A few weeks went by since Nick and shared that rather quiet night together, with the defeat of Erebus and his eventual eternal prison, Equestrian had become peaceful. With Hearths Warming Eve having finally arrived, Nick took this time to relax fully. Currently sitting in Twilight's castle wearing a new black and green sweater Rarity had made for him the day before. Along with a stylish scarf that had his name written on it, Nick was currently relaxing in the map room. Having a mug filled hot coco in front of him, Nick took a deep breath, a smile forming on his clean shaven face. While a good majority of the Mane Six had taken the time this year to spend time with family, Nick was in the castle. Granted Twilight, Starlight, and Spike where with him, but this time of years was making him a little...homesick.

Which was strange considering Nick knew he'd be staying at Equestria for the rest of his days, and he had accepted that and really appreciated it. But seeing as Hearths Warming Eve was the pony equivalent of Christmas. Nick did really miss his old Christmas traditions. Having his family and friends visit to watch the Grinch for the gazillionth time, the bonding with his friends Raven and Jack, along with family members. Nick had to admit, he missed all that. He let out a low groan, "I suppose being used to Equestria doesn't stop me from being homesick." Nick stated as he took a sip of his coco.

The sound of footsteps where audible to his ears, Nick turned his head to see who it was. Too which it was Spike, "hey Nick! Happy Hearths Warming Eve!" He said smiling widely at the human. Nick rolled his eyes as he smiled down at the small drake, "Happy Hearths Warming Eve Spike, say. Shouldn't you and Twilight be headed out to meet with your families as well?"

Spike then replied, "Twilight did hatch me from an egg. So she is my family, as for her meeting the rest of hers...sadly, no. Everypony seems to busy this year this time and its kinda bummed her out, even if she won't admit it..." Spike then let out a soft sigh, Nick looked to the side slightly. "Damn...the one time her duties as a princess aren't swamping her, everybody is busy with something else. Yeah, I'd be a bit bummed out too.." Nick said as he took another sip of his coco. "Yeah...anywho, I wanted to give you this. I didn't really know what to get you, so me and Twilight decided to get you this!" Spike said handing Nick a wrapped package.

Nick raised an eyebrow, it was skinny and a bit rectangular on the bottom, but thicker on the top. A puzzled look came across the humans face as he took the present. "Ah Spike...you didn't have to get me something, Twilight probably deserved a gift more then me-" Spike then crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't lie, you where wondering on when you where gonna get a present."

"Yeeeeah, if I'm gonna be honest even now I still like getting presents." Nick said as he looked at the label.

To: Nicholas Taylor
From: Twilight Sparkle & Spike

Very nicely written and everything, Nick then used his nails to tear the wrapping off of the gift. What was beneath was what appeared to be a book of Equestrian Legends, and underneath that massive book was a limited time volume of the Spectacular Spider-Mane. Nick had to admit, on earth he was a huge Spider-Man fan, so this got a good laugh out of him. He looked down at Spike and smiled, scooping the young dragon up and hugging him tightly. "Thank you Spike! I'll make sure to tell Twi, I was actually looking into studying Equestrian Legends!" He said as he smiled widely. Spike's face was turning more purple than usual, a gasp for breath escaping him. "G-glad you, LIKE it! I need a-air!" He said as Nick let out another laugh, placing Spike back on the ground. He took deep breaths of air, sighing softly. "Sweet Celestia Nick.."

He rubbed the back of his head laughing, "sorry!" He said as he looked at the books in his hands, his heart felt a little lighter. "Hey Spike, do you wanna help me find something for Twilight?" Nick asked the dragon. To which Spike tilted his head in confusion, "dude...all stores are closed on Hearths Warming Eve...but me and Starlight where planning on heading out to grab Twilights presents from Pinkie, had to hide them outside the castle this time." Spike stated as Nick let out a hiss through his teeth., "awesome...well, I'll have to think of what I can do for Twilight...let me go put this stuff up." Nick said as he began to make his way. Spike splitting off to grab Starlight.

Nick on his way to his room looked at the comic in his hand and smirked, "the Spectacular Spider-Mane...even across universes he's an icon." Nick muttered under his breath, he then paused. Looking at the door to Twilight's room as he rubbed his chin. Knocking on it, he heard a very disingenuous, "hmmm..?"

