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// A Hearth's Warming Thank You (Rarity x Vinyl Scratch) 
// Story: The Wheel of Ships 
// by Luminous Comet 
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The days just before Hearth's Warming Eve were awfully busy, for all of Rarity's locations, but especially for Rarity 4 U in Manehattan. Countless ponies needed a last-minute gift, or an outfit for the holidays, not to mention the amount of orders Rarity had to finish just in time for the holidays.

But even the most stressful day ends at some point. It was almost nighttime when she hugged all her assistants and sent them on home, leaving her almost by herself to lock up. Almost. For this last day, even DJ Pon3 had been willing to help out, lending the store some Hearth's Warming atmosphere with lights and seasonal music, matching the bit of decor that Rarity had hung up herself.

And now, when everypony else had left, and her own things were easy enough to pack up, she silently helped with moving the mannequins and shutting off the lights. Together, the two unicorns had the store cleaned up in minutes and Rarity sighed when she looked at the dark, empty interior.

"Oh, thank you so much for all your help today, Vinyl," she said with a sigh, addressing the DJ by her given name she had since learned, and gently touching her fetlock with her hoof. "You didn't have to stay - in fact you didn't have to come at all today -, so I truly appreciate your work."

The mute unicorn shrugged with a smile. She usually seemed so aloof, hiding behind her shades, but with how late it had gotten and with the store in darkness now, the two of them only illuminated by the streetlights from outside, she had taken them off and put them into her saddlebags with her records. And her eyes were very expressive, telling Rarity that it was her pleasure - perhaps that it was even in the Hearth's Warming spirit! Though that might have been Rarity's overactive imagination.

Vinyl turned to head to the door, but Rarity lightly touched her side to stop her. "Oh, wait just a moment, darling. I have a little something for you." She quickly went back behind the counter and retrieved a small basket, decorated with small pine branches and a blue bow. "It's not quite Hearth's Warming yet, but I did want to show my appreciation and get you a little gift."

Vinyl's expression told of surprise, but then excitement, and she took the basket from Rarity's magic hold into her own, levitating it underneath her head to gaze into it.

"I'm not sure if you wear hair clips on your off days, but this one looks so much like your cutie mark, I thought it was a grand idea. And when I noticed your mane was dyed, I thought you must already have the appropriate shampoo, but you can never have enough, right, when you must use it so often? Oh and that bottle of foam there is for your coat. It can be so difficult to keep a bright hue like ours pristine."

Rarity chuckled nervously when she saw the DJ's crooked smile. "Oh dear, listen to me prattle on. Surely none of those required explanation." She levitated her blanket coat over her back and made ready to leave, heading to the door with her.

Just when they would have stepped out, Vinyl's hoof gently stopped her by the chest. She looked questioningly to her and - at her nodding upward - looked up at the doorframe. There, directly above them, hung a small bundle of mistletoe. She laughed quietly.

"Oh dear, look at us. Caught under the mistletoe," she joked, before leaning in to give Vinyl just a small peck on the cheek. Instead, the hoof found purchase on her chest and gently pushed her back against the doorframe, and Vinyl leaned in herself, capturing her lips with her own.

Heat rushed into Rarity's cheeks and her heart beat faster, beating against the gentle yet firm hoof holding her in place, while the startled intake of breath brought with it the scents of blueberries and coconut. This boldness, this confidence, this... skill. Rarity's eyes drifted closed, just moments before Vinyl parted from her. Her weak voice hummed a short melody under her breath, in lieu of speaking, and her tail brushed past Rarity's flank as she walked out the door. When Rarity opened her eyes, she could just catch her last glance, a confident smirk as she was licking her lips.