Spike woke up, feeling pain all over. He tried to get up, but the pain was too much.
“Ahhh!” Spike yelled.
He could hear hoofsteps coming towards him. The door was opened, and he saw his good friend Fluttershy.
“Hey Spike, I’m glad to see that you’re awake.”
“Hey Fluttershy, what’s going on, how did I end up here?”
“Well I was collecting items in the Everfree forest, when I heard you land hard. I went to investigate (not knowing it was you at the time), and I found you with a damaged wing and you were also unconscious.”
“How long have I been out for?”
“One month.”
“That long!” Spike couldn’t believe what he just heard.
“Well, you did land pretty hard. I’m just glad you’re finally awake.”
“Did anypony tell you what happened to… Twilight?”
“Yes Rarity told me. She came here as soon as she could. She’s been visiting every day, hoping you would wake up.”
“I’m glad to hear Rarity is alright. I already lost my best friend, I couldn’t lose another.”
“I’m sorry about that Spike, Twilight was a great friend.”
“Thank you Fluttershy, she was.”
They both took a moment of silence in honour of Twilight.
“Well how long before I can at least move around again?”
“Well luckily you only sprained the lower part of your leg and the upper part took hardly any damage, as you landed on your lower legs. If it continues to heal at this rate, it shouldn’t be longer than three to four days. It healed greatly while you were passed out.”
“Well that’s some good news for once.”
“Well Spike, I do have some bad news…”
“Of course. Lay it on me.”
“You won’t be able to fly for at least a few more months.”
“Well, as long as I can walk, I should be okay.”
"Also, some good news is, after I told Princess Celestia that I found you and told her what your status was, she let you go of your duties. Saying she couldn't lose another friend from this. Also that you can feel free to come at anytime to visit Twilight's grave."
"Thanks Fluttershy, I'll be visiting her soon."
“Just make sure you get plenty of rest for the next few days, and you should be able to make it to the library in a few days.”
“Thank you for taking care of me Fluttershy, I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome Spike, anytime. If you need anything, just ring the bell I left beside the bed. I also left you some water in case you get thirsty.”
“Thank you again Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy left the room. Spike decided to go back to sleep and just rest.
*Three days later*
“Well Spike, it looks like your legs are ready to be used gradually again. You should have enough strength to make it to the library.”
“I appreciate the help Fluttershy, I think I’ll get going, I want to just rest when I get there.”
“That sounds like a good idea Spike.”
Suddenly they were both interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Follow me Spike, I have a care package ready for you for the next few days.”
Spike followed Fluttershy down the stairs. She handed him the care package and opened the door.
“Oh hey Rarity, what brings you here today?”
“How’s Spike, is he better?”
“Actually he’s right here if you want to talk to him, he’s about to make his way to the library.”
“Spike, I am so glad to see that you are okay!” Rarity walked up to him.
“Hi Rarity, I’m glad to see you’re okay as well.”
“Here, let me walk with you back to the library, in case you need some help.”
“I would appreciate that Rarity. Thanks again Fluttershy.”
“No problem Spike, I’ll come over and check up on you once in a while.”
“Sounds good, see you then Fluttershy.”
Spike made his way outside, with a bit of trouble.
“My legs are feeling a little stiff from not using them for a while.”
“They must, are you going to be okay Spike?”
“Yeah, it gets easier with every step.”
“Spike I wanted to say I know what you’re going through. It’s been three years now since I lost my parents. I’m still having trouble getting over it. What I’m trying to get at, is if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m open.”
“Thank you Rarity, I’ll definitely keep that in mind… OW!”
Spike accidentally stepped on a sharp stone, causing him to fall on his legs.
“OW! That really hurts!”
“Oh no Spike! Here I know what to do.”
Rarity lifted him with her magic, which is now much more powerful. She continued to train after the events of that day. She carried him all the way to her place and place him in her big luxurious bed.
"Rarity… I need to get to the library.”
“Absolutely not! You’re too hurt. You’re staying here with me until I say you’re well enough to leave. No buts!”
“Alright, thanks Rarity, I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome Spike. That’s what friends are for.”
They arrived at Rarity's house. She carried him upstairs, and placed him on her bed. She got up on the bed, and sat beside him.
“Rarity, I must know… what were you doing there at the battlefield?”
“Well Spike, this is going to be a very long story. I will tell it to you as long as you don’t interrupt me and you keep an open mind.”
“I promise.”
