The day had finally come, Aspect would reflect to himself as he dragged his body out of bed.

Getting something Wonderbolts-related up in Canterlot had been a hassle. The shop had been a madhouse. An absolute madhouse.

Fortunately, getting Rarity some fancy fabric to work with wasn’t so bad. Though it was their last roll on the shelf.

A wonderful mare name Golden Harvest here in town had been happy to provide for him carrots that looked absolutely delicious not a day ago. He’d hit them with a quick preserving charm once he was behind closed doors. Hopefully Fluttershy would appreciate them.

After a quick trip to Rarity’s the other day, Bon Bon and him had returned to the shop and gotten Applejack some boots, and Aspect had even found that ancient, ancient article of clothing he thought he’d had back from Dream Valley.

And he had indeed had an old book of stories from Paradise Estate. Something he doubted Twilight would have. Something Megan herself had brought to this world.

A trip up to Manehatten had found him a jewelry store that had a set of sun and moon jewelry. They were meant to be a matched set, but Aspect would break them up for his daughters.

The only mare in question he hadn’t had the ability to actually shop for was Bon Bon herself. So it was with growing desperation that he’d asked Lyra just the other day as to what Bon Bon would like to get for Hearth’s Warming. That had been… a chore in and of itself…

“So,” Lyra said with a coy smile. “Can’t figure out Bonnie huh? So you came to me instead?”

“I’d hoped you’d have some insight as to what to get her,” Aspect said. “Chocolates seem like such a pointless gesture to the master of the craft.”

“Yup, good sense there. Bonnie is super picky about her chocolates,” Lyra nodded. “Jewelry is also a big no-no, cause it could fall off while she’s cooking.”

“I could try taking her out to a nice dinner, but I get the sinking feeling anywhere that I would define as nice enough for her would have had their reservations booked months in advance,” the stallion mused.

“Right again,” Lyra nodded. “You know, you could give her a deep, passionate kiss~”

“Every time I so much as peck her on the cheek, she imitates a shrinking rose,” Aspect said. “Blooms into a full red, but sinks into the earth.”

“You’ve kissed her on the cheek!?” Lyra must have missed that during her spying. “Aww, I missed out.” She folded her legs and sighed. “Look, I could tell you, I know what she wants. But if you got it, she’d know you came to me. I think as long as your heart is in it. Then she’ll love it.”

“This is the first time I’ve dated in a few thousand years, miss Lyra,” Aspect said. “What do you want as a bribe so that Hearth’s Warming is perfect for her?”

“Alright, alright. Keep your wings on,” Lyra giggled. “Look, you didn’t hear this from me okay? But is just so happens that our little Bonnie is a closet nerd. She just loves collecting these little figurines from a tabletop game. I don’t know if she actually plays it, but she has shelves full of them. I think the Arcade here in town sells a few, and there’s a specialty store in Canterlot that does delivery. Don’t worry if you get a double either, it’ll just give her an excuse to paint it differently.”

It had taken him all of yesterday to both get information from the colt that ran the arcade about the figurines in question that Bon Bon liked, then take that information up to Canterlot in search of said specialty store. And apparently there was a new one that had been released just recently, so Aspect figured it to be a safe bet as one she didn’t have. And by the time he got back and collapsed in the entryway’s couch, placed there specifically for guests suffering from ‘long-day-itis,’ he’d even thought up a story that would put Lyra in the clear.

Go him.

Now all he had to do was actually deliver these presents. Though he had the sneaking suspicion that two of the recipients would come to him by day’s end. Perhaps from Canterlot?

Ah well. He loaded up the cart that Pinkie had left from the Ball a while ago with the presents he’d procured and began plodding into town.

He had mares to see.

Given the location of his house, the closest pony to see was Rarity, as her shop sat on the fringes of Town Square. The snow crunched lightly under his hooves as he approached the Boutique, all decorated and lit up for the holidays. It truly was a wonderful sight on such a cold day.

Aspect unhitched himself from the cart, walked around to the back of it, pulled out a long, circular package, and placed it on his back. The stallion then walked up to the door and knocked a few times before waiting.

The door opened and Sweetie Belle stared up at him, taking a few seconds before she recognised him. “Oh! Hiya Mr. Balanced Aspect. Happy Hearth’s Warming!!”

“And a good Hearth’s Warming to you as well, Sweetie Belle,” Aspect said with a smile. “Is your sister in? I have a gift for her.”

“Sure!’ Sweetie chirped and opened the door for him. “Come inside and I’ll get her for you.”

“I can do that, but only for a moment,” the stallion said as he stepped into the parlor. “I have some other mares to go see today, after all.”

