The Marshmallow Lighter

An idle silence encompassed the room as I bit my lip with bitter anticipation. Sweetie Belle sat at a table colouring something that resembles a princess. It was cute but I killed the sentiment as I prepared myself for what inevitably will be awkward and perhaps very horrible talk. The difference being that instead of my house, we're at mum and dad's house instead. Swallowing whatever sentiment built up in my throat, I stepped forward and let my heart take command of the situation.

“Sweetie, may I have a word, please?”

She glanced over at me with a nervous gaze, obviously used to mum and dad asking that whenever she was in trouble. I was too.

“Please, relax. You aren't in trouble, I just want a short talk, okay?” I sat down next to her at the kitchen table, hesitating for a moment because of the ugly chairs. Sighing, I sat down and had to shuffle for a few seconds to find a comfortable sitting position. Sweetie already had a bemused look on her face as I seemed to stall.

“You aren't sucking up to me for anything, are you?”

Those words again brought back memories. Many weeks ago, Sweetie stopped looking at me oddly or with confusion since that one day. I gulped once more and I decided to confront Sweetie Belle about it. I rubbed my face, feeling a few fading scars in the shape of claw marks that were barely noticeable and invisible when makeup was applied.

“Sweetie Belle, remember when I talked to you about... Spike, and I?” I asked.

Her mouth contorted a bit before settling on a crooked frown. She looked away and slapped her face against the tabletop a few times, much to my confusion. She pulled back and quickly fixed her hair.

“I was sorta maybe possibly kinda hoping you wouldn't bring that up, I'd rather forget about it,” she responded with a dull voice.

“Believe me, I feel the same way. I'd rather just forget that we ever fought and go back to loving each other like sisters,” I responded, feeling a bit more chipper.

“No, I mean... about Spike.”

Grrr...

“Beg pardon?” I asked, looking over to her.

“I dunno, I still don't see how it can work. I mean, five months later and I just can't see it. Even after Spike went to prison, I still don't know how you can do something so sick. He's a dragon... and—”

She stopped talking, which is good. Each word made my heart grow heavier and I felt myself on the verge of tears. I was physically assaulted a week ago by ponies in Canterlot and the first thing I do when I feel ready to ask others is talk to Sweetie Belle.

“It shouldn't matter whether or not it should or shouldn't be. If you love someone, isn't that enough?” I asked, voice cracking up.

Sweetie pursed her lips in thought and seemed to really think hard. Minutes passed... and it felt like an eternity.

“Well, I guess... but he's not even the same species... I thought I'd get a niece or a nephew from some regular stallion and... Spike can't give that, a-and she—” Sweetie cleared her throat quickly; “I mean he'll outlive you. Doesn't that hurt?”

I had always thought about it. I will be outlived by Spike by many millennia. He'll suffer for a long time before he gets over it, and Spike may not even marry again, let alone feel romantic feelings for another mare... or dragoness.

Spike has, too.

“It does, but we both knew what we were getting into, and we both knew there would be ponies that say nay to our relationship. Just recently, I was assaulted and humiliated in public, in Canterlot no less, over my relationship. I had gotten into a fight with Spike resulting in him striking me in the middle of it which in itself was scary enough—”

“HE HIT YOU!? WHERE!?” Sweetie shrieked, looking at me.

I leaned backwards, hiding my look of worry. “It isn't your matter, Sweetie. I've already forgiven Spike, especially since it was my fault in the first place. I brought up very bad memories and points from his life and nearly threw away what we had. We both knew we'd be slandered, but we had counted on the help and love from our friends and family.”

I paused. Moment of truth. I confront her.

“Something I never got from somepony I needed it from most... you.” Sweetie Belle glanced up at me as the realization struck her. I continued on. “You were the first I told about Spike and I, for reasons I wanted you to support me for. And I told you we did such a private act because I trusted you, and I wanted you to return feelings of love and care and you didn't. I was hurt, Sweetie Belle and all I wanted was maybe a hug, something to show you supported me... and nothing. I haven't told anypony else but I didn't have to. Everypony assumed anyways and here I am, struggling to figure out what to do.”

“I-I'm sorry, I did—”

“Save it, Sweetie. I've gotten over it, I merely just wanted you to know how I felt... and I want you to know even though you didn't support me, I still love you and want you to know that... and Spike loves you too, as if you were his own sister. He has been sad you avoid him, but he understands why. I'm really sorry about... all this.”

I stopped after getting no response from Sweetie, only to look over and Sweetie trying to hide her face as well as her noises as she sobbed. Without hesitation, I reached over and pulled her towards me in a tight bear hug, both of us sliding off the chairs and crumbling on the ground.

“I-I'm s-sorry, sis! I love you s-s-so much—” she choked back a sob; “I don't know what to do. I don't know what I'm supposed to think, this isn't fair, I'm so confused.”

This went on for a few more minutes. Sweetie Belle was pouring her heart out as was I. Maybe she didn't fully accept us yet, but I was glad to hear her responding to me. I was glad to hear she still loved me.

“Sweetie, p-please stop crying, you have no reason to cry. You're young and learning.” I pulled her up and watched as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She attempted to smile at me and I returned the gesture. “Sweetie, I don't blame you. Maybe I did at first, but not now. I will not let anypony blame you for anything and if they do, they'll have to answer to me, okay?”

“A-and Spike?” she asked, sniffling.

“Especially Spike. Think of him as your defacto knight,” I said, kissing Sweetie Belle on the forehead.

“I'd like to think of him more as a big brother-in-law,” she responded, smiling at the thought.

I paused for a moment, feeling my face redden. “W-what!?” Sweetie Belle giggled as I got flustered and I pouted my lips, putting on a mock angry face and gave her a playful shove, folding my forelegs. “Hmph!”

“I'd like Spike as a brother. I still haven't apologized to him, because I was sure he... did do bad things before prison,” Sweetie said, her voice growing quieter.

“Yeah... neither have I... and I need to find him soon, because I sent him away and haven't seen him since.”

I felt two hooves slamming into my rump, making me yelp and jump upwards. I landed on my hooves and spun around in shock. Sweetie kicked me from her sitting position and was frowing again, this time seemingly for real.

“What!?” I asked.

“Go get him, dumb-dumb. If you really don't care what others think, let him know before he does something you'll both regret,” she said, standing up.

“R-right,” I responded, hesitating for a moment before I started galloping out the door.

“Spiiiiikeeeey!” I shouted as I headed towards the Golden Oaks Library.