//------------------------------//
// Chapter Three 
// Story: Don't Go 
// by fallen starr 
//------------------------------//

A week had passed since Rarity and Dash had announced they would be moving. Spike had seen Rarity every day, but he could tell she wanted some space when he'd left her house, so he had never sought her out on his own. He knew she would come to him, if she were ever ready. He knew some of the things she said had made sense. He also knew he didn't care.

Despite looking forward to that day, he was surprised when he heard her and Twila talking downstairs when he woke that morning. He couldn't tell what they were saying, but he heard the voices well enough. He walked out of his room and onto the balcony overlooking the library to see the two girls sitting on the couch, facing the unlit fireplace on the opposite side of the room. 

He could hear much better as he approached. His grumbling stomach was demanding to be fed, after all. He was about to greet them when he heard his name. He stopped, hoping to hear more about what they were saying.

"And he just kissed you? Just like that?" Twila said. "I'll talk to him. He shouldn't—"

"Actually, dear, I'm okay with it. That's what I wanted to talk to you about." 

"Oh? O-oh. But he's…I mean, he's just a kid."

"He isn't much younger than you, darling."

"I'm just…that's six years between you, you know. And you're moving." Twila sighed. "He doesn't even know what he wants out of life. Can you believe he sent my brother a letter asking if he could join the Royal Guard? Spike! He hates fighting. And just last week he asked Jack if he could be a farmhand."

"He's trying to find himself. It must be so hard for him, not having a mark."

"I know," Twila said. "The Draconese people have never been marked. Did you know that, aside from Equestria, there are only three other peoples who receive marks?"

Rarity chuckled. "Yes, dear, we've discussed that before. Now…I do hate to be a hammer, but I would like to go back to the original point. I do have feelings for him. I have for the past year. I had thought he had gotten over me, though, and I wasn't going to bring it up. Until last week."

"And now you want my blessing?" Twila sighed, shaking her head. "Rarity, if you are serious, go for it. I just don't want his heart broken. Or yours." The two women leaned in a hugged, and Spike smiled. 

Deciding it would be best not to be caught eavesdropping on two soul-folk, Spike chose that moment to yawn loudly. 

"Morning, Twila. Hey, Rarity. I didn't know you were here." 

Twila smiled a little too largely. "Hi, Spike. What do you say to me making breakfast this morning? Pancakes okay?" She was halfway to the kitchen by the time she had finished speaking. 

"It's better than cereal, I guess," Spike said with a smile. He walked around to the front of the couch and sat beside Rarity, making sure to leave plenty of room between them. "So, are you staying for breakfast?"

Rarity frowned. "Spike." She stopped to gather her words before looking back at him.

"Is it really that hard to decide if you want pancakes or not?" he asked with a smile.

"It's just…oh, Spike, please. About our conversation last week." Again, she paused. "This shouldn't be so hard to just say." 
Sighing, she shook her head. "What I'm trying to say is, if you are willing, and you understand I am moving to Camelot, then…I'd like to give us a try."

Even though he was expecting it, his mouth still dropped open slightly. His heart thudded hard in his chest. "I…you…yeah!"

Rarity smiled. "So, pancakes for breakfast, is it?" She reached across the table and took his hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Yeah," he said. Their hands contrasted nicely against each other. His darker, hers pale. "Yeah," he repeated. He looked up at her face, at the smile that was nearly as wide as his. "What changed your mind?"

"Oh, I had time to think it over. There were several reasons to, and several reasons not to. The dealbreaker though," she said, leaning in and lowering the volume of her voice. "Want to know what it was?"

Spike was only able to nod, mesmerized by the situation. "This," she whispered. She closed what was left of the gap between them, pressing her lips to his. The frantic beating of his heart was the only thing that seemed to be moving with any urgency. 
Everything else was in slow motion. Her hand on his cheek. The soft tenderness of her moving lips. The gentle way he felt her smile. 

"Do you guys want—Oh!" 

The pair pulled away. Twila was staring at the ground. "Sorry. I didn't realize…"

Rarity cleared her throat. Her cheeks were tinged pink."Yes, that is quite alright. D-do we want what, darling?"

"I was going to ask if you want blueberries in your pancakes."

Rarity stood. "Yes, that would be lovely. I'll help you." She walked toward Twila, flashing Spike a smile as she walked past. 
Spike considered joining the girls in the kitchen, but when he heard giggling, he decided not to. Once the pancakes were finished, Twila called for him. 

They sat around the table as they ate in silence. Rarity and Twila kept glancing at him. "Do I have something on my face?" he asked after catching Twila looking away for what had to have been the hundredth time.

The darker skinned girl grinned. "So…how are you going to tell everyone else? Another meeting? Or…"

Rarity and Spike looked at each other. "I dunno. I didn't even think about that, you know? Isn't Pinkie having a party tonight anyway?"

"Yes. I let her read Alice in Wonderland. She's fallen in love with the idea of having an Unbirthday. I don't know what I was thinking when I let her borrow that book."

"Ah, well, that sounds like the perfect occasion.