Sweetie nodded and bolted off into the shop, calling for Rarity. A short moment later, the mare in question emerged and smiled at Aspect. “Oh, hello darling.” Her eyes flicked up for a second and she smiled as she approached him. “Now, what can I do for you today?” she asked, kissing him on the cheek.

“Aha,” Aspect said as he noticed the mistletoe hanging above. “Are we waiting for somepony in particular?”

“Perhaps lamenting that a certain mare beat me to the punch, as it were,” Rarity smiled. “Still, perhaps I’ll get a nice surprise this year. So. What can I do for you today?”

“Ah, dear Rarity, you are asking that question wrong,” Aspect said, before presenting her with the gift. “It’s what can I do for you? A token of my esteem, as it were, for services rendered this past summer.”

“Oh my,” Rarity gasped and took it with her magic. “I am to assume I should open it now, or later?”

“Whenever you think you need a nice roll of fabric from Canterlot,” Aspect said with a shrug. “I will freely admit I am no fashionista, but the fabric itself looked nice.”

“Oh dear, and now you’ve spoiled the surprise of me opening it,” Rarity playfully scolded him. She unwrapped it and looked it over. “Oh my, this is simply divine~ I already feel inspiration calling me.”

“Then my work here is done,” the stallion said with a bow. “Lady Rarity, I am pleased you enjoy my gift.”

“I most certainly do,” Rarity nodded and smiled. “Thank you for the wonderful gift Aspect.”

“My pleasure, but if you will permit me to egress from your fabulous presence, I have a herd of other mares to see to on this Hearth’s Warming day.”

“If you must, parting is such sweet sorrow,” Rarity sighed dramatically. “I shall see you again soon Aspect. Have a good holiday.”

“Take care, milady,” Aspect said before turning to leave.

One down, six to go.

Next was Fluttershy. Her house was one of the ones furthest from Ponyville, and the preservation charm would, ironically, only last so long. The stallion walked through the snow, thankful that either the pegasi hadn’t piled it on over here, or that somepony had shoveled out the path to her home.

It took him the better part of an hour to actually reach her front door, though. Once he did, he unhitched himself, found the appropriate gift, and walked up to the door, knocking a few times.

“Eeek! U-Um… W-Who is it?” he heard the timid pegasus ask softly from inside.

“Balanced Aspect,” he said. “I brought you a Hearth’s Warming present.”

There was silence for a moment, before the door clicked and Fluttershy peeked out. “Oh, it’s just you…” She sighed and opened the door. “Please, come inside.”

“Thank you, this will only take a moment,” Aspect said as he presented her with the small, brightly wrapped box once he stepped in. “You’re a hard mare to shop for, but then I realized that you might like something for your friends just as much as you might like something for you.”

Fluttershy tilted her head and opened the box carefully. “Oh my, they look so fresh and delicious,” she smiled. “Thank you very much Mr. Aspect.”

“Just a little preservation charm,” Aspect said with a smile. “Once I heard your favorite friend was a bunny, it was the only logical thing to get.”

“I’m sure he’ll love them, as will I,” Fluttershy smiled and nuzzled the stallion. She smelled like strawberries and sunflowers. “Thank you for such a thoughtful gift.”

“And thank you for everything you’ve done,” Aspect said with a smile.

“That’s quite alright,” Fluttershy smiled and took a step back. “Oh, and do be careful outside. Some naughty foals have been scaring my animals with snowballs all morning.”

“Naughty foals, eh?” the stallion mused. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you again, miss Fluttershy.” He bowed to her once before taking his leave.

Once outside, he was about to hitch his wagon back up when several snowballs impacted it, another volley aimed right for him.

“So, you want to play?” the stallion growled out. There was something almost...dangerous about his voice. Nearly feral. His wings extended as the sensation of gathering power built in the air. Anypony who’d been there for his date with Bon Bon not long ago would have recognized this pose.

This was the pose he took before the winds turned.

Snips and Snails yelped in surprise as a powerful wind was whipped up, burying the colts under a few inches of snow.

“Uuhhh, we give up,” Snails called out.

“Nice try boys,” Aspect said before he hitched himself up his cart and started walking past them again. “Go and be with your families on this Hearth’s Warming. That’s what it’s about. Unless you want me to make snowponies out of you.”

“Yes sir…” they called out after their crushing defeat. Now, where should he go next…?

Applejack ended up being his next stop. She was also pretty far from town, so it’d make sense to get her out of the way as well. Once again, he was in for a long walk. One that gave him plenty of time to take in the cold winter air.

He liked the cold.

It didn’t really seem to take long at all before the stallion was holding two packages on his back as he knocked on the Apple Family door.

