So our story begins with snow silently drifting over the quiet little town we come to know as Ponyville. Falling onto the rooftops, passed windows, and covering the ground without a noise. Inside their homes; Ponies and families alike enjoy the crackling warmth of the fire as the huddle around in their living rooms telling merry tales and stories of how they think Hearth's Warming really came to be.
Lights seem to dot the street below as each denizen stay inside for the night. All but one was out on this cold winter night: an orange mare quickly making her way through the winding and snow covered roads. A scarf tugged tightly around her neck and muzzle with a Stetson adorning her mane.
She expertly navigated the roads in such a manner that her intended destination was reached within record timing. A small house lay before her with no lights on inside save for the flicker of a fire within. She placed a hoof gently on the door and pushed it open.
The door silently swung open and she hurried inside, quickly shutting the door behind her. She exhaled a sigh of relief and started to unwrap her scarf to expose her freckled muzzle, her green eyes starting to look around the hall as she hung up the scarf then her hat. Golden locks fell from underneath the farmpony's chosen hat, the end being held in the end by a simple red ribbon much like her tail.
As she made her way to the living room where she was greeted with the pleasant warmth of the fire. A smile spread along her freckled orange muzzle as she got closer to the inviting flames, placing herself just out of being burnt, but close enough to get enough warmth.
She was soon joined by a unicorn whose coat was a cream-like color and whose wild, yet cut, mane complimented his coat just perfectly. He smiled as she wasn't actually paying attention to his presence and approached with neither a creak nor a squeak, gently twisting his tail around hers and just plopped down next to her.
She didn't jump nor scream, but simply smiled more as her eyes opened and looked over to the stallion with that same spark, that very same glint her emerald eyes contained the day they met. The unicorns's magic lit up as he smiled back at her before leaning in to rub her cheek with his own. A simple yet strong form of affection for the two as they nuzzled.
He was the first to pull away from the nuzzle and floated a small platter with two steaming mugs adorned on it. The contents: Hot chocolate with marshmallows. A fitting treat for the weather outside. The mare gladly took one of the mugs into her hooves, blowing on it some to cool it down just a bit.
The stallion did the same, taking his mug into his own hooves and floated the small platter off and away from them. He also blowing a bit at his steaming mug before they both unintentionally took small sips at the exact same moment.
It didn't go on unnoticed however as both of the lovers looked to eachother with smiles and giggled. They scooted closer to where their flanks were touching. They sat in silence and watched the dancing of the only light in the room. The flames flickered and moved in a way that mesmerized all, but left few without words. Simply put in words of one of the two as they sat on the floor against one another.
They were not only enjoying the nice open fire, the warm taste of cocoa, and eachother's warmth, but the two were exchanging heat aswell. The farmpony eventually just was content with resting her head on the stallion's shoulder in a sort of bliss as the white flakes outside just kept falling outside.
As the night went on, the stallion eventually wrapped a nice fleece blanket around the mare as she slept soundly on his couch. He smiled as his horn went alight and encased the two mugs in a magic aura that was reminiscent of milk chocolate and carried the mugs off to the kitchen. Him following shortly behind them.
The orange mare just lay there, curled up under the warm blanket near the warm fire, a hoof just hanging over the edge as he mouth lay open and drool starting to appear. The stallion came back eventually and closed her mouth alongside putting her hoof under the blanket. He couldn't help but admire the sleeping beauty before him.
Then an idea hit him! A perfect Hearth's Warming gift! He quietly scampered off to his back room and carried out an easel with a small canvas and a pencil. He quickly started setting up all the while being as quiet as possible. The crackling of the fire mixed just well with scratching of the pencil against the canvas. His ears twitched as he work as quickly as possible with accuracy and staying professional. This was going to be his gift to her after all.
The mare cracked an eye open and looked over to the stallion that had a pencil in his mouth as he would stop and take quick glances in her direction. She couldn't help but smile just a little and let him continue as she was used to this sort of thing happening.
The stallion continued to work as the night was still early and the snow was still falling past the windows of the unmoving house. The stallion finishing up the outline he now has to finish by the time Hearth's Warming came around. Yet, with the simplicity it still carried the beauty right in front of him. Sleeping with barely a murmur. The fire gradually nearing it's end and magic encasing the easel and canvas. Lifting them off the floor and out the room back to their original placings.
As the light of the fire dimmed to near darkness, the mare sat up. Looking over at the stallion and jumping onto him from the couch and a giggle. The fire flickered off to a close, sealing the room in darkness. Sparks and the start of a match lights.
Two faces nose to nose with loving smiles. Staring deep into eachother's eyes. A small whisper of the wind outside that has picked up just slightly. Then their lips met, delving deeper as magic put out the match and darkness was all that surrounded them again.
~Applejack & Ivory Dreams~