Kevin began to stir. He took a deep breath in through his nose and sighed as he slowly opened his eyes. Glancing around the room, he discovered that it was morning. He broke out into a smile as he felt Cherish moving her loving hooves against his bare chest. Kevin chuckled as he remembered throwing his shirt onto the floor last night. He turned to look over at his mare. Her lovely eyes had opened and were staring back at him, shimmering with affection.

“Hey.” Kevin held her close, keeping his arms around her shoulders.

She giggled, patting his chest. “Hi. Mmm,” she looked around. “Morning already?”

Kevin nodded as he tugged the covers, keeping them under their warmth as he secured his arms around her. “Yep.” “He glanced at a nearby clock. “It’s a few minutes till eight.”

“Oh that’s right.” She closed her eyes. “Listen?”

Kevin turned his head, checking to see if he heard anything out of the ordinary. “To what? It’s quiet, aside from our talking and breathing.”

Cherish laughed again. “That’s just it. There’s no pony yelling, ‘Mom, make me breakfast.’ Or ‘Mom, is it too early to play my video games?’ or, ‘Mom, I’m ready for school.’ ” She sighed, sliding her forelegs around Kevin. “Right now it’s just us, till Button gets back from his slumber party.”

Kevin brushed his fingers along her mane. “So I take it you’re enjoying the slight change of pace?”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “I am. I almost hate to admit it. I love Button very much, but some mornings.” Cherish let out an exasperated sigh. “I just want to sleep in and not have to worry about anything right away. I know having a child means having added responsibility, but…”

Kevin chuckled and nodded in agreement. “I can understand where you’re coming from. I had my share of friends on Earth go through what you are. And from the various nights I’ve stayed over here.” He laughed again, being all too familiar with Cherish Heart’s Button alarm clock. “I know he can be a handful at times. Or should I say hooful?”

Cherish giggled and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad I’m here with you.” She hugged him again and this time gave him a loving kiss.

Kevin slid his arms around her a little more, pulling her closer as he pressed his lips back against hers. “Mmm.” They kissed for a while longer, then just laid there for a moment. “Ah. Last night was something else. Wasn’t it?”

She nodded. “It really was. Hmm, yeah, I still feel wonderful.” Cherish lightly tossed about within his embrace and smiled at him.

Kevin ran his leg against hers. “You and me both. And did I remember right?”

She looked at him, curiously. “Remember what? Oh, you mean about living together?”

He nodded, playing with her brown locks again. “Yeah, and that it’ll be a trial to see how it goes.”

“Yes, I remember, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes, sweetie.”

“Me too, oh, which reminds me. We should stop by my house, so I can get some things.”

“All right.” She started running her hoof along his cheek, looking at Kevin half-lidded. “Imagine, living together.”

“I can. And while I’d love to just lay here a while longer.” Kevin raised his arms and stretched. “We should get up. We only have till noon, then Button will be home.”

Cherish moved to sit up beside him. “You’re right, we should definitely be here when he arrives.”

“Hmm. Despite feeling wonderful from last night, I do feel a little grungy. I should grab a shower before we have breakfast and head out.”

She leaned against him and ran her hoof across his chest again. “All right. But, since it’s still chilly, how about we share a nice hot shower together?” Cherish blinked her eyes at him and had the most adorable look on her face.

Kevin pulled her close. “When you say it like that, how can I refuse?” He chuckled, resting his head on her crown as he ran his hand along her barrel. “Oh, and if my previous sleepovers serve me. We should each use the bathroom before we shower.”

She nodded. “All right. And now that you mention it, I do need to go.” Cherish laughed. “It’s funny how you don’t always notice it, until someone mentions it.

“Tell me about it.” He snickered in agreement.

Cherish left the bed and took her turn freshening up in the bathroom. Then, the familiar sound of the toilet flushing met Kevin’s ears as he saw her poke her head back into the bedroom. “Brrr.” She shivered. “It’s drafty up here.”

“Then, I’d better be quick,” he remarked. She just closed her eyes and smiled as she slipped back under the covers.

Kevin stood on the area rug, which offered a warmer surface than the bare hardwood floor that lay beneath. He scratched the small of his back as he made his way out of the bedroom. Then turning into the hall, he made his way to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He glanced at his reflection and laughed. “Yep, my whiskers are even longer this morning.”

