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The train came to a stop at the Ponyville station and ponies started to get off, Princess Luna and Cielo stepped off the train last having been in no rush to leave. Luna was taking her time soaking everything in. Stepping onto the platform, she took in a deep breath and let out a soft sigh of satisfaction "I'm not sure what it is but I have always found train rides to be rather relaxing." Luna looked back at Cielo and smiled.

"I noticed, thought you were gonna doze off on me a few times there." Cielo chuckle as he joined Luna on the platform smiling back at her softly. "So what's the plan Luna?" Cielo inquired.

Luna turned her gaze forward once more and began walking heading off in the direction of the town's center. "Well I think we will head into town, greet a few ponies and stop by the town hall" Luna giggled a little "To be honest I'm kinda just making this up as I go, no planning." She looked back at Cielo smiling "Isn't that kinda exciting!"

Luna normally planned things out pretty well but regardless if she had an actual plan or not Cielo was just happy to see her so happy. "If you say so Luna." Cielo shook his head a little with a grin amused what at what passed for throwing caution to the wind for Luna.

Luna caught Cielo rolling his eyes a little and swung her flank into him as the two walked giving him a nudge with it. "Okay so maybe it's not so crazy to you but I'm enjoying it."

"And seeing you enjoying yourself is all that matters to me." Cielo replied bumping her back with his flank. "You're so cute when you get excited" he teased "and it's good to see this side of you, you seem stress free right now."

Walking alongside Princess Luna, Cielo continued to chat with her unaware of the purple pony galloping towards them; It did not take Luna and Cielo long to notice though. Luna could soon make out who the pony was. Twilight Sparkle was heading their way, her gallop slowed to a trot the closer she got to Princess Luna and Cielo. Last she saw Luna, the Princess had not looked all too happy to see her, in fact Twilight felt that Luna downright despised her.

Twilight stopped a few feet in front of Luna and Cielo, bowing her head down Twilight spoke "Princess Luna welcome to ponyville I'm so so sorry I was late to meet you!" Twilight quickly apologized panting a tad having rushed from the town's center.

"Tis alright Twilight, I never said when I would be arriving or why you're sorry for being late. I was not expecting a welcome from anypony." Luna explained with a hint of confusion in her voice.

"Oh um... princess Celestia sent me to greet you, she told me you would be arriving by train. She seemed a little confused why you did not just teleport here." Twilight explained raising her head back up to see the smile quickly disappear from Luna's muzzle.

"My sister is here!?" Luna's voice and expression quickly turned to one of irritation at Twilight's news.

Twilight pinned her ears back thinking somehow she had said something to offend Luna, quickly she played what she had just said over and over in her head .

"Luna relax... maybe she just came to..." Cielo quickly searched for a reason "To spend a little more time with you, or maybe you left something behind she thought you might need, there is no reason to be upset right?"

"I bet she came to keep an eye on me" Luna replied looking over at Cielo, she spoke through her clenched jaw. "I knew she could not keep her word!"

Twilight quickly jumped back into the conversation with her ears still pinned back. "No Luna Princess Celestia just came to help with finishing the preparations!"

"Preparations? What preparations!?" Luna asked looking back at Twilight and stomping her hoof impatiently. "We demand to know at once!"

"T-the festival princess." Twilight answered, as soon as Twilight said that she watched Luna's expression quickly change from one of anger to one of embarrassment, it was now clear to Twilight that Luna had no idea of the festival plans. Slowly Twilights ears lifted back up "I'm sorry... I thought you knew, princess Celestia sent me a letter last night asking if it would be possible to organize a little going away party for you, it was tough but we are well underway to having everything set up. The princess said she was going to tell you... I guess it must have slipped her mind."

Luna glanced over at Cielo who was giving her a little glare confirming she had overreacted, "I'm sorry, I did not mean to raise my voice at you Twilight. I was just surprised that my sister was here."

"It's fine Princess Luna." Twilight quickly replied, "Umm... if I may ask why would you think Princess Celestia would be spying on you?"

"Never mind, forget I said that." Luna tried to get Twilight off the question and Twilight respectfully backed off not wanting to poke at something that was clearly not her business.

Twilight still wanted to get back on Luna's good side for whatever she did wrong not knowing Luna's past animosity towards her was due to the fact Luna thought Celestia was prepping Twilight to be her replacement. "yes ma'am!" Twilight quickly agreed before turning her gaze to Cielo who had been waiting quietly at Luna's side. "Don't think I have forgotten you." she said with a smile walking up to him and giving him a hug.

Cielo hugged Twilight back holding it for a moment before letting go "I would hope not." Cielo said with a smile. I know we haven't seen one another since I moved but still I like to hope we were good enough friends that you would at least remember me."

"Hard to forget." Twilight replied in a teasing tone making Cielo smile "Shall we?" Twilight turned and started to walk with Luna and Cielo following close behind.

'Hard to forget' As much as Luna tried to not let it bother her she found herself a little crossed at Twilight for her playful tone with Cielo, it took her a moment to realize it but she found herself feeling a little jealous. Not that Cielo was quite a saint in her eyes at that moment either 'why did he hold that hug for so long' Luna thought to herself 'calm down now, there is nothing wrong with a hug, you're being silly' Feeling that she needed to diffuse the thought she was having before they became any worse Luna simply asked. "So, you two seem to know each other well. How did you meet?"

"Meet?" Twilight asked looking back and thinking "Actually I met Cielo through Rarity, he started hanging around with her when the two of them got serious about their relationship so i'd usually see him when I saw Rarity. He's helped me out a few times whenever I've asked for it and was a good friend" Twilight stopped herself "Sorry still is a good friend; we have not seen each other in some time, years it seems."

"Three to be exact if we don't count our brief meeting at the gala the first year after I moved to Canterlot." Cielo added in.

"I was surprised to see you Cielo... out of curiosity why are you here if you don't mind me asking." Twilight turned her gaze back forward, the three of them had now nearing the center of town, walking down the main street venders could be seen off in the distance, a light chatter filled the air growing louder the closer they walked.

Cielo looked over at Luna unsure how to really answer that, was he invited along solely as a guard or as her stallion friend. "Well... I guess you could say I'm her personal guard?" Cielo's voice was plagued with uncertainty.

Twilight and Luna both quickly caught on to Cielo's unsure answer. "Are you sure?" Twilight giggled "you seem confused."

"Cielo is with me at my request." Luna spoke up covering Cielo's tail for him, "He was and still is my personal guard but above that I invite him along with me as my suitor or at least I would assume that unless I missed something."

"Suitor?!" Twilight exclaimed stopping dead in her tracks and turning around to face Luna and Cielo causing them to stop as well.

Cielo went to speak but Luna cut him off "Yes though I question how seriously he took his proposal to court me if he is not even able to say what we are out loud." Luna did not really mean that, she knew Cielo did care for her but she also wanted to make him squirm a bit.

"What! I took it seriously, I put my heart out there for you how could you question my sincerity?" Cielo exclaimed a bit hurt by Luna's words and now feeling quite nervous. Cielo was beating himself up inside for not knowing what to say when Twilight asked of his reasoning for being at Luna's side.

"Oh I understand, so you are simply ashamed of us? Are we not good enough to be seen about in public with thee?" Luna continued to put the pressure on Cielo feeling a little better now that she was getting him back.

