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// One Hearth's Warming Eve 
// Story: One Hearth's Warming Eve... 
// by CRYST4LCLEAR 
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Rico just recently moved to Ponyville. He had a disease. A disease that is destroying his brain. Or at least he believed it to be a disease. No pony has ever seen a disease as destructive as this. It is a very slow and painful way to go through life. Rico has been going on through life for over 200 years, not living up to anything. He is also a very lonely pony. No friends, no family. No one to take care of him. So after he got out of fillyhood, he began taking care of himself. Now, after 200 years of hardships, Rico decided to move here as his final home town. This is the story of Rico and a pink pony who changed his life.

Rico has just finished unpacking, just in time for Hearth's Warming week. Some sweat came off his short mane and dripped onto the freshly washed carpet. Snow began to fall outside the barrier of warmth and comfort that was his home. Although he was tired, Rico wanted to explore the unknown land of Ponyville. As soon as the door opened, the coldness of winter filled his once bright home with frighteningly cold wind. Rico stepped outside and set his hoof in the barren wasteland of frozen water. Though beautiful, the snow was cold and sharp as it bit at his hooves and the wind kissed his cheeks. 

Everypony was safe and warm in their beds, as Hearth's Warming Eve was approaching. The streets were silent. The only noise was the sound of the howling wind. It was almost as if Windigos were stalking him, preparing to strike. All lights were out, except for one. It was coming from a bakery. On Sugarcube Corner. Rico wiped the frost off the window and cleared a path for his vision to seep through the glassy material of window. There was a pony. A pink pony. She had a darker pink mane and tail. She was happily sweeping the counter of a sweets display case with a rag when she spotted Rico. She instantly stopped and waved. Rico waved back, but stopped after that. She was beautiful. Her eyes glowed like the shine of a working oven. Her mane was silkier than bubble gum. Her appearance was enough to make Rico stand in place. But, he then had the strength to say, "Are you open?"

The pony looks behind her and kicks away a "closed" sign. She motions with her hooves for Rico to enter the bakery. As soon as he entered, the aroma of sweets and bread instantly filled Rico's nostrils, which tickled. The pony offered Rico a piece of cake. She could clearly tell that he was new. The cake almost melted when it entered his mouth. His heart almost leaped with the sudden amount of sugar. The pony smiled. Her smile was sweeter than any sweet in the shop. Again, they entered the world of stares, not blinking, but was interrupted by a voice.

"Pinkie! I thought I told that this store was closed!"

"Oh! Uh, sorry, Mr. Cake!"

Pinkie... thought Rico. What a beautiful name... 

The orange pony notices Rico.

"And who are you? I can safely say that I have not seen you around here before."

"I'm Rico, sir."

The orange pony smirks and begins to laugh. "Mr. Cake is fine. When did you move here, Rico?"

"A few hours ago."

"Wow. Well, I see that you have already met Pinkie..."

"Yeah... We have..."

Pinkie blushes and begins to smile again. She tries to use her mane to hide it. 

"Well, sorry you had to see me like this. I'm pretty sure that I told somepony to close down the bakery for the night."

Pinkie looks down.

Mr. Cake lets Pinkie off the hook and asks if she wants to walk with Rico. Pinkie immediately perked up and began jumping off the walls. 

After a few minutes, Pinkie was finished putting on her jacket, scarf, and boots. Then, they set out. They began talking and laughing no-stop, which took their minds off the frozen snow. The snow was falling faster by the time they reached Rico's street.

"Wow... It's really starting to snow now. I don't think it's such a good idea to walk all the way back to the bakery in this weather."

By the time Rico finished, the snow already rose a foot above the ground. Going through that would be suicide.

"Well, I guess it would be ok to stay here for the night. I'm sure Mr. Cake wouldn't mind."

"Great! I'll get a fire started!"

Rico immediately began pushing boxes out of the way, making room for Pinkie to move around. Then, he threw the fire wood into the fireplace and used his magic to light a flame. The room was filled with a warm orange glow, leaving big shadows on the walls. 

"Sorry it's so messy. Just got moved in, and I didn't get time to clean it up."

"Rico, it's fine..."

Then, it was silent. Only the sound of a ticking clock and the burning wood was heard throughout the house.

"Hot chocolate?"

"Sure."

Rico walked into the kitchen to make his favorite holiday drink. He added all the essentials, along with a special recipe that was passed down from generation to genration in his family. It made the coco that much sweeter, and more tolerable on the tongue. After adding the secret recipe, Rico was done. He brought back the drinks to see Pinkie asleep on the couch. She was huddling in for more warmth.

Well, more for me, I guess, thought Rico.

He looked outside his window. It was impossible to see past the army of falling snow. The snow seemed to be falling harder and harder every hour. But as long as he was inside, there was nothing to worry about. He returned his attention to Pinkie, who was happily sleeping, dreaming who knows what. Rico slowly and gently stroked her mane. She breathed a sigh of relief. Rico placed a blanket on top of her and sat besides her, watching the sleeping angel dream off. He couldn't help but chuckle. He looked towards the hot chocolate, which was now cold.

