Fillies and colts were singing glorious harmonies all throughout Ponyville. It was once again the best time of the year: Hearth’s Warming Eve.

“Aaaaaaaaaa!” Rarity shouted, panting as she stepped frantically back and forth in front of Spike. “Spike, I–need your advice in the most crucial of moments and I don’t have much time to spare!”

“Calm down, Rarity. Breathe filly.” Spike comforted while reaching a claw down and gently placing it upon her shoulders. “Whatever it is, we got this. There’s nothing the two of us can’t do, together!”

Rarity stood there silently, allowing herself a brief moment of reprieve. She reached a hoof up to grasp Spike’s offered claw. The mere assurance of such a heartfelt gesture warded from the winter chill. She took a deep breath in, Spike gently leaned his chest against her back.

“So, what’s got you all frazzled?” Spike asked, putting his other free arm around her, tail around them both, using himself as both a pillow and blanket for her to cry on, if needed.

“Every year, all of us get together on Hearth’s Warming Day and exchange presents. Well, a few years ago Applejack suggested we each get each other just one gift instead of having to get so many gifts for all of us.”

“Oh, I think I see where this is going…” Spike said, nodding his head. He looked to his right, to his left, then listened to the stillness between them. “It’s Pinkie Pie, isn’t it?”

“Spike!” Rarity exclaimed, illuminating her horn with a magical flare to silence his lips from saying anything further. “You’ll summon her into existence.”

She stood up from the ground they had been nestled into. “As much as I would love to stay here all day long in the warmth and comfort of your arms, I have to find something for her. It’s just she likes everything, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever begin to imagine how problematic that would be!

“Sounds like a quest from the Tales of Leightria, where a lost gryphon has to find a relic from the past that hasn’t been seen in centuries!”

“Spike, this is not one of your silly adventures. This is serious!” Rarity proclaimed, stomping her hoof onto the ground and swiftly heading towards the door. “Well, today’s my last chance. If I don’t find something today, then it’ll be a moot point and I can’t bear to see Pinkie’s face if I let her down.”

Spike shrugged his shoulders, and quickly grabbed a bag, putting it over his shoulder. If he knew Rarity at all, she wasn’t about to only get one present for Pinkie Pie.

Decorations filled the town from every corner of Ponyville. Spike admired them all in a quick glance, his head spinning from one side to the other. The radiance illuminated the entire town, and every pony could be seen beaming with pure joy.

Rarity trotted up to a vendor, gazing carefully over the assorted selection of goods on display.

Two Bit leaned against the counter, a big grin spreading across his muzzle. “Rarity! It’s good to see you. How can I assist such a lovely lady on this fine Hearth’s Warming Eve?” He asked, his gray coat and white mane and tail with the bushy beard told a tail all its own.

“Why, my good sir, I am looking for a special gift for a treasured friend of mine.” Rarity tossed her mane back, leaning forward over the counter and whispering near his ear. “However, we must be careful. She could be listening or hiding anywhere in Ponyville. I dare not to say who, but I assure you, she is sweeter than cotton candy, and just as hard to get out of your mane.”

Two Bits eyes lit up like a deer in headlights. “Oh! Why didn’t you say so!” Two Bit then dove underneath his stand, and fumbled around for what felt like a whole ten minutes.

“Ah ha!” Two Bit bumped his head against the underside of his stand, and groggily mumbled something incoherent and quite vulgar to himself. “This is exactly what she would like.” He pushed a box forward towards Rarity, carefully looking back and forth to ensure no particular bouncy mane was spying on them from a corner.

Rarity’s jaw dropped seeing the ornate hot air balloon figurine before her. Collecting herself, she smiled at Two Bit. “It is quite a lovely item you have there, but I wonder if it’s the best option for some pony so…bouncy.”

“It is admittedly fragile and meant to be kept in place, I don’t deny it,” Two Bit explained further, gesturing with a hoof for Rarity to look inside the basket of the balloon. Inside of it was a tea light. “This hot air balloon is more than just decorative. It can function like a real one, something that she could take with her on her travels.”

