A Second Chance at Love

Warm and Cozy on Christmas Eve

Kuray lay dazing on the couch next to the fireplace. The orange and red flames blazed cheerily as they fought of the cold air outside. A book lay in front of him to show clearly he had fallen asleep reading which had quickly become one of his favorite past times. He stirred slightly from his sleep and rolled over in the couch, nocking the book off onto the floor and exposing his soft underbelly, the only part of him that wasn't covered completely in his shell.

Sweetie Belle watched him from the kitchen as the milk for the hot chocolate finished warming up. She always though he was a very handsome, dashing changeling. Nothing like the sneaky and deceptive creatures that she read about in the books she borrowed from the library or read about in the news; but it was when he slept that she though he was at his most adorable. In his waking hours he was always watchful, his eyes narrowed for threats and his brow(changelings have brows which surprised her) furrowed in deep thought. If he didn't look neutral he was scowling at something without knowing it. It was just the way he was.But whenever he slept he adopted a restful, almost serene, smile as if he was dreaming of heaven.

The sound of bubbles behind her pulled he out of her thought of her colt friend and back to the present and what was going on around her. She turned around and threw in the chocolate for the cocoa and let is sit for a moment before stirring it and pouring it into two mugs and turning off the flame. She turned and walked out of the kitchen, two mugs in tow with her magic, out into the living room.

"Hey sleepy hooves," she said picking up a pillow with her magic and dropping it down onto his head. He snorted quietly and picked the pillow up off his head and replaced it where it belonged without even opening his eyes and went back to dozing. "Fine have it your way," she said placing plopping down right into his belly. He sat up quickly with a loud cough. Sweetie Belle chuckled softly and kissed the tip of his snout. "Merry Christmas," she said jokingly handing him a mug and letting him sit up so she could sit on the couch rather then him.

"Not quite yet Sweetie, but I don't think it's too early for this." He said producing a small package wrapped shabbily in brown paper.

"It can wait, you're present enough for me." She said resting her head on his shoulder.

"Oh c'mon, it's not gonna hurt to open it a little early." He said smiling warmly at her.

"Alright, if you insist." She said smiling back at him as she sat down her mug on the coffee table and took the parcel from him. She carefully undid the paper so as to keep it in ken piece and underneath was a small black velvet box with a hinge on the back. She gasped as she opened it  to see a small crystal ball with a shimmering white liquid inside supported by an elegant golden chain. She gasped slightly and took the necklace from the box.

"Oh sweet Celestia, is that-"

"Essence of a fallen star, yes." He interrupted her. She threw her forehooves around his neck and drew him close.

"But it's super rare, how did you manage to afford it? Only the highest unicorn scholars have essence of the star." She asked exasperated.

"You know why I've been tired so much lately?" He asked, she pulled away and nodded, though her hooves still on his muscular shoulders. "I've actually been sneaking out for the past few months and giving ponies martial arts lessons." I only managed to scrape together enough money to get you that, but I think it's worth it." He said smiling back at her. She couldn't say anything but "thank you." As she slid the chain around her neck and as soon as the crystal touched her chest she felt her senses sharpen and her mind become more focused. She focused on the mug and it changed from a simple coffee mug to a fancy crystal chalice and back on her command.

"Mine isn't anything like as good as this, but I hope it will do." She said summoning an even smaller parcel wrapped carefully in wrapping paper decorated with mistletoe and sleigh bells. Kuray. He tore the end of the wrapping paper off the end and pulled out a small, tattered, and brown glasses case. He popped it open and produced a pair of horn rimmed glasses.

"Well this is, sweet," Kuray said clearly pushed. He had never thought he needed glasses.

"Put them on." She said excitedly. He shrugged and slid them over his ears and onto his nose and the room immediately brightened from the dim firelight to a constant glow like the sun was up though it was clearly nighttime outside. Next the glasses gave a small creak and suddenly everything popped into better focus. Colors were sharper, letters more defined.

"That's, wicked!" He exclaimed looking around the room before his eyes came to settle on her. "This is wonderful thank you." He said resting his hooves on her hips. They came towards eachother and their lips met in the middle. The bliss of that kiss was interrupted by the chiming of the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. The strikes of the bell counted twelve before going quite again.

"Merry Christmas, sweetie." He said. She just grinned at him. Her eyes twinkled happily. She shifted from the couch cushion to his lap and he wrapped his forehooves around her and held her close.

"I love you Kuray." She said serenely.

"I love you too." He replied. And until they fell asleep in earth others embrace they stared into the fire as it burned down to embers, the silence occasionally broken by a brief kiss or a giggle as Kuray poked sweetie belle with his hoof every so often.

And though there wasn't much in the way of festivities, no feasting, parties, or anything of the sort but it was the best Christmas ever compared to any of which either of them had ever had. Two lovers with nothing but each others company, there isn't anything that can top that.