Under the Mistletoeby Vic FontaineChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1“Now arriving at Ponyville station. This will be a fifteen minute stop. All passengers departing here, please be sure to collect all of your belongings before exiting the train. We thank you for your patronage and wish you a very happy holiday season. Thank you.” The conductor’s voice sounded tinny and harsh over the worn-out speaker system, but to Rarity the announcement was like music to her ears. She jumped out of her seat, floated her smaller piece of luggage down from the overhead shelf, and was waiting by the door at the near end of the car before the station had fully come into view. She tapped the edge of a hoof against the top step while the train screeched and lurched to a full stop. Only the not insignificant risk of a trip to Ponyville Hospital - or even worse, a chipped hoof - kept her from fully committing to leap out onto the platform the moment the doors opened. “One visit to my family and you’re already running for it, hmm? Can’t say I blame you. But before you go…” A light blue scarf – one that she could have sworn she’d put back on already – gently floated into view and draped itself around her neck. “Do put this on. You always get dreadfully cold without it.” Instantly chagrined by the realization of what she’d done, Rarity turned toward the very familiar voice, and immediately blushed under the gaze of a pair of emerald green eyes she could never say no to. “I’m sorry, Rose, I… I just—” The train doors opened with a loud hiss and the rush was on. Creatures of all kinds quickly filled the small aisle, bumping tails, flanks, and luggage against the rows of seats as they shuffled toward the exit. Roseluck tried to grab Rarity and step to the side, only to back into an elderly earth pony who was already trying to board the train at the same time. “O-Oh! I’m s—” She tried to mumble an apology but it was drowned out by the growing cacophony all around them. Spotting a small opening in the semi-organized chaos, Roseluck bumped Rarity forward as she swung their remaining bags up and onto her back with practiced ease. “I’ve got the bags. Now go before we end up making a detour all the way to Canterlot.” “R-Right!” Rarity followed Rose down onto the platform, and into a bustling, noisy crowd. Ponyville’s continued growth spurt, plus its new status as a transfer point for the newly expanded Equestrian rail network, had combined to quickly overtake the small station’s rather quaint design. So much so that Rarity quickly lost track of her marefriend in the churning crowd that spilled off of the platforms and into the station proper. “That new terminal building can’t come soon enough,” she muttered before pushing her way through another gaggle of ponies on her way toward the general direction of the main exit. Finally, after much pushing, shoving, and a few choice words at a griffon who unceremoniously stepped on her tail, Rarity stumbled out of the station and found Roseluck waiting for her just past the end of the carriage and wagon parking stalls. “Two days after Hearthswarming and it looks just as busy as when we left last week!” Roseluck said before pausing to readjust her saddlebag. “Sorry I just kind of grabbed all your stuff like that.” “No, it’s alright darling,” Rarity replied. She lit her horn and with a nod from Rose, lifted the mare’s lone suitcase and gently balanced it on her back. A quick tweak of her aura allowed Rarity to gather both of her own suitcases and securely float them just behind her. “I should apologize for my rudeness back there, unintentional as it was.” Roseluck smiled gently, and placed a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “It’s been a long trip, I get it. Believe me. Let’s head to the boutique, get these bags off our backs, and take a breather.” The two made some idle chatter as they walked through town, keeping up a fairly brisk pace through the cold weather. As soon as they had entered Carousel Boutique, they both dropped their bags next to the large display case just to the right of the entrance. Roseluck made her way into the kitchen and got a fresh batch of tea started while Rarity turned on some additional lights and stoked a new fire in the fireplace. “Would you like a snack, Rares?” Roseluck called out from the kitchen, where she was rummaging through the refrigerator while also keeping an ear focused on the stove. “I don’t know…” Roseluck heard Rarity’s voice a split second before she felt a tingle of magic begin to traipse up her hind leg, “What’s on the menu?” Roseluck shivered at the gentle touch, the contact sending warm pinpricks through her coat. She smiled and waggled her rump a bit as she gripped a wrapped plate of sliced vegetables in her teeth and moved to place it on the counter. “For now, cucumbers and carrots. And some herbal tea.” She leaned forward and gave Rarity a quick peck on the lips. “No spoiling dinner, after all.” Rarity looked confused for just a moment. “Dinner?” A small frown pinched the corner of Roseluck’s mouth. “Yes, dinner. At my place.” She stepped away to silence the now whistling kettle and turn off the stove. “Which we planned before we even left for Hoofington. A Hearthswarming just for us, since we were going to be at my parents’ place for the holiday. Remember?” Roseluck glanced over her shoulder and eyed Rarity unwrapping the vegetable plate and setting things up on the kitchen table. But she could also see the small cloud hanging over the unicorn’s head. They’d been dating for just less than a year now but already Roseluck could pick out most, if not all, of Rarity’s ‘tells’ at a glance. Tip of her tail twitching back and forth, a slight hunch in her shoulders, tension in her withers… yeah, she’s brooding alright. After pouring the tea, adding one cube of sugar for herself and two for Rarity, she loaded the cups onto a small tray and carried it over to the table, where Rarity’s magic once again literally took the load off her back. “Thanks, Rares.” Rarity forced a smile as she took her seat and grabbed a few slices of carrot up in her magic. “Of course. Thanks for making the tea.” Roseluck waited for a moment, then another, hoping Rarity would continue. When she did not, Rose took the initiative. “You know I wasn’t kidding when I said I enjoyed the trip.” Rarity looked up at her between bites of carrot. “You’ll forgive me if I’m not totally convinced of that.” “And why not? The cookies you made were a hit, everypony liked their gifts, and my mom thinks you’re great!” Rarity tried to take a long sip of her tea but recoiled at the still too hot liquid. She slurped up what she could and set the cup down with a huff. “Right. Was that before or after your aunt nearly started a fight with your mother over her apparently grievous sin of letting her daughter associate with a two-timing unicorn such as myself?” “Look, I–” Roseluck stopped midword, wincing at her marefriend’s bitter tone. Images of the dramatic, and indeed almost violent, event flashed through her mind, and deep in her heart Roseluck felt the sting all over again. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice measured. “Before, I promise you. You know I write to mother often, and I’ve been home more than once since we started dating. I told her everything about you. About us, and how happy we are. If she had any issue, she’d have said so long ago. And she didn’t, just as I expected.” “I know, I get it.” Rarity muttered, her tone still moody. “You said you told her everything. Did she ask about our first date?” “Yes. We had dinner at Parasol Cafe then enjoyed a show at the outdoor theater.” Rarity’s mood cracked for a moment and she chuckled. “Oh really? I do recall eating out, but I can’t say I remember seeing any shows that night.” It took Roseluck a second to process that, but when she did her cheeks blushed as red as her mane. “Yes, well, the official answer is dinner and a show, and as I recall, it was a very engaging performance.” Sensing the conversation drifting, Roseluck shoved aside her desire for an equally lewd retort of her own and refocused. “But that’s besides the point.” She stretched a hoof across the table and rested it on top of Rarity’s hoof. “Look at me, Rares.” Roseluck hoped Rarity could see some of her pain reflected back in her own eyes. What happened in the living room of her mother’s house had hurt them both, though not equally. “We both knew something was bound to happen when we boarded the train to Hoofington. Heck, I think deep down we knew something like this was coming the moment I told you about my mom’s past, and more specifically her relationship with her sister. It was only a question of when things came to a head, not if.” “That’s fair,” Rarity replied. “But you have to admit you didn’t expect things to get that messy, did you? An old nag stuck in the old ways of thinking is one thing. I deal with that in the fashion world all the time, as you can imagine. But the abuse, the invective she hurled in all our faces?” Rarity’s nostrils flared a bit. “To call her prejudiced against unicorns would be an understatement.” “No no, I agree,” Roseluck said. “Remember, I called her racist too. Because she is, and my mom gave her a pass for way too long. It sucks what my dad did to mom, promising her a future then galloping away the minute he found out she was expecting. But that’s no excuse to paint all unicorns as bad. None at all!” Roseluck brought her other forehoof up and banged it on the end of the table. “My mom would never admit it before, but a big reason why she never remarried is because every time she’d try dating again her damn sister would swoop in and drive them off, unicorn or not. But especially if they were a unicorn.” She squeezed Rarity’s hoof tighter. “And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her do the same thing to me. To us.” Rarity brought her other forehoof over to join Roseluck’s. “I know, darling. That was an incredibly brave thing you did too, challenging your aunt in front of your own mother. It was the right thing to do, on that we agree. But still I can’t imagine it was easy. Things could have easily gotten worse instead.” “I know,” Rose answered, “but like you said, it was the right thing to do. For us and my mom. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Rarity looked wistfully at Roseluck. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, my love.” “Perhaps. Or maybe…” Roseluck got up from her chair, walked over to Rarity, and leaned over to nuzzle her. “I know what’s worth protecting more than anything else.” Now it was Rarity’s turn to blush a bit, as she returned the nuzzle, adding in a small kiss to Roseluck’s neck for good measure. “I love you,” she whispered. “You too,” came the whispered reply, along with a kiss in return. The mood in the room noticeably lifted, the two took a few minutes to snack on the vegetables and finish off their tea, after which Rarity beckoned Roseluck to follow her to her inspiration room, and the overstuffed but luxurious couch that lay within. Roseluck sat first, and Rarity followed, quickly resting her head on her marefriend’s side. “So…” Rarity began. “Hmm?” “Do you think it worked? The whole thing with your mom, or rather your aunt. Do you think she’ll get the message?” Roseluck let out a soft snort. “If she does, great. If not, buck her.” Rarity shifted so she could gently brush the tip of a hoof against Roseluck’s hindleg. “What about you, Rose? Will you be ok? Your mom?” Roseluck looked back to Rarity and caught her gaze. “I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t hurt if that’s how this goes. And I know what happened back there was traumatic and horrible and I’m sorry you had to see that at all, much less from a member of my family.” “And I suppose I was lying as well when I told you I was fine the last dozen or so times since then,” Rarity grumped. “I kinda figured you were, dear.” Roseluck gently slapped her tail against Rarity to forestall her coming objection. “But I understood why too.” “Oh?” she replied. “How long have we been dating, Rares?” Roseluck winked. “Seriously though, I get it. It’s who you are. Your professional side is well trained to keep your composure under withering pressure, while your personal side didn’t want to risk making things worse for me or my mom. Am I right?” “Heh,” Rarity chuckled. “There you go again, reading me like a book. I swear you know me better than I do.” “Plants can’t talk, but they still speak, and any good florist knows just what to listen for.” Roseluck lifted her tail a bit and let it drape over Rarity’s barrel. “In that sense you’re always talking to me, and I’m always listening.” “You’re far too good to me, Rose.” Rarity smiled and sighed, as if her marefriend’s words were further healing the scars from the incident. She fidgeted on the couch, snuggling a bit closer to Roseluck. “So what happens now? With your family I mean?” “I’m not sure,” Roseluck replied as her eyes gazed out at nothing in particular. “If my aunt truly wants to grow up and get over it, that’s on her. We’ve said what needed to be said, for us and for my mom. But hey, if it’s just you, me, and my mom, I think we’ll be okay.” “Good,” Rarity