//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: Home 
// Story: Youthful Expression 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
//------------------------------//

Epilogue: Home

"Spike! Hurry up!" Twilight Sparkle's motherly tone echoed throughout the library, "You're date will be here any minute!"

"I'm hurrin'!" the purple dragon shouted back with a hint of anxiety in his voice, "You try putting clothing on with small wings, then we'll talk!" Spike was trying to put a black jacket on, but his newly grown wings made Spike look like he had a hunchback with the coat on.

"Never mind about the coat, Spike, it won't get cold tonight," the purple mare informed him as she walked up the stairs to see her assistant struggle with the article of clothing. She used her magic to pull the jacket away from Spike, "Besides, you haven't been able to wear that coat for a while and since you are in the middle of your growth-spurt, you are going to grow more."

"Ugh, more than just pesky wings?" Spike looked at himself in a nearby mirror, moving the wings on his back slowly.

"Oh, very much so!," Twilight mused, "Soon you will grow at least twice your current size almost overnight. Then your body will become more sturdy, your neck will become longer, and so will your tail. Of course, your wings will be next to follow. Your wingspan will stretch to about 3 meters in length with the ability to-"

Spike cut off the mare with a slightly annoyed manner, "Okay, okay, I get it, Twilight. Now can you just help me get ready befor-"

There was a knock at the door.

"Oh, dear Celestia, she's already here!" the dragon panicked, "Quick! Stall her!"

The unicorn was confused, "What?"

"Just go downstairs and stall her for a bit! I'm almost ready!"

"Alright, alright! Calm down, and please do hurry," Twilight spoke as she went downstairs to welcome the guest into the main room of the library.

Spike quickly grabbed the dark green necktie he had set aside and tied it around his neck. He quietly spoke to himself, "The mole crosses the field, burrows underground, pops it's head out to see the sun and goes back down to hide. There we go." Taking a deep breath and exhaling as he looked at himself in the mirror, he spoke one last time to himself, "Alright, here goes my first date."

Slowly descending the stairs, Spike saw a familiar filly. Though her flank was still blank, her face was smiling brightly as she saw the dragon. She wore a simple dress, nothing fancy in the least. Her mane was just as it always haven been, pink bow included. In the dragon's eyes, Applebloom looked amazingly beautiful.

"Hiya, Spike!" the yellow filly greeted the dragon cheerifully.

"H-Hey," Spike replied, still a bit in shock of how Applebloom looked.

Twilight, who was off to the side, softly chuckled to herself. She found the two of them as a couple very adorable. "Well then," she began, "what is the plan for tonight for the two of you?"

Applebloom spoke with a smile, "We're gunna go ta Sugarcube Corner an' then go on a walk fer a bit." The filly had the evening planned.

Twilight smiled, "Well, have fun, you two!"

Spike and Applebloom exited the library into the early evening in Ponyville. The night sky was lit up by the millions of stars and by Princess Luna's moon. The two began walking toward the bakery. Spike was really nervous as they walked. While he knew Applebloom was excited and happy that Spike had asked her on the date, it still didn't relax him. He had always been tense about the thought of a date since what had happened a few years before. Finally, the dragon broke the silence.

"H-Hey Applebloom, thanks for going on this d-date with me…." Spike blushed heavily.

Applebloom smiled warmly, "Of course, Spike! Ah'm really glad ya asked me. Ah was actually surprised ya asked me ta be honest."

Spike gave a small laugh, "Well, I think we all were surprised when Sweetie Belle admitted that she liked Snips after he asked her out for a date."

The filly giggled, "Ah know! She once told me before that that she thought Snips was the worst colt in class. And now the two are datin' like it's nothin'!" The two shared a laugh together before Applebloom looked toward him and continued, "But if ah could ask, Spike, why did ya pick me?"

Spike looked forward as they walked and smiled, "Because you are just an amazing filly. You are energetic, fun to be around, very awesome….and of course, very cute," he turned his head toward the yellow pony to speak the last part of his statement, his cheeks a tint of pink.

Applebloom blushed red and smiled shyly, "Aww, well thank ya kindly, Spike." She planted a quick kiss on his cheek, causing both to turn more red on their faces, "Ah think you're quite cute yerself."

Spike's face was a deep crimson from Applebloom's words. He felt since he was already so red in the face, he might as well say one more thing that was on his mind, "I love you, Applebloom."

"Ah love ya too, Spike." 

Spike lightly pecked Applebloom on the cheek as they continued their walk and as they began their first date together.

END