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                     Winter of Wonder                      
                     -by logisticbumm-                     
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                     love of the cold                      
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love of the cold
It was a cold winter. Coldest on record in ponyville. The snow was thick on the ground, to the joy of many young ponies who had no school. Although school was out, many of the other shops in ponyville were still open. Sugarcube corner was flooded with ponies looking for a warm drink and a nice snack to keep the chills away, and the mail ponies continued to deliver the mail. Golden oaks library was no exception. Twilight sparkle and Dusk shine worked hard to ensure that the ponies who were concerned with being snow bound would have something to keep them occupied, be it a romance, an adventure or a mystery.
At the end of an extremely busy day, twilight slumped in her chair. Dusk carried a tray of coco into the main library and set it on the small table between their chairs and sat down.
She smiled and picked up a mug with her magic. She gave an exhausted sigh. "Thanks."
He chuckled "you know as well as I do that we both need something to keep us awake, what with barb and spike busy trying to woo elusive and rarity and no other ponies working in this library."
They both snickered at the thought of barb and spike in their quest for love. Although the dragons didn't know it, all the elements of harmony knew that elusive and rarity returned the feelings barb and spike were trying to express. The two decides to finally agree to the countless offer for hearth warming eve. They weren't the only couples that had popped up during the holidays. Fluttershy had worked up enough courage to ask butterscotch on a date and Berry bubble and pinkie pie were rarely seen without each other. Both Applejacks had their sights set on somepony and neither would say who, even thought it was somewhat obvious, as jack spent as much time as possible around Rainbow dash, and his female counter part spent quite a large amount of time around rainbow blitz. Neither of the Pegasus' noted it, but it was obvious to the rest of the elements.
"At least we know that they’re in good hands." Twilight said smiling.  
Dusk laughed and Twilight felt her heart skip a few beats. He looked so cute, and… she stopped. she knew it would never work for the two of them.
Dusk walked to the door and flipped the sign from "open" to "closed".  
"So, you, uh, wanna tell me why you've been avoiding me over the past week?" He asked her without turning around.
She'd been afraid he would ask that question sooner or later. She had tried to keep her distance from him to hopefully make her feelings go away, but it had seemed only to intensify them. She threw out a weak "nothing..." as answer.
"Oh come on Twi. Tell me. Is it because I filed the mystery section with the binding to the back? You know I was trying to make a joke, and it was a pretty good mystery."
She giggled, covering her mouth with a hoof so he couldn't see he'd succeeded in making her smile. "No Dusk. That's not why I've tried to keep my distance. I just... I... I don't know..." She looked at the ground.
Dusk took the opportunity of her averted gaze to shift his position at the door, hoping to hide his slowly rising wings. He wanted to kick himself. He always tried to keep his feelings under wraps, but around Twilight he had a much harder time.  
He glanced over at her and noticed she was shaking. "Twi, what's wrong? Do you want some alone time?"
She looked up, tears slowly rolling down her face. "no. I... I don't want to feel alone. And I'm having a hard time telling some pony I want them to keep me company." She turned her face, as if that could hid the waterfalls that streamed from her eyes.
Dusk walked to her. He placed a hoof under her chin and turned it to face him. "It's ok Twi, come on, talk to me. Who are you having trouble talking to?" Even as he asked the question, the answer dawned on him. "Oh." He pulled her into a hug. "You know, for being a librarian, I’m also really bad with words." He smiled and looked her in the eye.
The Alicorns stared at each other until Twilight looked away. "This is a dream. It's just another dream." He looked away as tears started to fill her eyes.
"Do you want proof that you’re not dreaming?" Dusk said with a smile .”Or at least, the closest thing I can give you?”
Twilight nodded. “Yes.”
She felt herself spin and dusk's lips locked with hers. Her eyes widened in surprise.
After a few passionate moments, Dusk pulled his head back. "Proof enough?"
