s face was enough to make Luna smile for some time as they finished their meal, then meandering down to the ruins for a bit of exploration.





“Soooo the ancient tribe got literally washed away?”

“Oh yes, it was quite the event. They were all fine of course, unicorn spells and all, but they were quite surprised,” Luna explained as they looked at a pictograph on a worn, mossy stone wall.

“And they returned here to record the history for the next decade or so?”

“Exactly. I just find such things interesting, the creators long gone, but their history…remains.” 

Luna’s voice hitched at the last few words, Steel’s ears perking up as he looked over in concern. He had vague idea of what was bothering her, but held his tongue.

“I will tell you, Steel,” Luna whispered, “Just, not yet.”

“I’ll be right here,” he replied, then humming. “Well, maybe not like, right here, next to you, but figuratively. Maybe a few hallways over.” Luna was starting to giggle.

“Or a few rooms. Hopefully no more than a day’s journey, but I suppose portals are a thing. It would be a pain to walk.”

Now that Luna was gasping for breath, even though it was such a silly and stupid joke, Steel relented, her pent-up stress reaction another indicator of how heavy her thoughts were weighing on her.

“T-that shouldn’t have been so funny,” Luna admitted with a gentle smile. “But thank you.”

“Well, it really wasn’t that funny, but I thought you could use a laugh,” Steel replied, his words being rewarded with a gentle nudge on the shoulder.

“I could. Such melancholy has no place on a date, least of all with you,” the Princess added, a familiar dopey grin returning to Steel’s features.

“I’m just glad I can help make you smile.”

Such a sincere response pulled another blush onto Luna’s cheeks, the Princess letting out a frustrated huff.

“Must you be so sincerely adorable?”

Steel stood at attention proudly, nodding once.

“Yup!”

As a soft chime echoed around them, Luna frowned at the alarm.

“I was hoping for longer,” she muttered.

“Well, we can continue from here on our next date?” Steel suggested. “That is, if you’d like to go on another one?”

Luna blinked, trotting over to give a brief nuzzle against Steel’s cheek, then backing away with a smile.

“Of course, Steel. I’d love another date.”

She let out a happy sigh as Steel trotted forwards to give her a hug, the Alicorn leaning into the gesture.

Of course, Luna gave her previous answer for the next ten consecutive dates, much to a certain stallion’s joy.
> Chapter Seven: Challenging Craters
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steel knew this office. 
The view out of the skyscaper window.
The shelves…the pony behind the desk.
There was no hate, no more anger. It had burned out over the course of a few years, leaving only a void lacking of any trust.

How can I trust him when he betrayed everything he taught me? Never to be like ‘those’ ponies. Always look out for your workers. Always make sure they are treated fairly.

Always consult experts.
Following the money yields profit, but can destroy your soul.
….how is your soul faring then, Father, when you went back on that statement?

“Luna?” Steel called out, making the memory pause.

In an instant, the Princess appeared in his dream, looking around curiously.

“Steel? What is it?” she asked, the earth pony shrugging.

“I just- this memory, I wanted you to see it,” he explained, now averting his eyes. “It’s a bit painful, and it’s something that will come up eventually. So…”

“Are you sure?”

His gaze snapped up, and Luna felt a warmth rise in her chest at the affection in Steel’s eyes. 

“You were there for me during this time. So, yes.”

Luna couldn’t quell the affectionate butterflies in her stomach, stepping to the side with Steel as his memory dream played.

An older earth pony sat behind the large desk, shuffling through a series of papers as the Manehatten skyline was visible in the wall-sized window.

Two knocks sounded, the protests of a secretary echoing in the background as three ponies strode through the door.

“What is the meaning…of….Steel?” the stallion asked in shock, two royal guards at his son’s side. The younger pony was still limping, magical casts soaking his limbs with healing spells as fur and tendons regrew.

Yet Steel’s eyes held more strength than any pony in the room, gaze burning with a fiery loathing, an absolute disgust for the stallion behind the desk.

