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really helped me out with this one, and I hope we didn't disappoint!", "writing": "The snow from the previous night's fall was still fresh on the ground, coating everything around a thick layer of white. Birds were keeping to their nests, and the creatures of the forest were buried away in their holes, except for the ones who could tolerate a little climate change. The sun barely peeked through the clouds in the sky, giving everything a dim, but yet still inviting, light.\n\nThis was what the couple who were living in the riverside cabin have been waiting for all season. The door to their little abode flew open, and out stepped a pink dog, with even pinker hair. The dog took a deep breath of the air and sighed it all out causing the condensation to cloud in front of their muzzle.\n\n“Snow, finally!” The canine exclaimed. “Wedge, get out here and take a breath of this snowy air!”\n\nWhen they didn't get a reply, Jen's brow furrowed. The dog walked back into the cabin, and peeked into their bedroom. A bundled form in the corner raised and lowered slowly, the loud snores of sleep still being heard even that far away.\n\n“Sorry, Wedge...” Jen said while walking back in.\n\nThe dog went back into the room and over to the nightstand next to the bed in the room. With a giggle, Jen fiddled around with the clock on the table... and then it rang. The loud ding-ding-dinging of the alarm clock started to rile the giant mass from its sleep. Jen grinned wide and ran back out to the front of the cabin. The dog heard the alarm stop and looked back inside.\n\n“Jen... where are you?” the dog heard a loud voice ask from inside.\n\n“Outside, come on out! There's snow!” Jen replied.\n\nTimidly, a feral blue dragon with white accents made his way over to the door. He poked his head out and shivered slightly.\n\n“It's... lovely, but I was hoping to stay in today, Jen.” The dragon said.\n\n“You always want to stay in, Wedge... indulge me a little!” Jen huffed. “Come on, we can walk through the forest. I'm sure you want to see if the lake's frozen over, right?”\n\nWedge grumbled and growled to himself. He really did want to stay in, but he knew Jen, the dog was always wanting to get out and do things. The dragon merely sighed and stepped out onto the fresh, icy powder before going back inside.\n\n“Fine... but I'm not changing.” Wedge said.\n\n“Fine with me, you know I love either form.” Jen replied.\n\nWedge smiled slightly and made a small rumbling noise as he jumped off the ground, using his wings to hover gently off the ground. Jen gave a small chuckle, and the couple got ready to set off. Even though they weren't the only ones who lived in the forest, it was so thick, and so far from the cities. Adding to the fact was how far apart anyone lived within the forest.\n\nWedge himself, being a dragon, was able to shift forms at will, either staying the feral dragon he currently was, or turning into an anthro form. But he preferred being feral, because his wings worked better in that form. This settled just fine with Jen; gave the dog more to cuddle with.\n\nJen was also a bit of an oddity, aside from the dog's popping fur color. A hermaphrodite by birth, Jen was both genders, due to having both sets of reproductive organs. Wedge didn't mind this a single bit. In fact, he quite enjoyed the ability to pleasure his partner in whatever way Jen wanted. Jen also enjoyed that. Their combined uniqueness made them all the more comfortable around each other.\n\nThough they often went outside naked, the cold and their itinerary forced them to don some seasonally appropriate clothing. Jen had a warm, woolen sweater and a brown overcoat on with a beanie donning their head and keeping their ears warm. Wedge’s ensemble was a little more complicated and loose due to his ability to shift he needed to have clothes that didn’t destroy themselves every time he shifted.\n\n“Always a pain to get dressed, but I’ll do it for you.” Wedge said as he put on his Winter clothing.\n\n“We can undress the second we get back, how’s that?” Jen smiled.\n\n“I can get behind that.” Wedge chuckled.\n\n“It finally snowed, on Christmas too... isn't it wonderful?” Jen asked.\n\n“Yeah, it sure is...” The apprehensive dragon replied.\n\n“Oh, hush. You might not like the snow, but I love it.” Jen said, bopping at Wedge's nose with their paw. “It reminds me of home.” As they stepped outside and made their way into the forest outside of their cabin.\n\nWedge wiggled his nose and sighed. “I know, Jen, but... I'm a dragon. We like being warm... the cold doesn't exactly agree with us... I mean one of the things we do is breathe fire, hot very hot, hot doesn’t get along with snow, hence why I'm not walking through it.”\n\n“Even with me?” Jen prodded, canine tongue sticking out.\n\nWedge blushed, and didn't reply, which made Jen giggle a bit. Jen was clearly enjoying hearing the snow crunch underfoot, due to the dog making exaggerated, wide steps while walking. Wedge couldn't help but smile at his partner while watching. The dragon considered landing to walk alongside Jen, especially after that question earlier, but decided against it. Being in the air felt free, after all, and he can only walk inside the cabin anyway.\n\nWhile hovering about the ground, Wedge rose above the tree line for a moment. He narrowed his eyes and looked closely at something near where the lake was. He gasps and dove back down to where Jen was, the dragon pointing ahead.\n\n“There's a fallen tree up ahead... we should check to see if anyone is hurt.” Wedge had a thought due to the amateur lumberjacks that attempt to find a Christmas tree in the forest around this time of year.\n\nJen blinked and nodded. “Yes! Yes!”\n\nThe two ran through the snowy forest, Wedge hovering above the trees as they approached the spot where the tree fell. When they finally got there, they discovered... nothing. A tree had fallen, looking like a strong wind had knocked it down. Upon surveying the area, they discovered no trace of harm to any of the creatures that called it home, or any dead bodies, which lightened their moods very noticeably.\n\n“Thank goodness, no one got harmed...” Wedge sighed in relief.\n\nJen nodded slowly, the dog's arms crossed. “It's a miracle, honestly.”\n\nWedge nodded and picked Jen up under their arms. “I think I'm going to fly you the rest of the way, if you don't mind. It’s still a long way and we’ll miss the sunrise if we don’t get to the lake soon. So hang on tight.”\n\nJen blinked, nodding slowly. “By all means...”