She nodded “Yes.. Yes it was. Thank you dusk. Thank you." She looked out the window and groaned. "More snow? What is the weather patrol thinking!"
Dusk looked as if he was going to answer, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Rushing over, he opened it and was greeted by the sight of six near frozen ponies.
"He-e-ey D-d-usk. C-could we c-come in?" Applejack said through chattering teeth.
"Of course! Why in equestria were you even out there!" He shook his head and turned to twilight. "Could you grab some extra blankets? Looks like we're having a slumber party"
Having already recovered from the cold, Berry and Pinkie bounced up and down excited. "Oh Goodie! I Love a good slumber party!" They yelled in unison.
"Pass me that towel would you dusk."
Twilight and dusk were cleaning the few  
Coco mugs before heading upstairs. Berry and Pinkie had made the evening enjoyable with stories and games, and now every pony was relaxing. The two farmers and rainbows were fighting for the shower, while pinkie and berry had collapsed on the sofa in a giant tangled mess. Butterscotch and Fluttershy had grabbed a blanket and were cuddled by the fire place watching the flames flicker.
Finishing the dishes, the two Alicorns trotted into the main room calling their goodnights. This way met by some yelling from the bathroom ("gosh darn it rainbow!" "Wwhoops!"), a muffled "night" from the couch, and two polite "goodnight"s from the fireside lovers.
Once alone upstairs dusk looked questioningly at twilight.
"What?" She said, putting as much confusion in her voice as she could.
"Cold isn't it? Think you'll need something to keep you warm?" His grin grew wider with every word.
"We'll, I would have an extra blanket, but I think all of those are in use.." As she said it, his grin seemed to faultered. "Guess I'll just have to use something else." With these words she grabbed him by the neck and kissed him. It felt better than before, like a second time on a roller coaster you had never tried before and found you loved. It lasted longer too, as there were no freezing friends to interrupt. After a time they broke for air, she smiled at him. "Sound like a plan?"
He laughed and nodded. "5 minutes?"
She was already at her door, a sly smile on her face."I'll get you when I'm ready."
He laughed and shook his head, moving to his own room and flopping onto his bed.  
Across town, in the carousel boutique, two dragons and two unicorns sat at the window watching the snow fall silently to the ground.
"Well, it seems that you two won't be getting home tonight." Elusive said, starring not out the window, but at barb.
"Yes, what a shame." Rarity looked at elusive and the two smiled. It looked as if they would be giving out hearth warming day gifts early. "Spiky, would you come help me in the kitchen?"
"Yeah, of course." He followed her with a love struck look in his eyes.
Elusive shook his head and smiled before turning to barb. "If you would come help me get some extra blankets, that would be fantastic. It would seem as if we'll be needing to set up some acomadations for you and spike."
She nodded and followed him up the stairs. They reached the linen closet, but instead of reaching for the door handle, elusive reached over and took a hold of barb's claw. He ran his other hoof through the scales on the top of her head. "Barb, have I bet told you how beautiful you are?" He pulled her closer to him and their noses touched.
She stared him in surprise. "Uh, elusive, what, uh, are you doing?" She blushed "I mean, it's not that I don't like it, I just thought you... Well... Didn't share my feelings."
He grinned and putting his lips near her ears, he whispered "I've always said I didn't, but feelings do eventually push through and make themselves know."
By this time, elusive had barb backed up against a wall and she had put her arms around his neck. He grinned coyly and pulled his head back far enough to make eye contact. "I have one thing to say barb."
She giggled "And that is?" She could feel her scales becoming hotter than normal.
"I love you." He pulled her into a kiss.  
When they had reached the kitchen spike had instantly moved to cupboard to get an apron. He always felt like more of a chief if he was wearing one. He turned around to rarity, who was standing only a few  
Inches from him. "So, what do we need to make? Coco?"
"Actually spike, I didn't ask you to come in here to help me cook. No, you see I need your help. I have a longing that only a dragon can satisfy."