The door opened and he was greeted by an elderly mare, who gazed at the stallion with a scrutinising stare.

“Hmm, and who might you be whippersnapper?”

“I’m Balanced Aspect,” he greeted with a bow. “I came to give miss Applejack some presents for Hearth’s Warming.”

“Well, why didn’t ya’ll say so?” she smiled and threw a hoof around his neck. “Applejack! Yer ‘special somepony’ is here ta see ya!”

There was sound from the kitchen, like somepony had dropped a plate before Applejack poked her head out. “Mah what now?”

“Hello miss Applejack,” Aspect said as he discreetly scanned the ceiling for any more surprise mistletoe.

“Well howdy Aspect,” Applejack pulled him inside. “You’ll catch yer death o’cold out there. Come inside an’ warm up.” She also shot a glare to her granny as the old mare just laughed in response.

“I brought some presents for you,” Aspect said. “One that should be given in private, and one that you can have right now.” He messed with the boxes until he held the one that had her new boots in them before him.

“P-Private?” Applejack blushed slightly. “Now lookie here Mister. Ah ain’t that kinda mare—”

“It’s just a hat,” he said with a chuckle. “But I doubt your family will believe the history behind it.”

“A hat?” Applejack tugged on her ever-present Stetson. “Whut about it that ah won’t believe? Y’all shouldn’t put words in mah mouth.”

“I didn’t say you wouldn’t believe it, but your family doesn’t know me as well as you do,” Aspect said cryptically, before pushing the box with the boots towards her. “But first, these.”

“Alright,” she hummed and opened the box. She took out the boots and smiled. “Well, ah reckon these are some mighty fine boots Aspect.” She slid them on her hooves and tightened the straps around the top. Once she slid on all four, she took a few steps around the room to show them off. “Eeyup, mighty fine indeed.”

“I’m glad you like them,” the stallion said with a smile. “Now, why don’t we retire to another room before I give you your second gift?”

Granny Smith let out a wolf-whistle and Applejack groaned and facehooved. “Jus’ lemme get a few things. We’ll use mah room. Upstairs, red door on the left.”

Aspect nodded and went up to her room, to wait for the mare in question. Hopefully she liked it. She already had a hat, after all. he only had to wait a few minutes, before her door opened and the mare stepped inside. She was carrying a tray on her back with two mugs and two plates with some hot apple pie on them.

Bon Bon had warned him about this. The Legendary Apple Family apple pie.

The one dish that even Bons said outclassed her cooking.

He wasn’t sure his taste buds were prepared. There was only room for one mare in his social life like that at a time.

“Figured y’all could use a little snack and somethin’ ta warm you up befer you go,” She set down the tray and smiled. “So, whatcha got fer me that’s so secret?”

Aspect merely smiled while he did his best to put off eating the pie just yet. He wasn’t sure he could handle it. Instead, he presented her with the second box. Applejack looked at it curiously and opened it, revealing the article.

“A hat?” she asked, her eyes flicking up to her own. “Ah don’t get it. What’s so secret about this here hat?”

“Its history,” Aspect said. “Back in the days of Dream Valley, there was a mare that was also called Applejack. A human known as Megan Williams would help the ponies when they needed a more...diplomatic approach to things. One day, she gave that Applejack, this hat.”

Applejack looked at it, running her hoof across it gently. “Are… you sure?” she asked. “This belonged to yer friend. Ah… don’t feel right takin’ it from ya.”

“It belonged to an Applejack once,” Aspect said with a smile. “I feel it’s time it belonged to an Applejack again.”

The apple mare smiled fondly and removed her Stetson, replacing it with her new hat. She adjusted it and tugged it down slightly over one eye. “Heh… perfect fit.”

“Who’da thunk it,” Aspect said, before absently drinking the beverage provided to him. It was amazingly delicious, like a warm hug from the inside out. And seeing Applejack standing there in that hat. It was like seeing the old AJ all over again.

“You remind me so much of her,” he whispered absently. “It’s like looking into the past.”

Applejack blushed slightly and looked away. “Don’t go gettin’ all mushy on me. S’embarrassin’.”

“Oh no,” Aspect said before putting a hoof to his chest. “The mare has engaged her cuteness defense systems. I can’t hold out much longer.”

“Yer a silly pony,” Applejack chuckled and tugged at her hat again. And then Aspect ate the pie without thinking, before letting out a little whimper.

“Aspect?” Applejack blinked as her emerald eyes gazed into his. “You… okay?”

“Ruined,” he said. “Every other food is ruined now.”

Applejack gave him a flat stare. “Seriously? Yer bein’ a tad dramatic ain’t ya?”

