“Spike, I must thank you for such a fantastic afternoon,” beamed Rarity. “I haven’t felt this joyous since I was a filly.”
“Hmm … yeah, sure,” Spike muttered as he pulled the cart full of gems.
“It has been such a long time since I’ve been outside gem hunting,” she continued, singing merrily. “Look we’re almost home, just a little longer.”
“...I’m glad,” he grunted spitefully.
“This particular emerald just speaks volumes to me,” she awed, using her magic to levitate a large, oval shaped gem, admiring the rays of green light shining through it. “Oooh, I feel so inspired right now!”
“...”
Rarity glanced over her shoulder and peered at the young dragon. “Oh, darling, you’re not still upset about earlier are you?” asked Rarity.
Spike stole a quick glance at Rarity before turning away to avoid her gaze. “... maybe ...”
“I’m sorry, Spike. It’s just you were just so cute and adorable that I just couldn’t resist it. Please forgive me,” she cooed.
Against his better judgement, he glanced into her puppy dog eyes and sighed. “Where did you want these gems?” he asked coolly.
“Oh - ah, just leave them there by the entrance, please,” she answered using her magic to open the front door. “I’ll sort through them later.”
Spike nodded and dropped the handle of the cart. “Do you need anything else?”
“No thank you, Spike,” she replied.
“I’ll see you later then,” said Spike but before he could leave, Rarity blocked his path.
“Really, Spike, I can’t exactly let you leave empty hoofed, now can I?” Using her magic, she held a small basket and presented it to the young dragon. “Here. Please accept this apology gift for my cheekiness earlier and my way of wanting to start a fresh too.”
Before he could stop himself, Spike licked his lips as he looked greedily over the basket of assorted gems. “I did want to give these to you later, but I guess now is as good as time as any,” she continued.
He looked between the white unicorn mare and the delicious gems in front of him. Although they looked delicious, he held his claw back from reaching for them. He wasn’t ready to forgive Rarity just yet. “No it’s okay, Rarity,” Spike said stubbornly. “I don’t need them.”
“Please, darling,” she insisted resorting to her puppy dog eyes and pouted lips. “Please, Spikey-Wikey.”
Spike looked at her again. He couldn't help it; she was just too darn cute. Spike grumbled for a few seconds before finally caving in. “Fine, but just for the record” - he said as he grabbed the basket and shoved a claw full of gems into his mouth - “I can not be bought so easily.”
Rarity chuckled. “Of course not. I never assumed so.”
“See you later, Rarity,” said Spike, as grabbed another claw full of gems.
“Bye, darling,” replied Rarity with a soft smile on her face. She watched the dragon until he was out of sight, and then turned merrily bringing the gems inside with her magic. Her stomach growled as she closed the door behind her.
“Oh my, I must be famished,” she blushed.
Rarity proceeded into the kitchen but was surprised to see Sweetie Belle sitting at the table, rolling an apple between her hooves. The filly was quite agitated and refused to acknowledge her sister’s presence. Rarity hid a smirk underneath a hoof, feeling very pleased with herself.
“Oh, good evening, Sweetie Belle” chimed Rarity. “Did you have a good afternoon with your friends?”
Sweetie Belle ignored her as she continued rolling the apple back and forth.
“Sweetie Belle, are you okay?” asked Rarity as she continues to play aloof. “Is something the matter?
“Everything’s fine,” hissed the young filly, “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just that you do appear out of sorts,” she said cautiously.
“It’s nothing.”
“Did something happen?”
“Gosh, Rarity, just mind your own business will you,” snapped Sweetie Belle as she jumped off her chair, and exited the room.
“Hmph!” Rarity scoffed, snapping her face away and slamming her eyes shut, “I could say the same thing.”
She shook her head, dissipating any negative thoughts. Now was not the time to get upset. She trotted back to the front room and used her magic to grab the large green gem once more. “That’s enough fun for now. I have to get back to work,” she said with fiery determination.
The next day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were waiting at the clubhouse for Spike to discuss the results of yesterday’s plan. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were watching anxiously as Sweetie Belle as paced the room up and down fuming. “Rarity”, “Spike”, “Stupid, and “Ungrateful” were the only words that could be understood in between her growls and incoherent babble.
“You ask her,” whispered Scootaloo.
“Why do Ah hafta?” retorted Apple Bloom.
“Because I did it last time remember?” reminded Scootaloo with gritted teeth.
Apple Bloom groaned under her breath. Whenever Sweetie Belle got worked up, her heightened vocal range could pierce eardrums bringing full grown stallions to their knees.
“Umm … Sweetie Belle,” approached Apple Bloom hesitantly.
Sweetie Belle continued to pace and growl unaware that Apple Bloom was trying to get her attention.
“Sweetie Belle,” said Apple Bloom louder this time.
Sweetie Belle stopped for a second and glared at Apple Bloom. “Yes?” she sneered dangerously.
“Sweetie Belle, are you umm okay?” asked Apple Bloom nervously, rubbing a hoof on her shoulder.
