Hearth’s Warming (Christmas Special), Part 1

[Ozzy’s POV, 9:40 a.m.]

“So you usually take a few weeks off during this time of year?” I asked the girls.

“Well with the Winter design lines already done, and the snow being around for quite some time, business in modeling gets pretty slow until we get closer to spring,” Shining explained.

“We also like to use this time to look for Hearth’s Warming gifts and spend more time with our families with how busy our work lives are,” Fleur added in.

We were having breakfast while wearing warm, comfortable clothes while snow fell outside our window. Tarps were set up over the pool and hot tub that were already piling with snow, as was the rest of the area around Fleur’s and Shining’s homes that showed nothing but white as far as the eye could see.

I was wearing a light blue sweater with jeans and socks, Shining was wearing a wool one that matched her fur color while snowflakes of different colors were spread around it with navy blue leggings, and Fleur…

“I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I still can’t believe you’re wearing what Glamorous is advertising,” Shining said. “I mean, unless you have a coat over it, keyhole sweaters defeat the purpose of keeping ponies warm in exchange for ‘showing off the goods.’”

Fleur was wearing a purple keyhole sweater that matched her eyes, but there was an opening under her collar where her small cleavage was exposed. She was also wearing gray sweatpants.

“It’s all the rage right now. How would I not give it a try?” Fleur asked. She looked down and cupped her breasts. Her brow furrowed as she scowled. Before I stared too long, I looked down on my plate and continued eating. “Ugh, but I could barely fill the bust with these. If I could just make them slightly bigger. I bet you could fit into these quite nicely, Shiny. You certainly have the size of goods to pull it off.”

“H-hey! Quit poking there!” Shining shouted. “Just because it’s a craze, that doesn’t mean you should follow it up yourself, you know. Besides, I don’t think it would really suit me well anyway.”

“Is that so?” Fleur asked. “It just so happens I have another pair that has your size and color. If you don’t think it will look good on you, perhaps Ozzy and I should be judges and see for ourselves whether or not that claim holds water.”

“Do you really have to put me into this?” I asked. “Can’t we just have a good breakfast without getting into something weird?”

“Oh come now, Ozzy, admit that you want to see it most of all,” Fleur rebutted. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you staring earlier either. Come on, Shiny, just give it a try for curiosity’s sake. If you don’t like it, I have the tag and receipt to bring it back.”

Shining glanced between me and Fleur as she thought about it. At a loss for what to do, she took out a bit for a coin toss to decide. The sound of metal rang in the air as the coin flipped from the flick of her thumb. With a catch and slap on the back of her other hand, she peeked the result of the coin toss, and sighed. “Alright, let’s just get it over with,” Shining said. Fleur quickly pulled her out of the chair and dragged her upstairs to change. I sat there looking up to where the girls went with my fork of scrambled eggs still in hand as the room went silent.

Uh… What just happened?

I finished my breakfast and cleaned my plate before putting it in the dishwasher. I sat back in the table where the girls’ plates still lay, slowly getting cold as I waited for them to change.

“I still don’t get the point of this being made,” Shining’s voice called from upstairs. “I can actually feel a draft blowing on it.”

“Oh hush. You look great, and I’m jealous you can pull it off better than me,” Fleur said. “Come on, let’s see what Ozzy thinks.” Hoofsteps were heard as they came down the stairs, Fleur was the first to come into view. “May I present to you… Shining Star, the magnificent!”

My eyes widened once Shining came into view next. She was wearing a pale light green keyhole sweater, the same color that matched her eyes, with her breasts filling the bust of the attire as I saw a nice valley in her light purple fur. How Shining was holding her arms under the breasts made them stand out more as she was looking to the side with her cheeks tinted red.

“Did you have to make an introduction like that?” Shining asked.

“Yes, yes I did,” Fleur answered. “Because your beauty should be seen by all, whether they be present or not. Well, Ozzy? What do you think?”

My mouth was opening and closing as I tried to make out the words, but failing miserably. I tried not to stare at Shining’s valley for too long as I was not sure whether or not she would be offended for being watched so objectively.

