//------------------------------// // Chapter Fifty: Worry // Story: The Lion and the Lamb // by CrazyChickenLady //------------------------------// Chapter Fifty: Worry Thanks to Gregory, it didn’t take long for him to lead the dragons and griffon chick back to the surface. Spike was thankful, as even he was beginning to gag from the pungent odor emanating from Chenoa’s diaper. “Oh, man! That really reeks! She’s gonna need a good bath before her diaper change…” Casting his eyes skyward, he noticed the sun had sank much lower, just a short distance above the horizon. “Whoa! It’s that late already?? Oh, jeez, we’d better get Chenoa back home before Fluttershy gets worried!” “If she already isn’t worried. We’ve been gone for hours!” The red dragon was beginning to dread a confrontation with Fluttershy and the others -- but predominately Fluttershy. Spike had bruises covering his scaly hide and that was definitely going to raise questions. His stomach was one big knot by the time the cottage was in view and his anxiety was shooting through the clouds. He could see the pale yellow pegasus tending to her bear friend, giving him one of her massages by pounding her hooves savagely into his back. Swallowing hard, his mind drifted, imagining the bear being replaced with himself… only the mare wouldn’t be giving him a massage… He couldn’t bring himself to make up an excuse. Just the thought of making up a reason other than the truth made him feel bad. No, he had to tell her the truth. After that… would Fluttershy even approve of taking Chenoa out with him again? “Now then.” Fluttershy fluttered around to the bear’s front after she finished up. “Just continue doing what you’ve been doing, and make sure to drink plenty of water. Same time next week?” The bear grunted with a smile and a nod. “Alright, I’ll go get you something to eat.” She turned around, and spotting the three of them, she stopped and gasped. “THERE you are!” The mare glided up to them. “I was beginning to get worried! Where were you?” Plucking Chenoa from Smokey’s arm, she sniffed once and her nose scrunched up. “Oh, phew! You’re stinky! You need a diaper change.” “Heh. Yeah, she’s been needing one for some time,” Spike chuckled. The mare gazed at them in disapproval. “Why didn’t you take the diaper bag? How -- oh, my goodness! Spike! You’re HURT!” “Nah, I’m fine,” the baby dragon said, but winced. He was in a bit of pain, but nothing he couldn’t handle, he thought -- though, Fluttershy was already examining him. “But, well, the reason we didn’t take it is because we didn’t think we would be out so long.” “What happened??” she questioned, before tilting her head back to meet Smokey’s eyes expectantly. “I, uh… We…” the larger draconian began, his words dying in his throat from the amount of nervousness. Taking in a deep breath to somewhat calm his nerves, he tore his eyes away from her and lowered them to the ground. “W-we… h-had a-a r-run-in w-with some g-gem-hoarding d-dogs…” He paused for a few seconds, still not meeting Fluttershy’s gaze, fearing her reaction. “Ch-Chenoa w-was p-playing in o-our g-gems a-and th-they m-managed t-to t-take h-her a-along w-with th-them. W-we w-went u-underg-ground t-to g-get h-her b-back.” Fluttershy gasped. “Oh… oh! Oh my! What--” “It was my idea, Fluttershy,” Spike admitted. “I wanted to take Smokey along to dig up some gems and show him a common ground between us as dragons. We didn’t expect the diamond dogs to just appear and steal the gems and kidnap Chenoa! We’re sorry, really!” “It’s okay.” “Please don’t be mad at -- wait, huh?” Fluttershy gave them both a warm smile, relief glowing upon her features. “The three of you are back safely, and--” A quick glance at Spike. “Largely unhurt. That’s what matters.” Smokey was about to apologize for his self-accused blunder when Fluttershy deemed everything was fine. Eyes growing wide, he whipped his full attention on her with a stunned expression. “R-really? E… even after a-all that h-happened?” he stammered. “I thought… th-that maybe… y-you w-wouldn’t want me t-to take Chenoa o-out again…” “It wasn’t your fault Chenoa was taken. Besides, you were able to rescue her. Though… it would be a good idea she’s safely watched, so something like this doesn’t happen again.” Frown tipping his maw, the dragon dropped his eyes to the ground a second time. “I… I suppose… you don’t want me watching her alone again, right?” “No, it’s not that,” Fluttershy said, shaking her head. “I just don’t want