\n\nWedge smiled and scooped Jen up in his arms, before giving his wings a mighty flap, and taking off. Jen yipped as the winds brushed against them while still enjoying having their partner so close as to feel his tight grip on their shoulders. Wedge's flying at full force was certainly faster than walking, but Jen liked the exercise of walking. A few more minutes of soaring in the winter sky later, the couple finally found themselves at the lake. Jen's face lit up as they looked at it.\n\n“Yes!” The dog exclaimed. “Yes, it's frozen!”\n\nThe entire thing, too. A nice, glassy coat of ice coated the entire surface of the lake, with snow surrounding the bank. It was a picturesque scene worthy of a painting, and Jen loved looking at every second of it. The dog prodded Wedge to land, which he did hesitantly.\n\n“I want to go onto the ice... join me?” Jen asked.\n\nWedge looked out towards the lake. While it was indeed frozen over... the ice atop the water was never guaranteed to be stable, and Wedge knew this. The dragon immediately hopped off the ground again.\n\n“I'm not so sure about that... I don't think you should either.”\n\nJen pouted, the dog's arms crossing. “Oh come on! You can fly. You can pick us up if we fall through or something.”\n\n“Ok... fine.” Wedge gave in. “But if a hole appears, we're done, got it?”\n\nJen nodded quickly and grabbed onto Wedge's arms, pulling the dragon onto the ice. Wedge was apprehensive, and barely moved at first. But as soon as they got on the ice, he finally calmed down. Jen smiled and nuzzled up against the dragon's cheek.\n\n“I'm gonna go ahead now... ready?” Jen asked.\n\nWedge nodded and dug his claws into the ice. “Yes.”\n\nJen's face lit up, and Wedge was rewarded with a hug from his canine partner. The dog's feet weren’t used to the ice, and Jen nearly tripped and made a faceplant, but Wedge was quick on the draw to save them. The cotton-candy colored couple made their way to the center of the ice, bodies pressed together.\n\nWith some uncertainly, Wedge started to lead the skating. They didn't actually have skates, so they used their claws to stop and turn. It was actually harder for Wedge to maneuver than it was for Jen, given his feral nature. Jen took notice of this, and leaned close to his ear.\n\n“You should switch... would be easier, I think...” Jen whispered.\n\n“You're right... just this one time, I think.” Wedge replied.\n\nThe dragon closed his eyes and focused intently. Jen watched as, within seconds, the blue, feral dragon that was by the dog's side transformed into a muscular, anthro form. The dragon wobbled a bit after his change, having to get used to two legs yet again.\n\n“I've got you.” Jen said, holding onto him.\n\nWedge smiled warmly and held the pink dog close to him as they glided along the ice. The cold wind beating at them, their bodies in unison on the ice, and the sheer privacy of it all, it made them feel all the more alive.\n\n“We should definitely get skates though.” Wedge chuckled slightly.\n\n“Hush.” Jen said, bopping his nose playfully.\n\nThe couple continued to skate on the lake for minutes on end. Sun shafts started to peak through the clouds, illuminating the forest in a warm glow. Birds started to chirp as animals started to come back out of hiding, to bask in the winter. The way the sun hit on the lake, it looked like there were crystals littering the glacial ice.\n\n“Isn’t it beautiful?” Jen said as each ray penetrated the trees and warmed them both.\n\n“Yeah it sure is and I’m glad we get to share it, but the ice is quite tricky without skates.” He laughed as he nearly fell and caught himself by flying up.\n\nJen laughed as the couple continued to glide down the ice. Wedge got an idea and shifted back to feral form. Jen looked confused... then gasped when Wedge nudged the dog up. The dragon nuzzled on his mate and smiled.\n\n“Relax.” He said.\n\nJen nodded slowly, they letting out a huffing breath. Jen started to feel a smile coming on, then arms went outstretched. The dog's mouth hung open as Wedge glided along the lake, holding onto his lover, helping the dog to skate.\n\n[i]“Let me be your wings, let me be your only love~[/i]” Wedge started to sing.\n\n“Oh don't even!” Jen laughed out.\n\nWedge chuckled and smirked. He scooped Jen into his arms, paws holding tightly onto them as he shot into the air. Jen yipped sharply and tensed up a bit. Wedge did a loop in the air, soaring over the lake. Jen screamed in excitement over the essential roller coaster ride being experienced. After Wedge landed back onto the lake and let Jen off, the dog wobbled and laughed slightly.\n\n“Ok. Ok! We should stop now!” Jen called out.\n\nWedge stopped carrying the dog and landed at Jen's side. “You're sure now?”\n\nJen nodded. “We still have to pick up stuff for dinner tonight.”\n\nWedge nodded slowly. “And a gift exchange.”\n\nJen nodded and the two made their way back to the riverbank. The two started on their way from the lake, taking a different path than before. This path was... an actual path, on the forest edge. It bordered a river that fed into the lake. The river, somehow, was not frozen at all, still flowing freely.\n\n“...How. The lake was frozen solid! How is the river still going?” Jen asked.\n\n“No idea. Probably because of how fast it always moves.” Wedge brought up.\n\nJen just shrugged, and the two continued on their way. Wedge decided to actually walk with Jen this time, the two of them snuggling up and kissing each other occasionally. They did stop for a moment, when a tree branch finally gave way, and a giant glob of snow plopped onto Wedge's head, covering it in the powder. Jen helped clean him off, and Wedge stood close to Jen the rest of the way, still shivering.\n\nThey approached a great big fenced off area along the path and stopped in. This was the local farm cooperative, that provided the forest populace with fresh grown meat, produce, dairy and wheat products, for free, no less! They had ordered a chicken and a fish from the farmer, an old fox, earlier in the week, and they had come to collect.\n\n“Alright, here's a fresh, raw salmon for the lovely canine... two feet long, so it should be plenty.” The fox said as he gave the fish to Jen.\n\nJen’s mouth watered as they looked the fish over, their eyes lighting up. “Thank you!” They exclaimed as Jen placed it the butcher’s paper and put it in a tote bag, before hugging onto the old fox. “Thank you!”\n\nThe farmer was taken by surprise, but quickly returned the hug.\n\nThe farmer chuckled and held up a bag to Wedge. “And for the dragon, a fresh chicken, oven-ready!”\n\nWedge grabbed at the bag and let out an excited rumble, \n\n“Ok, for the fish, the best way to cook it is in a pan... the chicken can be oven baked, but the best way to do it is a rotisserie... if you have one, anyway.” He explained.\n\nThe dragon and canine nodded at the farmer's instructions and set off. They decided to take the “Dragon Express” to the small town a few miles away. To call it a town would be a gross overestimation, it was a tiny backwoods trading post that was frequented by the various denizens of the forest where they both hawked their wares and bought from the old badger that called that trading post home since he was a kid himself.\n\n“It’s Christmas Day, do you think he’s even here today?” Jen asked.\n\n“I know Paul, he won’t miss a sale even on Christmas.” Wedge smiled.\n\nSure enough as they arrived at the trading post it was indeed open and ready to dispense with whatever thing they needed.\n\n“Good to see you, Wedge.” The badger called out as the dragon walked through the door.\n\n“Merry Christmas, Paul, I knew you’d be wide open.” Wedge had Jen in tow.\n\n“Merry Christmas to you too and to your lovely partner.” Paul smiled and went back to cleaning the display case.\n\n“Merry Christmas to you.” Jen walked behind Wedge on their way to check the little spices that were grown and sold by area farmers at the post.\n\nThe couple picked a few herbs and some pepper for their dinner later tonight and grabbed some tissue paper to cover their gifts to one another.\n\n“You seem to be grabbing an awful lot of tissue paper, is my gift that big?” Wedge winked.\n\n“You’ll find out.” Jen kissed Wedge’s nose.\n\nThe way back to the cabin was longer than normal due to the pit stop, but they managed to make it back just fine. As soon as they made it through the door, Jen immediately ran into the kitchen with the impatience that hunger can only bring.\n\n“I'm going to start cooking this stuff.” Jen said. The dog set the bagged chicken down on the counter.\n\n“Wait a sec, let’s go bag our gifts and meet back here as soon as we’re done, sound good?” Wedge managed to stop Jen from devouring the food raw and they went to wrap up the presents they had gotten one another earlier. The two headed back downstairs and unpacked the stuff for dinner that they had bought earlier in the day.\n\n“Mind lighting the fire for me?” Jen asked?\n\nThe giant fish they were given was slammed onto the counter... which actually shook from the impact. The dragon nodded at Jen's request and walked to their little firepit with a spit and a ceramic dish held aloft by a grate. With a deep huff, he shot a blast of flame onto the coal within, igniting the firepit instantly.\n\n“There you go... Don't burn anything.” Wedge teased.\n\n“As if I ever do!” Jen retorted with a haughty laugh.\n\nWedge’s anthro form proved to be better for helping out in the kitchen as he fileted the salmon, carefully inserting the knife underneath to gut and debone it.\n\n“You’re not usually a deboner.” Jen quipped while winking at their partner.\n\n“Ha, good one.” Wedge said while rolling his eyes.\n\nHe began to crush some aromatic herbs and rubbed them inside the salmon while squirting some fresh lemon juice on the scales and giving it a coat of butter. The dragon readied the pan to find Jen quizzically looking at the bird Wedge would eat.\n\n“Something up with it sweetie?” the dragon asked worriedly.\n\n“Not really hun, just the fire is going and I can’t figure out what I want to do with this chicken.” They let out a sigh.\n\n“Well I have some thyme here, let’s crush it around the chicken and use the rest of this lemon on it then put the halves inside it.” Wedge looked back at Jen who had a wide smile as they put the herbs and aromatics on the chicken.\n\n“The chicken is gonna take like twice the time that the salmon will though…” Jen warned him as he began to turn on the flame on the range.\n\n“You’re right, I’ll cook this about when the chicken is through halfway, then it’ll all be good.” Wedge smiled at Jen.\n\nThey both donned oven mitts and placed the food inside the fire and turned to one another just then Jen kissed Wedge, pecking at his lips before pulling him into a hug.\n\n“Let’s finish the side stuff and then eat dinner. That way we’ll be cozy for cuddles.” Wedge said before kissing back while making a soft rumbling sound from the hug a clear sign of his happiness.\n\nThe dinner wound up being a fantastic piece when it was all finished. Jen’s salmon was still whole, the skin still on as well as they liked the crispiness of the skin when it was properly fried, but it had been completely de-boned. Wedge's chicken was still steaming from the fire, crisp and juicy, looking to be a fine meal indeed. \n\nIn addition to the main courses, there was a nice, vinaigrette-coated salad and fresh potatoes for sides. It wasn't much, but they didn't care. Before sitting down to eat, Jen had gone into town the day before and purchased a cake from a local bakery. The canine reached into their refrigerator and pulled out a frosted round cake with sliced glazed fruit all around it. Wedge got up and sliced it for them end their dinner with a nice dessert before turning back into his feral form.\n\n“Once again, Jen, this food is fantastic.” Wedge complimented as looked over the meal, smiling warmly.\n\n“What can I say, Dragon fire makes for some great cooking!” Jen joked.\n\nWedge chuckled slightly. It was true that he might have helped with dinner in that regard. It's part of why the couple didn't have an oven. The canine smiled and made up plates for both of them, fitting the whole of their own meals on the plates. Jen twirled to face the dragon curled up on the floor and nodded.\n\n“Whenever you're ready.” The dog said.\n\nWedge rumbled happily and brought his tail out. He used it to wrap around Jen's body, allowing him to pull the dog close. Jen laughed while getting dragged over to the dragon. This was always a fun part of eating meals, being able to snuggle up together. Due to Wedge's preference for feral form, they did not have a table to use.\n\n“Time to eat our wonderful cooking.” Wedge said.\n\nJen smiled and snuggled into him as he said that. The two of them gave each other a small kiss before they started to eat. Jen was clearly savoring the taste of the fish, as the dog was taking big bites, but taking time to swallow.