Vacation
Ponyrife
Slowly, I fluttered my eyes open, greeted by beautiful sunlight. I yawned and stretched my hooves, just to realize that the other side of the bed was empty.
Mhh, she's already awake. Doesn’t she realize that we're on vacation?
Guessing just by the position of the sun, it was only around 8am, way too early to stand up and start the day. Just as I buried my snout back into the cushion, additional weight was added on my side of the bed before I felt a soft touch on my neck.
“Rise and shine, Vi. You know that we have plans for today,” Tavi gently whispered into my ear.
“Please, five more minutes,” I mumbled.
“You always say that and then fall asleep again,” she laughed, “Now stand up, you had all last week to sleep in already, and I don't want to miss breakfast today.”
I grumbled, but slowly rose and got up from the bed, making my way to the bathroom under the amused gaze of my marefriend. I knew that my mane and tail looked like a mess, not even mentioning my slow, sleep-drunken walk.
The shower was quick, but freshening, and after a few minutes of taking care of my mane and tail, I was ready to begin an early day. Stepping out of the bathroom, I noticed Tavi sitting on the couch, reading the newspapers about the weather today.
Sitting down next to her, I leaned against her side and hummed while she giggled, “In a cuddling mood already?”
“With you? Always,” I sighed and took a whiff of her beautiful scent, something I became addicted to a long time ago.
“The weather is supposed to be nice today, so it shouldn't be a problem,” she said and leaned to me for a kiss.
Short, but sweet. Once we broke, I smiled, “Call me guilty, but what did we plan for today again?”
“Walking around the market, lunch at the restaurant, and then some relaxing on the beach,” she replied before getting up, “Now, come. Breakfast is only until nine, and we're already a bit late.”
I sighed, but got up and followed her out of the room, just to come to a stop in a wide garden. The hotel we had chosen was one of the new park hotels, beautiful small apartments around a large garden complex.
The breakfast area was an open place with tables around a small hut with a roof, where the buffet was placed. Today, there was a huge selection of eggs, some food I couldn’t identify, toast, various appliances of fruits, and toppings for the toast.
We sat down next to a table near the small river running through the park and Tavi waited while I loaded my plate. Between two pieces of toast, I found some cheese topping and a small load of baked eggs. Tavi, as usual, only took a small slice of bread with her favourite fruits.
"It was a good choice to come here,” Tavi sighed once our plates were empty.
I gave her a lovely gaze, “Hey, our last big vacation was years ago, and we barely had time just for us with all that work and stuff. It was about time.”
“You're right, and I wouldn't want it any other way as long as you are at my side,” she smiled.
It was a smile that always melted my heart. On more than one occasion I’d lose myself in her beautiful, lavender eyes. Add her beautiful, grey fur and her wonderful black mane and tail, I could only describe her as perfect.
She noticed my stare and reached her hoof over mine before leaning in and pressing her lips gently against mine. I enjoyed the kiss while it lasted, and in the back of my head I knew that we would attract some looky-loos, but we didn't care.
Once we broke, we both shared loving gazes before getting up and making our way outside the hotel, never breaking eye contact with each other.
Before we went to the vacation, our relationship got a bit difficult. But now, it spread like a butterfly out of its cocoon once again. The love was nearly tangible around us, and I knew it. I wasn't a sappy pony, but for Tavi, I would do everything.
“So, where is that market?” I asked softly.
“In Ponyrife South, we can walk or take a taxi there,” she replied.
“I would like to walk and enjoy you at my side,” I whispered, and earned myself another kiss for that.
"I was hoping you would say that," she giggled as we broke.
Outside, the busy streets of Playa de la Celestias greeted us, among with the noise from the tourists and salesponies.
I knew it was an hour long walk to the market, but I also knew it was worth it. I could walk at the side of my marefriend, lean against her, talk with her.
It might sound weird, but I found it much more romantic than a simple taxi ride.
We started to walk, first in direction to the beach, and from there on we would just follow the path along the ocean towards the market.
