Winter was at work with something special for Eclipse. She wasn’t sure if he had a better more enchanted version but she just hoped he liked it.
It had taken a while but she finished it in time! It was a holiday break for the school semester and there were only two days till Hearts Warming! This was Winter's last shift at the sanctuary before the holiday. With most of the animals in hibernation, they were caring for any sick and injured animals brought to them that would be resting inside Fluttershy's place to keep warm. With time to herself, Winter could decorate her place to get ready for her celebration with Eclipse.
She also wrote to her parents asking if they would be available to have dinner on Hearts Warming eve and had yet to hear from them. But she figured they were too busy being Wonderbolts out on some other Wonderbolt holiday party in Canterlot.
Eclipse was in his room, he looked out of a window almost blank-faced. Nullah slithers in with a cupcake that he probably stole
"I…can’t I just did expect ponys did this so soon!" he thought to himself, Nullah read his thoughts and then saw he had just read the entire book collection of, "Fifty Shades of a Pony." It was a rather interesting series, to say the least...
“I mean I’ve never… I mean I guess I got to..” he groans nervously and frustrated, “if I just write a list of all that we should do, and take notes, then this should work!” He exclaims determined blushing red.
Nullah just took a bite out of the cupcake and snickers. This was going to be an absolute train wreck.
Winter had given him special snake cupcakes!! Despite being an all-powerful god that could eat anything he wanted, he liked these treats the best because Winter made him something special. Meanwhile, Eclipse went back to the book series to take notes so he knew exactly what to do!! Writing them down on note cards and floating them around.
One day, before Hearts Warming Eve, it was freezing as the pegasi put a lot of work into the snow. It was probably so they could all stay home longer; gift exchanging, delicious-smelling treats, and ponies singing holiday carols were everywhere! With the feeling of merry and goodwill, every creature was happily celebrating their own holidays with their friends and family all across Equestria!
Notus bumped into Winter who was running a few more errands, while he was heading back to his place, they chatted a little. once close to his place, Notus flew up.
“Welp, have fun! And don’t worry; I know you two will have fun!" He calls out with a chuckle, "It's Eclipse’s first time, but he’ll do great!!” he winks, then flies off to finish decorating. Though Winter thought he was referring to it being Eclipse's first Hearts Warming.
“I’ll make sure he enjoys it!!” She calls back. Carrying her gift to give to Eclipse. She only hoped he liked it. She had just gotten it wrapped after waiting for hours for it to be her turn and was flying through town. “Maybe I should get some hot chocolate and cakes,” she said in thought. Fetching a few more things before heading home.
~~~
The day arose as Eclipse was so worried for that evening; he had done strange things before but this was different, it was so personal and he didn’t want to mess it up! “Ok Eclipse, you fought status and g3.5... you can do this!” He encouraged as he got pumped.
Nullah stared at him, snickering to themselves while preparing popcorn. This was going to be good!! After wrapping themselves up warmly, Nullah coiled himself around Eclipse, and they hurried out the door to find Winter.
Eclipse flew to her house, high enough to not be seen. He did up his mane and put on lots of colognes, he approached her front door and then took a deep breath, and knocked. Earlier, Notus told Eclipse if all fails; use mistletoe.
The door opened and Winter beamed. “Nullah! Eclipse!! Welcome!!!”
“Winter!.. Hey, it’s cold here; I guess we are gonna get warm hehe..”
“Come on!! We have a lot to see!!” She took his hoof and they flew back to Ponyville so she could show him around!
“Oh ok,” he replies, breathing to keep his calm. They flew through the nice cold air as the snow gently fell. “So... it’s a public thing?”
“Of course!! Everypony in town will be there!!” She says excitedly. Oh boy, this wasn’t going to be good.
“Everypony?…..” he gulped thinking of being watched, “oh well, umm...have you done this a lot?” He asks as he read the mares like a stallion who knows what he's doing; Eclipse would hate for anypony to know it was his first time.
“Of course!! I promise you’ll love it, and I’ll make sure your first Hearts Warming Eve is great!!” Winter swore as they entered the town. Hiding so he can change to his unicorn form before stepping out into the busy streets.
“Oh well that’s good,” he relented, feeling a little more confident. The town looked lovely; it was all decorated and little fillies and colts were playing snowball fights, laughing together, it was joyous!
"Well...maybe this might be a nice place to do it, I mean everypony is friendly..." he thought.