smiled approvingly, before craning her neck a bit and planting a small kiss on Roseluck’s side. “If you’re okay, then I’m okay too.” The touch of Rarity’s lips sent a tingle through Roseluck, giving her a warm fuzzy feeling all over. Her senses seemed to wake up then, and take notice of just how close Rarity was, or how comfortably she had draped herself over Roseluck’s back and side a few minutes earlier. Roseluck’s nose noticed the faint remnants of Rarity’s perfume, and as she looked back again, she saw that familiar gleam in her love’s eyes. A breath later and Roseluck was rotating herself onto her back and letting Rarity gently collapse into her waiting embrace. A kiss became two, then three, then so many more as her tongue raced out to meet Rarity’s and resume the dance they loved so much. Rarity’s magic brushed Roseluck’s mane aside and her lips soon found the nape of her neck, drawing an almost cathartic moan from the mare. Rose replied in kind, snaking her muzzle through the curtain of silky smooth purple and planting a deep kiss of her own onto Rarity’s neck. “Mhmm…darling do that again…” “Don’t mind if I do.” Roseluck gladly obliged, then began moving her lips across Rarity’s neck, moving one slow, deep kiss at a time across her beautiful ivory coat until she again captured the mare’s lips in a heated kiss. Rarity nestled deeper into Roseluck’s embrace, and now their barrels were in full contact. Unbidden, she arched her back, rubbing against Rarity’s smooth skin in gentle, slow waves. The air between them was quickly growing hot, as was the fire smoldering and bubbling up in her haunches. Another kiss, this one deeper and slower still, and Roseluck could feel the tingle of Rarity’s magic teasing the length of her barrel, skipping and jumping close enough to her nipples to elicit a pleasured moan. She was on the verge of abandoning her plans for the rest of the day and throwing herself completely into the moment when the gong of the antique clock in the waiting area jolted them both. After catching her breath, Rarity was the first to speak. “At… at least it wasn’t Sweetie this time, right?” Roseluck laughed as she tried to catch her own breath. “Ha. I… I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one. I still can’t believe you intentionally spilled wine on your expensive carpets though.” “Well, we needed a diversion, and it was the first thing that came to mind.” Rarity smirked. “I’d rather pay to have the carpet cleaned than explain that to a little filly.” Roseluck laughed, then leaned up and playfully kissed Rarity. “Fair point. You know, I don’t think you ever told me, but… did it work?” “You mean did she believe us? Yes, thank Celestia. Though I fear she may have a quite warped idea of what good wine is supposed to smell like now.” “Wha– Pfft!” Roseluck giggled like a filly, with Rarity soon joining her. “O-Oh gosh, poor Sweetie.” When the laughter faded, they left the couch and went about returning the plates and cups to the kitchen. Finally, Rarity followed Roseluck back to the front of the boutique and helped Roseluck collect her bags. “Speaking of wine though,” Roseluck said, “you still okay with dinner tonight? We can postpone if you’re not up to it.” “Nonsense,” Rarity replied, her voice back to its usual confident tone. “As you said, we made these plans ahead of time, and we do still need to exchange presents after all.” Roseluck smiled warmly at the mention of presents. She and Rarity had brought along a few stocking stuffers to put beneath her mother’s Hearthswarming tree, but both mares knew the real gift exchange would have to wait until they returned home to Ponyville. “That we do,” Roseluck replied. She glanced past Rarity to the large clock and noted the time. “But if we want to have dinner at all, I better get going. Gotta stop by the market for a few things, too.” They exchanged another hug and a quick kiss, then Rarity used a bit of magic to help secure Roseluck’s saddle bags and luggage. “All set?” “Yep! See you at six-thirty or so?” “It’s a date,” Rarity chirped. Roseluck was reaching for the door when Rarity stopped her. “Oh! I almost forgot. Anything I should bring for the meal?” “Just some wine, actually,” Roseluck answered. “Red or white, whatever you feel like. Either should go with the casserole, I think.” “Can do,” she replied. “Anything else? I can stop by Sugarcube Corner if you want. They may still have some of their frosted cranberry bars left.” “Nope!” Roseluck turned, kissed Rarity, then booped her on the nose. “I’ve got dessert covered.” She whisked out the door without another word, leaving Rarity speechless. And incredibly turned on. Chapter 2The skies above Equestria were already dark by the time Rarity set off across town to her marefriend’s home. A dusting of snow – likely the last before Winter Wrap-Up – fell gently all around her as she began her walk. Enough snow remained on the roads to necessitate the use of her ‘dressy’ winter boots, but they kept Rarity from slipping, and still coordinated nicely with her long winter coat, a tweed number subtly accented with an almost inky plaid pattern of grey and royal blue. Beneath that was a simple ensemble, one fitting for the special but still casual nature of the evening ahead: one of her favorite little black dresses, sporting a slight silver shimmer imbued in the fabric and a demure yet tantalizing slit along her left flank. To this she added a simple pearl necklace and a matching pair of drop earrings. “I probably overdressed…” Rarity said to herself as she used the reflection in a nearby shop’s window to adjust her scarf. “But it is our first Hearthswarming, after all.” Her thoughts drifted to Hoofington, and the impassioned stand she had seen Roseluck make on their behalf. “And she’s worth it.” In the distance Rarity could just hear the clocktower in the town square ringing out a quarter past six as she turned onto the short street leading to Roseluck’s home. She pushed open the white wooden gate out front, and the butterflies in Rarity’s stomach began to flutter, bouncing between nerves, excitement, and anticipation. There was no extra family tonight. No parents, no flank-backwards relatives, no pressure to be on her best behavior. Tonight, it would just be the two of them. Rarity strode up the path to the front porch, which she noted was bathed in the welcoming rainbow glow of multiple light strings. Her magic reached carefully between the Hearthswarming wreath to grasp the metal door knocker, and she gave it a few firm but polite taps. “It’s open! Come on in!” came the muffled reply. Rarity shook the snow off her boots, stepped inside, and was immediately hit by a wave of wonderful smells. Roasted chestnuts and mulling spices mixed with the smell of fresh pine tree, all wrapped in the radiant heat coming from the stone hearth on the far side of the living room. The sound of clattering pots and a running tap drew Rarity’s attention. “It’s me, darling!” she called out toward the kitchen. “Need any help?” “N-Nope! Just need a second is all!” came the reply, followed by the shrill ringing of a kitchen timer. “Take your coat off and stay awhile!” Not wishing to distract her love further, Rarity returned to the wall hooks near the front door and hung up her coat and scarf, and after ensuring she was still alone, quickly retrieved the bottle of wine and the wrapped present from her saddle bag, the latter of which she slipped under the tree, next to a present with her name on it. Just the sight of it stoked Rarity’s anticipation even more. “Who needs to go outside to make snow angels when I have one right in my living room?” Rarity turned back toward the kitchen, a knowing smile on her lips. “I wasn’t aware there would be a cheese course. I do hope the wine I selected still works.” “There is cheese, actually,” Roseluck replied as she entered the room from the kitchen, “but I’m sure the wine will be fine. She stopped in front of Rarity and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “It is a multi-course menu after all.” If the butterflies in Rarity’s stomach were fluttering before, now they were buzzing. Roseluck backed up a bit and cast an innocent grin at her marefriend. “The casserole’s already in the oven, and an appetizer of grilled eggplant, tomato, and cheese awaits.” “Ohh, look at you cooking up a storm!” Rarity teased. “Maybe I should make you one of those fancy chef hats. A fashionable one of course.” “Try the food first before crowning me the next Gustav LeGrand,” Roseluck quipped, barely holding back a laugh. “Either this worked perfectly or we’re going to be stuck with Neighponese takeout tonight.” Rarity burst out laughing, with Roseluck following close behind. “Oh please, darling,” She stuck her nose up a bit and took a playful sniff of the air. “If it tastes half as good as it smells, I’m sure we’ll be fine.” “Now,” Rarity continued, “we need to talk about how smashing you look in that green dress, my dear. But why don’t we do that over some of these hoer d'oeuvres?” “Sounds good,” Roseluck nodded. “And speak for yourself, dear. You look stunning yourself. Oh, before we get to the food, I need you to step forward.” Rarity paused, a quizzical look on her face. “Pardon? Is something wrong? Am I stepping on the tree skirt?” “Nono, nothing’s wrong. I promise,” Roseluck replied, waving a hoof. “Just give me one step, Rares. One step only.” Rarity shrugged and stepped forward. Roseluck leaned to the left, then the right, eyeing her position carefully. “A smidge more– there! Perfect!” “Perfect for wh— mmph!” Rarity was stopped mid-sentence by a quick but deep kiss from Roseluck. The moment of shock melted almost instantly into bliss, and Rarity returned the kiss with equal energy. Their lips stayed locked for a few more seconds before they separated, leaving them both smiling like school fillies. “Not that I mind of course, but what was that… for…” Rarity’s trailed off as she followed Roseluck’s gaze toward the ceiling… And saw a small bunch of mistletoe hanging from the light fixture, dressed up with a red bow and a tiny decorative bell. “Oh. Well now…” Rarity stepped forward and playfully bumped Roseluck’s shoulder. “Luring your poor marefriend into a trap I see. How cheeky of you.” “Have to kiss what’s under the mistletoe,” Roseluck replied, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Sorry, I don’t make the rules.” She turned for the kitchen and beckoned Rarity to follow. “Grab the wine then. Dinner’s almost ready.” They snacked on the appetizers and sipped some mulled cider while they waited for the oven to finish. When the timer finally rang about twenty minutes later, Roseluck hurried to pull the casserole while Rarity made quick work of opening the wine and shuffling the appetizer plates away in favor of the larger dinner plates. To Roseluck’s immense relief, the Potato Mushroom bake turned out exactly as she had hoped, and to their mutual delight, paired quite well with the Pinot that Rarity had brought to drink. She made a mental note to thank Daisy for the recipe the next time she saw her. Meal complete and leftovers put away, the two retired back to the living room with wine glasses in tow. They sat on the small couch opposite the tree, which was lovingly decorated with lights, ornaments, and a few streams of tinsel. Using her magic, Rarity carefully topped up their wine glasses before setting the nearly empty bottle down on the coffee table. “That was absolutely delicious, Rose.” She hovered one glass over to Roseluck, and they lightly clinked their respective glasses together in a toast. “My compliments to the chef.” Rarity smiled over top of her glass as she took a sip. Roseluck took a drink as well, sighing contentedly as she swallowed. “Still want that chef’s hat?” Roseluck giggled. “Nah. But you can kiss the cook if you want.” Now it was Rarity’s turn to giggle, but she wasted no time leaning over and giving her marefriend a gentle kiss. Their lips parted but Rarity kept their noses just inches apart. “I do mean it though, darling. That meant more than any five-star restaurant. And in truth, it does make the… drama of the last week seem much further away.” “That it does,” Roseluck replied, her eyes shifting to meet Rarity’s soft stare. “Love you.” Rarity reached out and grasped Roseluck’s forehoof. “Love you too.” They kissed again, each of them humming as their lips and tongues met. The temptation to give into her simmering hormones and jump the gorgeous mare in front of her tugged at Rarity like a siren, but she also couldn’t ignore the two lone presents beneath the tree. So reluctantly she broke the kiss and leaned back a bit. “Time for presents?” Roseluck clapped her forehooves and bounced a bit on the couch. “Thought you’d never ask. Yes please!” Rarity lit her horn and carefully floated the two gifts over. “Who first?” “You first,” Roseluck replied. “I insist.” “Alright then.” Rarity gently placed Roseluck’s gift on the coffee table before grasping her own present. It was rectangular shaped, and wrapped in a thick white paper that had an almost pearlescent effect under the lights. A purple ribbon trimmed along each edge with a shimmery silver border wrapped around the package, with a matching bow fixed