The stares we got as we walked there, deeply pressed against each other were present as always, but we simply ignored them. We had each other, everything else wasn’t important.
"I will miss this time," Tavi whispered after a while, "We are around each other for the whole day, not just the few hours at night. It sounds weird to enjoy twenty-four hours deep contact, but I wouldn't want it any other way."
"We just have to make up with lost time from now on everytime we come home," I replied with a smile.
"Vinyl Scratch, the great and powerful DJ-Pon3 is seriously asking me for more kisses and more cuddling?" Tavi asked playfully.
"What's wrong with that?" I asked her with a nudge.
"Nothing," she grinned, "I would love to!"
"I know. Besides, you won't survive without your favourite white cushion," I giggled.
Tavi blushed, but said nothing and placed a peck onto the side of my muzzle.
If it was up to me, I would've just stayed in Ponyrife, not caring about home. But I knew that it would be over in four days, and reality would have us back.
"Sometimes I wonder if we should just cancel a few things on the weekend and simply enjoy our time together, alone," Tavi said after a while, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Who said we can't once in a while?" I asked her with a nuzzle.
"Vi, you know that we can't do that!” she snorted.
"Hey, you say you can't, I say we can for sure!" I replied and gave her a loving gaze, "Nothing is more important to me than you, don't you forget that!"
She seemed to pause before smiling. "You know what? You're right!" She said, before locking my lips in a long and passionate kiss.
"I'm always right," I said with a playful nip at her lips as we broke.
She let out a cute 'eep' and blushed furiously, "Not in public," she squealed.
"I don't care," was all I replied before taking her back into a kiss, a longer and more passionate one that soon turned deep as her tongue playfully attacked mine.
"Two can play this game," she breathed with a wink once it ended.
“Game? Who said this is a game?“ I asked with a smirk.
Tavi blushed and nudged me before pointing down the beach, “Look at this.”
I followed her hoof and grinned. She pointed at the bakery we discovered on our first day. Delicious coffee and even better croissants, “You're hungry again?”
“Well,” she started.
Laughing, I rubbed my coat against hers, “Hey, I'm just kidding. I know that you don't really like the breakfast selection in the hotel. Let's get you something nice to eat.”
“That sounds wonderful,” she replied with a smile, sighing happily upon my contact.
I loved it. Walking with her at my side, her coat rubbing against mine, and her head gently resting against me. We walked like that into the bakery, which looked to be well visited as every single muzzle turned towards us.
Envy? Yeah, that's my beautiful mare over here!
Tavi blushed a bit, but we made our way to the waiting line, ignoring the stares as best as we could. She was nervous, I could really feel that.
“You’re still uncomfortable like this?” I whispered.
“I'm sorry,” she mumbled back.
I answered with a soft kiss, trying to pour my emotions into her. She was shocked at first, but quickly leaned in. As we broke, she smiled and nuzzled my neck, the blush gone from her cheeks.
You're too cute.
We ordered a croissant for Tavi and a coffee for me, and quickly continued our way to the market. I couldn't help but watch as my marefriend bit into the croissant, moaning slightly.
“That good, huh?” I asked with a smile.
“I'm going to miss those croissants. I bet the bakery at home only uses frozen ones that only needs to be heated up.“
Giggling, I watched her devouring every single bite, “That might be.”
The rest of the way passed quickly, both of us simply enjoying the presence of each other. At that moment, if I found a magic lamp with a genie inside that would have granted me three wishes, I’d have only needed one; I’d have wished that this moment could last forever.
While the market wasn't something you would call big, it definitely had some very interesting shops in it. Various amounts of tourists tried to squeeze between the stands to get the best offer. I growled upon the sight, as such a crowd wasn't exactly where I wanted to be at that moment, but Tavi simply laid a hoof on my shoulder.
“Relax, Vi. We’ll walk through it, maybe buy something, and then we can head to the restaurant, alright?”
I looked into her eyes and nodded. How could I ever deny anything that wonderful mare asked of me?