“I can never eat anything but your pies ever again,” he said seriously. “How much for a lifetime supply?”

“You’d hafta marry me,” she snarked back.

“Sorry, prior engagement,” Aspect said, once again, quite seriously. “Would bits do?”

“...Ah can’t tell if yer bein’ serious or not,” Applejack said with a small headtilt. “Tell ya what Aspect. Are y’all still datin’ Bon Bon?”

“Yes, and she warned me that this day would come,” he said with a nod. “The day when I ate your pies.”

“Ah’m sure Pinkie would make a joke there,” Applejack said. “Look, ah’ll tell ya what. I’ll teach her how to make it. Ya normally gotta be an Apple to learn how to make these pies, so there’ll be a few strings attached. But if it stops ya from cleanin’ out mah stand everyday…”

“...I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, or the best idea,” Aspect said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Let’s go with good and you can stop makin’ that creepy face,” she chuckled. “Call it… thanks, fer sharing a little slice of yer friendship.”

“And thank you for the pie,” Aspect said, before swiftly devouring and savoring the rest of the slice. It was so good, it was almost a crime to eat it.

“Yer a silly pony,” Applejack shook her head. “Come on, ah’ll show ya out befer Granny gets another fool idea in her head.”

The stallion whimpered at the thought of no more pie, before rallying as he remembered that he had other friends to see today.

He had been on his way to Pinkie Pie’s, to give her the frosting kit that he and Bon Bon had purchased, when he saw a chromatic streak flying through the sky. Figuring that this might be his only chance, he yelled for the mare that was leaving it. “Rainbow Dash!” he called to the heavens.

There was a sudden shift in the wind, before the pegasus screamed down towards him, landing a few dozen feet away and skidding to a stop. It resulted in a wave of snow that buried the stallion quite effectively.

“You rang?” Rainbow asked. The response she got was muffled until Aspect shook his head free of the snow.

“You mind digging me out, first?” he said with a flat stare.

Rainbow snorted, then fell back laughing. “Bwahahaha! You look like a giant marshmallow!”

“Any day now,” he said, still staring at her. “I’m sure you’ll get your gift eventually…”

“Alright, hey Aspect?” Rainbow narrowed her eyes in cheek. “Chill out.”

“I didn’t know you could be so cold,” he fired back. “Though if you want to see how cold a stare I really have…”

“Hahaha, Snow need to get upset,” Rainbow giggled as she flapped her wings and then blitzed past him, the drag she created tore the snow right off of him before she landed again.

“Muuuuch better,” the stallion sighed. “Now, give me just a moment…” He unhitched himself and walked to the back, pulling out the long, circular tube that held the poster he’d managed to get in the Wonderbolt’s store up in Canterlot. “Got a little something for you up in Canterlot. Last one, too. Had to fight for it, nearly.”

Rainbow blinked and unwrapped the tube before opening it and pulling out the poster. She unfurled it and stared at it. “Is… is this… a signed poster? Like, the one that’s always sold out!?”

“Like I said, the last one,” the stallion said with a nod. “Heard you were a big Wonderbolt fan, figured I could get you a little something while I was in the town.” She carefully put the poster back in the tube, it was probably the slowest he’d ever seen her move.

That moment quickly ended when he received a ballistic hug from the mare. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!”

“Ack!” He said as he fell back onto his flank. “Alright, I’m already dating, you can stop any second now!”

“Ah!” Rainbow jumped back and scuffed the ground with her hoof. “Y-Y’know, s’a cool gift I guess.”

“There’s the mare I know,” Aspect chuckled as he stood up. “I’m happy you enjoy it. Consider it my way of paying you back for services rendered in the summer.”

“S’cool,” Rainbow smiled and brushed her mane out of her eyes. “Sorry for covering you in snow.”

“Forgiven already,” the stallion said with a wave of his wing. “Take care, and Happy Hearth’s Warming.”

“You too,” she beamed and clutched the poster as she flew off, performing a few tricks for him before zipping off and out of sight.

“Hmm, I coulda sworn I was supposed to mention something?” Dash mused and then shrugged. “Oh well.”

Aspect smiled and continued on his way to Sugar Cube Corner, where Pinkie worked and lived. After her, it would be Twilight, then Bon Bon. He was nearly done.

The stallion knocked on the door after positioning the gift directly in front of him. This one was heavy. The door opened and..

“SUPRISE!!”

“Pinkie,” he said with a sigh. “I came here to give you a gift!”

“Aww, really?” the pink mare hauled him inside where it was nice and warm. “Wowie! That’s a big giftie!”

“And I still have other mares to see today,” the stallion said as he looked around. “Not that I’m not touched that you’re throwing a party, but I can’t stay just yet.”