They bought some hot chocolate and treats to eat. Avoiding rushing ponies who were still shopping at the last minute. But everything else was amazing!
They sat at a table and drank their cocos, even Nullah got one! It was a beautiful sight. Winter liked looking at Eclipse's thoughtful face; there was a nice feeling to it. “This is absolutely delicious, honestly Winter this is making me calmer because I was nervous, I’ll admit...” he smiled shyly.
“You don’t have to be nervous, there’s nothing to worry about when you’re with ponies you care for!!” She assures. Sipping more of her hot chocolate.
“Well that’s true and I do care for you a lot!” he blushes a little
“Awww that’s sweet!!” When she put her cup down she had a whipped cream mustache.
He drank more then got the same he looked down and then giggled, “we are the mustache duo!” he said feeling so nice around Winter just so happy.
They both laughed before licking it away. They wandered around the village more as it got late.
As it darkened, the Hearts Warming lights were stunning! They had done some traditional games and they had had a great time, gifts were being exchanged and Eclipse was feeling more confident.
"I can do this! Just as long as I follow the steps!"he thinks. Glancing over his notecards one more time when Winter wasn't looking. Nullah was waiting for his master to get on with it and see this disaster unfold.
“So... it’s time for a certain ritual~,” Eclipse spoke up as he came close to Winter, hoping he was doing it right
“Which one are you talking about?” She questions then, raising a brow, a bit confused.
He coughs to clear his throat and nerves, “well umm… I read about it, and apparently it’s the most important part of Hearts Warming!” he explains, feeling nervous again, “and it’s my first time but you have experience as you've said so….”
For a moment, she thought he was talking about singing carols or having a Hearts Warming doll made. “Well, whatever it is I’ll help you!”
“Thank you! I’ll do my best to please you, but as a gentle colt, I must do it right!” He promised, feeling that a proper asking for permission was the right thing to do. Nullah slithered off next to Winter and took out his popcorn as Eclipse then jumped to the town square of Ponyville and took a deep breath…
“WINTER SEA!!! I WOULD LOVE TO SLEEP WITH YOU! WILL YOU SLEEP WITH ME?!” He announced loudly so everypony could hear.
“What?!” Winter exclaimed becoming a very bright red. Everpony turns to them, mothers quickly covering foals ears and walking them away.
“YES!!! AS TRADITION DICTATES I WOULD LOVE TO EXPERIENCE YOUR BODY!” he proclaims again, feeling he said that with hopefully enough enthusiasm.
“ECLIPSE WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!” She was both embarrassed and fuming at this point. Notus and Estelle were close by and heard the commotion, so went to check it out. The two are staying for the holiday to spend with some friends.
"What is she not getting?" he thought confused, “Winter as you said you have so much experience, I haven’t so Ummm...” he took out the book for help as he started to panic, what was he missing?! “You're a horse I’d like to ride you...” he read to her though less confident.
Estelle watched with a wide open mouth. “What in the name of Twilight is he doing? Where the heck did he get that book???!!” She said as Notus realized what he had done.
“I…have no idea hehe...” he lies nervously though feeling like an Idiot.
Eclipse went to his knees to Winter, “show me how to buck them apples!” He was pretty sure winter was now fully red, just like it said in the book.
“Let me see that book,” Winter asks calmly. When Eclipse handed it over she slammed it right on top of his head. “I can’t believe the pervert!!” She muttered as she flew home.
Notus and Estelle hurry over to Eclipse.
“Huh? What just happened….” He said feeling more confused than ever.
“What could have possibly compelled you to do that!! In public no less!!” Estelle questioned annoyed.
“It’s a tradition! I thought you all did! Notus said so,” Eclipse rubbed his head feeling like nothing made sense anymore. Estelle looked at Notus with a very angry look. The griffin just awkwardly whistled, Nullah was watching and giggling too much.
“Hey!!! He said he was looking for a gift for Winter and he went on and on about how special she was, I just wanted to help the two love birds!!” He held his claws up in defense.
“Wait, we aren’t love birds…” Eclipse said as his face went so red he could have become a tomato.
It then clicked to Estelle, “ooh no……so you thought you were giving him love advice, and Eclipse not being from around here….” She then burrows her head in her hoofs “this could not have gone any worse,”
Notus is annoyed “well you should have told me! I mean, I know you're not from around here but how could you think….” He then stopped as he saw Eclipse tear up.
