Spike meandered down the stone walkways of the town, the sun casting down, evaporating the remaining droplets of water from his scales. So obsessed was he with not being late that he rushed out the castle before even properly drying. However, it was merely one in the afternoon so he had a full hour before his presence was needed at the hospital.
Given that fact, it was a perfect opportunity to visit his best friend once again this week.
Spike travelled down the winding road toward Rarity’s residence. He walked up to the Carousel Boutique and let himself in. It appeared to be a slower day given he was the only one in there. He looked around for just a minute before he spotted Rarity stitching and sewing in the back area of the room.
“Hey, Rares,” Spike said with a wave.
Rarity, hard at work sewing and stitching away at her newest creation, hadn't even noticed his arrival. “Hold on, I’ll be with you in one moment.”
“Oh, that’s a shame,” Spike said with a grin. “I guess i’ll just have to take my business elsewhere for now, then.”
Rarity shot her eyes up and saw the dragon before her. “Oh, Spike! Why didn’t you say it was you?”
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I just thought you would have taken the effort to address your arrivals. A lack of professionalism like that won’t get you repeat business.”
Rarity chuckled. “I apologize, Spike, but I simply don’t have the time to give attention to every pony or dragon that comes into my shop. I’m very much too busy for such nonsense.”
The two shared a laugh as Spike hopped onto the couch next to Rarity. “That’s fair, but how you can resist a ball of sexiness like me is beyond my comprehension.”
“Oh, I just don’t know how I do it,” she replied. “But, in all seriousness dear, what brings you here today?”
“Well, I’m heading over to the hospital to go see one of the fillies again, but I had some extra time and figured I’d come see you!” Spike smiled at her. “Is that a problem? Because I can totally leave if you want.”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “Of course not, Spike. I always have time for you. But, I am a bit busy today, if you couldn’t already tell.”
Spike took a moment to look at the rather large garment she was working on. He didn’t know how she managed to keep track of all that thread.“Speaking of which, how’re you doing on all those bandanas for Starlight?”
Rarity groaned and face hoofed in the most dramatic of fashions. “I worked through about half of them before I felt like I was losing my mind. She better enjoy them, I can tell you that much.”
“Yeah, I asked her about why she possibly needed all those, and it had something to do with trying to new mane styles and setting a trend or something.” Spike shook his head. “I’ll never understand you females. Or half of Canterlot for that matter.”
“That’s okay, Spike,” Rarity said, patting him on the head. “We love you just the way you are, even if you’re not fashion-inclined. But, to return to your earlier statement, darling, you mentioned a particular filly you're visiting?”
“Yeah, I did.” Spike sat up to address her. “You know Derpy, the mail pony?”
“The blonde one?” Rarity said, rubbing her chin. “Yes, I do. She accidentally broke my mailbox a few weeks back whilst trying to fit a package in it. She’s an odd one, I know that much.”
“Yeah, her,” Spike continued. “It’s her younger sister, Dinky. She’s this adorable ball of energy, but for whatever reason she’s been having to stay under stricter care than the others recently. I gave her some solo reading time a few days ago, and her sister asked if I could come back today to see her again. She’s doing better, I guess.”
“Well that’s wonderful news!” Rarity said with a smile. “I absolutely hate the idea of children being locked up in hospitals under no fault of their own.”
“Me too,” Spike agreed. “Especially Dinky.. She’s a sweetheart. I’ve never seen a filly get so excited over reading before, and apparently she’s been talking about all the time since I’ve left.”
“Oh, well Spike, it sounds like you have your first superfan,” Rarity said, playfully nudging him. “What time are you going to go over there?”
“I said I’d be there around two, so I’ve got a few more minutes, at least. Honestly, I hate going there. Not because of the kids or anything, but it’s just so depressing, you know?” Spike shivered just thinking about the cold hallways and bright lights that are so prevalent. “I couldn’t imagine having to stay there for any length of time, much less weeks on end.”
Rarity put a hoof on his shoulder. “Well, Spike, that’s why it’s so special that you do what you do for them. Those poor children have to be there all day, so it must be wonderful getting to have a small break for fun every once in awhile. No less, they get a visitor that’s just there for them. Not a doctor or a nurse, but a friend of sorts.”