to the top. “Ohh, so pretty! Nice work!” Roseluck grinned. “Only took about a dozen tries and more than a bit of wasted glue.” “Well, you succeeded nonetheless. Now,” Rarity playfully gave the box a little shake with her magic, “I wonder what it could be?” A quick tweak of her magic turned her aura into a thin bead, which she used to carefully unwrap the bow and slice open the wrapping paper, revealing a wooden box, longer than it was wide, with delicate carvings along its top and a hinged lid. With a giddy smile she held the box up and lifted the lid— And squealed in excitement. “Oh my heavens is that what I think it is?” Roseluck gave her a smug, satisfied grin. “Sure is.” Rarity just stared down at the present in disbelief. “B-But how? Where?” She flipped the box around so Roseluck could see it, revealing the trio of small glass jars nestled inside – each one containing a different brightly colored powder. “Seriously, where did you get these?” “In Manehattan,” Roseluck replied. “A few months ago, actually. Remember that trip I made to consult for that commission job? The socialite’s wedding?” “The one who plays on Bridleway you mean?” “Yep, that’s the one. I had some free time after finishing the job, so I went wandering through some markets down by the Flatshoe district. Those,” she pointed at the box, “were in the back of an antique store stuffed between a pharmacy and a pizza parlor.” Rarity gasped at that. “You’re joking, right? I mean this has to– er, I mean, Saddle Arabian dyes are incredibly hard to come by as it is. But supplies of the traditional powder dyes dried up decades ago. None of my suppliers have ever found even a dash of it anywhere.” She shook her head and looked down at the box again, watching the red, purple, and blue powders shift around in their respective containers. “Yet they show up in an antique store?” Roseluck laughed. “I was a bit shocked at first too, believe me. I remembered you had mentioned these dyes before, and as soon as I saw the price tag I knew these ponies had no idea what they really had. No clue where they came from originally, but I wasn’t about to ask questions. I snatched it up, paid up, and got out of there as fast as a Wonderbolt.” “That’s…” Rarity was almost giddy now. “Amazing! Thank you so much, Rose! I never imagined I’d be able to work with these dyes at all, and now… oh I love you!” She set the box down carefully before leaning across the couch and kissing Roseluck. “Heh, you’re welcome,” Roseluck replied after their lips parted. “Glad you like it.” “Well then, I do believe it’s your turn now, darling.” Rarity smiled and floated the remaining box over to Roseluck. It was a bit smaller, but also rectangular, and wrapped in a multi-hued green paper with a bright red ribbon tied around it. Rarity couldn’t help but giggle as Rose made quick work of the wrapping paper, attacking it with nearly as much gusto as Sweetie Belle or her friends would. Roseluck removed the lid from the small box and she let out an excited yelp. “Rarity! It’s gorgeous! Oh my gosh!” She held the box out in her hooves, revealing a set of beauty tools – two coat and mane brushes, and a trio of hoof files in various sizes. The brushes sported lacquered wooden handles, and on their backsides was an engraving of her own cutiemark, itself inlaid with bold red and green coloring. The metal files gleamed in the light, as did the polished silver handle on each one. “I couldn’t stand to see you going back to the store time and time again to get replacements that will fail just as quickly as the last ones,” Rarity replied, now wearing a smile as big as Roseluck’s. “But these should last far longer. And the files can be resharpened too.” Roseluck held the box closer as if to hug it. “I love them! They’re just amazing. Thank you so, so much, Rares.” Now it was Roseluck’s turn to lean forward for a kiss. “Happy Hearthswarming.” “Happy Hearthswarming, my love.” Their lips met and to Rarity, it felt like falling slowly into an ocean of bliss. Part of her still couldn’t believe that this was all really, truly happening. Yet here she was, kissing the love of her life, a mare she’d had a crush on forever, under the light of a Hearthswarming tree. The romanticism, the sheer perfection of it all, lit an entirely different fire inside of Rarity. With a small moan she leaned into the kiss, drawing her lover closer. Roseluck’s tongue briefly teased the edge of her lips, and Rarity welcomed it in earnest. Rarity brought a forehoof up to Roseluck’s neck, brushing the bottom of her jawline and teasing the soft red locks that fell beside her head. Roseluck reciprocated, brushing a forehoof along Rarity’s leg before bringing it to rest on her chest. As she deepened their kiss, Rarity could only hope that Roseluck could feel her heart beating as strongly, as passionately, as it felt to her right then. She was sure any second would be the turning point, when they’d collapse in a heap on the couch, or the floor, or both, and Rarity would give herself to her love’s carnal whims. So it was a shock when Roseluck gently pulled away, and sat back up on the couch. “Rose? Is something—” “Just fine, I promise. But I just remembered, I have one other gift for you.” Rarity had to shake her head a bit to force her mind to return focus to things above her haunches. “O-Oh? You do?” “Mhmm. I just have to go upstairs to get it. I’ll be right back.” Roseluck carefully got up from the couch, drained the last bit of wine from her glass, and set it on the small end table before trotting up the steps and out of view. “What are you up to, my dear…” Rarity muttered before throwing back the remnants of her wine as well. Assuming things were about to get heated in a minute, she took a moment to float their gifts back under the tree for safety, balling up the wrapping paper along the way. She was just settling back onto the couch when Roseluck called out from the upper level. “Rares?” “Um, yes? She turned to look toward the staircase, but it was empty. Rarity quickly got up and walked over to the base of the stairs. “Everything ok, Rose? Do you need something?” “Actually, yes! Yes I do! Can you come up here?” Slightly confused, Rarity shrugged. “Alright. Coming up then.” Rarity walked up the stairs, moving slowly to ensure she didn’t catch the hem of her dress under a hoof. Finally at the top, she looked at the trio of doors in front of her – one for the rarely used guestroom, one for the bathroom, and Roseluck’s room, from which she could see light coming from beneath the closed door. She walked up and lightly tapped on the door with a hoof. “Can I come in?” A slight pause. Then a reply. “Please do.” Rarity opened the door, and what she saw took her breath away. At least a dozen candles stood all over the room, on stands, small plates, or simple candelabras. Red, pink, purple, and white, mixed together and bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. And there, near the center of the room, was a literal bed of roses. Roseluck stood next to the bed. Both it and the floor around it were dotted with rose petals of purple and pink, ruby red and snow white. Framed in the soft candle light Roseluck looked less a mare and more an angel. Rarity could only stare in reverence at the beauty before her. A delicate black lace top hugged Roseluck’s upper chest, supported by two thin straps that wrapped up and around her shoulders and accented with a embroidered red rose and a pink bow in the center. A bejeweled hair brooch, the same one she had given to Roseluck after their first night together, was pinned in her mane just behind her right ear. A garnet red collar sat snugly around her neck, dotted in the center by a round gem that matched its owner’s beautiful emerald eyes – eyes that now looked at Rarity with equal amounts of unending love and lust. Without a word, Roseluck turned, reared back a bit, and placed her forehooves upon the mattress, giving Rarity a clear view of the matching black and silky red panties she wore, and the golden ring nestled at the base of her tail. Rarity couldn’t tear her eyes away even if she wanted to, and the more she stared, the hotter she became beneath her dress. Her breathing was already quickening and she had yet to move an inch from the doorway. She watched in awe as Roseluck lay her weight upon the bed and spread her hindlegs. Then Roseluck lifted her tail, giving Rarity a full view of the lacy panties that barely covered her nethers… …and the small bunch of mistletoe tied to the end of her tail. Roseluck gave her rump a little shake, causing the bells to ring. Then she turned a bit to look back at Rarity, her eyes shimmering in the dancing candle light. “I told you I had dessert covered.” Chapter 3The small jingle of those bells went off in Rarity’s head like a gigantic gong. Or maybe that was the pounding of her heart. She couldn’t be sure, but at that moment she couldn’t care either way. She was completely and utterly transfixed by the gorgeous mare before her. Roseluck was, now more than ever, the picture of perfection. Her pale yellow coat basked in the warm candle light, taking on a seemingly ephemeral glow. Against that her mane fanned out like streaks of red and pink flame, draping lazily down her back and around her neck In the back of her mind, Rarity wondered if this was how Roseluck felt when she walked into Rarity’s sewing room on their second night together to find her draped over the sewing machine, legs spread and dripping with desire. Finally she took a step forward, then another. Inching closer to the bed, and the object of her every desire. And all the while she kept her eyes locked on Roseluck, and those beautiful green eyes that right then were surely staring into her soul. “Rose…” Rarity’s voice was a near whisper as she drew near. “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.” “Hmm, you like your present then?” Roseluck’s voice was dripping in honey. “Magnificent.” Rarity’s eyes wandered all over her marefriend as if she were admiring the finest work of art. “It’s like it was made for you.” “Well, it sort of was.” “Oh really?” Rarity asked, clearly not expecting that response. Roseluck began to reply, but paused for a second in thought. “Hmm, I’ll tell you all about it later. Let’s just say I made more than one shopping trip while I was in Manehattan.” “For now though…” Roseluck shuffled her hindlegs a bit, letting her bump her flank into Rarity. “I believe you have a present to unwrap.” Rarity’s cheeks flushed red, her pulse already rising. “Indeed I do.” She shuffled forward and leaned over the bed, just far enough to let her plant a gentle kiss onto her love’s neck. “And by the looks of things, I must have been a very good pony this year.” She smiled and moved back, making sure to gently swish the tip of her tail down Roseluck’s barrel and across her exposed flank along the way. Rarity kissed the top of Roseluck’s rump as she moved behind her once again, smiling at the small shiver she could feel go through her marefriend at her touch. “Hmm…” she muttered, “now where should I start?” She waited a moment, intentionally letting Roseluck squirm a bit in anticipation. Then her eyes settled on Roseluck’s haunches, and the delectable prize that awaited her beneath the sultry lingerie. “Ah, there we go.” And so she began with a gentle kiss to the back of Roseluck’s left leg, just above the knee. She followed that with a second kiss, then another still, each one just a bit higher than the last, moving in small lazy circles up the back of her leg. All the while her horn glowed faintly, as she shaped her magic to tease and caress Roseluck’s right side. Quiet hums of pleasure reached Rarity’s ears, encouraging her to continue past the top of Roseluck’s legs, across her hind end, and on to the top of her flank. As she reached her cutiemark, Rarity laid a deeper, longer kiss. Roseluck let out a soft moan at her touch, and then another and another as Rarity lavished her flank with kisses and licks and tiny nibbles. All the while her magic was teasing and caressing her opposite flank, amplifying her pleasure all the more. Rarity’s heart soared as she continued her slow, loving journey across her marefriend’s rear end, eventually coming to the lacy and exquisitely sexy black panties. Her magic toyed with the frilly edges, slipping just a bit beneath the silky fabric only to leave just as quickly, for the moment denying her lover the kind of touch that, based on the growing scent of arousal around her, she desperately wanted. Content to keep Roseluck waiting a bit more, Rarity’s lips wandered aimlessly, gently kissing around the edges of the panties, sometimes letting the tip of her snout brush up and down Roseluck’s nethers. “Rarity… you’re such a teas– mhmm…” Roseluck whispered, her voice quiet but heady. Rarity’s magic touched the panties at once, gently pressing them inwards and drawing not just a moan, but a wave of arousal from her lover that soaked through the already damp, thin fabric. At the same time Rarity could feel small droplets of her own arousal begin to drip out of her, adding her scent to the air around them. “The wrapping looks so good, I’m not sure I want to take it off,” Rarity purred. “No, please do,” came