Rarity hummed and hawed about it for some time. Then she looked towards Spike, who apparently had just come back with a big bundle of a assorted snacks. He went to hand Rarity a sweet roll.

“Hey, Rarity!” He mumbled, his mouth currently half full of a holiday sugar cookie. “Oh, wow that’s beautiful, but I don’t know if Pi– I mean, wouldn’t our pony break it within seconds?”

“It’s very lovely, but I don’t think it’s quite right,” Rarity said, nodding in agreement. “I apologize Two Bit, I know you went out of your way to assist us. Perhaps I could give you a discount on your next garment the next time you drop by my boutique.”

“Oh, it’s alright Rarity. Buying gifts that are just that right kind can be very tricky at times. I hope you are able to find what you are looking for before Hearth’s Warming.”

“Thank you kindly, Two Bit,” Rarity said, looking towards Spike. “Come on Spike, we haven’t got all day and I am getting a little worried about the stakes at hoof.”

“Don’t worry Rarity, we got this, we are partners after all.” Spike said, a big grin spreading across his face, and staring at her beautiful diamond hues.

Rarity and Spike trudged on, stopping at many vendors along the way. The hustle and bustle of last minute Hearth’s Warming shopping made it quite the process for the two of them. Spike munched on his snacks and carried any bags that Rarity got to lighten her load. Unfortunately, after the fifteenth bag, Spike struggled to dump his load while trying to keep up with Rarity. Not to mention every single creature in Ponyville was here, so trying not to hit someone else in the process worried him. The sounds of panicked voices he hoped were not because he accidentally hit someone with one of the bags and didn’t apologize. And those shiny ornaments that vendors put up with the variety of assorted colors distracted him with their brightness and their gem-like allure. He quickly shook his head. He had a job to do. A job that required him to focus on following that marshmallow flank he adored so much.

“Aaaaaaaaa! Watch out!” Derpy cried from above, falling face first into the pile of snow in front of them. She giggled, dusting herself off and shaking her whole body free and clear of any remaining snow.

“Derpy, Nice of you to drop in., Are you quite alright, darling?” Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow tilting her head and looking visibly at the exhaustion that was all over Derpy’s face.

Derpy shook her head back and forth, catching her breath, smiling that big cheerful grin of hers. She stumbled back and forth, reaching over her side for her mail bag and pulling out a parcel addressed to Spike. “Oh, I’m fine! This is nothing for you to worry your silly head over! Just delivering the mail. Here, Spike. This is the luxury one you ordered a while back!”

“Derpy, sssshhh!” Spike frankly put a claw against Derpy’s muzzle before she could accidentally ruin his surprise. “Thank you so much for delivering this, and just in time too! You should probably grab some hot cocoa, or maybe some spiced apple cider before you head back out though!”

“Oh! That’s such a great idea. See you later Spike! Bye Rarity, I hope you have a lovely Hearth’s Warming!” Derpy shouted, haphazardly dodging every creature in her way, and skittering off into the distance.

Spike added his package into the pile he already had growing more and more by the minute. He admired Rarity as she talked with another of the local ponies of the town. He found himself, staring and getting lost in thoughts of her, and him, together, alone…

No orders to work on, no answering the door, or needing to go on yet another save the world adventure. This time, the two of them could relax, unwind, and truly embrace in the comfort of each other no more distractions. Spike gulped, his palms getting a bit sweaty as his thoughts lingered in the moment.

Rarity waved a hoof in Spike’s direction. “Hello? Spike, are you quite alright? You’ve been awfully quiet ever since Derpy delivered your package. Are you keeping something from me?”

“Oh, no! Just thinking how excited my pony will be when they see the amazing gift I got them,” Spike said with a gulp, carefully making sure that Rarity did not get a closer look at the box amongst her own bags.