“Of course, I am,” she snapped. “Why wouldn’t I be.”
“It’s just that-”
“You’ve been pacing up and down for the last 30 minutes, growling and muttering to yourself liked some crazed pony” interjected Scootaloo with a stern voice. “And whatever’s got your tail in a knot; you don’t need to take it out on your friends.”
Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to speak but reflected on her behaviour and thought better of it. Her anger dissipated somewhat and regretted her actions, especially towards her best friends. She sat back onto her rump with her face to the ground and let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m sorry Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. I’m just so angry at Rarity. I just can’t believe how she treated Spike,” she explained. “He deserves so much.”
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each other and glanced at Sweetie Belle sympathetically. “Listen, Sweetie Belle, we get why yah’re upset,” said Apple Bloom gently.
“Just don’t take it out on us, okay?” winked Scootaloo as she and Apple Bloom gave Sweetie Belle a comforting hug.
“I’m sorry,” said Sweetie Belle as she returned their warm embrace.
Just as they broke away, however, Spike entered the clubhouse gloomily. “Hey guys,” he waved halfheartedly. The girls had looked at each other before they walked to the dragon.
“Hi, Spike. So how did the plan go?” inquired Apple Bloom with a large, fake smile. “Did yah managed to win her over?”
Scootaloo raised a baffled look at Apple Bloom’s question. “What are you talking about; we saw-”
“Nothing,” blurted Sweetie Belle nudging Scootaloo into the side before she could finish. Sweetie Belle glared at the oblivious pegasus, before looking back at Spike chuckling nervously.
Fortunately for them, Spike didn’t notice as he sat on a chair near the window. He slumped his head into his claws dejectedly. “Yeah, went as well as you could have hoped for,” he mumbled.
“That bad, huh,” remarked Apple Bloom sadly.
“It’s okay, Spike,” cheered Scootaloo confidently. “We can come up with a new plan. Something that will truly win her over.”
“Yeah, best not to lose heart now Spike,” added Apple Bloom.
“Spike, you’re a great pony,” said Sweetie Belle. “My sister just needs to see that.”
Spike looked up at the girl, wearing a weak but grateful smile. Although he still felt dejected, their optimism and concerns raised his spirits. It felt good to talk it over with his friends. Their continued support gave him strength and courage. His chest felt warm in response to their feelings. “Thanks, everypony.”
“So Scootaloo, do you have a plan?” asked Apple Bloom with a smug, knowing look.
Scootaloo clapped her hooves giddily. “You bet I do!” she shouted.
Spike watched as Scootaloo revealed the many different romantic plans and possibilities she had been working on. He sighed inwardly before turning his body on the chair and looking out the window.
His mind pondered over the events from yesterday. It was nice just being in Rarity’s company, but it felt stiff and unnatural. And, although his heart pounded at the sight of her, he couldn’t help but question. Would Rarity return his feelings? If not, what then? Would there be anypony who would love him? Would he find that special somepony?
He closed his eyes as these questions lingered. Sensing his distress, Sweetie Belle interrupted the heated debate between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “Umm guys, do you think you can give us a minute,” she whispered before gesturing to the dejected dragon.
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stopped for a moment and looked at Spike sitting alone. Without any further explanation, the two fillies winked and began to make their exit. “Sure, we’ll go outside and get some snacks,” offered Apple Bloom.
As they leave, she walks over to the dragon. “Is something on your mind, Spike?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Nah, just thinking things over,” answered Spike firmly. He steals a quick glance at Sweetie Belle, who was wearing an affectionate but worried expression. Her adoring eyes continued to look into his, and Spike could not help but cave in and share the questions that plagued his mind.
“Actually, I was thinking,” as he spoke, Spike’s words felt cold and hollow, as though as if some other pony was talking on his behalf, “I thought whether anypony would love me? I mean, I’m a dragon? Little is known of my kind because ponies are too scared to find out. So how would they think of me in the romantic sense? Would anypony love me? I did hope that Rarity would be the one to see past that, but now I’m just not sure. Will I find that special somepony?”
He had never revealed these feelings to anypony, not even to Twilight. And now, he was spilling his deepest, darkest fears to Sweetie Belle. The sister of the one he loved or at least thought he loved. He felt ashamed at his confession, but for some reason, he also felt relieved. His heart felt lighter than before, and he could breathe a little easier.
Sweetie Belle’s eyes began to water as she looked at him sadly. She cautiously placed a reassuring hoof out onto his shoulder and looked at him affectionately. He looks back at her and waits. “Spike, I-” she paused for a moment as something captured her attention in the corner of her eye and looked beyond the dragon. “Discord!”
“Discord?” he asked baffled at the mention of the draconequus. “Sweetie Belle, what on-”
“No Spike, look!” she repeated pointing a hoof outside.
Spike turned to look at the direction. Perplexed once again he sees Discord riding a yellow cloud singing loudly and badly. Sweetie Belle face broke into a sly smile and she bolted for the exit leaving the perplexed dragon behind.
"Hey, where are you going?" shouted Spike.
"Spike, come quickly. I have an idea."