Roseluck’s needy reply. “This present’s meant to be unwrapped.” Finally, the temptation became unbearable, and Rarity carefully began to peel the now thoroughly soaked panties off of Roseluck, fully exposing her haunches. The sight of her marefriend’s wet, full lips set Rarity’s pulse racing. “And what a present it is, darling.” Roseluck looked back and smiled. “Glad you like it. But remember the rules I mentioned earlier.” She shook her tail up and down, causing the mistletoe to jingle once again. “If it’s under the mistletoe, you have to kiss it.” Rarity glanced up at the mistletoe and smiled. “Well then…” Her magic reached out and gently untied the mistletoe before sweeping Roseluck’s tail up and out of the way, fully revealing Roseluck’s fully aroused nethers. Rarity stepped forward, bringing herself a mere breath away from her lover’s soaked and visibly throbbing lips. Smiling and licking her lips, she raised her voice just enough to ensure her love heard her words. “Who am I to break the rules?” Rarity closed the last tiny distance between them, moaning as her lips touched Roseluck’s marehood. Her nose was awash in her lover’s heavenly scent, her tongue coated in the sweetest of nectars, Rarity’s prior teasing restraint quickly melted away under the heat of her lust for the beautiful, needy mare now fully in her grasp. She kissed every bit of flesh she could reach, moving quickly but methodically over Roseluck’s haunches. Her tongue soon joined in, leaving long, slow licks in between hot, deep kisses. “Mhmm… Rar— oh gosh wow…” Roseluck’s voice was already melting just as quickly under Rarity’s ministrations, and the sound of her marefriend’s ecstasy was like music to Rarity’s ears. She continued her oral explorations, coaxing more and more arousal from her lover. She used the tip of her tongue to tease the soft, fine fur just below Roseluck’s marehood, winding her up even more. Then in one smooth motion Rarity flattened her tongue and slid it all the way up Roseluck’s slit, diving just past her outer lips on her way to encircling her clit like a lollipop. The combined jolts of pleasure collapsed Roseluck’s front half onto the bed with a lusty moan. “Oh heavens do that again— Aah!” Rarity repeated the motion, then again and again and again, reveling in the lewd schlick her tongue made with each pass, and the increasingly guttural moans coming from her marefriend. Her magic reached up to Roseluck’s dock, wrapped around the polished band at the base of her tail, and gently tugged as she renewed her oral worship once again. Roseluck mewled in delight. “Y-Yes, Rares… Oh you’re e-evil– mhmm…” “Hmm…” Roarity hummed in response, letting her hot breath wash over Roseluck’s slit. “You know you like it though.” Roseluck tried to respond but could only muster another long, heated moan. “Want me to stop?” Roseluck responded by flicking the end of her tail – and pushing her rear back into Rarity’s waiting lips. “I’ll take that as a no then.” Rarity’s tongue lanced right past Roseluck’s outer lips and snaked fully inside of her, forestalling any attempt at a response. Her tongue writhed inside of Roseluck like a snake, caressing and teasing every inch of flesh she could reach. Rarity’s tongue retreated, only to encircle Roseluck’s clit for a second before dipping back inside of her marehood again. Sensing Roseluck was near her peak, Rarity made the final push. Forcing a bit more power into her magic, she split her aura in two. One point stayed wrapped around Roseluck’s tail, while the other snuck between Roseluck’s belly and the mattress. The room soon filled with the sound of Roseluck’s heated, desperate moans as Rarity pushed all of her lover’s buttons at once. She lapped at Roseluck’s marehood while her magic kneaded and teased her nipples. Roseluck’s clit would wink out with every pull of her tail, and Rarity’s tongue was waiting for it every time, swirling around it and sucking on it like it was the most delicious candy in existence. “Yes yes ye— oh Rares I’m so close!” Rarity quickened her pace, lavishing her slit in long, fast licks while her magic squeezed Roseluck’s teats just enough to send shockwaves through her body. “Yes right there right there don’t stop—” Roseluck shuddered as Rarity’s tongue hit her clit again. “Oh buck I’m gonna c-cum don’t stop don’t stop—” Rarity yanked Roseluck’s tail one more time, then swirled her tongue across her clit as fast as she could, and a moment later Roseluck went flying over the edge into bliss. Roseluck let out an almost feral groan as an orgasm raced through her like a runaway train. Her hindlegs shook uncontrollably as a flood of arousal dribbled forth from her nethers. Rarity slipped her forelegs beneath her marefriend’s rump for support as she raced to lap up as much of Roseluck’s sweet nectar as she could, using the opportunity to tease her clit that much more, dragging out Roseluck’s orgasm as long as possible. Finally Roseluck began to slow down, and gradually her body and senses seemed to return to the present. She crawled fully up onto the bed, flopping onto her side in a heap. Rarity soon joined her, and they shared a long, slow kiss. “Thank you,” she whispered. Rarity reached out and brushed some of Roseluck’s now sweat-matted mane out of her face. “I love you so much, Rose.” “I love you too, Rares.” Roseluck leaned in and kissed her back. “I’m glad you enjoyed your present.” “Heh, that I did,” she replied. Just then she felt another drop of her own arousal seep into the fur surrounding her own marehood, and she was quickly reminded of the simmering cauldron between her legs. “Happy Hearthswarming, my love.” “You too.” Roseluck smiled, then with a slight groan rolled off the bed. “Sorry, but nature calls. One second.” She stepped into the adjoining bathroom and shut the door. A few minutes later the door opened and Roseluck stepped out a bit refreshed and now without the upper half of her lingerie. “Rarity, did you want me— Now it was her turn to be awestruck. Rarity lay in the middle of the bed, wearing nothing but her pearl jewelry. She caught Roseluck’s gaze for a moment, then rolled onto her back and spread her legs, offering Roseluck a full view of her entire belly, including her fully aroused marehood. “What was it you said, darling?” A small bell rang out and Roseluck saw the mistletoe float off the nightstand and stop just above Rarity. “If it’s under the mistletoe…” A devious smile crossed her lips as Roseluck crept toward the bed, hips swaying and tail swinging with every measured step. As she came to the side of the bed her eyes wandered over every inch of the unquestionably gorgeous mare who lay stretched out before her. The gentle candle light framed her voluptuous form perfectly, giving Roseluck a clear view of the thin sheen of sweat atop her alabaster coat, the glistening arousal that coated her haunches– And the needy, wanton look in her beautiful azure eyes. “Well then,” she whispered in a dulcet voice, “I’m just going to have to kiss you.” Roseluck put her forehooves on the edge of the bed and stared down at Rarity. “All of you.” Roseluck pounced onto the bed and into Rarity’s waiting embrace. Just as Rarity had done to her minutes earlier, Roseluck abandoned any pretense for long, drawn out teasing, instead aiming her every movement to push as many of Rarity’s buttons as she could. She planted a deep, tongue-filled kiss in the crease of Rarity’s inner thigh, then another on the silky fur just above her swollen mound. Roseluck’s lips turned north, brushing over the top of each of Rarity’s nipples as her tongue left a trail of fire all the way up her barrel and across her chest. Rarity’s chest heaved beneath her, the sounds of her lusty moans filling Roseluck’s ears. Roseluck crawled forward as her lips moved further north, making sure to fully press her barrel against Rarity the entire time. As her lips reached the crook of her neck Rarity turned her head and arched her back, exposing all of her neck to Roseluck’s tongue. “Mhmm…” Roseluck hummed in between kisses, her lips following the edge of Rarity’s pearl necklace around both sides of her neck. Rarity mewled at her touch, then caught her breath just enough to speak. “Kiss me, please. I need it.” Roseluck’s response was immediate. She kissed Rarity as deeply, as passionately as she could, as if this were to be the last kiss she could ever give. The faint taste of her own juices on Rarity’s tongue drove Roseluck wild, spurring her to press the kiss that much deeper, that much longer. She could feel Rarity’s hind legs squeezing around her barrel, encouraging her to continue. And so she did, letting nearly all her weight sag into Rarity’s grip as she pushed their kiss to the point that they both gasped for air when their lips finally parted. “R-Rose…” Rarity whispered, still trying to catch her breath. “So… good… oh heavens…” Roseluck sucked in a deep breath and smiled down at her marefriend, her glorious purple mane now just as disheveled as her own. “Just you wait.” She lowered her head and planted a kiss at the base of Rarity’s horn, and the unicorn almost shot off the bed. “Aahn! Yes Rose yes— Ah!” Roseluck kissed her horn again before swirling her tongue up to the tip and then back down, as if it were a piece of hard candy. She used a much lighter touch, but even that was more than enough to drive Rarity crazy. She moaned lustily, writhing beneath Roseluck as she continued her delicate dance all over Rarity’s horn. After that much build up, Roseluck didn’t need to ask how close Rarity was to her peak. She could feel it in the way her gorgeous body shivered beneath her, her smooth chest heaving with every hot breath. She could smell the heady, musky scent of Rarity’s arousal all around her, blanketing her senses. And as she stared down at the mare of her dreams, she could see the desperate need for release in her eyes Rarity looked up at her and smiled. “Take me.” Roseluck smiled warmly at her and backed away, slithering down towards her haunches one teasing kiss at a time. For a half a breath, she felt her lover’s touch leave her completely. Then Rarity’s world exploded in ecstasy. She let out a deep, lusty moan as Roseluck’s tongue found its mark immediately, diving past her swollen outer lips to lap at her entrance. Roseluck’s lips seemed to be everywhere at once, greedily lapping up her juices as she drove Rarity closer and closer to the edge with every touch. Rarity’s hindlegs clamped around Roseluck, holding her in place and spurring her on. “D-Don’t stop Rose yes yes— ah!” Her horn glowed to life and a gentle wisp of magic reached down to part her outer lips and fully expose her swollen clit to Roseluck’s waiting tongue. Needing no further invitation, Roseluck’s tongue coiled around her clit, teasing and sucking on the tender flesh. Rarity cried out in joy at her touch, her body shuddering as wave after wave of pure, raw pleasure raced through her like fire. In seconds she was putty in Roseluck’s hooves, whimpering and moaning and lashing her tail and doing everything she could to push her thoroughly soaked nethers further into her lover’s hungry mouth. The intoxicating mix of arousal, perfume, and candles, the flickering light illuminating their coupling, the beautifully lewd sounds of their lovemaking – they all swirled together in a carnal symphony that overwhelmed Rarity’s every sense and pushed her right to the very edge of orgasmic bliss. “Oh I’m clos— yes, just like that don’t stop don’t stop…” Roseluck’s tongue stiffened in an instant and began flicking at her clit at a frenzied pace that shot Rarity over the edge in an instant. “Aahn! Yes!” Rarity cried out her love’s name as an overwhelming orgasm roared through her body. Her back lifted off the bed, her eyes fluttered closed, her legs shook, and for a few glorious moments she was falling into an endless sea of erotic bliss. Wave after wave of cum flowed from Rarity and Roseluck lapped nearly all of it up, suckling her lover’s marehood and drawing out every last ounce of pleasure she could. Finally, the wave passed, and Rarity slumped down into the mattress, completely and utterly spent. Roseluck collapsed on top of her and caught her in a slow, gentle kiss. Rarity gladly returned the gesture, smiling as she caught a taste of her own juices in turn. Their lips parted and Roseluck rolled to the side, coming to rest next to Rarity. For a moment they lay in silence, basking in the afterglow of their love. Rarity’s hoof reached out to touch Roseluck, and she grasped Rarity’s hoof in response. “That was amazing,” Rarity said, finally finding her voice again. “So were you.” Roseluck turned her head to look at Rarity. “I love you, Rarity.” “And I love you, Rose.” Rarity rolled closer and snuggled into Roseluck’s embrace. “Can I make a suggestion?” “Hmm?” A sly grin crossed Rarity’s lips. “Put away the decorations when Winter wraps up–“ she quickly kissed Roseluck. “–but keep the mistletoe out all year.” Roseluck smiled back and laughed. “That sort of thinking’s going to land you on the naughty list next year, you know.” “Is it now?” Rarity leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose as the mistletoe floated into view in the glow of her magic. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, darling.”