\n\nWedge's chicken vanished rather quickly. It was an entire big bird, but Wedge had it gone in just a couple of bites. When the last of it went down his throat, he let out a loud burp... which lead to a small ring of smoke coming from his mouth. Jen saw how quickly the fish was devoured and laughed a bit.\n\n“Did you even taste it?” The dog asked.\n\n“Yes I did... we seasoned it beautifully.” Wedge replied, giving a low rumbling as he nuzzled Jen.\n\nJen smiled and offered a piece of fish to the dragon. Wedge smiled wide and took it, gulping it down and rumbling in a pleased fashion. Jen laughed and cuddled up with Wedge while continuing to eat. Wedge blushed slightly and wrapped one of his wings around the dog. When both of them were completely done with their dinner, Wedge went upstairs and grabbed a box before heading down and giving it to Jen.\n\n“Merry Christmas, Jen.” Wedge said.\n\nJen curiously took the box and unwrapped it. The box was a bright pink gift box, to match Jen's fur. The dog took the lid off and gasped at what was inside. A beautiful chain necklace, gold, with a teal-colored gemstone pendant to cap it all off. Jen lifted it up in their paws and admired it.\n\n“Wedge, when did you- it's... beautiful!” Jen exclaimed.\n\nJen kissed Wedge right on the lips, which made the dragon rumble very happily. Jen quickly ran upstairs over to grab the other box there, a much bigger one, and came down to hand it over to the dragon.\n\n“Here's yours!” The canine exclaimed.\n\nWedge sniffed at the package before opening it himself. The box for his gift was a bright blue with white stripes, again, a fitting match for it recipient. Wedge opened it up and gasped at what he saw.\n\nThe bigger box was to hide a painting, already framed. The subject of the painting was Wedge himself, standing majestically in the middle of a forest field. In the painting, Wedge's wings were spread wide, and he gazed with determination and pride off into the horizon.\n\n“If I only I were so determined regularly... thank you, Jen. It's wonderful.” Wedge said.\n\nThe dragon pulled Jen close to him again, and gave the dog a kiss on the forehead. Jen smiled and returned the gesture. The two were about to make out, their lips drifting together until they finally made contact. Both the partners slowly parted their lips and allowed the other to enter with their tongue.\n\n“Always so eager huh?” Jen said when they finally broke their kiss.\n\n“Well you know how cute I think you are and how close we always end up every day how could I resist your lips?” Wedge said trying to be romantic.\n\n“How about I put this on then?” Jen dangled the necklace in front of their muzzle.\n\n“Right now?” Wedge was curious.\n\n“Well I need something to take off, don’t I?” Jen and Wedge chuckled as they realized they were already naked.\n\n“Well that’s a fair thought.” The dragon smiled.\n\nJen clasped the necklace as they put it around their neck letting the gem sparkle in the flickering light produced by the fire that raged on as their own love in the moment.\n\nWedge leaned in for another kiss as Jen looked back up to his eyes.\n\n“You’re so beautiful.” He said with a happy, deep rumble.\n\nThe dragon ran his paw through Jen’s hair and brought them into a tight hug feeling close and pressed up against one another.\n\n“Jen I love you.” He whispered right near the canine’s ear in a soft, hushed tone.\n\n“I love you too, Wedge.” Jen whispered right back before sinking down onto their back.\n\nWedge was holding himself right on top of his lover, his paws planted firmly on either side of the pink canine.\n\nThe brilliant gemstone continued to reflect the burning fire illuminating the two from the side. Wedge and Jen took deep looks into one another’s eyes. The flames danced across their figures with the ever-changing light.\n\nWedge looked down and examined his partner, the dog’s chest rising and falling with each deep breath, their breasts perky and big, their flat stomach and right below their sheath. Wedge so enjoyed his lover’s body. He was seconds away from enjoying it in another way as he spread his wings and enclosed the two for them to proceed.\n\nThe rest of the day was spent enjoying the dessert, snuggling up to the fire, and singing together. \n\n“[i]Dark in the city, night is a wire / steam in the subway, earth is afire[/i].” Wedge belted out off-key as they attempted to harmonize, but ended up a mess.\n\n“[i]I’ll do it from now on, smell like I sound, I’m lost in a crowd / and I’m hungry like the wolf.[/i]” Jen stuck their tongue out when they finished the stanza.\n\n“Maybe I’m not cut out for Duran Duran, besides you’re not a wolf.” He said while leaning in to nuzzle the canine.\n\n“Straddle the line it’s discoed rhyme?” Wedge wondered aloud.\n\n“[i]Discord[/i] and rhyme. Opposites, makes sense, I guess.” Jen attempted to analyze the song but gave up halfway through their thought.\n\n“You painted this didn’t you?” Wedge held up the framed painting.\n\n“Yeah, I would do it while you were out working to keep it a surprise, I took a few liberties so you wouldn’t just be looking in a mirror. It’s as strong and as lovely as I see you every day you come home to me. I just painted you through my eyes and I felt that would be a much more thoughtful painting than just some lazy portrait. It would be silly if you just had a painting of yourself that was just normal wouldn’t it?” Jen ran their paw down Wedge’s chest and stomach.\n\n“Thank you, it is really special, I’ll hang this up at work and show it off.” Wedge smiled and rumbled as he was stroked.\n\n“I also love my gift.” Jen held the necklace close to their chest.\n\nThe forest didn't offer much in the way of technology, but the residents didn't care. The miles apart from all the others was not isolation, but instead it was space. What they cared most about was the company of each other, especially when they were odd ducks, like a blue and white, shapeshifting dragon, and a pink dog of both genders. \n\nThey both loved one another and sat admiring the snow falling on their frosted window while their glowing fire continued to roar as strongly as their love kindled by affection or, in the case of the fireplace, the power of dragonfire. \n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "The snow from the previous night's fall was still fresh on the ground, coating everything around a thick layer of white. Birds were keeping to their nests, and the creatures of the forest were buried away in their holes, except for the ones who could tolerate a little climate change. The sun barely peeked through the clouds in the sky, giving everything a dim, but yet still inviting, light.

This was what the couple who were living in the riverside cabin have been waiting for all season. The door to their little abode flew open, and out stepped a pink dog, with even pinker hair. The dog took a deep breath of the air and sighed it all out causing the condensation to cloud in front of their muzzle.

“Snow, finally!” The canine exclaimed. “Wedge, get out here and take a breath of this snowy air!”

When they didn't get a reply, Jen's brow furrowed. The dog walked back into the cabin, and peeked into their bedroom. A bundled form in the corner raised and lowered slowly, the loud snores of sleep still being heard even that far away.

“Sorry, Wedge...” Jen said while walking back in.

The dog went back into the room and over to the nightstand next to the bed in the room. With a giggle, Jen fiddled around with the clock on the table... and then it rang. The loud ding-ding-dinging of the alarm clock started to rile the giant mass from its sleep. Jen grinned wide and ran back out to the front of the cabin. The dog heard the alarm stop and looked back inside.

“Jen... where are you?” the dog heard a loud voice ask from inside.

“Outside, come on out! There's snow!” Jen replied.

Timidly, a feral blue dragon with white accents made his way over to the door. He poked his head out and shivered slightly.

“It's... lovely, but I was hoping to stay in today, Jen.” The dragon said.

“You always want to stay in, Wedge... indulge me a little!” Jen huffed. “Come on, we can walk through the forest. I'm sure you want to see if the lake's frozen over, right?”

Wedge grumbled and growled to himself. He really did want to stay in, but he knew Jen, the dog was always wanting to get out and do things. The dragon merely sighed and stepped out onto the fresh, icy powder before going back inside.

“Fine... but I'm not changing.” Wedge said.

“Fine with me, you know I love either form.” Jen replied.

Wedge smiled slightly and made a small rumbling noise as he jumped off the ground, using his wings to hover gently off the ground. Jen gave a small chuckle, and the couple got ready to set off. Even though they weren't the only ones who lived in the forest, it was so thick, and so far from the cities. Adding to the fact was how far apart anyone lived within the forest.

Wedge himself, being a dragon, was able to shift forms at will, either staying the feral dragon he currently was, or turning into an anthro form. But he preferred being feral, because his wings worked better in that form. This settled just fine with Jen; gave the dog more to cuddle with.

Jen was also a bit of an oddity, aside from the dog's popping fur color. A hermaphrodite by birth, Jen was both genders, due to having both sets of reproductive organs. Wedge didn't mind this a single bit. In fact, he quite enjoyed the ability to pleasure his partner in whatever way Jen wanted. Jen also enjoyed that. Their combined uniqueness made them all the more comfortable around each other.

Though they often went outside naked, the cold and their itinerary forced them to don some seasonally appropriate clothing. Jen had a warm, woolen sweater and a brown overcoat on with a beanie donning their head and keeping their ears warm. Wedge’s ensemble was a little more complicated and loose due to his ability to shift he needed to have clothes that didn’t destroy themselves every time he shifted.

“Always a pain to get dressed, but I’ll do it for you.” Wedge said as he put on his Winter clothing.

“We can undress the second we get back, how’s that?” Jen smiled.

“I can get behind that.” Wedge chuckled.

“It finally snowed, on Christmas too... isn't it wonderful?” Jen asked.

“Yeah, it sure is...” The apprehensive dragon replied.

“Oh, hush. You might not like the snow, but I love it.” Jen said, bopping at Wedge's nose with their paw. “It reminds me of home.” As they stepped outside and made their way into the forest outside of their cabin.

Wedge wiggled his nose and sighed. “I know, Jen, but... I'm a dragon. We like being warm... the cold doesn't exactly agree with us... I mean one of the things we do is breathe fire, hot very hot, hot doesn’t get along with snow, hence why I'm not walking through it.”

“Even with me?” Jen prodded, canine tongue sticking out.

Wedge blushed, and didn't reply, which made Jen giggle a bit. Jen was clearly enjoying hearing the snow crunch underfoot, due to the dog making exaggerated, wide steps while walking. Wedge couldn't help but smile at his partner while watching. The dragon considered landing to walk alongside Jen, especially after that question earlier, but decided against it. Being in the air felt free, after all, and he can only walk inside the cabin anyway.

While hovering about the ground, Wedge rose above the tree line for a moment. He narrowed his eyes and looked closely at something near where the lake was. He gasps and dove back down to where Jen was, the dragon pointing ahead.

“There's a fallen tree up ahead... we should check to see if anyone is hurt.” Wedge had a thought due to the amateur lumberjacks that attempt to find a Christmas tree in the forest around this time of year.

Jen blinked and nodded. “Yes! Yes!”

The two ran through the snowy forest, Wedge hovering above the trees as they approached the spot where the tree fell. When they finally got there, they discovered... nothing. A tree had fallen, looking like a strong wind had knocked it down. Upon surveying the area, they discovered no trace of harm to any of the creatures that called it home, or any dead bodies, which lightened their moods very noticeably.