He walked over to the toilet and took care of his business, then returned to the sink to wash up. Drying his hands, he saw his face again. Running his hand over his whiskers, he nodded. “Yeah. It’ll only take a few minutes.”

After wetting and lathering up his face, Kevin began shaving. Much to his delight, a toothbrush wasn’t the only thing Cherish had provided for him in the event that he spent the night. Thinking about the clothing she had laid out for him last night also made him smile as he started running the razor across his face. Thankfully, like Earth, Equestria had similar razors, so a straight blade wasn’t his only option.

He heard a pat at the door. “Kevin?” Cherish called, as she slowly opened the door. “Are you decent, you didn’t come back.”

Kevin chuckled, removing another line of shaving foam. “Yeah, I’m good. Come on in.”

She finished opening the door and walked inside. “Oh, that’s what kept you. You decided to shave?”

He nodded. “Yep. Thought it was time. And when I nuzzled your cheeks last night, it wasn’t as much fun. I’m just not a big fan of hairy cheeks.” Kevin explained, taking a few more sections of shaving cream with his blade. Cherish walked up just as he wiped his face and finished rinsing his razor. “There we go. All set.” He nodded.

She stood beside him and turned to get a look at his face. “Hmm.” She ran her hoof along his cheeks. “Very nice.” Then she swept it past his chin. “But you missed a spot, a big spot.”

Kevin shook his head. “Nope. Not if I’m growing some of it out.”

“Oh,” Cherish gasped softly patting his upper lip. “You left your stash as well.”

“Yep. During the colder months, I don’t mind having some facial hair. Besides, I know your sides are ticklish, but it just might help me find a few other places that you’re ticklish.” He grinned suggestively, rubbing his nose against hers.

Cherish giggled, then gave him a rather sultry gaze. “But, Kevin. You already know another spot on me that if you touch me just right, hmm, you make me giggle.”

Kevin blushed as he nodded. “That’s right.”

“Just like I know a spot on you that’s rather ticklish.” She patted his crotch and swept her hoof low on him.

He jumped back and pretended to defend himself. “Okay, you got me.” Kevin laughed a little, then walked over and placed his arm around her. “Ah, Cherish.” He sighed. “You’re always so much fun.”

“I try to be.” She smiled, then moved to hug him. He happily hugged her back as they shared a short kiss.

“Now how about that shower?”

“Mm-hmm.” She nodded as they walked over to the tub. Cherish removed the T-shirt she borrowed from him and tossed it into the hamper. “Okay, ready.”

“Hang on.” Kevin slipped off his underwear and sent them to join the shirt. “All right, you wanted the water nice and warm, right?” He turned back.

“Oh yes.” She smiled. “The warmer the better. It’s really cold, even with the furnace set on 70.”

“Yeah, you’ve got a point.” Kevin started the water and got it nice and warm, then started the shower. He pulled the curtain towards his right to keep the water from splashing out, then opened the other side. “We can enter from back here.”

“Okay.”

“After you.”

Cherish stepped inside and Kevin followed right behind her. Since the two had done this plenty of times before, they went right to their task, but rather than clean each other, they figured it would be faster and less risky to clean themselves. Ordinarily they would have enjoyed the chance to clean each other, but with a limited time frame, they figured better not to risk getting carried away.

After they finished cleaning and rising off, they just stood there in the falling water. Cherish stood up on her hind legs and rested her forelegs on Kevin’s shoulders. “There we go.”

“Cherish?”

“I just wanted a chance to stand here with you under the falling water. It’s nice and warm, like you.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Hmm. You’re so sweet.” Kevin held her and rested his head against hers. Then, he ran his hand along her freshly cleaned and wet mane. “This is still nice, but I think it’s better to touch your mane when it’s dry. Still, this isn’t without its charm.”

She simply chuckled, rubbing her wet cheek along his shoulder. Cherish sighed as she pulled back and tapped her hoof on his chest. “Well, we should probably get out. Don’t want to waste too much water.”

“Good point. But first…” He cupped her chin and started into her eyes, then moved to kiss her, a bit deeper than the kiss they shared in bed a short time ago.

Cherish whimpered softly, somehow the addition of the warming torrent from the shower made the kiss seem even more romantic. She kept her hooves on him as she shared his affections. Cherish moaned as she felt his arms compress tenderly around her.

Their lips broke and she just stared at him, watching the water spritz and splash off his face and shoulders. A nearly endless smile curled up on her face, before she reached back to turn off the water.

