//------------------------------// // Unexpected arrival // Story: Together Alone: I live to love you // by Shadowlight Wanderer //------------------------------// Chapter 4 "And that's how Big Mac and I found our way out of the caverns" Spike concluded. Rarity squealed like a little filly and pranced in place with huge grin on her face "Ohoho, I have to admit, when there is Discord, there is always a chance of gossip. Who could have known that he will drag you two to the edge of the world just to get Fluttershy a present ? He became such a darling when it comes to her" Spike rolled his eyes "WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN that's who. We are...uh, gaming buddies after all. I mean, it wasn't the first time that we traveled together looking for a gift" Rarity leaned closer, her eyes lighting up with curiosity "Oh ? Do tell !" "Eahheeaaahhh..." Spike flushed red. Even after they both revealed their eagerness to know each other better and they relations considerably warmed up, being so close to Rarity still made Spike flustered „You know...we helped each other to find something special for certain ponies..." "Certain...ponies..." "Y-yeah, that's right. Birthday presents to be specific" "And through what adventures you had to go through to get the gift for lady of your heart ?" Rarity asked, batting her eyelashes. Spike shielded his eyes "No way, the days when you could manipulate me into telling you the truth like that are over !" Rarity pouted but then backed off and smiled "Fine. I suppose that would ruin the surprise..." They were now heading back to the boutique after being treated with sapphire milkshake and the glass of last year's Prench wine. On the way to Rarity's home, they started to talk about Spike's O&O group and Rarity's spa sessions with Fluttershy. And they had way too much fun with it. Finally, the arrived at Rarity's doorstep. The fashionista levitated a key to the lock and the door slowly opened "And although I may not be into every aspect of the game, I have to confess that I became intrigued by some of your Ogres and Oubliettes adventures." Rarity said, walking to the kitchen. Spike waved his claw while he reached "I told you many times this is really not thaaaahhh !" Spike gasped when the light illuminated the room. Sitting by the chair, with her upper part practically laying on the table, was a young white-coated mare. Rarity directed her attention towards the table, alarmed by Spike's outburst. Her eyes widened "Sweetie Belle ?!" she uttered in disbelief. The pony by the table was indeed Rarity's younger sibling. Being a pony in her teens, her body developed even more than Spike's. She was slowly starting to share the beauty of her sister, with her curly mane getting even longer and her body was starting to take some more feminine shapes. But she was still was the same squeaky voiced terrible cooker that everypony knew and loved (seriously, that girl was once a cause of serious food poisoning): Rarity walked closer and she heard a sound of snoring. Sweetie Belle was sound asleep. The older unicorn put a hoof over her head in a gesture of shock "I-I-I don't understand " she stuttered "She must have waited here for me to return, thinking I will return at any minute... But this is not a problem here ! S-she is not supposed to be here. She has one of her music rehearsals in a few days and was supposed to stay in our family house. B-but why is she here. She knows better than to bother me unannounced now...most of the time I guess" Spike nodded. He heard that Sweetie Belle made plans for start a singing practice when she graduates, additionally to her crusading duties. It wasn't surprising considering the lovely singing voice the crusader possessed. Quickly eyeing the table, Spike spotted something square shaped, sticking out from under Sweetie Belle's foreleg that blended with her snow white coat He gently took it and passed it to Rarity "It seems that she wrote a note" he pointed at the piece of paper " And since she couldn't know that I am here, it is safe to assume that it is for you." Rarity slowly unfolded the note and began to read it. Her eyes darted across the letters inside and second by second they were more shocked and distant. Suddenly, she inhaled sharply and the paper was released from her magical grasp. The seamstress went back a few steps and Spike noticed for sure. Rarity was trembling. Her legs were shaking and the eyes began to water. She gave a quick look at Sweetie Belle and then did the same with Spike "I..I...excuse me..." she muttered in a cracking whisper. With that, she sprinted out of the kitchen and then upstairs. Spike stood there in silence for a moment, analyzing the options that he had. He began to head after Rarity but particularly loud snort stopped him in his tracks. The chair that supported Sweetie Belle's bottom side was slowly sliding away from the table and the sleeping unicorn was now practically a bridge between the two parts of furniture. Spike cringed, imagining how badly Sweetie's back will hurt the next day He sighed with his arms crossed "I can't leave you here now, can I ? Come on..." He approached the sleeping teenager and gently lifted her up. He walked towards the stairs grinning. All of his hard training was paying off and he could carry Sweetie Belle with no problem. Although she was a bit heavier than she expected. No wonder, with all the ice cream eating she will surely start act like Ra... Spike froze in place. He almost did one of the Fatal Mistakes. Although it was tempting to point out, with all the pastries and ice cream the unicorn consumed during the periods of stress, no one in Equestria could describe Rarity's weight as "above average" or Celestia forbid, the seamstress herself as "fat", if he cared for his life and welfare. Rainbow Dash once suggested that Rarity should stop eating so much sweets or she would get chubby. She was haunted by the furious seamstress for the next couple of hours. Spike shivered, remembering Rarity with the flames in her eyes, levitating couple of tightly packed fabric rolls over her head as a baseball bats, chasing the pegasus throughout the city. Even if Rainbow managed to sneak away Rarity would always find her and deliver her judgment. Her rage seemed to give her Pinkie Pie's reality bending abilities. Spike resumed his march up the stairs. He needed to put Sweetie Belle to bed. A true gentledrake would not only treat the lady of his heart with the utmost respect but her family as well. Besides, Spike liked Sweetie very much. At least in those times when she wasn't blowing up the inside of the library or participate in other crusader shenanigans that would afflict danger to his (and town's) life as well to the state of bones in the body. But other than that, she was a great friend to the dragon, always understanding and willing to listen. The crusader shifted in his arms and whispered "Oh yes Button...You achieved a level up with me..." She started to reach for his face. Spike moved his head away, panicking THIS WAS SO AWKWARD He had to make it fast before something embarrassing happen Luckily, he remembered were Sweetie Belle's room was and managed to put her on her bed. He could get there even faster but with all of Sweetie's movements and him evading them, it looked more like some pseudo-tango in the rythm of weird music: After covering her with a blanket, he silently closed the door. Jeez, he somehow managed to sweat through his scales. He clenched his fists, cursing Button Mash. Spike should know better than take that forsaken bet. It was really to be expected. Who will be first in the relationship ? Of course Button and Sweetie Belle are first. Rarity was older, had more doubts and insecurities and was, well, Rarity. Some delays were sure to be expected. After all, if she and Spike ever become an official item, it would be something Equestria has never seen. It sure would be challenging and Spike wanted to give Rarity all the time she needed to decide. But still, now he had to pay for all of their celebration if they ever manage to woo both sisters. Spike sighed. Then he remembered Rarity. She looked sad and worried when she left the kitchen in such a hurry. He needed to check on her.