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// Spike's Little Break 
// Story: Spike's Little Break 
// by Zubric 
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Wings
Spike cautiously looked from side to side as he walked along one of the many corridors in Canterlot Castle. His destination wasn’t anywhere specific, just as long as it was far enough out of the way so no creature saw him. Once sure no one was nearby, he approached one of the standard broom closets, before reaching into his backpack and pulling out a golden key with a heart-shaped handle. The letters ‘GG’ were carefully crafted in the middle of its small frame. Giving the key a little kiss, he turned it around and moved it toward the lock. In truth, it didn’t matter what door he chose, his magic key would get him where he wanted. With a turn of the key, the door glowed a soft yellow accompanied by a soft click. 

Taking one last check around, Spike opened the door and headed inside, closing it behind him. Once inside, he slumped against the door with a relieved sigh, taking a deep breath of the flowery scent that always occupied the room. “Mmm, finally,” Standing back up, he hung the key on a hook next to the door, watching it softly pulse with magic. “I hope Gabby can make it.” Moving further inside the room, he smiled as this room was his special nursery, all thanks to Gabby's little surprise. After all, Spike was her little hatchling, and Gabby was his loving caregiver girlfriend. 

Not knowing how long Gabby would be, Spike decided to get his relaxation started as he moved up to the changing table, admiring the numerous types of padding he could pick from. After such a long day by Twilight’s side, he desperately needed this as he picked out one of the larger nighttime diapers adorned with Luna’s cutie mark. Spike nuzzled his cheek into the plastic before grabbing the powder. He climbed on top of the table, giggling as he began to get himself all diapered up. Granted, diapering himself was slower, but his ‘mommy’ could always check it later. Once secured and smelling proper, the drake kicked his legs a little before climbing down and waddling his way to the nearby dresser. Rubbing his claws together, he slid it open and reached inside, shuffling clothing around until he found the right one. 

“Good thing these grow to my size,” Spike said as he unzipped the soft blue footie pajamas with white trim, slipping his feet inside. Tugging the fabric over his padding created an adorable. round look to the seat. Letting out a delightful coo, he guided each arm into the sleeves, enjoying the fuzzy feeling on his scales. He hugged himself before zipping the pajamas closed securely up to his neck. To finish off the look of an adorable baby, he hung a blue pacifier around his neck. A smile spread across his face as the little drake waddled across the room to the crib and climbed inside. 

Taking a moment to slide the bars into place, Spike lay down on his back, letting his body sink into the foam mattress. “Mmm, ah, much better.”  The stress of the day was already floating away as he hugged one of the plushies tightly, casually kicking his legs on occasion. He didn’t try to fall asleep, however, as he simply took the time to enjoy the peace and quiet of watching the mobile above his head, letting the world shrink to just him and the crib he was lying in. 

Thankfully, the little one didn’t have to wait long as a couple of minutes later, the door unlocked and Gabby fluttered in, closing the door behind her before she spoke. “I’m here, Spikey. I’m sorry it took a while. I was finishing up my last delivery,” Hanging her key on the hook next to Spike’s, she walked up to the crib and looked down at her little cutie and his attire. Spike remained lying there, smiling up at her, but didn’t seem to get up to greet her. “Something wrong, Spike? Usually, you’re all bouncy when I arrive.”

Popping the pacifier into his mouth, Spike gave it a suckle or two, pulling the plush closer to himself. “Mmm, I don’t want to get up. Hatchlings don’t have worries or responsibilities, remember?” He sighed and wiggled around to get comfy, keeping eye contact with Gabby. He felt soothed with her presence, knowing she was there for anything he might need.

Being the well-natured caregiver she was, Gabby picked up on Spike’s wording as her talon reached through the bars and rubbed his tummy in a slow circle, wanting to soothe her darling. “Okay, no worries, little guy. You can stay there all you need, and I’ll keep you company.”

Occasionally, Spike’s leg kicks faintly, enjoying the attention as his worries kept melting away. “Thank you, Mama.” He lisped, letting the feeling linger until Gabby pulled her claw back and moved to check the changing table and the other areas, casually looking back at the drake all the while. He playfully made little coos and foalish gurgle sounds, getting a few giggles from Gabby as he enjoyed his little head space. The drake watched with an eager smile as Gabby soon moved to the small fridge, knowing they’d recently restocked it with fresh items. 

“Nom noms?” Spike cooed, sitting up and grabbing into his feet while softly rocking forward and back.

Gabby proudly grinned back at Spike as she dug out the chocolate formula mix, setting it on a small table nearby. “Yup, just what I think my hatchling needs,“ She chimed as she poured enough to fill half a bottle, before adding in gem flakes. She screwed the nipple secured and gave it a shake, watching it sparkle in the light. All the while, she scooted over a chair to the crib and watched Spike keep an eye on the bottle as he rocked on his padding. “Now, Spikey, do you want to sit in my lap, or lay down and suckle away?”

Spike let the pacifier drop from his mouth as he thought about it for only a moment before putting his claw up to the sky. “Uppies!” He felt so free and delighted as Gabby lowered the bars, before scooping him out and cuddling him to her fluffy chest. “Yay!” He cheered, hugging her tightly, feeling more cuddly than he’d been a few minutes ago. The drake acting much like any baby that can’t seem to make up their mind. He pressed his face into her chest fluff, taking a deep breath of her smell and cooing quite adorably. In return, Gabby wrapped her wings around him, making him feel an undeniably safe and carefree sensation, practically melting into her embrace. 

Gabby started to hum to him with the clock ticking in the background, the bottle forgotten for the moment. There was no need to rush things, the two enjoying the moment-to-moment.

After what felt like ages of comfort, Spike’s tummy eventually did rumble as the drake chuckled. “Hehe, baba?” He turned around, leaning his head against her chest with the griffin’s wings kept around him like a blanket. Letting his arms hang limp to his sides, Gabby softly slid the nipple into his mouth before he began to suckle, closing his eyes as Gabby resumed her humming. 

The moment was so perfect that his body slumped in her grasp as he drank onwards, feeling like a cloud in the sky. He didn’t notice how soothed he’d become until he opened his eyes sometime later, finding himself back in the crib. This time, however, Gabby was there too, her body wrapped around him like a protective mother. Feeling Spike shift, Gabby set her book on the mattress before looking back at him. “Hehe. Hey, sleepy head. Don’t worry. Your mommy kept you all safe from the closet monsters.”  She playfully patted his head.

Spike’s cheeks flushed as he smiled, clinging onto her before leaning up to her cheek and giving it a long smooch. “Thank you, Gabby. You’re the best.”

“You’re welcome, Spike,” Gabby cooed back, moving to Spike’s lips as she returned the kiss with her own.

As Spike giggled and nuzzled her sides with glee, the drake felt content with the worries of whatever he’d been stressing about becoming a distant memory for the time being. It was the best part of being Gabby’s little dragon. Nothing could be better.