Love Somepony

by HenryAnthonyCourtler

To Love and be Loved

Love Somepony
By: Henry Anthony Courtler

“This will never do,” Rarity muttered to herself as her magic released the small diamonds in its grasp, “the properties are simply atrocious, and clash with this enchantment.” With a heavy sigh she threw herself in an unladylike fashion into her chair, staring at the dress as her brow furrowed.

For several moments, Rarity did nothing but stare at it before snorting in frustration, “Well... though it does pain me to admit, I cannot do more without sacrificing its form. This dress has to be in Germane by tomorrow! Oh, what will I do?” With a heavy sigh she rose and paced around the room, eyes scanning for anything of use. Various bolts of strewn fabric lay scattered among the dropped diamonds and various design drawings. Her client had been very specific on what she wanted for her special day, and Rarity was never one to leave a customer dissatisfied. 

        Rarity hummed to herself as she thought over the design aspects of the dress, “Diamonds are radiant, too many would look garish, but they also reflect... so if I trim it to certain edges and enchant them, they’ll sparkle, but it won’t be a distraction or detract from the design!” With renewed vigor, Rarity worked again at the dress until she smiled proudly at it in its completion.

        She levitated the finished dress onto a ponyquin, put away the leftover supplies, and removed her glasses before walking out into the second floor hallway. Walking over to her room, she took notice of how the sun had already lowered across the horizon, the moon taking its place in its slow ascension into the darkening sky. Using her magic, she opened the screen door to her balcony and felt the cool summer air through her coat. Looking across the town, she saw shops all across Ponyville had closed for the night, business owners retreating to their homes, friends, and family. City Hall finished closing its doors and the workers were on their way home or on the way to the local pub. Ponies everywhere were either heading home or going with friends to enjoy late night activities. Rarity made a mental note to check out that new club in town for herself. If Vinyl’s flyers were anything to go by, it should be a fun distraction.

She sighed deeply and tiredly tossed her purple curls aside, “Such a beautiful night, but even now, five years since, it doesn’t feel right to enjoy it... especially after that day...”

Spike looked at himself in the mirror and slicked back the scales on top of his head. He checked his breath and nodded to himself before walking back over to the bedroom he shared with Twilight and grabbing a large, beautiful bouquet of Acacias, and headed downstairs. He almost wanted to slap himself in frustration. The library he had worked so hard to clean yesterday had been left a mess once again by Twilight’s late night study sessions. Taking a deep breath, Spike grabbed the box of chocolates he had placed by the door and turned to face Twilight.

“I’ll be back later, Twilight. Gonna head to Rarity’s and try my luck one more time,” he said confidently.

Twilight paused in her reading to glance up at the dragon, a look of concern on her face. “Are you sure, Spike? Why don’t you give it some time and work out a str—”

“Twi, it’s alright. I know things are going to go way better than last time.” he reassured her with a confident grin.

She flashed him a smile, “If you believe it, then so do I. Either way, good luck!”

“Thanks!” he called back before shutting the door on his way out.  

The walk from the library to Carousel Boutique felt far too long for the growing dragon. Every step he took made him feel further separated from the mare of his dreams. Each breath he took came in shorter than the last. His heart started to gain speed like Rainbow Dash through the air, growing stronger with every pump. Spike hadn’t noticed he had arrived until his snout bumped into the door, startling him. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his nerves, steadied his breath, and knocked politely on the door.

Almost immediately, the door opened and Rarity looked in his direction, eyes closed with a bright cheery smile on her face, “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where designs are made to your ne—Oh! Pardon me, Spike! It’s such a pleasure to see you!” she greeted warmly.

“It’s nice to see you too, Rarity.”

“Come right on in and make yourself comfortable.”

She walked into the shop and he followed right behind her, closing the front door on the way in. He stayed in step with her as they walked into the living room just off to the side from the show floor. Rarity sauntered over to a comfortable chair near the window and he took the chair across from her. Once her stunning blue eyes had his attention, he showed the surprise gifts he hid behind his back.

“These are for you.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, “Why thank you kindly, Spike! You’re such a gentledrake. Always thoughtful of those you care about.”

“I try my hardest to please,” he said humbly.