“Thank goodness, no one got harmed...” Wedge sighed in relief.

Jen nodded slowly, the dog's arms crossed. “It's a miracle, honestly.”

Wedge nodded and picked Jen up under their arms. “I think I'm going to fly you the rest of the way, if you don't mind. It’s still a long way and we’ll miss the sunrise if we don’t get to the lake soon. So hang on tight.”

Jen blinked, nodding slowly. “By all means...”

Wedge smiled and scooped Jen up in his arms, before giving his wings a mighty flap, and taking off. Jen yipped as the winds brushed against them while still enjoying having their partner so close as to feel his tight grip on their shoulders. Wedge's flying at full force was certainly faster than walking, but Jen liked the exercise of walking. A few more minutes of soaring in the winter sky later, the couple finally found themselves at the lake. Jen's face lit up as they looked at it.

“Yes!” The dog exclaimed. “Yes, it's frozen!”

The entire thing, too. A nice, glassy coat of ice coated the entire surface of the lake, with snow surrounding the bank. It was a picturesque scene worthy of a painting, and Jen loved looking at every second of it. The dog prodded Wedge to land, which he did hesitantly.

“I want to go onto the ice... join me?” Jen asked.

Wedge looked out towards the lake. While it was indeed frozen over... the ice atop the water was never guaranteed to be stable, and Wedge knew this. The dragon immediately hopped off the ground again.

“I'm not so sure about that... I don't think you should either.”

Jen pouted, the dog's arms crossing. “Oh come on! You can fly. You can pick us up if we fall through or something.”

“Ok... fine.” Wedge gave in. “But if a hole appears, we're done, got it?”

Jen nodded quickly and grabbed onto Wedge's arms, pulling the dragon onto the ice. Wedge was apprehensive, and barely moved at first. But as soon as they got on the ice, he finally calmed down. Jen smiled and nuzzled up against the dragon's cheek.

“I'm gonna go ahead now... ready?” Jen asked.

Wedge nodded and dug his claws into the ice. “Yes.”

Jen's face lit up, and Wedge was rewarded with a hug from his canine partner. The dog's feet weren’t used to the ice, and Jen nearly tripped and made a faceplant, but Wedge was quick on the draw to save them. The cotton-candy colored couple made their way to the center of the ice, bodies pressed together.

With some uncertainly, Wedge started to lead the skating. They didn't actually have skates, so they used their claws to stop and turn. It was actually harder for Wedge to maneuver than it was for Jen, given his feral nature. Jen took notice of this, and leaned close to his ear.

“You should switch... would be easier, I think...” Jen whispered.

“You're right... just this one time, I think.” Wedge replied.

The dragon closed his eyes and focused intently. Jen watched as, within seconds, the blue, feral dragon that was by the dog's side transformed into a muscular, anthro form. The dragon wobbled a bit after his change, having to get used to two legs yet again.

“I've got you.” Jen said, holding onto him.

Wedge smiled warmly and held the pink dog close to him as they glided along the ice. The cold wind beating at them, their bodies in unison on the ice, and the sheer privacy of it all, it made them feel all the more alive.

“We should definitely get skates though.” Wedge chuckled slightly.

“Hush.” Jen said, bopping his nose playfully.

The couple continued to skate on the lake for minutes on end. Sun shafts started to peak through the clouds, illuminating the forest in a warm glow. Birds started to chirp as animals started to come back out of hiding, to bask in the winter. The way the sun hit on the lake, it looked like there were crystals littering the glacial ice.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Jen said as each ray penetrated the trees and warmed them both.

“Yeah it sure is and I’m glad we get to share it, but the ice is quite tricky without skates.” He laughed as he nearly fell and caught himself by flying up.

Jen laughed as the couple continued to glide down the ice. Wedge got an idea and shifted back to feral form. Jen looked confused... then gasped when Wedge nudged the dog up. The dragon nuzzled on his mate and smiled.

“Relax.” He said.

Jen nodded slowly, they letting out a huffing breath. Jen started to feel a smile coming on, then arms went outstretched. The dog's mouth hung open as Wedge glided along the lake, holding onto his lover, helping the dog to skate.

“Let me be your wings, let me be your only love~” Wedge started to sing.

“Oh don't even!” Jen laughed out.

Wedge chuckled and smirked. He scooped Jen into his arms, paws holding tightly onto them as he shot into the air. Jen yipped sharply and tensed up a bit. Wedge did a loop in the air, soaring over the lake. Jen screamed in excitement over the essential roller coaster ride being experienced. After Wedge landed back onto the lake and let Jen off, the dog wobbled and laughed slightly.

“Ok. Ok! We should stop now!” Jen called out.

Wedge stopped carrying the dog and landed at Jen's side. “You're sure now?”

Jen nodded. “We still have to pick up stuff for dinner tonight.”

Wedge nodded slowly. “And a gift exchange.”

Jen nodded and the two made their way back to the riverbank. The two started on their way from the lake, taking a different path than before. This path was... an actual path, on the forest edge. It bordered a river that fed into the lake. The river, somehow, was not frozen at all, still flowing freely.

“...How. The lake was frozen solid! How is the river still going?” Jen asked.

“No idea. Probably because of how fast it always moves.” Wedge brought up.

Jen just shrugged, and the two continued on their way. Wedge decided to actually walk with Jen this time, the two of them snuggling up and kissing each other occasionally. They did stop for a moment, when a tree branch finally gave way, and a giant glob of snow plopped onto Wedge's head, covering it in the powder. Jen helped clean him off, and Wedge stood close to Jen the rest of the way, still shivering.

They approached a great big fenced off area along the path and stopped in. This was the local farm cooperative, that provided the forest populace with fresh grown meat, produce, dairy and wheat products, for free, no less! They had ordered a chicken and a fish from the farmer, an old fox, earlier in the week, and they had come to collect.

