Epilogue - The Long Walk Home
The party lasted until well after sunset. Most of the library's decorations now rested lazily on the floor, most of the balloons refusing to leave the comfort of the linoleum. Streamers were hiding in the oddest of places, but Twilight diligently hunted them down and collected them on the center of the floor.
Everypony had left except Rarity, who had offered to help. (And because she was the only one who hadn't received the full effects of the inevitable sugar crash.) Using a broom, she swept up the food crumbs and piled them up into neat little stacks.
Spike staggered around in the kitchen, putting away the leftover food. His bowtie was undone around his neck and his tophat slanted at an almost-impossible angle. He was tired, exhausted, and all-around worn out, but it was the best party of his life by far.
"Really, Rarity. You didn't need to stay and clean up. I'm sure I can handle it," Assured Twilight.
"Oh, it's no bother at all. My house is only a short walk away, after all."
From the kitchen, Spike rolled his eyes silently with a good-hearted chuckle. It felt like a few miles, running there this morning…
*****
It didn't take long to sweep up the aftermath of the party, rendering the library back to its quiet state.
All through the cleaning, Spike kept stealing glances at Twilight. There was something in his gut that told him he needed closure…something he kept forgetting. He couldn't drive the image of Twilight, whom he had come to see as a mother, crying in the darkened room.
It stung to recall that Spike even took the time to write that awful letter of resig-
The letter! shouted Spike's mind as he frantically searched his pockets for the scrap of parchment. Panic overcame him as each pocket came up empty. Spike tried to remember where he put it, but his memory was muffled by sugar.
Could she have read it?
"Um…Twilight?" Spike cautiously approached the purple mare as if she were about to explode at any moment, even though her expression revealed nothing more than tired relief.
"What is it, Spike?"
"Have you…um…" Spike nervously twiddled his thumbs. "come across any scrolls recently?"
Twilight replied by settling her eyes on a nearby wastebasket, nearly overflowing with the used decorations. In a flash, Spike dug his claws into the trash, pulling out colorful streamers and cups and plates to reveal, at the bottom, a scroll. It was ripped to shreds, but Spike could still tell it was the one he wrote.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," winked Twilight as she gave Spike a reassuring nuzzle.
Spike's anxiety fled his chest like a hoard of butterflies, lifting his spirits substantially.
"Why don't you get some fresh air, Spike?" Twilight glanced over at the last remaining party guest. "Maybe you could walk Rarity home."
The gleam in the young dragon's eyes told Twilight she wouldn't need to say it twice.
*****
It usually isn't until the last few moments of dusk that the scenery of Ponyville can be fully appreciated. The lazy violet-goldish haze cast a natural spell of serenity upon the humble town: the drone of the cicadas could be peacefully heard echoing from the Everfree Forest; fireflies danced in the thick evening air, demanding the attention of a few wide-eyed foals as their family shared an evening picnic at the park; the smell of grass soothed the senses and relaxed the mind. The soft sounds of the last few citizens of Ponyville trotting through the square trickled down the ears as they made their last errands for the day, some ready to turn in for the night, and some ready to enjoy the serene night. It was a truly magical night for a walk.
Spike, however, did not notice any of these things. His attention was focused exclusively on the fact that he was now walking hand-in-hoof with the most beautiful pony imaginable. Not only did Spike feel the familiar flutter of affection whenever he was near Rarity, but the soft and soothing feel of his scales touching her coat, their bodies closer than he could ever recall, gave an extra sensation of elation. Even the custom-made suit, custom made for him by the very lady he was now walking with, tapped into unfound feelings Spike hardly knew he had. It was strange, it was familiar, and it was even a bit scary…but he wouldn't trade this moment for anything else in Equestria.
"It's so nice for you to escort me home, Spike. What a gentleman you're turning out to be," complimented Rarity as they took a slightly-longer route through the park.
Something unexpected caused Spike's ear spines to rise in surprise. There's something different about her voice. It sounds…sweeter. How is that even possible?
