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Snowflakes softly fluttered down from the winter sky. Despite the clouds forming a blanket over the sky, the darkening light proved the sun was beginning to set beyond the horizon. Everyone started leaving work to begin their evening plans, including members of the future foundation. Most of them wanted to get home to keep out of the cold, while few liked to spend free moments admiring the winter weather. Amnesty was one of the few, she thoroughly enjoyed winter. Where most of the public stayed inside, giving her peace as she admires the beauty of it all.
She now stood outside, though in her pony form, Lonewolf, to avoid odd looks from the public. She closed her eyes and allowed the feeling of the chilly air combing through her mane, fur, and feathers. Even with her boots, she could feel the harsh cold beneath her hooves. It all sent a chill down her spine, but she expected it. What she wasn't expecting was a sudden warmth on top of her head. She opened her eyes to immediately see blond hair and blue fur to her side, giving away the source of the warmth. She tilted her head up to see the stallion gently leaning his head on top of hers. In her normal form, she wouldn't have to look up to see her boyfriend Silk Stocking, but the height difference between them drastically changed when she entered her pony form, and Silk loved to take advantage of it. They both nuzzled into the warmth of each other, Lonewolf appreciating it in comparison to the iciness everywhere else. Even though he was the one wearing a scarf at that moment, she still felt much more of a comfortable warmth in his presence.
They both stood by the Future Foundation Headquarters, looking out at the orange clouds ahead, still soaking in each other's warmth. Their exhales were visible in the air as they took in the moment, until Silk softly broke the comfortable silence. “I’ve noticed you seem to enjoy this weather a lot more than everybody’s favorite sunny skies.”
Lonewolf hummed her confirmation, and thought about it for a second. “I guess I just hold a greater appreciation for a setting most would rather hide away from.” “I suppose you make a good point. I haven't truly appreciated it in a very long time..” He paused and carefully lifted his head from hers as he gave her a soft gaze.
“Say now, have you had the chance before to participate in winter activities?” Lonewolf slightly cocked her head to the side in confusion. “Like the ones in movies? I haven't had the chance to, no.” Silk gave her a small smile and began walking forward a bit, turning his head to gesture her to follow. “Care to join me, then?” Lonewolf returned the smile and caught up to him, both walking close for comfort and warmth.
The path they took was beautiful. Most people had already made their way to their homes, so the park they walked to was empty. The snow they walked through was completely fresh and untouched, leaving a breathtaking sight. A tree they were walking under had a loose branch hanging by a splinter, and Lonewolf got struck with an odd idea. She flew up to where the branch was and with minimal effort, held it in her jaw and snapped it from the tree. She carefully glided back down where Silk Stocking was waiting, curiosity painted on his face.
Adjusting the stick in her mouth, Lonewolf approached the untouched snow off to the side of the path, and began carving into it with the end of the stick. Silk watched her with interest, as she even flew around it to avoid tainting the snow with any hoofprints. After a few moments, she returned to his side and carefully threw the stick aside. They both looked at the product of her efforts and Silk Stocking let out a well meaning chuckle.
“A heart drawn in the snow? That's a sappy cliche I honestly didn't expect, but I’m not complaining. I assume you've been actually watching those movies we’ve put on, hm?” Lonewolf blushed under her fur and looked down at her hooves. “...yeah. I’ve honestly enjoyed watching them, even when you're long asleep already. I never had the chance before to watch them, so it's nice to see them now.”
She kept her gaze on the ground until she noticed Silk’s hooves move forward. She looked up in time to see him press it into the snow on one half of the heart. He turned to her and with a smile and soft look in those icy eyes, he ushered her with a nod to do the same. Lonewolf felt her blush deepen as she trotted forward to imprint her gloved hoof on the other half. She couldn't stop the smile threatening to sneak onto her face, and at the moment it broke the corners of her mouth, she felt Silk Stocking give her cheek a little nuzzle. In response, she nuzzled back, and after a few moments, they both continued their walk on the path.
They came to a section where trees now completely surrounded them. The snow placed beautifully on the fir branches was mesmerizing to look at. Though it wasn't long before they walked into a large clearing, where in the middle was a large lake, beautifully frozen. The clouds were now parted above, and the now risen moon shone down on the icy surface. Lonewolf couldn't take her eyes off of the scenery, completely lost in it, and Silk Stocking seemed to be enjoying the beauty of it alongside her.
She was only really snapped out of it when a cool breeze blew past her and made her physically shiver. She couldn't exactly shake off the chill, but she heard the low sound of magic then felt something warm wrap around her neck. She looked over to Silk who’s scarf was now off, and now she could tell he decided to give it to her. He gave her yet another smile before looking back out towards the lake.
“I figured that you have zero experience when it comes to ice skating..” Again using his magic, he made a set of skates for each of them appear in the air between them. “So, I thought we could spend the evening together here so I can teach you.” Lonewolf felt the excitement pool in her chest, nervousness was there too but it was muted compared to her eagerness. She nodded vigorously and they both picked up speed approaching the edge of the frozen lake. Using magic, Silk got his skates on with ease, Lonewolf took a bit of extra time, but eventually got them on over her boots.