They looked at one another with heavy sighs. “Look. I’m an idiot for thinking you guys were a couple and I should’ve asked for more details,” Notus started. “But now is your chance to make things up with her!”
“After that?! I highly doubt it, she was so red! She smacked him with a book!!” Estelle argued.
Eclipse takes a deep breath he felt ashamed as he picked up Nullah, “Thanks Notus.. I might need some time..” he gets up and walks off, then goes to a spot where no one is looking and goes through a portal back home. Winter flew back to her place feeling exhausted and annoyed, A familiar gray pegasus crashed at her doorstep and Winter hurried to help them.
"Are you okay Derpy?!"
"Ohhh I'm fine~" they assure, gathering their dropped packages and letters. "Last-minute holiday deliveries are always so busy...oh! This one's yours!" Derpy says holding out an envelope with the Winterbolt's wax seal.
"Thank you, Derpy! Happy holidays!" Winter called after the mail pony as she flew away to finish the rest of her deliveries. She picked it up and opened it. Her parents are busy with Wonderbolt business to have Hearts Warming dinner with her. Crumbling it up, she collapsed on her bed depleted of any holiday spirit
~~~
“Oh! Eclipse!! Welcome home!!” Midnight greeted him. “I thought you were spending the holidays with your…friend was it?”
“So did I...” Eclipse says, and fell face down on a couch. He sighed feeling tired. Nullah hurrying to get him some ice cream.
“Oh? what’s wrong my little troublemaker?” Discord floated over.
“Dad I think I’m done with this friendship stuff I just made the most Chaotic….like just, ahh” he screams into a cushion.
Midnight raised an eyebrow “what happened?”
“I made Winter mad…..like I asked her something inappropriate..”
“Oh wait hold on,” Discord says, snapping his fingers. The mirror on the wall changed to what had happened, the whole scene playing out for them to watch. Discord bursts out laughing, tears of joy coming out, “you said that?! In front of everypony?!”
With embarrassment, Eclipse went red, “...yes...” he admits.
Discord kept laughing “that’s so good!! It's as bad as Screwballs story!!!” He was in stitches, falling over behind the couch, “Don’t remind me of my Cousin” Eclipse sighed not in the mood.“ Midnight was less amused and confused.
She grabbed one of their own books, "Thifty shades of Nooroo," to hit him in the head with. “Dissy. Not now.” She scolds him.
“Sorry darling,” Discord quickly says. Rubbing the large growing bump on his head as it touched the ceiling.
“Have you spoken to her?” Midnight asks, coming to sit on the couch with Eclipse.
“I…mother, how could I? She’ll never forgive me! I just..." he said feeling like he lost his only friend.
“Well for one, you can blame your friend who gave you this horrible advice." Midnight scoffed, "But friendship isn’t perfect, you have to work your way around the bumps and turns,”
He sighs, “your right even if she hates me forever I do have to at least apologize I guess... it’s my responsibility plus I ain’t taking his advice again!” Eclipse quickly gets up, “I need to make this right!”
“Now, from my many other dimensional me’s, it’s best for you to approach with a gift!!!!” Discord suggests. Nullah nodded in agreement.
“I do have one actually, I was going to give it to her!" He then looks determined, Nullah slithering onto him again, "mother I’ll be back” he opens a portal and leaves, and Discord smiles.
“He’s growing in Maturity, our boy really is amazing…….but you gotta admit that’s flipping amazing,” he chuckles. Rewinding the mirror to watch it again with popcorn.
Meanwhile, Winter was trying to relax but couldn’t from the day's stress and events, she sighed as there was a knock at her door. She had a feeling who it was. She fluttered over and peeked through the peephole, internally groaning and rolling her eyes. “I’m not letting you in.”
“I mean we were just gonna sing but okay,” the Hearts Warming Carlo ponies said as they went to the next house Winter oofed with a hoofpalm, but Eclipse arrived just then he knew she meant him as he had heard.
“I know... and I don’t expect you to, I just want to explain myself then you never have to talk to me again! I’ll respect you not wanting me around...” Eclipse says.
“After what you did?! Geee thanks!!” She sat down, back against the door, still completely embarrassed about what happened.
