Leave All The Lights On
Spike stepped onto the gravel road leading to downtown Ponyville. Having just exited the midnight train from Canterlot, he was happy to finally be home again. It had certainly been a long day, but there was still one pony who he needed to see.
As he made his way down the quiet path home, he took a moment to enjoy his surroundings. He took in the scent of the trees and grass that laced the fresh country air. Everything was so peaceful and quiet.
As he came closer to the town, he quickened his pace. He was excited to see all of his friends again: Twilight, Fluttershy, Big Mac—The list went on, but one pony in particular occupied his thoughts more than any other.
He could still remember the conversation they had had when he had told her he was leaving...
*****
“Leaving?!”
Spike wiped a stray tear from his cheek. “Yeah. I’m sorry, Rarity.”
“Darling, you can’t be serious,” Rarity said, tears forming at the edges of her eyes. “Why do you have to leave?”
Spike walked over to Rarity’s couch, slumping into it. “Princess Celestia wants me to travel to Draconia for some time to assist with political negotiations.”
“She can’t force you to go anywhere. Stay here, please?” Rarity pleaded.
“I want to, more than anything. But I have a duty to protect the land and everypony in it. As a dragon, the negotiations will go a lot smoother if I’m there.”
Rarity took a spot next to Spike on the couch. “How long is it going to take?”
Spike gently wrapped his arms around the white mare, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t know. It could only be a few weeks. But if things don’t go smoothly like she hopes, it could be a lot longer.”
“But... but that’s just not fair!” Rarity screamed, tears freely flowing down her cheeks. “And what about me? Don’t I get a say in this?”
The dragon searched for words to say, but none would come. This wasn’t something that could be explained with words.
“Or tell me, Spike, does this engagement band you gave me mean nothing to you?” She levitated the sparkling diamond band from her hoof and put it right in front of his eyes.
Spike looked down at his own engagement band she had given him in return, and a tear fell down onto his cheek. “Rarity… I’m sorry. I love you more than anything. That’s why I have to do this.” He gently grabbed her band and placed it back on her hoof. “And to answer your question: this band is just a piece of jewelry. It’s you mean everything to me.”
Rarity stroked his claw as he gently wiped away her tears. “I love you, too.” Collapsing into his arms, she let her tears free and buried her face in his chest.
*****
Spike quickened his pace. Entering the residential area of town, he saw the various houses that still populated the area, houses that belonged to friends he knew would be excited to see him again. But they were going to have to wait.
He took a moment to see how things were compared to when he had left. The small home where Carrot Top resided seemed to have not changed a bit. Her empty produce baskets on the front porch hadn’t seemed to move an inch, along with her small carrot garden in the back.
To the left he could see the small one-room home that his friend Vinyl most likely still occupied. Empty bottles of vodka and random soda cans decorated the porch along with with neon lights that were visible through her window. Still a mess, the same way it was when he left—but he wouldn’t want it any other way.
Up a ways would be the Library, the building he called home for all his years growing up. First thing tomorrow, he was going to go see Twilight. Boy would she be happy to see him.
Just to the right was Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie, the Cakes, and their children all shared the business now, and if the desserts and streamers in the windowsill were any indication, it was still going as strong as ever.
He turned the corner that led to the place he had been so excited to see. The Carousel Boutique would be just up the path. He felt his heart rate rise however as he remembered the very last conversation he and Rarity shared before he left.
*****
“Are you sure you’ll be safe, dear?” Rarity asked, her voice laced with concern.
“I’m sure. But I’m more worried about you, Rares,” Spike said.
“Me?”
Spike cast his gaze to the floor before meeting her eyes. “I know that the timing of this is terrible, and that I promised I’d be by your side forever. I promised that this would be my home now, and that you wouldn’t ever feel alone again.”
Rarity choked back her tears and walked up to Spike, nuzzling his arm. “Sweetie, I know this couldn’t be helped. But you’ll be coming back.” She cracked a small smile as Spike gently wrapped his arms around her. “And as long as I keep thinking of you I’ll never feel alone.”
The dragon hugged her tighter, resting his chin on her head. “I know, but it could be a long time. You could get lonely. What if you find someone else while I’m gone?” His body shuddered at the thought.
“Spike, I’m surprised you’d even entertain the idea!” Rarity looked up at him with a grimace, but softened her gaze the moment she saw the fresh tears running down his face. “Spike, follow me.”
Spike followed Rarity out the front door. The white unicorn levitated two unlit lanterns from the ground and hung them on the crossbeams on each side of the porch.
“Spike, listen to me,” she said. “Every night that I’m waiting for you to return, I’m going to keep these lanterns lit all night. When you return, if you see them lit, you’ll know I’m still waiting for you, and that I am as much in love with you as I am right now.”
Spike felt his heart jump in his chest when she sent a warm smile toward him, moisture glinting in her eyes. He ran over and placed a soft kiss on her lips, which she gladly returned.
When he pulled away, Rarity ignited the lanterns with her magic, illuminating the night. “I’m starting tonight, because the moment you leave, I’ll be waiting for you to come back.”
*****
It was the moment of truth. The moment he turned the next corner, the Boutique would be in plain sight. One part of him wanted to tear across the town and see the mare he’d been waiting for. Another part of him, however, couldn’t help but think that things had changed while he was gone.
He slowly made his way around the corner, and there it was—the Carousel Boutique was in plain view.
Spike’s heart stopped at the sight before him.
There were no lanterns on the porch waiting for him. Instead, every light in the house with the exception of her upstairs bedroom was on.
He raced down the path and onto the porch, tears streaming down his face. He knocked on the door repeatedly, unable to fully believe what he was seeing.
After what seemed like ages, the door cracked open, and a white unicorn he knew all too well poked her head out.
“Can I help y—” Before she was able to finish her sentence, she recognized him”
Tears streaming from her eyes, she leapt in the dragon’s waiting arms. “SPIKE!”
Spike held her tighter than ever before, and she wrapped her hooves around his neck as he cradled her. “Rarity, I’ve missed you.”
Rarity responded with kisses all over his face. “Spike, I’ve missed you more than you could imagine!”
Holding her in his arms, Spike walked into the Boutique and collapsed onto the couch therein. Rarity immediately cuddled up to him, and he wrapped her into an affectionate embrace.
Spike let out a gently chuckle. “You know, the two lanterns were the only lights you had to leave on to let me know you cared.”
“Well, it’s been so long, and I was worried you may have forgotten about me. I wanted to make sure you knew I was still here, and that this was your home.”
Spike simply responded with another kiss and a gentle nuzzle to her cheek. “Don’t worry, Rarity. I’m home now, and this is where I’m staying.”