“Alright, here's a fresh, raw salmon for the lovely canine... two feet long, so it should be plenty.” The fox said as he gave the fish to Jen.

Jen’s mouth watered as they looked the fish over, their eyes lighting up. “Thank you!” They exclaimed as Jen placed it the butcher’s paper and put it in a tote bag, before hugging onto the old fox. “Thank you!”

The farmer was taken by surprise, but quickly returned the hug.

The farmer chuckled and held up a bag to Wedge. “And for the dragon, a fresh chicken, oven-ready!”

Wedge grabbed at the bag and let out an excited rumble,

“Ok, for the fish, the best way to cook it is in a pan... the chicken can be oven baked, but the best way to do it is a rotisserie... if you have one, anyway.” He explained.

The dragon and canine nodded at the farmer's instructions and set off. They decided to take the “Dragon Express” to the small town a few miles away. To call it a town would be a gross overestimation, it was a tiny backwoods trading post that was frequented by the various denizens of the forest where they both hawked their wares and bought from the old badger that called that trading post home since he was a kid himself.

“It’s Christmas Day, do you think he’s even here today?” Jen asked.

“I know Paul, he won’t miss a sale even on Christmas.” Wedge smiled.

Sure enough as they arrived at the trading post it was indeed open and ready to dispense with whatever thing they needed.

“Good to see you, Wedge.” The badger called out as the dragon walked through the door.

“Merry Christmas, Paul, I knew you’d be wide open.” Wedge had Jen in tow.

“Merry Christmas to you too and to your lovely partner.” Paul smiled and went back to cleaning the display case.

“Merry Christmas to you.” Jen walked behind Wedge on their way to check the little spices that were grown and sold by area farmers at the post.

The couple picked a few herbs and some pepper for their dinner later tonight and grabbed some tissue paper to cover their gifts to one another.

“You seem to be grabbing an awful lot of tissue paper, is my gift that big?” Wedge winked.

“You’ll find out.” Jen kissed Wedge’s nose.

The way back to the cabin was longer than normal due to the pit stop, but they managed to make it back just fine. As soon as they made it through the door, Jen immediately ran into the kitchen with the impatience that hunger can only bring.

“I'm going to start cooking this stuff.” Jen said. The dog set the bagged chicken down on the counter.

“Wait a sec, let’s go bag our gifts and meet back here as soon as we’re done, sound good?” Wedge managed to stop Jen from devouring the food raw and they went to wrap up the presents they had gotten one another earlier. The two headed back downstairs and unpacked the stuff for dinner that they had bought earlier in the day.

“Mind lighting the fire for me?” Jen asked?

The giant fish they were given was slammed onto the counter... which actually shook from the impact. The dragon nodded at Jen's request and walked to their little firepit with a spit and a ceramic dish held aloft by a grate. With a deep huff, he shot a blast of flame onto the coal within, igniting the firepit instantly.

“There you go... Don't burn anything.” Wedge teased.

“As if I ever do!” Jen retorted with a haughty laugh.

Wedge’s anthro form proved to be better for helping out in the kitchen as he fileted the salmon, carefully inserting the knife underneath to gut and debone it.

“You’re not usually a deboner.” Jen quipped while winking at their partner.

“Ha, good one.” Wedge said while rolling his eyes.

He began to crush some aromatic herbs and rubbed them inside the salmon while squirting some fresh lemon juice on the scales and giving it a coat of butter. The dragon readied the pan to find Jen quizzically looking at the bird Wedge would eat.

“Something up with it sweetie?” the dragon asked worriedly.

“Not really hun, just the fire is going and I can’t figure out what I want to do with this chicken.” They let out a sigh.

“Well I have some thyme here, let’s crush it around the chicken and use the rest of this lemon on it then put the halves inside it.” Wedge looked back at Jen who had a wide smile as they put the herbs and aromatics on the chicken.

“The chicken is gonna take like twice the time that the salmon will though…” Jen warned him as he began to turn on the flame on the range.

“You’re right, I’ll cook this about when the chicken is through halfway, then it’ll all be good.” Wedge smiled at Jen.

They both donned oven mitts and placed the food inside the fire and turned to one another just then Jen kissed Wedge, pecking at his lips before pulling him into a hug.

“Let’s finish the side stuff and then eat dinner. That way we’ll be cozy for cuddles.” Wedge said before kissing back while making a soft rumbling sound from the hug a clear sign of his happiness.

The dinner wound up being a fantastic piece when it was all finished. Jen’s salmon was still whole, the skin still on as well as they liked the crispiness of the skin when it was properly fried, but it had been completely de-boned. Wedge's chicken was still steaming from the fire, crisp and juicy, looking to be a fine meal indeed.

In addition to the main courses, there was a nice, vinaigrette-coated salad and fresh potatoes for sides. It wasn't much, but they didn't care. Before sitting down to eat, Jen had gone into town the day before and purchased a cake from a local bakery. The canine reached into their refrigerator and pulled out a frosted round cake with sliced glazed fruit all around it. Wedge got up and sliced it for them end their dinner with a nice dessert before turning back into his feral form.

“Once again, Jen, this food is fantastic.” Wedge complimented as looked over the meal, smiling warmly.

“What can I say, Dragon fire makes for some great cooking!” Jen joked.

Wedge chuckled slightly. It was true that he might have helped with dinner in that regard. It's part of why the couple didn't have an oven. The canine smiled and made up plates for both of them, fitting the whole of their own meals on the plates. Jen twirled to face the dragon curled up on the floor and nodded.

“Whenever you're ready.” The dog said.

Wedge rumbled happily and brought his tail out. He used it to wrap around Jen's body, allowing him to pull the dog close. Jen laughed while getting dragged over to the dragon. This was always a fun part of eating meals, being able to snuggle up together. Due to Wedge's preference for feral form, they did not have a table to use.

