//------------------------------//
// Celestia's Long-Awaited Cuddle 
// Story: Shoot. Let's Be Santa. 
// by RunicTreetops 
//------------------------------//

As you exit the kitchen, you realize that it’s significantly colder in the hallway. That is, of course, almost certainly due to the oven making the kitchen warm, but you digress. Either way, you opted to not put your warm clothes back on, which are instead being carried in your arms.

Deciding to hasten your pace, you quickly make it to a large door marked with a familiar sun insignia. With a sigh of relief, you gently open the door as quietly as you can. It has been a very, very, very long day. But you know what?

You’re finally home free.

However, you’re caught off guard as you enter the large room. The bedroom you share with Princess Celestia is circular, with all the amenities you could possibly need that can’t be found in the hallway. A grand, king-size canopy bed, a luxuriously soft rug, an ornate vanity, a walk-in closet with more space than your entire apartment back in your old world, a private bathroom separate from the one in the hall, and even a glass double door that leads to a balcony with a spectacular view of Equestria.

Despite all of that, what currently has your attention is on the far side of the room. There’s a large fireplace there that admittedly sees very little use. However, at the moment, it appears that a fire has been lit.

And there, seated comfortably on the ground in front of it, is the dark outline of your beautiful wife, Celestia.

She turns to look at you, apparently having heard the quiet creaking of the door opening. The fire illuminates the far side of her body, giving you just enough to see that she’s smiling a tired smile at you. A soft-looking, holiday-themed hat adorns her head, her long horn poking through a hole made specifically for it. A large blanket is draped around her sizeable form, and she has removed all of her typical regalia.

All in all, she looks quite comfortable.

Without saying a word, she taps the space on the ground next to her. You give her a warm smile and set your winter clothes to the side before getting comfortable (and washing up a bit, it has been a hectic day) and plopping down next to her.

“I’m surprised you’re still up.” Your voice is soft and quiet, as it doesn’t feel right speaking any louder in this moment.

“Sunshine. It’s our first Hearth’s Warming Eve together as a married couple. Did you really think I was going to go to sleep before I could spend some time with you?”

“Oh…” You did know that it's your first Hearth's Warming Eve together, of course, but you thought she didn’t mind that you had so much to do. You feel a weight settle in your chest as your eyes droop to the floor. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”

To your surprise, you feel her wrap one of her large wings around you. It’s extremely soft and comforting, and to make that feeling even stronger, she slowly leans on you. She rests her head on your shoulder while the rest of her body presses against your side. You react by wrapping your arm around her as well, pulling her in just a bit closer.

Tia has always run a little warm. Whether that’s due to her being the princess of the sun or not is up for debate, but it’s always a comfortable amount of warmth. Her horn briefly hums as the yellow glow of her magic illuminates the fire-lit room. The next thing you know, her thick, comforting blanket is draped around the both of you. It creeps around your back before wrapping around your front, encapsulating both of you.

It’s difficult to describe just how cozy this scene is as you both look into the fire.

“Don’t be sorry. You wouldn’t be my lovely husband if you didn’t have a penchant for… not knowing when to quit, shall we say?”

“Heh, you make me sound stubborn.”

“Well, you are, but I more so meant that you have a hard time turning ponies down. Not that that’s a problem. I just wish you took better care of yourself.”

“And made more time for you?”

“Sunshine, with how busy my schedule is on a normal day, I’m in no position to judge you for being busy on one silly holiday. Besides...” Despite your position, she nuzzles her cheek against yours. It’s extremely soft. “You’re here now, right?”

“...Right.”

You turn your head to look at her, and her beautiful magenta eyes lock with your own. Both of you wear warm smiles as you silently gaze at each other. Neither of you say anything else. Neither of you need to say anything else. You’re content.

You slowly lean forward, and she has the same idea. Moments later, your lips touch. The two of you stay like that, simply enjoying the moment, for a long, long time, the only sounds in that Canterlot Castle bedroom being the crackling fire and your gentle breathing.

Finally, your lips part.

“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Tia.”

“Hmhm. Happy Hearth’s Warming, my sunshine.”