“Surprise!” An excited young mare squealed, dropping her bags by the door. “I’m home!”
“Its about time.” An older, deeper voice answered. Thistlemint could hear the smile in the older mare’s words, and she couldn’t help her own smile stretching just a big wider. At any other time, she was sure that her broad grin would have been painful, but Eternia always brought out the best in her.
“Why? Didja miss me?” Mint teased, letting her horn flare as she quickly divested herself of her winter garb.
She slipped the hat onto the stand by the door, and reared up for a moment as she shucked off her heavy winter coat. Both were white as the new snow that coated the ground, and both were soggy with melted snow. Next were her heavy boots. The laces were easy enough to undo with a bit of careful telekinesis, but actually slipping her hooves straight up and out of the tight boots was a bigger problem. It required her to hold them down with her magic, and gently pry her hoof in a very unnatural fashion to escape the warm confines. Ah, the lengths she went to to stay warm.
“You know, I still think its adorable when you do that.” Eternia’s voice came from over Mint’s shoulder, a teasing note clear. Mint flushed a bright red. “You always stick your tongue out when you concentrate.”
“I know,” Mint mumbled, cheeks still hot. “I try not to.”
Eternia laughed a full, merry laugh. “I meant what I said, Peppermint. I think its adorable, to see you so focused on something.”
Mint huffed, turning to stick her tongue out at her lover.
They were a study in contrasts, standing in the small front room. Mint green and a beautiful snowy white, just the same shades as the stripes on the young mare’s beloved scarf. Eternia was tall and elegant, a gorgeous mare by all accounts, standing by the cute student. Mint was pretty enough, but only Eternia seemed to think that her appearance was anything close to that of her elder.
Their age was another difference between the two unicorns. While it would hardly matter in a life several centuries long, at the moment, the seventeen year gap could appear unbridgeable at times. To the young mare, barely into her second decade, the sheer enormity of that difference, when compared to her entire existence, was vast.
For all that, and many other small details that set them apart, they shared many things in common. Their love for music, though their tastes clashed magnificently. They both read voraciously, something anypony could see just by entering the teacher’s home, where stacks of books littered even the entrance room. And, if the smoldering gaze being leveled at the younger mare was any indication, they both held the same passionate regard for one another.
And love. Mint thought with a smile. Always love.
Like a bird entranced by a dancing serpent, Mint couldn’t tear her eyes away from the white mare as Eternia began to slowly move towards her. A saucy smile turned one corner of Eternia’s mouth up, and she didn’t walk to her lover, so much as slink closer and closer to her prey.
And like a bird, Mint could do nothing but watch the danger draw slowly nearer, desperate to be closer to something so beautiful. Eternia paused a pace away from the youngster, and her grin softened into a gentle smile.
“You should put your scarf away before the water damages it.” Eternia spoke softly, and Mint’s eyes widened.
“Oh no!” She squeaked, quickly and carefully lifting the smooth silk from her neck. She hurried past Eternia, laying the scarf gently on the fireside table. The whites and greens of the cloth stood out bright against the dark wood. Then, as always, Mint leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the cool, slightly damp fabric.
“Sometimes I think you love that scarf more than you love me.” Eternia pouted. Mint just rolled her eyes, turning to the older mare.
“I only love it because you gave it to me.”
“Oh,” Eternia asked dropping her false pouting for equally false haughtiness. “So you don’t approve of the coloration? You think me incapable?”
“Never, oh great one,” came the arch reply. “Never would I say such lies. It is you and you alone whom I pledge my life and love!”
Mint heard a giggle, before a warm, smooth flank pressed gently against hers, and Eternia draped her neck across Mint’s. “I did miss you, sweetheart.”
This time, Eternia’s words weren’t colored with faked emotion. It wasn’t the passionate whisper, something so feral it was almost a grunt, that sometimes greeted Mint. It wasn’t even the cool, distant tone when she struggled to conceal a powerful emotion. Good or bad, Eternia hated when she couldn’t control her passions. Mint was the only one she had let see her in those emotional swings.
But the one powerful, all-consuming emotion that she wouldn’t, couldn’t hide, was her love and longing for the smaller pony. The naked yearning, not for sex, not for something so base, but for companionship. Somepony who could speak to the unicorn about her life, without needing Eternia to always be strong, to always take control and make things better.
“You are my harbor.” Eternia quietly quoted, gently rubbing her neck along Mint’s.
“And I the ship within your gentle waters. Sleek sloop, fearsome frigate, even mighty galleon. All may rest here, upon a time.” Mint continued the poem, feeling a contented sigh ruffle her mane as Eternia relaxed into the embrace.
“But never are these weapons, these great and terrible fleets, those which ever more shall hold your heart. That is your first love, your oft-reflected moments. Within your heart, your deepest depths, a light yet burns. A light for those who love thee, gentle harbor. For though mighty vessels and weapons of war may rest upon your watery bosom, hardening your heart with their cold beauty. Though they rest within thee now, it is not they who first made that claim, the first to whom your heart went out. It is I, the bright-finned swimmer, the smooth-sided fish, who was your first true love. You need only look beneath those hardened metal guards, to see me swimming there yet. I move the waters in thy veins, and it will ever be me to whom to steady beat of your heart is owed. For my tail thrashes to and fro, never stopping, never slowing. I swim through your heart, your mind, your soul, searching for another, just as you yet swim within me.”
Author's Note
I have to confess to being a bit of a romantic. While I'm not the kind of girl who wants chocolates (for a holiday, I just want them always), I simply adore a good relationship. I'm not sure what pit of angsty melancholy this came out of, but apparently it was deep enough that I started to (badly) write poetry.
Either way, I hope whoever reads this will forgive that last bit, and that you enjoyed the story.
Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, everypony!
Extra hugs and kisses for the cute mares in all our lives.
And a stallion or two as well. 
