Chapter 6
Spike and Rarity were lying on the balcony of the boutique, wrapped in blankets, hoof-stitched by Rarity herself. Although it was the beginning of the summer, the night air was rather chilly after the earlier storm.
It took about ten minutes to free Rarity from the dangerous trap of her bed mattress. And after that, they discovered that one of her fake eyelashes moved from her eye to under her muzzle. Even Rarity shared a laugh, agreeing she looked absolutely ridiculous.
After unicorn insisted that she needs a few minutes to make herself presentable again, Spike got down to the kitchen and prepared cocoa for both of them. A special recipe, an empathy cocoa as Starlight liked to call it.
And there they were, in the desperate need to let the fresh air calm the chaos of emotions within them and sipping the hot chocolate with marshmallows.
They were both laying motionless, stargazing until they both spoke
"Rarity, I..."
"Spike, listen..."
They both looked at each other in amusement. Then they resonated in unison once again
"I need to talk to you..."
Both of them blushed. They knew that "The Talk", an ultimate confession and resolution, had to come sooner or later. Apparently, sharing their feelings made the invisible wall fall. At least for now
"I have to talk to you now or else I feel may not get the courage to do so anytime sooner..." Rarity quickly said.
"Go on..." Spike said flustered.
Rarity wanted to oppose, not desiring to be first, but something told her to go on, to make the first move in telling her true feelings. Just like Spike was the one who started it all in the first place
"Spike" the unicorn began trying to hide the trembling in her voice " ever since I met you, you were nothing but a loyal, supportive and helpful friend. Through the years we knew each other you were devoted to me unlike any other. It was that devotion that made me appreciate who you really are.
You prevailed in your feelings through the passage of time and limits of space, you loved me despite what others thought, you wanted to protect me no matter the consequences. You always tried to cheer me up and stayed by my side even if I was breaking your heart. You kept coming back for me whenever I fell into the darkness of despair. And even if I didn't share the feelings at the time, you were my safety of the loving soul that I was taking for granted.
I would give everything I have to take back all of those years when I was simply using you for my advantage. You changed me darling, you changed me for the better. You made me understand that you can be loved for just who you are and that I want to share my love with someone who is imperfect, just like me. Someone who can understand me. Another being that I want to look after. One who lived a life with ups and downs just as I did.
You and I... we are as different as two creatures can be. A dragon and a pony, a generosity and greed, a lady from wealthy family and an orphan lost far from home. We don't make sense to anyone and for a long time, we didn't make sense to me. But I think now love is not about someone who would do my every whim, although it would be a nice bonus. What I need is someone to laugh with, someone to talk to without any holding back, a shoulder to cry on, a guy that can inspire me into living the fullest life I can live. One that that would make all the unwanted things go away with just his presence, the one that loves me no matter who I am, the one that makes me want to laugh and sing my soul out. The affection of that kind is not pony only and over the years you proved time and time again that you are truly worthy of my returned feelings.
So many years have passed. Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Starlight too you and me. We've all shared so much. My life was blessed with bonds I never felt before when I was a filly. I received a true friendship and I encountered a creature that gave me an unconditional love. I could never be more grateful.
You see Spike, we were the two types of love. You fell for me at the first glance didn't you ? Well I had to come a long way around and I guess that after seeing all that you've been through just to support me made me slowly...start...to love you. And with that in mind, and hoping for lots of pleasant memories in the future, I accept your offer. From now on, I become your special somepony."
Spike was rendered completely speechless. Finally, he chuckled, rubbing his head
Rarity eyed him suspiciously
"That...isn't the reaction I was expecting"
Spike waved his claws defensively
"No no no !!! It is not that I don't like it, for Luna's sake !!! I love it and I just don't know what to say ! But honestly, I never would've thought..."
"That I would have be on a "yes" all the way ?" Rarity smiled tiredly " Spike, while you certainly have more endurance in love, I had positively plenty experience with dating. Do you know what is like to fail over and over again ? Blueblood, Trenderhoof, so many others...I just couldn't stop. I didn't want to end up as a "crazy cat lady" as Pinkie Pie once put it. But I am tired Spike. Tired of rejection, loneliness, the lack of someone who would give me strength and I would give my passion.
It took me a while to notice that you are the constant one in my life, always close by my side. I won't lie, for the first couple of years I hated that you were always sticking with me and practically drooling on at my sight. I felt as if you looked at me as a trophy, going after my body as many before you...That you would hoard me like the dragons do with gems..."
"Rarity, I would NEVER..."