Chapter 1“Now arriving at Ponyville station. This will be a fifteen minute stop. All passengers departing here, please be sure to collect all of your belongings before exiting the train. We thank you for your patronage and wish you a very happy holiday season. Thank you.” The conductor’s voice sounded tinny and harsh over the worn-out speaker system, but to Rarity the announcement was like music to her ears. She jumped out of her seat, floated her smaller piece of luggage down from the overhead shelf, and was waiting by the door at the near end of the car before the station had fully come into view. She tapped the edge of a hoof against the top step while the train screeched and lurched to a full stop. Only the not insignificant risk of a trip to Ponyville Hospital - or even worse, a chipped hoof - kept her from fully committing to leap out onto the platform the moment the doors opened. “One visit to my family and you’re already running for it, hmm? Can’t say I blame you. But before you go…” A light blue scarf – one that she could have sworn she’d put back on already – gently floated into view and draped itself around her neck. “Do put this on. You always get dreadfully cold without it.” Instantly chagrined by the realization of what she’d done, Rarity turned toward the very familiar voice, and immediately blushed under the gaze of a pair of emerald green eyes she could never say no to. “I’m sorry, Rose, I… I just—” The train doors opened with a loud hiss and the rush was on. Creatures of all kinds quickly filled the small aisle, bumping tails, flanks, and luggage against the rows of seats as they shuffled toward the exit. Roseluck tried to grab Rarity and step to the side, only to back into an elderly earth pony who was already trying to board the train at the same time. “O-Oh! I’m s—” She tried to mumble an apology but it was drowned out by the growing cacophony all around them. Spotting a small opening in the semi-organized chaos, Roseluck bumped Rarity forward as she swung their remaining bags up and onto her back with practiced ease. “I’ve got the bags. Now go before we end up making a detour all the way to Canterlot.” “R-Right!” Rarity followed Rose down onto the platform, and into a bustling, noisy crowd. Ponyville’s continued growth spurt, plus its new status as a transfer point for the newly expanded Equestrian rail network, had combined to quickly overtake the small station’s rather quaint design. So much so that Rarity quickly lost track of her marefriend in the churning crowd that spilled off of the platforms and into the station proper. “That new terminal building can’t come soon enough,” she muttered before pushing her way through another gaggle of ponies on her way toward the general direction of the main exit. Finally, after much pushing, shoving, and a few choice words at a griffon who unceremoniously stepped on her tail, Rarity stumbled out of the station and found Roseluck waiting for her just past the end of the carriage and wagon parking stalls. “Two days after Hearthswarming and it looks just as busy as when we left last week!” Roseluck said before pausing to readjust her saddlebag. “Sorry I just kind of grabbed all your stuff like that.” “No, it’s alright darling,” Rarity replied. She lit her horn and with a nod from Rose, lifted the mare’s lone suitcase and gently balanced it on her back. A quick tweak of her aura allowed Rarity to gather both of her own suitcases and securely float them just behind her. “I should apologize for my rudeness back there, unintentional as it was.” Roseluck smiled gently, and placed a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “It’s been a long trip, I get it. Believe me. Let’s head to the boutique, get these bags off our backs, and take a breather.” The two made some idle chatter as they walked through town, keeping up a fairly brisk pace through the cold weather. As soon as they had entered Carousel Boutique, they both dropped their bags next to the large display case just to the right of the entrance. Roseluck made her way into the kitchen and got a fresh batch of tea started while Rarity turned on some additional lights and stoked a new fire in the fireplace. “Would you like a snack, Rares?” Roseluck called out from the kitchen, where she was rummaging through the refrigerator while also keeping an ear focused on the stove. “I don’t know…” Roseluck heard Rarity’s voice a split second before she felt a tingle of magic begin to traipse up her hind leg, “What’s on the menu?” Roseluck shivered at the gentle touch, the contact sending warm pinpricks through her coat. She smiled and waggled her rump a bit as she gripped a wrapped plate of sliced vegetables in her teeth and moved to place it on the counter. “For now, cucumbers and carrots. And some herbal tea.” She leaned forward and gave Rarity a quick peck on the lips. “No spoiling dinner, after all.” Rarity looked confused for just a moment. “Dinner?” A small frown pinched the corner of Roseluck’s mouth. “Yes, dinner. At my place.” She stepped away to silence the now whistling kettle and turn off the stove. “Which we planned before we even left for Hoofington. A Hearthswarming just for us, since we were going to be at my parents’ place for the holiday. Remember?” Roseluck glanced over her shoulder and eyed Rarity unwrapping the vegetable plate and setting things up on the kitchen table. But she could also see the small cloud hanging over the unicorn’s head. They’d been dating for just less than a year now but already Roseluck could pick out most, if not all, of Rarity’s ‘tells’ at a glance. Tip of her tail twitching back and forth, a slight hunch in her shoulders, tension in her withers… yeah, she’s brooding alright. After pouring the tea, adding one cube of sugar for herself and two for Rarity, she loaded the cups onto a small tray and carried it over to the table, where Rarity’s magic once again literally took the load off her back. “Thanks, Rares.” Rarity forced a smile as she took her seat and grabbed a few slices of carrot up in her magic. “Of course. Thanks for making the tea.” Roseluck waited for a moment, then another, hoping Rarity would continue. When she did not, Rose took the initiative. “You know I wasn’t kidding when I said I enjoyed the trip.” Rarity looked up at her between bites of carrot. “You’ll forgive me if I’m not totally convinced of that.” “And why not? The cookies you made were a hit, everypony liked their gifts, and my mom thinks you’re great!” Rarity tried to take a long sip of her tea but recoiled at the still too hot liquid. She slurped up what she could and set the cup down with a huff. “Right. Was that before or after your aunt nearly started a fight with your mother over her apparently grievous sin of letting her daughter associate with a two-timing unicorn such as myself?” “Look, I–” Roseluck stopped midword, wincing at her marefriend’s bitter tone. Images of the dramatic, and indeed almost violent, event flashed through her mind, and deep in her heart Roseluck felt the sting all over again. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice measured. “Before, I promise you. You know I write to mother often, and I’ve been home more than once since we started dating. I told her everything about you. About us, and how happy we are. If she had any issue, she’d have said so long ago. And she didn’t, just as I expected.” “I know, I get it.” Rarity muttered, her tone still moody. “You said you told her everything. Did she ask about our first date?” “Yes. We had dinner at Parasol Cafe then enjoyed a show at the outdoor theater.” Rarity’s mood cracked for a moment and she chuckled. “Oh really? I do recall eating out, but I can’t say I remember seeing any shows that night.” It took Roseluck a second to process that, but when she did her cheeks blushed as red as her mane. “Yes, well, the official answer is dinner and a show, and as I recall, it was a very engaging performance.” Sensing the conversation drifting, Roseluck shoved aside her desire for an equally lewd retort of her own and refocused. “But that’s besides the point.” She stretched a hoof across the table and rested it on top of Rarity’s hoof. “Look at me, Rares.” Roseluck hoped Rarity could see some of her pain reflected back in her own eyes. What happened in the living room of her mother’s house had hurt them both, though not equally. “We both knew something was bound to happen when we boarded the train to Hoofington. Heck, I think deep down we knew something like this was coming the moment I told you about my mom’s past, and more specifically her relationship with her sister. It was only a question of when things came to a head, not if.” “That’s fair,” Rarity replied. “But you have to admit you didn’t expect things to get that messy, did you? An old nag stuck in the old ways of thinking is one thing. I deal with that in the fashion world all the time, as you can imagine. But the abuse, the invective she hurled in all our faces?” Rarity’s nostrils flared a bit. “To call her prejudiced against unicorns would be an understatement.” “No no, I agree,” Roseluck said. “Remember, I called her racist too. Because she is, and my mom gave her a pass for way too long. It sucks what my dad did to mom, promising her a future then galloping away the minute he found out she was expecting. But that’s no excuse to paint all unicorns as bad. None at all!” Roseluck brought her other forehoof up and banged it on the end of the table. “My mom would never admit it before, but a big reason why she never remarried is because every time she’d try dating again her damn sister would swoop in and drive them off, unicorn or not. But especially if they were a unicorn.” She squeezed Rarity’s hoof tighter. “And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her do the same thing to me. To us.” Rarity brought her other forehoof over to join Roseluck’s. “I know, darling. That was an incredibly brave thing you did too, challenging your aunt in front of your own mother. It was the right thing to do, on that we agree. But still I can’t imagine it was easy. Things could have easily gotten worse instead.” “I know,” Rose answered, “but like you said, it was the right thing to do. For us and my mom. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Rarity looked wistfully at Roseluck. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, my love.” “Perhaps. Or maybe…” Roseluck got up from her chair, walked over to Rarity, and leaned over to nuzzle her. “I know what’s worth protecting more than anything else.” Now it was Rarity’s turn to blush a bit, as she returned the nuzzle, adding in a small kiss to Roseluck’s neck for good measure. “I love you,” she whispered. “You too,” came the whispered reply, along with a kiss in return. The mood in the room noticeably lifted, the two took a few minutes to snack on the vegetables and finish off their tea, after which Rarity beckoned Roseluck to follow her to her inspiration room, and the overstuffed but luxurious couch that lay within. Roseluck sat first, and Rarity followed, quickly resting her head on her marefriend’s side. “So…” Rarity began. “Hmm?” “Do you think it worked? The whole thing with your mom, or rather your aunt. Do you think she’ll get the message?” Roseluck let out a soft snort. “If she does, great. If not, buck her.” Rarity shifted so she could gently brush the tip of a hoof against Roseluck’s hindleg. “What about you, Rose? Will you be ok? Your mom?” Roseluck looked back to Rarity and caught her gaze. “I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t hurt if that’s how this goes. And I know what happened back there was traumatic and horrible and I’m sorry you had to see that at all, much less from a member of my family.” “And I suppose I was lying as well when I told you I was fine the last dozen or so times since then,” Rarity grumped. “I kinda figured you were, dear.” Roseluck gently slapped her tail against Rarity to forestall her coming objection. “But I understood why too.” “Oh?” she replied. “How long have we been dating, Rares?” Roseluck winked. “Seriously though, I get it. It’s who you are. Your professional side is well trained to keep your composure under withering pressure, while your personal side didn’t want to risk making things worse for me or my mom. Am I right?” “Heh,” Rarity chuckled. “There you go again, reading me like a book. I swear you know me better than I do.” “Plants can’t talk, but they still speak, and any good florist knows just what to listen for.” Roseluck lifted her tail a bit and let it drape over Rarity’s barrel. “In that sense you’re always talking to me, and I’m always listening.” “You’re far too good to me, Rose.” Rarity smiled and sighed, as if her marefriend’s words were further healing the scars from the incident. She fidgeted on the couch, snuggling a bit closer to Roseluck. “So what happens now? With your family I mean?” “I’m not sure,” Roseluck replied as her eyes gazed out at nothing in particular. “If my aunt truly wants to grow up and get over it, that’s on her. We’ve said what needed to be said, for us and for my mom. But hey, if it’s just you, me, and my mom, I think we’ll be okay.” “Good,” Rarity smiled approvingly, before craning