//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10 
// Story: Firebox Hearts 
// by Mystic Mind 
//------------------------------//

Y.O.N.A fest was amazing. Being a closed off culture was something all of Smoulder’s friends understood, to one degree or another, so to see them open their gates and share their traditions—for the third year running, no less—was fascinating.
Sandbar and Yona showed Spike the markets, in particular the stall run by Yona’s sister, Yixa. There, Yona treated Spike to the gift of a new winter coat, a little tradition she’d started with Sandbar. After this, they met a female gryphon—Gallus’ aunt, Gruella—selling gryphon scones topped with traditional Yakyakistan fruit. As it turned out, the recipe trade from the previous year had been a roaring success, so much so that it became a permanent edition.
Even Ocellus found solace, bathing in the radiating love of others while treating herself to all kinds of different foods, bumping into a few former hive mates along the way. 
After indulging in a few craft lessons, they all attended the traditional folk rock concert, bookmarking the end of the first day.
Sitting back, claw in claw, Spike gazed longingly into his girlfriend’s eyes. Of his love for her, he had no doubt, but there was one thing still lingering on his mind.
“Hey, Smoulder?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you living in the Crystal Empire now? Since your job means you’re working this train route.”
Smoulder pondered that for a moment. “I’m just a seasonal extra, but for now, yeah. That doesn’t mean I won’t be driving trains back to Canterlot every now and again, though.”
“Oh.” Spike's expression fell. “So… how are we gonna do this? The relationship, I mean. I’d love to move in with you, but I’m still Twilight’s assistant. She needs me, and I can’t abandon her when Celestia and Luna are about to retire.”
“I was thinking about that, too,” Smoulder replied, squeezing Spike’s claw. “Even if I move away for a more permanent job, I’ll be driving to and from Canterlot plenty often. We can see each other there. Besides, I’ll always return to Ponyville on my days off, helping the Miniature Railway Club. Just ‘cause I’m gonna graduate from Friendship School doesn’t mean I’ll abandon every creature else – least of all you.
“Trust me, Spike, we’ll make it work. I’ll write to you every day I’m not in town, and so long as you keep the little trains running, you’ll have something to remember me by.”
Shuffling closer, Spike rested his head on his girlfriend’s shoulder. “Thanks, Smoulder. I’m sorry I’ve been so paranoid. This is my first real relationship, and I’ve got a lot of stuff I still need to work through.”
“Take all the time you need.” Chuckling, Smoulder booped Spike on the nose. “I love you, Spike.”
“I love you, too.”
As the heavy drumming on stage thundered to life, Spike could finally relax, his firebox heart satisfied for now.