“Of all the impertinent, impolite… just downright rude things for a stallion to do!” Rarity raged, her magic casting another mannequin at the boutique’s wall in frustration.
Spike ducked the flying projectile just in time to avoid it before it collided with the wall and exploded into splinters. The diminutive dragon raised his arms in a warding off gesture. “Rarity, please calm down. Is this really something to freak out about?”
He regretted the words the instant they left his mouth.
Rarity’s eyes fixed on him, the air almost blistering with the power of her fury. “I am NOT freaking out.” She screamed. “Although I have every right to if I wish. This isn’t the first time that this no good, feather-brained… PEGASUS has stood me up.” She began to advance on the dragon that was starting to look for escape routes. “I have spent LITERAL HOURS dolling myself up for him, and what does he do? HE SENDS A CANCELLATION MESSAGE WITH HIS LITTLE BROTHER!” The intricate gown Rarity had chosen for her date with Thunderlane began to flare around her hooves. “All things considered, I think I’m taking this rather well. But, if you really wish to see me ‘freak out,’ then by all means; allow me to indulge you.”
Spike looked on in growing horror as the magic from her horn glowed brighter. The boutique’s walls began to push outwards from the tremendous pressure inside. He waved his arms frantically. “No no no! That’s not what I meant at all. I meant that there’s no reason you should be reacting this way to being stood up by Thunderlane.”
Rarity’s building magic wave faded and she stared at him in confusion. “What?”
Spike breathed a sigh of relief before continuing. “I mean, how many times is this Rarity? How many times has he stood you up or cancelled at the last minute?”
“I don’t… I don’t know. I don’t keep count.”
“It’s five. This is the fifth time he’s done something like this.”
“How did you…”
“You give him chance after chance after chance and what does he do? He throws it right back in your face.” Spike could feel his own anger and frustration growing. “He doesn’t seem to grasp how lucky he is that you keep forgiving him. All he does is take you for granted and I… it takes all I’ve got to stop myself from taking a deep breath and roasting him right there on the spot!”
“Spike…”
“And he’s not the only one! Blueblood was the first, but at least you saw through him pretty quick. But do you remember Blues?”
“Of course, but I…”
“He should’ve had the guts to tell you about that colt-friend of his in Las Pegasus. But did he? No! He lead you on for MONTHS before telling you! All these stallions keep using and abusing your trust and kindness and I just sit there and watch and I…” He saw the tears in her eyes and stopped. “Rarity?”
She sniffed. “You’re right, Spike. You’re absolutely right.” She began to cry, the carefully done make-up on her face running down in small rivers of misery. “I just…” She couldn’t continue.
Spike rushed to the corner and grabbed a rag before sliding to a stop in front of the mare he’d fallen for. “Rarity, please don’t cry.” He gently raised the rag towards her face, but she pushed it away. Unsure what to do, Spike started saying whatever popped into his head. “Lift up your head.”
She looked at him, revealing the mess her face had become.
Spike couldn’t suppress the chuckle at how ridiculous she looked. “Wash off that mascara. Here, take this towel, wipe that lipstick away.”
Rarity sniffed as he carefully wiped the wasted make-up from her face, careful to avoid getting any on her dress.
“Show me your face, clean as the morning.” He smiled at her natural beauty and rubbed a hand down her cheek. “I know things were bad, but now… they’re okay.”
Rarity unconsciously rubbed her cheek against his palm as something occurred to her. “Spike? Did you just rhyme?”
Their position suddenly evident to the small dragon, his purple cheeks became the color of angry storm clouds. “I, uh, I need to go!” He was gone before the mare could say another word, the boutique door swaying gently behind him.
Rarity stared after him, her mind racing. She’d always known of the small reptile’s affections for her, but she’d never realized…
She remembered his selfless deeds, his kind acts, his wonderful gifts, the way he seemed to always be there when all the other stallions treated her wrong…
She touched a hoof to her cheek, still warm from his touch. She smiled.
Maybe the right stallion had been right in front of her this whole time.
And maybe he wasn't a stallion at all.
She trotted over, shut the door, and made for her bedroom. There were plans to attend to. Along the way, she banished any and all thoughts regarding Blueblood, Blues, Thunderlane, and all the other stallions who had treated her wrong over the years. Now she realized they were always the wrong choice.
And suddenly Spikey seemed to be the most perfect choice of them all.