Mystogan walked along the side of the now snow-covered roadside of the main street of Ponyville. The air was cold and crisp the sky was grey and clouded as snow fell to the ground in a gentle manner. The laughter of fillies and colts filled the streets as they ran around and played with one another. Snowballs flying through the air was something that Mystogan enjoyed watching as the young ponies had they snow war games. The older ponies either were busy shopping for gifts for their families or walking along as couples holding hands and enjoying the holidays and time off work. Mystogan himself was off of work due to his boss having gone to spend the holidays with his own family. He had invited Mystogan to come with him, but the dragonwolf kindly declined his offer, feeling that he would only impose on them. So he has been spending the last few days alone at his home. Normally, Pinkie would be there to keep him plenty company. But she had gone to visit her family on the rock farm that she grew up on. And it seemed like all his other Ponyville friends had their own plans. He didn’t mind this though.

As he walked further down the street, a chill came over his body before he nuzzled into his coat and scarf a bit deeper. It was a nice little gift that Rarity had made for him. And he greatly appreciated it. On the outside, it certainly seemed like it didn’t bother him to be alone in this kind of wonderful time of merriment and happiness. But seeing all these ponies spending time with friends and family. It made him feel a bit lonely on the inside. It reminded him of a holiday back in his old world. If he remembered it correctly, it was called Christmas. But no memories pertaining to the holiday existed in his mind. And that only seemed to depress him a bit more. Maybe he should have accepted the offers of spending time with friends at least. He shakes his head to himself as he continues his walk. Eventually, he made it back to his home and found his way to the couch after lightning a fire up in the fireplace. He sighs lightly as he sips on a cup of hot chocolate as he reads a book he pulled off the shelf nearby. After a while, he closes the book and sets the now empty cup on the table beside him. He slumps down further onto the couch and slowly slows his eyes, drifting off into a slumber that had been caused by the comforting warmth of the fire.

--Mystogan’s Dream Realm--

Mystogan seemed to be standing on a hill that overlooked Ponyville. From what he could tell, he was watching the continuation of what he was seeing before he came home. With all the lighting and decorations now visible in the night. He could only see the silhouettes of ponies with smiles having a wonderful time with their loved ones. All he could do was slide his hands in his coat and just watch in silence. That is, until the silence was interrupted by a voice that called out to him.

“You know, your friends would have loved to have had you spend time with them. And yet, you felt as if you’d be a burden to them because you aren’t part of their family. That kind of thinking is what has prevented you from enjoying the quality time that you so desire.”

Mystogan’s gaze turned to spot a dark blue alicorn mare approaching him from the side. He didn’t have to guess who she was. After all, she had been mentioned by both Celestia and Twilight a few times. All he could do was just turn his gaze away from her and close his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. It’s their time to spend with their family. I have no right to impose on such events even if I am invited to do so.”

“It looks like one of your friends has different plans for you it seems. Take a closer look.”

Suddenly Mystogan and Luna are teleported in front of Rarity’s shop just as she is leaving. She had a bag in her arms and a hopeful gaze in her eyes as she began to walk down the street dressed in a rather fetching and festive dress and jacket with fluff on the collar. And some very sexy stockings worn to keep her legs warm. She appeared to be heading in the direction of Mystogan’s house. This made him blink a few times as he looked back at Luna.

“I don’t...understand. She said that she was going to go see her parents with her younger sister.”

“It looks like plans changed for her. She is hoping to find some warm company in you on this festive evening. Perhaps not wanting to spend it alone like you planned on doing so? After all, her little sister isn’t there. She had to stay and do last minute orders for the ponies that came in for last minute gifts. What will you do now, Mystogan? Shouldn’t you be waking up right about now to greet her when she knocks?”

“Wait, this is happening now..?”

“It sure is now wake up, silly.”

