The Hearth's Warming Deal

Fall in Equestria is a special time for a lot of ponies. The weather gets colder, the leaves start to change color, warmer foods come out, and seasonal style changes. Today is like other for the somewhat quiet little hamlet that is Ponyville. Ponies mill about in the streets, talking among themselves or in groups. A steady flow of them have been coming and going from the popular pastry shop in town. Sugar Cube Corner has been flowing with customers all morning. A steady flow of orders ranging from fresh cinnamon buns to warm bear claws. The Cakes could have easily been overwhelmed with their weekend rush if not for the high energy ball of a pink blur known as Pinkie Pie. She was easily keeping up with oven duties along side the Cakes and getting orders out to such a degree that all seems normal to any pony that's been around long enough to know.

She just so happens to be on her way back when her ears feel like their on fire! A pony was talking about one of her friends! Just to make sure it's nothing bad she swivels her ears in all directions until she hears something.

"What do you think the Prince's Hearth's Warming decorations will be this year?" A rather excited mare seems to ask.

"No idea! He has all that space in the castle to work with now. Maybe even Princess Twilight will lend a hoof!"

A new train of thought enters the chaotic brain of the pink party mare. While it is true that Justin loves to go all-in for the one holiday in question. It's also true that he now has more space in the castle to decorate for his favorite holiday. An idea started to form in that he might come to her to ask for her party cannon to decorate with. Then it hit her with a audible gasp that any pony in the immediate are just glances at her before she disappears again in a pink blur of activity. It doesn't take too long for every pony to resume a normal standard.

Some weeks later.

All through Ponyville a blanket of white covers the town. The sun still hasn't risen yet, leaving the town streets quiet and void of its residents. A gentle breeze rolls through some streets, kicking up some flakes of snow in its wake. Ponyville Castle fairs the same treatment as the rest of the town, the spire rooftops are covered in a light layer of powdery crystal. Its hall lay silent as all of the occupants are fast asleep. Well, almost all of them. The door to Twilight's bedroom swings open and the groggy mare steps out with a bad case of bed head. Her mane sticks up in all directions while some parts curl over. Her wings are snugly tucked against her back while she's making her way down the hall in one of her husband's shirts, a few sizes too big for her but Twilight finds them comfortable to sleep in. She brings a hand up to her muzzle as a hearty yawn leaves her mouth that's followed by a few smacks of her lips.

They both have been gone for quite some time for delegations abroad, with Gryphons of all things. It was trying for her but it would seem Justin took things in stride. Sure the delegates were grumpy and snarky, but taking her human along proved to be a good decision since he got snarky right back at them. Thankfully this earned the two some respect and boons for Equestria. She's hoping for a good, long friendship between nations. Apparently he walked away with some new friends thanks to a few of them wanting to arm wrestle.

Twilight slowly walks into the kitchen as another yawn escapes her. She walks over to the fridge and opens it, she is in the mood for some warm to drink on this early morning but not in the mood for coffee. She closes it once she spots the box of cocoa mix on the counter with the perfect idea. Twilight fills the coffee maker with water, pressing the button to brew. As she waits, another presence enters the kitchen, walking right up behind and laying their chin on top of her head. She lets out a contented hum and leans into the body now against her.

"Morning, love." She says just loud enough for her significant other a he's groggily rubbing his eyes.

"Morning." Justin mumbles back before planting a small kiss on her mane. Something he has been prone to doing as of late. "Are you getting taller? Pretty soon I won't be able to rest against you."

Twilight smirks, then lets out a giggle. "Pretty early to get snarky, isn't it?"

"Never." He quickly fires back while his arms snake around her waist. "Whatcha making?"

"Cocoa." She looks over her shoulder at him. "Want some?"

"Sounds good, I'll get started on breakfast then." He grins at her as he moves away to the stove top. "Figured something special is in order after the weeks we've had."

The breakfast he has in mind is meant to feed more than just the two. Justin has gone out of his way to cook up several large platters consisting of pancakes, toast, eggs that are both scrambled and sunny side up, and lastly his somewhat famous hay bacon that Twilight loves. A sentiment also shared among the rest of their friends. By the time everything was ready, the aroma of delicious food being cooked fills the halls, rousing the other two from the slumber and drawing them to the kitchen. They see the spread of food and plates at the ready on a table. Both Spike and Starlight eagerly join the couple, all four then start to fill their plates. Soon talk starts to fill the room with the usual questions of how their trip went and if they enjoyed their stay. Of course both the unicorn and dragon are surprised to hear that Justin managed to skid by his part of negotiations on snark alone, managing to impress some of the delegates they were meeting. Eventually everything becomes calm with small talk.

Breakfast passes with some relative silence of the comfortable kind. After reassuring both unicorn and dragon that they got it handled, the alicorn and human were tag teaming the dishes. Twilight has taken up to washing off their plates and utensils while Justin has a cloth and dries off whatever she hands him. If it's something these to always have done is work together on even the smallest of chores. Quiet dominates the current time until a question comes to Justin's mind.

"What is today again?"

"The first of winter I believe. Why?"