"So you want to find more gems? This really isn't the we-" he was cut off as he was knocked into the wall behind him. A pair of lips locked with his. His eyes widened. He broke from the kiss and looked rarity in surprise. "But, I thought... You..."
Rarity giggled "I know what you thought and what I told you." She grinned coyly at him. "but sometimes, even a lady lies." She put her lips to his again.
He leaned into the kiss and felt her tongue trying to push into his mouth. He gladly opened his lips, allowing it to explore the vast cavern of his mouth. His forked tongue wrapped around hers and snaked into her mouth. Rarity moaned softly as he danced over her teeth.
Upstairs, the other couple were in gaged in a just as passionate kiss. Elusive ran a hoof down barbs back, drawing a pleased shiver from her. She stroked his mane as she broke the kiss. "That. Was. Amazing."
Elusive laughed and stepped toward the stairs. "Come my dear. Let's go make sure spike and rarity don't over do it."
She realised with surprise that spike was probably going through the same experience she had with the love of her life. She nodded with a laugh.
"It looks beautiful, doesn't it?"
Butterscotch and Fluttershy sat in front of the fire in the main room of the library, cloaked in a blanket. The jacks and rainbows had all decided to share the guest room, and berry and pinkie were out on the couch. The two animal lovers had been given a cot and some pillows along with their blanket.
Fluttershy looked at scotch and smiled. "Oh yes, it's quite beautiful and certainly must be hot, but I can think of a few things that are hotter than the fire."
He smiled."and I can think of something more beautiful than the fire." She blushed as he nuzzled her face.
A chorus of "aw" softly rose from the couch, drawing butterscotches infamous "stare". The bakers quickly silenced themselves, and the two yellow ponies snuggled together, drifting to sleep in each other's arms.
Elusive and barb walked into the kitchen, barb with her arm around elusive'a neck. Spike was pinned to the floor by rarity, and was enjoying every second of it.
Elusive cleared his throat, and the couple's eyes turned to him without breaking their kiss.
"Just wanted to see if the coco was done." Barb said with a laugh."but it looks to me that you've only started to boil the water." This drew a laugh from elusive and an eye roll from the lovers on the floor.
Rarity untangled her tongue from spikes and stepped back allowing the tall drake to get up. "If you really came in here for the coco, you wouldn't have made a joke." She turned to elusive "judging by the arm around your neck, you were just as successful as I was when it came to our draqueian lovers."
He nodded with a smile. "All I had to do was kiss her." He kissed her on the cheek, causing her to giggle.
"Shall we move to the sitting room?" Spike asked the small group. "We can talk in there."
Every pony smiled and agreed.
Applejack fidgeted by the beds. Rainbow blitz had dropped into one and dash had claimed the other. Jack walked up beside her. "Is it really that hard to pick?" He said winking at her. She rolled her eyes and moved to the bed blitz was laying in and climbed in beside him.
"Who?" His voice came up from the pillow.
"Just a friend sugarcube." She whispered in his ear, placing her hooves on his shoulders and moving them in circles. In return for her work, she received a satisfied groan. Blitz rolled over.
"Glad you decided to stop by." He grinned, causing her to turn a shade of crimson. She hadn't managed to tell him how she felt, but now was as good a time as any.
"Listen,blitz, ah may not be as good with fancy words as ponies like twilaght, but ah'm gonna give this a go." She scrunched up her snout."blitz, will ya be mah stallion friend?" She looked away, turning redder than she had been before. She felt him grab her snout and turn it to face his.
"Listen here AJ. If I'm going to be your special some pony your gonna have to let me do something." He had a coy look in his eyes. She slowly nodded, unsure what was coming next. He pulled her into him and their lips met. Her eyes widened and then closed. They enjoyed the moment.
In the other bed, jack put an arm around dash. Her ears went up. She rolled over saying "not funny bl-" then she saw who had wrapped her in an embrace. "Oh. Jack. Hi." She blushed at his strong hold.
"Dash, I was wondering if I could ask you a question."
She cocked her head sideways. "Go on..."
"I know Ah might not be on of the best pony ta try sayin this,but..." He swallowed hard "will yah be mah special some pony?" His face turned crimson.
She snickered at his shyness. "Well Jack... You're just not my type." His face fell. She chuckled."Just kidding." He grinned and she could feel her wings straining under his hold. "Now, if you don't mind, I have something I'd like to do, and it requires you to lean closer." Jack complied and was pulled closer to dash.
He could feel himself start to sweat. "Uh, dash, what are ya doin?"
"Mmm. Just, getting closer..."she could feel his heart beating faster. She licked his neck and he shivered with pleasure.  
"Dash..."
She stopped."what?"
He pulled her head up and locked lips with her. Their tongues wrestled around. Dash let out a moan. They broke from their kiss and she grinned.
"Like what ya taste?" Jack said with a grin. "Us apples are quite delectable."  
Dash laughed and kissed him again. "Shut up you sexy stallion."
Dusk lay on his bed half asleep when he heard the door creek open. "Twi...?" He mumbled as a pony slipped into his bed.
"Who else?" She kissed him. "Sorry I took so long... I wanted to read up on something."
He rolled over and stroked her mane. "What'd you read about that took so long?"
"Just my journal. I wanted to take a look at how long I've had feelings for you..." She blushed and looked away. "Seems I've been crushing on you for longer than I thought..."
He laughed and rolled onto his back. "The wonders of the mind. I'm just glad I asked you why you were avoiding me," he put a hoof on hers "or else you wouldn't have said anything, and neither would I."
She moved next to him and put her arms around him. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Dusk." She was almost whispering.
"Yeah?"
"I love you." Her breath was hot on his neck, and he could feel her hoof moving from his slowly along his arm. She paused at his chest, but only long enough to massage it. Her hoof moved lower and he felt his wing muscles stiffen. Not wanting to let her have all the fun, dusk grabbed twilight around the neck and pulled her close enough that he has able to see over her head. He moved his hoof to the back of her head and rubbed behind her ear. For his effort, he was rewarded with a soft moan.
Twilight finally had reached her  
target, and she smiled with satisfaction when she felt dusk gasp.He nibbled her ear as she stroked him. Once he could take it no longer, he rolled themselves over so he stood over her.
She grinned. "Well, well. Some one seems to be feeling assertive."
He made a face of mock surprise. "Are you saying I'm like Scotch?"
She laughed and put her fore hooves around his neck. "Only if it will get you to keep it up."
She pulled him down to her and the two lay entangled on the bed.
"You know what Twi?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you too."  
In the den, the two butter colored ponies lay on the mattress, enjoying each other's warmth. Butterscotch had a wing around Fluttershy, and she was resting her head on his shoulder. Scotch had been nodding off and was dozing. Fluttershy giggled at him.
'He looks so cute... I'm lucky to have gotten him.' She smiled to herself, before looking back at the fire. Although they had been dating for around two months, they still hadn't kissed, manly because Fluttershy had always turned down scotch's offer. But tonight she felt different. She turned to look at scotch, his soft breath tickled her face. She leaned over to his face.'Oh... I'm gonna kiss him.'
"Scoootch, wakeee uuup." She whispered into his ear.
He sleepily opened his eyes. "What is it shy?" He smiled drowsily.
"Just wanted to give you something." She put a hoof behind his head and pulled his to hers and their lips locked. Scotches eyes widened after a moment as he realised what was happening, only to close them and lean into the kiss.
When they broke, scotch smiled. "Wow."
Fluttershy blushed and bowed her head. "Sorry... I should ha-" she was cut short by butterscotch,who put a hoof to her mouth.
