Shadows Unseen

by The Fields of Ice


Chapter Five: Silent Voices

The moment their eyes locked seemed to last an eternity to Spike, but the only problem was this moment wasn’t romantic and picture perfect, more terror and shock filled.

“Sp-Spike?” asked Twilight, taking a timid step forward.

Finally regaining control of his slacked jaw, he asked “D-Did you hear that?”

She nodded.

“How much?”

Twilight took another step forward. “Enough.”

“S-So, now what?”

“Spike,” she paused. “I just… I don’t know what to say.”

Unable to stand the tension for a second longer, Spike stood and began for the door. “Listen, I think- I think I should go.”

Twilight sidestepped, blocking his path. “No!” she exclaimed more forcefully than she meant. “Spike, you don’t have to leave. J-Just sit down. I’d like to talk about this. Please?”

Spike was hesitant to move, but slowly made his way over to the bed. Just as hesitantly, Twilight took a seat beside him.

She let out a sigh. “I can’t. I’m with Flash now.”

Spike raised a claw to silence her. “I know. I know, and I promise I don’t want anything to come between you two; just try to forget about this.”

“Spike, I can’t just forget about it. I mean, you’re my best friend, and I want to help you, but…”

“Twi, please, it’s okay. Just stop talking about it. You’re happy with Flash, and that’s all I’m worried about.”

Twilight rested a hoof atop Spike’s hand. “Spike…”

----------

After a night of restlessness, Spike stood atop the Ponyville Bridge, staring into the water, letting his mind run through all of his possible options. No matter if Twilight would admit it or not, just knowing someone who she had seen as a brother had feelings for her must give her the creeps.

“I’m going to have to move out.”

As he said this, Fauxlight, who was currently sitting atop the bridge railing, let out a sigh. “No you won't.”

Spike shot her a glare. “Oh why should I listen to you? You got me into this mess.”

“Because I’m Twilight, and I can promise you I’d never kick you out. It’ll be a little awkward, at first, but I’m sure it’ll pass.”

Fauxlight’s words helped alleviate some of his frustrations, but he still held her personally responsible.

“There wouldn’t have been a problem if you had just left it alone, Faux.”

With guilt in her eyes, Fauxlight turned away. She knew snapping back at Spike would only make things worse, so she kept her tone soft and consoling.

“Spike, I promise I didn’t mean to cause this. I thought you were alone. If I had known… I just wanted you to admit your feelings to yourself, so you could stop fighting them.”

Spike scoffed. “Well, they’re admitted. And unrequited as usual.”

Fauxlight looked away, preparing to admit what she had been hinting at yesterday. “I wouldn’t say they’re entirely unrequited…”

Spike made a confused expression, before looking up to Fauxlight. “What are you…” He trailed off. Upon seeing her scarlet cheeks and shy gaze avoiding his, it was all too clear what she had meant.

“Twi?” he paused. “So you-“

“Yes” she interrupted.

Spike took a step back, shaking his head in confusion. “Wait, then why were you trying to get me to admit that I liked Twilight, yesterday?”

Fauxlight jumped off the railing and took a step forward. “Spike, do you still not see it yet? I am Twilight.”

“No, no, no, you and my Twilight are very different ponies.”

Fauxlight smiled. “That’s not what you said yesterday. And while I may not be your Twilight, I am still Twilight.”

Spike threw his hands up. “Still, this is crazy. You cannot have feelings for me. We’re not even from the same world.”

“If it’s so crazy, why are you blushing like I just saw you in the shower?”

He turned away, crossing his arms. “That’s not the point.”

Fauxlight made her way to Spike’s side and looked up at him. “Do I have to say it too?”

“Twi, please.”

Very nonchalantly, Fauxlight stepped in front of Spike and made sure to make eye contact. “Spike, I want to be with you.”

“Twilight.”

The pair paused for a long moment, Fauxlight staring up at Spike with anticipation, and Spike at her with hesitation. However, eventually one of the two would lose their battle of wills.

