The gleaming light of morning was all my vision could see for the first few seconds they opened. The dazzling texture of the glow through the sheer curtains that did little to block out the light. I blinked away the overwhelm of sunshine, and felt my body ease. I didn't even know I had tensed up. A light array of birdsong filled the air, muffled by the glass of the window, but I didn't mind it. Too loud and I'd be too annoyed to stay cozy. I shifted my hooves, gently wrapping one around the pony next to me. His cobalt mane faced me. I forgot he tended to roll around in his sleep.
"Mmmh?" I heard a small stirring sound come from him. I must've disturbed his rest.
"S-sorry... just trying to snuggle up..."
"No..." He paused to yawn, "Worries."
The healthy dose of silent comfort returned, nearly silent. The birdsong was entering a sort of melodious crescendo outside. I swore I heard the neighbor's wind chimes jingling in the distance. The bedding around me and my partner was fairly cozy as well, a big quilt with many blues, purples, and greys forming almost a stormy color. Much like my mane. I wondered if that's why he picked it out. Or... did he have it custom knit? I couldn't recall.
I felt his warm body start to shift until he and I were facing one another, a small smile on his face. He was so handsome when he smiled like this, the passive dorky expression. Like somehow our relationship made him feel like a dumb schoolpony again. I couldn't help but smile too, "Morning, Flash..."
"Morning to you too... I take it you wanted to get your cuddling fix before I had to get up and get going?" He answered, a hint of teasing in his voice.
"N-no... well...." His smile pushed up his eyes as he tried not to laugh at me, "Yes..."
"I had a feeling." He pulled me against him with his hooves, nuzzling his snout on top of my head. Even his wings glided across and over me to embrace me fully. I felt my face heat up as he did, even averting my gaze. At this, he laughed, not too loudly or boisterously, just a warm chuckle of sorts.
"Why are you so flustered? We do this every morning!" He asked, snuggling his head into my mane.
"Can you blame me? You're quite the charmer."
"Why thank you! I try!" He kept me in his hooves a while longer, and slowly, I wrapped my wings around him too. As difficult as it may be, we'd done this so often it was like second nature to me. Easy enough to slip right into the comfortable position and prepare to spend maybe another half hour together. We would always set alarms when we absolutely needed to be up, but luckily, we were conscious just early enough to have a moment like this. They were my favorite, and he knew that about me.
"Hey, Rain?" He mumbled, already half asleep.
"Yeah?"
"I love you...." His voice was soft, a tender tone in it. He was the sappy type whenever we got into such a comfortably connected spot.
"I love you too...." I nuzzle my head into his chest, hearing his heartbeat in his chest. The calm rhythm of a resting stallion.
"You know... I dunno if I ever say this but." He started, paused, and continued, "You're the best mistake I've ever made."
"Mistake?"
"Y'know... most ponies they go out of their way to get with a specific pony. But I feel like we just... crossed paths. Stuck together as buddies for a while, and suddenly I realized I'd gone head over hooves for you...."
My cheeks felt hot again. "I get it, yeah... I don't know how so many ponies go out and pine for others like that. I don't think we ever did..."
"Nope... We just clicked. Two strangers, now a pair of handsome fellas sharing a bed. Crazy how that played out, huh?"
"When you put it that way, yeah. A little bit."
I felt him nod, a sort of rubbing again the top of my head. He was so, gentle... when he got all emotional. It was one of the most adorable things about him to me, and I often told him that. That his sincerity was his strongest feature. He found it silly to say that, but I meant it every time.
The sheets shifted as he started to snore softly into my mane, already knocking out completely on me. I didn't mind, the soft fluff of his chest was a satisfying place for me to rest my head. I felt my eyes start to close, and began to recall the day we'd met. Only a few years ago, but it felt like a lifetime ago.
"Sheesh, how long does it take to unlock the gate?" I remembered his face first, a disgruntled look on his face. He and I were stuck waiting for the entry gate to the guardspony base to open. I worked in the offices as a paperwork pony at the time. His hair was swept back like it always was, a thick scarf and heavy coat keeping him as warm as it could in the midst of a winter chill. Much like him, I wore a coat over a sweater with my own scarf. He bounced a bit, impatience growing.
"Jeez...." He groaned.
"Could be worse. The summer's out here are awful." I muttered, equally as sick of standing in the snow.
"I guess that's true, but they're a lot quicker with opening the gates when it's hot..."
"True..." I shrugged.
As if on command, the gate rose and we swiftly darted inside. Passing by the open training grounds and the many smaller structures to approach the main structure. We barged through the front doors, panting as we'd sped across the facility. But it was then we were getting a good look at one another. His blue eyes were playful, if not still a bit ticked off about the gates. I think I know now how the thought I looked back then. A 'distressed pegasus with a messy violet and blue mane and a coat of a sort of warm orange color wearing a bulky jacket'. He probably knew I was a bit shy from the get go, the way he looked at me so kindly. However, he somehow had me chatting with him right up until he was out the door to perform his patrols.
Standing in the hall that filled the space between my department and the outside, we began to slow our rolls. Laughter died down, and we recognized the requirement of our jobs. I smiled awkwardly, I'm sure, and he seemed unfazed. Saying a quick, "See ya later."
But, I didn't move. I stayed to see him off to his duties. Donning winter armor and handling a spear of some kind, he looked almost like a fabled hero in retrospect. I stayed there. Admired his confidence, his excitement. As he departed he turned to me and said, "Actually, we gotta hang out again later. Do you mind if I track you down after our shifts and we can pick up where we left off?"
I nodded, smiling.
And just like that.
Our alarm rang.