"Fluttershy, don't try to apologies." The two sat in silence for a while, gazing into each other's eyes. Finally scotch worked up his nerves and spoke. "Would you, uh, like to do that again? I mean, that is, if you, uh, don't mind..." With each word, the two butter colored ponies moved their heads closer, until they were locked at the lips. Fluttershy rolled him on to his back. As she did so, the fire's embers faded out, bathing the duo in darkness.
It had been a good hour since the ponies and dragons had started talking. Rarity and elusive had told how they had planned to wait until hearth warming eve, but felt it was more opportune to say, or do, something now.
"I'm glad you did." spike grinned at rarity.
Barb giggled, stairing at elusive."I'd like to second that."
Elusive pulled her closer to him. Out of the corner of he eye, he looked to rarity. She nodded."well." He stood and stretched "I think it's time to hit the hay." As he said this he watched barbs face. She seemed sad for only a moment.
"Alright. See you in the morning." She smiled at him, a tired but happy look in her eyes.
He shook his head. "I'm going to need your help to get you and spike set up."
She laughed, a beautiful harmony of laughter. "I completely forgot. Ok, let's get to work."
While they headed up the stairs, rarity turned to spike. "Come along my knight. We also have some where to be."
When they reached rarity's room, spike had a look of confusion on his face.
"Uh,rarity, what are we doing at your room?"
She giggled, placing a hoof over her mouth. "Really darling, think about it." She turned to open the door while simultaneously flicking her tail in his face.
Spike blushed. "Oh."
Across the house elusive was carrying a now asleep barb. He levitated her to the bed with a small smile before curling up with the dragon. Her lips became a faint smile, and she breathed calmly, as if her dream was coming to life. Elusive hoped she was dreaming of him.
Although pinkie and berry were the first to sleep, they were the ones who spent the sleeping hours in the most productive ways. They were next to each other all night and both had a smile plastered to their faces. Although they didn't speak once over the course of the night, the presence of pinkie told berry millions of things words could not describe, and berry being beside her gave pinkie a calm feeling. She was with him and that was all she needed. The two dozed soundly, perfectly at ease in each other's arms.
Three buzzers echoed through the library. Morning had come and it was 9 in the morning. Dusk lay in his bed, trying to keep himself from getting up. He just wanted to lay there with twilight. Through his window, he could see a sea of snow, gleaming in the morning sun. Twilight shifted and rolled to face him. She put her hooves around him.  
"Morning." She said resting her head next to his.
He ran a hoof through her mane. "Good morning. Sleep well?"
She giggled. "Better than if I'd been alone." She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Shall we start breakfast? I have a feeling that our friends will be bunking here for a bit of time."
He stretched and nodded. "Probably a good idea. I'm glad I stocked up on groceries. Seems we'll need them." He grinned. "Let's get to it."
The orange and cyan ponies stirred at the smell of pancakes. Rainbow dash dislodged her self from jack'a strong hold and applejack rolled off of blitz. Like wise, in the living room, the fire side ponies awakened. Fluttershy and butterscotch sat for a moment, before rising and moving to the kitchen to help. Pinkie and berry rolled off of the couch in a fit of giggles and, after a few kisses, the two pranced to the kitchen.
Finally, the meal was ready and they all sat down to eat.
"Spikey-wikey... Wakie wakie..."
Spike grinned. "I'm awake rarity. I've been awake for about an hour. I was just waiting for you to wake up."
She laughed. It was a soft laugh, but it felt like a symphony to spike. He felt his heart melt.
She rose from bed. "Come my prince. Let us go to breakfast."
"Dear princess Celestia,
This whiter is one to remember. Great amounts of snow, and great surprises fell upon me and my friends. We found a newer stronger friendship in a few stallions. I learned that you should never be afraid to tell someone something, as they might just have something they want to say back. Happy hearth warming eve to the royal princes and princesses, and tell my brother he can meet my new stallion friend when the weather clears up.
Your student(s),  
Twilight sparkle and Dusk shine.
Author's Note
whelp. I wrote a story. hopefully not a bad one. hope you enjoy!