her neck a bit and planting a small kiss on Roseluck’s side. “If you’re okay, then I’m okay too.” The touch of Rarity’s lips sent a tingle through Roseluck, giving her a warm fuzzy feeling all over. Her senses seemed to wake up then, and take notice of just how close Rarity was, or how comfortably she had draped herself over Roseluck’s back and side a few minutes earlier. Roseluck’s nose noticed the faint remnants of Rarity’s perfume, and as she looked back again, she saw that familiar gleam in her love’s eyes. A breath later and Roseluck was rotating herself onto her back and letting Rarity gently collapse into her waiting embrace. A kiss became two, then three, then so many more as her tongue raced out to meet Rarity’s and resume the dance they loved so much. Rarity’s magic brushed Roseluck’s mane aside and her lips soon found the nape of her neck, drawing an almost cathartic moan from the mare. Rose replied in kind, snaking her muzzle through the curtain of silky smooth purple and planting a deep kiss of her own onto Rarity’s neck. “Mhmm…darling do that again…” “Don’t mind if I do.” Roseluck gladly obliged, then began moving her lips across Rarity’s neck, moving one slow, deep kiss at a time across her beautiful ivory coat until she again captured the mare’s lips in a heated kiss. Rarity nestled deeper into Roseluck’s embrace, and now their barrels were in full contact. Unbidden, she arched her back, rubbing against Rarity’s smooth skin in gentle, slow waves. The air between them was quickly growing hot, as was the fire smoldering and bubbling up in her haunches. Another kiss, this one deeper and slower still, and Roseluck could feel the tingle of Rarity’s magic teasing the length of her barrel, skipping and jumping close enough to her nipples to elicit a pleasured moan. She was on the verge of abandoning her plans for the rest of the day and throwing herself completely into the moment when the gong of the antique clock in the waiting area jolted them both. After catching her breath, Rarity was the first to speak. “At… at least it wasn’t Sweetie this time, right?” Roseluck laughed as she tried to catch her own breath. “Ha. I… I don’t think I’ll ever forget that one. I still can’t believe you intentionally spilled wine on your expensive carpets though.” “Well, we needed a diversion, and it was the first thing that came to mind.” Rarity smirked. “I’d rather pay to have the carpet cleaned than explain that to a little filly.” Roseluck laughed, then leaned up and playfully kissed Rarity. “Fair point. You know, I don’t think you ever told me, but… did it work?” “You mean did she believe us? Yes, thank Celestia. Though I fear she may have a quite warped idea of what good wine is supposed to smell like now.” “Wha– Pfft!” Roseluck giggled like a filly, with Rarity soon joining her. “O-Oh gosh, poor Sweetie.” When the laughter faded, they left the couch and went about returning the plates and cups to the kitchen. Finally, Rarity followed Roseluck back to the front of the boutique and helped Roseluck collect her bags. “Speaking of wine though,” Roseluck said, “you still okay with dinner tonight? We can postpone if you’re not up to it.” “Nonsense,” Rarity replied, her voice back to its usual confident tone. “As you said, we made these plans ahead of time, and we do still need to exchange presents after all.” Roseluck smiled warmly at the mention of presents. She and Rarity had brought along a few stocking stuffers to put beneath her mother’s Hearthswarming tree, but both mares knew the real gift exchange would have to wait until they returned home to Ponyville. “That we do,” Roseluck replied. She glanced past Rarity to the large clock and noted the time. “But if we want to have dinner at all, I better get going. Gotta stop by the market for a few things, too.” They exchanged another hug and a quick kiss, then Rarity used a bit of magic to help secure Roseluck’s saddle bags and luggage. “All set?” “Yep! See you at six-thirty or so?” “It’s a date,” Rarity chirped. Roseluck was reaching for the door when Rarity stopped her. “Oh! I almost forgot. Anything I should bring for the meal?” “Just some wine, actually,” Roseluck answered. “Red or white, whatever you feel like. Either should go with the casserole, I think.” “Can do,” she replied. “Anything else? I can stop by Sugarcube Corner if you want. They may still have some of their frosted cranberry bars left.” “Nope!” Roseluck turned, kissed Rarity, then booped her on the nose. “I’ve got dessert covered.” She whisked out the door without another word, leaving Rarity speechless. And incredibly turned on.
Chapter 2The skies above Equestria were already dark by the time Rarity set off across town to her marefriend’s home. A dusting of snow – likely the last before Winter Wrap-Up – fell gently all around her as she began her walk. Enough snow remained on the roads to necessitate the use of her ‘dressy’ winter boots, but they kept Rarity from slipping, and still coordinated nicely with her long winter coat, a tweed number subtly accented with an almost inky plaid pattern of grey and royal blue. Beneath that was a simple ensemble, one fitting for the special but still casual nature of the evening ahead: one of her favorite little black dresses, sporting a slight silver shimmer imbued in the fabric and a demure yet tantalizing slit along her left flank. To this she added a simple pearl necklace and a matching pair of drop earrings. “I probably overdressed…” Rarity said to herself as she used the reflection in a nearby shop’s window to adjust her scarf. “But it is our first Hearthswarming, after all.” Her thoughts drifted to Hoofington, and the impassioned stand she had seen Roseluck make on their behalf. “And she’s worth it.” In the distance Rarity could just hear the clocktower in the town square ringing out a quarter past six as she turned onto the short street leading to Roseluck’s home. She pushed open the white wooden gate out front, and the butterflies in Rarity’s stomach began to flutter, bouncing between nerves, excitement, and anticipation. There was no extra family tonight. No parents, no flank-backwards relatives, no pressure to be on her best behavior. Tonight, it would just be the two of them. Rarity strode up the path to the front porch, which she noted was bathed in the welcoming rainbow glow of multiple light strings. Her magic reached carefully between the Hearthswarming wreath to grasp the metal door knocker, and she gave it a few firm but polite taps. “It’s open! Come on in!” came the muffled reply. Rarity shook the snow off her boots, stepped inside, and was immediately hit by a wave of wonderful smells. Roasted chestnuts and mulling spices mixed with the smell of fresh pine tree, all wrapped in the radiant heat coming from the stone hearth on the far side of the living room. The sound of clattering pots and a running tap drew Rarity’s attention. “It’s me, darling!” she called out toward the kitchen. “Need any help?” “N-Nope! Just need a second is all!” came the reply, followed by the shrill ringing of a kitchen timer. “Take your coat off and stay awhile!” Not wishing to distract her love further, Rarity returned to the wall hooks near the front door and hung up her coat and scarf, and after ensuring she was still alone, quickly retrieved the bottle of wine and the wrapped present from her saddle bag, the latter of which she slipped under the tree, next to a present with her name on it. Just the sight of it stoked Rarity’s anticipation even more. “Who needs to go outside to make snow angels when I have one right in my living room?” Rarity turned back toward the kitchen, a knowing smile on her lips. “I wasn’t aware there would be a cheese course. I do hope the wine I selected still works.” “There is cheese, actually,” Roseluck replied as she entered the room from the kitchen, “but I’m sure the wine will be fine. She stopped in front of Rarity and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “It is a multi-course menu after all.” If the butterflies in Rarity’s stomach were fluttering before, now they were buzzing. Roseluck backed up a bit and cast an innocent grin at her marefriend. “The casserole’s already in the oven, and an appetizer of grilled eggplant, tomato, and cheese awaits.” “Ohh, look at you cooking up a storm!” Rarity teased. “Maybe I should make you one of those fancy chef hats. A fashionable one of course.” “Try the food first before crowning me the next Gustav LeGrand,” Roseluck quipped, barely holding back a laugh. “Either this worked perfectly or we’re going to be stuck with Neighponese takeout tonight.” Rarity burst out laughing, with Roseluck following close behind. “Oh please, darling,” She stuck her nose up a bit and took a playful sniff of the air. “If it tastes half as good as it smells, I’m sure we’ll be fine.” “Now,” Rarity continued, “we need to talk about how smashing you look in that green dress, my dear. But why don’t we do that over some of these hoer d'oeuvres?” “Sounds good,” Roseluck nodded. “And speak for yourself, dear. You look stunning yourself. Oh, before we get to the food, I need you to step forward.” Rarity paused, a quizzical look on her face. “Pardon? Is something wrong? Am I stepping on the tree skirt?” “Nono, nothing’s wrong. I promise,” Roseluck replied, waving a hoof. “Just give me one step, Rares. One step only.” Rarity shrugged and stepped forward. Roseluck leaned to the left, then the right, eyeing her position carefully. “A smidge more– there! Perfect!” “Perfect for wh— mmph!” Rarity was stopped mid-sentence by a quick but deep kiss from Roseluck. The moment of shock melted almost instantly into bliss, and Rarity returned the kiss with equal energy. Their lips stayed locked for a few more seconds before they separated, leaving them both smiling like school fillies. “Not that I mind of course, but what was that… for…” Rarity’s trailed off as she followed Roseluck’s gaze toward the ceiling… And saw a small bunch of mistletoe hanging from the light fixture, dressed up with a red bow and a tiny decorative bell. “Oh. Well now…” Rarity stepped forward and playfully bumped Roseluck’s shoulder. “Luring your poor marefriend into a trap I see. How cheeky of you.” “Have to kiss what’s under the mistletoe,” Roseluck replied, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Sorry, I don’t make the rules.” She turned for the kitchen and beckoned Rarity to follow. “Grab the wine then. Dinner’s almost ready.” They snacked on the appetizers and sipped some mulled cider while they waited for the oven to finish. When the timer finally rang about twenty minutes later, Roseluck hurried to pull the casserole while Rarity made quick work of opening the wine and shuffling the appetizer plates away in favor of the larger dinner plates. To Roseluck’s immense relief, the Potato Mushroom bake turned out exactly as she had hoped, and to their mutual delight, paired quite well with the Pinot that Rarity had brought to drink. She made a mental note to thank Daisy for the recipe the next time she saw her. Meal complete and leftovers put away, the two retired back to the living room with wine glasses in tow. They sat on the small couch opposite the tree, which was lovingly decorated with lights, ornaments, and a few streams of tinsel. Using her magic, Rarity carefully topped up their wine glasses before setting the nearly empty bottle down on the coffee table. “That was absolutely delicious, Rose.” She hovered one glass over to Roseluck, and they lightly clinked their respective glasses together in a toast. “My compliments to the chef.” Rarity smiled over top of her glass as she took a sip. Roseluck took a drink as well, sighing contentedly as she swallowed. “Still want that chef’s hat?” Roseluck giggled. “Nah. But you can kiss the cook if you want.” Now it was Rarity’s turn to giggle, but she wasted no time leaning over and giving her marefriend a gentle kiss. Their lips parted but Rarity kept their noses just inches apart. “I do mean it though, darling. That meant more than any five-star restaurant. And in truth, it does make the… drama of the last week seem much further away.” “That it does,” Roseluck replied, her eyes shifting to meet Rarity’s soft stare. “Love you.” Rarity reached out and grasped Roseluck’s forehoof. “Love you too.” They kissed again, each of them humming as their lips and tongues met. The temptation to give into her simmering hormones and jump the gorgeous mare in front of her tugged at Rarity like a siren, but she also couldn’t ignore the two lone presents beneath the tree. So reluctantly she broke the kiss and leaned back a bit. “Time for presents?” Roseluck clapped her forehooves and bounced a bit on the couch. “Thought you’d never ask. Yes please!” Rarity lit her horn and carefully floated the two gifts over. “Who first?” “You first,” Roseluck replied. “I insist.” “Alright then.” Rarity gently placed Roseluck’s gift on the coffee table before grasping her own present. It was rectangular shaped, and wrapped in a thick white paper that had an almost pearlescent effect under the lights. A purple ribbon trimmed along each edge with a shimmery silver border wrapped around the package, with a matching bow fixed to the top. “Ohh, so pretty! Nice work!” Roseluck