“Well, alright if you say so,” Rarity said, shrugging her shoulders.

Spike breathed deeply. “Phew.”

“I finally got the perfect gift for my pony too, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner!” Rarity declared.

“Great!” Spike said, grunting as the bags shifted in his arms.

“Are you ready to head back to the Boutique? I don’t know about you, but I am ready to fall into a bunch of comfy pillows on the bed.”

"Of course, but that's besides the point. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to pick out options. Now I have multiple ones to pick from," Rarity stated, leaning up to give Spike a quick peck on the cheek. “You don’t think I went overboard do you?”

"You? Overboard? Never!" Spike said, the lights from all around were beginning to give him a headache.

"Exactly, dear. She'll be so happy when she sees what we got her!" Rarity declared, bouncing up and down in place, a delightful squee escaping her lips.

"Right..." Spike said.

“ Let's drop these off at the Boutique, and then you and I can get some much needed relaxation!" Rarity hummed.

"Relaxation?" Spike asked, allowing himself to drift into his fantasy of how things would go, once Rarity opened up her parcel. Seeing her reaction, getting to be the one to give her such a delightful gift that the both of them would get a lot of use out of. He couldn’t keep still. He dug his feet into the snow beneath him, grabbing Rarity and gently placing her on the back of his shoulders. “Shall we fly then, my lady?”

“Oh my, what a gentle dragon,” Rarity purred, raising a hoof up against her lips as Spike seated her gently and delicately between his wingspan. “Are you sure you’re not too tired to fly?”

“Oh no,” Spike began, “I think I finally found my second wind.” Once Rarity was securely snuggled onto his back, he carefully spread out his wings, ensuring no creature was within the area. He took off with a powerful push forward. He grinned as he flew towards Carousel Boutique.

Soaring through the sky, he shifted his weight slightly, angling himself to land before very long. It wasn’t meant to be a long flight, but it did give him time to truly appreciate being able to fly.

He flew down to the ground, a few feet in front of Rarity’s shop, digging his back claws into the snow as he shifted his weight to all fours, letting his wings down, and giving Rarity an easy way to simply slide down his wingspan right along his tail

“Thank you, Spike, that was quite the lovely view from up there,” Rarity said, dusting any little bits of snow, off of her white fur.

Sometimes Spike wondered how she knew which was snow and which was her fur, with just how pure and sweet they both were.

Rarity trotted over to the door, unlocking it, and holding it open wide for Spike and the many presents he had to carry indoors. “Are you sure you can handle all that at once?”

“Of course! This is nothing compared to our usual outings.” Spike said, lifting the bags, including his own into his arms. He followed the sound of her voice towards the door, balanced from years of practice. As soon as he felt the wooden floor beneath his claws, he dropped all the packages all at once, quickly removing his own from the pile. Pinkie Pie did not need a massage chair. Who knew what kind of chaotic things she would do with that if it was accidentally gifted to her by Rarity… Nothing good that’s for sure.

“Spike, you’ve been so helpful all day, “ Rarity praised, batting her eyelashes at him. “Perhaps we could take a moment for ourselves and exchange our own gifts?”

“I would love that!” Spike said, barely able to hold his own present for her against his chest: it wasn’t exactly a small present after all. “I’ll go first.” He placed it gently in front of her, making sure not to scuff the wood floor.

“Are you sure you don’t want your gift first?” Rarity asked, admiring how eager Spike seemed to be for their annual gifting exchange. Staring at the box on the floor, her face remained curiously puzzled.

“No, I really want you to go first, Rarity,” Spike said, his cheeks turned cherry red. He shuffled his feet against the ground, trying to calm his racing heart. The anticipation was killing him.

“Alright, let me at least grab your present from the pile,” Rarity said, trotting over to a mound of assorted presents under her desk. She pulled out a small rectangular box, embraced by a big bright blue ribbon wrapped all around it. She placed it in his claws, her hoof clasping around them.

Rarity paced around the box, considering the best approach to unwrapping it.