"No!" Cielo turned his body to face Luna completely "Luna it's not that, I guess I should have clarified with you on the train how you wished to pursue this, part of me worried that if I just blurted it out you would be embarrassed of me. I know you said not to hide it and I'm sorry I did, the truth is I have never been so nervous in all my life." Cielo continued as Luna listened to him speak, his words starting to touch her heart and make her feel she might have been a little too hard on him. "If anypony will be embarrassed of being seen with somepony it would be you with me and I don't want to embarrass you." Cielo lifted his hoof to show Luna it was shaking a bit. "I have faced hail storms that make me less nervous than I am right now; I just want to come off as the stallion you deserve... I thought if I said guard even if I did mess up nopony would think anything of it."

Luna had enough at this point, leaning down she nuzzled Cielo's neck softly "Just be you." she whispered softly. "Who cares what other ponies think, all that matters is what I think and Cielo you are good enough for me... don't doubt yourself. I don't want you to be some statue who's afraid to be himself. You won't embarrass me Cielo trust me, I'm sorry for what I said, I was just trying to get you back for not knowing what to say, I did not mean to actually worry you." Luna's words soothed the stallion helping him relax a bit once more.

Cielo nuzzled Luna back just grateful she was not actually mad "Sorry for being so foolish... I'll get my act together." Cielo pulled his head back letting his eyes meet Luna's. Cielo took a moment to search her eyes before speaking "Honestly how could you ever think any stallion would be embarrassed to stand next to such elegance and beauty."

Luna leaned in and kissed Cielo's nose softly "you're such a fool~" Luna tease with a smile. "A handsome, sweet and loving fool."

"I'm your fool~" Cielo replied smiling a bit, his hooves were still shaking but he felt much more calm now. "I hope our time here will not change your view of me."

"I don't see how that would ever be possible." Luna shook her head a little, she was not quite sure what Cielo meant but she was sure on her feelings for him and nothing was going to change that in her eyes.

Twilight stood confused and shocked "W-Wow! I mean congratulations to the both of you" Twilight said finally speaking though not really sure what to say on the whole scene that just unfolded before her eyes. "I never thought I would see the day being next to a mare would cause Cielo Rey to shake." Twilight said making a joke out of being a little unfamiliar in what to do in such a situation.

Luna shot her a little glare thinking Twilight might be insulting him a little but Cielo just laughed. "Ponies change Twilight and so have I, I have learned to appreciate what I have and not take love for granted."

Cielo's statement intrigued Luna but she really did not have time to follow up on her curiosity before Twilight started moving again keeping the conversation going.

"Well you seemed to have matured quite a bit since moving away Cielo." Twilight sounding praiseful in her words. "I mean not that you did not make leaps and bounds while you were here but still."

Luna went to ask a question but once more was cut off, she found herself a little irritated by the fact she was seemingly missing out on learning more about Cielo.

"Luna." a familiar voice sang out, Looking just down ahead Luna had been spotted by Celestia. "About time you showed up." Celestia trotted over to the three meeting them just shy of all the vendors, she had a plate with a piece of cake and fork levitated just off to the side of her muzzle seemingly having already started to enjoy herself. Ponies had now begun to take notice that Princess Luna had arrived. "What took you so long?" Celestia asked before taking a little bite of cake into her mouth with the fork and smiling.

"What took me so long? Have you ever pondered the idea of taking your time and enjoying the scenery? I took the train so as to enjoy the view a simple pleasure I have long denied myself." Luna gave her sister a little snarky remark. "So when did you plan on telling me of this event hmm?"

Celestia cocked her head a little "Oh you mean this? Sorry it slipped my mind, I would have told you this morning but instead I had to talk with you about MMPH!"

Luna shoved her hoof against her sister's mouth silencing her and blushing a bit "Thou should keep such conversations to thy self dear sister, agreed?" Celestia smiled and nodded causing Luna to slowly move her hoof.

"Was just going to say travel plans." Celestia grinned slyly at Luna's reaction enjoying messing around with her younger sister a bit. "You need to relax." Celestia took another bite of cake "Oh why not have some cake? It's really good so moist and delicious."

Still blushing Luna was not too amused with her sister "I'll pass, besides I'd rather not have a large flank like yours, you and your unquenchable sweet tooth have added to your backside over the years"

Celestia seemed unfazed at Luna's attempts to get under her skin, thinking quickly Celestia shrugged and without missing a beat brought Cielo into the conversation "Cielo you're a honest stallion tell me what feels better, a nice plush flank or a small bony one?"

Luna blushed intently at her sister's remark despite doing her best to hide her embarrassment.

"I'm... not getting into this" Cielo said wisely keeping out of it.

Celestia could see Luna was very clearly starting to lose her temper, to keep from arguing Celestia simply smiled "I'm just joking Luna, Look around."

Luna changed her harsh expression to a bit of a softer one as she looked around seeing all the ponies out and about having a good time just a little ways off in front of her.

"See, everypony is here just having fun, relax and enjoy yourself." Celestia took another bite of cake letting out a little moan of satisfaction to accompany it. "Everypony came out to celebrate you, we even set up a show later on with the wonderbolts for you to enjoy so try to have some fun."

Luna thought for a moment about what her sister had said, she was having a great time until she found out Celestia had come but it was not for the reason Luna had expected so she really had no reason to remain upset. Admitting defeat Luna smiled letting her sister have this little exchange of words. Even if Celestia was only playing around with her, Luna was competitive and did not like to lose but then again she had nothing to counter with either. "Very well dear sister you are right, I will enjoy myself." Luna started to walk by Celestia. "Though do watch yourself, I don't fancy having to see you rolled out of here like a beach ball" Luna kept her tone that of a joking one.

Unfazed Celestia just shook her head and joined her sister in walking along into the festival with Twilight and Cielo in tow.

Cielo had a rather somber look about him hearing the wonderbolts would be performing in ponyville for Luna, it's not that he did not want Luna to see them or have a good time it was he himself did not want to be seen by them, mostly by Spitfire. Cielo was seemingly oblivious to everything around him, deep in thought trying to plan how to keep out of sight.

"Is something wrong?" Twilight asked Cielo giving him a little nudge with her hoof pulling him out of thought. "You look troubled."

"Huh?" Cielo looked over to Twilight and then around for a moment before realizing he spaced out, Celestia and Luna had stopped and were chatting with a few of the local ponies who had wanted to meet the princesses, taking his hoof Cielo brushed his mane back and smiled at Twilight. "Ya I'm fine, sorry must have been daydreaming."

"Cielo you were never a good liar so what were you really thinking of?" Twilight asked unconvinced Cielo was daydreaming.

With a sigh Cielo set his hoof back to the ground "I'm not looking forward to seeing the show today okay?"

Twilight thought for a moment and recalled having a conversation with Cielo before about his surrogate mother "You mean... after all this time you still have not reconciled with your mother?" Twilight seemed shocked at this. "Cielo how can you keep avoiding her like that? Don't you love her?"

Cielo nodded "Of course I do but... how do you atone for avoiding somepony for four years, what am I to do just pop in and say Hi mom you're looking well! Long time no see!" Cielo said sarcastically. "Really what am I to do? it's best I just remain gone."

"What if I helped?" Twilight asked eagerly "I bet I can fix things up between you two, it's obvious..."

Twilight was quickly cut off by Cielo "No! Just keep out of it okay? I don't need help!" Cielo snapped drawing the attention of Celestia and Luna.

The princesses had finished their conversation and were walking back to Twilight and Cielo when he snapped at her, Luna was quick to speak up "Is everything okay Cielo?" Luna asked with Celestia at her side.

"Ya ya everything is just fine." Cielo replied nervously at Luna's question.

