//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 - We Need To Talk // Story: My Feelings Have Shifted // by rarityxspike //------------------------------// Twilight landed in Ponyville just in front of her castle. Spike off her back and both walked in. "I'm going to go put my suitcase in my room", Spike said letting Twilight know where he was going. Twilight waited until she heard Spike's door shut and rushed to the main hall and wrote a letter to Rarity. "Spike is going so happy", Twilight said quietly, but excitedly. The letter was gone in a flash. Rarity was just drying her hooves from doing the dishes that she had been putting off when a letter appeared in front of her and fell on the floor. Rarity got excited, she put the towel on the side, picked up the letter and read it out loud. "Dear Rarity, I have just got back from Canterlot, just thought I'd let you both me and Spike are here. I'm so excited for you to tell him - Twilight", Rarity beamed and rushed to the kitchen to get the picnic stuff and then rushed to the castle, Twilight saw Spike come into the main hall. "So, Spike how was Canterlot?", Twilight asked stalling, but also genuinely interested. "It was good, I took Celestia and Luna out for a meal, I went to that Café that has the unique spices, and Celestia, Luna and I had a really good catch up", Spike smiled. "That sound great, I'm glad you a great ti---", Twilight was interrupted by the main hall doors opening. "Oh, hello Rarity", Twilight said pretending not to know why she was there. Spike looked around and saw Rarity standing at the main hall entrance "Hello Rarity, what brings you by today?", Spike asked. "Oh right, well, I came over to see if you were free to go on a picnic today", Rarity said excitedly. "Oh, sorry, Rarity Twilight she needed my he---", Twilight cut off Spike "You can go", Spike was shocked. "Really?", Spike asked confused. "Of course, you can help when you get back", Twilight said trying to hold in her excitement. Spike looked back over at Rarity. "Well, I guess I am free", Spike said walking over to Rarity. "Fabulous", Rarity said just before making her way out of the castle. "Thank you, Twilight", Spike caught up with Rarity and they left the castle together. Luna was sitting in her room missing Spike, remembering the past few days, she was suddenly brought out of her thought when she heard a quiet knock on her door. "Sister? Are you awake?", Celestia said quietly, but loud enough to be heard through the door. "Yes, I'm awake sister, you can come in", Celestia came in and saw Luna sitting on her bed. "It's two o'clock would you like to come to the dining hall for some lunch", Luna sighed. "It's okay, I'm not really hungry", Celestia knew something was up. "What's wrong, sister?", Celestia went over and sat next to Luna on her bed. "Nothing, I'm just not hungry", Luna tried her best to smile, but it wasn't fooling Celestia. "First of all, that smile was not convincing, and second you know you can tell me anything", Celestia put her hoof on Luna's. Luna took a deep breath. "Umm... well... Spike asked me to be his special somepony, and I said yes", Celestia already knew that was going to happen, but was confused why her sister was upset. "That sounds like a good thing, why are you sad?", Celestia asked. "I just miss him", Luna looked at her sister sincerely. Celestia thought for a moment. "Then go to him", Celestia smiled. "Huh?", Luna was confused. "Have some lunch and go to him", Celestia said making sure Luna ate before going. "But I can't leave", Luna said worryingly. "Why not?", Celestia asked. "Well--- because", Luna thought for a moment and realised she only assumed she couldn't leave the castle, then also realised she can go and see Spike. "I'll come and eat", Luna smiled. Luna and Celestia got up and made their way to the dining hall. "You know I was worried you would think I was a rebound", Luna confessed to her sister. "Oh, believe me, I know you and I know Spike, you are not a rebound", Celestia calmed Luna's nerves, they sat at the dining table and had lunch. Rarity and Spike made it to Spike's solitude and sat by the pond. "It's so lovely to see you again, Spike, I missed you on Saturday", Rarity said happy to see Spike again. "It's nice to see you too, Rarity", Spike smiled. Rarity returned the smile but was also to hide the fact of how nervous she was. Do I bring up what happened first? Do I just say it? Will he believe me? Do I say how much he means to me?, Rarity's mind was racing with all different questions but was brought out of her thoughts when Spike spoke. "Rarity? Are you okay?", Rarity realised she wasn't hiding how nervous she was. "Oh, uhh... yes, I'm okay, I just wanted to talk to you about something", Rarity smiled nervously. Then Spike remembered. "Oh yeah, you said in your letter that we needed to talk", Spike said thinking about the letter. "Oh, my wording might have been a bit strong, sorry", Rarity said knowing how urgent she made it sound. "That's okay, what's up?", Spike took a bite out of one of the sandwiches, while Rarity was preparing herself. "Well, when we were 'together', I did enjoy your company...", Rarity started. "Rarity, honestly I'm okay, and I'm more than happy to still be your friend", Spike said thinking Rarity was trying to explain why she still wanted his company. "Oh, I know, but Spike, I realised how much I missed your company", Rarity looked at Spike and her pupils grew. Spike didn't want to assume anything so he just asked. "What do you mean?", Rarity realised she actually had to say it. "Spikey, what I mean is that... I was hoping... maybe that... we could... maybe uhh... give a real relationship a go", Spike was so shocked. "What!?", Spike said nearly choking on the sandwich. "I know before I didn't think you knew what an actual relationship was like, but you've proved that you do and after not having you around, I realised how much I miss your company and... how much I had... fallen for you", Rarity said slowing down as she got to the end. Spike was in shock he couldn't even speak. Rarity picked up on this. "Spikey? Are you okay", Spike blinked a couple of times and then was able to speak. "You've fallen for me?", Spike still couldn't believe it, the mare he has been trying to impress and loved for years finally loves him back, this is all he ever wanted, but not anymore. "Yes, my Spikey-Wikey, I'm sorry it took me so long to realise", Rarity unaware of Spike's reaction as she was so happy to finally tell him, and pulled him into a massive hug. Spike returned the hug. Eventually, Rarity released the hug, but still had her arms around Spike, she just looked at him with pure love, and she kept moving her head closer, as she went to kiss him, Spike backed away. "What's wrong, Spikey? Too soon?", Rarity was confused, why would Spike reject her? Spike was about to say, but then he remembered what Luna said. ...because of recent events, I don't want anypony thinking of our relationship as a rebound "Uhh, no, I'm sorry, Rarity, how do I say this? Uhh... I don't really feel the same way anymore", Rarity started to tear up. "Oh my, did I hurt you that badly? Spikey, I'm so sorry please forgive me!", Rarity pleaded. "No, I mean... I have forgiven you, I just don't feel the same way anymore, I'm sorry", Rarity was shocked, Spike, the one who always helped her, the one who worked extra hard to take her out, the one who cooked and cleaned for her, saying he doesn't love her anymore, Rarity didn't want to believe it. "Spike, honestly, if this is about how I acted, I promise my feelings are true, and things will be different", Rarity was thinking how nice it would be to snuggle into Spike in the evenings. "Rarity, it hasn't anything to do with how you acted or what you have done, I just don't have feelings for you anymore, I'm sorry, but that's just how I feel", Spike took a deep breath after saying how he feels but could see how upset Rarity was. "Spike...", is all Rarity managed to say before she started to cry quietly. Spike now started to feel bad. "Rarity, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you", Spike gave Rarity a hug and Rarity returned the hug still sniffling. "I still love you as a friend, and I always will", Spike said trying to make Rarity feel better. "T-Thank you, Spike", Rarity hugged Spike tighter. Twilight was just finishing her lunch when she heard a knock coming from the main doors. "I wonder who that could be", Twilight wondered. The alicorn walked to the main doors and opened them to see Princess Luna, standing there, patiently waiting. "Greetings, Twilight", Luna said. "Princess Luna, hi, what brings you to Ponyville?", Twilight asked. "I came to see Spike, is he here?", Luna asked trying to remain formal. Twilight was confused. "Spike? No, how come? Did he leave something in the castle?", Luna had to think quickly. "No, I just needed to see him about something", Luna was being so formal Twilight thought Spike was in trouble. "Oh my! Did he do something wrong?", Twilight started to get worried. "Spike didn't do anything wrong, just needed to speak to him quickly, do you know where I could find him?", Luna asked. "Not exactly, but I know he's on a date with Rarity", Luna's heart sank. "A date? Are you sure?", Luna was hoping she misheard Twilight. "Okay, well, not exactly, but you didn't hear this from me, but Rarity finally feels the same way", Twilight said excitedly. "But she...", Luna stopped not knowing if Twilight knew. "Never mind", Luna sighed, then composed herself. "Do you know where they might have gone?", Luna asked trying to stay composed. "No, sorry, Luna", Twilight said feeling a little helpless. "No worries, Twilight, I'm sure I'll find him", Luna said hiding her sadness. "Okay, sorry I couldn't help", Luna waved to Twilight before she shut the door and went back inside. "It can't be a date... it just can't", Luna said quietly and trying not to cry.