“Huh? Oh, silly Aspey! This party isn’t for you, but you’re totally invited if you want. The girls should be here in an hour or so.”

“Tempting, I’ll see if I’m free then,” Aspect said. “Go on and open your gift, Pinkie.”

Pinkie nodded rapidly and took the gift, she grunted when she felt it’s weight and tilted her head before tearing into the wrapping paper. When she unveiled it, the pink party mare fell… oddly silent.

“Do you not like it?” he asked worriedly. A silent Surprise was always a bad thing. He could only assume a silent Pinkie was moreso. “Did I get the wrong one?”

“N-No,” Pinkie whispered and he could see tears running down her cheeks. “This… I’m just so…”

“So?” he prodded the mare verbally.

She started to vibrate. This could only end badly, so the stallion backed up a step. Pinkie suddenly exploded, there were even fireworks? Confetti rained down as Pinkie peppered his face in kisses as she hugged him out of nowhere.

“I take it you like?” he barely managed to wheeze out. Pinkie was an Earth Pony, and by default, her hugs were strong. Heck, they were somehow stronger than Luna’s!

“OHMIGOSH THIS IS THE BESTEST HEARTH’S WARMING EVER!!!”

Dear gods! She was even louder than Luna.

“I kinda...need air,” Aspect gasped out. Pinkie blinked and dropped the stallion as she bounced around the room like a mad bouncy ball.

“Pinkie!” Mrs. Cake scolded her. “Not so loud dear.”

The mare came to a screeching halt in mid-air and floated back down to the ground. “Sorry!” she whispered loudly.

“Well, I take it you like your gift,” Aspect chuckled as he stretched. “Good to know I got the right one, then.”

“This gift is amazing!’ Pinkie giggled at a more normal level. “Your cake will totally be the first I use them for.”

“I’m sure any cake you make with it will be amazing,” Aspect said with a smile and a nod. “And thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“It’s just what friends do silly~” Pinkie giggled as she bounced away to put her new favouritest thing in the world away. Sugarcube Corner was decorated nicely. But one thing stood out, a comically large present in the middle of the room. How had he not noticed that until now?

“Pinkie?” he called out. “Who’s the gift for?”

“It’s a surprise,” she giggled back. “You can peek if you want~”

“Eh, if it’s not for me, then I’m not curious,” the stallion said with a shrug of his wings. “I still have other ponies to see anyways.”

He turned around, only to come muzzle to muzzle with a white and blonde pegasus mare.

“SURPRISE!!”

His only response was to sit on his flank, hold up a hoof to point at the mare, and gawp at her.

“Uhh, Pinkie Pinks? I think I broke your buddy!” she called out.

“Hunh?” Pinkie came back out. “Hooboy. Hey Aspey! This is Surprise, she’s a buddy of mine from Cloudsdale and a premier party pony like yours truly.”

“Also a proud member of the Wonderbolts,” Surprise nodded. Eventually Aspect shuddered and got himself under control, before smiling fondly at the mare.

“You remind me of a friend of mine,” he said quietly. “She’s been gone a long time now...looking at you was like looking at a ghost.”

“Surprisey’s a ghost?” Pinkie gasped. “Where’s my vacuum cleaner!?”

“I’m not a ghosty you silly filly,” Surprise giggled and looked at Aspect. “Well, I bet your friend really liked you. We can be friends too if you want?”

“I wouldn’t mind that, though be prepared for weirdness if you stick close to me,” Aspect chuckled. He then looked over at Pinkie and reconsidered his words. “More weirdness, at any rate.”

“Heehee, great-great-great-great-great…” She continued that for a moment. “Great gramma Surprise prolly had a blast around you,” she giggled and looked at Pinkie. “I got some stuff to do, I’ll be back for the party Pinks.”

“Okie Doki Loki!” Pinkie giggled as the white pegasus zoomed out of the door.

“She...knows?” he asked. “What am I asking, of course she knows. If she’s from the same bloodline, then I shouldn’t be questioning it.”

“Some things are best left unanswered,” Pinkie Pie nodded. “Have fun at Twilight’s house okay?”

“Not a problem,” Aspect said as he left. It wasn’t until he was on the road again that he realized that Pinkie had somehow known where he was going.

Don’t question it, he told himself. Questioning it always hurt.

The door to the library received a few good knocks as Aspect stood on the other side with some books. The door opened slightly and Twilight peeked her head out.

“Oh, hello Aspect!” she smiled and opened the door. “How are you this evening?”

“I’m doing well,” the stallion said, before nudging the present in front of him with a hoof. “Brought you a Hearth’s Warming present.”