“You never cease to amaze me with your humble, yet gentle personality, Spike. I always wondered what life around Ponyville would be like without your charming self around here,” she gushed.

Spike felt his cheeks redden at  the attention. “It’s nothing really, Rarity. I’m always here for everypony,” he admitted while scratching the back of his head embarrassingly.

Rarity simply smiled at him as she levitated the Acacias and brought them with her into the kitchen to grab a vase.

        Sighing in relief, Spike thought to himself, ‘So far, so good... just gotta keep up the charm and before I know it, Rarity will be my marefriend!’

        He leaned back into his chair as he waited for her return, which she promptly did with the Acacias in an intricately designed vase; placing it on the living room table.

        “I must say, the Acacias contrast beautifully with the table and the walls of the living room. Don’t you agree?” Rarity said excitedly.

        Spike rubbed his chin in thought before responding, “Well, uh... I think they look great!” he exclaimed excitedly, hoping that Rarity wouldn’t notice his lack of enthusiasm. 

        To his relief, Rarity clapped her front hooves together and giggled quietly, “I knew you had some sense of fashion in you, Spikey-Wikey.”

        “So... would you like to take a look at the chocolates I got for you?” he asked with a small grin, knowing he had gotten her favorite kind.

        “Ah, yes! The chocolates! How could I ever forget about them?!” Rarity exclaimed melodramatically. Lifting the box with her magic, she levitated it closer before removing the lid and floating one of the delectable treats into her waiting mouth. Delicately, she chewed at it until the explosion of flavor hit her tongue, her face melting into a blissful expression.

        “Truffles! You certainly know how to pick out a treat a lady such as myself would enjoy,” she complimented earnestly, causing the young dragon to blush at her blunt praise.

        He looked away abashedly, “Aww shucks! It was nothing, Rarity! I just thought that some chocolates and flowers would be suiting for what I’ve been meaning to talk about with you...”

        She peered at him curiously, “And what topic would that be, Spike?”
        
Spike hopped off the couch and looked out the window for several moments, organizing his thoughts. Taking a slow, deep breath, he turned and looked directly into Rarity’s Sapphire blue eyes, “Ever since the whole incident on my birthday last month...” he began, “I really have taken time to sit and think about what I did and why I—"

Rarity interrupted him with a soft, comforting tone of voice, “But Spike, that wasn’t your fault in the slightest.”

“I know, Rarity, I know... but I still feel kinda guilty about it. One thought led to another though, and I really thought about what you mean to me in my life. Everypony has always thought that my feelings for you have been nothing more than a crush, but it seems like nopony wants to give me a chance and let me prove what I actually do feel...” He sighed quietly.

She looked at him for a moment, “Well, what do you actually feel for me, darling?” Rarity asked softly.

“I... well, I feel... it’s just like...” His eyes darted around, his mind desperately trying to piece together a response. He felt a sudden and enormous pressure suffocating him where he stood, a tight knot forming in his throat the size of a bowling ball. The pounding force of his heart eventually drove him to respond, passionately and without his necessary forethought, "Rarity, I love you!"

Rarity looked away from his prying green eyes and sighed. The clock ticked by quietly in the background as she thought about what he said, “No, Spike, I just... it just could not work out between us...”

Spike stood there solemnly as he tried to process her reply... but it just didn’t add up to him. After all the years he had spent trying to prove his affection for her, the answer just boiled down to a blunt no? Something in him felt as though the very ground he stood on was just mere moments from eating him whole. All the hopes, dreams, and fantasies he had about them being together seemed childish to even think about, pathetic even. What he thought to be perfection was nothing more than a flawed mistake. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he tried his hardest not to let the tears that so desperately wanted to spring forth come out.

His face contorted into a scowl, prompting Rarity to try to salvage the situation, “Spike, don’t think that because it can’t wor—"

"Why..? Why would you... After all I've done for you, that's it? Just... 'No?' I guess... I dunno." Spike sniffed, trying to dry his eyes as tears began trailing down his cheeks. "I... I thought there was something between us. But I guess that was just you being 'generous' to me, huh?" Trembling as a wave of emotions washed over his face, the young drake could barely choke out a hoarse "I have to go," before turning away.