“A friend huh?” Spike thought for a moment. “I guess that makes sense. Gosh, I guess Twilight’s friendship lessons and whatnot rubbed off on me all these years. If I keep up this behavior, I’m gonna have to turn in my dragon card before too long.”
Rarity rolled her eyes and shoved him to the side. “Oh hush, we’ve had this discussion before. You’re perfect just the way you are, even if you hardly qualify as a dragon.”
“That’s comforting,” he joked. “As long as you don’t squeeze my cheeks again, we’ll be good.”
Rarity frowned. “Oh, please, dear, you never let me do any cutesy things with you. And they’re so adorable, still.”
Spike groaned. “Okay, fine, but just for a second. It stretches my scales out, and amazingly enough, that doesn’t feel too good.”
Rarity clapped and giggled as she reached out and squeezed his cheeks for old times sake. “Okay, there, it’s out of my system now. Besides, any day now you’ll hit your growth spurt and I probably won’t be able to reach your head even, much less squeeze your adorable face.”
“The sooner, the better,” Spike said with a frown. “But, on that note, I’m probably gonna get going. You’ve got work to do, and I’ve got my draconic pride to apparently shred to ruins.”
“Pfft, if you ask me,” Rarity said, “taking care of others is the most proud thing anyone can do.”
Rarity got up with Spike and wrapped him up in a soft hug. “Thanks for visiting, darling. My door is always open to you, any time, day or night.”
Spike returned the hug. “I’m trying to come around more often. I also talked to Twilight about it, so we’re trying to work something out.” Spike let go of his hug on Rarity and looked her in the eye. “Her locking herself in the castle all day is getting kind of sad. She needs time for fun again.”
“I appreciate it, Spike.” Rarity gave him a soft smile. “You tell Twilight that any time she can, I’ll make room for her, alright?”
Spike returned the smile and nodded, heading over toward the door. “By the way, on a side note, if I tell Starlight to pick up her bandanas in a couple days, do you think you’ll have them ready by then?”
“Ugh, unfortunately. I set aside a full two hours tonight to work on them. They’ll be ready to go.”
“Once again, I’m sorry for your loss.” Spike sent a wink her way and waved goodbye as he left the shop.
As he walked through the town, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander. He really needed to visit Rarity more. She really seemed like she could use some more company. At the same time, he spent so much of his time at the castle, not just for his own gain, but to try and spend time with Twilight, as well.
He was traversing through the park now and he couldn’t help but notice all the ponies outside, laughing, running, enjoying a late lunch with their loved ones. It was beautiful in a way, but almost depressing for the same reason. He couldn’t remember the last time there was any room for Twilight, himself and their friends to spend time with each other just to have fun. It was all work all the time, these days. Those brief visits with Rarity seemed to be the only remaining parts of a simpler time before Twilight became a Princess and everything changed.
But what could he do about it? She had work to accomplish, and if all the work the other Princesses put into their jobs was any indication, it wouldn’t be slowing down anytime soon.
That’s not to say he never saw his friends or Twilight never did the same. There would still be the occasional mission they would go on together, or the day here or there where they would come visit, but it wasn’t the same. There’s a good chance it never would be the same again. They were all moving on and growing up in life.
And he was no exception.
Spike keyed in on a couple lounging in the shade of a tree in the center of the park. It was Mr. and Mrs. Cake with their kids. The two children had grown a good deal in the past couple years, but were still not quite old enough to begin schooling. They must’ve been taking a family lunch break for the sake of enjoying each other’s company.
Spike could feel a slight tug at his heart. Nothing born of jealousy or the like. If anything, he was happy they had time like that to spend with each other. But at the same time… he couldn’t help but wonder what it was like.
He had never really been one to spend copious amounts of time worried about himself or his future. For everything, there was a time and a place and Twilight and Starlight had both always assured him he would find a mare when the time was right. But, at the same time, Spike couldn’t help but wonder if that would happen for him any time in the near future. Being a dragon put him at a purely psychological disadvantage from the rest of the stallions in town. Being a dragon wasn’t something he felt negative about, but at the same town, not every mare is going to jump at the chance of dating a dragon when they could be with a handsome stallion like all their friends probably were.