Celestia caught on to Twilight rolling her eyes at Cielo's statement "Are you sure?" Celestia asked. "Twilight is everything okay? It sounded like Cielo was a bit crossed with you for a moment there."

Twilight looked over at Cielo who appeared to be begging her with his eyes not to say anything, letting out a little sigh Twilight smiled and looked at Celestia. "All is fine Princess Celestia, Cielo and I were just having a friendly debate over a book, nothing more."

Celestia cocked her head a little not really buying into Twilights answer but she really did not have a reason to question her either. Celestia and Luna's attention was drawn once more by a few passing ponies.

Having to turn her attention elsewhere Luna joined Celestia in greeting them and answering a few questions.

"Thank you." Cielo happily bowed his head to Twilight.

"I'm not going to do that again Cielo, I don't like lying even if it's to cover personal matters. You should have just been honest, why do you think you need to hide this from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?" Twilight asked. "I'm sure Spitfire must have come by at one point or another looking for you so I'm sure Princess Celestia knows at least."

Cielo shook his head "Well if Celestia does know she never led on, not once have I been told my mother ever came by to see me let alone check on me" Cielo hung his head a little, "then again not like I tried either"

"Don't you think it's time somepony take a step towards fixing this?" Twilight asked pushing the subject a little more before yielding. "I can't make you do it Cielo but you know I'm right and I think the only reason you really did not want me to say anything is because you're afraid that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will agree with me... just think about it."

Cielo remained silent as Luna and Celestia came back once more, though he did not want to admit it Twilight was right and it was time he faced his mistakes. Cielo did think Spitfire was partly to blame though for what had happened but he knew he was equally responsible for escalating it. "Luna?" Cielo looked up at Luna getting her attention. "Would it be okay if I left your side for a bit to take care of a personal matter regarding my mother? I promise I'll keep it short."

"Is that what you were upset about Cielo?" Luna asked and Cielo nodded "Well then take all the time you need." Luna Leaned down giving Cielo a little nuzzle once more. "I'll find you if you're not back before I'm done." Luna lifted her head back up and smiled. "I'm going to make my way over to the hotel and see if I can get us a room for the night." Luna's horn lit up lifting Cielo's saddlebags off him and placing them on her back. "I'll come and find you after." Luna said with a smile.

"Thank you Luna." Cielo said gratefully, "I'll be wherever the wonderbolts are set up and I'll remain there so we don't miss one another if you plan to come looking for me."

Luna agreed to meet Cielo after getting them a room, with a smile Luna left with Celestia, the two sisters chatting and laughing as they walked out into the crowd soon vanishing from Cielo's sight.

"Would you like me to come along?" Twilight asked being polite though she did have more work to do making sure the festivities that were going to take place later on that night were all coming along smoothly.

"No I'll be fine..." Cielo looked over at Twilight and bowed his head a little. "Thank you and I'm sorry I snapped at you, I had no right to."

"Look at you." Twilight could not help but smile a bit "The Cielo I remember would not have been genuinely apologetic, seems the time you spent in Canterlot has really done you some good." Twilight took her hoof and gave Cielo a little pat on the back before she started to walk off. "I'm sure I'll see you later on tonight Cielo and I do mean it when I say you have grown." Looking back at Cielo she stopped for a moment grinning widely. "And I'm meaning that in the best possible way."

With a little chuckle Cielo thanked Twilight before watching her leave and vanish into the crowd just as Luna and Celestia did leaving him alone. It felt odd to be away from Luna's side but at the same time he knew he could not remain there every single moment of every day regardless of how he felt, it was beginning to feel like his time as a guard for her was coming to an end but he welcomed what it was being replaced with, her partner.

Taking to the air Cielo flew above Ponyville scouting for anyplace the wonderbolts might have been set up, it did not take him long to spot a large tent set up set off to the side of the festival with two guards posted at the tents entrance "That has got to be i.t" Cielo said to himself descending and landing about ten feet in front of the entrance. Cielo began to walk towards the tents entrance giving the guards a nod, neither one of them tried to stop him knowing full well who he was and assuming there was a reason for him to be there. Pulling the flap to one side Cielo was blindsided by somepony flying out of the tent's entrance at that exact moment. His head collided with the other pony's knocking him back and causing the other pony to tumble to the ground behind him.

Cielo held his head for a moment feeling quite annoyed, turning around his voice matched a mare's voice word for word as they screamed at one another in sync "Watch where you're going!"

Almost muzzle to muzzle Cielo's eyes met the mares making him take a step back as she mirrored his movements, the two guards looking at each other then at Cielo and the mare "Cielo!?" the mare asked in a surprised tone.

"Dash!?" Cielo exclaimed, Looking at Rainbow Dash she was dressed in wonderbolts attire. "You're a wonderbolt?"

"Don't sound so shocked of course I am, I told you I would be one day didn't I?" Dash replied in a cocky tone rubbing her head a bit.

"Oh ya sure why would I be surprised? I see you're just as nimble as ever." Cielo shook his head a little as if it would help the pain to do so.

"Well you're the idiot who was skulking around outside the tent... what are you doing here anyway?" Dash stretched her wings a bit making sure everything was working properly and she did not sustain any little injuries or anything.

"I came to see my mother... is she here?" Cielo asked.

Dash looked back at Cielo and folded her wings up, her voice changing and almost sounding uncharacteristically caring. "Well... ya she is still in there, but if you want to talk to her you might want to hurry, we were getting ready to join the others for some training drills before tonight's show."

"Thanks." Cielo turned around to walk into the tent after thanking Dash.

"Just... be nice." Dash said almost in an asking way making Cielo stop. "Umm... you did come up in conversation earlier today and well, just keep in mind not everypony has rock hard skin okay?"

"I got it." Cielo replied looking back at Dash, "It was good to see you and I'm sorry I made you run into me, I should have announced I was coming in to be safe, I don't have an excuse other than my own negligence."

Dash nodded accepting Cielo's apology not feeling she needed to say more and watched him walk into the tent. Dash took a step towards the entrance hesitating for a moment unsure of if she should leave or not, ultimately Dash decided it best to keep out of Spitfire's family business. When Cielo came up in earlier conversation it seemed to pain Spitfire to even talk about him, after a moment Dash took to the air and headed off towards the edge of town to practice with the others.

Inside the tent was divided into two sections, in the past it had always been mares on the right side of the tent and stallions on the left. It was kept this way more as a tradition from the early days when the wonderbolts were founded. Watching a pony of the opposite sex dressing was considered taboo and though a lot changed over the years when it came to ponies viewpoints tradition was something that a few held on to. Walking up to the flap that would lead to the mares side of the tent Cielo finally spoke out, "Sorry to bother you ma'am, are you decent? I wish to have a moment of your time if that's okay."

Spitfire had just finished getting into her outfit when she heard Cielo ask if she was dressed, focused on the upcoming show Spitfire did not place his voice right off though. Mistaking him for one of the new stallions Spitfire turned and started to walk towards the flap. "This had better be good, you should be out with the others training not waiting here on me, furthermore I..." Spitfire's words failed her as she pulled the flap to the side revealing a rather nervous Cielo.

Standing there before Spitfire with his ears pinned back Cielo dug his goof into the ground repeatedly. "Hi mom..." Cielo looked down not able to look into her eyes. "I'm sorry to bother you but... ooph!"

Cielo was almost knocked to his back by the force of Spitfire jumping into him and wrapping her hooves around him, not a word left her Spitfires lips as she nuzzled Cielo only a soft whimper as she fought back tears.