Rarity cringed as the young dragon ran out the door, slamming it behind him. Feeling terrible, Rarity looked at the chocolates and put them down. 'I cannot eat these, not now.' She looked to the order that she was supposed to finish, but any creative sparks she may have had were crushed beneath a feeling of remorse, and a little guilt.

Rarity wasn’t aware she had been crying. Wiping her eyes dry with a hoof, she stared outside longingly and thought of something, anything she could do to pass the time.

“Sweetie Bel—” she called until she realized that her younger sister had gone to the opening night of the dance club with the other original members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Resting her face on her hoof, Rarity contemplated any other options, “Hmm... maybe I could go talk with Fluttershy... if she weren’t also going to the opening night. Now that I think about it, it seems as though everypony in Ponyville is heading to that club. I might as well join up with the other girls and see what the big deal is with this new establishment myself.” With her evening plans set, she went off to put on a dress and catch up with the rest of her friends.

Rarity walked with a calculating rhythm in her every step, the semi-translucent hoof slippers she wore tapped out a solemn, unrecognizable melody that echoed quietly along the streets as the mare marched onwards. As she approached the club, several patrons who were also heading there took note of her. Some were subtle with the way they watched her walk in the tight, form fitting black dress that had diamonds stylized after her cutie mark where her flanks were. Others completely failed and ogled her, uncaring of whether she noticed or their marefriends caught them doing it.

She flipped her hair and walked towards her friends with a confident smile, knowing she had probably made other patrons swoon even harder at the simple gesture. Applejack was the first one to notice her as she trotted up to Rarity and hugged her briefly.

“It’s nice to see ya doin’ somethin’ other than slavin’ ya’self away in that fancy shmancy boutique of yours.” Applejack said with a small smile.

“I suppose it’s good to always give things a change o—” she was suddenly tackled into a fierce hug by a pale, yellow blur.

“I missed you so much, Rarity!” Fluttershy gushed as her teal eyes were brimmed with unshed tears.

“As did I, Fluttershy.” Rarity said softly, caressing Fluttershy’s mane as she hugged her back.
When she let go, Rarity approached Rainbow Dash and Twilight, who looked at her with equal amounts of surprise.

“I thought you were gonna live in the boutique for the rest of your life or something! It’s nice to finally see you again, Rares.” Rainbow Dash said, flapping her wings in excitement at seeing her friend.

“Like I said, a change of pace couldn’t hurt anypony.” she finished with a small chuckle.

Suddenly, the front door of the club opened with a loud click, causing the girls to look at the bouncer whom they promptly gasped in shock at.
 
“Pinkie Pie!” the girls shouted in near perfect chorus.
 
“Alright everypony, get in line starting with the V.I.P’s!” She shouted in a commanding voice, the awaiting patrons obediently lining up without complaint.
 
            Twilight looked at her friends in mild embarrassment, “Did anypony here pre-order a V.I.P. spot in line?” she asked with a small chuckle.
 
            Her friends merely looked away unabashedly or pretended not to care.
 
            Twilight sighed, “Well then, looks like it’s the back of the line fo—"
 
            “Where do you five think you’re going, misses!” Pinkie Pie shouted from her spot at the door.
 
            Rainbow Dash looked at her oddly, “None of us are V—"
 
            “Nonsense! The owner said ‘The Elements of Harmony are always welcomed in my establishment for their selfless deeds’!” she recited verbatim in a gruff, but smooth voice.
 
            Pinkie Pie’s friends gave up arguing with their eccentric friend and stood at the front of the line while the ‘bouncer’ checked the V.I.P. list before letting them in first to pick their spots in the club. Once inside, the girls were intrigued by the mesh of colors both muted and neon, fascinated by how well they came together. The pastel colors created a lively contrast for the bar area while other colors sporadically mixed throughout the club, flashing in sync to a non-existent beat.

A big table was placed towards the front of a very large stage, specifically near the walkway for those on stage to interact with the audience. Behind the tables was the dance floor that took up the center area, with plenty of room for those who wished to get their party on.

Twilight Sparkle took note of the large, oval table at front, "Why don't we sit there, girls?" she asked, pointing a forehoof in the general direction of said table.

