> Morning Gem > by LightGust > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Rise and Shine > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samuel pulled the coffee pot from the machine. He took a deep whiff of the dark, steaming brew and let out a sigh as he savored the aroma. Setting the pot to the side, he reached into the cupboard in front of him to retrieve two mugs. On Earth, he'd have to reach higher to do so. Pony architecture tended to make some things more convenient, and vice versa. Tilting the pot slightly, he let one mug fill up within an inch of the rim, doing the same with the other a moment later. He nodded with a grin of satisfaction as the two cups were perfectly filled. Glancing toward the stairs, Samuel decided it was time a certain somepony joined the waking world. He slowly and quietly tiptoed up the stairs to the second floor of the boutique, reaching the door at the end of the hall and cracking it. As he looked in, he found exactly what he was looking for. An ivory unicorn, her indigo mane tossed about from an exhausting night. The outline of her form slowly rose and feel with her steady breaths. Samuel couldn't help but grin at the raher adorable sight. The poor dear had stayed up quite late to finish a large order of gowns for a group of bridesmaids, ensuring that each little thread and loop of fabric was nothing short of sheer perfection. It was one of the things he most admired about the mare: her dedication to her work. Samuel silently crept over to the side of their bed, gingerly taking a seat on the plush mattress. He extended a hand to rest on the unicorn's withers, giving a gentle nudge and whispering, "Rarityyyy..." The mare showed no response, so he nudged a little more firmly. "Rarityyyy. Sweetheart, time to greet the day." This time he was greeted by a low, pitiful groan. Rarity stirred slightly under the covers, burying her face into her pillow. Chuckling, he leaned in close to brush some of her mane away from her ear so he could whisper softly, "You've got to get up, love. Remember the order?" Once more he received a lazy groan in response, this time accompanied with a few muffled words. "What was that?" "Noooo..." Rarity pitifully moaned, lifting her muzzle up just enough to be heard more clearly. This prompted another chuckle from Samuel. "Rarity, it's 10:25. I think you've slept long enough." "Noooo. Jushtcmmswwrrmm..." The mare trailed off. Another chuckle from him. "What?" "Just come snuggle with me, darling. The day is going nowhere." She cooed. Samuel's hand became enveloped in a gentle, blue glow as the unicorn's horn was surrounded by the same glow. Gently pulling his arm close, Rarity wrapped her hooves around it in an affectionate embrace, laughing contently as a grin spread across her lips. "Rarity, I want nothing more than to just snuggle in bed with you all day, but you'll be late. The wedding is in a few hours." He whispered, bringing his hand to scratch gently under that special little spot on her neck that she couldn't resist. That certainly got a response. Rarity positively purred as those soft, dexterous fingers rubbed along her coat in the most wonderful of ways. "Mmmm, no. Nothing will make me leave this bed." He let out a soft sigh of faux resignation. "Well, I was planning to make breakfast, as I know you love my French toast so much. But I suppose I could get Sweetie Belle-" "You wouldn't dare." The mare hissed. A defeated sigh left her lips. "Fine. Curse you, Sammy." Grinning as he briefly relished his small victory, the man found his arm now free as the unicorn slowly stretched her limbs out. A long, slightly squeaky yawn left Rarity's lips as she slowly sat upright, turning towards him with a tired grin. "Good morning, darling." "Good morning, my gem." He chuckled before leaning in and placing a loving kiss on her forehead, one she happily returned to his cheek. Cooing, Rarity brought to her lover's cheek to turn his head slightly before meeting his lips in a tender kiss. The couple savored the loving embrace of their lips before separating, looking into each other's eyes with adoration. "I made you coffee, just the way you like it." He grinned. "Oh, what did I ever do to deserve you?" She swooned, causing them both to giggle. As Samuel got to his feet Rarity soon followed, albeit more sluggish as her legs were still in the process of waking up. They slowly descended from upstairs and made their way into the kitchen, which seemed to glow from the sunlight beaming through the window. Rarity's telekinetic grasp took hold of one of the warm mugs on the counter, bringing it to her muzzle as she took a slow sip. She hummed n delight as the brew provided her with instant relief. "Oh darling, I don't know what magic you work into the coffee every day, but it is simply divine." "Heh, it's just my thing, I guess." He replied, snatching his own mug and sipping his own helping of liquid ambrosia. Rarity made her way to the table by the window, finding today's paper sprawled out ready for reading. As she took another sip from her coffee, she began to let her eyes wander over the paper's headlines. Samuel had wandered to the fridge to begin gathering ingredients for their breakfast. He turned Rarity's way, intending to ask her a question, but found himself halting as his mouth opened. There was something about the way the sun seemed to greet the ivory unicorn. The faint shimmer of her horn as she held her mug aloft. The warm, welcoming glow of the sun as it illuminated her indigo mane beautifully. Though it was messy and no doubt containing no small amount of tangles, it was still an absolutely lovely sight. But perhaps the most enchantjng sight Samuel could note was Rarity's eyes. Those deep, vivid pools of sapphire that he found himself lost in all too often. Any time he was feeling at his lowest, or when he just couldn't keep his temper under control, he needed only to look into his mare's eyes. Those lovely, incomparable eyes. "...mmy. Darling. Is everything alright?" He blinked away his confusion for a moment as he noticed the slightly concerned look on Rarity's face. "Is something the matter, darling? You seemed to...space out for a moment there." Samuel offered a reassuring grin in return, walking across the kitchen to bend down on her level. His arms brough her into a soft, her firm hug as he nuzzled his cheek into her indigo curls. "Everything's perfect, my precious gem." He sighed. Though she was confused for a moment, Rarity abandoned that as she leaned into her beloved's embrace eagerly. She nuzzled his cheek and let a contented sigh escape her lips. In that moment, there was only man and made, simply enjoying the company of their dearest loves in the warm grasp of the morning sun.