The dream fades as Mystogan sits up from his sleep. The book he was reading earlier resting on top of his chest before falling into his lap as he sits up. ANd right on cue, there was a knock at the door. He gets up and rubs his eyes a bit before making his way to the door. He hears Rarity calling for him on the other side of the door. Just as Luna said it would happen.

“Mystogan? Are you home, darling?”

With a turn of the knob, Rarity felt her heart warm and lighten a bit as he did indeed come and answer. She had really hoped to find him on this special night. She looked up at him and at his face. He had a smile on it and he looked like he had just woken up.

“Oh my..I did not wake you did I?”

He shook his head and stepped aside to let her come in. He did not want her to catch a cold after all. And he did admit to himself that having such a lovely mare over on Hearth’s Warming Eve wouldn’t be too bad. Once she came in, he closed the door behind her and helped her off with her coat and hung it on the rack that held his own. This brought a smile to Rarity's muzzle when he did this.

“Oh, such a gentlestallion~.”

“Please, make yourself comfortable Rarity. Would you care for some hot chocolate? Perhaps some cookies?”

“Oh no, darling. I already got the cookies. I made them myself and wondered if you’d have some with me. But yes, I would love some hot chocolate.”

“I will prepare some for you then. I have been told my hot chocolate is pretty awesome.”

“Oh, then I cannot wait to try it!”

Mystogan smiled lightly at her before making his way into the kitchen. Rarity sat out the treat and snacks she had brought with her in her bag she carried with her. After she did that, she couldn’t help but tiptoe her way to the kitchen’s entrance and watch him prepare the drinks.One would think with his size, he wouldn’t be able to handle such delicate work especially when it came to preparing drinks or food.But from what she could see, he was doing a very fine job. She couldn’t help but eye him from the back. His long black raven hair that rested on his lower back which was perfectly straight, and the soft dark fur that rested over his scales. And not to mention those strong muscles and wings that could be seen. It was no wonder he needed a jacket inside the house even without the fire. He had plenty to keep him warm. And she wanted that warmth more than anything. The question is, how should she go about it? Mystogan seemed like such a gentlestallion and she appreciated that. But she could also tell that he needed a lot of love. Rarity had a gift for reading other ponies. She sees the fun, outgoing dragonwolf on the outside. But at the same time, there was another that longed for companionship on the inside.And he did a good job of hiding it. But not from her. She was actually very happy that she had to stay behind and help some last minute customers. She finally got some alone time with Mystogan and she had been wanting to do that for a while. She made her way back to the couch just as it seemed like he was done preparing the drink. She sat and waited patiently as he came around the corner with a tray that had to cups of hot chocolate topped off with whipped cream and even some shredded chocolate on top. She couldn’t help but clap her hands.

“Such a wonderful presentation! They both look enticing..”

She3 said as she eyed the drinks as he sat them on the table. He chuckled lightly and scratched the back of his head. A bit embarrassed but welcoming the comment. He shook his head lightly.

“Ah, it’s just something you pick up on when you are a chef is all.”

He said as he sat down next to her. He grabbed his cup and took a sip of it. His eyes fell upon the cookies she had laid out for them and one caught his nose right away. Peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips in them. He didn’t know why, but these were his absolute favorite! He reaches for one and nibbles on it lightly. It tasted superbly! He took another..and another. Rarity was happy that he enjoyed her baking. She was so nervous he wouldn’t. After he finishes off a few he takes another sip of his drink before setting it down on the table. His gaze falls to Rarity who looked up at him with those beautiful sapphire eyes of her.

“So what happened? I figured you and your sister would have gone to visit your mother and father during such a special time.”

Rarity nodded as she sat her cup down as well.

“I had a few last minute clients I needed to help get their gifts before tomorrow. My family understood and Sweetie went with them. I do wish I could have gone with them. But it seemed that fate had other plans for me.”

Rarity could see that in Mystogan’s eyes, he was trying to remember anything that may have reminded him of Christmas with any of his family or friends. But to no avail. He closed his eyes and lowered his head as he placed his hands in front of him on his lap. She could tell he was a bit upset by the loss of his memories. Mostly those of his family when he was younger.

