//------------------------------//
// When Can We Do This Again? 
// Story: Spike the Unicorn 
// by Dandereshy 
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       It was just barely after six-thirty, and Spike was not ready.
Twilight was helping him get dressed up and prepared for his date with Rarity, and the whole time she was chatting ceaselessly about how he was growing up and how proud she was of him.
Spike wore a dark green tuxedo with a purple bow. It was something Twilight had helped him pick out. Although he liked her help, he felt she was being a little overwhelming, like she was rushing things.
"Twilight, I'm not going to the gala, it's just a date, here in Ponyville." He closed his eyes as she sprayed him with way too much cologne.
She straightened up his tie, rolling her eyes at him. "Spike - this is Rarity we're talking about. She's probably expecting you to look nice. The least you could do is dress that way for her. Isn't she dressing up for you?" Twilight asked him, finally stepping back to see how he looked.
"Yes, but I still think this is enough," he said, looking himself over and being slightly impressed. He smiled at Twilight. "Thanks, but I've gotta go now, she'll be waiting for me. I'll see you later!" He ran out the door.
"Good luck!" Twilight hollored as he left.



Spike wasted no time getting over to the Carousel Boutique. It was starting to get that beautiful orange glow in the sky as the sun set, and he wanted desperately to take her out to eat in view of that very sunset.
He plodded up the stairs when he came in and couldn't find her. He knocked on her door nervously.
"Just a minute!" Rarity said in singsong.
He decided to go back downstairs and wait for her. Not long after, he heard her coming down the stairs and watched in awe. She was decked out with the most beautiful white-and-purple dress and sparkling jewelry he'd ever seen. She smiled modestly at him as she got to the bottom of the stairs and stood before him.
"Well, you clean up nicely," she noticed, giving him a wink. "So, how do I look?"
Spike didn't have the words to describe this to her. She seemed to radiate with beauty, igniting a whole new passion for her in his heart. His heart raced like he'd just run a marathon, and he stuttered with his response.
She put a hoof over his mouth and giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment. Why don't we head out now? Before it gets too late?"
Spike shook his head to snap out his daydreaming. "Uh...well, did you have someplace in mind? We can go anywhere you want."
They went out the front door, Spike holding it open for her.
"Why, Spike, I'm flattered," she mused.
Spike blushed. "It's no problem..."
They walked around town for a while, just talking about random things. Life, Ponyville, Rarity's clothing line, Twilight's failed spells - just having a good time, in each others' presence. As the sun set below the horizon, they made their way over to the cafe for their dinner.
It was nearly empty, which was exactly what Spike was hoping for. He wanted to finally spend some quality romantic time with Rarity, with no interruptions.
They sat as far away from other ponies as they could get, ordering their drinks and food within moments of sitting down.
"It's such a lovely night," Rarity said, smiling at Spike from across the table, her head resting on her hooves. It seemed that she was intentionally intimidating him with the fact that she looked so beautiful. And if she truly was, it was working.
Spike broke into a light sweat. He felt a drip trickle down his forehead, just above his eye. "Yeah, it sure is." He gave his best toothy grin. "And I'm glad I get to spend it with you. I mean, cause it wouldn't be such a great night without you...I mean..."
"Oh, Spike," Rarity laughed, "you're such a charmer."
He laughed along with her, still anxious. "Yep, that's me - Spike the Charmer..."
"Well, you picked a splendid place to eat tonight, and I must commend you on your taste in food, as well." Rarity glanced casually out the window at the sunset. Her eyes glittered like diamonds, and Spike unintentionally gasped.
Rarity frowned. "Uh...is something wrong dear?"
Spike shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong. Nothing wrong at all..." he replied dreamily, his gaze going back and forth from the colorful sunset outside and the gorgeous Rarity in front of him.
She cocked her head to the side. "I suppose you're right. I'm having a wonderful time." After careful thought, she added, "Aren't you?"
Spike wasn't paying attention - he was lost in his romantic feelings for her. Thinking about what it would feel like to hold her close, to feel her breathing, to kiss her forehead, to tell her how much he -
"Spike, are you okay darling?"
Spike laughed nervously. "Hehe...yeah, I was just thinking..."
She leaned closer on the table. "About what, sweetie?"
He blushed again. Just be honest, Spike. Just tell her. That's what dates are for. "I was thinking...about..." He gulped. "Uh...well...you."
For a moment she didn't say anything. She just stared at him with those big, blue eyes. Spike stared back, unsure what to say, but not wanting to ruin the moment by saying anything. But finally, Rarity spoke.
"Spike, you know you're the sweetest, handsomest drag- I mean stallion I've ever met?"
"Aw, thanks, Rarity. You're the most amazing, beautiful, perfect, unique, irreplaceable mare in..." he paused. "In my life."
It was Rarity's turn to blush now. "Oh, Spike had no idea you could talk so...romantically."
Just then, their food came, steaming and smelling delicious.
"Wonderful!" Rarity exclaimed, putting on a cloth bib as the waiter placed the plates in front of them.
Spike started eating without a word, which, unfortunately was how the rest of the meal went. For some reason, Rarity fell silent. Spike wasn't sure why, but he decided to spend the rest of the evening talking to her before he had to go home and be transformed back into a dragon.
A little while later, after the sun had already set, they finished eating and left, taking a stroll around the park.
They stopped near a pond, with the full moon in the background, gleaming off the surface of the water.
"Spike," Rarity started, standing beside him, facing the pond. "I really must say, I did enjoy this. I hope you know that."
He nodded. "I know. I did too, even though we didn't talk the last little bit," he replied, shaking his head.
Rarity put her hoof on his cheek and turned his head to face her. Her face was barely a few inches from his.
"Whoever said the date ended?"
"But...but I've gotta go in a little bit to get changed back. You know, to the little useless dragon I am..." he said sadly.
"Spike!" she scolded him. "Don't ever say such things about yourself. Dragon or unicorn, you'll always be important to me. No matter what anypony says, I'll always think you're my handsome friend."
He smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, Rarity. I...feel the same about you. I mean, I've always had a crush on you."
"I know," she said softly. "We had this discussion before, you know. Remember our little accident?"
Spike scratched the back of his head nervously. "Yeah..."
Rarity went on. "But I still feel the same now as I did then."
Spike looked at her, into her eyes. "How do you feel about me?" he asked.
She leaned closer. "I love you just as much now as I did then. That will never change, sweetie."
At that moment, Spike decided he couldn't hold himself back anymore. Rarity had his heart, and now he knew for sure he had hers. With extreme carefulness, he leaned in and kissed her.
For a few exciting seconds, their lips were locked in a passionate kiss, just like the ones in Spike's romance-ruled dreams. But this was real, not a dream, and no dream could ever make him feel the way he did now, no matter how detailed or realistic.
When Rarity pulled away, they both blushed at each other.
"Sorry..." Spike murmured.
"Don't be," she said quietly. "I wanted you to do that. I love you, Spike. I sincerely do." She snuggled up to him, and he put his arm around her. They stayed like that, in a warm, loving embrace, until just before midnight.



When they got back over to the library, they stood outside to say their goodbyes.
"Well," Spike breathed. "This was...fun."
"I agree totally," Rarity said, smiling brightly at him. But for some reason, she looked a bit disappointed.
Spike got ready to go in the library. "Well, I'd better go in. Twilight likes to be on time with everything."
Rarity nodded. "I understand."
They stood around in silence again. