The bed was warm, soft, and comfortable. An even warmer, softer, and more comfortable body was pressed into her side. On the other side was a cool body, firmer but not without its comfort either.
Cadance giggled as a fanged muzzle began to nibble at her ear, tickling the sensitive flesh as a square muzzle nuzzled under her chin.
“Mmm, good morning my loves.”
Shining chuckled, trailing kisses up her neck and to her cheek. “Good morning beautiful.”
The muzzle in Cadance’s ear let out a buzzing purr, “Good morning darling.”
Waking up in the embrace of her husband and wife never got old. The daily tradition of the two teasing her awake made her feel as giddy and special as it had the first morning after the wedding.
Cadance sighed happily and opened her eyes enough to see Shining’s lips, pressing forward to capture them. He smiled into the kiss, his strong hoof coming up to delicately stroke her side.
The kiss lasted a few moments before Cadance pulled away, pecking her husband’s nose before turning her head to kiss her incredibly patient wife. Chrysalis’s mouth was cool and firm, lacking the soft fuzziness of fur, but it warmed up quickly under Cadance’s lips.
When they parted, Shining nuzzled Cadance’s neck. “The bath is ready and the fridge is fully stocked. Of course, if you need anything, just ring the bell and one of us will come.”
Chrysalis nodded in agreement and pecked Cadance’s nose before green fire enveloped her and Cadance was looking at a perfect reflection of herself. Gone was the buzzing harmony of Chrysalis’s voice and Cadance was treated to the sound of her own voice coming from her muzzle. “I wish we could stay longer and cuddle, but it’s already almost 9.”
Cadance sighed, slightly disappointed at that fact. “Oh well, you two will just have to make it up to me later.”
Her partners nuzzled her before leaving the bed and Cadance watched as they got dressed and ready for the day. “Ooh, if you go to that chocolate shop, can you get me some cherries?”
Shining nodded as he pulled a dress shirt over his head. “Sure thing, cherries. Anything else?”
“Nope. I love you both, have a good day!”
Chrysalis, after putting on a lovely pink spring dress and magicking her hair up into a stylish bun, stole another quick kiss from Cadance before returning to Shining’s side.
Cadance watched her dashingly dressed husband lead her beautiful wife out the door, heart almost ready to burst with the love they felt for her and that she felt for them.
She sat up and stretched out, groaning as her limbs popped and spine crackled. “Oooh…”
She flopped backwards and smacked her lips loudly. She felt hungry and glanced over to the mini fridge tucked away in the corner of the room.
She stuck her tongue out in concentration as she opened it with her magic, sorting through the items within before bringing over a passion fruit and pomegranate smoothie, the glass it was in helpfully labeled.
“Aww, Shining remembered! He’s the best.”
She smiled as she began to sip on the smoothie, eyes closing in delight as the tangy flavors exploded on her tongue. “Mmmm…”
The day had started off perfectly. She was woken up by the two ponies she loved most, was drinking an amazing smoothie, and had a whole day of doing whatever the buck she wanted ahead of her.
She grinned around the straw in her mouth. Ahh yes, the one day I don’t have to be a Princess. Happy Hearts and Hooves Day Cadance!
She giggled and finished off the smoothie, enjoying the loud slurping noises for a moment. Normally she would never be so uncouth, but this was her day and she planned to get every rude and unprincesslike behavior out.
A loud belch filled the room, followed by a giggle-snort. Now satisfied, she threw the covers off and stood up. She shook herself, her feathers fluffing as little specks of dust flew about the room.
She trotted over merrily to the bathroom, eyes lighting up in delight as the scent of her favorite bubblegum bubble bath washed over her. The large, sunk-in tub was overflowing with pink bubbles, foamy towers of the stuff rising over the floor like the Appolneighcan mountains.
With all the merriment of a foal, Cadance hopped into the tub, displacing the delightfully hot water and causing a bubble avalanche to crash over her. Laughter bounced off the walls as the Princess of Love took a bubble bath.
~~
Chrysalis sighed happily as she walked alongside Shining Armor, soaking in the increase of ambient love. “Ahh...I do hope she is enjoying herself, I know I certainly am.”