Cielo himself started to tear up hearing Spitfire sob softly against him, he knew in that moment how ignorant he was being by avoiding her for so long and how much he must have hurt her. Cielo brought his hooves around her matching her embrace "I'm so sorry..." Cielo whispered his voice a little shaky. "I wish I could give you some grand excuse... but I don't have one other than my own pride..."

Spitfires sobbing grew a bit louder leaning more now towards crying, she held onto Cielo not wanting to let go for what seemed like minutes. Still not a word came from her during this time, it still took several more minutes before she finally loosened her grip on his and pulled back a little. Spitfire's hooves still around the back of his neck, her eyes a bit red from crying she finally spoke looking into Cielo's eyes "T-took you long enough..." She said in a bit of an annoyed tone "But I'm just glad you finally came around..."

Cielo remained quiet not really knowing what to say, tears gently rolling down his cheeks as he listened to his mother speak. "Not a day went by where I did not worry you know... four years and twenty-seven days it's been. I wanted to come to you I really did... I hope you know that." using her wing spitfire brushed Cielo's tears from his cheeks. "I was worried if I did you would push me further away... so I stayed away hoping you would come back one day..."

Spitfire finally let Cielo go making him let her out of his embrace as well. "You do remember what you told me don't you?" Spitfire asked hoping to get some kind of response out of Cielo, still unsure of what to really say Cielo just nodded his head in response to Spitfire's question. "Say it again... I want to hear you say it so I know you understand why I did not come to you... please." Spitfire's voice was still shaky with no signs of changing, though her tears had stopped she was no less upset feeling both a mix of overwhelming joy and a bit of anger it took Cielo so long to come to her.

Cielo was breathing faster now visibly distressed, opening his mouth he somehow managed to utter the words that drove him and Spitfire apart. Looking up at her Cielo spoke "I will never be you... you're a selfish worthless excuse for a mother.... You only ever think of yourself." Cielo's voice soon grew shaky having to repeat what he said to Spitfire so long ago now having to face just how hence it was to say to the very mare who cared for him when nopony else would. "If you have just one ounce of love in that so called heart of yours... stay out of my life and never come back..."

"Do you have any idea how that felt to hear from you?" Spitfire asked making Cielo fall silent once more. "I Know I was wrong for trying to stop you from doing what you felt you were destined to do but what mother wouldn't Cielo. It's like you are willing to go out and play with your life without regards on how it would affect those around you if something happened to you." Spitfire continued, "If you were ever severely injured of Celestia forbid worse you know I could never forgive myself if something happened to you... so yes I was being selfish but I was not thinking of myself."

"Do you know how hard it has been to stay away?" Spitfire asked Cielo but got no reply from the stallion. "I have checked in with Princess Celestia every chance I could once I found out where you were and that was by chance, the first year you disappeared I was worried sick. A lot of nights I could not sleep, I would just stay up regretting not saying something to you to try and stop you from leaving, playing your words over and over in my head again trying to think of different scenarios and how I could have prevented it. Once I got word you had started working as a guard for princess Celestia I was there and if you doubt me ask her."

"Any chance I could get I would check in to make sure you were okay, sometimes I would even see you making your rounds or catch you training out in the courtyard with some other guards... it was so nice to see you were okay and healthy but at the same time it tore me apart." Tears once more started to form in the corners of Spitfires eyes. "To be so close to you and not be able to hug you or tell you that I love you and always would... to not be able to say I'm sorry or to be able to ask for another chance all because I was too afraid of what you might say." Unable to help herself spitfire started to sob again. "To have to listen to Celestia regretfully tell me you had never brought me up in conversation or avoided talking about me when she would ask like I did not exist. Even then I still came back over and over again taking in that pain feeling like you had disowned me... feeling like you no longer cared if I was even still alive... suffering just to see if you were okay..."

Cielo could not look Spitfire in the eyes any longer, it tore him up to hear her say how much suffering he caused her but he could not bring himself to leave, deep down part of him knew this would happen if he came back to her and Cielo felt he deserved every bit of it.

"You might think I'm telling you all of this to make you feel guilty or to bring you down or hurt you but I'm not, I know how you think Cielo. I'm telling you all of this because even after all you did, all the pain and suffering you caused me... the torture you put me through I still love you." Spitfire put her hoof under Cielo's chin and lifted it making him look her in the eyes. "Look at me, no matter what you have done in the past or do in the future I will always love you Cielo. You will always be my son and even if from a distance I will always be there for you... I never stopped loving you and I never will."

Cielo had begun crying a bit once more having to listen to everything spitfire had to say, the sweetest thing was the most painful for him. Cielo knew she meant it when she said she would always love him and hearing what Spitfire went through while he remained relatively guilt free and oblivious cut him deep. "Why d-did Celestia never say anything to me a-about you visiting her?" Cielo choked out between sobs.

"I asked her not to say anything to you unless you asked her directly if she had heard anything about me... I did not want to be a burden to you or risk killing any chance we might have had of reconciling ... I'm not saying my choice was the smartest one but it was the only one I could think of that would guarantee you would not permanently push me away or think I did not love you..." Spitfire realized just how foolish it sounded when she spoke her reasoning aloud but it was the truth.

"I'm s-sorry" Cielo sobbed softly showing remorse for the way he treated Spitfire and for the suffering her put her though. "I was selfish, I was not a good stallion or a good son, I'm sorry for hurting you and only thinking of myself. I'm sorry for running off and leaving you in the dark and I'm sorry my ignorance and pride got in the way of me apologizing and facing you sooner, I'm sorry... I'm sorry." Cielo lowered his head down almost groveling at Spitfires hooves. "Please forgive me... forgive me!" Cielo cried.

Spitfire lowered her muzzle and placed it under Cielo's, she lifted his head back up and pulled him back into her embrace as he continued to beg for forgiveness "Cielo I do forgive you... I'll always forgive you." Spitfire replied her voice still shaking.

Cielo moved his muzzle down burying it to Spitfires chest and just let it all flow out , holding nothing back he let himself cry until his eyes could produce no more tears.

Spitfire held Cielo close stroking his mane softly, his tears soaking into her flight suit leaving a large wet patch on her chest.

Several more minutes passed before Cielo was able to move his head and show his face to his mother, "S-sorry about your suit..." Cielo sniffed noticing the wet patch he had left.

Still stroking his mane Spitfire finally was able to smile slightly "Don't worry about it dear, you can always cry on me if you need to anytime." Spitfire gave Cielo another loving nuzzle. "One things mom's are good for is comfort... I'm sorry I upset you so much."

"I understand... you have held that in for so long and I deserved it... I needed to know how I made you really feel, I knew you would be upset but I did not think you would be that upset... I was stupid in thinking you did not care" Cielo used his hoof to wipe his eyes a little. "Will you give me another chance?" Cielo asked looking into Spitfires eyes. "To be a better son."

"You don't need to ask for another chance Cielo, you'll always have one." Leaning in Spitfire gave Cielo's cheek a little kiss "and you were not a bad son... you just lost your way for a bit but now you're home, that's what matters."

Pulling back a bit Cielo finally was able to smile a little "Well, I'm glad Twilight convinced me this was the right thing to do... if I'm being honest mother I was not going to come today, I was too afraid at first."

"Then I'll have to be sure to thank her for that." Spitfire lifted her gaze from Cielo's eyes for a moment and caught a glimpse of somepony peeking through the flap. "HEY!" Spitfire yelled making Cielo jump and the pony peeking to let go of the flap in surprise. Spitfire did not get a good look at who it was but she knew they did not try to run yet, "Show yourself I know you're still there, all wonderbolts should be out practicing!" Spitfire was a bit annoyed she was being spied on and that hers and Cielo's conversation was being listened to.