“It looks silly, doesn’t it?” Shining asked. “I’ll just go ahead and change out of—”

“No!” I interrupted, making the girls turn to me with widened eyes. “I mean, no, you don’t look silly, Shining. It… looks good on you, cute even.” Inside my head, I gave myself the biggest facepalm I could manage because of how idiotic I sounded from that outburst, like I didn’t want her to change out of it at all.

I’m so gonna get beat up for this, aren’t I?

“W-Well then, if that’s what you think… I suppose I could wear this around for today, just to see where it goes,” Shining said, making me perk up.

“That’s the spirit, Shiny! Show them what you can do, I always say,” Fleur said. “Now let’s finish our breakfast and relax for the day, shall we?”

“S-Sure,” Shining complied as the girls took their seats back in the table.

“I’m going to warm up some hot cocoa, do you two want some?” I asked as I stood up.

“That would be lovely.”

“Please.”

I nodded and walked to one of the cupboard to take out our mugs. I sighed internally, relieved to live another day.

[Shining’s POV, 1:00 p.m.]

Fleur winked at me while Ozzy’s back was turned. I didn’t know what I was worried about when I wore that sweater. I admit, as unique as the design was, it had a strange appeal that made me curious enough to try on, but my head was telling me otherwise. I was sort of glad Fleur pushed me to try the thing on despite what I said about it, and the luck from the coin toss was in my favor. Although, I wasn’t sure if going about it without the bra was taking it too far. I hoped I didn’t get cold enough for my nipples to harden, sensitive enough to where their friction with the fabric would stir something inside of me. Then again, the idea of Ozzy feeling me up in that state wouldn’t be something I’d decline.

… Gosh, I’m such a pervert.

The hot cocoa was ready by the time Fleur and I finished our breakfast. Once we put the clean dishes away, we spent the morning watching Hearth’s Warming movies and T.V. specials that were airing in some networks with mugs of hot cocoa in our hands, and some lunch in between when that time came around. Even though the holiday was a few weeks away, like most T.V. networks, they were probably eager to get them airing to gain more viewers. I didn’t complain though, as I was enjoying them with Ozzy on one side and Fleur on the other. It was also nice to discuss what Hearth’s Warming was while he explained how a similar holiday worked in his world and how it came to be in today’s times. I think it was called Christmas? I had to say, for one fat human man to go around the world to give presents to all the good boys and girls with nothing but a couple of reindeer and a sleigh in a single night, I doubt that was possible for even the princesses to accomplish with their vast amount of magic alone.

“Does this ‘Santa Claus’ give presents to the bad boys and girls too?” Fleur asked.

“Nah. From the story, Santa would only stuff coal in their stockings,” Ozzy answered. “I think parents would say that to their kids so they can try to behave throughout the whole year, or at least when Christmas was around the corner.”

“Did you believe he existed?” I asked.

“I probably did for a bit,” he said. “But with how Robert was around me and how we lived, I don’t think it was long before I called bull crap on his existence.” Fleur and I looked at each other with folded ears. “Personally, I like how Hearth’s Warming was created better than Christmas,” he continued.

“How so?” I asked.

“I just think a holiday that celebrates the different races joining together has a better ring to it than one that went from celebrating an important person’s birthday to waiting for a fictional character to bring presents,” Ozzy explained. “Sure, presents are still given during Hearth’s Warming, but it’s out of a unity between friends and family no matter what race they came from, and not as a reward for ‘being good’ for a year, including the gift exchange. It’s kind of vague and too pressuring for people to live up to, you know?”

Huh… I never thought of it that way.

“What also makes this holiday better than Christmas,” Ozzy continued before he pulled Fleur and me closer to him. “Is that I get to spend it with awesome friends like you two. That alone just trumps Christmas by a landslide.”

Fleur and I awed as we hugged Ozzy from both sides. Knowing how much I give him a hard time sometimes, hearing how much he liked spending time with us made my heart flutter as I savored the warmth he was sharing with me.

“Hey, I got a good idea,” Fleur said as we pulled out of the embrace. “The Canterlot Castle is holding a play of how Hearth’s Warming started tonight. How about we go see it later?”

“That sounds nice,” Ozzy said. “Maybe we’ll head over there after dinner?”

“That’s probably a good idea,” I answered. “If we end up getting the munchies after the play, we could pick up some dessert or something on the way back.”

