The change from day shift to night shift was… jarring, to say the least. It started with him being woken up every three hours by somepony coming in and lighting far too many lamps and chatting, and really only got worse from there.

Introductions were quite lax, as most other guards were not awake when he was. There was a lot of "ooooh, you're the new pegasus!" and "nice to see a new face!" or even the occasional "your bright coat would be a dead giveaway in the dark of night, I can't believe you're here…" (although that one was mostly said by a very grumpy unicorn he later found out was named Shadow Dancer). It wasn't until the third night that he was able to stay awake long enough to really learn ponies' names.

But by the fifth night, he was starting to get the hang of things. He was mostly allowed to roam around after his half-shift ended, and the other guards had gotten used to him and didn't question his presence anymore. He had become almost fully nocturnal, only needing to sleep the last hour before sunrise now. And he was becoming less susceptible to the smell of lavender, making it easier to keep a clear head. Sargent Starfall has even complimented his progress once!

It was on the sixth night, shortly after his half-shift had ended, that he noticed. He glanced out the window that he always did, the one two doors away from the barrack, where he could see the balcony, and he stopped in his tracks. He couldn't see Princess Luna.

He felt his heart plummet like a stone in his chest, and he quickly turned to find the staircase up. He knew he was still in full armor, and that he might look a little crazy trying to both hurry and restrain himself. But he feared for what this could mean. Strange things happened all the time! She could have been marenapped, or turned to stone, or-

Nimbus turned the corner and was alarmed to see that there were no guards at the entrance to the balcony. His lungs felt like they were being squeezed as he held his breath and peeked around the doorway. Nopony in sight. The squeeze turned to crushing weight as he stifled a worried cry and looked frantically up and down the dark hallway. The Princess was missing!

"The… the Sargent! I have to tell the Sargent. She should have an idea. Can't look frazzled though, no no. If I go this way, it should be faste-!" his worries muttering was cut short as he tripped over his own hoof. He tipped forward and went flying with a crash as his armor connected with the cold tile floor. He groaned, sure something was dented in his brand new chest plate, when he heard a door creak open. He tilted his head up just enough to see a midnight blue face peering back at him.

"Princess Luna," he gasped, "you're ok!"

The Princess seemed a bit shocked at his exclamation, then scrunched up her nose with a sniffle and laughed. "Of course I am 'ok', I have brave guards such as yourself to defend me, haha!"

She sniffled again, turning her face away from him. But he could still see the water marks on her face. "Princess… were you… crying?" He kept his tone soft, but serious. Princess Luna blinked, then looked back at him in surprise.

"Crying? No, of… of course not. Why would I be? You are the one who may be hurt, after all," she gave a small laugh again, but he could hear how forced it was. Nimbus frowned at her, then pushed himself to his hooves. He kept his head bowed respectfully to her as he brushed himself off.

"With all due respect, Your Highness, I am sworn to protect the Princesses of Equestria. I'm sure that protection extends to your feelings as well. Please, allow me to serve you in full, and vent your frustrations to me? If they're not too personal, that is," he added, raising his head just enough to look at her expression.

Princess Luna looked absolutely shocked at his words, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open. It was then that Nimbus remembered that this was no mere mare he was speaking with. He felt his face grow hot as he blushed, embarrassed and fearful that he had overstepped some unspoken boundary. His gaze fell back to the floor, and he lowered himself into a more complete bow, hoping that might make up for his behavior at least a little.

"Please don't," he heard her whisper, "don't do that now, not after… You're right. I do need to vent, just for a little while. Please, follow me."

Incredulously, Nimbus raised his head to watch as the Princess turned and beckoned him to follow her through a door. He gulped, and followed her into what appeared to be a small lounge of some sort. There was a dark blue couch covered in cozy-looking pillows with a starry blanket thrown haphazardly over the back, an armchair of similar design, a fireplace, and several lamps illuminating a tall bookshelf. Around the room there seemed to be bubbles floating around, with images swirling inside of them. Luna settled onto the couch, then gestured to the empty armchair for him to sit. He tried not to look as stiff as he felt as he settled into it, crossing his hooves.

