Sunkissed skin glistened with sweat in the hot summer month of July in Las Pegasus. Were it not for the salty spray of ocean water, James might've felt a tad uncomfortable. However, as he walked back from the beach, sand still falling out of places it never should have gone, he found himself utterly and totally at peace with the world around him. It certainly helped that there was a cute mare at his side, bumping her flank against his thigh with each and every step she took.
James glanced down at his marefriend, finding a beautiful mulberry unicorn mare with a ruby red mohawk beside him. She wore a black t-shirt that was just a few sizes too big for her, meaning that it was his. It was his shirt and he absolutely adored her wearing it. Something about cute girls in shirts that are too big for them, but also add cute pony on top of that and there was simply no way he could deny her his clothing. His lingering eyes quickly drew her attention, and Fizzy soon looked back up to meet his gaze, her eyes partially obscured by the black aviator sunglasses she wore.
"What's up?" She asked, a soft smile already on her muzzle.
"Nothing much. Just thinkin' about how cute you are." James replied, casually.
Fizzlepop giggled into her hoof, "Pot, meet kettle." She replied, gesturing to him with that same hoof.
Looking down at himself, James saw his flip-flops, swimming trunks, and Hawaiian shirt that was unbuttoned all the way down, allowing for maximum air-flow. Atop his head, he wore a tan sun-hat and his own pair of silver aviator sunglasses. Yep, he looked like a tourist alright, even down to the tan lines and sunburnt nose.
"Me? Cute? Now I know you've got too much sun today. Your vision must be going out. Are you feeling well?" James teased, holding his palm against Fizzlepop's forehead.
Fizzlepop giggled as she playfully batted his hand away with her hoof, "James, haha stop it."
James relented, but only after lovingly rubbing her ear between his index finger and thumb, something he knew she absolutely loved. And love it, she certainly did, as Fizzlepop nuzzled her cheek against his hand while he pulled it back to his person, ensuring to convey her feelings with her actions.
Soon enough, the two found themselves back at their hotel, the sun starting to set on the horizon across from them. Blood orange light poured onto the land around them, turning the world into a warm kaleidoscope of color that made the ocean just that much more beautiful off in the distance. They made their way inside the hotel, where the air conditioning made it almost uncomfortably cold after a full day out in the sun and heat of the Las Pegasus summer.
Still, that bothered them little, as it gave them both yet another excuse to huddle even closer together as they corralled themselves into the elevator. With the press of a button and few dings, they arrived at their floor and walked on the carpeted hallway until reaching their room. James unlocked and opened the door, ushering Fizzlepop inside where they both found... a single bed.
Yes, of course they'd seen the room when they booked it and dropped their luggage off that morning, but for the first time that day, they found themselves realizing what they were in for as the day's fatigue began to settle in. Granted, they'd slept in the same bed with each other once before but that was while Fizzlepop was sick! Since then, they hadn't found themselves in a situation where it was even possible for them to sleep in the same bed together.
Now, though, with only one bed to choose from, their options were well and truly gone. The time had come for them to finally share a bed for real, and both of them felt a nervous apprehension well up in there chests. Granted, the reason for the shared bed was nothing quite so scandalous as one might assume at first. As they duo set about preparing for bed after their long day of fun in the sun, James opened the letter he'd received just a few weeks prior and set it out on the counter.
~
Dear James and Fizzlepop,
Firstly, I cannot thank you enough for your letter. It truly was a lovely thing to read, and the idea is so sweet that I am more than happy to assist in any way I can. When you two arrive at your hotel, please do ensure to spend the day as busy as you can. Enjoy everything Las Pegasus has to offer and be sure to wear yourselves out. The sleepier you are come sundown, the easier it will be to enter the dream realm, and the more time you'll have there together.
I might also recommend some herbal tea or lavender scented detergent on the bedsheets. Just some suggestions to assist in lulling you both to sleep. Sharing a bed and each other's warmth is also crucial. I will be entering the dream realm at precisely nine o'clock in the evening. I will be looking for your dreams as soon as I arrive and I look forward to helping you share one.
Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna
~
"Alright, you ready?" James asked, glancing over to Fizzlepop from the letter.