“Look I’ll say it quickly... but Notus thought we were a couple. He misunderstood how close we are as something else and he... well…gave me advice and that book.” Eclipse sat down next to the door as well. Nullah proceeded to start ripping up the book. Eclipse sighed before speaking again,
“you have to understand; I don’t know this dimension well, and I’ve seen way more….extreme traditions in other worlds I also take creature literately…it’s a habit but so this didn’t seem too crazy….. Winter I wasn’t objectifying you nor did I want to…but I ……..doesn’t matter anyway, I still embarrassed you and I feel ashamed, and I should have asked him, so I’m so so sorry you do have all the right to be angry and…..” he rambled and started to tear up again, “if you don’t w-want to talk again that’s fine just I want you to know you mean everything to me a-and please, h-have this...” he slid the badge under the door.
She peeked an eye down at the badge, picking it up and awwing at the details and the little gems on it. Biting her lips she walked away. Thinking that was it, Eclipse stood up with a sigh and started to walk away, He felt lonelier than ever, and not wanting her to hear him cry he prepared to fly off. Then her door opened up and she had a gift of her own to give.
“Here, I meant to give this when we came home,” she offered him the box.
He looked surprised and wiped his eyes he levitated it to himself “thank you,” he said sincerely then opened it.
Inside was a dark purple saddle bag with his cutie mark on each of the flaps and his stars along the corners. “I know you probably have some other mythical saddlebag that has infinite space to use, instead but I just wasn’t sure what to give you,” she confessed.
“Honestly this is perfect…thank you so much….I…Winter, just being with you means more to me than any gift or weird Inter-dimensional mythological thing could ever do,” he confessed and chuckled as the two of them stood there, the feeling was strong and the snow was calm you could hear the pony carols in the distance.
“Ummm…if you want you can still come in? Hot chocolate, music, some special cookies for Nullah,” she booped the little snake as it reached out to her.
“I would love to…” he smiled, then walked into the house it was a little cold but Eclipse used magic on the fireplace and the room warmed up.
Winter put the badge on the cloak she usually wore, before making more hot chocolate. She put down Nullah’s plate of special cookies for him as they sat by the fireplace.
They sat together without speaking and Winter gave him a look to say, 'I understand, it’s ok'. He smiled back and was able to feel calm again. They sipped and enjoyed being together.
They told funny stories, made Hearts Warming dolls, and baked and decorated more cookies to share. Drank lots of hot chocolate and sat close to the fire.
It ended as a good night, the two knew how much the other cared for one another. Nullah went into a food coma after the amazing cookies and cupcakes.
The fire was warm and relaxing, but it grew very late for them. At first, Eclipse was unsure if he should go home or not, but Winter suggested that he should stay, after bringing some blankets and pillows. The two snuggled with a blanket next to the fire and fell asleep. Right beside one another. Waking to cheer on Hearts Warming day. They went out to play in the fresh patch of snow and drink even more hot chocolate.
Eclipse created a great snow fort and the two of them entered the most epic snowball fight of the decade! They laughed and giggled it was an amazing time.
They went back inside after freezing and shivering. Possibly getting sick but cups of hot chocolate always helped.
Nullah had stayed inside the whole time being a snake he wasn’t a fan.
The two of them chatted into the day while warming up, Winter found herself feeling something strong with him…she was not sure what it was yet but a feeling.
“This has honestly been my favorite Hearts Warming day ever,” she confessed after another cup of hot chocolate. “I never had many friends, and I’m glad to celebrate it with you,”
“Me too though it’s my first hehe," he chuckles before growing serious, "Winter, I’ll make sure you will never be alone, I promise to be there for you always.”
Winter’s heart was touched by that, hugging him tightly after putting her mug down. He hugged back, they were now truly close and feeling something special yet they were still unsure.
She went to go get more snacks and hot chocolate. When Nullah ran out of cookies, he slithered towards the kitchen when he noticed some crumpled paper under the couch. He slithered over and nudged it towards Eclipse.
He looked at it curiously then opens it and read its contents. After which, he realizes how lonely Winter must have been. When she walked back in he gave, he put the letter away and then smiled as he simply hugged her. She was getting used to all these sudden hugs and hugs back. Cheeks a rosy pink.
After the day was over the two of them had the best time, they gazed at each other and felt a warmth inside. Winter had never been as close to a pony that made her feel this happy as he did.
“Thank you for everything, and happy Hearts Warming,” he said softly.
“Happy hearts warming, Eclipse,” they clinked mugs before chugging more hot chocolate. Discord and Midnight watched from their mirror at how close they become, and were glad that they made up.