“Time to eat our wonderful cooking.” Wedge said.

Jen smiled and snuggled into him as he said that. The two of them gave each other a small kiss before they started to eat. Jen was clearly savoring the taste of the fish, as the dog was taking big bites, but taking time to swallow.

Wedge's chicken vanished rather quickly. It was an entire big bird, but Wedge had it gone in just a couple of bites. When the last of it went down his throat, he let out a loud burp... which lead to a small ring of smoke coming from his mouth. Jen saw how quickly the fish was devoured and laughed a bit.

“Did you even taste it?” The dog asked.

“Yes I did... we seasoned it beautifully.” Wedge replied, giving a low rumbling as he nuzzled Jen.

Jen smiled and offered a piece of fish to the dragon. Wedge smiled wide and took it, gulping it down and rumbling in a pleased fashion. Jen laughed and cuddled up with Wedge while continuing to eat. Wedge blushed slightly and wrapped one of his wings around the dog. When both of them were completely done with their dinner, Wedge went upstairs and grabbed a box before heading down and giving it to Jen.

“Merry Christmas, Jen.” Wedge said.

Jen curiously took the box and unwrapped it. The box was a bright pink gift box, to match Jen's fur. The dog took the lid off and gasped at what was inside. A beautiful chain necklace, gold, with a teal-colored gemstone pendant to cap it all off. Jen lifted it up in their paws and admired it.

“Wedge, when did you- it's... beautiful!” Jen exclaimed.

Jen kissed Wedge right on the lips, which made the dragon rumble very happily. Jen quickly ran upstairs over to grab the other box there, a much bigger one, and came down to hand it over to the dragon.

“Here's yours!” The canine exclaimed.

Wedge sniffed at the package before opening it himself. The box for his gift was a bright blue with white stripes, again, a fitting match for it recipient. Wedge opened it up and gasped at what he saw.

The bigger box was to hide a painting, already framed. The subject of the painting was Wedge himself, standing majestically in the middle of a forest field. In the painting, Wedge's wings were spread wide, and he gazed with determination and pride off into the horizon.

“If I only I were so determined regularly... thank you, Jen. It's wonderful.” Wedge said.

The dragon pulled Jen close to him again, and gave the dog a kiss on the forehead. Jen smiled and returned the gesture. The two were about to make out, their lips drifting together until they finally made contact. Both the partners slowly parted their lips and allowed the other to enter with their tongue.

“Always so eager huh?” Jen said when they finally broke their kiss.

“Well you know how cute I think you are and how close we always end up every day how could I resist your lips?” Wedge said trying to be romantic.

“How about I put this on then?” Jen dangled the necklace in front of their muzzle.

“Right now?” Wedge was curious.

“Well I need something to take off, don’t I?” Jen and Wedge chuckled as they realized they were already naked.

“Well that’s a fair thought.” The dragon smiled.

Jen clasped the necklace as they put it around their neck letting the gem sparkle in the flickering light produced by the fire that raged on as their own love in the moment.

Wedge leaned in for another kiss as Jen looked back up to his eyes.

“You’re so beautiful.” He said with a happy, deep rumble.

The dragon ran his paw through Jen’s hair and brought them into a tight hug feeling close and pressed up against one another.

“Jen I love you.” He whispered right near the canine’s ear in a soft, hushed tone.

“I love you too, Wedge.” Jen whispered right back before sinking down onto their back.

Wedge was holding himself right on top of his lover, his paws planted firmly on either side of the pink canine.

The brilliant gemstone continued to reflect the burning fire illuminating the two from the side. Wedge and Jen took deep looks into one another’s eyes. The flames danced across their figures with the ever-changing light.

Wedge looked down and examined his partner, the dog’s chest rising and falling with each deep breath, their breasts perky and big, their flat stomach and right below their sheath. Wedge so enjoyed his lover’s body. He was seconds away from enjoying it in another way as he spread his wings and enclosed the two for them to proceed.

The rest of the day was spent enjoying the dessert, snuggling up to the fire, and singing together.

“Dark in the city, night is a wire / steam in the subway, earth is afire.” Wedge belted out off-key as they attempted to harmonize, but ended up a mess.

“I’ll do it from now on, smell like I sound, I’m lost in a crowd / and I’m hungry like the wolf.” Jen stuck their tongue out when they finished the stanza.

“Maybe I’m not cut out for Duran Duran, besides you’re not a wolf.” He said while leaning in to nuzzle the canine.

“Straddle the line it’s discoed rhyme?” Wedge wondered aloud.

“Discord and rhyme. Opposites, makes sense, I guess.” Jen attempted to analyze the song but gave up halfway through their thought.

“You painted this didn’t you?” Wedge held up the framed painting.

“Yeah, I would do it while you were out working to keep it a surprise, I took a few liberties so you wouldn’t just be looking in a mirror. It’s as strong and as lovely as I see you every day you come home to me. I just painted you through my eyes and I felt that would be a much more thoughtful painting than just some lazy portrait. It would be silly if you just had a painting of yourself that was just normal wouldn’t it?” Jen ran their paw down Wedge’s chest and stomach.

“Thank you, it is really special, I’ll hang this up at work and show it off.” Wedge smiled and rumbled as he was stroked.

“I also love my gift.” Jen held the necklace close to their chest.

The forest didn't offer much in the way of technology, but the residents didn't care. The miles apart from all the others was not isolation, but instead it was space. What they cared most about was the company of each other, especially when they were odd ducks, like a blue and white, shapeshifting dragon, and a pink dog of both genders.

They both loved one another and sat admiring the snow falling on their frosted window while their glowing fire continued to roar as strongly as their love kindled by affection or, in the case of the fireplace, the power of dragonfire.

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