As we slowly walked to the first stands, we were greeted by the first salesponies, trying to find customers for their wares. They offered us shades, different creams, useful applications, and a multitude of other stuff which I couldn't imagine anypony would want. However, one stand caught my attention.
“Beautiful necklaces! We draw names on them! Come here, best price!” the brown pony in front of it called in pretty bad Equish.
I looked at Tavi, who shrugged, “What do you need a necklace for?”
“Look here. They have a few that can be separated into two, one for each partner to wear. How about we buy one of them?” I suggested.
She simply stared at me, “Who are you and what did you do to my marefriend?”
I giggled, “Hey, I want to show the world who's my beautiful marefriend!”
“Alright, alright,” she smiled before looking at the display, “Anything that caught your eye?”
“Hmm, still looking,” I said and let my gaze wander over the different necklaces, “Hey, how about wolves? They're cool!”
“There's my marefriend back,” Tavi laughed before giving me a peck on the side of the cheek, “How about the hummingbirds or the music notes over here?”
I looked at them, “The hummingbirds are not really my piece of cake, but the music notes look fine.”
“So the music notes?” she asked.
I smiled and waved to the salespony, who quickly went to us with a toothy grin, “Anything you like?” he asked.
“We would like these, with our names engraved on them,” I replied, pointing to the music notes.
“Good choice! What on it?”
“One should say Octavia, the other Vinyl.”
He looked confused at me before hoofing me paper and a quill, “Writing. Please.”
I sighed and wrote our names onto the paper before Tavi snatched the quill out of my magic grip, “Hey!”
“Look, my love. I know you want the best, but your writing is simply awful, even with magic.”
I blew her a raspberry as she wrote the names again in beautiful hoofwriting. I growled that she was way better than me, but the beautiful writing came along with her need of writing notes and whole compositions down.
The salespony took the paper and quickly went into his stall to a small anvil and various plates that looked like stamps, “Take five or ten minutas. Come back, please,” he smiled.
We nodded and continued along the stands as Tavi suddenly leaned closer to me, “You know, this is pretty sweet of you.”
“Only the best for the most beautiful mare in the world,” I replied with a nuzzle.
“You know that they’re probably only cheap garbage?” she asked with raised eyebrows.
“Hey, it’s the thought that counts. And we can always buy real necklaces at home,” I shot back.
Tavi simply giggled and sighed happily, “No, this is fine. You know that you don't have to blow your money on me.”
“You do realize that you always say that? On your birthday, our anniversary, and on Christmas.”
“I got you, that's enough.”
We continued for a while, the stares of all around us glued as we walked in unison, coat on coat, muzzle along muzzle. We did it until a cough stopped us.
“Senioritas?”
We turned to see a pony in light blue uniform standing behind us. The logo on it told us that he was a local officer.
“How can we help you, officer?” Tavi asked.
“You two. Not much contact, disturbing people,” he said with a frown.
“What? I can't even walk around here with my marefriend and show her some affection?” I asked.
Upon his confused look, I could bet that he didn't understand all of it, but he shook his head, “Display not good,” before continuing his walk.
“Jeez, are they really that prudish here?” I snorted.
“Well, they aren't quite open to fillyfoolers or coltcuddlers, as far as I know,” Tavi replied with a shrug and we started to walk again, but I noticed that she kept her distance.
What the hay...
“If you think that you can keep distance now, you're really wrong,” I growled before pushing at her side.
“Vi! I don't want to get into any trouble!”
Trouble? They are just prudes!! Sometimes you’re really stupid for such a smart girl.
“Then let's act like nothing happened, and you won't get into trouble with me. I swear to Celestia, if you listen to those prudes and keep that up, I'll sleep on the floor tonight,” I said with a glare.
She hesitated, but slowly leaned back against me and a smile crept up her muzzle, “You would've come back to bed after an hour or so anyways.”
“You know me too well.”
The rest of the market wasn't very interesting. Various 'wonder products' and clothing like rain capes and other stuff, so we quickly went back to the salespony with the necklaces.