“Oh, how thoughtful,” Twilight smiled and opened the door. “Come inside and warm up for a bit. Though Spike and I will be going out soon.”

“So I heard from Pinkie,” Aspect nodded before picking the bundle up and moving it to a nearby table. “Well, go on, before you go.”

Twilight nodded and floated over the package, meticulously unwrapping it and folding up the wrapping paper neatly, setting it aside before looking at the book. “A book! But…” she looked it over. “I don’t recognise it.”

Aspect tapped the front cover as he explained. “Back in Dream Valley, there was another human known as Megan Williams. She brought over a lot of things for the ponies. Including books. I figured that would be safer than some book on sorcery or witchery that you might actually try to use.” The simple words of Robin Hood were emblazoned as the title.

“T-This… is a three thousand year old book… from another world?” Twilight’s horn sparked and she beamed widely, enough to rival that of Pinkie Pie.

“I figured it’d be safest in a library, in the hooves of somepony that saved my daughter from her darkness,” Aspect said. Twilight gasped as she looked at the book. They didn’t last that long, she was surprised she wasn’t holding a bag of dust by this point.

“This is… but,” Twilight smiled and wiped her eye. “Thank you Aspect. I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.”

“Thank you,” the stallion said with a bow. “And I have about, oh, a dozen more in my saddlebags, so I’ll keep hold of them in the preservation charm laid into it for future Hearth’s Warming’s.”

“I’ll count down the days,” Twilight beamed as she placed the book inside a nearby glass display case and clicked the lock shut. “This case has a similar charm on it that the Princess taught me,” she said. A quick feel from Aspect showed it was the same one he used.

“I’m glad to see you like your present so much,” the stallion said with another bow, before getting up. “Now if you’ll pardon me, I still have a mare to see today.”

“Alright,” Twilight smiled. “And thank you again for the wonderful gift. I can’t wait to read it.”

“You could probably make copies of it,” Aspect pointed out. “It’s been so long that if there ever were any, they’ve probably all been lost.”

“I’ll look into it,” Twilight smiled. “Have a good night, and tell Bon Bon I said hello if you haven’t seen her yet.”

“Will do,” the stallion said before leaving for the last mare on the list.

Aspect parked the cart next to Bon-Bon’s and removed the last, smallest present from it, before knocking on the door. The door opened and the mare he came to see greeted him.

“A-Aspect?” she blinked, clearly not having expected him. “What are you doing here?”

“Happy Hearth’s Warming,” he said, holding the small present up with a hoof. “Got you something.”

The mare blushed slightly and smiled. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Wanted to, though,” he said. “Go on, take it.”

Bon Bon smiled and gently took the gift, her hoof brushing against his as she invited him in. Her home was delightfully warm due to the roaring fireplace.

“Would you like some coffee?” she asked. “It must be cold out there.”

“I don’t mind this cold,” Aspect said. “Now, Gelgeth, his place is cold. However, I will never turn down your hospitality, miss Bon Bon,” he finished with a bow of his head.

“You know you can just call me Bon Bon,” she smiled sweetly as she moved to the living room. “Oh, um, could you wait here a moment?”

Aspect merely sat near the fireplace as he soaked in the warmth before nodding at her. He may have liked the cold, but he loved the warmth once he was out of it.

She set her gift on the coffee table and dashed upstairs. He could hear some rummaging around, before she came back down slowly, a box balanced on her lower back.

“I um… may have gotten you something as well,” she said softly.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said, using her own words against her.

“Well, maybe… but I did,” she grinned. “You know you’re impossible to shop for right?”

“Up until this afternoon, I would have agreed with you,” Aspect nodded. “And then I had some of Applejack’s pie.”

“You didn’t!” she gasped.

“Fortunately, she’s decided that instead of me buying her out of pie every day, she’ll instead teach you how to make it, to avert that potential crisis,” the stallion said.

“How… on Equus did you manage that!?” Bon Bon exclaimed. “Only Apple family members are allowed to know.”

“I may have asked her what it would take to get a lifetime supply of pie,” Aspect whistled innocently. “And given her something from the original Applejack.”

“Original…?” Bon Bon gasped. “Oh you sneaky stallion. Well, I’ll have you know I am not so easily bribed.”

“You haven’t even opened your gift yet,” he said. “How can you know that?”

“Well, let’s find out,” she smiled and slowly opened her box. She gasped lightly as she took the small figure out and looked the box over. “Warmage Athena? But… how did you know? Oh my gosh! You know!?”

