It all started like any other day, Spike had woken up and done his chores for Twilight in the morning and now was free for the rest of the day. As he was lying on his bed flicking through another one of his favourite comics of The Power Ponies. He wasn’t really paying much attention to anything else. He was bored and thinking of things he could do to kill some time. That’s when he heard Twilight calling him from one of the many study rooms of the Crystal Castle.
With a speed that would impress Rainbow Dash, Spike was flying down the halls toward the study where Twilight was reading.
“Hey Twi, what’s up. You want something done, or maybe need a refill on the coffee?”
With an eagerness for something to do to beat the boredom he had, the dragon waited with a smile to see what he could do to help his closest friend.
Twilight stood up from her cushion and placed the book she was reading back on the shelf. With a gentle smile & a little shake of her head. Twilight looked upon the dragon and said, “No Spike, I don’t think more coffee would be a good idea. With all the coffee I’ve drank so far today, I’ll be lucky if I can sleep tonight.”
As a little chuckle could be heard from the number one dragon assistant, he looked at Twilight cheerfully.
“So what did you call me for? I mean if you don’t need anything or want some help.”
Twilight stood there for a moment lost in her own thoughts before speaking.
“Oh, nothing important really. I just thought you may be bored and was thinking if you had nothing to do, you could have the rest of the day off. Rarity did mention that she would be working on some new dress designs today. I’m sure she could do with a spare hoof or a claw in your case,” Twilight put a hoof to her mouth and let out a few giggles. “If you want to go help her. I don’t think I’m going to be doing much today, though there are a few books I’ve been dying to read and Starlight’s out helping Trixie do Celestia knows what. So I don’t mind if you want to go help Rarity for the rest of the day.”
Before she even noticed, Spike was hovering just off the floor with a goofy smile and hearts in his eyes.
“I take it that’s a yes then” She remarked with a cheeky grin before letting off another little giggle to herself. “Ok Romeo off you go & rescue your fair maiden from her nightmare of working all alone.”
Spike snapped out of his trance of the thought of being alone with Rarity and with a little red blush on his face and said, “Come on Twilight, you know I’d help any of our friends if they needed it. After all, you of all ponies know how important it is to help a friend in need. Princess Of Friendship.”
Spike took a little bow & had a little smirk on his face.
“Ok, ok. Point taken, I’ll stop teasing you about your little crush on Rarity, now stop with the bowing. You know I don’t like it,” she says, giving him a half serious look and a playful shake of her head. “Whatever would I do without you, my wise number one assistant.”
After a little giggle of his own, Spike said, “I don’t know, probably get lost in all those books of yours and forget to eat. Which reminds me; I made some daisy sandwiches and put them in the fridge earlier. There’s also a salad made up, just in case I’m not back in time for dinner ok. I’ll go make a fresh pot of coffee for you now, so you don’t have to worry about running out.”
As Spike turned around and walked out the room, all he heard was, “Really, What would I do without you, little bother?” Though he couldn’t see her face, he was sure she had a smile on her face. He was sure because he knew without looking, that he too had a smile on his. As he walked away, he only had one thought: There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep that smile on your face big sis, for that is a smile that fills me with more hope and love than you will ever know.
After the coffee was made and a few cupcakes were placed in the fridge for Twilight to snack on, Spike headed out the door shouting his goodbyes and reminding his book worm sister to make sure to eat. With the echo of "be safe" coming from the castle as he shuts the door, Spike looked up & saw another beautiful sunny day without a cloud in sight. He set out on his way to Carousel Boutique, but first he had one stop to make on the way.
As Spike made his way through the streets of Ponyville, he could see and hear all sorts of ponies walking around or working from the market stalls. Most of them giving him a small nod or a hello as they passed by. It always put a smile on his face when he saw so many happy ponies walking around and some fillies and colts playing, having a nice quiet day. He always thought that the ponies here in Ponyville were special because no matter how many times the village was attacked or destroyed, the ponies here were always able to rebuild their homes and businesses together. In the end they were just glad to have one another in their lives.
As he made his way past some more shops, he finally came to the one shop he needed before going to Rarity’s. He opened the door and a little bell rang out to let the shopkeeper know someone just came in.
“Why hello there Spike. What can I do for you today?”
As Spike looked at the smiling mare with a pale yellow coat, raspberry mane that had light raspberry streaks going through it, and a rose on her flank for a cutie mark. He smiled back and said, “Hey, Rose. How are you doing today?”
With a little giggle she answered, “You know, busy selling my flowers, just the usual. Nothing to write home about. How about you? I bet Twilight has got you running around doing all sorts, hmm Mr. number one assistant?”
Another light giggle escaping her mouth.
Spike with a simple light shake of his head responded, “Nope, not today. Seems after doing all my morning work, I get the rest of the day off. It’s the reason I’m here actually.”
Rose still with a smile on her face said, “Let me guess, you need some flowers for a certain white unicorn fashion designer?” letting off another giggle.
With a slight red blush now showing on his face and feeling like Rose was looking right through him, he quickly started to look anywhere but the mare, herself.
“I see you’ve got some lovely lilies in today,” Spike said as he walked over and gave them a quick sniff. “They smell great,” he continued, hoping by the time she answered the blush from his face would be gone.
Rose just looked warmly at him with a soft gentle look in her eyes.
"Oh Spike everypony in Ponyville knows about you’re not so little secret crush on Rarity," She thought. "It wouldn’t surprise me if all of Equestria and beyond knew about it with how bad you are at hiding it, but I guess that’s one of the cute things about you."
She giggled to herself and said, “Thanks, Spike. The lilies are always a crowd pleaser. Though if you want my opinion, I think some roses would be better in your case.”
Spike turned to look at the mare, thankful that the red from his cheeks was now gone and with a smile said, “Na, that’s ok. I already know what flowers I’m after. Do you have any dragon lilies? They’ve always been my favourite.”
“Yep sure do, let me just grab you some,” Rose answered before she started to wrap some lilies up for him. “I’ve always liked dragon lilies myself, though always thought the name was a bit strange. But then again who am I to say what’s strange, with all the weird stuff that’s happened around here.”
At that they both burst into laughter.
After wiping a tear from his eye from the fit of laughter, Spike responded with a smile, “That’s true, but we always bounce back. So what do I owe you Rose?”
Rose shook her head as Spike reached for his bits and said, "It's on the house, Spike."
Spike looked at her and asked, “Are you sure? You know I don’t like taking things without earning them or paying my way."
Rose just shook her head and said, "You and your dragon code. Fine. You can consider payment made for services rendered.”
Spike looked at her confused and said, “But I haven’t done anything."
“Not true Spike. You put a smile on my face and we had a good laugh," Rose said. "I’d say that was worth every bit, wouldn’t you?”
Spike let out a little giggle and said, "Fair enough, Rose,” with a smile.
As Rose passes Spike the dragon lilies, she said with her own smile to match his, “It's always a pleasure doing business with Ponyville’s favourite dragon.”
With a look of confusion on his face, Spike replied, “I’m the only dragon in Ponyville though, Rose.”
Rose just looked at him while still smiling and said, “And even if you weren’t the only dragon in Ponyville, you would always be our favourite, Spike.”
"Well thanks Rose. That means a lot to me hearing it come from a friend. I best be off though. I got a certain pony to help, see you later.”
As Spike starts to walk out the door, Rose shouts, “Say hi to Rarity for me, lover drake.”
He shouts back with a blush now showing on his face again, “Very funny, Rose," and gives a little playful shake of his head. "Enjoy the rest of your day.”
With the dragon lilies in his claw, Spike starts making his way to Carousel Boutique, home of the element of generosity, fashion designer and mare of his dreams, Rarity. Spike soon finds himself standing outside the boutique, with a slow breath and a knock on the door. He waited for the mare to answer and after what felt like a lifetime but was in fact only a minute before the door opened and there was the most beautiful mare he had ever seen. "I could get lost in those blue eyes of hers forever and be happy for all eternity," Spike thought before quickly snapped out of his trance when he heard her speak.
“Spike, what a pleasant surprise darling," Rarity said. "Whatever brings you here on such a lovely day?”
Spike looks at her, hoping he wasn’t blushing from staring at her too long.
“Hi Rarity, nothing much. Twilight mentioned you had a bit of work to do today and since I have the rest of the day off, I thought I’d come over and see if there was anything I could help you with. You know if you want. Oh I almost forgot, these are for you. Rose says hi by the way.”
Rarity looks down at his claws and sees the dragon lilies.
“Oh Spikey-wikey, you didn’t have to do that, but thank you darling," she said with a small smile and blush showing on her face. "They're beautiful. Really, thank you. I do hope Rose is doing well. Such a kind mare. I must remember to pay her a visit the next time I'm out shopping.”
Spike smiled and mumbled under his breath, “Nothing's as beautiful as you Rarity.”
“Mmm, what was that darling did you say something? I didn’t quite hear you.”
