Spike was sitting on one of the benches in the park. Now and then, the events of the night before would leave his head, but it didn't take too long for them to come back again, but every time Spike thought of what happened, he realised something.
It...it doesn't seem to hurt so much anymore Spike slightly smiled.
Two mares walked by and Spike snapped out of his thoughts and realised that the park was almost full of stallions, mares, fillies and colts. He got a bit overwhelmed by the sudden realisation and decided to go to his secret place to continue his thinking on his own. After he made sure no one was looking he made his way to the place he liked to call 'Spike's Solitude'
Rarity was still running around Ponyville looking for Spike.
"Where are you, Spike?", Rarity thought out loud. Then, at that moment, Rarity had a thought. She remembered the time Spike showed her a special place on the outskirts of Ponyville that she had never seen before.
'This is where I come when things get too much for me or if I need time or peace to think'
'It's beautiful, Spike'
After recalling that memory Rarity sprinted as fast as she could to that special place.
"Oh Spike, please be there!" Rarity kept running as fast as she could until she got near the entrance, she subtly looked around and when she was sure nopony was watching she quickly went through the entrance and starting running towards 'Spike's Solitude'.
Spike was sat near a pond picking the grass and then dropping it back down. He decided to lay back and close his eyes, but it wasn't long before he heard a familiar voice that made him jump up.
"Spike...?", Rarity said softly. Spike turned around to see a very upset and out of breath Rarity.
"Oh, hi Rarity," Spike said as he turned back around and looked down at the pond in front of him. Rarity slowly walked over to him.
"Mind if I sit with you?" Rarity hesitantly asked. Spike looked up at her and then back at the pond before responding.
"Go ahead", Rarity sat next to Spike and was looking at the pond just like he was. There was silence for a good while before Rarity decided to break it.
"Thank you, Spike", Rarity said calmly. Spike looked up to Rarity slightly smiling, but still looking down at the pond.
"Thank me? What for?" Spike asked in confusion. Rarity looked down at Spike.
"For letting me be in your company in your special place", Rarity gave Spike a warm smile.
"Well, I don't hate your company"
"I'm glad to hear that, Spike, but I'm afraid Twilight doesn't feel the same way". Spike looked shocked and worried.
"But...why? I swear, Rarity, I didn't tell her anything---". Rarity stopped Spike by lightly covering his mouth with her hoof. Rarity lowered her hoof and looked at Spike in the eyes.
"I know you didn't, but I foolishly assumed you had, so I ran over this morning to apologise and then Twilight asked 'what for', so I ended up having to tell her". Rarity gave Spike a sorry look.
"Oh, and I'm guessing she wasn't too happy", Spike asked. Rarity shook her head,
"In a nutshell, I haven't seen her go that red since she accidentally drank the hot sauce when she first moved here"
Spike's eyes widened.
"Wow!" Spike started to think.
"I'm going to get bombarded with questions when I get back to the castle". Rarity could hear the uneasiness in the young dragon's voice.
"Sorry Spike, I didn't mean to create yet another problem"
Spike looked at Rarity to see that she was upset. Spike smiled at Rarity.
"It's okay, Rarity, you thought I had already told her". Rarity managed to give Spike a weak smile, but it quickly faded.
"It's not just that, Spike, it's... well... last night, I never meant to hurt you, I just---". Spike cut off Rarity because he knew what she was going to say.
"Rarity, it's okay, you don't have to explain yourself. I understand why you did it, it was a bit extreme, but you thought I was going to realise that relationships are more than just dates and flowers, or that I was too young". Rarity looked back own at the pond, realising how stupid and extreme her actions were.
"Yeah", Rarity responded, still upset.
"But being that I was ready and was handling it pretty well, I suppose maybe you see me differently now". Spike looked at Rarity which made her look at him in return. She smiled.
"Yeah, you're not a young dragon anymore. I have to admit you have become a mature dragon, thinking back on it, I'm impressed"
"Thank you, Rarity, but I will say, you did bring out the best in me" Spike smiled, then continued.
"Plus, when I think about it, I should've known". Rarity gave Spike a confused look.
"Whatever do you mean, Spike?". Rarity asked very confusedly. Spike slightly chuckled.
"Rarity, we were in a 'relationship' for six months and we never kissed, we never snuggled, and we never went on a date". Rarity, still upset and angry about her actions started to quietly cry and spoke with a soft and broken tone.
"I'm sorry, Spike". Rarity had started to cry, so he decided to reassure her.
"Rarity, honestly, it's okay, granted it still hurts, but I understand why you did it and to be honest, I find it quite funny how I didn't realise for so long". Rarity sniffled and managed to stop crying and give Spike a weak smile through her tears. Rarity wiped her eyes and just looked at Spike, and she seemed to notice something. Spike noticed Rarity was looking at him a bit differently.
"What is it, Rarity?" Spike asked.
"I truly do see you differently, Spike". Rarity smiled. Spike returned the smiled.
"In a good way, I hope". They both laugh.
"Yes, of course, is a good way". Rarity replied laughing some more. After they finished laughing, they realised it must've been gone lunchtime.
"Wow! It must be gone lunchtime". Spike said looking up at the sun. Rarity looked up herself.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right". Rarity responded. Spike looked at Rarity as she looked at him.
"I have had a lovely time with you today, Rarity" Spike smiled.
"I loved it too, Spike, but I feel if Twilight found out, she wouldn't be too happy".
“It's okay, Rarity, I won't tell her”
“I know you won't, Spike, it's just... I'd like to do it again sometime”. Spike looked at Rarity confused, but then he smiled.
“Me too”. Rarity's smile grew.
“I am so glad, can you do twelve-thirty on Saturday?”, Rarity asked.
“Of course I can, I'll meet you here”, Spike smiled.
“Right, well, so nopony notices us together, I'll leave first, then leave it a couple of minutes before you do”. Rarity made her way to the path that leads out of the secret place, just before she got there, she turned back to Spike who was watching her leave.
“Thank you again, Spike, see you Saturday”, Rarity couldn't stop smiling. Seeing Rarity happy made Spike smile.
“You're welcome, Rarity, see you Saturday”, Rarity nodded and made her way out of 'Spike's Solitude'. After he couldn't see Rarity anymore he turned back around to face the pond.
After a few minutes, Spike got up and made his way back to the castle, although he wasn't ready for all of Twilight's questions and a lecture, he knew he had to go home at some point. Spike made his way down the path and out of the secret entrance without being seen and starting walking through Ponyville, to get back to the castle.