And then it hit him: She's not talking to me like I'm a baby anymore. She sounds…so much closer. Like I'm an equal now!
The sudden change caused Spike to blush. But this time, instead of pinching his cheeks or talking to him in baby-talk, Rarity simply smiled and took a half-step closer to Spike, holding his arm a bit more securely.
To hide his sudden burst of shyness, Spike looked up at the night sky, trying to count the endless sea of stars above him. Rarity led him to a bench and they both sat down for a moment. She looked up as well.
"Which constellation are you looking at?"
"Umm…" Spike hadn't given it much thought, but one of them instantly popped into his
head. "Draco. The dragon."
"That's a lovely one. Even as a dot pattern, dragons still look rather handsome."
Spike sighed deeply, trying to make sense of what she was trying to say.
"Rarity…"
The white mare kindly turned her head and looked at Spike. "Yes?"
darn it! Those eyes…
Once again, Spike found himself lost in his crush's gaze. What usually followed was the inevitable meltdown where Spike's thoughts turned to mush and he made a fool of himself. This time, however, was different. Spike swallowed his fear and closed his eyes, completely ready to say what was on his heart.
"I…I…I can't stop thinking about you! I think I'm in-"
Before he could finish, however, Spike felt Rarity's warm hoof on his cheek. The next thing he knew, she planted a soft kiss on him. Not on his cheek, but neatly on his lips. The same lips that couldn't form what he had been trying to say for so long.
Spike closed his eyes and held his breath, trying to hold the moment as long as he could; but as soon as the kiss came, it left. Once he opened his eyes, Rarity was staring back at him, trying to hide the hint of a blush on her own beautiful face.
"I've known for quite a while, Spike. It's ok, really."
Spike suddenly felt a huge loss of balance, as if he'd been knocked over with a feather. He softly fell onto Rarity's lap, trying his best to hold in his tears. Rarity responded by patiently stroking his head to calm him down, giving him all the time he needed to compose himself.
Why are you crying?! pleaded Spike in his mind as he started to weep in front of Rarity. This is what you wanted. She just kissed you, for Celestia's sake! Do you want her to start treating you like a baby again?!
"Why is this happening?" whimpered Spike as he dared to lift his head and look back up at Rarity. His light green eyes were full of tears and confusion. In that one moment he went from being on top of the world to feeling small and weak again. One step forward, two steps back.
"Shhh," said Rarity as she tried her best to calm Spike down. "it's alright. I thought this might happen, so take all the time you want. There's no hurry."
Rarity's calming voice, as well as the fact that nopony was around to overhear him, made Spike feel a little bit better.
"I…I must look…*sniff*… a mess." Spike's words became broken and labored as he desperately held in his confused sobbing.
Rarity lifted his head, straightened his bow tie, and smiled calmly. Spike was so used to having Rarity smile in the empty way that meant she was treating him like a child or a toy, but this time it was sincere and full. The only other time he remembered seeing that smile was that one silent moment when, during their frightening free fall, Spike tried to blurt out his feelings to Rarity, only to have it stopped by that same teary smile. He now knew what it meant, and it didn't settle well.
The truth hit Spike's stomach as if it were painfully freezing over from the inside. He stared at Rarity, his mouth wide open in shock and disappointment. His next question took all of his strength to leave his lips:
"We can't be together…can we?"
Rarity turned her head down towards the ground, her own eyes shut tightly as if she were experiencing her own form of pain for this decision. She slowly nodded yes, but not before a few of her own tears hit the ground.
"I'm sorry," was all she could say in response.
*****
Spike sat there, huddling for warmth in Rarity's lap, for what felt like hours. The warm sensation of her coat upon his scales turned bittersweet, knowing that his worst fear, the one he kept hidden underneath all his hopes, had now come true: Rarity could not be his.