Before she even registered it, he is gone. The next collection of sounds to meet her waiting ears is a bare foot booting open the front doors followed by his voice.

"IT'S HEARTH WARMING SEASON!" He announces to no soul in particular.

His efforts are rewarded with a blast of cold air that makes him shiver followed by the giggle of his mare.

"You do know we aren't tying to heat the outside, right?"

Late morning comes and the two are getting ready to start their day. Both have showered, wings are preened, clothes are on and now all that's left is the brushing of the teeth. Twilight stands at the sink and scrubs her enamel clean while Justin is pacing around the shared bedroom. He doesn't know why he does it, he just does it. After several minutes of their ears being filled with nothing but the scratching of bristle against teeth and some pacing had comes them rinsing their mouths out. An idea starts to crawl its way into his brain, tendrils wrapping its way until it seizes and finds purchase. Justin finishes rinsing toothpaste from his mouth and stands up.

"I wanna decorate the castle." He says without missing a beat.

Twilight looks up at him. "We'll decorate together."

"Yeah, but.." She can see the spark in his eyes of some form of an idea, "... This year is going to be our first Hearth's Warming as a couple. I wanna make it special."

That spark she was seeing suddenly became clear. This was the beginning of a potentially dangerous idea.

"I wanna try decorating with Pinkie's cannon. All the space in the castle? I can see it working."

There it is. Twilight opens her mouth to protest but soon finds herself quickly closing it. In all her years of knowing the human she come to fall in love with and now call her husband, he wasn't going to be talked down from this or any idea. Instead she chooses to let him find out. Sure he might consider her concerns against it, he has in the past. Something did seem different about this one. It was Pinkie Pie's own Party Cannon and she has witnessed being used multiple times with great success. What could possibly go wrong?

With a smile, Twilight stares at him. "Sure. I think I can trust you enough with it."

Early afternoon hits and the couple have taken to the streets of Ponyville much like how their journey started, side by side. Thankfully more by choice than by magical tether. They're bundled up in their best winter attire, palms flat against one another with fingers interwoven in a tight grip. They are keeping their pace slow, almost methodical to an extent. Just enjoying the weather together, waving at familiar faces as they pass, the little things they haven't gotten to enjoy in some weeks. Twilight is thankful to be home, she was starting to feel homesick, missing her friends. She did get her quiet nights with Justin while away. Some of them spent reading together or just laying on the bed in each other's arms. Her quiet contemplation comes to one conclusion.

"Justin?"

"Yes, love?" He turns to her with a small grin.

"Can we have a day inside?"

He hums out as if he's mulling it over, acting like she's not going to know what his answer is. "Sure."

The chime above Sugar Cube Corner's entrance goes off to signal new ponies coming in. The dining area is filled with plenty of ponies that don't seem to bat an eye at the odd couple that just walked in. It feels nice to not be stared in such an uncomfortable way. This is home. Twilight and Justin both let out a contented sigh for the brief moment of peace in public. A moment so brief that a high-pitched squeal shatters that peace that they brace themselves with the very same infectious excitement that is about to come crashing back down into their world, or something close to it. Then again, nothing could truly ever prepare them for the pink ball of energy currently bounding her way towards them.

"Twilight! Justin!" A shrill voices calls out their name and before the two even knows it, both are taken up in a stronger than normal bear hug. "It's so good to see you two! It's been forever!"

"It's good to see you too, Pinkie, but it's only been a month." Twilight giggles as she returns the bear hug with one arm.

"Kinda feels like forever." The pink mare beams at the two before letting them go. "Oh! I should throw you both a Welcome Home party!"

"I'm sure that can wait, Pinks." Justin chuckles at her enthusiasm. "We actually came to ask you for a favor."

"Oh? A flash of intrigue passes through her bright blue eyes. "Wat can lil ol' Pinkie Pie do for the Bestest Human in all of Equestria?"

"I'm sure he's the only one, Pinkie." Twilight tries to correct her.

"And that's what makes him the best!" Pinkie beams at her friend. "Easy to be numero uno when there's no competition!"

"If ya say so." The man just shrugs. "Anyway, I was maybe wondering if I could borrow your party cannon to decorate the castle for Hearth's Warming this year."

The usual happy and excited grin on Pinkie turns in to something more akin to a Cheshire Cat, almost like she has been expecting this question for a long time. "Sure! I'll let you borrow it!"

Twilight instantly becomes baffled at how easy her friend just agreed to his request.

"Under one condition!" Now it's Justin's turn to look confused. "You throw a Hearth's Warming Party for Ponyville even I could be proud of!" Pinkie pauses just long enough for them to slow blink at her with mildly confused faces. "If its an absolute blast, I'll let you borrow my Party Cannon any time!"

Justin stares at her. "If I don't?"

"Then you don't!" She proudly states with her hand out.

Justin just stares at her for the few moments before grinning, letting go of his wife's hand to give his pink party friend a firm shake. "I like a challenge."

With that, Pinkie bounds off while the two watch, Twilight eventually leans over to whisper in his ear. "Are you sure you're up for this?"

"I have no idea."