Spike placed his claws on the sides of his cheeks, practically dancing in place. He knew Rarity had a more delicate approach to almost everything she did, but this…this was different.

Gently, she began to remove the paper bit by bit. She was careful to remove it in pieces, and to then arrange those pieces into one misshaped pile on the floor beneath her hooves.

Spike stood there, trying his best not to rush her. His heart thumped as he watched her slowly unwrap more and more of the present. His palms damp with sweat, he couldn’t keep still as he grit his fangs.

“Oh my!” Rarity gasped. “Spike, you did not have to get me such a frivolous gift for moi.” She caught her breath, stopping herself and shaking her head. It was the holidays, creatures of all kinds would go over the moon for the ones they cared for. "I mean, I do appreciate it, darling, but we do not share the same penchant of buying and—"
Spike brushed a claw against her muzzle. "I know I don't need to, but I wanted to. Isn't that enough?"

Heat rose up her cheeks, and she felt frazzled, as she reached out putting both hooves around his claw. “Spike, I know exactly what you mean, and I feel that just as strongly as you do.”

Rarity gazed upon her brand new massage chair. It was pure black leather, the base of it a solid platinum. It had a mechanism to help turn the chair down into a massage bed, all in all, it appeared to be exactly like the ones she often sat in at the Ponyville Spa.

“Go on, try it out.” Spike suggested, paying no mind to his own gift.

Rarity approached the massage chair, ensuring Spike got a good view of her flank. She positioned herself into the chair, leaning into it, and allowing her neck to rest within the cushioning softness of the firm leather.

Spike shook his head, and wiped the drool from his lips. “You are gorgeous, Rarity, truly a gem unlike any other.”

“Oh, Spike, you are such a charmer,” Rarity chuckled to herself. “Why don’t we give this a test run? Find out how good it is.”

“Come on, Spike. You can do this!” Spike chanted softly, completely forgetting in the moment that he hadn’t unwrapped his gift from her yet. His mind was clearly focused completely on her.

Spike cracked his claws together. He approached Rarity from the back of the chair, thanks to his height, their positions appeared to be quite compromising.

Rarity ignited the light of her horn, using her levitation magic to bring over a basket of supplies. Lotions, soaps, hand towels, and a few different types of flowers.

He reached into the basket, pulling out a bottle of body lotion. Uncapping the lid and rubbing it into his palms.

Rarity hummed to herself, levitating a mirror in front of her to inspect that her mane wasn’t unruly.

Spike gently began applying the lotion to Rarity’s shoulder blades. He gulped, a little nervous as he squeezed his palms against her shoulders, bringing them forward and then back. He moved his claws delicately.

Rarity hummed, and let out soft gasps of delight at his touch.

Feeling reassured that he wasn’t applying too much pressure, he kept moving down her back. Going from her shoulder blades, to the center of her back. That one spot she could never scratch without his help.

“Aaaaaah, yes right there,” Rarity moaned, a blush rising against her cheeks. Tiny little shivers ran through her with each loving press against her.

He used the tip of a talon delicately running his sharp claw down her back, causing Rarity to arch her back up just a tad, causing him to blush a deep crimson red.

“Focus…” He reminded himself. He could get his turn later, right now the most important thing was for Rarity to fully unwind, and get out all the kinks and knots. Spike’s whole face was engulfed in a dark red shade of cherry wine. He placed his hands flat against each other, then began striking down in a precise rhythm. Circling her back and upper buttocks, he pounded the stress from her like dough transformed into a pastry.

He closed his eyes, taking in the scent of her, claws resting against the small of her back. Trailing his claws all the way down to her flank, a temptation to squeeze her plump cheeks nearly overwhelmed him.

Spike shifted his weight forward, leaning against Rarity more, as he pressed his palms together, one over the other against her back, and began to caress and massage the areas that looked in need of work. Taking his time, making sure to listen to the soft sound of Rarity’s gasps and moans.