"As ready as I'll ever be. I'm still not sure if this is going to work, but I am looking forward to it, regardless." Fizzlepop replied, a small smile on her lips.
James walked over and kneeled down beside her. He gentle reached forward, taking her hoof in his hand and holding it between them as he stroked his thumb through her fur. She gladly complied with the action, maintaining a small blush as he held her hoof. It was something that ponies didn't really do, as the act was quite difficult under normal circumstances, but upon hearing the significance to a human being from her human, she found herself almost constantly wanting him to hold her hoof. It certainly helped that his digits were so soft and warm as they stroked the short fur of her foreleg or the tender frog of her hoof.
"It'll be a blast. I've been wanting to show you this forever and... it really means a lot to me that you're willing to indulge me." James admitted, giving her hoof a small squeeze of thanks.
"James, don't even worry about it. I'm excited. Probably too excited, if I'm being honest. It's gonna be hard to fall asleep at this rate." She chuckled, returning the squeeze with her hoof.
James smiled, "Well then, let's get to bed before we psyche ourselves out."
Fizzlepop nodded in response and released her hold on his hand. The two of them quickly set about preparing for bed, James changing into a plain white t-shirt and pajama shorts while she got out of her t-shirt and brewed them both some chamomile tea. They both shared the delicious brew at the small counter of their hotel room while they watched the last of the sun's rays disappear behind the horizon. The orange light quickly faded to purple, and then to blue as darkness took over the world around them. Even in a city like Las Pegasus, the night sky was still visible, due in no small part to the magic used to keep the city's light pollution at bay. The sight made for a beautiful spectacle of twinkling stars reflected on the calm ocean as far as the eye could see.
Now feeling considerably sleepier, both Fizzlepop and James brushed their teeth and crawled into bed. Though she found herself utterly enamored with being the little spoon, Fizzlepop couldn't help herself and rolled over to face James as he laid down beside her, a smile on his face as he looked into her eyes.
"Ready?" She asked.
James yawned, the sight making Fizzlepop giggle, "Ready. Let's go to sleep, Fizzy." He replied, wrapping an arm around her barrel and pressing his lips against hers.
The kiss was chaste, and innocent, but Fizzlepop couldn't deny the growing urges and fantasies filling her head the more she kissed her human. Upon their first kiss, she was a nervous wreck, unsure if she would ever be worthy of love, let alone from a creature as caring and compassionate as the human holding her, yet now she found herself craving his touch at every opportunity. It was a new experience for her, and she found herself growing hotter as the admittedly modest kiss persisted. His soft lips against hers, his breath washing over her muzzle, and the warmth of his fingers as they dug into the soft fur of her coat all made her heart beat faster in her chest.
As they kiss broke, Fizzlepop found that the affect was at least somewhat mutual, as James bore a red tinge to his cheeks while he smiled down at her. She wordlessly returned the smile before wrapping her forelegs around his waist and squeezing herself closer. She nuzzled her cheek against his chest, ensuring to smear her scent all over him and maintain her claim on the human. Not that there were any mares willing to even attempt to steal him from her in the room, or ever, due to her reputation. Still, it was instinct, and she was never one to argue with instinct.
James, more than willing to receive her embrace, squeezed her tighter with his arms and pressed his lips against the top of her head, kissing her gently while his fingers continued to stroke through her fur. The soft and loving contact continued between them for some time, until eventually they both knew that the sleepiness they felt would be replaced with something more ravenous, should they continue. Despite their instincts and own desires, urging them to continue, to see where this path led, they paused their touching and simply held each other.
Slowly, ever so slowly, their heartrates slowed, and they felt the calm embrace of slumber call out to them. It didn't take much more than a few minutes for them both to fall asleep, and as the moon rose in the evening skyline, Fizzlepop and James snoozed softly together, her hoof somehow having found its way right into his hand, once again.
James blinked his eyes owlishly as he stared out over the coastal highway he'd come to know from every single day of driving to school when he was a teenager. The brilliant sun-kissed oceanside view was everything he ever remembered it being and more, but even more stunning than that, was the fact that he knew he was dreaming. The almost instant realization normally would've shocked him right out of the dream, but for some reason, this time he found himself utterly at peace. He glanced around for a few seconds, trying to recall why exactly he was here. He could tell there was a reason, but it was just at the tip of his tongue and he couldn't quite place it. That was, until a portal of light opened behind him, making him spin in place.