The only thing stopping Rarity from breaking down was gently stroking Spike's back as he let everything out. She felt terrible, as if she had been playing with Spike's emotions all along. For months she had been thinking on how to break the news to him, but every outcome felt like she was crushing his dream, and that made her feel like a monster.
"I know you're hurt Spike, but I truly want to help…"
It took all of Spike's willpower not to turn bitter and angry towards Rarity. The fine line keeping him from snapping and yelling at her were the moments that he had shared with Rarity, even if he could now only call it friendship.
"Rarity…I can't do it. I…I love you."
Rarity lifted Spike's head up again. She leaned in and kissed him one more time, holding it as long as it took, allowing his despair and confusion to find a way out through his lips. Carefully, she let go. A soft stream of smoke escaped Spike's lips, as if his sadness was evaporating into thin air.
"It's not my place to tell you if that's the truth or not," replied Rarity in a soothing tone. "but I can understand that you're going through changes. It's hard, it's confusing, and I know it hurts. But I'm here to help you heal…I promise."
Rarity pulled Spike up and hugged him warmly. Spike dried his tears and accepted the embrace, somehow finding solace in her touch again, even though his heart felt like it had been broken and picked up again.
"Thank you," was all the young dragon could mutter, in a tired and exhausted voice. Spike took a moment to compose himself, wiping his face clean and swallowing the last bits of sadness in his body.
She wants to help me…maybe she does care for me after all.
"Now," said Rarity as she offered Spike her hoof. "shall we head home?"
Spike nodded slowly, taking her hoof gratefully as he led her down the path towards her house.
*****
The rest of the way towards Carousel Boutique was followed in silence, but it doesn't mean there was much to say. Spike kept stealing glances back at rarity, hoping for some sort of solace in her face. Each time, it was met with a kind smile, devoid of any disrespect or impatience. So much had changed in the last few moments, and even though he had to be broken down and built back up to see it, Spike could almost see that it was the best. Perhaps, it was what he wanted all along.
A twinge in his chest caused Spike to gasp in pain. Not physically, but emotionally.
"It still feels like I'm not all back together yet."
Rarity nodded. "I know that feeling. Don't worry, it'll feel better after a while. I think what will help is if you take a nice long bath before bed."
"That…actually sounds really good," agreed Spike with a thankful nod. It felt so strange, making small talk with the pony that just crushed his hopes, but something kept him glued to her kindness and away from anger.
Spike and Rarity reached the door to Carousel Boutique together, hand-in-hoof just like when they left.
"I truly had a wonderful time at your party. Happy birthday, Spike."
Rarity kissed Spike on the cheek one more time for good measure, giving him something to hold onto for the walk back home.
"Goodnight," answered Spike with a thankful sigh. He turned away to head back to the library, but before the door shut, Rarity called him back.
"I almost forgot something."
Rarity handed Spike a delicately-sealed letter. He looked at it puzzlingly and reached out to open it, but Rarity held out her hoof to stop him.
"Wait until you get home to read it. Take a nice long soak in the tub and I promise you'll feel better, ok?"
"Oh…ok. Thanks."
Spike put the letter away in his pocket and turned towards home, but not without giving Rarity one more warm hug, which she gladly accepted.
*****
Back home, Spike undressed and drew himself a hot bath. Carefully folding the tuxedo, Spike slowly stepped into the tub, allowing the scented beads to sizzle on his scales as the hot water enveloped his skin.
"Ahhh…that does feel better."
As he relaxed, Spike took out the letter Rarity gave him and slowly opened it, careful not to get any of it wet. He could tell the letter was carefully thought out, written in a neat but nervous lavender hoofwritting. It read:
Dear Spike,
I know this may sound kind of strange, but I...you see, there's this school dance coming up next week and…I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me to the dance…as a date.
I'll be home all day tomorrow, so please let me know as soon as you can if you'd like to go or not.
Oh, and Happy Birthday.
Love,
~Sweetie Belle"
Spike had no trouble at all sleeping that night.
THE END