Shining smiled, “Oh I’m sure she is. I just hope she keeps most of the water in the tub this time.”
Chrysalis laughed, “Or that she doesn’t drag bubbles into the bed again. The sheets smelled like bubblegum for days!”
Shining sighed, “Ahh yes, I remember that. But, it was pretty adorable seeing her curled up with bubbles all around her. It’s nice that we can give her a day to just, let go, you know?”
Chrysalis nodded. “I can’t imagine the stress of being the Princess of Love and Empress of the Crystal Empire.” After a pause she added, “However, you really can’t deny the irony of me being here instead of her on what is widely considered ‘her’ day.”
“But that’s exactly why. You said it yourself, the amount of ambient love in the Crystal Empire on this day is enough for you to feed yourself for a year.” Shining sighed again and, only loud enough for Chrysalis to hear, “You know, she used to get so tired on Hearts and Hooves, we would barely be able to kiss each other goodnight before she passed out.”
Chrysalis frowned slightly. “Oh? I didn’t realize it drained her that much.”
Shining shrugged, “She may not eat love and emotion like you do, but she is incredibly empathetic nonetheless. A lot of ponies love her, and while that’s a good thing, a whole Empire’s worth of love often overwhelmed her.” He glanced over and noticed her still frowning and nudged her shoulder with a smile. “Hey, come on beautiful, it’s not very Princess-like to frown.”
Chrysalis felt her cheeks warm, something unique to the equine form she was in. “Oh, you flatterer.”
Shining winked, “Hey, I managed to get two mares to fall in love with me, I have to be good at compliments.”
Chrysalis chuckled and nuzzled him. “Mmm, you may have a point there handsome.”
Chrysalis giggled louder as Shining’s accursed white fur did absolutely nothing to hide his blush.
~~
“Laa, laa daa dee, mmm hmm hmm.”
Cadance hummed absentmindedly as she balanced bubbles on her wing, trying to build as tall a tower as she could. “Da da bum, bum de da.”
Satisfied with the foamy mass, she took a deep breath before blowing the bubbles over.
She smiled and started building another tower on her other wing.
~~
“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day Your Highness, enjoying your afternoon stroll?”
Shining smiled at the florist, “Yes we are, it’s a perfect day for it.”
The mare behind the flower stand glanced over at Chrysalis, and with a sly smile said, “Care for some flowers your highness?”
Chrysalis returned the look and glanced over the booth. “I believe her favorite is…”
The florist was already pulling a neatly wrapped bouquet out, chuckling, “Don't think I’ve forgotten your favorite, Your Highness.”
Chrysalis blinked, and then laughed. “Oh of course, silly me, of course these are my favorite. Arctic lillies yes?”
“The best you’ll find in the Empire.”
Shining grabbed the flowers and paid her with a few bits, “Thank you. Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!”
“Happy Hearts and Hooves day!”
As they walked away, Chrysalis glanced back at the shop before whispering to Shining. “You know, I don’t think I’ll ever get over how accepting the crystal ponies are about this.”
“I think they are more understanding of the strain all the love on this day would put on Cadance. The crystal ponies have proven to be more observant and compassionate than the nobles of Canterlot at least. I think they figure if they can keep their Princess happy and healthy while still having the Princess of Love out in public for the tourists, well…”
As he trailed off, a nervous looking pair of ponies shuffled over, the stallion with a camera hung around his neck clearing his throat. “G-Good afternoon Your Highness, could we bother ya for a quick snap?”
Chrysalis smiled, “Oh it’s not a bother at all, come here.”
The mare squealed and pranced to Chrysalis’s side. The stallion stood beside his wife and held his camera out with his magic.
Chrysalis and Shining smiled as the flash went off and the couple thanked them profusely before trotting off.
Chrysalis chuckled as they walked away, “I see your point. Tourism is good for the Empire, I’m glad I could help.”
Shining pecked her cheek, “In the end, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Caring for your subjects, doing everything you can for their well being?”
Chrysalis nodded, looking off into the distance now. “Yes, you do your best, but sometimes,” a pained look crossed her face, “you make the wrong choices. You become selfish, arrogant, and forget that you are but one monarch that thousands look up to. You forget that it only takes one mistake, one thread undone in the grand tapestry of your greatest plans to affect generations if not remedied.”