“I do too.”

Fauxlight shyly turned away, beginning to giggle, and gradually started to laugh.

Spike smirked. “What’s so funny?”

“Was that so hard?”

Suddenly, Fauxlight leapt up, attempting to wrap Spike up in her hooves, but as she did this, she found herself face planting on the ground directly behind him.

Worried, Spike turned to her, and traditionally would have given her a hand, but it appears that won’t be possible. “Are you okay?”

Fauxlight playfully rolled onto her back, trying to play off her fall and hide her embarrassment. Though all Spike could see was her looking up at him with an expression of innocence. “I think we can make this work.”

----------

The first rays of orange began to appear on the horizon, signaling the day’s approaching end. For Spike, it was an interesting one to say the least. All that afternoon he and Fauxlight had sat in the park, just talking. He was thankful that the weekdays left the park relatively empty, giving them plenty of privacy.

“So, I take it you’re about ready to head back to the castle?”

No matter how much Spike dreaded it, he knew he had to go. Almost as if she had read his mind, Fauxlight leaned closer to Spike.

“Hey, just remember what I said. Things are going to be weird at first, but just give her time.” She then shot him a quick smile. “And if you need someone to talk to, odds are I’ll be there.”

Spike returned her smile. “Thank you, Twi… I’m sorry I was being such a jerk to you earlier.”

Fauxlight raised a dismissive hoof. “Don’t worry about it. I understand why you were mad. I’m just sorry this all happened.”

He shook his head. “It’s not your fault. I would have gone through with it sooner or later. I’m just glad I had you to talk to.”

For a moment, Fauxlight just stared at Spike. He couldn’t help but find her playful smile adorable.

“What?” asked Spike.

“I really want to hug you, right now.”

Spike couldn’t help but laugh. “The feeling is mutual.”

Fauxlight found herself giggling as well, however she became a little more serious when she looked to the sky and saw the first stars making their appearance.

“Alright, no more stalling. We need to start heading back.”

Spike nodded and arose to his feet. “You’re right.”

As Fauxlight stood to Spike’s side, she shot him a look. “So, would you be willing to walk a lady home.”

“Of course, Twi.”

“Um Spike, what are you doing?” asked a certain Pegasus.

Quickly, Spike spun around to find himself face to face with Rainbow Dash. Just as he did yesterday, he felt his stomach climbing into his throat.

“Oh, hi Rainbow. What’s up?”

The Pegasus eyed him. “Nothing other than walking in on you having an imaginary lovey dovey conversation with Twilight. You know, usual stuff.”

Out of a fit of nervousness, Spike forced a laugh as his eyes darted from left to right. “Oh that, I was um…” Spike dropped his arms to his side and looked to the ground. “Oh what’s the use?”

Rainbow Dash stepped forward, now genuinely concerned that something was wrong. “Spike, is everything okay?”

In the short amount of time he had to think, Spike figured telling Rainbow Dash he had a crush on Twilight was the best out. The only problem was, she could either find this sweet or extremely creepy.

“Please work.”

“Rainbow, listen. I-“ he paused. “I have a crush on Twilight.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened, but given what she’d just seen, she wasn’t as surprised as she would have been.

“Well, I kind of figured that, but that doesn’t explain why you were talking to yourself.”

Spike turned away, his cheeks now red with genuine embarrassment. “I was practicing.”

She raised her brow. “Practicing? Practicing what, a date?”

“Wow, that sounds so much creepier than I thought it would.”

Spike nodded, but kept his gaze firmly locked at his feet. Though to his surprise, Rainbow Dash didn’t let out a fit of laughter, or slowly back away.

Gently, she poked him with her hoof, making him look up. To his surprise, Rainbow Dash was smiling, it was faint, but she was smiling.

“That’s actually kinda cute.”

Spike made a confused expression. “Really? Even though she’s dating Flash?”