“This is a matter of courtesy, Chairpony Pen Heart,” the lead guard stated flatly, levitating a stack of folders over to the stallion’s desk. “The company you serve as a co-founder is being struck with a lawsuit by over a dozen ponies. Trainee Steel Heart being one of them.”

Shock stamped itself across Pen’s face, looking up to his son in shock.

“Steel? What is the meaning of this?” he asked, a flicker of betrayal echoing across the stallion’s face. That emotion vanished as Steel limped forwards, nearly falling as his guard escort steadied him. 

“Twenty thousand bits,” Steel whispered, glaring at his father with unabashed loathing. “Twenty. Thousand. Bits.”

“What are you talking about?”

The loathing and borderline hatred was now replaced with genuine hurt and shock on Steel’s scarred face, the stallion’s jaw quivering.

“You never even read them.”

“Read what, son? What is all this about? A lawsuit? On what grounds?”

At a slight nod, Steel motioned to the guard, the unicorn dropping another stack of folders onto the desk.

“Criminal negligence, violation of building code. Those are the primary charges,” Steel relayed. “I don’t think there’s a law for everything else you did.”

“Steel, this is ridiculous! Explain yourself!”

Steel blinked, clearly surprised at his father’s boldness.

“Your company oversaw the construction of that office building, didn’t it?” he asked. “At the same time running for a political office. It would have severely impacted your campaign expenditures and public view if the building ran over budget.”

Now Pen’s orange face began to drain of color, teal eyes widening slowly.

“Twenty thousand bits. That’s how much you saved ignoring my warnings of using shoddy wiring that didn’t meet code. And now how many are dead?” Steel whispered. “Twenty thousand bits divided by those bodies, is that the price of a life?”

“I n-never meant…”

“You went forwards with it, and the building ignited. You ignored my warnings for safety measures to be installed first as per code. And now they’re dead, and I have to live with that,” Steel added.

“You didn’t have to run in there!” Pen exclaimed. 

The guards stared in shock, Steel snarling at his father and standing up a bit taller.

“You don’t even know me anymore, do you?” he bellowed, sides heaving with exertion. “You barely visited me in the hospital! And the times you did…how many cameras were there? HOW MANY?”

Quailing under his son’s outburst, Pen shook his head a cold sweat now spreading across his brow, utter horror plastering itself across every aspect of the stallion. It wasn’t the look of a pony who had willfully been malicious- but the one reaping the rewards of such actions.

“You were in a coma; I didn’t know if you could hear me….” Pen lamely responded, ears lying flat even as the words turned to ash on his tongue.

“I heard it all, or at least the lack thereof,” Steel huffed. “I know mom cried at my bedside when she visited, hoping I was alright, and wondering where you were, why you wouldn’t come and see your own son!”

Pen Heart’s eyes now began to water, the façade of reality he had built up now fracturing.

“And the cameras. Four times you visited out of seven. ‘Pen Heart visits son in hospital.’ Four. Times! How could you?” Steel whispered, the anger now fading to disgust. “You used me, my pain for your ratings. You used your son for that.”

“I never meant for that…I….I just….” Pen shook his head, words failing the stallion. 

“The only pony there for me had a country to help run, and she still found time to talk with me, even for a minute, each night as I lay in bed trapped in my own head,” his son continued. “Of the thousands of things she could be doing, a Princess made sure I was ok. Where were you?”

Pen shook his head, tears of shame now falling freely down his face, not able to meet the gaze of his son.

“I am moving to Canterlot to continue recovery and training. I’ve sold all of my shares in the company and donated them to the surviving families. The colts and fillies who have to grow up without a parent, the mare or stallion without a spouse,” Steel said sadly, head shaking slowly. “What happened to you, dad? I remember you caring about ponies…and now you’re just one of them. One of the politicians you always said never looked out for those ‘beneath’ them.”

Pen’s eyes widened in horror, looking up to his son as the younger stallion’s jaw quivered, then setting firmly as he looked back at the older pony.

“You’re everything I hope never to be.”

With that, Steel limped out of the room and left his father to sob quietly behind his desk in self-loathing.