“I know barely anything,” he said. “I saw you step into the arcade one day, and I waited for you to leave before I asked the colt what you were up to. He told me you were into these figurines for this game, and that there was a shop up in Canterlot that he regularly got stock from when he could, so I added it to my list of things to check out when I was up there. Lo and behold, this one recently came out.”

“Hmm, so you’re stalking me now?” she smirked and bat her eyes at him. She hadn’t been to the arcade in… Lyra!

“More like trying to be a thoughtful stallion where your happiness is concerned,” Aspect said. “I thought you could do with a nice Hearth’s Warming present.”

“Thank you, she’s wonderful,” Bon Bon smiled. Well, now she’d have to show him. “I don’t know if my gift is as good but…” She held out the box with a blush on her face. The box itself was rather flat and long. Almost as long as his sword…

He gently put it on the table and pulled the wrapping paper back.

“It’s probably silly, I don’t know why I made it,” she mumbled as he peeled back the protective paper and saw his sword in there. No, not his sword… it was… made of candy?

The words ‘Thank you for caring’ were etched into the blade. The stallion stared at it for a moment, a smile slowly growing on his muzzle as he looked at the large treat.

“Um.. do you… like it?” Bon Bon asked hesitantly.

“It looks...delicious,” he said. “You know I love your cooking, Bon Bon. Thank you for making this, and thank you for caring enough to make a duplicate of my sword.”

“I’ve only seen it once, so I hope I got it right,” she said. “That there is butterscotch. And that’s seasalt candy. And no, it doesn't taste like ocean water. Oh, and that’s… something I made recently. It doesn’t have a name yet.”

“This sword will be an adventure, then,” the stallion mused. “Much like the original.”

Bon Bon smiled warmly. The fact that he liked it made her so happy. “Happy Hearth’s Warming Aspect.”

“And to you as well, Bon Bon,” he said with a nod of his head. Some movement caught his eye and he saw a sprig of mistletoe hanging above them, dangling from a rafter.

“Oh dear,” he said, looking up. Bon Bon followed his gaze and squeaked. And while she was thusly distracted, Aspect fulfilled his obligations to the tradition, and kissed her on the lips.

To say Bon Bon was surprised was a grave understatement. But his lips felt so warm~ She was surprised, yes… but she soon closed her eyes and pressed into the kiss a little more. Aspect deepened the kiss, hugging her close with his hooves and wings as he didn’t let her go, wanting this moment to last. It just felt...right.

She moaned lightly into the kiss, her hooves pressed against his chest as he embraced her. She’d never felt like this before about a pony. She eventually broke the kiss, panting from the adrenaline running through her as her heart pounded in her chest.

“W-Wow…” she whispered.

“Mmm...is there anything in Hearth’s Warming traditions about how long I have to kiss you for?” Aspect asked as he kept hugging her close to him.

“We… haven’t even had a second date yet,” she whispered back.

“Do we need to have a second date to share more kisses?” he asked her.

“W-well, I don’t know…” she replied and looked away. “I’ve never had a second date before.”

“I’m perfectly willing to obey whatever standards you set, but that kiss was amazing,” Aspect said. “I almost want another right now.”

“I’m not that good,” Bon Bon said, turning a furious red. Gods above she was freaking adorable.

“Would you like to test that theory?” he asked her. Bon Bon paused, then nodded slowly. Aspect waited until she turned back to him before catching her lips in another, just as deep, kiss.

Not quite as surprised as she was last time, she relished the feeling of her lips pressed against his as she held him in return.

That was until one of her hooves… wandered. Oh wow his flanks were firm. You could roll batter on those things!

Aspect felt that, and felt some of his...lessons, with Cadence bubbling to the fore. He decided it wouldn’t be so bad to return fire, and let one of his hooves wander as well, to her flanks. She let out a surprised squeak and pushed him back.

“W-W-W-What are you d-d-doing!?” she stammered, she was blushing so hard you could see steam rising from her.

“Returning fire,” he said with a cheeky smile. “Let’s just say, I liked what I felt. You must work out a lot to get flanks like that.”

“Oh my gooooosh!” she moaned, hiding her face with her hooves. He could still see the blush as she buried her face in the couch. Aspect decided to do what he did best and sat nearby, before gently rubbing a hoof along her neck to comfort her.

“If it’s any consolation, I didn’t mind,” he said to her.

“Of course the guy doesn’t mind,” Bon Bon mumbled from her hiding place. “Where did that mistletoe even come from? I didn’t put it there.”

That was when Aspect heard some snickering from the top of the stairs, and saw the edge of a mint-green hoof.

“You don’t want to know,” he said dryly. “Look, if you didn’t like it, then I’ll just go…”

“But that’s the problem!” Bon Bon lifted her head to show that cute face of hers, before looking away and mumbling.