“Well, yeah. It shows that you really care about her, even if you’re over thinking it.”

Rainbow Dash leaned forward and lowered her voice for this next bit. “And between you and me, I’d like to see you with her over Flash any day.”

Spike tilted his head. “Why’s that?”

“He’s blander than mayo, dude. At least I can hang with you. But if you want a better chance with her, I’d keep my solo acting classes on the down low. You kinda look nuts.”

Spike let out a faint laugh, still in disbelief that his plan actually worked. “Will do. And hey, could you maybe not tell anybody about this.”

Rainbow nodded. “As long as you don’t, I won’t either.”

“Thanks.”

As Rainbow Dash walked off into the dimming night, Spike looked around. Just as he had expected, Fauxlight was nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, Spike began his walk home alone.

“Next time.”

----------

It took no longer than five seconds after Spike shut the door, for Twilight to come darting down the hallway. He had told her that he was going out for the day, and she must have assumed he had considered running away. Had it not been for Fauxlight, that possibility would have easily become a reality.

Twilight did her best to hide the worried look on her face with a comforting smile. “Spike, I’m glad to see you’re home.”

Spike returned the smile, and gave her an unexpected hug. Twilight was caught off guard, but after a brief hesitation returned the embrace.

“So what is this?” she asked.

He took a step back, breaking the embrace. “I’m just glad to see you again, that’s all.”

Twilight was still a bit confused. She couldn’t quite figure out if he meant that as just friends, or if he was trying to imply something more. Before her mind could begin to analyze it any further, Spike spoke up.

“Wow, something smells good.”

“Thank you,” replied Twilight, following him into the kitchen.

As Spike turned the corner, he caught sight of the aroma’s source. Twilight had spent the past few hours preparing his favorite dish; amethyst and tomato-basil casserole and for dessert a fresh apple pie sat cooling on the counter.

He looked to Twilight. “Twi, you didn’t have to do all this.”

Twilight shook her head as she took a seat across from Spike. “Spike, it’s okay; I felt bad about last night, so I thought I’d do something to cheer you up… But it seems you did a good job of that yourself.”

Spike nodded and scooped a corner of the casserole onto his plate. “Yeah, I decided to go visit some friends. We hung out the whole day.”

Twilight tilted her head. “Who might they be?”

“Oh, just me Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.”

“Smart one Spike. Odds are she might have ran into Applebloom when she went to get those apples for the pie.”

Twilight picked at her gem free half of the casserole. “That’s funny, because I saw the three of them at Sweet Apple Acres earlier. So where were you really?”

“Crap.”

Spike sighed. “I was alone. I was worried you might not want me around anymore, so I just wanted to get away to think. Then I ran into Rainbow Dash and we talked for a bit.”

Twilight’s expression fell. “Spike, I’d never throw you out over something like this. I’m flattered really. You’re a sweet, smart, and caring boy. Honestly, if I wasn’t dating Flash I might have considered dating you, but I’m not the one you’re looking for. I promise you’ll find some other pony out there.”

“Well, technically you’re not.”

Spike nodded. “It’s okay, Twi. I’m not worried about it anymore.”

Twilight couldn’t help but feel something was off. Two rejections in a matter of weeks, and he’s acting like nothing happened. The only thing she could see fixing this so quickly would be so ludicrous, so insane, so off that it might just be true.

“Alright, if you say so. Anyways, you said you ran into Rainbow Dash; what all did you talk about?”

Spike swallowed the bit of food in his mouth before answering. “I just told her what happened, and made her promise not to tell. Like I said, I was worried and a little upset, but she helped calm me down.”

Twilight leaned forward. “You two didn’t hook up, did you?”

The moment Twilight said that, Spike’s fork hit his plate as he busted out in laughter.

“No! Twilight" "why" "would you ever" "think that?!” he gasped in between laughs.

Twilight couldn’t help but join in on the laughter.

“Well, you seemed a little too happy.”

“No, Twi. Just no.”