Her friends looked it over and promptly took their seats. They chatted amongst themselves for several minutes before the club doors were opened to everypony else.

Rarity sighed, unable to get the events of the past out of her mind that night.

Twilight called out to her over the increasing sound of the other clients, "What's wrong, Rarity?"

"N-nothing, darling. What gave the impression of something amiss?" Rarity said nervously, her cheeks flushing as though she had been caught in a lie.

"Well, for one thing- You look bored; like you don't even want to be here. Plus, it's not hard to notice someone sigh, even in a rather loud environment." Twilight pointed out matter-of-factly.

The fashionista lowered her head slightly in defeat before leaning in close and whispering,  "May I talk to you in private? I do not wish for anypony save you to hear."

Twilight looked at her friend worriedly before offering a supportive smile. "Sure thing, Rarity."

Rarity led Twilight to the most private area of the club, where they could access that is; the restroom.

The unicorn looked at her friend with an analytical eye, "Why all the secrecy, Rares?" she asked, wanting to get straight to the point.

"It's- It's about Spike." she admitted nervously, choking back a sob.

 A saddened expression washed over Twilight's face, looking at the bathroom floor with sudden interest as her ears flopped to her head. She took a deep breath before looking her best friend in the eye, "It's been five years, tonight... how time flies..." she commented.

“Indeed, darling...” Rarity agreed, “How time flies... escapes right out of the grasp of your hooves when you do something that hurts you for years...”

Twilight hugged Rarity tightly and stared at her piercing blue eyes, “I already forgave you, Rarity. Please... stop doing this to yourself. You need to live for yourself and allow time to heal all wounds,” she advised sagely, despite the moisture glistening in her eyes.

She sighed deeply and tiredly tossed her purple curls aside, “Such a beautiful night, but even now, five years since, it doesn’t feel right to enjoy it... especially after that day...”

Tears slowly streamed down her face, slightly running her mascara and staining her porcelain fur with it. She shuddered several times as she quietly tried to control her breathing, heaving heartbrokenly as her composure began to break at the seams.
 
Twilight hugged her tightly, rubbing Rarity’s back soothingly as she allowed the seamstress to openly weep into her shoulder. Quiet, restrained whimpers barely pushed past her lips as she tried so desperately hard to regain control of her emotions.
 
A muffled voice echoed just outside the bathroom, distracting Rarity enough to pull her out of what seemed to be one of many moments of weakness she had suffered in the long five years since he left.
 
“Rarity… Why don’t we go join the girls, the concert is about to start.” Twilight suggested with a small smile.
 
The seamstress gave her a sad smile, magicking a hoofkerchief to clean her face with. “I suppose so…darling.” She said between sniffles, blowing her nose clean before getting rid of the cloth.
 
Rarity slowly followed Twilight back into the club, wading through the thickly packed crowds and tables. Just as they finished sitting down, none other Vinyl Scratch begun to address the crowd.

“HELLLOOOO PONNYVILLEEE!!!” She yelled excitedly.
 
The crowd cheered loudly at her appearance, stomping or clapping their hooves, overjoyed.
Vinyl Scratch grinned widely, her covered eyes crinkling with excitement, “How you all doing tonight?! Cuz I’m sure as hay excited for tonight’s opening show!” The DJ said in a successful attempt to build up hype.
 
She waited for the patrons to quiet down before continuing, “Tonight, we have a new star who’s been travelling all over Equestria for years, spreading his music everywhere he goes. This very night marks the fourth year of his musical career and I gotta say he’s as excited as Pinkie Pie!” She jested, eliciting laughter from many of the guests who had all been witness to Pinkie Pie’s eccentric personality.

“Without further ado, I’d like to welcome Gleaming Gem!” Vinyl cheered, a thick fog from a set of smoke machines covering the entire stage with no effort as the club-goers cheered excitedly before a dead silence filling the club as a slow synthesizer began to play, panning the fast trickle of notes from one side of the club to the other before a drum began to sound off in a basic rhythm.

From the fog, a slim figure began to walk towards a microphone, pulling the stand towards him as he began to sing.
 
“I know your insides feel so hollow.” he began steadily, his voice echoing as the guitar flowed in while the guitarist and piano players softly murmured, “oooohhhhh”.
 