'Damn, she really is upset about not being able to spend time with her family-' He thought to himself, Nick then said. "Hey Twi, it's Nick. Can I come in?" he asked, as there was a little pause. But she said, "yeah sure."

Nick then pushed open the door to her room, Twilight had covered herself with her pillows. Nick raising an eyebrow as he approached her, laying on the side that he knew she was facing. Having his hand on his cheek, he then said. "Happy Hearths Warming Eve Twilight," he said. The mare using her magic to pull the pillow away from her face, her eyes on Nick. "Happy Hearths Warming Eve Nick.."

The human smiled as he laid on his back, "so Spike tells me you're bummed out that your family was busy this year." Nick said as Twilight let out a long drawn out groan. Pulling the pillow back over her face. Nick frowned and then pulled the pillow back off her face, "I thought you and the girls spent a Hearths Warming Eve together doing that play about how Equestria was formed or something." He pointed out, the purple Alicorns raising an eyebrow. "Pinkie told you didn't she?" She asked, giving Nick a quizzical look.

Nick nodded, "yepper doodles. She sounded quite proud of that to be honest, so hey. Cheer up," He said smiling at her. She looked at him and sighed softly, sitting up from her self-put pillow prison. Her mane was ruffled and there where actually bags underneath her eyes. Nick then stood up from her bed. Having his hands on his hips, "me, Spike, and Starlight are all headed out to go do some stuff. I just wanted to make sure that you knew just in case you thought we went missing or something." He said, the purple mare looking at him and nodding. Nick then gave her a thumbs up, "awesome. We'll be back soon. You try and enjoy yourself Twilight, alright?" He asked for her assurance.

"Yeah, sure..which reminds me before you go..." Twilight said as she finally got out of bed. Nick gave her a quizzical look, "yeah? What's up?"

"This is Starlights first Hearths Warming Eve in Ponyville...while you three are out could you try and make it special for her..? I would but you know," She then looked down to herself. Letting out a low chuckle, "I'm uh...anything BUT prepared this time."

Nick smiled and then patted the top of her head, "I'll do my best. Which aye! I don't think they'd mind waiting a bit longer, get ready. You're coming with us!" Nick stated. Twilight's eyes widening, "a-are you sure? Even like this?" She asked, Nick nodding. "Yep, and take it from me Twi, I'll make this the best Christmas for you and Starlight!" Nick stated proudly as he put his hands on his hips. Twilight tilting her head in confusion, "Christmas?"

Nick blinked as he then rubbed the back of his head, "sorry. It's the human equivalent of Hearths Warming Eve. But I'm sure the message is still the same!" He said, a little embarrassed blush forming on his face as Twilight giggled a little. "Alright Nick...just give me a bit to freshen up and I'll join you all."

Nick then gave Twilight a thumbs before making his way back to his room to put his presents away. He placed them on his nightstand, taking a deep breath as he quickly made his way back down to the front door where Starlight and Spike where waiting. "So, you ready to go Nick?" Starlight asked, wearing a scarf that matched her main, while Spike was wearing a purple scarf with a green jacket.

"Weeeeeell...not really....well I mean I am ready, but I threw a monkey wrench in our plan..." Nick said as he rubbed the back of his head laughing a bit nervously.

"And that means?" Starlight continued, raising an eyebrow as she then narrowed her eyes at Nick. "Well, I sorta kinda MAYBE, invited Twilight. Who accepted..." He said as Starlight facehoofed, Spike's eye twitching. "You what?! This trip was meant to get Twilights gifts!" He said as Nick then nodded, "I know that...but Twilight needs our company right now. I think she'd really appreciate it since she's bummed out about her family and stuff."

Starlight then piped up, "personally Hearths Warming Eve was never really my thing...but I'm doing stuff in it now because it'd probably make Twilight happy." She said as Nick then shook his head, "well either way. We gotta roll with this." That was when the sound of hoofsteps where heard behind him, "I'm ready!" Twilight called out almost excitedly.

"Awesome! Cmon, we're about to go!" He called back, Nick then looking at Starlight and Spike and whispering. "I'll make sure to keep her distracted while you two get your gifts for her. Alright?" He stated, Spike then asking. "How will you get her a present if you can't search with us?"