“Done,” he greeted us and showed the necklaces. The names were added in a beautiful writing, even a heart besides it, something I didn't ask for, but welcomed, “Ten bits, please,” he added, and I paid him.
The stallion put the necklaces into a small paperbag and passed it to me. I took it and made my way through the crowd before ripping it apart and pulling the necklaces out.
“What are you doing?” Tavi asked.
“I'm going to wear mine. You too?”
“Alright. So you wear the one with my name, and I’ll wear the one with yours?”
“Exactly, so everypony knows who my awesome marefriend is,” I smiled.
“Wasn't it most beautiful marefriend one hour ago?” she teased.
“Most awesome, beautiful, and smart marefriend,” I said in dramatic display.
“Oh, shush you,” was all I got with a nudge.
I picked the necklaces and couldn't help myself but place Tavi's around her neck all by myself. She smiled before looking down, “How does it look?”
“Good,” I said and placed my own around my neck, “So what now? Walking to the restaurant?”
“Uhm... Do you remember where it was?”
“Playa de la Troya, but don't ask me how to get there,” I shrugged.
“Okay, so we’ll take a taxi there,” she said.
“Can't we just walk a bit more?”
She looked at me and tilted her head questioningly, “You want to walk more?”
“Don't act like it's a wonder,” I rolled my eyes, “Is it wrong that I want to spend some quality time alone with you?”
“No,” she said before sighing, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I just can’t stand ponies trying to tell me what I can or can’t do with my marefriend.”
"You do realize that there will be always somepony that’s not okay with us," she replied before giving me a small peck.
"Like your dad?"
"Well, yes, but also no. We can't change who we are, but we can make the best out of it. I don't regret that I chose to live my life with you instead of a life without you," Tavi smiled her loving smile.
"I love you," I whispered back and locked her lips in a deep kiss.
"And I love you, too," she replied, out of breath as we broke, before nudging me and starting to walk.
We asked a few ponies on the way, and after a while we finally had the direction to the restaurant Tavi wanted to go to.
I quickly pressed myself against her coat as we made our way to the restaurant. Sure, it was pretty warm here, but I wouldn’t let something like that keep me away from the mare I loved.
It was a short walk, one we filled with whispered sweet-nothings and lovely kisses. At the restaurant, my muzzle opened in surprise as I saw the banner.
“I thought you said that you didn't really like seafood?” I asked her.
“Well, you said that you wanted to try this. I'm open to try this with you,” she smiled before we entered.
It was a restaurant with a wonderful view over the beach. In the middle of the restaurant was a giant fish tank with various different species swimming around. The seating was on a first come basis, where you could pick any spot you wanted. I chose us a spot near one of the openings with a clear view of the beach.
“You really want to try it, or stick to your salads? I'm sure they also have one of those,” I looked worried at her as she showed an unhappy expression.
“Oh, well, no. I think I'm fine. How about you pick something easy for me?”
“Really? Since when do you trust me with your food?”
“I love and trust you,” she simply replied with a heart-catching smile.
I grinned and opened the card to pick something out. It wasn't easy with six sides full of delicious food, but in the end, I chose some fried squid with potatoes, and for Tavi a soft salad with some salmon topping.
It's salad, she'll love it, I thought with a smile.
I quickly realized how wrong I was with that mindset. As we received our meals, she poked it suspiciously with a hoof before trying a bite. She immediately spit it out and shot me a glare.
“That's raw!” she growled.
“That's the intention of this salad,” I chuckled before offering my plate, “Here, try this, it's fried.”
She glared at me and I shrugged, “Hey, greasy food is good food.”
Hesitantly, she took one of the rings and bit an ever so tiny piece of it, chewing a while, letting it roll over her tongue before her eyes went wide, “Oh, my, that actually tastes good!” she exclaimed.
I laughed and waved for the waiter, ordering a plate of fried squid for Tavi. In the meantime, she devoured nearly half of my plate with gusto, a food slaughter she continued as soon as her new plate arrived.