Spike felt tension building between them, the room felt almost like a sauna. He lifted a claw to wipe sweat from his forehead.Rarity tilted her head back, looking directly up at Spike.

“Mhmmph, this massage chair is really comfy but I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps we should move this to a more private space…” Rarity asked, her face beat red and the way in which she was looking at him, let him know exactly her meaning.

“Yeah, but do you like it?” Spike asked, unsure if Rarity was enjoying his gift, or just enjoying his presence.

“Spike, I adore it but…” Rarity paused craning her neck up a bit, giving a delicate kiss upon his muzzle. “However, I feel we need more space for the both of us to truly savor one another.”

“Yeah, I agree.” Spike said, shifting his weight back and using his own momentum to push himself up into a standing position.

Rarity stretched out her limbs, cat like. Her forehooves reaching fully forward, her back hooves outstretched as well, shifting her body into an upright position. Standing up from the massage chair, and putting a hoof into Spike’s open palm.

“Lead the way, my darling,” Rarity said.

The two of them stood there for simply a moment, lavishing in one another. No matter how much time passed, or how often they exchanged quips with each other, each time felt like the first time all over again.

Spike leaned down, scooping Rarity up into his arms. She gasped in surprise.

“Oh my!” Rarity swooned. “Such a gentle dragon, always spoiling me with such charisma and charm.”

Spike double checked that the door to Carousel Boutique was locked. Even on Hearth’s Warming Eve, there was always that one customer that needed one last hem from Rarity, and he definitely didn’t want to be interrupted by another sewing session for a client.

“I’ll show you what these claws were made for,” He winked at her, wiggling his claws and giving her a big smug smirk.

“Oh, don’t threaten me with a good time, Darling,” Rarity said, sighing.

“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,” Spike paused as he looked over to the rectangular box with the blue ribbon with his name on it. “I almost completely forgot, I haven’t unwrapped my gift yet…”

“Oh yes…” Rarity smiled up at him. “You should open it, I think you’ll find it fits the situation we’re in perfectly.”

Spike looked over to the box on the ground. His mind had been focused on Rarity, and he had forgotten all about it. He slowly bent down, lifting up the box easily with one claw and putting it onto Rarity’s torso.

Spike starred at the box, collecting his thoughts. He gently reached for the bow, carefully and slowly untying it from the wrapping. He then tossed it to the side, he would clean up later. Lifting the top of the box off the bottom, he looked within to see what Rarity had gotten him.

“Haha,” Spike burst out laughing. “Rarity!” He shook his head looking at the pure wooden sign that read Do Not Disturb, and had a solid hemp rope to hang it with.

“Well, Spike, you should know just as much as I do, how often we get interrupted by who knows how many different kinds of creatures,” Rarity explained. “And, I thought maybe this year if we just hung up a sign, we’d have some peace of mind, and time to truly enjoy our Hearth’s Warming just the two of us.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Spike groaned. “It’s hard enough with all the customers but sometimes when your sister is here, I worry what she might accidentally walk in on…”

Spike lifted the empty box from within his grip, and allowed it to fall to the floor, it plopped.
He held the sign within his grip, still holding Rarity and walking towards the bedroom.

“Happy Hearth’s Warming, my love.” Spike said, leaning down to kiss her. Their lips met in a flame of passion. Spike kicked the door open, not too roughly. He put the Do Not Disturb sign onto the doorknob and locked the door.

Somewhere outside the Boutique stood a very bouncy and bubbly Pinkie Pie.

“That’s all folks!” Pinkie Pie exaggerated to no creature in particular giggling to herself as she bounced along her merry way.

Author's Note

1) Story Request
Spike and Rarity. SPARITY! Spike has to be aged. A massage has to be present. Any race is allowed (original pony/dragon or human or anthro).

This is the prompt I was given, I hope I managed to deliver a good story. And LtMajorDude, I hope you of all people, enjoy it. Let me know in the comments!