Slowly the flap moved and Spitfire was shocked at who she saw, quickly she bowed her head as princess Luna walked in, the saddle bags no longer with her. "I'm so sorry princess Luna I did not know it was you."

"Luna?" Cielo asked looking directly at Luna making her pin her ears back. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"Cielo show some respect when addressing the princess." Spitfire peeked to the side to see Cielo not bowing, last time she checked in on him she knew Cielo was at Luna's side acting as her guard but that was all she knew.

"No it's okay please rise Spitfire" Luna said in an apologetic tone "I'm sorry I heard raised voices so I came in and..."

"How long where you listening to us?" Cielo asked as spitfire rose back up.

Spitfire was surprised how Cielo was addressing Luna, the tone of his voice, he was seeming to treat her like he would any other mare. Quickly drying her cheeks Spitfire remained silent and waited to see what was going on.

"I... I got here about when." Luna paused for a moment feeling a bit nervous that she was being confronted by Cielo, Luna a princess and yet her heart was racing like a little fillies who knew she was about to be scolded. "I arrived about the time when you were repeating what you had said to spitfire about to... well push her away."

Cielo was in shock unable to speak for a moment, he was a bit mad at Luna for listening in on his private conversation yet at the same time more fearful of what she might think of him now. "Well now you know... I'm not the nice stallion you thought me to be, I'm not perfect and I have done a lot of things I regret... I have hurt ponies I love, many more whom did not deserve it and made more mistakes in my life than I care to count..." Cielo shook his head a bit feeling like Luna might think him to be a liar. "So now that you know do you still stand by what you said before... or has your opinion of me changed now that you can see I was not always a good pony."

"Cielo... you are a good pony." Luna said softly taking a step towards him, "I'm sorry I listened in that was wrong of me I just... wanted to know more about you. I would have let you know I was here but your conversation was too important to break up and at the same time I did not want to leave because... well it was moving." Luna went on, "so you made some mistakes all be it harsh ones. But you show remorse for your actions and also care to try to mend them, even if you did need a little help in the right direction so what... look at me Cielo I'm not perfect, I needed your help to find my way did I not? that's part of being a pony, we live we make mistakes we learn... has my opinion of you changed, yes it has Cielo, I respect you more for facing your past and attempting to set it right, guidance or not."

Spitfire was struck by Luna's words, Luna did not sound like a princess talking to a guard but more a mare talking to a stallion as an equal, as somepony who cared. Taking a moment things clicked into place for Spitfire though she found it hard to believe what she pieced together.

"So... you don't think I'm a bad pony or think me weak for crying?" Cielo asked realizing his eyes must be a bit red by now.

"No I don't think you a bad pony Cielo and I certainly don't think you are weak, it's hard to show vulnerability and feelings regardless of whom you might be showing them to. Being weak is never showing your emotions and shutting yourself off from everypony remaining safe tucked away in your own little world. You faced something today that I'm not sure anypony else would have had any easier time facing, I would call that strength." Luna walked up to Cielo and leaned her muzzle down to his planting a soft kiss on his lips confirming Spitfires suspicions. "I told you I would not think less of you and I meant it Cielo, I love you." Luna whispered softly after breaking the kiss.

Cielo let out a little sigh mixed with a nervous chuckle at the realization Luna would not be so quick to discard him "I love you too Luna." Cielo whispered back, "The fact you still want to kiss me even though I'm sure I look horrible right now is proof enough of your love for me." Cielo joked making Luna smile. Cielo then turned to Spitfire who remained silent during his conversation with Luna "Well mom I guess I should properly introduce you two, Luna this is my mother Spitfire and mom this is my mare friend Luna."

Spitfire was not really sure on how she should greet princess Luna, doing the only thing she could think of she held out her hoof and hoped that princess Luna did not consider Spitfire's actions to be rude.

Luna reached out and gently shook Spitfire's "It's nice to meet you and again I'm sorry I was listening in on your conversation... not really the best first impression to make."

"Princess Luna please don't fret over that, it's fine. I'm sorry for my tone, had I known it was you I would not have been so demanding." Spitfire admitted, "It's an honor to be meet you."

"Please just Luna will do, no need to be so formal," Luna said with a smile. "If you would like perhaps we could all go to one of the booths and get something to eat? Or maybe just you two, I mean I don't want to impose and it seems you two have a lot of catching up to do."

"I would love that Princess... I mean Luna but I really can't, not right now anyway. I really must get to my team and practice with them for tonight's show, but if that offer still stands afterwards perhaps we could all grab some cider?" Spitfire counter offered not wanting to be rude.

"That sounds lovely." Luna replied looking at Spitfire happily.

With that Spitfire gave Cielo a hug holding him tight for a moment not really wanting to go but she knew she had to for now. "You be good Cielo" Spitfire said softly letting him go, "I'll see you after the show and behave yourself." Spitfire looked over at Luna as she continued to speak. "You have yourself a loving mare now Cielo and you make sure you treat her right and with the respect she deserves." Spitfire finished looking back at Cielo after seeing Luna smile.

"I will mom and I know, she is truly a wonderful mare and I know I'm lucky to have her." Cielo smiled softly as spitfire let him go.

Grabbing her goggles Spitfire put them on to cover her eyes so nopony would see she had been crying, with a smile she walked alongside Luna and Cielo out of the tent. Once outside Spitfire dismissed the guards thanking them for their services, looking back Spitfire took one last look at Cielo and Luna together and smiling. "I'll see you two later tonight." she said happily before taking to the air.

Cielo stood next to Luna watching his mom fly off out of sight feeling like a large weight had been lifted from his back, the way things were looking for him his Life seemed to be shaping up to be everything he could ever want it to be. "Luna can I ask you one big favor?" Cielo asked softly.

"You can ask anything of me Cielo~" Luna replied in a soft loving tone.

"Can we just wait here a little while longer, I don't really want to walk around town with my eyes all red." Cielo did not want to run into any other ponies who might know him looking like he did.

Luna looked around a little and though it seemed private enough she countered Cielo's request with one she thought might be a little better. "Why don't you and I go for a little flight? There must be some place around ponyville you like to go to relax."

Cielo eyed Luna a little a bit suspicious at first "I thought you came to Ponyville to mingle, what you're proposing is counterproductive to that goal don't you think?"

"Perhaps I just needed to step away for a few moments to clear my thoughts; I do have to give a little speech in front of the town hall before it gets too late thanking all the ponies for this lovely festival and all their hard work but between my sister and Cadance, whom I should not have been surprised to see, I think I attention is elsewhere at the moment." Luna smiled at Cielo, "besides I have been here before. This is the only town I have visited since being back; I came here for Nightmare Night before..." Luna looked away from Cielo and down at the ground, her smile fading into a look of depression. "Well you know... before I became too ill." It would be clear to anypony looking at Luna's expression when she talked about her inability to control her own dreams bothered her immensely.

"You know what Luna, I think I will take you up on that flight if you don't mind going a little ways out of town. I know of a nice relaxing spot." Cielo offered, it seemed like it might do them both some good to talk to one another. To Cielo he felt that Luna might be ready to open up to him a bit more and maybe give him a better insight into her nightmares. "What do you say, will you allow me to take a break?"

Luna smiled looking back at Cielo and nodded. "Was that not my offer you foolish stallion, please lead on." Luna said in a playful voice trying to brush her negative feelings from her mind, this after all was meant to be a day of joy.