Steel sent the dream fading away to a meadow, leaving a shocked Princess to stare at him.

“So that’s how it happened. Steel, I can’t imagine….” Luna began, ears flattening. To her surprise, the stallion simply shrugged.

“I’ve had a few years to get over it,” he replied.

Luna stayed silent for a time, finally breaking the peace with a simple question, one that she could draw a few similarities to in a general sense.

“Do you hate him?”

Steel didn’t immediately respond, finally shaking his head.

“Not anymore. For a while I did, but now I just feel sorry for my father,” he finally said. “Holding on to hate for so long…I could feel it starting to fester. So, after some thought, I managed to see through it. Because of that, I feel sorry for him, among other things. My father became everything he hated about politics, the noble class…and in the end it destroyed something a lot more valuable than status.”

“You don’t speak with him?”

“No. Not for some time, and only curt messages if that, same with my siblings regarding him. I think I’m going to change that though.”

Luna stared at Steel in surprise, the steady strength in his voice giving her pause.

“Oh?”

He nodded, taking a deep breath and examining the scars along his forelimbs.

“He destroyed that bridge, and I most certainly helped. I had no desire to reconnect with him, not unless he has changed. But I’ve been hearing from my mother that he has changed, that he’s starting to be the stallion she fell in love with decades ago. I’d be a worse pony if I didn’t recognize a creature’s willingness to change, a want to be better.” His eyes then flickered over to Luna with a smile. “I’d dare say that you’d agree, if I had to guess.”

Luna chuckled, nodding in agreement.

“Indeed. Second chances, when an individual wants to be better, is indeed a healing thing. Thank you for showing me this, Steel.”

“Of course. You’re my marefriend, why wouldn’t…I….uh….” he stammered, eyes widening as he let out a huff. “I mean, if you’ll be my marefriend?”

“Not exactly how I imagined you’d ask, but of course,” Luna giggled, looking over to him affectionately. “You know, if you slept earlier, we could have more of the night together.”

“Perhaps. But I do still need your help occasionally.”

Luna scooted over to give her special somepony a brief nuzzle on the cheek.

“And I am most glad to help. I look forward to our date late.”

“I’ll bring the raspberry shortcakes.”

Steel couldn’t help but laugh at the adorable squeal that left Luna’s muzzle.

His marefriend’s muzzle.



 

“You. Are. Perfect,” Luna proclaimed as she devoured a second shortcake, the pair sitting on their usual hill above the cove.

“I have my moments,” Steel chuckled, thoroughly enjoying his deity-like status Luna bestowed upon him for delivering the delectable pastries.

The earth pony paused as Luna was occupied, retrieving an item hidden behind the picnic basket.

“Steel what is-”

*SQUEAK!*

Luna stared at the grinning stallion, a plushie brush firmly grasped in his hoof after having batted her with it.

“I KNEW one of those went missing!” Luna accused Steel as he laughed, ducking a swing as the Princess retrieved her own plushie weapon.

“It’s only fair!” Steel teased, getting a solid whack from the brush as he sent his own implement swiping towards Luna.

“For?”

“For commemorating today!”

Luna tilted her head, pausing her assault for a moment as Steel trotted forwards.

“Hmm?”

The stallion blushed, lowering the brush to look at it, then glancing up at the Princess.

“Well. You said you’d be my marefriend,” he said slowly, a sincere and rather affectionate smile on his face. “So…this all began with a brush.”

Luna could only let out an adoring squeak of her own- a sound that was quickly cut off as two lips gently brushed her own briefly.

Seeing Steel’s face still an adorable pink, the alicorn scooted a bit closer, a wry smile now twitching at her features.

“It’s not the first date, now is it?” she asked, Steel’s nerves evaporating at the friendly words.

“I s-suppose nMMFF!”

Luna felt Steel freeze as she gave him a deep kiss, and for a moment the alicorn thought she had overstepped….

That is, until a hoof wrapped around her own, Steel delving into the affection gesture just as much as she did. 