“Could you repeat that, just a little louder?” he asked her.

“Geez!” she huffed. “I liked it okay! There, happy?”

“I’m happy if you’re happy,” he said simply. “Would you be happy if we continued? Or if I left?”

“No, don’t leave!!” she said, holding his hoof with hers. “Ah I… I mean…”

A sudden bolt of inspiration as to why she’d be so cautious struck, and he smiled at her. “I was your first kiss. I’m your first stallion in general, aren’t I?”

“H-How did you…?” Bon Bon gasped and narrowed her eyes. “Lyra!!”

“Once you passed out from your first kiss, yes,” Aspect said with a nod. “Would you believe me if I told you you were my first mare?”

“You’re kidding?” Bon Bon frowned. “Now I know you’re making fun of me. You had the Princess's mother didn’t you?”

“It was more of a partnership, less of an actual marriage. She was pregnant when we met, I’m their foster father,” Aspect said with a wave of one wing. “How about I make you an offer?”

“Do you have any idea how shady that sounds?” Bon Bon giggled. “Alright Sir Aspect. What is thy offer?”

“We adjourn to thy room, where so long as the other is comfortable, we spend our time simply exploring each other to our limits of our courage,” Aspect said.

“That…” Bon Bon blushed heavily again. “Sounds an awful lot like you’re propositioning me Sir Aspect.”

“Not if you go first,” Aspect said, “So that I have a good idea as to what you will and will not wish me to do to you.”

“B-But I haven’t… I’ve never…” Aaaand she was mumbling again. He pecked her on the cheek before drawing back and smiling at her.

“Which is what this is meant to solve,” he said softly. “I promise I’ll take no offense.”

“I’m…” Bon Bon looked down. “I’m sorry. I just don’t think I’m ready. That’s… a little too fast for me…”

“Then I won’t push,” he said with a shrug. “I know better. Thy will be done, Ma’am.”

“Thank you… and, I’m sorry,” she said and then looked at him. “Are… we still dating? I’d… understand if you wanted to see somepony else...”

“It’d be awfully shallow of me to stop seeing you over this,” he said. “Though, if you make that offer to me next time, you won’t find me saying no.”

She mumbled slightly, but it sounded an awful lot like ‘It wouldn’t be the first time…’

“At any rate,” he said. “I have delivered your present and have mine. And we’ve shared a wonderful moment together. I believe I merely require one more kiss to keep me warm and I shall be ready for the road.”

“W-Well,” she said slowly and gulped. “I said… that I wouldn’t… well, you know… But, I didn’t say you had to leave…”

“Perhaps some more kissing, then?” the stallion suggested.

“That might be nice,” Bon Bon smiled and then narrowed her eyes. “But first…” She picked up a cushion and threw it, it ricocheted off the wall and pinged up the stairs, nailing Lyra right in the face.

“Gah!” the unicorn cried out.

“Remind me never to get on your bad side in a pillow fight,” the stallion chuckled.

“Humph! That’s what she gets for eavesdropping,” Bon Bon huffed and folded her arms. Aww, she was even cute when she was mad.

“So,” he said, sitting nearby, one hoof still draped over her neck as one wing lay on her back. “Cuddling?”

“I think that’s a safe enough activi-” she was cut off by a knock on the door. “Oh for Celestia’s sakes, now what?” She got up and trotted over to the door..

“SURPRISE!”

“Eeeeek!”

Aspect merely rolled his eyes. Today had been a long, fun day. And it was shaping up to be a longer one yet.

“What are you silly fillies doing here? We have a par-tay to get to!” Surprise said and flew upstairs, grabbing Lyra and tossing her out the window, the mare landing in Aspect’s cart.. which now had some pillows in there. Then she grabbed the other two and hauled them out of the door, tossing them in too. All within a matter of seconds. She pulled a pair of aviator shades out of her mane and grinned.

“Let’s roll!”

“Bon Bon, if you die, I want you to know that Equestria will never recover from your loss, and that I’ll attend your funeral personally,” Aspect said.

“Wait! WHAT!?” Bon Bon yelped as Surprise cackled and took off into the sky, hauling the cart with her as the earth pony screamed, clinging to Aspect for dear life.

Aspect simply smiled, at least she was hugging him without blushing now. He put a hoof and wing around her as he held her close, wondering what in the world was going on now.

In Aspect’s house, Cadenza woke up from her nap and yawned. Then she frowned and looked out of the window, having the unsettling feeling that she was forgetting something...

Author's Notes:

Well, half the issues seem to have been resolved. Now all we need is for the options to not fuck off during the typing and we'll be golden.

Another non-episode, but a good setup for things to come.

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