Cielo took one last look around before walking to the backside of the tent with Luna following close behind, once Cielo was sure the two were out of sight as he took to the air but remained low to the ground keeping well out of ponies sight. Looking back at Luna Cielo could see she was following his lead quite well though she flew a bit higher than him due to not feeling as comfortable flying so low. Soon Cielo and Luna left ponyville behind; changing his flight path, Cielo gained some altitude and headed south of town.

Luna did not ask where Cielo was taking her feeling she really didn't have to, the sun was slowly starting to begin it's decent when Luna's eyes fell upon a glimmer just off in the distance. Squinting her eyes she could now see Cielo was leading her towards a lake, the sun reflecting off the water's glass like surface.

Sure enough as they flew closer to the lake Cielo began to descend only though down once he had reached the water's edge, taking in a deep breath Cielo let out a happy sigh as Luna landed next to him.

Luna looked out over the lake amazed at how still the water was, looking along the shoreline parts were covered with various flowers. Looking past the glare on the water's surface the water itself was crystal clear, "It's beautiful. Did you use to come here often?" Luna asked Cielo.

Cielo lay down in the grass at the water's edge dipping his hoof in the water, "When I needed to clear my head or just really wanted to unwind somewhere I would not be bothered." Cielo's hoof sent a little ripple through the otherwise motionless surface.

Luna moved closer to Cielo's side and joined him lying down on the soft grass, "I can see why you'd choose this place. Luna listened but heard nothing but a gentle breeze; looking back she could still see Ponyville off in the distance yet none of the noise from the festival reached them. Looking over at Cielo Luna watched him for a moment as he played with his hoof tracing the water's surface. "Umm... Cielo, can I ask you something?" Luna inquired hesitantly.

Cielo pulled his hoof back before looking over at Luna, the sun hitting her long flowing mane causing it to glimmer ever so slightly. "Yes Luna, you can ask me anything you wish."

Luna thought for a moment knowing Cielo would never guess what she was about to ask him. "Okay but if you don't feel like answering I'll understand, I'm only asking because it helps me trust you better when I know everything." Luna looked over to see Cielo looking a bit puzzled, "I mean I do trust you and I hope you know that it's just as new things come up... it really helps if I just get them off my mind."

"I think you should just ask your question Luna, I'll answer it regardless." Now Cielo was expecting Luna to ask something about his past by the way she was acting but he could not find anything in his conversation with spitfire that would have not been self-explanatory.

"Back in the tent you said you had hurt many ponies, I understand you and your mom had some issues but... well who else did you hurt?" Luna asked looking down at the ground and playing with the grass not sure how Cielo would respond or react.

Cielo let out a sigh, "I'm not sure that's an appropriate conversation for us to have Luna"

"O-okay..." Luna seemed bothered that Cielo was unwilling to talk to her about his past.

Cielo picked up on Luna's sudden change in mood. "Look if I do this I need a few things from you, promises you'll make and hold before I tell you."

Luna's ears perked up, "Anything Cielo name it."

"First you need to promise me not matter what I tell you, you will trust and believe what I say. Second I need you to promise to keep what we talk about here a secret, meaning once we leave and head back to town you never bring it up again unless it's absolutely necessary and third I want you to promise..." Cielo paused for a moment. "Promise me you'll still want to be with me, judge me on who I am now, not who I used to be... can you promise me all of this?" Cielo looked over at Luna meeting her eyes and waiting for a response.

"Yes Cielo I promise." Luna said with a smile.

"That's not good enough." Cielo's tone was serious and stern; there was no smile on his muzzle nor joy in his voice. "I need you to honestly think about what I said and make me a real promise Luna... this is important to me I need to know how you really feel on the matter."

Luna was taken back by this sudden change in Cielo, it took her a moment to pick up on his true feelings. He was not angry at her for making a quick choice no, in his eyes was fear. He was afraid of telling her what she wanted to know, afraid of what she would think and how she would perceive him from that moment forth. Taking her hoof Luna reached over and rested it on Cielo's, "I promise you Cielo I will not think differently of you or judge you for things you have done in the past...and please never ask me that again." Luna looked softly into Cielo's eyes, "Never ask for me to promise to love you. That should be something I need not say, that should be something you know by now. I'm not just going to stop loving you Cielo, not over your past... never over your past."

Still nervous Cielo looked at Luna's hoof then back into her eyes. "I trust you in believing that you will keep your word..." he said softly. Cielo looked away from Luna's eyes and turned his gaze to the lake, "You might not have known this about me but I was very popular when I was younger. Well known for my agility and prowess in the sky. Quite a few times I even headlined the shows for my mother when I was put into her shows. With that fame and popularity came some power over normal ponies, I was idolized, trusted, ponies would hang off my every word believing anything I would say to them." Cielo took in a deep breath feeling Luna hold his hoof tight as if to say she was there for him still. "I was at that age when I was quite curious about the female body and soon enough I was finding it easy enough to quench my curiosity, I started to use mares like objects, toys for my own pleasure. It did not matter if one of them got sick of me or not because if they did there was always one waiting to take their place away."

Luna could feel herself becoming uneasy listening to Cielo continue, this had gone down a path she was not too comfortable in hearing but never the less she did not ask Cielo to stop. Luna instead continued to listen and be supportive and not letting herself regret her decision to ask.

"My mother ended up finding out and tried to help me, she really did try and still even after I failed to show any improvements or any sign of stopping she still loved me, never turning her back on me or disowning me for my actions... that all changed by my own hoof. A few months after this all begin is when I was offered a new task by Celestia having successfully helped protect Hollow Shades and earning my cutie mark. My mother did not want to see me putting my life and body on the line each time a storm grew out of control, I was too stupid at the time to see she only wanted to keep me safe, to see that she acted out of love. As you now know I shunned her and left home, quit the wonderbolts and disappeared for a year, well that year I spent here in Ponyville. The first few months of staying here only made me worse off than I was before, without my mother trying to help me..." Cielo stopped for a moment and looked over at Luna, "Should I continue...?"

Luna still felt sick to her stomach that Cielo did such a thing, she never thought he would be capable so being so cruel towards others. "Yes you should... I need to hear this Cielo, please; I think it will be best for both of us..." Luna also felt herself growing nervous, though she and Cielo had not done anything what if he ended up telling her that he was using her for something. Seeking comfort Luna nuzzled under Cielo's chin, "Just please tell me this story has a happy ending."

"That I can promise you Luna." Cielo replied softly nuzzling her back sensing she was uneasy. Cielo continued his story, "for the first few months I was in ponyville I would do whatever I could to be sure I never slept alone, promises of fame, money, love or anything really, whatever they wanted was no problem for me because I never intended to give it to them. After I got what I wanted I was gone before they woke up the following morning, yes some mares knew what it was when we went home together but others truly were looking for love and I toyed with their emotions, broke their hearts to satisfy my own lust with no regard for them or how it might have affected their lives... until the night I set my sights on a young mare who owned a boutique here in town, Rarity was her name."

Luna recalled twilight mentioning Rarity and Cielo use to date back when Cielo lived in ponyville, lifting her muzzle out from under Cielo's chin her curiosity was now peaked. "What happened?"

"Well just like any other mare I set out to try to woo her, it was easy enough to do. Rarity is a classy mare but a bit superficial, don't get me wrong she is kind and caring to everypony she meets but if you have a little money or fame behind you she will find you fairly more attractive than if you had none." Cielo said looking over at Luna hoping she would at least like how things ended up. "The hard part with Rarity was not getting her to court me but getting her to allow me into her bed, Rarity may be flirty on the surface but that's where it ends. I pressured her for weeks not because I cared for her but because I found it exciting. It was like a new challenge for me to conquer, the more she resisted the more I had to have her. After nearly a month of treating this mare like a goddess, waiting on her like she was my world, she finally gave into me. The next morning while she still slept just like all the rest I slipped out undetected..."