“You sure you're not tired of only a slice of bread and a croissant from the morning?” I asked jokingly, which earned me a cuff on my head.
“I'm still the more representable mare at this table, don't forget that,” she winked.
“Yeah, but you can't deny that I'm rubbing off on you,” I teased her back, “After all, you forget some of your high class manners thanks to me.”
“I'm neither confirming or denying that,” she huffed.
“You are my cute Tavi,” I laughed before stealing a kiss and retreating fast enough to avoid her hoof.
“Sometimes, you can be so unbearable,” she said with a frown, one that became a smile as she stared at me, “But I think it is because of those very antics, that I love you that much,” she chuckled.
“Just because of my antics?” I asked with a frown.
“Of course not. Don’t you remember how we met?”
“Yeah, like it was yesterday. My cousin pulled me into that party of his and your best friend.”
“And I was surprised to see somepony like you there, but I have to admit that you pretty much caught my interest almost immediately. I saw more in you than the loud, silly mare you were being, and I'm glad that I did,” she said before leaning in for a kiss.
“Heh, I remember what I said when he introduced us. Forgot your name and I made you blush right away,” I laughed heartily.
Tavi actually blushed upon that. “Well, it’s not every day someone says, 'What's your name, hotflank?' to your face.”
“I must admit, the dates we went on one week later were worth the hit you landed upon my head, nearly splitting your hoof,“ I joked.
“It wasn't really that hard,” she complained.
“You wish, I can still feel the pain in my skull,” I winced and rubbed my head in a dramatic display.
“You continue this play and I’ll repeat it for you,” Tavi playfully raised her hoof.
“Well, what can I say? Bring it!”
“What?!” her muzzle hung agape.
“I think I grew addicted to you hurting me since we got together, since this happens on a daily basis,” I said and blew her a raspberry.
She simply looked at me and blinked a few times before shaking her head, “Let's finish eating and go to the beach. I can't wait to enjoy the sunset with you.”
“It's barely afternoon,” I deadpanned before smiling, “We could do a small run around the shops? Maybe we find something useful?”
“I doubt it. They barely have any clothes, and the summer dresses they do have mostly itch my coat,” she huffed.
“Still a high class mare, after all,” I giggled.
She shot me an amused glare, “What was that? You want to sleep on the floor tonight so I have the whole bed for myself? Why didn't you say so from the beginning!”
“Tavi...”
“I didn't know that you’d be so generous to me, my lovely mare,” she continued with an evil smile.
“Not this again...”
She wasn't done yet, “So, thank you kindly for offering me the whole bed, but I like your flank too much as a cushion to allow that,” she ended with a blushed smirk.
“What was that about ‘not in public’ a little while ago?” I asked jokingly.
“Let's just say a certain mare opened my eyes so I don't care too much about that anymore.”
“You are just lovely, did I ever tell you that?”
“You tell me such things every single day, Vi,” she smiled, her hoof cupping mine.
“I wouldn't want to change anything. Sure, we bicker now and then, but I love you with all of my heart.”
“I love you, too,” she replied lovingly before a grin spread over her muzzle, “I turned you into a mushy one.”
I simply groaned, “Don't mention it, please!”
“But it is the truth!”
“Tavi, no. For you, yes. For the public? Certainly not,” I replied with a frown.
“Aww,” she pouted before smiling, “At least for me. Now let’s walk a bit more, I’m pretty sure that we can find something else to do other than shop.”
I groaned, but waved for the waiter and paid for our meals before getting up and slowly making my way along the beach with Tavi, heads and coats close.
“Do you think we can do things like that more often once we’re back home?” she suddenly asked me.
“What do you mean?”
“This here. Just doing more things together. I know it’s also my fault, but after coming home, you just work on your stuff everyday and we get a few small times besides that, I would simply love to cuddle more with you, maybe we could even go out from time to time again?” she asked as a small tear made its way down her muzzle.