Silk was the first to step onto the ice. He made sure to test its stability first before pushing off and doing a quick small loop to test his muscle memory with it. He skated closer to Lonewolf who was starting to feel the nerves kick in more. “It's alright dear, it's perfectly safe and it's just us. I’m here to help you, give it a try by stepping on and pushing yourself towards me.” Lonewolf nervously nodded, and with wobbly legs, she clumsily stepped onto the ice, and took frantic steps to keep herself stable as she came closer to Silk Stocking. Using her wing, she wrapped it around Silk to keep herself stable and upright as he gave her his praise. She looked down at her wobbly feet, scared they were going to fly out from under her, when Silk tilted her chin up with his nose.
“You're doing good, but it's best to keep looking forward, and to keep moving. Now, it's not an easy canter, you're going to want to take glides that go forward and out. Here-” Carefully, with her wing still gripping him, Silk pushed them both forward taking glides with his hooves like he described. Lonewolf watched his movements before looking forward again, trying similar movements herself. “Good, good now try moving on your own now, think you can try?” She nuzzled into the scarf around her to feel a surge of comfort from his scent, and she felt more confidence overtake her. She removed the wing from him and just like that, she pushed forward on her own. It was far from graceful, but she had the movements down.
Silk sprung forward and matched her pacing to skate alongside her. “I knew you'd have it down, you're efficient with your learning. You're doing great.” He gave her a smile before his ego kicked in a little. He quickened his pace and turned around to face her, as he now moved backwards. His footwork became more complicated yet still held much grace. He gave her a smug look and all she gave in return was a roll of her eyes. Then as one would call karma, Silk’s movements became too complicated for even him and he fell flat onto the ice.
Lonewolf couldn't stop herself from bursting into a fit of laughter as Silk sat himself upright, sitting long enough for her to skate up to him. Now he was the one to roll his eyes as she teased him with more giggles. Though as he huffed in his stubbornness, Lonewolf took the opportunity to give him a heartfelt kiss, taking him by a momentary surprise. It didn't take him long to return it, now no longer irritated by his own ignorance, and instead relished the moment they had together.
Spending the evening on a frozen lake, just the two of them, frolicking in a winter neither truly had to enjoy in the past. The kiss gave them both a boost in warmth, though it was a partial curse for when they finally separated. The cool breeze felt cooler on the lovers who were now spoiled to each other's warmth. The cold around them bit into them, and it was their silent hint to head home. Lonewolf stretched out her wing to help lift Silk back on his hooves, and they both hastily made their way back to the lake’s shore. They got their skates off and Silk rid them with his magic. The breeze kept brushing them with its iciness, so as they made their way back through the trees, they kept especially close for both affection and warmth.
The walk back felt shorter than before, though they may have quickened their pace with their growing desire to get back home where it was much warmer. On their way back, they passed the heart and hoofprints they made before, and it made them both flustered, solving the reaction with a quick nuzzle. Soon enough though, they were back at Silk’s home. Silk Stocking asked Lonewolf to get comfortable while he went to make them something to warm up with, so immediately, she took her special boots off to truly relax. Relieving herself from her pegasus form, she was now able to be her true draconequus form; Amnesty.
She stretched out, getting used to being out of the disguise. With the release from the boots, holding her power together, she felt the exhaustion from the whole day hit. Usually she would head back to Silk’s room to retire for the evening, but the fireplace in Silk’s living room sounded perfect for the cold weather. She lit the flame and curled up on the rug in front of it, allowing the heat to cover her. She still wore the scarf he gave her, and once again she lifted it to her nose to have Silk’s scent soothe her and put her in a truly comfortable setting.
Though as if right on time, Silk entered the room with a platter holding two steaming mugs of hot cocoa. With his magic he held his, and handed Amnesty one which she could now hold with her digits. She thanked him and he set the tray down before laying beside her in front of the fire. Instinctively, Amnesty curled her large, fluffy tail around him and he sighed in content.
The whole setting was a rare concept to them not even a year ago. Neither ever considered the idea of relationships beyond acquaintances, they didn't believe in love until it hit them in the face. It was set the moment Amnesty was put under his watch, an order neither was too happy to be involved with, but if you asked them now, they have that order to thank. With their equally stubborn and cold personalities, they found similarities in it, and even more as they began to talk. Soon, it was inevitable for feelings to catch up.
Now, here they were, spending the evening in each other's embrace by the fire, sipping on delicious cocoa. They may have changed, softened up some would say, but they would never trade it for their old life. This is where they belong, and they both know it. So as Amnesty sipped on her cocoa with a now asleep Silk Stocking in her coils, she feels nothing but thankful for every decision up until this point. She carefully used her draconequus magic to grab them a blanket and she threw it over them both for cover. Then she set her mug down so she could lay down fully and cuddle up to her boyfriend before promptly falling asleep.