Panicked with what he just said out loud instead of in his head, like he thought, Spike tries to change the subject.
“I said you should put these in a vase,” He lied.
Rarity looked for a moment and said, “Oh yes, yes of course. How rude of me here. We are standing on my doorstep like strangers. Where are my manners. Please, Spike, won't you come in?”
Rarity steps back inside with Spike following just behind.
As they walk to Rarity's work area, all Spike could see was fabrics, bits of paper & all sorts, all over the place. "This was Rarity’s organized chaos," was all that crossed his mind as he looked around with a smile.
“Please excuse the mess, darling, but you know how I can get when I get in the zone as it were,” Rarity said, holding her hoof to her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Spike always liked the way she laughed. He thought it just made her more dazzling, if that was at all possible. Joining in on the little giggle, he said, “That’s ok, Rarity. If I’ve learned anything with my time with you, it’s that beauty can come from anything. You just have to be willing to look past what’s on the outside and see the beauty within.”
Spike reached down to pick up a bit of fabric off the floor as he continued. “Other ponies may see this as a mess, but we both know that this is organized chaos and I have no doubt that given time, this mess will shine brighter than any star in the night sky. I give you my word as a dragon on that."
As Spike looks up and over at Rarity, she quickly turns around to hide her face from him.
“Everything ok, Rarity?” Spike asked, unsure of why the mare was so quick to turn around.
In a very calm voice she responds, “Yes, Spikey-wikey and that’s very sweet and kind of you to say. I’ll be right back, please make yourself at home. I’m just going to stick these flowers in a vase.”
As Rarity leaves the room, Spike gets a little worried.
"I wonder if I said something to upset her," he thought. "I don’t think I did, she said she was ok. I’m probably just thinking about it too much."
He started chuckling to himself and said, "Wow, me thinking too much. Twilight would be proud.
Now that Rarity was in the kitchen, she could wipe the tear from her eye. She could tell without looking she had a blush on her face brighter than Big Mac’s coat.
"Oh, Spikey-wikey, you don’t know how much that meant to me," she thought. "How is it you always seem to be able to say such heartfelt and sweet words to me? With such ease and sincerity, you just don’t know how special you are to me." While putting the flowers into the vase, Rarity gives them a sniff. "Element of generosity indeed, that title is his and always was," she thought. "He’s always giving and helping not just me but every creature he comes across and he asks for nothing in return. To everypony else I’m the element of generosity, but when it comes to him. I’m more greedy and selfish than any dragon."
The blush now gone from her face and just a sad small smile sits in its place.
"Oh, my precious scales, you truly are a prince among princes."
With one last sniff of the gift from Spike, Rarity heads back into the other room.
“Sorry, darling,” she says, giving him a small smile. “I had trouble finding a vase. I do hope I didn’t keep you waiting to long.”
Spike just smiles back and said, “Not at all, Rarity.”
"I’d wait forever for you," he secretly thought. Before asking, “You sure you’re ok?”
Rarity looks at him with a big smile and said, “Yes, dear. Perfectly fine. It’s just I have a lot of work to do and don’t think I could get it done as fast as I would like. But with the number one assistant in all of Ponyville by my side, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
"Oh sweet Celestia, just one wish. If nothing else, I don’t care what any pony thinks or what I have to give up. Just let me be greedy and selfish with this dragon, my knight in shining scales," she thought.
“Ok, Spikey-wikey. Let’s get to work, shall we?” She suggested.
Spike stands ready and salutes saying, “Ready when you are, Rarity.”
Both give off a little chuckle.
The time just flew by as they worked side by side in harmony together.
"Here you go, Rarity. I thought you could do with a drink," Spike said. "I hope you don't mind but I grabbed myself one as well."
“Not at all. Thank you, Spike, I could do with a break," Rarity said with a smile. "Although, I'm almost done now. Just a few more bits of fabric to finish on this one last design and we can call it a day. Why don’t you go sit down over there and rest. This won’t take long.”
“Well, okay, Rarity. If you're sure you don't need anything. But if you need any help at all just call, ok?”
Rarity gives him a small nod as she continues with her work, clearly in the zone.
“Yes, Spike, I will call if I need something. Thank you. You've worked very hard today dear, so go relax for a bit.”
Satisfied with the work he helped Rarity complete, Spike takes a seat and watches her work. Even though nothing was being said, Spike was happy just to be near her and decides to have a stretch on the comfy chair.
"To be fair, you could probably fit three stallions of Big Mac’s size on this chair and they wouldn’t be squashed together either." Spike thought to himself. "It never did make sense to me. Why would Rarity need such a big chair? Oh well I’ll leave the thinking to Twilight."
Happily Spike closed his eyes for just a moment.
************
“Spikey-wikey, wakey wakey eggs & haybakey.”
Spike could feel somepony watching him and as if he was hit with lightning, Spike suddenly remembered where he was and shot up.
“Rarity I’m so sorry I fell asleep. How long was I out for?”
Rarity who was now standing over him just smiled and said, “Relax, Spike, you were only asleep for about 30 minutes. It's ok with all the work you’ve done today, I'd say you were entitled to have a little nap. Now I hope you don’t mind but I prepared a little dinner for us as my way of thanking you for all your help today.”
Spike just looked at her and said, “Rarity, you didn’t have to do that. I'm just glad I was able to help you.”
“That really is very sweet of you to say Spike, but I must insist that you allow me to do this small thing as a way of thanking you for everything you've done for me today," Rarity said firmly. "My pride as a lady will have it no other way and besides it would be considered very rude for a gentledrake to refuse a lady's offer."
"Well if you put it that way, then there is no way I can refuse," Spike said. "After all, I am a gentledrake, so lead the way, my fair lady."
After hoping down from the chair, Spike takes a small bow & raises an eye to look at Rarity.
After holding back a small filly-like giggle, Rarity said, "Oh, come now, Spike it’s just a little salad, nothing fancy. Now won’t you join me in the kitchen?”
As Rarity and Spike walked into the kitchen, Spike saw all sorts of foods like swiss cheese, cucumber, tomato, romaine lettuce, and sandwiches. He could hear his stomach rumbling at the site of the food. Rarity let off a little giggle and Spike rubbed the back of his head & blushes a bit.
“I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.”
“That’s quite alright, Spikey, truth be told, I’m a little hungry myself after all the work we did today. I've worked up quite the appetite myself. Please have a seat, would you like some nice cold cider to drink?”
Spike sat down opposite to Rarity and said, “Sure thing, Rarity. Thanks again for this. I really appreciate it.”
Rarity puts his drink down on the table and says, “Think nothing of it, dear. It’s the least I could do for all you’ve done to help me today. Why, if it wasn't for you, it would have taken me all day to get these new designs done. May be even longer, so I assure you. It is I that am grateful and although this isn't much in the way of paying you back for all you have done, it comes from the bottom of my heart. So thank you, Spike."
Time seemed to pass by as they ate. They spoke about what their friends have been up to, how Rarity’s businesses where doing, how Spike got to spend some time with the princesses on what they called royal business, just about anything and everything they could think of. Before long, the meal was over and Spike, being the gentledrake he is, offered to clean up as thanks for the dinner, but Rarity just said to leave it there for now. As they went back into the other room, Spike sat on the comfy big chair again, but to his surprise, Rarity was sitting next to him instead of in her chair that she normally sat in when entertaining guest.
Spike turned to look at Rarity and was about to say something, but he stopped himself when he saw the mare looking down at her hoofs and had such a sad look on her face as if she was about to burst into tears at any moment. He had to find out why she was so sad.
“Rarity, what’s the matter? I’ve already said I don’t mind doing the dishes and cleaning up after that wonderful dinner you prepared for us.”
Rarity just shook her head slowly and then looked at Spike with a gentle smile.
“Oh Spike. You really are something else, so caring, kind, honest, loyal and ever so very loving," she said sweetly.
Spike could feel his face starting to get hot, but couldn’t look away from the mare.
As Rarity continued to look at him, she went on, saying, “Spike, it seems our roles are reversed for you are the most generous creature I’ve ever known. While I am nothing but a greedy and selfish mare.”
Spike went to say something, but Rarity just put a hoof to his lips.
“It’s rude to interrupt a lady while she’s still speaking Spike,” she said. Spike just slowly nodded and Rarity removed her hoof from his lips. “What I meant to say, Spike, is I’m greedy and selfish when it comes to you. I’ve known about your crush on me for a long time and that’s all I thought it was until the day you gave me that lovely fire ruby.”
A blush now coming to her face as she remembers that day, where a big scary dragon foalnapped her and how said dragon turned out to be Spike. “Even after that I tried to convince myself that it was just a crush and you would grow out of it, but you just kept coming up with new ways to creep into my heart and before I knew it you were the first thing I thought of when I woke and the last as I went to sleep.”