Exiting the portal, was a mare he'd only met once, upon his first day arriving in Equestria. She was gorgeous and perfect in every way, possessing a beauty that many a stallion have fought and died for. Her navy blue fur was brushed to perfection, along with her perfectly preened and large wings that hugged her shapely figure perfectly. The gossamer hair of her glistening mane and tail drifted in some unseen wind, billowing back and forth in some unfelt breeze that only she could fathom. Her teal eyes beheld him with kindness and intrigue, betraying that despite the serene look on her face, she was utterly ecstatic to be here.
She was perfection incarnate, and yet, James found his gaze pulled to the mare standing beside her. Fizzlepop stood beside the royal diarch of the night, a beaming smile on her face as she appeared before him, not only more beautiful than ever, but with a particular piece of her anatomy that she'd been missing since childhood. Atop her head, beautiful spiraled and already sparkling with magical energy, was Fizzlepop's horn.
James couldn't help himself, "Fizzy! Your horn!" He exclaimed, genuine excitement and happiness in his voice.
Fizzlepop practically pranced over to her human, rushing into his arms and he hugged her tightly. The embrace was as tight as it was warm, and James could hear Fizzlepop coo in happiness as his hands brushed up and down her back.
"I can't wait to show you what I can really do. I've been wanting to show you my horn for ages." Fizzlepop whispered, happy tears threatening to claw their way out of her tightly closed eyes.
"I can't wait to see. Though, we should probably say hi to Princess Luna, don't you think?" James teased, slightly releasing his hold on Tempest.
Though she quietly whined at the denial of her proximity to her human, Fizzlepop relented and released the hug, turning to face the alicorn of the night as she approached them both. Already being on one knee, James bowed his head as she approached, while Fizzlepop bowed down, prostrating herself before one of the princesses.
"Please, rise. There's no need for such formalities here. This is your dream after all." Princess Luna impishly announced, gesturing for them both to stand.
James and Fizzlepop stood their their full height, grateful smiles on their faces as they met Princess Luna's gaze.
"Thank you for doing this for us, Princess. I... I know I don't deserve-" Fizzlepop began, but the lunar alicorn held up a hoof to halt her.
"That's quite enough of that, Fizzlepop. Your crimes were forgiven long ago, and you've been nothing short of an upstanding citizen ever since. I'm just thrilled to be playing even this small of a part in such a unique relationship." She explained, her gaze drifting from Fizzlepop to James.
"Heh, thank you, Princess. It's an honor for you to be here, and thank you so much for doing this for us." James gratefully replied.
The dark alicorn smiled, "You are very welcome. Though, this is your night, not mine. I have bridged your dreams, so you may enjoy the rest of the night together. However, that is where my part to play comes to an end. Enjoy the rest of the evening, you two." She responded, giving them both a kind nod before turning around and exiting through the same portal she arrived in.
Now left by themselves, James and Fizzlepop let out a small sigh of relief. As kind and compassionate as Princess Luna was, there was always some level of tension when speaking with royalty. With that pressure gone, Fizzlepop instantly turned and leapt into James's arms. He caught her easily, and squeezed her tight as he spun around with her, the pair giggling to themselves as the knowledge that they could do anything they wanted truly sank in. James peppered her neck and cheek with kisses, the gentle and loving ministrations making her laugh as his lips tickled her more sensitive spots.
"Ahahaha, James, quit it!" Fizzlepop giggled, though it was clear through her tone that she didn't really want him to stop.
"Ahaha alright, alright. What do you want to do first?" He asked, curiously.
Fizzlepop scratched her chin, her weight still held in James's strong arms, "Well, let's do what you wanted to show me first."
James excitedly nodded and set her down on the ground beside him. He quickly thought of what he wanted to appear, and as he turned around, suddenly there it was. With thick black rubber wheels and a long, angular body that held curves in all the right places, the body of the automobile of James's choice made itself known. He practically squee'd in excitement as he rushed over to the car, grabbing the handle and opening the door as Fizzlepop trotted over behind him.
