[Gift] A Birthday Visit

Today is a special day!  It's the birthday of my good friend, Haventide.  Dalton and I collaborated on a gift, and though it's not as awesome as a visit in real life would be, I hope you like it anyway.

Art (c) StyxLady
Story by EnsignDrej


      The moment we all embraced, the past week had become worth it. The rest just faded away when the three of us wouldn’t stop grinning and nuzzled each other.

        “It’s good to see you two,” Sol said with a contented sigh. “And especially you, Sorrel! Happy Birthday!”

        “Yesss, Happy Birthday!” Arty said as she hugged the other mare extra tight. Maybe it was just Sol’s imagination, but it was the widest he’d ever seen her smile, and it sparked a gentle warmth in his chest that mirrored his smile. Sorrel, however, seemed to be in a daze, wiping away a few tears when she let Arty go.

        “How did you both manage to make it?”

        “Obviously, it’s because I’m a boss!” Sol snickered and winked. The mares just laughed for a bit, Sorrel’s tail flicking eagerly from side to side, but it stopped after a moment as did her smile. To both Sol’s and Arty’s surprise, more tears trickled down her cheeks. Both of them asked what was wrong, but all they got in response for a good bit was a simultaneous hug from Sorrel. She didn’t sob, didn’t let her shoulders rock, and didn’t speak—only embraced her two friends as she buried in face in between them.

        After what seemed like several minutes, she let them go and looked up at each of them in turn. “Thank you for always being there for me. I know I’m not around often—not nearly as much as I used to be or would like to be… but it means the world that you two still care so much about me to do this.”

        “Of course, Sorrel…” Sol said as he put a gentle hoof on her shoulder. “You’re one of the most important mares in my life—” and here, he flashed a quick wink to Arty, but ultimately turned back to Sorrel, “—and I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Soulmates, remember?” All Sorrel could do was hug him tightly once again.

        Then it was Arty who spoke. She flicked a lock of hair away from her face and gave Sorrel another smile, genuine and loving. “I won’t say I haven’t missed you, because I have, dearly… but I love you, Sorrel. And there isn’t…” she trailed off and embraced the other mare once again, letting her own tears fall. “…there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”

        The room was quiet for a few minutes afterward, the two of them locked in each other’s forelegs. Sol could only smile. But they did let go, and it was with the fondest of smiles that they greeted each other’s gaze once more. Afterward, the three of them retreated to the living room, Sol and Arty presenting a surprise for Sorrel: Frozen.

        All three of them settled together, Sorrel in the middle with Arty nuzzled at her right and Sol on the left, draping his wing over the other two. They watched the movie in blissful company, forgetting about the rest of the world, if only for one night. Toward the end, however, Sorrel noticed a somewhat heavier pressure on her side, and she looked to see Arty sound asleep. Pointing this out to the stallion, they both giggled quietly.

        “I guess the trip wore her out more than I thought,” Sol whispered.