The Marshmallow Lighter

“Manehatten's kind of large,” Spike muttered.

Rarity rolled her eyes, her attention drawn to a nearby candy cane. Hearths Warming had passed recently and the duo found themselves in the Big Orange on a last minute trip for a client. Spike had opted to come even though Rarity insisted he spend the New Year celebration with his family. Unfortunately for Spike, Twilight was heading into a heat. Merely a year after he, Twilight and Rarity engaged in intercourse, Spike didn't want to risk anything without Rarity present.

“That would be why we are taking the trolley car,” Rarity giggled.

“No no, I mean the market,” Spike responded. A brief silence followed before Rarity coughed. “Oh, the market for fashionistas. I thought the market was larger in Canterlot.”

“Oh, they were for the crowd I initially wanted. For the pristine dresses and higher-end tuxedos for the stallions. Fancy Pants keeps an established, devout following of my uniforms but alas, I've mostly shifted towards more risque and hip outfits. Meaning Manehatten, as the capital of parties and raves and nightclubs. Over sixty percent of my business in the last five months have been from Manehatten,” Rarity said.

A red trolley car with a black roof rolled up on the track in front of the duo. Checking for any carriages, the couple jogged across the street as the door opened, permitting one pony in front of them. Stepping into the car, Rarity's horn lit up to undo her white leather jacket before Spike undid the straps. She smiled as he helped her remove the jacket and sighed lazily. Rubbing her eyes, she sat down on the bench, levitating her day's purchases onto the seat next to her. Spike sat to her right and set a folded jacket onto his lap.

“Thank you. It was hard trying to be that precise while levitating these bags,” Rarity muttered, yawning as she rest her head atop Spike's left shoulder.

Spike didn't place his arm around Rarity's shoulder, merely letting her snuggle up to him. Smiling, he looked out the back of the trolley as the car started moving. He had only been to Manehatten twice before, once being on the run. The day had been bland yet he had been looking forward to one thing; the trolley rides. He loved the train and loved sitting next to Rarity. That coupled with the movement gave him a warm feeling.

“So, what're we doing when we get back to the hotel? I've kinda wanted to go to the pool,” Spike said, turning to look at the mare.

Her eyes were closed as she breathed lightly. Spike smiled, reaching his free hand over to brush the loose, ragged hairs out of her eyes. Leaning over, he kissed the tip of her horn and caressed her cheek. Spike's eyes softened, the pupil shrinking as they rode into smaller parts of Manehatten, the sunset just starting. He stared towards the direction of the sun, watching them peek through the clouds in the distance as it lightly snowed overhead. It painted a serene picture, giving him a warm calm as his gaze turned back to the mare by his side.

“What was it like, riding alone like this and staring at the sunset? As long as I can remember, I've been with Twilight. Meeting you opened me up to the knowledge of love and intimacy, so I've never felt what it's like to be longing for another yet not having anypony to consider. What was your first trip here, like?”

Gently moving his left shoulder,  he wrapped it around Rarity, gently tugging her left foreleg until she slowly laid out on the bench, head resting on Spike's lap. He watched, his heart pounding as she adjusted her position until she was comfortable. Spike was amazed that she was asleep through it all as it seemed more like a conscious effort. Immediately, he began to pet her mane, running his fingers through the thick locks as he attempted to straighten it.

. . .

After a while, Rarity's eyes fluttered open and she glanced around, feeling slightly groggy before shaking her head. Realizing her mane was straighter than it was when she fell asleep, she smiled and glanced up only to find Spike had fallen asleep. Gently pushing herself up, she glanced out the window, wincing before leaving one eye half-open. The skies were well into its sunset, a golden aura emanating between the clouds. She groaned, sitting upright. Rarity rubbed her eyes, eyes half-lidded. She then realized his arm resting on her shoulder and she smiled, nuzzling back into his chest before taking her place back on his lap.

“Just a hand, yet it feels like a warm blanket,” she mused. “It completely shot out the disappointment that we missed our stop twenty minutes ago.”

She waited for sleep to come once more only for it to remain distant. Giggling, she laid on her side, wrapping her hoof around Spike's arm and pulling it close like a teddy bear.  The dragon grumbled in his sleep, his hand twitching against her chest prompting a giggle from the tickling sensation. Moving her left foreleg up, she traced circles on his knee, ignoring whatever gazes she may be getting from others. She had long since learned to shut it out and sighed happily.