Spike gulped and with his heart feeling like it would burst out of his chest and his whole body feeling like it was about to erupt into flames at any moment, he had to ask - no, he needed to ask, “Rarity wh... What are you trying to say?”
With a light giggle, she answered, “Spike, I know how everypony sees me. Just some mare using your crush to get you to do free labor for me, but like that organized chaos mess from earlier. That’s all they see, a mess. The truth is, Spike, I find reasons to get you to help me because I’m greedy, selfish and want you all to myself. I want you to only look at me, to be near me.”
Rarity slowly starts to move her face closer to Spike, their lips almost touching as she finishes what she’s wanted to say for so long.
“Because, My Spikey-Wikey,” in almost a whisper that would put Fluttershy to shame she says. “I love you.”
As their lips finally meet, Spike couldn’t believe what was happening. The mare of his dreams loves him and they were kissing.
"If the world comes to an end right now, I wouldn’t care," he thought as they continued to kiss tenderly for what felt like forever to the drake.
They eventually pulled away from each other both with crimson faces and breathing a bit heavier.
Spike looked at Rarity and said, “I’ve always dreamt of a day like this. I love you Rarity and I always have since the first day I saw you.”
With a smile on her face bigger than even Pinkie Pie could do (that’s saying something), she leaned forward to kiss him.
Then all of a sudden, the room grew cold and dark. Spike started to feel sick as a cold sweat came over him and a sinister laugh seem to come from the dark shadows. Spike started to panic, pushing Rarity back a bit.
Rarity started to look around the room but could see nothing. So she asked, “Who’s there? Show yourself, this is most improper to come into somepony else’s house uninvited & interrupt their privacy in such a manner.”
But instead, the laughter grew louder. They could both see a shape coming from the kitchen but couldn’t make it out, then the laughter stopped and all the shape said was. “I see,” the voice said and his laughter got louder once again but before either one could say anything, they froze in place, out of fear. For as they looked at the dark shape, all they could see from it was the reddest eyes, almost like they were crimson blood. As the dark shape kept laughing it said, “I know your real secret.”
With one final evil laugh, the room went blacker than the night sky.
Spike shot up screaming at the top of his voice into the darkness, “NNNOOOOOO!!!!!”
“Spike calm down dear. You just had a bad dream.”
Spike, now looking around and gasping for air, saw Rarity coming over to him from where she was working, with a glass of water for him. Spike looking petrified, after taking a few gulps of water to calm down asked, “I... Was just dreaming?”
Rarity looking a bit worried, nodded her head. “Yes dear, I was just finishing up my last design when you must have nodded off. I'd say it’s only been about 15 minutes.”
Spike looked at her with tears forming in the corner of his eyes.
“So we didn’t have dinner in the kitchen or anything like that?”
Rarity looking at him less worried and a bit confused.
“No, Spike, but if you are hungry. I can whip us up something to eat now, with a small smile on her face. I could do with a break, what do you say to a light lunch?"
Spike just shook his head, still clearly shaken by what just happened and still sad that it was all just a dream.
“No thank you, Rarity, maybe some other time," he said. "I think I’m just going to head home for the day, if that’s ok with you."
Rarity looked a bit sad and hurt that Spike had said no to her offer of lunch. It was the first time she could think of that Spike had flat out said no to her, but after what just happened to him, she could understand him not wanting too.
“O..o... Of course Spikey-wikey. If that is what you want to do. I do hope you're feeling a little better now.”
Spike got up out the chair and hugged the mare as tightly as he could.
“I am now, thanks to you,” he said.
Rarity, now holding Spike in her own embrace and satisfied that the dragon had calmed down from his nightmare, gave him a small smile.
After letting go, Spike walked towards the door. He turned and looked at Rarity one last time before leaving, with a smile now on his face.
“Thanks again Rarity, you always seem to have a way of calming me down," he said. "It means a lot to me to have somepony like you in my life. I just wanted to let you know that.”
Now with a bit of a blush on her face, Rarity gives him one last smile and says, “Anytime Spikey-wikey. For you, any time. Please take care going back to the castle won't you dear,"
"Of course Rarity," Spike replied.
With that Spike left Carousel Boutique and started making his way back towards the Crystal Castle. Try as he might though, he couldn't forget that dream.
"It was all a dream. Nothing more, just a dream," he thought to himself.
Feeling a bit sad at the thought of him and Rarity kissing being just a dream, he suddenly remembered that voice and shape.
"Those red eyes & that laugh. It felt so real. It can’t be, it was just a dream that’s all. It was... A dream."