Adjusting his hat to better cover his face, he pulled the microphone from its stand and walked to the edge of the stage. “And it’s a hard pill for you to swallow.” He sang, his voice echoing through the club.
 
The song began to build up, his smooth voice carrying through the club with ease. “But if I… Fall for you~ I’ll never recover! If I… Fall for you~ I’ll never be the same! Oh!” He sang in a falsetto voice, a loud cymbal crashing as the chorus began to sing.
 

Leaning forward, he tilted with the microphone stand, holding the last note before letting it die off; green eyes staring into the crowd. Scanning through the crowd of ponies, he found the one he was looking for and smirked, his sharp teeth glinting.

Rarity watched the band quietly before noticing his gaze, blushing lightly as she felt those emerald green eyes stare deep into her soul in a knowing manner.

The synth piano could be clearly heard again as it wound up tight before blending back in with the rest of the instruments.

Bringing the microphone close to him, he sung quietly. “You're such a hard act for me to follow...”  His voice echoing quietly around the club as the band members murmured a faint “oooohhhhh.”

Pulling the microphone from the stand, he walked around, holding a hand close to his heart. “Love me today don't leave me tomorrow, yeah~” He bent at the waist and walked down the center of the stage towards the walkway, making sure to stay as best he could in the fog.

“But if I… Fall for you~ I’ll never recover! If I… Fall for you~ I’ll never be the same! Oh!” He sank to his knees as a cymbal crash echoed loudly.

The band continued to play, the synthesizer making the instruments sound far away. “Woooaah, Woooaoh, Wooah, Wooah-oh-oh!”

Looking off to the side with an indifferent expression, Gleaming Gem held the microphone close. “I don’t know where to start, I’m just a little lost. I wanna feel like we never gonna ever stop.” Walking down the walkway, he continued singing, a desperate look on his face as the audience went wild at seeing his appearance. “I don’t know what to do, I’m right in front of you; asking you to stay, you should stay, stay with me tonight, yyeeeaahhh~!!!” Pushing out his chest, he closed his eyes as he poured everything he had into it, his defined muscles pulling slightly on his purple tuxedo; face shielded by the matching fedora he wore.

Rarity gasped in shock, holding a forehoof to her mouth when she recognized the dragon on stage. “S-spike...”

Twilight looked down at the table guiltily, finding more interest in the beverage in front of her.

“You...you knew?” The fashionista asked, tears pricking at the edge of her eyes.

“Yes...he...he told me not tell anypony because he wanted it to be a surprise that he was back.” Twilight said, looking at her apologetically. “I’m really sorry, Rarity, but I couldn’t break a Pinkie Promise.”

The guitar and bass faded out slowly while the drums ended on a high-hat cymbal crash, leaving the synth piano to slowly fade out.

Everypony stood up and roared unanimously in applause, enthralled by the band. Stomps, hollers, and all sorts of cheer filled the club that bordered on deafening until Vinyl Scratch took the stage again. The band merely bowed and waved before walking off stage towards the back.

Rarity jumped to her hooves and forced her way to the front entrance, not caring to hear what the host or her friends had to say. Struggling through the crowd, she slowly made her way past the dance floor, beyond the bar, and outside, only to be grabbed gently by the shoulder. Turning around, she was surprised to see Pinkie Pie in her bouncer outfit again.

“P-pinkie!? How did you follow me here, you were just with the girls an—” Before she could continue, Pinkie hugged her tightly.

“Just be honest with him and don’t be afraid to show your feelings, Rares,” Pinkie offered cryptically, bouncing back into the club and quickly becoming lost in the crowd.

Rarity breathed deeply, calming her nerves before lightly trotting around the side of the building, towards the side door. As she arrived, the door opened and out walked a friend she had never expected to see after half a decade.

“Spike...” She whispered to herself in surprise.

Spike’s ears twitched and he turned his head in her direction as he leaned against the railing, a smile on his face. “Good Evening, Rarity.” He said smoothly.

The unicorn tried to formulate her words, but struggled. “I...I wanted to talk to you, Spike.”

He still offered the same smile. “I had a feeling when you just rushed out of the club.”

She blushed and looked at the ground as she stepped closer towards him.