Shining pulled her into a hug and she hid her face in his chest, to hide the shameful tears that threatened her eyes. “You have done more than enough to pay for the past Chrysalis. Know that Cadance and I love you very much, the Empire loves you, and we have all forgiven you.”
Chrysalis nodded and gently pulled away from the hug, and it was clear now that the tear that fell was one of happiness. “I know. My apologies for bringing up sour things.”
“It’s okay.”
Shining tilted his head, furrowing his brows as he seemed to squint at her. “Hmm, that’s odd.”
Chrysalis blinked and brought a hoof up to her face, “What is? Do I have something on my face? Shin-mmf.”
Her panic was cut short as Shining pulled her into a kiss, one met with cheers from the crowd.
~~
Cadance sighed as she stood up from the lukewarm water; bath time was over.
She gingerly stepped out of the tub, mindful of the slippery water and remnants of bubble gum scented bubbles. She glanced over at the fluffy towels hanging on the wall, probably still warm and ready to dry her off.
On a normal day, she would have used them, carefully wrapping her wet mane and tail and methodically drying her fur so that a single drop didn’t leave the bathroom.
But today was anything but such a day.
She grinned and began to shake herself off, flinging water everywhere. In the end, she was still damp and would need a towel, but the freeing act of just letting go and shaking like a dog was amazing.
With a final fluffing and twitching of her wings, Cadance sighed happily. She brought over a few towels and placed them on the floor to start soaking up the water. She sat down on one and began to wring her mane out, her tongue stuck out in concentration as she used her hooves rather than magic.
She had all the time in the world today and didn’t really feel like using her magic to speed things along.
She shook her head, giggling as her mane ‘thwapped’ against her neck. She leaned over and reached towards a cabinet, grunting softly as her hoof slipped off the knob at first.
She huffed and finally found purchase, a victorious glint in her eyes as she finally flung the door open!
She eeped as the force of her opening had rocked the cabinet just enough for the neatly folded towels to crash over her.
Were anyone to have glanced in, they would have found a pile of towels on the floor. If they stayed for more than a moment, they might have seen the pile begin to convulse as giggles echoed about the room. And, if they had stayed for even longer, they may have watched, whether in horror or amusement, as a pony began to rise from the mess of white towels, with flashes of pink fur and a bright mane of violet with rose and gold streaks.
~~
“Welcome to Chocolate Crystals, Your Highness. How may I help you?”
Chrysalis smiled at the shop owner, eyes fluttering at the tiny influx of love. She leaned against Shining, starting to feel stuffed from all she had been sampling today.
Shining nodded at a display of chocolate-covered cherries, “Two dozen of those please annnd…”He looked over, “Three dozen assorted bon bons, just no coconut please.”
He nuzzled Chrysalis as the owner got the order together, whispering in her ear. “You doing alright love?”
“Hmm? Oh, oh I’m doing just fiiiine.”
Shining stifled his chuckle at her almost drunken behavior. “Just a little longer love, then you can rest.”
She nodded, her eyes slightly glazed over and her smile dopey. “Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
~~
Cadance, now dried and thoroughly smelling of bubblegum, relaxed lazily on the unmade bed.
The door opened and she perked up as her slightly disheveled husband and wife stumbled in. Chrysalis dropped Cadance’s form as soon as the door was closed and Cadance giggled; it was always cute seeing her little loveling drunk.
“Goodness, it looks like you two had a good day.”
Shining chuckled and with a flash of magic, disrobed both himself and Chrysalis. “It was a little more crowded this year, but I was able to get you cherries.”
Cadance’s eyes lit up as he held up a small bag. She began to salivate. “Have I ever told you you are the best husband ever?”
Shining smirked and floated the bag over to her before helping Chrysalis to the bed. “Only a million times, but, it doesn’t hurt to keep saying it.”
Cadance stuck out her tongue as she made room on the bed for her lovers to collapse onto it. “Well, I don’t think I’ll ever stop saying it.”
“Then I’ll never get bored of hearing it.”
The group collapsed into a snuggle pile, muzzles planting kisses and nuzzles as another bag of bon bons was brought up.
“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day.”