grinned. “Only took about a dozen tries and more than a bit of wasted glue.” “Well, you succeeded nonetheless. Now,” Rarity playfully gave the box a little shake with her magic, “I wonder what it could be?” A quick tweak of her magic turned her aura into a thin bead, which she used to carefully unwrap the bow and slice open the wrapping paper, revealing a wooden box, longer than it was wide, with delicate carvings along its top and a hinged lid. With a giddy smile she held the box up and lifted the lid— And squealed in excitement. “Oh my heavens is that what I think it is?” Roseluck gave her a smug, satisfied grin. “Sure is.” Rarity just stared down at the present in disbelief. “B-But how? Where?” She flipped the box around so Roseluck could see it, revealing the trio of small glass jars nestled inside – each one containing a different brightly colored powder. “Seriously, where did you get these?” “In Manehattan,” Roseluck replied. “A few months ago, actually. Remember that trip I made to consult for that commission job? The socialite’s wedding?” “The one who plays on Bridleway you mean?” “Yep, that’s the one. I had some free time after finishing the job, so I went wandering through some markets down by the Flatshoe district. Those,” she pointed at the box, “were in the back of an antique store stuffed between a pharmacy and a pizza parlor.” Rarity gasped at that. “You’re joking, right? I mean this has to– er, I mean, Saddle Arabian dyes are incredibly hard to come by as it is. But supplies of the traditional powder dyes dried up decades ago. None of my suppliers have ever found even a dash of it anywhere.” She shook her head and looked down at the box again, watching the red, purple, and blue powders shift around in their respective containers. “Yet they show up in an antique store?” Roseluck laughed. “I was a bit shocked at first too, believe me. I remembered you had mentioned these dyes before, and as soon as I saw the price tag I knew these ponies had no idea what they really had. No clue where they came from originally, but I wasn’t about to ask questions. I snatched it up, paid up, and got out of there as fast as a Wonderbolt.” “That’s…” Rarity was almost giddy now. “Amazing! Thank you so much, Rose! I never imagined I’d be able to work with these dyes at all, and now… oh I love you!” She set the box down carefully before leaning across the couch and kissing Roseluck. “Heh, you’re welcome,” Roseluck replied after their lips parted. “Glad you like it.” “Well then, I do believe it’s your turn now, darling.” Rarity smiled and floated the remaining box over to Roseluck. It was a bit smaller, but also rectangular, and wrapped in a multi-hued green paper with a bright red ribbon tied around it. Rarity couldn’t help but giggle as Rose made quick work of the wrapping paper, attacking it with nearly as much gusto as Sweetie Belle or her friends would. Roseluck removed the lid from the small box and she let out an excited yelp. “Rarity! It’s gorgeous! Oh my gosh!” She held the box out in her hooves, revealing a set of beauty tools – two coat and mane brushes, and a trio of hoof files in various sizes. The brushes sported lacquered wooden handles, and on their backsides was an engraving of her own cutiemark, itself inlaid with bold red and green coloring. The metal files gleamed in the light, as did the polished silver handle on each one. “I couldn’t stand to see you going back to the store time and time again to get replacements that will fail just as quickly as the last ones,” Rarity replied, now wearing a smile as big as Roseluck’s. “But these should last far longer. And the files can be resharpened too.” Roseluck held the box closer as if to hug it. “I love them! They’re just amazing. Thank you so, so much, Rares.” Now it was Roseluck’s turn to lean forward for a kiss. “Happy Hearthswarming.” “Happy Hearthswarming, my love.” Their lips met and to Rarity, it felt like falling slowly into an ocean of bliss. Part of her still couldn’t believe that this was all really, truly happening. Yet here she was, kissing the love of her life, a mare she’d had a crush on forever, under the light of a Hearthswarming tree. The romanticism, the sheer perfection of it all, lit an entirely different fire inside of Rarity. With a small moan she leaned into the kiss, drawing her lover closer. Roseluck’s tongue briefly teased the edge of her lips, and Rarity welcomed it in earnest. Rarity brought a forehoof up to Roseluck’s neck, brushing the bottom of her jawline and teasing the soft red locks that fell beside her head. Roseluck reciprocated, brushing a forehoof along Rarity’s leg before bringing it to rest on her chest. As she deepened their kiss, Rarity could only hope that Roseluck could feel her heart beating as strongly, as passionately, as it felt to her right then. She was sure any second would be the turning point, when they’d collapse in a heap on the couch, or the floor, or both, and Rarity would give herself to her love’s carnal whims. So it was a shock when Roseluck gently pulled away, and sat back up on the couch. “Rose? Is something—” “Just fine, I promise. But I just remembered, I have one other gift for you.” Rarity had to shake her head a bit to force her mind to return focus to things above her haunches. “O-Oh? You do?” “Mhmm. I just have to go upstairs to get it. I’ll be right back.” Roseluck carefully got up from the couch, drained the last bit of wine from her glass, and set it on the small end table before trotting up the steps and out of view. “What are you up to, my dear…” Rarity muttered before throwing back the remnants of her wine as well. Assuming things were about to get heated in a minute, she took a moment to float their gifts back under the tree for safety, balling up the wrapping paper along the way. She was just settling back onto the couch when Roseluck called out from the upper level. “Rares?” “Um, yes? She turned to look toward the staircase, but it was empty. Rarity quickly got up and walked over to the base of the stairs. “Everything ok, Rose? Do you need something?” “Actually, yes! Yes I do! Can you come up here?” Slightly confused, Rarity shrugged. “Alright. Coming up then.” Rarity walked up the stairs, moving slowly to ensure she didn’t catch the hem of her dress under a hoof. Finally at the top, she looked at the trio of doors in front of her – one for the rarely used guestroom, one for the bathroom, and Roseluck’s room, from which she could see light coming from beneath the closed door. She walked up and lightly tapped on the door with a hoof. “Can I come in?” A slight pause. Then a reply. “Please do.” Rarity opened the door, and what she saw took her breath away. At least a dozen candles stood all over the room, on stands, small plates, or simple candelabras. Red, pink, purple, and white, mixed together and bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. And there, near the center of the room, was a literal bed of roses. Roseluck stood next to the bed. Both it and the floor around it were dotted with rose petals of purple and pink, ruby red and snow white. Framed in the soft candle light Roseluck looked less a mare and more an angel. Rarity could only stare in reverence at the beauty before her. A delicate black lace top hugged Roseluck’s upper chest, supported by two thin straps that wrapped up and around her shoulders and accented with a embroidered red rose and a pink bow in the center. A bejeweled hair brooch, the same one she had given to Roseluck after their first night together, was pinned in her mane just behind her right ear. A garnet red collar sat snugly around her neck, dotted in the center by a round gem that matched its owner’s beautiful emerald eyes – eyes that now looked at Rarity with equal amounts of unending love and lust. Without a word, Roseluck turned, reared back a bit, and placed her forehooves upon the mattress, giving Rarity a clear view of the matching black and silky red panties she wore, and the golden ring nestled at the base of her tail. Rarity couldn’t tear her eyes away even if she wanted to, and the more she stared, the hotter she became beneath her dress. Her breathing was already quickening and she had yet to move an inch from the doorway. She watched in awe as Roseluck lay her weight upon the bed and spread her hindlegs. Then Roseluck lifted her tail, giving Rarity a full view of the lacy panties that barely covered her nethers… …and the small bunch of mistletoe tied to the end of her tail. Roseluck gave her rump a little shake, causing the bells to ring. Then she turned a bit to look back at Rarity, her eyes shimmering in the dancing candle light. “I told you I had dessert covered.”
Chapter 3The small jingle of those bells went off in Rarity’s head like a gigantic gong. Or maybe that was the pounding of her heart. She couldn’t be sure, but at that moment she couldn’t care either way. She was completely and utterly transfixed by the gorgeous mare before her. Roseluck was, now more than ever, the picture of perfection. Her pale yellow coat basked in the warm candle light, taking on a seemingly ephemeral glow. Against that her mane fanned out like streaks of red and pink flame, draping lazily down her back and around her neck In the back of her mind, Rarity wondered if this was how Roseluck felt when she walked into Rarity’s sewing room on their second night together to find her draped over the sewing machine, legs spread and dripping with desire. Finally she took a step forward, then another. Inching closer to the bed, and the object of her every desire. And all the while she kept her eyes locked on Roseluck, and those beautiful green eyes that right then were surely staring into her soul. “Rose…” Rarity’s voice was a near whisper as she drew near. “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.” “Hmm, you like your present then?” Roseluck’s voice was dripping in honey. “Magnificent.” Rarity’s eyes wandered all over her marefriend as if she were admiring the finest work of art. “It’s like it was made for you.” “Well, it sort of was.” “Oh really?” Rarity asked, clearly not expecting that response. Roseluck began to reply, but paused for a second in thought. “Hmm, I’ll tell you all about it later. Let’s just say I made more than one shopping trip while I was in Manehattan.” “For now though…” Roseluck shuffled her hindlegs a bit, letting her bump her flank into Rarity. “I believe you have a present to unwrap.” Rarity’s cheeks flushed red, her pulse already rising. “Indeed I do.” She shuffled forward and leaned over the bed, just far enough to let her plant a gentle kiss onto her love’s neck. “And by the looks of things, I must have been a very good pony this year.” She smiled and moved back, making sure to gently swish the tip of her tail down Roseluck’s barrel and across her exposed flank along the way. Rarity kissed the top of Roseluck’s rump as she moved behind her once again, smiling at the small shiver she could feel go through her marefriend at her touch. “Hmm…” she muttered, “now where should I start?” She waited a moment, intentionally letting Roseluck squirm a bit in anticipation. Then her eyes settled on Roseluck’s haunches, and the delectable prize that awaited her beneath the sultry lingerie. “Ah, there we go.” And so she began with a gentle kiss to the back of Roseluck’s left leg, just above the knee. She followed that with a second kiss, then another still, each one just a bit higher than the last, moving in small lazy circles up the back of her leg. All the while her horn glowed faintly, as she shaped her magic to tease and caress Roseluck’s right side. Quiet hums of pleasure reached Rarity’s ears, encouraging her to continue past the top of Roseluck’s legs, across her hind end, and on to the top of her flank. As she reached her cutiemark, Rarity laid a deeper, longer kiss. Roseluck let out a soft moan at her touch, and then another and another as Rarity lavished her flank with kisses and licks and tiny nibbles. All the while her magic was teasing and caressing her opposite flank, amplifying her pleasure all the more. Rarity’s heart soared as she continued her slow, loving journey across her marefriend’s rear end, eventually coming to the lacy and exquisitely sexy black panties. Her magic toyed with the frilly edges, slipping just a bit beneath the silky fabric only to leave just as quickly, for the moment denying her lover the kind of touch that, based on the growing scent of arousal around her, she desperately wanted. Content to keep Roseluck waiting a bit more, Rarity’s lips wandered aimlessly, gently kissing around the edges of the panties, sometimes letting the tip of her snout brush up and down Roseluck’s nethers. “Rarity… you’re such a teas– mhmm…” Roseluck whispered, her voice quiet but heady. Rarity’s magic touched the panties at once, gently pressing them inwards and drawing not just a moan, but a wave of arousal from her lover that soaked through the already damp, thin fabric. At the same time Rarity could feel small droplets of her own arousal begin to drip out of her, adding her scent to the air around them. “The wrapping looks so good, I’m not sure I want to take it off,” Rarity purred. “No, please do,” came Roseluck’s needy reply. “This present’s meant to