“I know of this holiday back from where I came from. It is called Christmas. But...I don’t know if I had wonderful Christmases growing up...or if I had any at all. I..I just wish I could have kept all the memories that were good. But that wasn’t part of the deal I guess…”

Rarity scooted closer to him and gently took one of his large hands into both of her, lightly squeezing it as she continued to gaze up at him. Mystogan gazed back to her and looked down at her hands holding one of his, then back to her eyes.

“Then make new ones, darling. You are here with someone who cares about you. Even though it wasn’t planned. I am happy it happened this way. In fact, I’d...be more than happy to spend ALL of Hearth’s Warming Eve and Day with you…”

She said as she started to climb her way into his lap and straddle over it. She wraps her arms around him and nuzzles into his chest. He felt so warm and soft with all his fur. Mystogan was hesitant in wrapping his arms around her. But she smelled so nice, and her body was so soft. He couldn’t help it. He wrapped his arms around the unicorn mare and lets out a happy rumble in his chest. Rarity only giggled when she felt the vibrations of the rumble tickle her body.

“You are just the sweetest thing aren’t you? You put on a tough front, but when it comes to those you care about, you are just a big softy...not that I mind it anyway~.”

Mystogan blushed lightly and averted his gaze a bit. But Rarity brings her hand to gently caress his jaw and turns his head to face hers. She began to speak to him in a soft and warm tone of voice. It almost sounded like smooth silk to his ears.

“The girls and I care about you very deeply Mystogan. The fact you risked your life to save two of them really caught our attention. Especially mine.”

She leans in close, he lips barely touching his as she breathes a heated breath. Mystogan knew exactly where this was heading. He felt his heart beating quickly as he could see the want in Rarity’s eyes. She grabbed at the fur on his chest and pulled herself closer to him. The urge was great, and he wanted to give her what she wanted. But then, as their lips were about to touch, Mystogan placed a finger between their muzzles and pulled back, leaving Rarity a bit stunned.

“I can’t Rarity. If a certain somepony didn’t already have their heart set on you. I would welcome what you had in mind this night. But I would be ruining the friendship of another if I did what would happen this night. And I have a feeling you know who I am talking about. I am sure you have seen the way the little guy looks at you.”

She lowers her gaze and grabs his fur a bit more firmly. He was right. She knew who he spoke of and how he felt towards her. All she could do was wrap her arms around him in a tight hug. She admired his self-restraint and respect for Spike’s feelings towards her.But that only made her want him even more. He is such an honorable male…

“I know how he feels about me, Mystogan. And I am pleased by your self-control. But it makes it harder to not want to have you for my own…”

Mystogan lightly runs his claws through her mane and smiles warmly at her. He lightly boops her nose with an index finger.

“How about this? If things do not work out for you and Spike. Then I will accept your advances. But for now, wait for him just a little longer. I can promise you won’t regret it. He will make sure that you get all the love and affection you could possibly want. But, I certainly won’t mind a cuddle partner tonight when we got to bed later. I will not deny you that.”

“Oh good, I certainly didn’t want to have to go home thinking I ruined our friendship because of my...desires…”

“Naaah, you are fine, Rarity. Now then. How about we share a blanket and a book for the evening huh?”

“Oooh yes! I would love that!”

Mystogan went and grabbed something she knew she’d like. A book involving fairy tales that involved a knight and a princess love story. Seems like even as she got older, she;d hope her own knight would come and sweep her off her hooves. Eventually, Rarity fell asleep while snuggling into Mystogan. He quietly closed the book and lifted her into his arms and carried her up into his room. Once there, he laid her in his bed and carefully slid in beside her, letting the still sleeping mare scoot in closely against him.

“Sweet dream Rares. Happy Hearth’s Warming…”

Author's Note

Ha, I bet you all thought this was gonna be another clop chapter, I gotcha >:3

May the darkness grant you peace.