There were several long seconds of silence after that, in which neither one seemed to know what to say. It was excruciating. Finally, Nimbus cut it with a "So!"

What seems to be bothering you then, Princess?"

Luna blinked, seeming startled, then turned her head and let out a sigh. "It's just… I'm worried. I know that some ponies still fear me, and they think I may turn back into Nightmare Moon at any moment. I know that Equestria was able to run rather smoothly in my absence, and that my sister could handle things just fine. I…" she began to grow fidgety, hooves clacking together, "I wonder if there was a reason for my return at all? What if I do turn back into Nightmare Moon, and I hurt everypony all over again?" her breathing became more shallow now, and her voice shook. "Did I only do all of this for selfish reasons? Was I a fool for thinking I could be forgiven so easily? I should not have come back, I should have stayed in the Moon after all, I-"

"Princess Luna, please!" Nimbus blurted out, throwing himself from his chair to crouch in front of her, "Of course you won't hurt everypony. Just listen to yourself! Just the sheer fact that you are so worried about this means you won't let it happen again. And besides, everypony can see how much happier your sister is now that you are back!" He reached up a wing to wipe the tears from her face, and he gave her a tender smile. "Not to mention how you've helped others in ways you didn't mean. Why, I wouldn't have joined the night shift if I hadn't had a dream about you-"

"Actually, that was I," Luna interrupted. Nimbus felt his eyes widen as his smile froze in place.

"... Pardon?"

"That was I, in your dream. I wanted to ask you questions, so I entered your dream to speak with you directly," she explained, matter of factly. She then gestured to the bubbles floating around them. All at once, Nimbus seemed to realize how casual he had allowed himself to become in the last few minutes. He awkwardly retracted his wing from the Princess's face, took several steps back, and bowed his head.

"... I see. So, you recommended me to the night shift? I didn't dream that?" He fought to keep his voice under control, but it still cracked once. He hadn't known that was within her power.

"Yes… Are you alright? You're being rather repetitive now…" he felt her move closer, trying to see his face, and he scrambled to back up further.

"I'm perfectly fine! But that's another example of you helping ponies! I'm so much happier on the night shift, haha!"

"... Really?" Luna asked, and her voice was so full of hope, Nimbus almost looked up at her again.

Almost.

"Really! See? You're doing good things as Princess. You'll be fine. Now that you seem to be doing better, I'll just be going-" he turned and had one hoof on the doorknob when he heard her speak up again.

"Wait!" she called, with such genuine emotion in her voice he couldn't help but pause, "What… Is your name?"

"... Nimbus Vanguard, your Highness."

"Nimbus…" he tried not to shiver as he heard his name with her voice, "thank you. I really needed a friend."

"... You're welcome, Princess. Please, enjoy the rest of your beautiful night."

The pegasus then stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He managed to make it all the way back to the stairs before completely falling apart. His chest heaved as he gasped for air, a hoof pressed to his heart to try and stifle the pounding. Princess Luna! Thanked him! The pony he had admired all his young life! The Princess he had admired all his life, he reminded himself. And yet… Being her confidant in that tiny room, seeing her so vulnerable… it made her seem more normal. Like a regular mare.

He quickly shook the thought from his mind. She was far from regular. She was extraordinary! That's what made her a Princess, after all. This was just a small moment of worry for her. One that he was lucky enough to help her through. "A friend", she had called him! He felt absolutely giddy at the memory, but then pushed it away again. She had meant it only in that he listened to her trouble, that was all. Any guard would be willing to do the same. He just happened to be the guard that was there at the time, that was all. Yes. That was all…

He seemed to deflate as he descended the stairs, and by the time he reached the bottom, he had fully composed himself. He would not betray the Princess's trust by letting slip that there had been any moment of doubt in her mind. What had happened was her private business, and he would never bring it up to another soul ever again. Although… Maybe he would check on her tomorrow. Just to be sure she had recovered. As a friend.

That was all.

Right?