Luna waited for Cielo to continue but he remained quiet until Luna could not take it any more "And!?" Luna's was desperate for the conclusion.

"I wish I could tell you what happened but the truth is I'm not sure myself to this day." Cielo explained. "As I walked away I felt something I had never felt before... I actually felt guilty for leading her on and using her. I can't tell you why because I don't know what changed in me, I never even noticed the change until that point. somewhere along the line I let her into my heart without meaning to and now that she was there I could not get her out, I tried to stay away from her for as long as I could but I did not make it very far. After only two hours I bought her a dozen roses and went back to her house, knocking on the door Rarity answered. It was clear she had been crying because of me, she was happy to see I came back and explained she thought I had left her." Cielo paused again and smiled a little, "and then I made the biggest change of my life, in a moment of pity for her I told her the truth, I told Rarity everything I had done in the past. Every bit of it right up to my plans for her, how I had planned on leaving her but came back... I left nothing out. Needless to say she was hurt, I expected her to scream at me or maybe throw something at me and force me out of her home but she did not. That would not have been lady like and Rarity is very particular in how she acts. She kindly asked me to leave saying she needed time to be alone with her thoughts, I did as she asked and I went back home. I found myself pacing actually waiting to hear back from her, all day I did not leave hoping she would come by but she never did, come nightfall I had given up and was about to head out for the night when Rarity came knocking at my door."

Luna's hoof remained on Cielo's the whole time he spoke, her stomach starting to relax and feel a little better. Though Cielo had made some rather big mistakes in his life Luna could see just how much he had matured too and was eager to hear how it all ended.

"I invited her in, she was still upset with me but she told me something unexpected, something I know I would never have said to somepony who did what I did to her. Rarity told me that she still had feelings for me even after I used her, she admitted the only reason she had any at all was because I came clean. Rarity offered me another chance with her if I promised to change my ways, she was very clear that if I slept at her place I could be sleeping on the couch for some time and I would not be sleeping with her any time soon. I understood but at the same time I was not fully sure of what I wanted yet, I mean to go without being with a mare intimately for so long was a bit of a deal breaker for me at the time. Rarity did not like it but she agreed to give me a few hours to think but out of all of that, nothing impacted me as much as her parting words." Cielo took in another deep breath remaining calm thought the whole story. "Rarity walked to the door and looked back at me, before leaving she said this..."

"You know Cielo if you don't choose me it's okay I'll understand but please listen to me... you need to stop, if not for anypony then do it for yourself because if you keep going down the path you have been on one day you're going to wake up... surrounded by beautiful mares and just breakdown, because in that moment you'll realize just what a shallow life you have lead, you'll realize that no matter how many mares fill your bed you'll still be alone..."

"And with that she left." Cielo shook his head a little, "You know I laughed at her at first but the more I thought about it the more I realized she was right because up to that point she was the only mare out of all of them I actually had feelings for."

"So did you go back to her?" Luna asked softly hoping Cielo did go back to Rarity and the whole month he spent with her prior was not what Twilight had meant by them dating.

"Yes I did, after a lot of thinking I went back to Rarity and asked for a second chance. I ended up getting one and Rarity and I remained together for the rest of my stay here in ponyville, it took her a little time to get me to straighten out and act proper but she did." Cielo smiled.

"Why did you two end up breaking up?" Luna asked nervously. "I mean you seemed to really like her..."

"My career choice, I was tired of not having a steady job to keep me busy when it was not storm season, after a little meeting with Celestia I was offered the chance to train to be a guard. I was offered good pay, guaranteed full time work and a place to say plus I kinda always wanted to be a guard so I was getting to fulfill a little fantasy from when I was a young colt. Rarity was happy for me but she did not want to leave ponyville, I couldn't blame her all of her friends were here and after getting to know them if I was her I would not have chosen to come with me either. It was hard but we both agreed it would be best if we parted ways since there was no way for us to meet one another on my decision. I left with a promise to her I would not forsake what we had by going back to my old ways and to this day three years later I have held onto that promise. I'm not saying I have been a saint the whole time but my days of lying and using mares came to an end the day I chose to ask for another chance." Cielo turned his full attention now to Luna. "So... now hearing all of that do you regret making them promises to me? Do you feel any different towards me at all?"

Luna let out a little sigh. "Well... no I don't regret making you them promises and no I don't feel different towards you but it is shocking to hear that you use to be so careless towards others... I know ponies change but I never thought of you like that Cielo I would have never guessed it either." Luna admitted now rubbing Cielo's hoof softly. "I'll admit it makes me a little more nervous about certain things and yet I'm glad you were honest with it, it shows I was right to place my trust in you." Luna blushed a bit and looked away from Cielo's eyes not able to continue while looking at him. "Knowing you have... been with... I mean..."

"Luna are you uneasy that I have had a lot of experience with mares but you have none with a stallion?" Cielo questioned.

Luna remained silent unable to answer feeling her cheeks turn a deep crimson at Cielo's question. Luna's hoof was now motionless and simply rested on Cielo's hoof.

"Though that might be the case, it's okay to feel nervous, it's pretty natural." Cielo explained leaning in and nuzzling Luna.

"How did you know?" Luna managed to asked keeping her gaze from Cielo's.

"Our first kiss, I could feel how nervous you were, even now I can feel you're stiff. I can feel you tensed up when I asked, you're not use to these kind of situations and they make you a bit uneasy and perhaps a little excited at the same time or at least that's why I'm guessing you blushed." Cielo took this opportunity to try and learn a little more about the Princess while he could. "Have you ever dated before?" Cielo watched Luna carefully getting a slight bit of entertainment from how nervous she was, he found it incredibly cute.

Luna tried to compose herself realizing just how visibly uneasy she looked. "W-well yes I have courted before, twice, before I was banished I had many suitors but only two ever got close enough to me to even be allowed a single date, I have kissed stallions before but... none ever made me feel like you do Cielo." Luna said softly allowing herself to open up to Cielo a bit more showing him the amount of trust she had in him even after she had listened to all he did in the past. "After a while stallions stopped trying to take my hoof, I got a rather nice reputation for being cold and uncaring. To be honest I just never felt anything for any of them, it's not my fault I did not desire them as they did me... that does not make me a bad mare."

"No Luna it doesn't and nor does not having experience, you should feel proud of that fact not unease by it." Cielo moved his hoof out from under Luna's and placed it on top of hers finally getting her to look back at him once more, Luna's cheeks still a deep red. "If I were you I would not worry about it, worry about that when we come to it."

Luna swallowed hard before she spoke shocking herself hearing the words that passed from her lips. "Have you ever thought about it... with me?" Luna spoke almost in a whisper, her voice nearly failing her.

Cielo looked stunned, speechless for a moment. "W-well... umm..." Cielo was taken completely off guard by Luna's question.

Luna remained silent looking at Cielo waiting for an answer, the two of them had feelings for one another for a little over a month now and she was a bit curious why Cielo never did try anything even when they did share a bed given his past.

"Y-yes... yes I have but... I never thought you were really ready for such a step." Cielo was now caressing Luna's hoof hearing her breathing grow a bit faster. "I don't want you to feel like I'm moving too fast or pressuring you into doing something you really don't want to just to make me happy so I have been taking it slow... I don't want to risk pushing you away..."

