Surrender

by Saekwaka

Ch. 3: A Gift

Restless. I can't get to sleep tonight. It's almost Hearts Warming Eve, and I still don't know what to get Rarity. Maybe Twilight will know. I'll have to wait until she's awake, though. I don't like waking her up; she just looks so happy. She also looks cold, though - seeing as the snow has already started falling a week before Hearts Warming.

Quietly, I pick up my blanket and walk over to sleeping Twilight. Rarity might be my love, but that certainly doesn't change how I feel about my best friend. So, I put my tiny blanket over her. It's not much, but hopefully it will help a little.

I tip-toe downstairs to look out the windows (being too close to Twilight might wake her - it's a small chance, but still, she's been shivering half the night). 

I stare through frosted window out into the snow, and think: I'm older now - granted, it's in dragon years, but I'm still a lot taller than I used to be. I'm twelve inches higher.

A knock on the door inturrupts my thoughts. I rush to the door so Twilight doesn't have to be awakened. When I turn the door knob and open the wooden front, I see five ponies together; each carrying two gifts. Pinkie is the first to greet me.

"Hi Spike! Is Twilight here? TWILLLIGHHHT!"

I shush her. "Pinkie, please, no! She's asleep, and I don't want to wake her unless it's an emergency. She's studying a lot more than usual this week, and I really think she needs to, you know, rest."

"Oh, certainly. We're very sorry to disturb you and Twilight so early, Spike - we were just wondering, well, if it was okay with you, if we could just give you and Twilight your gifts a little early?" Fluttershy steps back a little, hiding behind her hair.

"You can come in, but please: don't wake up Twilight. Just wait until she wakes up. If you like, I'll serve you all something to eat, but until she wakes up," I fix my eyes directly at Pinkie Pie, "please find something quiet to do."

I step out of the doorway so they can each come in. Rainbow Dash is first to pass, second is Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and finally, Rarity. The rest of the ponies make theirselves at home. "Can I, uh, get any of you something to eat or drink?"

"No need, sugar cube. I brought a li'l somethin' for everypony." Apple Jack looks at Rarity, who levitates a basket in front of her eyes.

"Spike, you've been a gracious host." Rarity sets a neatly wrapped box next to a large shelf filled with books. "I have a gift for you, too, dearie. I hope you don't mind; I couldn't find anything else to give you, so I picked you something small instead." On her back, I can see a smaller box that's also very neatly wrapped. "Thanks, Rarity." I say, smiling.

She hands me the tiny box. I grin, and turn to place the box next to Twilight's present, when she suddenly stops me. "Spike, aren't you going to open yours now?"

"It's a week before Hearts Warming, and Twilight's not awake yet. That, and I don't have anything to give all of you!"

"So? It's Hearts Warming. It doesn't matter if you don't got a gift for us. Twi will understand if you open just one." Rainbow rolls her eyes, and smirks at me. 

"I don't know, you guys. Twi-" Upon the dissapointed look on Rarity's face, I stop myself, and say, "Well, all right." 

I lift a claw, then prepare to unhook the top ribbon. I'm aware that everypony is watching me intently. What is the meaning of this?!

"Spike?" I hear a voice call to me from upstairs. "Is there something wrong? Your blanket wasn't on your bed-"

"TWILIGHT!" Pinkie bounces up the stairs to greet Twilight with a hug. In a daze, Twilight stumbles to the floor, while Pinkie is still crushing her with a tight embrace. "Pinkie? What are you doing here?" Twilight stands up and shakes off Pinkie. "Happy Hearts Warming Eve!" She squeals excitedly.

"But it's a week befo-" 

"Sugar cube, each one of us has family this year to spend time with. We'd gladly invite y'all, but my family's spendin' our holiday out of town."
"I'm afraid that I will be busy as well. I have so many animals to care for in this cold." Fluttershy adds in a whisper.
"Same here." Rainbow shakes the gifts off her back and onto the floor.
"Family party! I'm going all the way to my parent's house to have a giant party for my parents and my sisters!"
"Yes, and my parents are visiting this holiday. They would be glad to have you and Twilight along, but I'm afraid," Rarity clears her throat and catches Twilight's gaze. "Well, let's just say it'd be a bit of a mess."

"Well, that's all right. You're here now! And now, we can all spend this holiday together!" Twilight smiles.

It's not "all right." I don't have a gift for any of them; not even Rarity. I have to find something soon. 

"Oh, and Twilight, Spike here was just about to open his first gift before you woke up. Is it all right if we start the opening now?" Rarity stares down at me with a hint of impatience.

"Sure thing! Let me go get the gifts I've saved for all of you." Twilight rushes to the back room.

"Told you." Rainbow says.

I look up at Rarity. She fixes her eyes into mine, and her pupils dilate. Fine, fine. I'll open the gift.

Instead of working my way slowly this time, I shred the ribbon and wrapping paper off of the tiny box. When the box is completely bare, I open that as well. Inside, I see a shiny necklace. I'm not one for jewelry, but this one's in the shape of a heart. From Rarity. 

"Yes, well, I sincerely apologize for not finding something better, Spike. I saw this at the jewelry store, and it reminded me of you. Of course, it's made of silver, so I just had to buy it. I know it isn't the greatest gift you've recieved, but, it is the thought that counts, is it not?" She flutters her eye lashes at me.

The shiny, little heart has a line through it, I notice. "Why is it cracked?" I ask. I don't want her to have a broken heart. 