When they separated, Luna could only trace her muzzle down Steel’s neck, then pulling back and sniffling. The affection and trust in her stallion’s eyes were enough to make her melt…

Her stallion.

“I wish to duel you, my esteemed Princess,” Steel stated, lifting his own brush with a smile.

“Oh? And what shall be the prize?”

Steel grinned scooting a bit forward. Luna leaned down, expecting another kiss-

And her lips met a plush, velvety exterior with a soft *squeeeeeeeeeeak.*

Glaring at the offending brush and her cackling colt friend, Luna levitated her own weapon with a growl.

“Oh, thou dare mock me!” she challenged, Steel not able to resist a laugh as he lowered in a battle stance.

“Mock? Never, my lunar firefly. The prize shall be what you bestowed upon the brush!”

Luna laughed, ducking a swing as the two dueled with their deadly combing implements.





All smiles as she trotted towards the dining area, Luna couldn’t help but hum to herself, swaying this way and that down the halls. 

A date to remember indeed. I finally got to kiss him…

 

Repeatedly. And I suppose I wasn’t the one leading the entire time.

“He said yes!” Celestia squealed, ambushing Luna in a tight hug as soon as she entered the dining hall in a hug.

“Who? What?” Luna asked, then blinking as Celestia set her down. “Wait, Celly, you asked him to marry you already?” she teased with a grin.

The other alicorn blew a raspberry at Luna, shaking her head happily. 

“Oh goodness no! Something more important, if I’m being honest,” Celestia admitted. “I mentioned one of the deal breakers; forever aging, the chance he could join me in such. And Seaspray actually was happy about it!” she gushed. “And in the most romantic way too, ‘If I was to age with you, my dear Celly, even as everything turns to ash, how could that be a bad…thing’,” Celestia’s voice trailed off, the alicorn’s tone turning to that of concern.

“Lulu? Are you alright?”

Luna brought a hoof to her face and noticed the tears running down her cheeks, and she then hung her head in shame, her barely-hidden secret now easily seen by her sister. Her joy of the night had evaporated in an instant, fear icing her heart over.

“It’s…I’m happy f-for you sister, I truly am. It’s just an issue a b-bit close to home,” Luna whispered, tears turning to shame at ruining her sister’s joyful outburst.

Luna found herself wrapped up in a loving hug, Celestia holding her tight.

“Lulu, that’s what has been bothering you, isn’t it?”

The Lunar Princess nodded ever so slightly, trying her hardest to stem the few fearful tears leaking from her closed eyes.

“Ask him.”

Luna drew a sharp breath, looking up at her older sister as Celestia had her jaw set firmly with a nod.

“Ask him, Lulu.”

“I c-can’t! I barely-”

“Are you starting to love him?”

Celestia’s question gave Luna pause, the younger alicorn averting her gaze with a slight blush.

“If you do not love him already, do you feel the inklings for it? The start? If so, and you think there’s even a chance he feels the same, then ask,” Celestia stated resting her forehead against Luna’s. “And I think you’ll be surprised. Steel adores you. Don’t wait so long like I did, because I certainly should have addressed it sooner. Seaspray sat on me until I finally brought it up.”

Luna couldn’t help but giggle, sniffling slightly at that.

“Sat on you? Couldn’t you have-”

“Oh of course I could have thrown him off with ease, but that would have shown my stubbornness and confirmed something was wrong,” Celestia paused, now smiling gently at her sister. “Luna, if this is the question that has been paining you for months, Steel was second only to me to see it.”

“I’m afraid of his answer,” Luna whispered.

“And I was not for the ‘griff I’ve fallen head over hooves for? But if you don’t say something, it will fester…and if they care for you, they can tell,” Celestia replied. “Seaspray saw right through me, and I’m sure Steel has too.”

“I….” 

Taking a few moments to collect her thoughts, Luna finally reached forwards and gave Celestia a hug.

“Thank you, Celly,” she said softly, her forelimbs trembling slightly. “I think I’ll ask him.”

“You think?”

Luna couldn’t help but smile as her older sister looked down at her in mock sternness, the Lunar Princess letting out a slight laugh.