"Hmmm... so what exactly is it?" She asked, curiously.
"This-" James began, turning on his heels with a flourish, "-is a nineteen sixty nine Ford Mustang. It's been my dream car for as long as I can remember and now, I can finally take you for a drive down Pacific Coast Highway!" He explained, a beaming smile on his face.
"Mustang, huh? Well that certainly has a different connotation in Equestria than your home, but let's do this. It's certainly a very appealing design, I'll say that for sure." Fizzlepop replied, trotting over to the front of the car to inspect the grill.
James quickly rushed to the other side of the car and opened the passenger side door for her, allowing Fizzlepop to climb up into the passenger seat. As he closed the door behind her, she inspected the dash, her brow rising in intrigue as she observed the wooden panels of the dash. She glanced over to the gauges and steering wheel, her curiosity piqued at the many different instruments she was observing.
She couldn't focus on the interior for too long, however, as James sat down in the driver's seat beside her and closed his door. He reached over to the key and began to twist it, only to halt as he looked over to her.
"Just so you know, this might be a bit loud." He explained, receiving a nod in return.
With her understanding assured, James twisted the key, causing the engine to quickly roar to life. The deep, melodic rumble of a V8 engine was something that was felt more than heard, and feel it, Fizzlepop did. She nearly jumped in shock as the entire car vibrated ever so slightly. She looked back over to James, finding a wide grin on his face as he observed her reaction.
"Not quite like an airship, huh?" He teased.
Fizzlepop found a chuckle escaping her lips as she shook her head, "Certainly a bit louder, that's for sure. I like the sound though. Now, you promised me this thing was fast. Let's see what you can do with it." She challenged, a playful smile on her muzzle.
"Yes ma'am." James saluted, before grabbing the shifter and shifting into first gear.
As he let off the clutch and pressed in the gas, the car jolted forward slightly, before easing onward. With initial traction established, he gave it more gas, pushing the car to move even faster. The deep, low rumble of the engine picked up in frequency and volume as he crested fifteen hundred RPM, then two thousand, before going quiet for a moment as he shifted into second gear.
As he worked to move the car, Fizzlepop found herself enamored with his movements and working of the machine. Though he hadn't driven a vehicle in years, due in no small part to his surprise relocation to Equestria one day, he handled the mechanical beast like a pro. The engine roared and rumbled as they accelerated down the road, the twists and turns soon approaching until she felt the inertia of the car swaying side to side. The vibrations running through the car, the cool breeze as it blew through her mane, and the beautiful sunset as it crested the coast of the ocean all framed the scene in a perfect blissful harmony.
Fizzlepop quickly found that she couldn't quite help herself, and stuck her head partially out the window. The wind whipping through her mane instantly intensified ten fold, but she found that she absolutely loved every second of it. True, she'd felt much the same experience on an airship dozens of times, but here in this moment, with the aggresive tones of the muscle car filling her ears, the serene landscape all around her, and the only other being in the world she found herself needing to be close to... it was perfect.
As James watched her enjoy the breeze, a wide smile formed on his face. He couldn't recall the last time she'd been this happy, though the memory of their first kiss on Hearth's Warming was a close second. For a brief moment, the orange light of the sun glistened off of the ocean waves, and the blazing light framed Fizzlepop's face in a perfect hue of warmth and bliss. The world around them faded to black, and all he could see was the most beautiful, perfect mare he'd ever known, smiling and giggling with the wind in her face and the sun on her coat. All he wanted was to keep her smiling like that forever.
Sadly, as with all things, it was not meant to last, though the memory would sear itself into his brain forevermore as the most perfect, serene sight he'd ever seen. As the minutes pressed on into hours -though neither of them had any real sense of time in the dream realm- James eventually pulled over on the side of a cliff, the big heavy Mustang coming to a halt just a few feet from the edge of the world. With the windshield facing the sunset, James opened his door and exited the car, rushing over to open Fizzlepop's door as well. He did so with another small flourish and a bow, making the mulberry mare giggle into her hoof.
