Spike shoved another donut into his mouth, the rainbow of sprinkles and delicious glazing did little to lift his mood. Resting his chin on his claw, Spike returned to staring at the dance floor.
The last few days had not been easy, ever since his visit to Sweetie Belle he’d been actively avoiding the filly. Every time she had come looking for him, Spike had ducked behind a cabinet or hid around a corner. Whenever she had actually managed to track him down, he’d blown her off with some poor excuse like “I have to go help Twilight with…” not that he hadn’t been busy being Twilight’s number one assistant. Spike had been running around all week making sure that the wedding ran on time. It had been important that the wedding happened as soon as possible after the changeling invasion, in order to boost morale and restore confidence in the security of Canterlot.
Thanks to everyponys’ efforts the wedding had gone great. Apple Jack had remade all the food and Rarity had redone all the gowns and suits that had been ruined during the invasion. Spike looked around the reception, Pinkie Pie has really outdone herself. The Canterlot gardens had been decorated with technicoloured balloons of every shape and size, party cannons fired endless streams of confetti into the air, which had been enchanted so they disappeared before hitting the ground. Dozens of round tables covered in treats and sweets surrounded the central dance floor.
Spike picked up another donut, holding the delicious treat up to his eye. Using it as a makeshift peep hole Spike scoured the tables for one particular white unicorn, spotting Sweetie Belle with her Crusader friends on the other side of the dance floor. The small filly was balancing plates on her head whilst trying to offer a drink to an uneasy looking upper class stallion. Spike’s stomach felt like it had butterflies in it and his heart was definitely beating faster. What has she done to me? Spike had tried to distract himself every way he knew how, but he kept finding himself looking at that same pink and purple mane, that same pure coat and that same infectious smile.
Sweetie Belle turned in Spikes’ direction, giving him a small wave. Spike instantly broke eye contact, deciding that fiddling with his donut was far more entertaining than anything to do with Sweetie Belle. This game of cat and mouse was one he had been playing all night. He would watch Sweetie Belle for a bit, then when she turned to look at him, Spike would immediately look away, pretending to do anything else. After he was sure she wasn’t looking he would start the whole process all over again.
Taking off his massive top hat, Spike scratched his head before devouring the donut in one gulp.
“You know it tastes better if you chew it.”
The donut got stuck in Spike’s throat, he started coughing and spluttering trying desperately to dislodge the trapped treat. A couple of whacks on his back from the newcomer shook the donut free and Spike swallowed it down.
“That said, I guess monsters do swallow their food whole, hay?” Shining Armor gave Spike a teasing wink before taking the seat next to him.
“I told you I don’t like it when you call me that,” Spike said trying to make his voice sound as annoyed as possible.
“Well maybe I wouldn’t, if you didn’t eat like a monster… monster.” Shining Armor said, referring to Spike’s suit which was now covered in a layer of crumbs.
Giving his coat a little brush off, Spike was currently fighting a smile which was attempting to improve his bad mood.
“Come on Spike it’s my wedding, why aren’t you dancing with a pretty mare? Eh?” Shining Armor was giving Spike’s shoulder a nudge, egging him on. “The ladies love a strong male and from what I’ve heard I should be hiring you over half my guards!”
“You know I couldn’t join your guard, Shining.”
“And why is that?” Shining Armor asked raising an eyebrow.
The smile broke through Spike’s defences and made its way onto his face.
“I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, as I would clearly become your boss in noooo time.”
“Why you cheeky little… Why I ought ta’… Come here.”
Shining Armor grabbed Spike’s head into a light head lock and from there continued to give him a noogy. Spike couldn’t help but burst into fits of laughter as he tried to escape from Shining’s hold on him. His arms flayed around as they couldn’t decide whether to free himself from the head lock or to stop the noogy.
“Stop, Shining,” said Spike in between his fits of laughter. “Stop, stop.”
“What was that, monster? You want me to tickle you?”
“Noooo!”
“Well alright then.” Shining Armor ceased his noogy assault and instead began tickling Spike’s belly.
Not being able to help himself, Spike’s laughter doubled as his eyes started watering.
“Shining, stooop,” Spike tried to put on a more serious tone. “You’re embarrassing me.”
Shining Armor released Spike from his laughter prison, letting him draw some much needed breaths and allowing the last few giggles to escape his system.
“Sorry Spike, I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of a certain special somepony would I?”
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Spike tried to sound as innocent as possible. How did he find out about Sweetie Belle?
“Well a certain somepony told me that you have a thing for a particular white unicorn.”
Spike’s heart was going a mile a minute. looking over to Sweetie Belle, she had gathered a few glasses on top of her plates and looked like she was about to topple over.
“Just for what it’s worth I think you and Rarity would be great together.”
“Who?” Spike’s heart felt like it had just jumped out of his chest. How could I have forgotten about my sweet Rarity? Spike continued to gaze at Sweetie Belle. What is that filly doing to me?
Shining Armor was following Spike’s gaze, a look of utter confusion on his face.
“Was I thinking of the wrong mare, Spike?” Spike’s face was starting to get hot, he pulled at his bow tie to try and get some more air.
“You know that white filly over there is pretty cute, don’t you think?” Shining Armor was pointing straight at Sweetie Belle.
“I-I guess her coats alright.” Spike was with straining himself from going off on a tangent about how Sweetie Belle was anything but ‘pretty cute’.
“I bet she’d love a dance, what do you reckon?” Shining nudged Spike with his hoof.
Spike soaked it all in, sitting in silence for a moment as he processed the idea.
“Shining?” Spike muttered.
“Yes buddy.”
“If, um, in theory… you know, in the future, if I wanted to ask a filly for a dance…” Spike paused.
“Yesss,” Shining prompted.
“How, um, how would I go about that? you know… in theory,” Spike asked, fiddling with his claws.
Shining Armor stroked his chin as if deep in thought.
“Well you might want to-”
“Hypothetically,” interjected Spike.
“Hypothetically, you could try complimenting her mane.”
In his head Spike was writing himself a checklist. Twilight is rubbing off on me.
“Maybe, tell her how nice she looks in her pink dress and tiara.”
Spike’s entire body froze up and his throat went dry as a bone.
“Why would she be wearing that?” Spike awkwardly chuckled.
“Oh no reason.” Shining wore a massive grin on his face, “then just ask her for a dance.”
“That’s it?”
It couldn't be that easy, could it?
“That’s it.” answered Shining Armor.
“Thanks, uh, I have to go now.” Spike grabbed his hat and jumped off the chair, making his way around the dance floor.
“Who you going to see?” yelled Shining Armor.
“Um, no one!”
“You have fun with no one then!”
Spike’s cheeks turned a bright red as he put his massive top hat on, making his way towards Sweetie Belle, his heart in his mouth.