I quickly wiped it away by nuzzling her, forcing her to look at me, “Hey, don’t cry. We’ll do more again. Together.”
“Really?”
“Count it as a solid promise,” I smiled and she shot forwards, her muzzle pressing against mine.
Her soft lips caught my breath and stole my attention from everything that was happening around us. The only thing that counted was her as my heart beat a thousand beats per minute. It was so much like our first kiss all those years ago, all that emotion poured into it, making my body light as a feather and swirling like butterflies through my stomach. It was the kind of kiss I wanted so many more of, a feeling that strengthened a thousand times once her tongue asked for entry. I eagerly granted it, enveloping her tongue with my own like a long lost lover, caring for it, feeling it with all my heart. The only shame was that we couldn’t continue it forever, our bodies still demanding oxygen from from time to time.
“I will hold you to that,” she whispered with a lovingly gaze as we broke.
We continued our walk, slowly walking towards wherever we would end up, the destination didn’t matter, only the journey mattered. It simply felt right, coats pressed together and loving smiles trading all the way. If it was up to me, that vacation would never come to an end.
“Time won’t pass if we just walk,” Tavi said with a grimace and pointed at a big complex, “There is an aquarium, shall we go through it and then go to the beach?”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I replied and she grinned before dragging me along to the big, blue complex.
***
“Did you see that giant one that shimmered like a crystal? It looked amazing!” I beamed as we left, Tavi a big souvenir in the form of a plushie on her back, “What is that on your back anyways?”
“It’s a whale, I thought it looked cute.”
“It sure does riding on your back,” I giggled.
She nudged me with a smile before leaning against me, “That was more fun than I thought it would be, and time raced,” With a look at the sky she gave me a loving gaze, “Let’s finally head to that wonderful spot on the beach.”
I nodded and we slowly made our way to a wonderful spot we found the week before, with a full view over the complete south part of the island and far out onto the ocean. Combined with a sunset, it would look amazing.
It wasn’t a long way there, and soon we were sitting on the black sand of the beach. On our first day I wondered why it was black, but even Tavi had no idea. It was the same all over the beach, with no regular white sand anywhere in sight.
“You’re still curious about the sand,” she chuckled.
“You know me way too well, did you know that?” I chuckled back.
“As your lover, I think I should know you pretty well by now.”
“Lover?” I asked her with a smile, and she blushed, “After all those years, you’re still blushing, even at the slightest innuendo. I thought you got over that with me.”
“I don’t know about you, but it is still a big deal for me, and I’m happy that you are mine,” she smiled gently.
“Aww! And I will always be yours, as long as you’re mine,” I smirked.
“Now who’s the sappy one?” she teased me and before I could complain pressed her lips against mine.
I knew we were the new attention for everypony walking by, but as always, I didn’t care. I was too caught up in the touch of those soft lips on mine as her muzzle opened a bit and her tongue asked for permission. I was more than glad to grant it to her, my own tongue immediately attacked hers. Once again the kiss was wonderful, more intensive than I could describe. Her scent filling my nostrils, her taste on every pour of my tongue, it all added to a awesome mix.
Once we broke, she gently licked my muzzle before resting her head against mine as we watched the sun moving slowly down, nearing the ocean and the waves.
“I would like to go on another vacation soon,” she softly spoke.
“Every day with you is a vacation to me.”
I hummed simply in agreement, not wanting to ruin the moment. It was our moment, just we, together in our own little world. I knew that I had a wonderful mare at my side, one that would always stay there no matter what I did. It was something indescribably precious.
Something I want to keep forever.
The sunset was beautiful. Not as beautiful as my Tavi, but still great. As the sun hit the waves and sunk even deeper, Tavi cuddled deeply into my coat.
“I love you,” she whispered quietly, and I could feel that she was about to fall asleep on me.
I had no problem with that, and nuzzled her gently, enjoying her touch on me, “I love you, too,” I gently whispered back and her muzzle turned into a smile.
An expression to keep forever.
I would do everything in the world to keep it exactly like that.