"I know darling, but allow me to finish. When you fell into your greed rampage, you ponynapped me and wanted to abduct to the mountain cave. I won't lie that this memory was keeping me a little scared even when over the years my heart was growing fond of you. That is, until your Heartswarming present changed my mind and heart. When you put me on such a pinnacle, saying that I was beyond compare, I realized that you value my very being more than anything in your live. And I comprehended the true meaning of the dragon's treasure. You wanted to protect me with all your life. Dragons may be greedy but they are truly loyal in protecting their precious items. I wanted so badly to match your dedication when you protected your greatest treasure...me. Spike...please tell me why"
"Why...what ?"
"Why me Spike ? Why did you chose a pretentious, snobbish drama queen who used you for so long without guilt and threw tantrums to make others do her bidding ? Why did you took so much time to show me how to really love"
Spike stretched up and smiled
"Looks like this is my cue, huh ? Rarity, when I first saw you, you were the most beautiful being I have ever seen with my eyes. And your record still stands. I guess meeting you was just some twist of fate and I chose to be your helper but...I totally didn't have control over falling in love with you. And that basically was all, at least at the beginning. Pony with a breathtaking beauty and a lovesick fool, drooling over every little bit of sentiment
When you managed to make me go back to my small self and we almost died, falling down from the sky, I realized that I wouldn't be able to see you go away. That's why I started to come to your place even more often.
Over time, I started to see your flaws as well. But I couldn't care less. Sure, there were times when I wished for you to treat me a bit better. But I worried that in other case and scenario, I wouldn't be able to come to you anymore.
Dragons develop a bond of loyalty beyond life and death to both their treasures and partners. They are monogamous, despite what some ponies think. Only Dragon Lords are allowed to have harems, although I don't know if Ember finds this law attractive for her. The point is, I don't think I would be able to love any creature beside you. From the moment I saw you, I knew that even if you will never love me, I must never give up in trying winning your heart.
I wanted to prove that I can be a good partner. I wanted to show all of the outcasts out there that are in the same position in which I once was that you can be happy when you work hard, are loyal and have a heart full of love. I needed to show the world that I can give instead of taking.
Over the years there were countless times when I wanted to talk with you, just like this talk now. But I think those times weren't nearly as good as now.
Rarity, all I ever want is for you to be happy and have a fantastic life. I want to share it with you as much as I can because I believe I can at least try to make you have a wonderful time.
Feeling that I have someone to love, beside my family of course, gave me a greater happiness in life. When I was with you, I felt that I could do anything. You showed me how to be creative in so many ways, to find something funny in things that were so dull before.
I cherished every moment of excitement you experienced and I suffered when I felt I couldn't hope for more from your side. That was just how it went. But I just couldn't stop loving you and wanting to protect you.
Rarity, you made my life brighter because you always took your time to appreciate the beauty around you. Thanks to you, I look for the beauty in gems instead of just eating them; because of you I feel the appreciation for the world around me, in sunny and rainy days.
I think you are beautiful beyond compare and not just your amazing body. You have truly beautiful soul. You posses so many things within you, so many quirks. I love how you always wrinkle your nose and twirl your mane when you concentrate, how you smile when you finish your design, how you always prance a little while waiting for the important news. That glow in your eyes when they are reflecting the sun, your fainting on the couch, your little beat boxing entries, your "earsplitting pandemonium", your laughter...everything that makes you... you. They maybe little things but when I think that you are one of a kind and won't ever happen again...that makes me love them.
Of course, you have the flaws too. Sometimes even horrible flaws, which I don't like. But that is what makes you a pony and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I know that I am no fairy tale prince and I have to say that I may not be good enough to be a part of your world. What I can give you is unconditional love. Even if you change your mind and leave me, that won't stop me from wanting to protect you. I know that our relationship wouldn't be an easy one. I understand how important the opinion of other ponies
is to you . If it was for saving your reputation, no scale on my body would ever to touch your fur. I don't even know if you will find me desirable, I can't tell how we stand against the world. I am not certain if we ever manage to...ehhmmm...have children. But I am sure that if we stand together, we would be fine. So allow me to be here with you for as long as I can, if you give me the honor to be the one receiving your love."
Rarity was staring at the dragon starry-eyed, smiling and blushing, as she sighed lovingly
"Thank you" she whispered " that was one of the most touching and beautiful things I heard in my life. Do...do you still want to be with me ? Even with all my wrongs and the parts that are not so easy to tolerate ?"
Spike stretched out his wings and flexed his hard earned muscles.
"I am the dragon. We are the symbol of greed that takes all and makes no exceptions. No matter the dark and wrong parts, I'll take you whole"
Rarity's face reddened even more and Spike gasped
"No, I didn't mean it like that !!! I swear, I would never do such a thing !!!"
Rarity fanned herself with her hoof
"I-I know S-Spikey...though I m-must admit, you caught me rather by surprise. But what Element of Generosity would I be to not share-"
She covered her mouth with her hooves and let out a muffled scream.
THAT sounded even worse.
The pair looked themselves in the eyes.
And both shivered at the same time.