Spike merely leaned against the wall next to the door, waiting for her to speak.

Rarity’s eyes shimmered with emotion, her body trembling as she tried to find breath. “Spike, I...” I love you. I’ve always loved you, but I still pushed you away!. “Spike, I just need to tell you one thing.”

Spike smiled, his face calm as he relaxed against the side of the building. “Whatever you want to say, Rarity, I’m sure I can handle.”

Rarity nodded, her face becoming a grimace as she fought with her own emotions. “Spike, I lo—” Spike cut her off by placing a single claw to her lips.

“Isn’t the sky beautiful tonight?” Spike asked, his face suddenly serious. “Rarity, I know what you’re trying to say, and I’m sorry that you couldn’t say it earlier, for your sake as well as mine. I was...” Spike sighed. “I was sad. Confused. Angry, even. I ran. I ran further than I had during the dragon migration, and as far as I could until I couldn’t run any more. Afterwards, I cried myself to sleep, too emotionally distraught to care where I was. The day after that, a group of ponies were passing by, going the same direction as me. “Want a ride someplace, dude?” One of them had asked. I said, “Only if it’s as far from a broken heart as you can get me.” He just laughed. “Aye, we can get nowhere fast, but anywhere’s better with company than with a shattered heart.”

Spike was quiet for a moment, his eyes looking into the distance. “It was then I found not that long after that I had a bit of a knack for singing. My voice wasn’t very mature yet, and I still needed a bit of vocal exercise, but after a year of growth spurts and a deepening of my voice, I was ready to sing for the big shots.”

He pushed off the wall, taking a few slow steps away, his lean, tall figure slouching just a bit so he could look at Rarity in the eyes. “I didn’t sing the song they wanted me to sing, though. Instead, I pulled out a set of lyrics I’d written about that time of my life when I thought you were the one, when I didn’t think I could love anypony else, and how I saw it now that I wasn’t a part of that anymore. They loved it, Rarity. They loved it more than the trash they wanted me to sing. Something about a Scooter Girl, I think. Actually, that song sounded more like Sweetie’s or Scoots’ style, anyways.”

Rarity stood there, shifting on her hooves. Why wouldn’t he let her say it? He knew she wanted to— no, needed to— and yet, he was still cutting her off every time she tried to speak! But... She couldn’t find it in herself to be angry. Not after driving him away like she had. Her head lowered as she felt tears rim the edges of her eyes. “I’m... I’m so sorry, Spike...” He gently pulled her chin up, his own eyes warm, as was his smile.

“Don’t be sorry, Rarity. Even in your rejection, I found happiness. You didn’t think I’d spent the last five years just crying about your rejection, do you? Nah, we’ve got another song or two in our repertoire. And the reason for one of them is on her way over right now.”

Rarity looked back towards the club’s back door, and saw a pegasus standing there in a beautiful, if somewhat short, dress. “Oh, Spikey, there you are~!” The pegasus floated over— almost literally; she barely seemed to move her wings. “The others are preparing for the next song. You just out here taking a break?”

“Yeah, Garden. Don’t worry about me. Just catching up with an old friend.”

The pegasus turned to see Rarity, and her eyes bugged out. “Oh. My. Goddesses! You’re Rarity! The Rarity! You’re the fashionista who brought pop to a stop and told her to get out of your way!”

Rarity blushed, dipping her head slightly. “Oh, I guess you’ve heard of me, then?”

“Oh, have I?! You’re only in the top five best fashion designers in all of Equestria!”

“Actually, I dropped down to 7th last year; my prediction for the fall line was a tad off. Amethyst, it seemed, was not in.”

The pegasus giggled as she threw an arm over Rarity’s withers as if they were old friends. “Oh, but that’s only with those fickle unicorns up in Canterlot. Amethyst was all the rage in Manehatten and Cloudsdale, and every one of your dresses were always sold out by the time I got to the stores! My little Spikey finally got me one custom made, and I still wear it as often as I can, it’s simply beautiful!”

Rarity nodded slowly. “That would explain why Twilight needed a dress with wing holes in the back. This may have been Pinkie putting ideas in my head, but I had been thinking that she was going full Alicorn or something!” Rarity giggled, the tension inside of her lifting for the moment. It still hurt, to have Spike so close, and yet so far away. This wasn’t just any crush, Rarity could see it in his eyes. He was completely enamored with the pegasus, flighty as she was.