“Seems like we’re all in agreement then,” Fleur said. “The show starts at 7:00, so you should probably plan on wearing something warm for afterwards, Ozzy.”

“That may be for the best. Don’t want to get too cold,” he commented. “I gotta use the bathroom real quick. You two want some more hot cocoa?”

“Yes please.”

“That would be nice, thanks.” Ozzy then stood up and went to the bathroom while Fleur and I sat in place.

“Okay, we definitely need to give Ozzy an amazing Hearth’s Warming this year,” Fleur said. “If his family’s as bad as he said they are, I can’t imagine how he spent the holidays until he moved out.”

“I agree, but what do we do?” I asked. “He said he’s happy just being with us, but certainly there’s more we could bring to the table, right?”

“Well there’s the party Fancy’s holding at the mansion,” Fleur said. “Bubbles, Toffee, and Silver are going to be joining of course, that comes to a total of six… I should ask him if he’s planning to invite anypony else.”

“He’s only holding it for close friends of ours, right?” I asked. “You think he could invite some of the Wonderbolts?”

“If it’s them, I think Spitfire, Soarin, and Claire might be best.”

“Whoa, wait, Claire too?”

“Oh come on, Shiny. It’s been about half a year since those two started talking again, and she hasn’t made a move on him. She’s come to good terms with us too. I’m sure Ozzy would like to have at least one human friend in the party so he doesn’t feel left out.”

I sighed. “Alright, you have a point there. Guess I got a little too jumpy. Anyway, the party’s only on Hearth’s Warming Eve, and we’ll have to give him a good time by then. What do we do for the actual day? He didn’t even tell us what kind of gift he wants when we asked a few weeks ago, and he still hasn’t come to a decision yet.”

“Right, and he isn’t somepony who asks for very much either. Sheesh, this is tougher than figuring out what to get for Fancy’s birthday.” We sat there and looked down as we frowned in thought, stumped for what we could come up with. “Should we just come up with our own ideas and hope for the best?” Fleur asked.

“I suppose that’s the best option. I’m sure whatever we get him, he’ll appreciate the thought, and of course we’ll like whatever gifts he comes up with for us too.” We nodded in agreement when the whistle from the kettle was blowing, a sign that the hot water Ozzy prepared for the hot cocoa was ready.

[Fleur’s POV, 7:00 p.m.]

We spent the next few hours either watching movies, chatting, or playing a card game or two. Ozzy and Shiny prepared dinner as the time for the play drew near, and we cleaned ourselves up after we ate. I had a lovely white wool blend pea coat with cotton fluffs around the collar over my keyhole sweater with matching boots, muffs, and hat; Shiny had a navy blue trench coat with black gloves, light blue ear muffs, and brown boots; and finally, Ozzy had three layers with a heavy duty black jacket on top, gloves, a beanie, and tennis shoes. We asked if his feet would be alright in the cold, but he said not to worry about it.

Seems like I already found an idea for what to get him for Hearth’s Warming. I’ll have to let Shiny know so both of us won’t think about getting the same thing (and I know ways to make ponies look fabulous in any type of clothing for any occasion).

We got to the play with Silver giving us a ride over to the castle and found some good seats to watch once we paid for admission. There wasn’t much of a change in the cast since I came with Shiny and Fancy last year. Rarity, an associate and acquaintance of Fancy’s, played as Princess Platinum like before; but the role of Clover the Clever was taken by somepony new. I believe Twilight Sparkle had it the last time before she became a princess the following year. I looked towards the special seats behind me, and lo and behold, there she was with the other three princesses and the former captain of the Royal Guard. The lavender alicorn looked bored with her head leaning on her hand as she watched the play.

Perhaps she liked being part of the play more than watching from the audience. I guess that’s understandable, especially if what I heard about she and her friends being asked by Princess Celestia herself to be a part of it before was true. Hmm… Wonder if I could audition for next year? I think I could play Princess Platinum quite nicely, and I would look marvelous in that costume. Oh! And maybe Ozzy could be Clover the Clever while Shiny would play Smart Cookie! Wait, but then I would be frozen while Ozzy connects with Shiny before they share the same fate… Then again, we’d all be joining together hand in hand as the play comes to a close. Damn, so many drawbacks.