“Ok, I will ask him.”

“That’s my Lulu.”

“And if he says no, then I’ll bribe him with more kisses.”

“Wait, more? I take it your date went well?”

Nodding, Luna sat down for their meal and regaled Celestia with an outline of their date, her fears being placed on the backburner with the help of her supportive sister. 

“I knew those brushes would come in handy!” Celestia crowed.

“Indeed, they are quite fun. Now then sister, I think you had a date too. What is it like kissing a hippogriff?”

Luna thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the blush on her sister’s cheeks at that, the pair laughing together as they ate together and went over the bullet points of the royal duties for the day and night.
> Chapter Eight: Dancing in Moonlight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The stallion stared at the newspaper article in absolute shock, the large, enchanted letter and enclosed paper having arrived only an hour after he awoke for the evening.

Tears trickled down Steel’s cheeks- but not in sadness. Luck, Chance…those held no sway to the timing of this.

The letter was a simple message from his mother, tears on the paper as her shaky script had been written.

‘Please read. Your father, he’s back. 
My Pen Heart is back. I ask you give him a chance.’

The article had been read by Steel twice already, and a third time caused a long-forgotten sense of pride to be kindled. Small and easily doused, but flickering.

His mother’s words that his father had been changing had not been unfounded, it would seem.

‘Political powerhouse and construction tycoon Pen Heart delivered an explosive announcement today. The pony who had pledged most of his fortune into building one of the most successful political campaign engines and construction companies had this to say about his immediate actions, the stallion looking ragged after two weeks of sparse contact with the media.’

The enchanted picture, a simple black and white recording to save magical power now played, the audio grainy but very understandable. Steel’s father stood on the steps of one of his office buildings, jaw quivering as he waved a hoof at the structure.

“You- yes you, what did you say?” Pen asked, a reporter voicing the question again.

“Are you really throwing all of this progress away? This empire?”

Pen stared, the proud stallion then hanging his head.
“Is this what progress is?” he asked, then looking up at the gathering of surprised media ponies.

“My children won’t speak to me. My wife says she’d give anything to have me back to how I used to be, the deaths of innocent ponies on my conscience…is that what progress is?!” he asked, glaring at the reported before shaking his head.

“I’ve lost everything that matters in this life, all for what. Concrete and glass? Political sway?” he paused.

“Then I will tear it down; I can’t live like this. My son was right, I did become one of them,” Pen whispered. “I’m out. No more campaigns, and I’m selling my shares of the company. The public won’t notice a difference, only that there will be less of me. I’ve lost everything that drove me to even be successful. If I ever enter the business world again, it will be a small shop on a side street. But even that…I’m done.’ Pen got up and began to trot away from the media gaggle, then pausing once again. 

“To everycreature that has been hurt by my negligence, I’ll make it right. I have to.”

The video then ended, Steel staring at the article in disbelief. 

Perhaps I shall write him indeed. No later than after my date. Perhaps Luna can give me some guidance.
Or a hug.





Luna clopped her hooves together excitedly, nerves making her nearly vibrate with tension.
Good tension, deep breaths.
Bad tension.
ALL the tension!

As Steel *popped* into existence at her side on their designated hill, courtesy of an enchanted amulet, Luna’s ears flicked in thought. Something was troubling him, and that made her nerves fray.

Should I ask him tonight? 

I don’t want him to-

*Boop*

Luna went cross-eyed at the hoof on her nose, shoulders then relaxing as a simple, chaste but affectionate kiss was planted on her lips by her special somepony.

“You are one distracted mare, what’s up?” Steel asked, sitting down and placing a picnic basket to the side.

“I was going to say the same thing about you,” she mumbled. “Are you sure you-Mmmmmmm.” 

Steel was clearly enjoying the fact he could incapacitate the Lunar Princess with a kiss, grinning dopily as Luna pouted.

“That,” she grumbled, poking his chest lightly with a hoof, “is not fair!”

“Never said it is! But what is on your mind? I do have something to talk about, but not until you tell me your troubles,” he then paused, “and I won’t budge on that. You know I won’t.”