Nick then raised his arm up, his sleeve lowering and showing his Omnitrix. "I have my ways." He said before turning, Twilight just arriving. Her mane was now in its good condition, the bags under her eyes gone as she was currently wearing a cute little dark purple scarf with her Cutie Mark near the end of it, along with dark purple hoof gloves. Nick smiled, "alright everyone's here! Lets get this bread!" he said as he pushed open the door to the castle, it was snowing outside in Ponyville. The nicely themed Hearths Warming Eve lights that where strung up on the homes and businesses in the small town was pretty. Especially due to the fact it was quite dark outside. Fillies and foals alike playing in the snow as their parents watched and took pictures.

Nicks smile became an ear to ear smile, a low satisfied sigh escaping him, his breath visible in the air as he then put his hands on his hips. "Man I love this town..." He muttered to himself, Twilight standing in-between Spike and Starlight while Nick stood on the end. "Ponyville does get quite festive around this time of year...so it's very beautiful to see the lights, especially when the snow rolls around.." Twilight stated as Starlight then said. "I'd say there are a tone of other holidays that have similar the-" She then got nudged by Nick who shook his head. "Right...yeah, it's pretty cool!" She said as Nick than rolled his eyes.

"Regardless we should make our way into town." Spike spoke up as he glanced at Nick, who nodded promptly. "Yeah." He said as the 4 of them began to walk/trot into Ponyville. Looking around at the scenery, Nick snorted as he looked at a filly who managed to get their tongue stuck on a lamp post.

Spike then saying, "hey Twilight and Nick, I kinda just remembered I needed to grab something from Rarity if that's ok!" He suddenly said, Starlight glancing at the baby dragon and then saying. "Yeah same here, I'll make sure to watch over Spike until then." The unicorn said, Spike giving her a confused look. "Watch over me..?" He muttered under his breath. Twilight then saying, "o-oh! Ok...me and Nick will hang out then..."

"Thanks Twilight!" Spike said as him and Starlight went off on their own, Nick glancing down at Twilight and nudging her. "Hey Twilight, now that they're gone. Would you mind if I showed you something cool?" He asked, the purple Alicorns looking up at him and nodding.

Nick smirked and put his hand on the top of her head, leading her to the center of town where the most ponies where accumulated. "Give me a second, I'll be right back." Nick said as he was enveloped in a familiar flash of green light, shifting to his Kineceleran form of XLR-8, he dashed off. Still wearing his scarf as he quite literately dashed out of town. Twilight giving his actions a puzzled expression, but then looking to the ground and sighing, "hmm.." She groaned as she turned to return home.

Only to feel a swoosh behind her, turning around she came face to face with what was a massive at least story tall tree. Nick standing on the very top of it, still in his alien form. Dashing down it, he began to ran into stores, leaving the required bits, but taking their holiday lights off the shelves. Returning to the tree, a blue, black, and slight green blur enveloped the tree, and before the town even knew it. A massive tree with Hearths Warming Eve lights was planted in the middle of town, to Twilight. XLR-8 appeared in front of her, but the trail of snow that he ran from to get to her was visible, his faceplate sliding up as he said in his very raspy voice. "I saw the town didn't have a tree...so I decided to make one of my own." Nick said as he motioned to it, at the very tip of the tree was what appeared a decoration of Twilight's cutie mark. The Alicorns mares eyes widening as she quickly galloped toward XLR-8 and nuzzled him, Nick reverting to his human form as he rubbed the top of her head. "This may not be you spending some time with your family, but this is me saying to you, Happy Hearths Warming Eve Twilight, you're the best pony a human like myself could've met. And I may not say it enough, but you're the greatest friend I could ever have." Nick then kneeled down and hugged Twilight's neck, the ponies around smiling at the display. Some even coming out of them homes to watch, "I'll say it again. Happy Hearths Warming Eve Twilight Sparkle...so-"

He couldn't even finish his sentence before she hugged him back, "I'm just glad I and the other girls managed to do good by you...you didn't have to do this Nick...but you did it anyway..." She said as she closed her eyes, Nick smiling. "Yeah, might've overdone it a little heh...but hey...you deserved it. Yah big nerd." He said jokingly.

Author's Notes:

Yeah yeah, I know...chapter came out two days after Christmas. But I was so caught up playing KH 2.5, I'm sorry! But I hope you all are enjoying your presents and such, the next chapter of I'll Get the Job Done shall be up soon! So Merry Late Christmas!

Also side note, I couldn't resist doing a Christmas chapter, I'm sorry-

https://ben10.fandom.com/wiki/XLR8_(Classic)