//------------------------------// // Bittersweet Resolutions // Story: Every Little Chore She Does // by Starlight Fan //------------------------------// Spike slowly trudged over to the bathroom in solemn acceptance, he knew for a fact he was gonna tell Starlight the truth about what he did. He just didn’t know what to expect from his friend. He expected her to be furious, or for her to burst into tears. He was just really nervous all around. Spike knew he wasn’t a bad dragon, Discord made that crystal clear but he still felt awful for using Starlight to do his dirty work. Spike soon made it to the bathroom to see Starlight sitting in a mini-pool of cold water in the bathtub. “Hey Starlight.” Spike smiled weakly, “How are you feeling?” “I feel exhausted.” Starlight groaned, “I’m doing better now but my body felt like it was aching.” Spike winced in sympathy for the poor mare, she seriously had to go through all that. “Hey Spike… when I was talking with you outside, you said something about Fluttershy not being entirely wrong when I told you she said you were just using me.” Starlight began curiously before growing shaky, “I-I was just delirious right? You didn’t actually use me to do your dirty work right?” She asked with a quivering lip. Spike sighed, he couldn’t lie to Starlight. She had already suffered enough. “Starlight, I have to be honest. That was my chore list. I knew that I wasn’t going to get them all done today so I pawned my list on you. I thought if I used friendship lessons in the chores I gave you, it would benefit us both and Twilight would be impressed with us.” Spike began speaking, “But then I realized what I did was wrong. All I was really doing was just using you to do my chores. I’m so sorry Starlight.” Starlight just looked at Spike, tears starting to form in her eyes, “You used me?” She asked softly yet sadly. “I-I did.” Spike affirmed solemnly, “I’m so sorry Starlight. I never meant for you to get hurt like this.” He apologized remorsefully. “I-I need some time to process this.” Starlight told the dragon who sighed before walking away, “Totally fair.” He said sadly. Before he left, Spike decided to say one last thing, “I know what I did was wrong. I can’t take it back. Don’t think you aren’t justified to be upset because you did some heinous actions, because you are justified. You have every right to be mad, I just hope one day I can make it up to you but for now, I’m sorry.” Spike soon left the bathroom and soon he saw that Twilight was standing in front of him, to his surprise, she didn’t seem mad at him, she just looked upset. “I know what I did to Starlight was wrong.” Spike sighed sadly, “I learned that myself… well, with Discord’s help. Though if you still want to rant, I won’t stop you.” To his surprise, Twilight just hugged him, though she still wore a frown, “You’re not mad?” “No. I’m disappointed but not mad.” Twilight said solemnly before letting him go, “I’m upset you took advantage of Starlight like that, but I won’t deny you weren’t being malicious about it from what Fluttershy and Discord told me. I’m not going to punish you. You’re already suffering enough.” Spike looked at the closed door and sighed, “Yep. That’s for sure.” It’s been two days after the whole chore incident, Starlight eventually got back to a healthy temperature much to Spike’s relief, but ever since then, Starlight had been avoiding him. Heck, when Starlight even looked at him, she just seemed sad. He was currently eating pancakes on the kitchen table, a bit slowly however. He still felt empty without Starlight around. Sure he had just met the mare a mere two months ago, but he knew it wasn’t the same without her friendship. Suddenly Starlight walked over and pointed to the seat next to him at the table, “Is this seat occupied?” “Help yourself.” Spike shrugged dismissively. Starlight did just that and began levitating the pancake to her mouth and ate it. “So… how’s everything?” Spike asked awkwardly. “It’s been better. I just did stuff I enjoyed and… hung out with Twilight and Trixie.” Starlight smiled awkwardly before sighing, “Spike. We need to talk about two days ago.” Spike was unsurprised but worried at the same time “I guess so.” “Spike. I won’t deny what you did hurt me a lot. We’re friends but you manipulated me to do your bidding.” Starlight said sadly. “And you had every right to feel that way.” Spike told the unicorn, “I made you do my chores without taking any breaks.” “I know but after thinking it over, I figured I was ready to forgive you.” Starlight smiled softly at the dragon who looked shocked, “W-What? Really?! Starlight, I told you, you don’t have to forgive me because of your past.” Spike reminded his friend. “I know, but I thought it over and after talking with Twilight and Discord, I realized you weren’t trying to hurt me. You made a mistake and while I am still a bit upset with you, I’m at least ready to start rekindling with you.” Starlight said reassuringly before giving him a concerned frown, “But I just ask one thing. Please don’t put yourself down over this, it’s one thing to feel guilty and another to constantly put yourself in the wringer for this. You’re not a monster Spike, you’re my friend and I miss what we have.” Spike smiled tearfully and embraced Starlight almost immediately, “I missed you too!” Starlight patted his back with a tearful smile of her own, but little did they know, Twilight and Discord were watching the two of them make up. “I’m so glad they worked things out.” Twilight smiled warmly, “I was afraid I was going to have to intervene.” “Well technically we both did but they did make up without us persisting them.” Discord smiled back at the alicorn who seemed to spot tears in his eyes. “Are those tears?” She asked teasingly. “Absolutely not.” Discord scoffed before wiping them off, “My heart is practically ice.” Twilight just chuckled and gave Discord a hug, who looked surprised but didn’t seem opposed to it.