//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: A Dragon's Heart // by NightShadow-z //------------------------------// Spike walked through the entrance hall of the Castle of Friendship, the different shades of blue and white seeming to calm him down before he had to talk to Twilight. He hoped she wasn't busy giving Starlight Glimmer another friendship lesson. But, at the same time, he was hoping that was the case, so he could distract himself for a while from more negative thoughts and emotions. He was both relieved and slightly saddened to see her reading a book in the library as she normally did when there wasn't any princess duties, CutieMap emergencies, or friendship lessons for her to take care of. He slowly walked up to her, already starting to feel nervous about telling her what happened. "Hey, Twi?" He asked after a slight hesitation. "Can I talk to you about something?" "Of course, Spike." She answered, smiling over at him as she closed her book. "You know you can talk to me about anything." She then noticed his hesitant expression and lost her smile. "Is something wrong?" "Uh, well, I mean, not..... Yeah..." He stuttered out before looking at his feet. "I was over at Rarity's and... I finally told her how I felt." Twilight blinked, not expecting him to actually tell her. "And... how did it go?" She asked cautiously. "Bad...." Spike answered, his voice cracking as the tears finally started to flow freely down his cheeks and he began crying, telling her everything, how Rarity broke his heart, fearing that she's being inconsiderate to his feelings, talking to Applejack about it, and the pain that he was feeling right now. Even after it was all out, he just continued to cry, Twilight having moved to hold him close about halfway through his story, and she was now holding him close, hoping to comfort him. Spike knew that she couldn't really hold him with his new wings having come in four months prior, effectively stopping her forelegs from wrapping around him properly. Of course, the pain of them coming in was nothing compared to what he felt know, he thought. He had hoped that the muscle mass he was started to get would impress Rarity. Of course, he hadn't expected her to be so adamant against inter-species romance, but, looking back, he shouldn't have been surprised either, what with her practically idolizing the Canterlot High Society. He felt Twilight nuzzle along his shoulder softly before he looked to see her smiling up at him. "I'm always here if you need me, Spike." She told him, bringing his longer muzzle down to her chest. "And just to be safe, I'm staying with you tonight, as well." Spike blinked in surprise through his tears. Stay with him tonight? But, Twilight had him get a separate room because he was beginning to be affected by the hormones she let off, and she his while in heat. And she always used the "To make sure you're okay" excuse when she was slipping in her control and focus. "N-no, That's alright Twi," He quickly assured. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days. I just... need my space to cool off and think." Frowning to himself, he knew he may never fully get over Rarity, but he at least had to try. Twilight needed him to be her number one assistant, and he couldn't focus on that when he was torn up over his broken heart still. Gently releasing himself from Twilight's hold, he quietly began walking through the halls to his room, his focus waning as he went. Locking the doors once inside, he slumped himself in bed and buried his face in his pillow, letting his wings fall to either side of him, as he focused on clearing his mind. He had to be able to focus, and his aching heart was only going to slow him down. Closing his eyes, he simply let himself drift in and out of unconsciousness for a few hours, deciding that the world could move on without him for a bit. He hoped that things would calm down once he woke up. ***** "You're nothing but a filthy dragon!" Spike shot bolt upright in bed, the Nightmare version of Rarity replaying what happened in a worse way. That's just great... He thought to himself. I guess everypony thinks that falling in love with another species is a sin. Now what am I going to do? A knock on his door caused him to look over at it in surprise. "Spike? Are you okay?" He heard Twilight ask from the other side. "I heard you jump when you woke." Spike looked at the palms of his claws before he wiped the sweat from his brow. "I'm fine Twi. Just a nightmare." He answered easily, only telling a small lie. He wasn't anywhere near fine, but he didn't want her to needlessly worry about him. The silence after made him think she had walked away after hearing his answer. Sighing, he slowly stood up and stretched his arms and wings out. It was getting close to him needing to ask Rainbow Dash for some flying lessons. "Can... Can I come in?" Twilight asked, hesitating a bit. Spike looked back over at his door before walking over to it and unlocking it, letting her in as he walked over to the bejeweled bow tie that Rarity had made and placing it in a random drawer in his desk. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but, I want to know how I can help you, Spike." Twilight finally spoke up. "I know you're going to say you're fine, but I also know that you're not fine. Please, just, tell me the truth." Spike sighed, knowing he couldn't keep anything from the most observant mare he knew. Instead of answering right away, however, he glanced about his room, looking at all the memories. In the far left corner were the dumbbells and weights that Rainbow Dash had given him throughout the years. He'd have to thank her again for them, as they helped him curb his hoarding instincts when they flared up. In the center of the back wall was his bed, a little bigger than normal, but he was bigger than most ponies. His Power Ponies bed set had been replaced with the two pillowcases that the Apple family had sewn for him, and the blanket that Fluttershy knitted. In the far right corner held his desk, with his gem cutting tools, quills, and parchment, as well as some of his old comic books. On the right wall held a bookshelf, with some Daring Doo books, and the poster from when he went to go see Star Ponies, Revenge of the Nightmares with Twilight. On the left wall was a doorway to his bathroom, and a concert poster signed by Coloratura, or rather Rara, when he went with Applejack to see her live in Canterlot. He turned back to Twilight and sighed. "You're right, Twi. And I will tell you everything, just, please wait until I find out how." He requested, deciding to just bite the arrow and tell her. She smiled and nodded. "That sounds fair enough. Now, come on. We're going out to eat. I'm starving, and you need some distracting." She declared, turning around and trotting back to the main hall. Spike chuckled and flowed after her, agreeing that he did indeed need a distraction. "You've got yourself a deal." He replied, finally catching up with her.