“All right here’s what happened... When I read your first letter, I couldn’t handle losing you. I needed to be there to protect you, keep an eye on you. I went for a walk to reflect on it, when I found that poster saying they were looking for soldiers. I decided to drop everything and join the Canterlot forces. I packed the essentials and went to get a train ticket to Canterlot. As I was waiting, I was debating in my mind whether or not I should go. I didn’t want to go and not be able to come back for Sweetie Belle. At the last second I decided to board it… it was more important to me that you were okay. I then wrote my response letter on the train. I arrived at Canterlot and went straight to the castle to sign up. I arrived in the throne room and told Twilight, that this wasn’t an option, I needed to do this. She understood and let me join. I then trained with the other ponies. The whole time I was there, I purposely avoided you, because I didn’t want you to worry about me. Every day, thoughts of you were flooding my mind. I needed you to be part of my life. Weeks had gone by and I never received that return letter, I thought you had stopped caring about me… until I received that letter from you. At that point there was no turning back. I had to go all the way. As the battle started, I stayed back and kept an eye on you, making sure you were okay. When it ended I was happy to see you were safe… that is, until you know what happened. After that I just fell to my knees and cried, unable to speak. I thought I lost you. Later when I got back, I ran into Fluttershy who let me know she found you unconscious. That was some of the best news I heard. It felt great knowing you were going to get better, and that you were in safe hands. Every day I visited you, constantly checking to make sure you were okay. When I came in today and found out you were awake and ready to walk, I felt relieved, and then it lead us to now.”
Spike couldn’t believe what he heard. He tried to speak, but Rarity hushed him.
“I’m not done yet Spike.”
Rarity took a deep breath, this was it, the moment she was waiting for.
“Spike… I… I love you. Before you left I was going to tell you that message. While you were gone and everything that happened in between, it only got stronger. You might be wondering why I waited this long to say it. Well I wanted to wait for the perfect moment, and I almost lost that moment. Spike I love how you watch over me, protect me, make sure I was always happy, make sure I wouldn’t overwork myself, always be there when I needed a shoulder to cry on and always there to help when whenever I needed it. You were perfect for me, and I never took the opportunity when I should have. Well now, I’m not losing you again. Spike will you be my special somedragon?”
“I don’t know if now’s the right…”
Spike was interrupted by Rarity kissing him on the lips. He returned it. That was what he wanted since he was a child.
“I say yes Rarity. I will be your special somedragon. I love you too Rarity.”
The two kissed each other once more. Unfortunately, Spike’s joints were hurting again interrupting the moment.
“Sorry Rarity but I need some rest, my joints are acting up.”
“No problem Spike, ring this bell if you need me.”
“Wait a minute, isn’t that Fluttershy’s bell?”
“Well… I ‘borrowed’ it knowing you would probably need my help.”
“If you say so. Again thanks for this Rarity.”
“My pleasure Spike.”
Rarity turned the lights off and Spike went back to sleep.
Rarity was the happiest mare that day. Everything worked out perfectly in the end. Rarity went downstairs and got some work done, keeping as quiet as possible, not wanting to disturb Spike. A few hours later, she prepared some supper for Spike. She brought it upstairs. As she entered her room, she noticed he was awake.
“Hello Spike, I brought you some supper.”
“Thanks for the supper Rarity, I was starting to feel hungry.” Spike and Rarity enjoyed eating their supper.
“That was delicious Rarity. Boy did that hit the spot.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it Spike. I’ll bring the dishes downstairs and then get ready for bed, I’m pretty exhausted from having to carry you all the way from Fluttershy’s cottage.”
“He he yeah. Sorry about that.” Spike blushed slightly.
“Oh no worries dear, all that matters is that you’re safe.”
Rarity brought the dishes in the kitchen and left them in the sink. She’d wash them in the morning, all that mattered is that Spike was alright. She made her way upstairs and started to get ready for bed. She removed her fake lashes, her makeup and she let her mane and tail loose.
“You look beautiful Rarity.”
“Thank you Spike. It’s nice to hear it from someone who’s sincere and not like some ponies who just said it, thinking they would get… laid.”
“Well you’re a natural beauty.”
“Enough Spike, you’re making me blush.” Rarity got into bed and laid beside Spike, they were facing each other.
“Rarity, can I ask you something?”
“Of course Spike, what’s on your mind?”
“I want to know, how did you deal with the death of your parents? I can’t help but think about Twilight, and how I won’t be able to see her anymore. That’s all I could think about when you left. That’s why I was awake when you came back.” Spike was gently stroking Rarity’s mane.
“Oh… well Spike… the only solution is time. It will take quite some time before you’ll be able to not… feel as sad about it. It took me a few months before my life was somewhat back to normal. I still to this day have moments where I miss them, but now that we have each other, I think it won’t be as hard.”
“You’re right, friendship always helps. Thanks Rarity.” Spike stopped stroking her mane.
“You’re welcome Spike, and please continue to stroke my mane.”
Spike continued to stroke and they gave each other a passionate kiss.
“Goodnight Rarity, I love you.”
“Goodnight Spike, I love you too.”
Rarity positioned herself against Spike, enjoying being in his embrace. They fell asleep not too long after.