These thoughts would sometimes creep into his mind when he would see other couples or even when he would spend time with Rarity. He wasn’t a love-sick tag-a-long to her anymore, but her best friend. However, it just made him remember that strong emotional connection that ponies could have for each other, and he couldn’t help but contemplate from time to time about when his time would come.
He shook the thoughts free from his mind before they could dwell there for too long. Today, he wasn’t outside to feel sorry for himself. He was out to go visit a filly who wanted to see him, and honestly, he was excited about seeing her, too. Something about knowing he was the reason for brightening up her day made him smile larger than he thought possible.
Spike waved to the Cake family, the two parents and kids happily waving back.
“Good afternoon, Spike!” Mr. Cake called out to him. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
Spike walked over to where the family was sitting to avoid having to shout back. “Yes it is! You guys having a family picnic?’
“Yes we are,” Mrs. Cake said in return, a smile lighting up her face. “We hadn’t had much of a chance to enjoy the weather this week, so we got our orders done early and took the kids out to play for the afternoon.”
Their children, Pumpkin and Pound Cake were tussling with each other in the grass but both paused when they noticed Spike looking at them. The two waved at him and waddled over to see what all the commotion was about.
“How’re you two doing today?” Spike asked, bending down to get on an eye level with them. “Having fun out here?’
They both nodded enthusiastically and spoke in unison. “Yes!”
Their parents smiled at their children who were all smiles themselves.
“So, Spike, where are you headed off to?” Mr. Cake spoke up.
“I’m heading off to the hospital,” he replied. “Visiting a filly there.”
Mrs. Cake put a hoof over her mouth. “Oh, the poor dear. I couldn’t imagine how upsetting it must be to be cooped up in there.”
Pound Cake poked at his mother. “What’s a, erm, oss-beatle?”
“The hospital is a place ponies go when they’re sick, honey,” she replied.
“What’s a sick?” Pumpkin added in.
“Remember when your tummy hurt before?” Mr. Cake said, to the nods of his foals. “That’s what sick is. It’s when you don’t feel good and you need a doctor to make it better.”
“Is a doctor a special toy?” Pound Cake asked. “When my tummy hurt, you gave me a toy to cuddle with and I felt better.”
“No sweetie,” Mrs Cake said. “It’s a pony, but one that makes other ponies feel better when they’re sick.”
“So, the filly in the, uh, hose-pittal is sick?” Pumpkin asked.
“Yes honey, but that’s why Spike is going to visit her. That way he can help her feel better.”
Pumpkin and Pound Cake both nodded before looking to each other and whispering something unintelligible. It was common knowledge that children had a language all of their own when they were young. Within a second, the two rushed over to the giant picnic basket and they pulled out a small stuffed bear. They rushed back over to Spike and reached it out to him.
“Here,” Pumpkin said.
“It’s to make the sick filly better,” Pound added. “We’re not sick, so she can have him so she gets not sick, too.”
If it was possible to die from sweetness overload, Spike would be buried six feet under.
He took the bear and leaned down to them. “Are you sure? That’s very nice of you.”
Spike looked up to their parents for confirmation. They were both all smiles as they nodded. Spike looked back to the two foals before him and they were nodding even more vigorously.
“I’ll tell her that you two got her this present. I know it’ll make her feel better. Thank you very much.”
Without a second thought, Pumpkin and Pound Cake went back to tussling with each other in the dust and grass. That’s true generosity. Giving without a single care or thought of reward.
Spike addressed the parents once more. “You have great kids. If I’m lucky, someday, I’ll have some that are even half that sweet.”
“We’re very proud of them,” Mrs. Cake said.
“Yes we are,” Mr. Cake replied.
Spike nodded. “Well, you should be. Anyhow, I should probably get going now. I’ve got a filly and her sister waiting on me and a nice little present to give her.”
The couple waved goodbye to Spike as he walked back to the pathway leading through the park. It was amazing how much one act of generosity could brighten your day. Especially when you’re not expecting it.
With a renewed energy and a much more positive frame of mind, Spike continued on his way to the hospital. It was time for him to pay the generosity forward the best he could.