By the time his eyes were open, sun rays were beating on his fur and his eyes. He first looked at the fireplace, which the wood had burned out, then to where Pinkie was sleeping, although she wasn't there. Rico could smell toast and eggs. He walks into the kitchen and sees a plate of, what else, toast and eggs. Next to the plate was a note.

Dear Rico,

Morning, Rico! Did you sleep well? I sure did! I don't know. Maybe it was because you were with me. I can bet my cupcakes on that. Anyway, have some breakfast. Sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. Mr. Cake wanted me to come by because all the towns ponies are trying to buy the sweets at once. Well, Hearth's Warming eve is almost here, so I can see why. Thanks for letting me stay for the night. Why don't you stop by? I want to introduce you to my friends.

Sincerely,
Pinkie

Rico quickly ate his breakfast and dashed for the bakery. The snow was lower than last night, but it was still very high. Rico used his magic to push away the snow and make a path. Halfway through, Rico noticed that the snow wall was replaced with a pony wall. It seemed as though everyone in town was at the bakery. Apparently, cutting won't be a possibility.

After a hour, Rico was starting to lose it. How the others were able to stay in line was beyond him. Then, he spotted Mr. Cake and Pinkie handing out sweets. They saw how long the line was and didn't want to keep them waiting. It was a matter of time before Pinkie reached him. Then, 5 other ponies came out of the bakery handing out sweets as well. They were Pinkie's friends. A orange pony with a cowpony hat and a apple cutie mark walked up to Rico. She looked at him. 

"Can I help you, miss?"

"Are ya new 'round here, partner?"

"Yes."

"Ah knew it. Ah don't remember seeing ya here before. Anyway, want sumthin'?"

"Nah. I was waiting to see Pinkie."

"Oh, ah'll call her over. Hey, Pinkie! Somepony wants to to talk to ya!"

"Who?"

"Some new pony. Says that you left a note for him to come here."

She gasped and sped right in front of the orange pony, staring right into Rico's eyes. After a few seconds she gave him a huge hug and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Everypony just stopped and stared. Rico, who was still holding Pinkie, was starting to get embarrassed. But just as it could've gotten worse, Pinkie called out "Hey, Mr. Cake! Can you hold down the fort here for a while?" 

"Actually, no, I can't. I have t-"

"Ok, great! Bye!"

Then, they all left, leaving Mr. Cake to deal with the now rioting ponies.

Up on a hill at the edge of the Everfree Forest, everypony was lying down and stretching their legs after all the working at the bakery. But afterwards, all of Pinkie's friends were gathering around, anxious to meet Pinkie's new friend. 

"Rico, these are my friends. Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash." said Pinkie as all the ponies nodded in greeting as their names were called. 

After the names, Pinkie asked Rico what his life was like. Rico knew this was coming. He briefly told the story of his life, leaving out the part about his disease and his loneliness. Heck, he basically changed his entire life. Pinkie stared at Rico in envy and wonder. The rest of the day, the friends talked and laughed, telling each other stories and telling jokes. Pinkie was going noticeably closer to Rico every minute, up to the point where their flanks were touching. 

At the end of the day, everypony went home, leaving Rico and Pinkie alone together under the orange sky. Apparently, the food made both Pinkie and Rico sleepy for the next thing they knew, they were waking up to see a dark sky full of floating diamonds. Pinkie was lying on Rico's chest, her hoof on his heart. At first, Rico almost jumped up, but after a few seconds, he let it go and smiled. Rico laid her down on the mat and laid next to her. He turned to his side. He looked down to see their tails intertwining. Then, he knew that she was awake. Her eyes was open, letting the brightness of the stars make her eyes sparkle. His hoof reach around her, pulling her in for a hug. If anything could make Pinkie feel safe, it was a hug from him. He leaned in as she closed her eyes. She wasn't prepared for this. But she could not hide her feelings any longer. She embraced the moment. 

Their lips connected. At first, Pinkie's tongue only touched his lips. But, she then forcefully pushed past his teeth, sending her tongue deep into his mouth. The suden jerk had Rico wanted to resist at first, but he found the moment too perfect to think correctly. Rico pulled Pinkie closer to him as her tongue continued to explore his mouth. She finally broke the kiss. They were both breathless. Rico, who was still shocked by the sudden turn of events, stood completely still. Pinkie giggled and pushed her mane away from her eyes. She looked into his eyes again and whispered, "I love you..."

Rico, who now caught his breath, said, "I love you too..."

They laid even closer together than before, looking up at the starry sky. They were holding hooves. Rico's guilt of not telling the truth was haunting him at that moment. He couldn't keep it in.

"Hey, Pinkie?"

"Hm?"

"Remember that story of my life? I'm sorry. I was lying."

"Huh?"

"Yeah. I'm actually pretty lonely. I don't have any friends or family. And to top it all off, I have a pretty serious disease. I won't get into detail though."

"Don't worry. I knew you were lying all along. That's what I like about you, Rico. You tell lies to keep everypony from worrying, like you did with me and my friends."