The ultimate pout of all pouts failed to break through Steel’s demeanor, Luna smiling finally as she scooted closer to rest on the stallion’s shoulder.

“Alright. It’s, well, the thing. The big thing.”

“The thing? OH! Are you sure?”

Luna nodded, taking a deep breath to quell the butterflies in her stomach. The fear was rising- she had to speak soon.

“Will you promise to answer honestly? The first thing that comes to mind?” Luna whispered, almost pleading. Her heart fluttered as Steel nodded immediately.

“I promise.”

She paused, her sister’s words giving her much-needed reassurance to continue on.

“Would not aging or dying be a horrible fate? For you that is?” she finally whispered, not as a direct method of question as Luna would like, but it worked.

Steel’s brow furrowed, the stallion thinking for a moment.

“I think it would be pretty awful, if I’m honest-” his words were cut off by Luna taking in a sharp, unconscious breath, ears flattening as a lump welled up in her throat. Steel immediately scooted closer, gently placing a hoof on her chest with an affectionate smile.

“Hey, I wasn’t finished,” he said softly, gaze meeting Luna’s. While her eyes brimmed with tears, his own shone with a sincere care, the embers of love flickering brightly, the stallion clearly understanding the deeper, unspoken weight of her question. “I was trying to say, it’d be pretty awful unless I had someone at my side forever.”

Now the tears fell from Luna’s eyes, her fears being shattered with Steel’s words.

“R-really?” she managed to whisper, her coltfriend nodding.

“Really. It’s a bit early to be making that jump, if I’m being honest,” he admitted, “but the idea? The possibility? It’s not that bad of an idea at all, as long as I’m not alone.”

“Can I-Just….you….hug?” Luna stammered, Steel wrapping his hooves around the Princess as she fell into his arms. Her sides shook with sobs, pend up fear and tension now released as tears coursed down her cheeks.

“Steel, thank you. I was so scared, just, thank you.” she whispered, Steel rubbing her back gently.

“No thanks are necessary. I can tell this has been quite a weight, but I’m glad you asked me. It’s a bit early to be considering all of that, but I can see why you asked now, at least from my perspective,” he mused. “Then again, if my answer had been different, that may have changed things, huh?”

She nodded, holding him a bit tighter.

“I don’t know if I could do it.” Luna whispered. “Falling in love to know you would….”

Her words were stopped by a gentle touch, Steel reaching up and caressing her cheek with his.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. How about we explore this option more after a bunch more dates though? Just know that I don’t hate the idea at all. In fact, I think it could be quite fun. It’s just a bit overwhelming.”

Luna nodded in agreement, blushing as Steel reached up to wipe her eyes for her.

“You are far too much a gentlecolt,” she said, the stallion standing tall with a grin.

“Yup!”

Spreading out the contents of the picnic basket, Luna looked over to see Steel fishing out a simple, enchanted parchment and pen, the alicorn gesturing curiously.

“What are those for?”

Hoofing over the article regarding his family, Steel waited until Luna had read it, her eyes widening in absolute shock.

“He has changed quite a bit it would seem…” Luna mused. “I am surprised.”

“You and me both,” Steel agreed, levitating the parchment over, on which was written a brief message. “But your question kind of put mine in perspective, of whether to speak with my father again.”

Luna read the parchment, warmth welling up in her heart at the simple words.

‘Hey dad, 

I saw your article, and what you said.
I’d like to meet with you and mom, and maybe the whole family if we can wrangle them back together for a dinner.
I’ve had things put in perspective recently, and I’d like to keep in touch with my parents more often once again, if that is something you’d like.

-Steel Heart.’

Steel read over the message and promptly sent the message with a tap of his hoof, the parchment vanishing with a magical fizzle.

“Well, he can reply to that if he wants. But I don’t know how he’ll react,” the stallion admitted with a shrug, a smile spreading on his face regardless. “But I’ve spent far too long harboring negative feelings for him. Justified or not…I want to focus on better things.”

Steel reached over and held Luna’s hoof, the alicorn blushing as he gave it a kiss.