be unwrapped.” Finally, the temptation became unbearable, and Rarity carefully began to peel the now thoroughly soaked panties off of Roseluck, fully exposing her haunches. The sight of her marefriend’s wet, full lips set Rarity’s pulse racing. “And what a present it is, darling.” Roseluck looked back and smiled. “Glad you like it. But remember the rules I mentioned earlier.” She shook her tail up and down, causing the mistletoe to jingle once again. “If it’s under the mistletoe, you have to kiss it.” Rarity glanced up at the mistletoe and smiled. “Well then…” Her magic reached out and gently untied the mistletoe before sweeping Roseluck’s tail up and out of the way, fully revealing Roseluck’s fully aroused nethers. Rarity stepped forward, bringing herself a mere breath away from her lover’s soaked and visibly throbbing lips. Smiling and licking her lips, she raised her voice just enough to ensure her love heard her words. “Who am I to break the rules?” Rarity closed the last tiny distance between them, moaning as her lips touched Roseluck’s marehood. Her nose was awash in her lover’s heavenly scent, her tongue coated in the sweetest of nectars, Rarity’s prior teasing restraint quickly melted away under the heat of her lust for the beautiful, needy mare now fully in her grasp. She kissed every bit of flesh she could reach, moving quickly but methodically over Roseluck’s haunches. Her tongue soon joined in, leaving long, slow licks in between hot, deep kisses. “Mhmm… Rar— oh gosh wow…” Roseluck’s voice was already melting just as quickly under Rarity’s ministrations, and the sound of her marefriend’s ecstasy was like music to Rarity’s ears. She continued her oral explorations, coaxing more and more arousal from her lover. She used the tip of her tongue to tease the soft, fine fur just below Roseluck’s marehood, winding her up even more. Then in one smooth motion Rarity flattened her tongue and slid it all the way up Roseluck’s slit, diving just past her outer lips on her way to encircling her clit like a lollipop. The combined jolts of pleasure collapsed Roseluck’s front half onto the bed with a lusty moan. “Oh heavens do that again— Aah!” Rarity repeated the motion, then again and again and again, reveling in the lewd schlick her tongue made with each pass, and the increasingly guttural moans coming from her marefriend. Her magic reached up to Roseluck’s dock, wrapped around the polished band at the base of her tail, and gently tugged as she renewed her oral worship once again. Roseluck mewled in delight. “Y-Yes, Rares… Oh you’re e-evil– mhmm…” “Hmm…” Roarity hummed in response, letting her hot breath wash over Roseluck’s slit. “You know you like it though.” Roseluck tried to respond but could only muster another long, heated moan. “Want me to stop?” Roseluck responded by flicking the end of her tail – and pushing her rear back into Rarity’s waiting lips. “I’ll take that as a no then.” Rarity’s tongue lanced right past Roseluck’s outer lips and snaked fully inside of her, forestalling any attempt at a response. Her tongue writhed inside of Roseluck like a snake, caressing and teasing every inch of flesh she could reach. Rarity’s tongue retreated, only to encircle Roseluck’s clit for a second before dipping back inside of her marehood again. Sensing Roseluck was near her peak, Rarity made the final push. Forcing a bit more power into her magic, she split her aura in two. One point stayed wrapped around Roseluck’s tail, while the other snuck between Roseluck’s belly and the mattress. The room soon filled with the sound of Roseluck’s heated, desperate moans as Rarity pushed all of her lover’s buttons at once. She lapped at Roseluck’s marehood while her magic kneaded and teased her nipples. Roseluck’s clit would wink out with every pull of her tail, and Rarity’s tongue was waiting for it every time, swirling around it and sucking on it like it was the most delicious candy in existence. “Yes yes ye— oh Rares I’m so close!” Rarity quickened her pace, lavishing her slit in long, fast licks while her magic squeezed Roseluck’s teats just enough to send shockwaves through her body. “Yes right there right there don’t stop—” Roseluck shuddered as Rarity’s tongue hit her clit again. “Oh buck I’m gonna c-cum don’t stop don’t stop—” Rarity yanked Roseluck’s tail one more time, then swirled her tongue across her clit as fast as she could, and a moment later Roseluck went flying over the edge into bliss. Roseluck let out an almost feral groan as an orgasm raced through her like a runaway train. Her hindlegs shook uncontrollably as a flood of arousal dribbled forth from her nethers. Rarity slipped her forelegs beneath her marefriend’s rump for support as she raced to lap up as much of Roseluck’s sweet nectar as she could, using the opportunity to tease her clit that much more, dragging out Roseluck’s orgasm as long as possible. Finally Roseluck began to slow down, and gradually her body and senses seemed to return to the present. She crawled fully up onto the bed, flopping onto her side in a heap. Rarity soon joined her, and they shared a long, slow kiss. “Thank you,” she whispered. Rarity reached out and brushed some of Roseluck’s now sweat-matted mane out of her face. “I love you so much, Rose.” “I love you too, Rares.” Roseluck leaned in and kissed her back. “I’m glad you enjoyed your present.” “Heh, that I did,” she replied. Just then she felt another drop of her own arousal seep into the fur surrounding her own marehood, and she was quickly reminded of the simmering cauldron between her legs. “Happy Hearthswarming, my love.” “You too.” Roseluck smiled, then with a slight groan rolled off the bed. “Sorry, but nature calls. One second.” She stepped into the adjoining bathroom and shut the door. A few minutes later the door opened and Roseluck stepped out a bit refreshed and now without the upper half of her lingerie. “Rarity, did you want me— Now it was her turn to be awestruck. Rarity lay in the middle of the bed, wearing nothing but her pearl jewelry. She caught Roseluck’s gaze for a moment, then rolled onto her back and spread her legs, offering Roseluck a full view of her entire belly, including her fully aroused marehood. “What was it you said, darling?” A small bell rang out and Roseluck saw the mistletoe float off the nightstand and stop just above Rarity. “If it’s under the mistletoe…” A devious smile crossed her lips as Roseluck crept toward the bed, hips swaying and tail swinging with every measured step. As she came to the side of the bed her eyes wandered over every inch of the unquestionably gorgeous mare who lay stretched out before her. The gentle candle light framed her voluptuous form perfectly, giving Roseluck a clear view of the thin sheen of sweat atop her alabaster coat, the glistening arousal that coated her haunches– And the needy, wanton look in her beautiful azure eyes. “Well then,” she whispered in a dulcet voice, “I’m just going to have to kiss you.” Roseluck put her forehooves on the edge of the bed and stared down at Rarity. “All of you.” Roseluck pounced onto the bed and into Rarity’s waiting embrace. Just as Rarity had done to her minutes earlier, Roseluck abandoned any pretense for long, drawn out teasing, instead aiming her every movement to push as many of Rarity’s buttons as she could. She planted a deep, tongue-filled kiss in the crease of Rarity’s inner thigh, then another on the silky fur just above her swollen mound. Roseluck’s lips turned north, brushing over the top of each of Rarity’s nipples as her tongue left a trail of fire all the way up her barrel and across her chest. Rarity’s chest heaved beneath her, the sounds of her lusty moans filling Roseluck’s ears. Roseluck crawled forward as her lips moved further north, making sure to fully press her barrel against Rarity the entire time. As her lips reached the crook of her neck Rarity turned her head and arched her back, exposing all of her neck to Roseluck’s tongue. “Mhmm…” Roseluck hummed in between kisses, her lips following the edge of Rarity’s pearl necklace around both sides of her neck. Rarity mewled at her touch, then caught her breath just enough to speak. “Kiss me, please. I need it.” Roseluck’s response was immediate. She kissed Rarity as deeply, as passionately as she could, as if this were to be the last kiss she could ever give. The faint taste of her own juices on Rarity’s tongue drove Roseluck wild, spurring her to press the kiss that much deeper, that much longer. She could feel Rarity’s hind legs squeezing around her barrel, encouraging her to continue. And so she did, letting nearly all her weight sag into Rarity’s grip as she pushed their kiss to the point that they both gasped for air when their lips finally parted. “R-Rose…” Rarity whispered, still trying to catch her breath. “So… good… oh heavens…” Roseluck sucked in a deep breath and smiled down at her marefriend, her glorious purple mane now just as disheveled as her own. “Just you wait.” She lowered her head and planted a kiss at the base of Rarity’s horn, and the unicorn almost shot off the bed. “Aahn! Yes Rose yes— Ah!” Roseluck kissed her horn again before swirling her tongue up to the tip and then back down, as if it were a piece of hard candy. She used a much lighter touch, but even that was more than enough to drive Rarity crazy. She moaned lustily, writhing beneath Roseluck as she continued her delicate dance all over Rarity’s horn. After that much build up, Roseluck didn’t need to ask how close Rarity was to her peak. She could feel it in the way her gorgeous body shivered beneath her, her smooth chest heaving with every hot breath. She could smell the heady, musky scent of Rarity’s arousal all around her, blanketing her senses. And as she stared down at the mare of her dreams, she could see the desperate need for release in her eyes Rarity looked up at her and smiled. “Take me.” Roseluck smiled warmly at her and backed away, slithering down towards her haunches one teasing kiss at a time. For a half a breath, she felt her lover’s touch leave her completely. Then Rarity’s world exploded in ecstasy. She let out a deep, lusty moan as Roseluck’s tongue found its mark immediately, diving past her swollen outer lips to lap at her entrance. Roseluck’s lips seemed to be everywhere at once, greedily lapping up her juices as she drove Rarity closer and closer to the edge with every touch. Rarity’s hindlegs clamped around Roseluck, holding her in place and spurring her on. “D-Don’t stop Rose yes yes— ah!” Her horn glowed to life and a gentle wisp of magic reached down to part her outer lips and fully expose her swollen clit to Roseluck’s waiting tongue. Needing no further invitation, Roseluck’s tongue coiled around her clit, teasing and sucking on the tender flesh. Rarity cried out in joy at her touch, her body shuddering as wave after wave of pure, raw pleasure raced through her like fire. In seconds she was putty in Roseluck’s hooves, whimpering and moaning and lashing her tail and doing everything she could to push her thoroughly soaked nethers further into her lover’s hungry mouth. The intoxicating mix of arousal, perfume, and candles, the flickering light illuminating their coupling, the beautifully lewd sounds of their lovemaking – they all swirled together in a carnal symphony that overwhelmed Rarity’s every sense and pushed her right to the very edge of orgasmic bliss. “Oh I’m clos— yes, just like that don’t stop don’t stop…” Roseluck’s tongue stiffened in an instant and began flicking at her clit at a frenzied pace that shot Rarity over the edge in an instant. “Aahn! Yes!” Rarity cried out her love’s name as an overwhelming orgasm roared through her body. Her back lifted off the bed, her eyes fluttered closed, her legs shook, and for a few glorious moments she was falling into an endless sea of erotic bliss. Wave after wave of cum flowed from Rarity and Roseluck lapped nearly all of it up, suckling her lover’s marehood and drawing out every last ounce of pleasure she could. Finally, the wave passed, and Rarity slumped down into the mattress, completely and utterly spent. Roseluck collapsed on top of her and caught her in a slow, gentle kiss. Rarity gladly returned the gesture, smiling as she caught a taste of her own juices in turn. Their lips parted and Roseluck rolled to the side, coming to rest next to Rarity. For a moment they lay in silence, basking in the afterglow of their love. Rarity’s hoof reached out to touch Roseluck, and she grasped Rarity’s hoof in response. “That was amazing,” Rarity said, finally finding her voice again. “So were you.” Roseluck turned her head to look at Rarity. “I love you, Rarity.” “And I love you, Rose.” Rarity rolled closer and snuggled into Roseluck’s embrace. “Can I make a suggestion?” “Hmm?” A sly grin crossed Rarity’s lips. “Put away the decorations when Winter wraps up–“ she quickly kissed Roseluck. “–but keep the mistletoe out all year.” Roseluck smiled back and laughed. “That sort of thinking’s going to land you on the naughty list next year, you know.” “Is it now?” Rarity leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose as the mistletoe floated into view in the glow of her magic. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, darling.”