her anywhere someplace dangerous. She could have been hurt. YOU could have been hurt. I--” She paused. “She’s so little. And… well… those diamond dogs aren’t like… creatures in the Everfree Forest. They’re… um… well…” “Sapient?” Spike contributed. “And dangerous, especially in large numbers,” the pegasus added softly. Supremely relieved beyond words, Smokey dropped the sack of gems and lurched forth to wrap his arms around both Fluttershy and Chenoa. He definitely underestimated her kindness. He never anticipated that she would forgive him so quickly like she had just done. Tears of bliss speared from his eyes, nuzzling the pony’s cheek with a lengthy purr. Fluttershy squeaked, giggling as she nuzzled him back. “Um, Smokey, we… we really need to clean Chenoa up. She’s going to get a rash if we don’t.” “Yeah, and I’m beginning to feel like a third wheel here,” Spike said. “I’m just gonna get goi--” “Oh, no, you couldn’t possibly!” Fluttershy insisted. “Not without at least looking you over, first!” “I’m fine! Really! I’ve gotten worse falling down the stairs. Hey, you live with an alicorn specializing in magic, you’re bound to get more than a blackened face at some point. I’m just glad these scales are as thick as they are!” Releasing the equine and griffon from his hold, he cast a quick grin down at her then turned to Spike. “I think you should let Miss Fluttershy look you over.” “Yeah, all right. At least Twilight will feel better knowing I was looked over.” The baby dragon sighed. “Sometimes I think she thinks I can’t take care of myself.” “You are a baby dragon. Though, you did a fantastic job back there. It was very heroic of you,” stated Smokey with a wide grin directed at him. Spike couldn’t help but blush, running a hand over the back of his head. “Heh… Aw, shucks. It was nothing. I mean, anypony could’ve done that. Probably pretty stupid of me to have done it to begin with.” “That does not change what I said,” Smokey chuckled with a playful smirk. “Taking on somepony stronger and older than you probably wasn’t a good idea, but it was still very brave of you.” “Yeah, I guess. Twilight won’t be happy, though.” “You did it to save Chenoa, didn’t you?” The baby reptile turned to Fluttershy, who was now fluttering just above his head. “What?” “I said you did because Chenoa was in trouble, right?” “Yeah! Of course. I’d have done it for anypony.” “Then I’m sure Twilight will understand.” With a giggle, she leaned forward to plant a kiss on the head. “I do.” And with that, she whirled around and glided into her cottage to give Chenoa the attention she needed for her diaper issue -- but not before pressing a similar kiss on Smokey’s cheek. A shade of blush staining Smokey’s cheeks the instant she kissed him, a swell of a glowing warmth spread from his chest. The gesture also sent an energetic charge through him, but he restrained himself. Sighing, he and Spike followed the pegasus inside, ready to assist with Chenoa. After Chenoa was thoroughly cleaned and changed, Smokey gazed out the open window where the bear was patiently waiting for his snack. Chucking the dirty diaper into the diaper disposal pail, he turned to Fluttershy with a questioning glance. “Miss Fluttershy, I was thinking… would you mind teaching me how to massage animals? You have so many and… I would like to help you.” “Oh? Sure, of course!” The mare trotted into the kitchen to grab a bag of treats. “Mr. Bear’s already done for the day, but I can certainly teach you. It would be my pleasure!” Telling him to wait for a second, she flapped outside to give the ursine his treat and sent him off. Returning and putting the treats away, she moved back over smile at Smokey. “Shall we begin? I’ll let you practice on me.” “We can start after we put Chenoa down for her nap, and…” He drifted off, glancing back at the bruised dragon. “Looking over Spike.” “Oh!” Fluttershy blushed. “Spike, I’m sorry--” “Don’t worry about it,” the lavender draconian assured. Still blushing, the yellow pegasus fluttered over to pick Chenoa up from the sofa where she had placed her, and giving her a kiss, went upstairs to lay her down in her crib. “Poor baby. Had such a big day,” she sighed, descending down the staircase and approached Spike. “Right. Let’s check you out.” “I’m fine--” Spike began to protest, but Fluttershy was already examining him. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary,” she said, gently pressing down on his body in various spots, a few of them causing him to wince. “Aside from minor bruises. Nothing some rest and an ice pack couldn’t help. But, I’m… not a dragon expert.” “I think he’ll be fine, Miss Fluttershy. You found nothing but bruises, and they don’t look too bad. As long as he explains to Miss Twilight what happened,” Smokey suggested. Fluttershy nodded. “Yes, I think you’re right. You’d probably better get home before Twilight gets worried and--” “Fluttershy?” Twilight Sparkle could be heard from outside. “It’s Twilight! Have you seen Spike anywhere? He didn’t leave a note and I’m getting worried! Nopony else has seen him today!” “Yes,” Smokey answered, hoping his call wouldn’t wake up Chenoa. Fortunately, it didn’t. “He’s in here.” A slight gasp sounded as Twilight Sparkle ran into the cottage and pushed past Smokey. Coming up to Spike, she gasped again as she acknowledge his current state. “Spike!” she exclaimed. “What in Equestria happened to you??” “Long story. Went gem hunting. Ran into some diamond dogs. Nothing serious.” “Nothing serious?! Look at yourself! Bruised up, scraped, scuffed, dirty--” “Um, Twilight?” Fluttershy spoke up gently. “He’s fine. I already checked him out.” Twilight Sparkle calmed down a bit, but she wasn’t happy. Sighing, she hung her head. “Alright. Thanks, Fluttershy.” She directed her vision to Smokey. “And thank you, too, Smokey, for looking after him.” “Looking after?” Spike parroted. “Hey, I can take care of myself!” “He did do a good job fending for himself,” Smokey said in Spike’s defense, before turning to Spike. “However, you are still very young.” “Right.” “But--” “No buts! Spike, you really could have gotten seriously hurt! I…” Twilight Sparkle heaved another sigh and pulled him towards her with her magic and furled a foreleg around him. “Spike, I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I’d be devastated!” Spike was silent for a moment, before returning the hug. “Yeah, I know. Sorry, Twilight. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Smokey smiled down at the pair, finding the sight of the alicorn and baby dragon embracing adorable and sweet. “Careful, you two. You don’t want to cause any cavities.” Chuckling a bit, she crouched to allow Spike to hop up onto her back to give him a ride home. “We’ll be going now. Thank you both.” “Yeah. Thanks. Y’know, for everything.” “It’s not a problem! Take care!” Fluttershy smiled, as Twilight Sparkle, Spike, and Smokey exchanged their goodbyes and the princess and baby dragon departed. As the winged pony closed the door behind them, Twilight Sparkle and Spike could still be heard talking each other through the open window. “Well, hey, I faced those dragons -- the one in the Everfree Forest and those teenage ones with you, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash!” “Spike, we ran from those dragons. We never fought them!” Chuckling, Fluttershy tore her attention away from Twilight Sparkle and Spike. “Where were we?” “We were -- Oh! I almost forgot!” Opening the heavy sack, the dragon dug through the top layer of gems and drew out the pink diamond intended for his friend. Fluttershy leaned in closer, only to jump back and lift herself into the air. Gasping in amazement, she raised her forehooves to her mouth. “Smokey! Where did… How?” That diamond was incredibly large! She didn’t think such diamonds -- of that size, anyway -- could be found around these parts. “The leader of the diamond dogs gave this -- and the full bag of gems -- as a peace offering.” He extended his arm in a gesture for her to take it. “This is for you.” “Oh, I--” Fluttershy went quiet, unsure of whether or not to take it. Blushing furiously, touched so deeply, she gingerly reached out to accept it. “It’s… Thank you so much. It’s gorgeous.” She generally wasn’t one for gems, or jewelry in particular, but she had never seen a diamond so large! She couldn’t help but stare at it, slightly mesmerized… and idly wondering in the back of her mind what Rarity would have to say about it. “You’re welcome, my dear. I thought of you when I first saw it,” he said, his heart beating faster at the mare’s reaction. Fluttershy found herself so overcome that, despite her usual reservedness, fluttered closer to the dragon to nuzzle him. Kissing him on the cheek, she blushed furiously. “… Thank… thank you, Smokey. It’s… it’s really lovely.” “I…” Smokey’s own cheeks flushed and his heart picked up in speed as a rather goofy smile spread itself across his visage. “I’m… glad you like it…”