"Oh, silly Spike!" She giggles. "That's nothing to worry about! It's simply the opening of the heart. See?" Using her magic, she opens the small heart, folding it open like a book. "It's called a locket, dearie! Usually, ponies put pictures or notes in these of somepony special to them. It's not cracked, of course!" 

I practice opening and closing the small heart - Rarity's heart. I close the tiny bit of her within my palms, and whisper softly, "Thank you..." 

"Oh, it is no trouble! Nothing is too good for my Spikey-Wikey! Don't get too excited now, though; there are plenty more gifts for you and Twilight to open! And, later, I'll send you the rest of your cap's ensemble." 

Twilight nods her head, a sad smile prints itself  on her lips. I must have missed her return. 

"I think Twilight should open MINE next!" Squeals Pinkie. She picks up a pink box and gives it to Twilight. 

"Oh, thank you, Pinkie." Twilight shreds apart the wrapping and opens the box. When she opens it, streamers and confetti pop out on her face. Twilight pulls out a bright-pink book titled All About PARTIES!

At this, Twilight laughs a little. "Thank you, Pinkie Pie!" 

Pretty soon, everypony's opening all the gifts that belong to them. Even I open my gifts. 

Rainbow Dash's gift is a step recorder for jogging, Pinkie Pie's is a small, toy airplane. Fluttershy's present is a new stuffed animal: a rabbit. (I'm not all for stuffed animals, either, but I like it anyway). Apple Jack's gift is a box of gems. "It took a lot to get those - right, Rarity?" She chuckles, facing her friend after I'd open the gift. Rarity nods at her.

Soon, the rest of the gifts are all open, and everypony prepares to leave. Rainbow leaves first, then Apple Jack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy.

Rarity remains behind for a bit to thank me and Twilight for our hospitality. My heart begins to jump. Please, no - don't go. She steps closer to the doorway. "Have a happy Hearts Warming, Twilight and Spike!" She steps out the front door. 

My ears are starting to feel hot while my claws suddenly turn clammy. Without thinking, I shout to her. "Rarity! Wait!" I rush out the door, leaving Twilght confused.

"Spike? What are-"
I hug her before she's able to complete her sentence. I can feel the snow landing lightly on my scales, and I can tell she's embarrassed; but I can't let go. Not now, when I know I'll hardly see her during the week. "Rarity, I just didn't want you to be gone for a whole entire week without being able to give you something." I say, my words spilling out of my mouth and quickly being hushed by the cold. "I'm so sorry I couldn't get you anything. Is there any way I can make this up to you?" I look up at her, guilt staining my eyes in freezing, cold rivers. 

"Oh, Spike! There's no reason to fret so much over one little present. I don't need anything, don't you worry." She looks amused, but sincere. This isn't good enough. "But you gave me a locket. Wasn't it expensive?"

"Spike, it's rude to ask the price of the gift. Well, I suppose your reasoning is different, though..."

"I'm sorry, Rarity." I continue clutching her tightly. I don't want her to leave. Why can't she stay forever? "Are you really going to be away at your house for an entire week with your parents?" I ask, concern cracking a few of my words.

"They'll be here in a couple of days, so I have a little time off before that happens. Why are you so sad, Spike?"

Before I can stop myself, or hold in my next bursting emotion, I shout loud enough for all of Ponyville to hear, "Because I hate being away from you all the time. I don't want you to be cooped up with them for any holiday. I want you to be with me for every holiday - no, every day! I hate feeling empty inside when you're not around, I hate fighting with myself all the time about whether or not we'd work, and I hate when you're uncomfortable or upset, and I know this might be making it worse, but seven days is just too much!"

When I look up, both of Rarity's cheeks are bright red, and I don't think it's due to the cold. From behind me, I hear Twilight gasp. Then, I turn to see that Twilight's jaw has dropped. Evidently, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack, and Pinkie Pie all left to go home, but Fluttershy, no more than twenty-four inches away, gapes at me in shock. Despite the cold, I can feel my cheeks flushing with heat. 
 
I back away from Rarity, afraid of her response. I look at her, see the flush of red on her cheeks, and instantly feel horrible. I've embarrassed her, placed Twilight and Fluttershy in temporary shock, and exposed my secret to all of Ponyville (whether they've been listening or not).

I hear a door close, and turn again to Twilight. Gone. She went inside the house. I turn back to look at Fluttershy, who is now slowly treading through the snow in the opposite direction with stiff, awkward leg movements that cause my conscience to scream, "YOU'VE MESSED UP, SPIKE!"

Finally, I meet Rarity's gaze, and gulp. "Please don't be mad at me." I say. 

She comes closer to me, and laughs. I don't understand what's so funny, so I avert my gaze and concentrate on my feet covered in snow instead.

"How could I ever be mad, Spike? That's so sweet of you to care for me so much. You really are the greatest friend a pony could hope for!" She kisses me on my forehead, and I feel my cheeks burn brighter. Beaming, she turns away and heads in the opposite direction.

I've just been kissed by her. Again. It's odd; for so long, I'd forgotten how soft her lips are. Inside of me, I could feel my stomach bubbling with excitement. Inside of me, I can hear the empty part of my soul singing once again to calm the fire in my heart. I can hear a siren calling out a warning to me.

I walk back inside, and climb into bed. I don't need sleep tonight; just the song replaying in my head, along with the words Rarity sang to me: her greatest friend. Twilight's a friend, but Rarity's a gift. So tonight, I listen to Twilight's unsteady, unexplained, wheezing while I sing to myself the gentle song buried in my heart once again.