Work Text:
You walked up to the stables on Christmas morning, traipsing through the soft, deep snow. It had snowed more overnight, and now all of your efforts from yesterday had been undone. Still, you were in such a good mood when you opened the door and were greeted with happy neighing and whinnying.
"Merry Christmas, Skymning and Reetta,"
you said to your two mares. You had already been to give them more food earlier in the morning and were now back with some apple halves. You first stopped in front of Skymning's stall. She was a big but graceful dapple grey with a little star on her forehead. She whinnied again as you handed her a treat. You smiled, your breath forming small clouds in the air. You scratched her forehead as she munched on her apple and then moved on to Reetta. She was a sturdy flaxen chestnut with a gorgeous, long forelock.
"Here's a treat for you as well,"
you said to her and she took it from the palm of your hand. You hadn't made any real plans for Christmas and were going to spend it with your horses, but you didn't mind because you loved them so much.
You were pulled out of your warm thoughts as the tranquility was broken by a soft, gentle knock on the doorframe. You turned around and saw one of your favorite people standing there.
"Freppa! Merry Christmas!"
you greeted him happily, gave Reetta a few loving pets and then walked to Freppa. He gave you one of his gentle smiles and pulled you into a hug.
"I didn't expect to see you here,"
you murmured against his shoulder.
"I thought Marlene would need your help in the kitchen for most of the day."
"Well, maybe she would.. But she sent me off, saying that she would be okay by herself. And since I've been excused, I thought I'd come here to see how you're doing. I didn't want for you to spend all of Christmas by yourself."
He then walked up to greet your horses and noticed the little bowl of apples that you'd placed on a bench in front of a vacant stall.
"Can I give them treats as well?"
"Are you going to bribe my girls?"
you asked and laughed, gesturing for him to pick up the bowl.
"Go right ahead, they'd love it."
You watched as Freppa pampered your horses and fed them apple halves.
"They really like you, you're a natural,"
you noted with a warm feeling in your chest. Then you thought of something.
"Hey, if you're not awfully busy, we could get the girls ready and go on a little sleigh ride around Vörå,"
you suggested and walked to him and the horses.
"I would have gone on my own anyway, but it'll be much more fun with you."
"Really?"
Freppa looked at you with a warm glow in his eyes.
"I'd love that."
You then took his hand.
"Come on, let's get the girls ready. Can you tack up Reetta? I'll show you where everything is."
20 minutes later both horses stood in front of the sleigh, in their tack decked out with jingle bells. You had braided their manes, weaving in festive green and red ribbons. You'd also filled two thermoses with hot chocolate and put plenty of warm blankets in the sleigh. The mares looked ready to go, so both you and Freppa got up on the seat covered with blankets. You then took the reins and clicked your tongue. The horses then pulled the sleigh down the driveway and out to the quiet, snow-covered streets of Vörå. Freppa and you sat side by side as Reetta and Skymning took you on a ride in a brisk, happy trot accompanied by the soft jingling of the little bells on their tack.
You had the roads all to yourselves and eventually approached the apartment building Tommy lived in. That's where you actually ran to him and Määnin who were outside.
"God Jul!"
you called out as you stopped the horses by the sidewalk. Freppa greeted his friends as well. Määnin was the first one to approach the horses and was soon petting Reetta. Tommy, however, stayed still and seemed a little intimidated by Skymning because of her size.
"Don't be afraid, they're friendly. Go on and pet them,"
you encouraged Tommy. He then chose to approach Reetta, but was nudged by Skymning. You laughed.
"It looks like she wants your attention."
"I'm not afraid or anything, but you're sure she won't bite?"
Tommy asked, looking at you. You nodded with a smile.
"I'm sure. I promise you'll be fine."
You then watched as Tommy brought his hand up to the dappled mare's muzzle and how she pressed it softly against his palm. You caught the beginnings of an awestruck smile on his face.
Freppa then leaned in closer to whisper something in your ear.
"Tommy was bit by a horse once when he didn't respect her boundaries."
Ah.. Well, that certainly explained Tommy's reaction.
After a while Freppa asked if you could drop all three of them off at his place.
"Tommy and Määnin would be coming by later, anyway,"
he clarified. You nodded right away.
"Of course. Hop on, you two. There's plenty of room behind us, with blankets and hot chocolate in the thermos."
When you arrived at your destination, you observed how Tommy went to pet both mares and thanked them for the ride. He tried to be discreet but failed perfectly. You smiled at him and then gave a little kiss on Freppa's cheek.
"I have to take my girls home, but I'll come by later for the Christmas feast. I'll see you all then!"
Tommy, Freppa and Määnin stood on the sidewalk until the sleigh had disappeared from their view. Only then they headed into the warm house.