They stepped out onto a few neatly placed towels and used the other larger ones to dry each other off. “There, that feels better,” Kevin remarked, rubbing a towel over her.

“It sure does.” She ran her towel over him and smiled as she made sure to dry every inch of him. “Oh, while you get dressed, I’ll go downstairs and start work on breakfast.”

“Sounds good.” The two finished drying each other off, and then Cherish left to start breakfast.

Kevin walked over to the broad side of the sink and gathered the clothing she had set out for him last night. He looked back just as her tail slipped out of the room, leaving him eager to share breakfast with her.

* * * * * *

After getting dressed, Kevin made his way downstairs. He took a whiff and caught the smell of something yummy cooking. “Oh wow. What are you making?” He asked, heading toward the kitchen.

“Come and see.” She called back to him.

Kevin followed her lovely voice into the kitchen and nearly did a double take as he saw her walking his way. “Oh wow!”

“I take it you like what you see?” Cherish smiled as she stood near the counter, winking at him and holding up a plate with three fluffy pancakes, topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a dash of rainbow sprinkles. To top things off, she was wearing the new lavender blouse he had bought her, but what made Cherish look even cuter was that she also had her white apron tied over it.

Kevin smiled. “Yes, I certainly do. You look so beautiful.” He chuckled. “And even cuter when you winked at me.”

She blushed a little as she sat the plate of pancakes down. “Well, I wanted a chance to wear this, but I didn’t want to get it messy while I made breakfast.”

Kevin nodded and continued to get a good look at Cherish. “That shirt really suits you.”

“I know, and thanks again for buying it for me. You really didn’t have to.” She returned to the stove and flipped the next round of pancakes.

Kevin ignored the plate and walked over to her, giving her a big hug. “Of course I did. The look on your face last night was priceless, and getting that shirt made you so happy. I just love to see you smile.”

“Kevin. I…Oh.” She looked and quickly removed the food from the pan. “Phew, if I had left these on any longer I might have burned them.” She turned and grinned. “That wouldn’t have been good.”

He shook his head and nuzzled her. “No it wouldn’t have.” Kevin reached for the plate. “Here, why don’t I take these over for you.”

“Okay, just let me top these.” She took the can of whip topping and added a nice mound to the steaming cakes and then shook some sprinkles onto them. “There, all set.” Cherish nodded.

Kevin grabbed the second plate and walked both over to the table. After setting them down, he pulled out a chair and sat down. She joined him as she took a seat. He eyed up the stack of big fluffy pancakes. “Man, what did I do to deserve such a fancy breakfast?”

Cherish smiled and shook her head. “Oh come on, these are nothing fancy, but I knew you’d like them.” She continued to smile as she tapped the edge of his plate. “Go on, take a bite.”

Kevin glanced down at them. He took his fork and cut a small piece out of one, then popped it into his mouth. His eyes widened as he enjoyed chewing the morsel even more. “Mmm.” He swallowed then looked at her excitedly. “You put chocolate chips in these too?!”

She giggled, placing a hoof over her mouth. “You bet I did. I know you love your pancakes that way.”

“Aww yeah,” he remarked enthusiastically taking another bite.

Cherish started digging into hers and then offered him his choice between normal syrup and chocolate syrup.

After they cleared their plates, Kevin patted his belly. “Mm-mmm. That was delicious, I’m nice and full.”

“I’m glad you liked it.” She sat back in her chair and relaxed a moment, then she said, “So, are we going to head for your place after we clean up?”

Kevin nodded. “Yep. It’s only a little after nine. So we have plenty of time yet, besides, I don’t think it’ll take long.”

“Great, then let’s take care of this mess quick.”

“Sure thing.” He smiled as they stood up and went right to work cleaning up the kitchen. Then, once the dishes were done, they grabbed their coats and set off for Kevin’s place.

Author's Note

I apologize that it's been so long since this story was last updated. When I first started this story, things went so smoothly, but then, I lost someone very close to me. And events in this story ended up hitting a lot closer to home than I realized.

I've come to terms with my loss and have been able to reconnect to the characters in this story. So, "Since You Came Along" will continue. This is only part of what was originally going to be chapter 4, that's why it's so short. Chapter 5 is drafted and will be considerably longer. Right now it's at close to 7,000 words, which is about the longest I'll let a chapter get anymore. It needs one more looking over and then it should be ready to post.

Thank you all for your patience!