>>222672
…
>She blinks.
>You're hardly left to wonder if you really just said that aloud, as Celestia's heavily reddened face is the answer.
>She is beading sweat. You didn't know that was possible.
>"In… that case, my son," she croaks, swallowing, "there is something I need to say."
>She stares at you with a nervous, yet almost relieved contemplation.
>Confused, you're unsure what to do besides nod.
>The princess hangs her head as she huffs a tired sigh. Her brows furrow as her smile slowly returns.
>She abruptly nuzzles her face into your chest and you reciprocate, holding her close in your arms.
>You angle her head slightly as to mind her large horn past your shoulder and away from your face.
>There was an accident, one time.
>Your chest becomes warm as she softly breathes into your clothes.
>Silence fills the dim room, as well as a bizarre tension.
>Celestia is likely gathering her thoughts, so you ought take this time to collect yourself.
>What's with her? She's always so… chaste. Not that you mind her sudden… advances, but…
>Were those just the facade she mentioned? Or was the facade what she lowered as she kissed you?
>A terrible thought strikes: was that all an act?
>You absentmindedly run your hands over Celestia's cool, soft mane as you cradle her head in your other arm. Strands of differing colors fall through your fingers.
>Her ear flicks and twitches, and with restraint only a princess could muster, she pulls away from your combing to face you head-on.
>She takes a deep breath and slowly lets it go.
>In a quietly consulting tone, she begins,
>"Anon, you've known me for most of your life."
>You can tell she needs to speak, so you listen silently for her explanation.
>"And for one of the most important parts of mine, I've known you. The time you've been in my life has been the first—in a long time—that I've felt like I had a higher task. For as long as I've endured this life, watching over you for these precious little years should have passed in a blink of the eye."
>"And yet," she continues, sighing, "it feels like a lifetime."
>"I mean, well, it kind of is…" she chuckles softly at herself, "It just feels like something a… well, a bit bigger than just governing the stars of an empire."
>She pauses for a breath.
>"Something much harder," she mutters, looking down tiredly.
>Your hand finds its way to her cheek, gently rubbing as she leans into it.
>You feel a bit of wetness on her face.
>She's gotten like this before. It breaks your heart to see how heavily these things truly weigh on her.
"Cel…"
>Your whisper rouses her and she looks back up into your eyes, wrapping a hoof around your back.
>A stray droplet from Celestia's face hits the bedspread.
>"But all I need is to take one look at you, Anon," she smiles, "my son, and I can't possibly doubt it's all been worth it."
>Your eyes start to sting.
>What this girl does to you.
thread fate averted
tomorrow is a new day