“What's it like being on your own, Spike? You passed up the chance to roam with your kind to be with me. Am I worth it? I wanted you to be with family and your own kind, but you chose me first. It's moving, but is it worth postponing your family for some floozy whom wouldn't even notice your affections until you kidnapped her?”

She sighed again, pressing her cheek into the jacket atop Spike's lap as she closed her eyes. The hum of the trolley car engine as well as the movement and clacking of the tracks lulled her gently, pressuring her to sleep. Rarity hummed to herself, stroking Spike's larger hand as she reminisced when she first realized her feelings. She had literally fallen for Spike, the two of them plummeting to their deaths when Spike attempted to confess.

“Rarity, I have to tell you something, just in case we don't make it!”

Those words rung in her head months afterwards. Those last ones reminded her why it was always worth it. It stuck out in her life whenever she had doubts; she reminded herself of the one thing that almost ruined her life.

“In case we don't make it!”

In case we never made it... I wouldn't have been able to give him my heart, Rarity thought.

She continued gently rubbing circles on his knee, mentally chastising herself. The instant that large Dragon noticed the Fire Ruby around her neck, the same one she wore for a week, that she had something without value. She realized the love she had for the one who gave it to her was present and unwavering regardless of her attempts to find Mr. Perfect, her Prince Charming. She yawned, lovingly nuzzling his hand.

“Forty minutes for a round trip, I can wait that long,” she whispered, unintentionally closing her eyes.

. . .

Spike and Rarity's eyes fluttered open at the same time, the Dragon stretching immediately having forgotten the mare resting on his lap. She leaned back, stretching out across Spike's lap. The Dragon looked down, smiling as he watched her let out a cute yawn, her eyes closed and a small squeak escaping her mouth she closed her lips, her eyes blinking several times before she glanced up at him. She smiled upon seeing his face before pushing herself up, sitting in the seat normally.

“How close are we?” Rarity asked, yawning again.

Spike glanced around out the windows before looking for a sign by the front. The conductor just swapped it out; they missed their stop by twenty minutes, another half hour before rounding out to the hotel. He sighed, chuckling as he shook his head.

“Missed it again. Might as well wait again,” he said, continuing to yawn.

“Mmm, well, I don't mind, although I don't know what we'll do when we get back to the hotel,” she said, continuing to rub Spike's hand.

“I wonder,” Spike said.

“It's a natural feeling,” Rarity responded immediately.

Spike chuckled along with Rarity, poking her on the cheek. “You gotta wait for me to respond before speaking, 'dearie',” Spike said, grinning.

“Mmm, sorry,” Rarity said in a hushed tone, keeping wary of the one bystander that sat on the trolley.

They both glanced out the windows, spotting the sun between several buildings, almost dipping over the horizon. The skies were starting the transition from purple to deep blue and stars were visible, starting to pop up here and there.

“I wonder, if we kept sitting here, we could ride the trolley together forever,” Spike said, a hint of sadness coating his words.

“I want to stay with you forever,” Rarity whispered, her voice choking out near the end. “But... I know we can never be together forever.”

“It hurts. And it will never get easier. I'm going to live hundreds if not thousands of years without you by my side,” Spike whispered, knowing if he spoke any louder his voice may croak. Rarity repressed tears that threatened to spill. Spike reached down, rubbing the tears from her eyes. She sniffled back once, resting her head on his neck. Spike tilted his head and nuzzled her briefly, sighing. “That's why I want our time together to be memorable.” They both turned their heads to look at each other, Spike holding onto his large smile. “And no frownies, alright?”

Rarity sniffed, her lips trembling before forming a smile as she glanced away, wiping away her own tears before Spike could.

“I-I suppose,” Rarity giggled. “I can't let our time be droll because of my complaining.”

“If you don't complain, I will never know what's wrong,” Spike responded, rubbing her forelegs. “Just talk to me and I won't ever feel like this was wasted time.”

“Oh, Spikey-wikey... you're perfect,” she whispered, placing her hoof on her chest as her face reddened. “In several ways, as a matter of fact.”

“Oh, come on now, I'm not... wait—“ Spike paused, his eyes squinting as he stared out the window in thought. After a few seconds, his gaze turned to Rarity once more and he he chuckled. “Aha, ha ha, no, none of that.”

Rarity leaned in close to Spike, kissing him on his cheek. “Mmm, we'll be having all of that tonight, sweetie,” Rarity whispered into his ear, giggling as she saw Spike's face grow red and a massive grin on his face.

“I'll hold you to it,” Spike said, his excitement audible. Turning towards her, he squinted as he spoke. “But first, we go to the pool.”