"And if I were a normal mare... do you think things would have gone differently?" Slowly Luna was starting to relax but still the blush on her cheeks would not simply fade away, her breathing was still a bit fast and her heart was now pounding in her chest. Luna was excited by the fact she had at least been in his thoughts at least.

"Well... I guess so, I mean I would have asked you to court sooner so I would have to assume if that happened our relationship might have progressed to that point." Cielo moved his hoof and started to stand up feeling this conversation was about over.

"W-wait!" Luna stood up quickly making Cielo look over at her. Luna's heart still pounding out of her chest, under the excitement Luna was also afraid. She had never gone so far before as to talk about such things with anypony but given how open Cielo had been with her was moving her to try. "I want to be treated like a normal mare."

Cielo looked at Luna for a moment puzzled, "What do you mean? I thought I was treating you like a normal mare." Cielo sat back down cocking his head a little off to the side like a puppy who just heard something it did not quite understand.

"You are I mean kind of..." Luna's mind was a little jumbled; she quickly put her thoughts together while attempting to calm herself. "I mean really like a normal mare, Cielo I know you think you are but when you look at me a lot of times you still treat me as a princess... that's how you see me right?"

"Well... yes but you are a princess Luna, what more do you want me to do. Tell me where I am going wrong so I can fix it." Cielo did not understand, he addressed her as Luna and he promised to not hide his affection for her or what he was to her anymore so what more could she want from him.

"I don't know how to explain it, can you just... I don't know try harder to see me as a normal mare? Please?" Luna asked lowering her head a little in a begging manner not really sure how to word what she really wished to say, she wanted Cielo to do everything with her that he would have normally done for anypony else, to see her as an equal. Luna wanted the stallion to not be afraid of her, she could see the large strides Cielo had made in the time the two had grown closer together but there was still much more he could be doing when it came to showing he did not fear her.

"You want me to try harder huh?" Cielo asked, unsure of what she wanted he took a shot in the dark. Taking his hoof he reached around and placed it on the back of Luna's neck pulling her into a kiss.

Luna was shocked at first reacting by closing her eyes tight, a soft moan left her lips as she leaned back into Cielo's kiss.

Cielo broke the kiss a few times only to allow himself another one, each kiss growing in passion. Cielo picked his moment waiting for Luna to part her lips slightly as she leaned into the third kiss, taking this moment Cielo introduced his tongue to Luna slipping it past her lips and playing around with hers.

Luna's eyes shot open feeling Cielo's tongue enter her mouth, she quickly placed her hoof on his chest and gave him a little push but with so little strength behind her hoof it did no good.

Cielo kept his hoof on the back of her neck continuing the kiss and not letting her go.

Slowly Luna's eyes closed again and her hoof slid from Cielo's chest dropping back down to the ground below and accepting what was happening. Luna did her best to try to mimic Cielo's tongue, her body now burning up causing her to pant a little. Luna lost track of time as her tongue played around with Cielo's, the passionate kiss only lasted for about half of a minute but to Luna it felt closer to five.

Cielo let his tongue leave Luna's mouth, he gave her a few more soft kisses before pulling back completely and moving his hoof off the back of her neck.

Luna slowly opened her eyes partially and looked at Cielo, her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest at any moment, her breath quivering as her body shook, the princess's cheeks were as red as they could get. Panting slightly Luna just looked at Cielo with her eyes half open unable to say or do anything

.

"Well?" Cielo asked, "was that better or do you prefer I ask before doing something like that again... or did I miss your point entirely and took a side route you were not expecting."

Luna continued to just stare at Cielo unable to do anything more than give him a slow nod, her mind rushing to cope with all she felt, the immense fear and pleasure that came along with that kiss was overwhelming to her. Luna may have known about physical changes of her body but when it came to the emotional side of things she was at a loss.

Cielo did not really get his answer right off but he was patient, leaning in Cielo nuzzled under Luna's chin. "Just relax Luna, if you did not like it that's okay but you need to calm down. Focused on your breathing and slow it, once you control your breathing your heart and mind are sure to follow."

Swallowing hard Luna did as Cielo told her and slowed her breathing, after a moment her body had stopped shaking and her heart rate began to drop. Luna was able to think more clearly and finally able to give Cielo some kind of answer though it was not one he was expecting. "Wow..." was all that managed to pass from her lips at first.

"A good wow or bad wow?" Cielo asked hoping for a follow up. "Do you still think I should try to treat you more like I would a normal mare?"

Luna nodded her head a little. "A good wow... and yes I'm really sure about you treating me like a normal mare." Luna's heart beat had returned to normal, her mind had cleared and her breathing was much better and steady. Her body felt a little weak even after the shaking stopped though. Luna went to take a step forward but she stumbled a bit, her leg buckling beneath her.

Cielo quickly brought his body to hers giving Luna some extra support until she got her footing. "Are you okay?" Cielo asked worried.

"I'm fine, just a little light headed I guess." Luna felt embarrassed as she could not even seem to walk properly at the time, her head was a little spiny and her legs still felt weak despite her calming down. "Is... is this normal?"

"Honestly I have never seen anypony get so worked up over a kiss." Cielo admitted adding to Luna's embarrassment.

"You must think I'm pathetic right now..." Luna kept her gaze to the ground as she steadied herself readying to try and take another step.

"I would never think of such a thing." Cielo replied honestly, "I actually find it kind of cute though I'm sure you feel differently. So you got nervous it happens, clearly you are not use to this kind of affection but give it time."

Luna took a step without any support finding her footing this time but still felt embarrassed Cielo needed to catch her. "You'll never tell anypony about this right...?"

"My lips are sealed Luna." Cielo went to Luna's side and leaned up against her softly in case she felt like she needed support. "Let's start back on hoof, the sun is starting to lower and it looks like Celestia might have to let it go down soon and raise the moon."

Luna looked back at the sun and saw Cielo was right, it was almost touching the mountain tops. Part of Luna wanted to tell Cielo she did not need help but at the same time it was nice he was there for her without her needing to ask. "Ya seems you're right we should get back but I can fly Cielo."

"Maybe but I would really feel better if we walked, besides you don't want to go to land in front of other ponies and risk having a leg decide to buckle on you do you?" Cielo asked.

Luna shook her head and knew Cielo was right, besides the walk might do her some good in getting everything working properly again. "Okay Cielo I won't argue, we'll walk." Luna took a step with Cielo at her side matching each movement as she walked. "You know you don't need to support me I'm fine." Luna glanced over at Cielo.

"I may not have to but what if I want to because it makes me feel better knowing I'm there just in case you should need me. Would you have me stop?" Cielo smiled back meeting Luna's eyes.

"Well when you put it like that I guess not but I would like you to allow me to stand on my own before anypony sees us, I don't need anypony thinking I was injured or something." Luna added bringing up a valid point.

"I understand, I can hear your sister now if she saw you like this." Cielo chuckle, "and I don't fancy being asked a ton of questions either." Letting out a breath of happiness Cielo turned his eyes forward once more, "So what's on the agenda again?"

"Well I need to make my way to town hall, give a little speech and then it's on to see the wonderbolts perform. After that we are meeting your mother for a drink then who knows, I guess the rest of our night is open for whatever." Luna explained happily.

Luna and Cielo continued to talk all the way back to town taking their time, as much as Luna wanted to interact with other ponies and immerse herself once more in the world she felt content with what she had in that moment. Looking at Cielo once more as she talked Luna could not help but be filled with a sense of joy, a feeling she found herself experiencing more and more each moment that passed with Cielo at her side.