Streamers and confetti fell at the end of the play, bells were ringing, and everypony on stage and in the audience stood up, singing The Heart Carol while we all joined hands. Poor Ozzy didn’t know we would all be singing, and just ended up lip synching as his face turned red while Shiny and I continued, trying to hold in our giggles until the end of the song. Applause and cheer filled the theatre before the three of us made our way out of the castle.

“Okay, before anybody says anything, I blame you two for not telling me about the singing,” Ozzy said as he pointed at us while we walked. “How the heck do you even know the lyrics without them being in the program?”

“I don’t know, it just came to us,” Shiny answered with a shrug.

“I’m not saying it’s because of magic, but… it’s probably magic,” I added in. “That kind of thing happens in this world sometimes, and anypony who’s around the area just goes along with it.”

“So if I suddenly sing a song about, I don’t know, doubts of passing a test, then everyone around me would join in knowing what lines to say?”

“It’s possible, but I doubt anypony would ever sing about something like that,” Shiny answered while rolling her eyes. “I mean that’s not only just ridiculous, but downright melodramatic.”

“I haven’t scored well in my own tests back in high school, but I’ve never made such a big deal about it that I’d burst into song,” I added in. “I’ve only done that twice in my life; both of which involved my breakup with Solar Flare where the first was involved with anger while the reprise was more mellow and sad.”

“Okay, that I find reasonable to sing, and all the more reason for me to beat the crap out of him if we ever bump into each other,” Ozzy said. We went inside a bakery in town where cakes, pies, and other pastries were put on display and on menus as Ozzy frowned in thought. “Could you use someone else’s work to express yourself through song?”

“Oh yeah, ponies have transcribed each other’s works into their own twists for quite some time now, and even sing them to themselves when they’re not intended for everypony else around to hear,” Shiny answered. “Some just can’t make the right words when they got the tune or vice-versa, and that’s part of what makes ponies in the music business popular, as they’d be the first ones to go to for guidance.”

“Huh, and what about the instrumentals?” Ozzy asked.

“That just kind of comes once somepony starts to sing,” I answered. “Whether they’re by themselves or at a stadium where musicians are present, the background music just happens in both cases. That’s magic’s work on that part too.”

“I guess that explains the music I heard when I didn’t even see any instruments on our way inside,” Ozzy said. He did a lot of thinking as Shiny ordered a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake to go while I called Silver to pick us up at the bakery.

Our ride came a couple minutes later, and we made our way back home to relax for the rest of the evening. We thanked Silver for the ride once we made it home, went inside, and stripped down to our sweaters and jeans. Ozzy cut up the slices of the cheesecake while getting the kettle warmed up for tea. The three of us took our seats on the couch and watched a movie while we enjoyed our dessert.

“Mmm~. This cheesecake is so rich,” I said. “The chocolate cookie crust was a nice touch too.”

“Definitely,” Ozzy said.

“So Ozzy, have you come up with anything for what to get us for Hearth’s Warming?”

“I might have some idea. What about you two?”

“We’re still thinking about it too,” Shiny answered. “You sure you don’t know what you want?”

He shrugged. “I pretty much got everything I need right here. I can’t really think of anything I don’t already have.”

“Same goes for us, but we’ll be happy with whatever you come up with.” The three of us smiled at each other and went back to watching the movie while finishing up the cheesecake. Ozzy went to the kitchen for a moment to bring back mugs of tea before we continued with the rest of the evening.

When the movie ended, we cleaned up the dishes and put them in the washer. We turned out the lights in the house as we went to our rooms to change into our nightwear, Shiny and I into chemises that were just short enough to give Ozzy a glimpse of our panties while he was in a t-shirt and night pants. We snuggled together in Ozzy’s bed once we got into a comfortable position. My hand subtly getting a feel of his hard torso (that I dearly thank Shiny to help make it possible) while Shiny put one of her legs between his as she embraced him. We said our goodnights once I turned out the lights with my magic and I closed my eyes, savoring the good, warm feeling that was radiating from the three of us.

As Celestia as my witness, I promise we’ll give you the best Hearth’s Warming you’ll ever receive, Ozzy. I won’t settle for anything less.

Author's Note

Next part will come soon, hopefully before Christmas. Other than that, this isn't canon to the main story. Until next time,

This is Dudeler, signing off.