Small Steps
Fluttershy sat in her guest room of the Canterlot castle, finishing applying her pink lipstick for her date tonight. She was rather nervous because of the drastic change in atmosphere she was going into. Yes, she and Spike have gone out to dinner dates before, but they were in places like Ponyville's cafe, not the Gilded Horseshoe! She was used to dressing in her usual sweater and ankle-low skirt, not in the very little makeup and satin green gown she was in now. How can she get through the night without fainting? Why did Twilight have to get her and Spike reservations while she's working with the princesses on foreign relations?!
"Shy, you ready?" spoke a voice from her door, she turned to see a tuxedo clad Spike inviting himself in. Fluttershy's thoughts halted as the handsome dragon walked towards her with his square shoulders and polished scales, by the gods anypony would be lucky to have such a gorgeous date! "Shy? are you okay?" Spike inquired with a confused look.
"Yes! I-I mean... yes." Fluttershy responded, broken out of her trance. She completely forgot she was staring at him for a second and a wild blush filled her cheeks. Spike only chuckled and grabbed the petite pegasus by her hand to help her from her seat. It was his turn to stare at her and her form fitting gown. It always amazed Spike how even without make-up Fluttershy and Twilight looked beautiful, he even wondered why Shy even bothered with it tonight.
"You look amazing, though that's nothing from the ordinary." Spike quipped, eliciting a giggle from Fluttershy before he pulled her into a kiss, her lips tasting of a mix between strawberries and cherries.
"You look amazing too." Fluttershy replied after she broke the kiss. Spike held out his arm as Fluttershy wrapped it around her own, feeling taunt muscle under the black fabric. They headed outside where a chariot was awaiting them, courtesy of Princess Twilight Sparkle of course. They got in on either side and enjoyed the stroll around town, Spike pointing out sights she didn't get to see on her last visit. After just a few minutes, they came up to a large restaurant with classically styled pillars and ivy grown over them, above it all was a sign of pure gold and etched silver letters displaying the name 'The Gilded Horseshoe'.
One of the royal guard opened their door to which Spike and Fluttershy walked out of and into the restaurant. They were greeted by an atmosphere that seemed to elegantly yell class with it's crystalline chandelier, marble statues of noble ponies, and dim lighting. Fluttershy's eyes were wide with awe as she took in the look of the place. This must have cost Twilight a fortune!
"Greetings sir and madame, might you two be the ones Princess Twilight called ahead for?" a host asked them while holding a stoic look on his face that could rival any of Celestia's personal guards.
"Yes, we are the party Princess Twilight talked of." Spike spoke up, she must have mentioned something about a dragon in her call for the host to recognize. The host led them to a table seated inside a balcony overlooking the entire establishment, the amount of strings Twilight must have pulled to get her lovers this must be innumerable.
"I guess being princess has more perks than Twilight lets on..." Spike wondered aloud.
"This is incredible!" Fluttershy stated softly. Soon after, a waiter came with a complementary bottle of wine and took their orders, once this was done, the couple were left to their own devices.
"You know, Shy, It sort of confused me how you were always terrified of dragons but you seemed so interested in me when I was a baby." Spike said, pouring a glass of wine for the both of them, Fluttershy took a sip from her glass already, feeling anxious about being in the prestigious eatery.
"Well, I've seen pictures and read into dragons, and while I was always afraid of the bigger ones, I read the babies were harmless, and to be honest you were cuter than any picture I saw." Fluttershy explained. Spike closed his eyes and lowered his head as a grin formed on his maw, embarrassed at what Fluttershy said. He took a sip from his wine and poked at his ruby powder sprinkled pasta to taste it, finding it rather enjoyable to his palate. Fluttershy giggled at his reaction and grabbed his hand across from the table. "But now I see not all of them are big and scary, some can be helpful and kind and sensitive." she told him as she tried to hide behind her long mane.
The night wore on about conversations of their friends and their relationship and how they could make it up to Twilight when they got back. At the end of their meal, their bottle was half way done, leaving both of them tipsy.
"Mmmmm. Spike, have I ever told you how smooth and shiny you look?" Fluttershy asked through drowsy eyes and a small hiccup.
"I believe you did twice tonight." Spike replied, his tie loosened a bit and his jacket unbuttoned. They were informed their meal was free of course, and so they got up to leave but Fluttershy spotted something in the back she felt like doing; ballroom dancing.
"Spike, can we pretty please do one dance before we head back to the castle?" she pleaded, tugging his sleeve softly as she leaned on him, feeling a little disoriented. Spike looked back and saw not many were in there to begin with, so he agreed and led his fillyfriend into the room. Spike led her to the floor and grabbed her by the hip in one hand and held her hand in his other while Fluttershy put her free hand on his shoulder. Spike took the lead a they danced their way through the hardwood floor, swaying and stepping softly to the gentle music as they held each other close. Spike couldn't help nipping at Fluttershy's ear and hear her sweet voice give out tiny coos and giggles. To him, that was the sweet music he was dancing to. Fluttershy could feel his heart beat and felt calmed by it, using it as a sort of metronome for her to keep rhythm to.
After the song was over, they looked at each other and laughed, slightly embarrassed at what they did. They soon after left the restaurant and to the castle, where they laid on the bed and kissed one another.
"You're pretty graceful, Shy." Spike sighed as a yawn escaped him.
"You're not too bad yourself." Fluttershy yawned back, cuddling him. Spike nuzzled her as he felt his sleepiness take hold of him and silently fell to sleep with her.