Spike and Garden laughed as well, though not quite as much as Rarity herself. “So,” Spike started off. “Garden, why don’t you go tell the others that I’ll be there soon, okay? Just gimmie another minute or two.”

“Alrighty, Spikey, but don’t take too long! You know how Chiseled Key is when in front of crowds for too long!” The pegasus gave him a kiss on the lips that he held for a second, before letting her go.

A silence had fallen upon the alleyway the moment Garden left, except Spike’s humming and the sounds of the night. “Rarity.”

The mare started, feeling flustered all of a sudden. “Y-yes, Spike?”

“Just wanted you to know, I don’t hate you. You still have a place in my heart, but as a friend.” Rarity flinched, though Spike didn’t seem to notice; he was still staring at the door Garden had flown through.

“I’m going to propose to her, soon. We’ve been dating for almost three years. Next month is our anniversary, actually. I know she’ll love the ring, too.”

“What is it, Spike?” Rarity’s voice was low, afraid it would scare away anything if she were too loud.

“It’s a fire ruby I grew around an amethyst I found out near Ravensdale two years ago. It took me forever to get it to grow just right.”
        
“M-may I... may I see it?” She asked nervously.

Spike merely smiled and dug his hand into the inside breast pocket of his jacket before pulling out a small purple box with green trimming around its circumference. Opening it, he held the ring out to her, the deep red of the gem glowing all on its own. It was obvious how carefully chiselled the ruby had been to achieve the perfect, heart shape that adorned it. The ring had been crafted in such a way that Garden would essentially wear it as though it was a golden hoof slipper.

Rarity bit her lip, gasping quietly at its beauty.

“Did you...craft this?”

“I did. I spent so many endless nights crafting this, that I even tired my throat out and screwed up one of our gigs.” He chuckled in remembrance, his eyes gazing into the ruby with the softest look she had seen upon his face. “It was worth it...so worth all the pain and struggle to make this.”

Rarity’s heart felt like it dropped to the bottom of the ocean. Her vanity and selfishness made her lose the one dragon who had loved her for the longest time...The one she constantly turned away or played with as though he was a tool...And yet, he still cared for her, still forgave her for all the heartache she had caused him like it was nothing.

Tears began to quietly drip to the ground.

“Rari—”

She smiled at him despite her tears. “I-it’s fine, Spike...I just realized something...” Rarity admitted as she began to turn away, heading towards the front of the front of the club.

Spike merely stood there, nodding to himself, a small smile on his face.

“T-thank you, Spike...Thank you so much. I...I don’t deserve your forgiveness.” Rarity said as she wiped away her tears with the back of her hoof.

“I could never bring myself to hate you, Rarity. Even you know that.” He jogged the short distance, crouching down to her level.

“But Spike...I was so selfi—” He turned her around and hugged her tightly against his smooth chest.

“Don’t you think I was selfish too? Expecting that you would fall for me just because I loved you like that? It wasn’t fair of me to make up unrealistic expectations.” Spike whispered into her ear, pulling back, a slight smile on his face, wiping her tears away with a single claw.

She bit her lip and looked at him with a small smile.

“Y-you always know how to make me feel better.” Rarity whispered back.

He chuckled and merely kissed her forehead, pulling out a handkerchief from his back pocket and handing it to her. “We may not have worked out as lovers, but it’s never too late to be friends.”

Rarity pulled back slightly, using her magic to dry and clean her face before smiling at him, holding a hoof up. “Why don’t we...Start over?” She asked in a small voice.

He kissed her hoof and grinned cheekily. “Spike the Dragon. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Rarity’s smile widened. “Lady Rarity. I’m thrilled to meet such an eloquent Gentledrake like yourself.”

Spike’s grin melted into a sincere smile. “And its my pleasure to meet such an exotic, fair lady like yourself.” He stood up and placed his hand on her withers. “May I bring a fair lady of class to a club like this?”

Rarity giggled and smiled. “You may.”

The two walked back into the club through the side entrance, enjoying the rest of the evening like any old friends would.