“Much, much better things,” he added, the Princess not able to restrain a laugh.

“That was so cheesy. I love it,” she giggled.

Steel’s attention was then drawn to a familiar parchment, the item reappearing with a soft chime.

“Huh…” he muttered, angling it so Luna could read as well.

‘Son,

I’d like nothing more than for that to happen, and I hope in time you can forgive me for what I became, for what I am struggling to retreat from.
Is it too late to say I’m sorry?

Because I am so, so sorry for what I did, for what I became, for my actions…for everything.’

Luna saw Steel’s jaw clench, the sensitive stallion’s hooves shivering slightly. She reached over to hold one of them gently as he scrawled a brief reply. The words made Luna’s heart soar, both out of pride and affection.

‘It is never too late, dad.

And I have forgiven you.
When we meet, there’s a pony I’d like to introduce you to as well. It’s only right that a stallion introduces his marefriend to his father and mother.’

Sending the message away, Steel took a few deep breaths, sniffling slightly.

“It took a good year or two for me to realize it,” he whispered, “to forgive him for acting so selfishly. But seeing the continued toll it took, how he always regretted it after realizing how his actions affected others…I had to forgive him. If not for his sake, then for mine. Until now he never really acted to show a change.”

The reply was nearly immediate- and a single damp drop now sullied the ink on the message.

‘I’d like nothing more, Son.
Thank you.’

“I’m proud of you, Steel,” Luna whispered, her stallion smiling.

“Thank you, Luna. It has been a journey for both of us it would seem.”

“Indeed.”

Content to snuggle with his marefriend for a few more moments, Steel then stood up and stretched, retrieving a familiar item as he nudged Luna’s shoulder with his own.

“I think we have a date to continue? Well, for tonight,” he stated, twirling the plush brush above his head proudly. “And many more dates after that!”

His proud and confident statement immediately had Luna smiling widely, retrieving her own dueling implement and crossing it with his.

“You seem so sure of such dates!” she teased, Steel smirking as he walked forwards slowly. When he was but a hairs breath from Luna’s face, he leaned in even closer.

“Am I wrong?” he whispered in a rather sultry tone, Luna blushing and starting to stammer.

“I-you…”

A brief kiss cut off her words, the stallion happily trotting a short distance away and lowering himself into a dueling stance.

“I never did get your answer!” Steel called back as Luna attacked, whacking him with a brush and receiving a blow in return, squeaks from the plushies ringing out across the otherwise peaceful bay.

Darting forwards, Luna ducked a swipe from Steel’s brush, the stallion tripping over his own hooves to backpedal and ending up on his back. Luna held her brush handle-down to point at Steel’s neck, sides heaving with exertion as she grinned.

“I…win…” she panted, Steel throwing a hoof across his brow.

“I am bested!” he called out, letting out a happy hum as Luna settled down in the thick grass next to him. She reached over and nuzzled against his neck, her touch then tracing up to lock her lips with his in an increasingly affectionate gesture, a hoof wrapping around to hug her stallion close.

As they parted, Steel had that increasingly lovable, dopey grin on his face while Luna rested her forehead against his.

“I’m so glad you were brushed into my life,” she whispered, Steel immediately laughing as he gave her a kiss.

“That makes it sound like a much gentler meeting than it was!” he teased, hopping up and batting her with a familiar implement.

“IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!” Luna called, chasing her coltfriend down the hill with her brush.

“YOU GAVE ME A CONCUSSION!”

“’TWAS ALMOST A CONCUSSION!” 

“IT STILL HURT!”

*THWACK!*

“…Steel?”

“Ow…”

“I’m impressed, you snapped that tree branch in half.”

“That’s what it was?”

“Indeed. Let’s get that bump looked at.”

The pair meandered back to their hill, Steel nursing a fresh goose-egg on his forehead but still able to grin, leaning on her marefriend.

“Kiss to make it better?”

A combing implement was immediately deployed by the Lunar Princess in response.

*SQUEAK!*

Of course, the following kiss did make it much, much better.

The End.