"Such a gentlestallion. I don't deserve all that." She tittered.
James furiously shook his head, "You deserve all that and more. Come on, Fizzy. Watch the sun set with me?" He asked.
Playfully rolling her eyes, though a blush remained on her face nonetheless, Fizzlepop accepted his gesture and hopped out of the passenger seat. She strolled around to the side of the hood and, albeit with a helping hand from James, scampered onto said hood. James quickly sat down beside her, using the windshield as a backrest as she laid down on his lap, her head coming to a rest just against his chest.
Together, they watched the sun set yet again, though this time, they both felt something special in their hearts they hadn't quite been able to place earlier that evening.
Much like she did before, Fizzlepop nuzzled her cheek against James for the entire duration of the sunset, until the last of its warmth disappeared over the horizon, only to be replaced with calm, pale moonlight that covered the ocean in a new level of beauty. Once she noticed that the skies had darkened, and there was nothing but the moon to provide light for them, Fizzlepop finally released her snuggle-hold on James's stomach and sat upright.
"Ready to see what I can really do?" Fizzlepop asked, a slight nervous tremor in her voice.
James smiled and enthusiastically nodded, "If it's half as amazing as you are, I'm more than ready for it." He replied, earnestly.
His honeyed words sent another blush all over Fizzlepop's cheeks, but she quickly turned around and took a couple steps toward the edge of the hood of the car, her horn igniting in a blue aura. A sparkle formed at the base of her horn, just above her scalp, before a blast of arcane energy rocketed out of her head and soared into the sky. James watched in awe as the single small blue light flew thousands of feet into the air. Then, it exploded into a wonderful shower of luminescent blue light, before darting to the side and doing the same in turquoise, then green, then yellow, then red. Back and forth the magical fireworks blasted, over and over, only to be joined by two more blasts of energy from the mare standing just before him.
Fireworks dazzled the night sky, and painted colors so vivid and majestic that James was certain that daytime was coming already. The beautiful display was mirrored on the ocean, making the lights just that much more noticeable and vibrant while the cool air filled with the scent of ozone. For almost five minutes, Fizzlepop added blast after blast, each one at precise locations in the sky that melded with the others and created complex shapes and geometry so three dimensional that James was certain they were turning into real objects before his very eyes.
Finally, with one last burst of magical energy, Fizzlepop began the finale. A bolt of blue energy soared into the sky, so bright and hot that it stood out above all the rest, until it reached its apex in the center of it all. When the blast exploded, it took everything else with it, causing a chain reaction that lit the sky up in brilliant light of all colors. When the blinding light finally dimmed somewhat, and James could see it clearly, his jaw dropped.
Slowly falling back to the earth, hundreds of feet above them, was a picture. He could see himself, holding Fizzlepop in his arms while she kissed his cheek, in perfect detail as if a masterful painter had taken a brush to the sky. The scene was as adorable as it was memorable, leaving him utterly awestruck at the masterpiece of artistry he'd bore witness to. It was only as he felt a plush pair of soft, velveteen lips press against his cheek that he finally broke his gaze from the sky and looked over to the mare herself, sitting right beside him.
"I take it you liked it?" Fizzlepop asked, smiling warmly at him.
"I love it. Fizzy... thank you for this. This has been just... amazing." James responded, cupping her cheek with his hand.
As the light show faded and dissipated around them, both man and pony found that the only thing they could focus on, was each other. The soft glint of starlight in each other's eyes was more than sufficient, and though they both knew the waking world would be arriving soon, so too, would the one sitting before them. As they pressed their lips together in a longing, loving kiss, they both knew that the future was only looking brighter.
Author's Note
Hey all. Hope you guys liked that. This was an idea I've been cooking up for a long time and I'm really happy with the end result. Something about the concept of taking a cute pony for a drive in a muscle car just tickles my fancy, and after the Patreon voted for this to be the story for the month, I couldn't not use the idea. I hope that you guys enjoyed.
Much as I wanted to keep this whole story series sfw, I can't deny that I feel like the next one will be nsfw. The relationship just feels like it has to go there and I already have so many ideas to make it as cute and sweet as possible.
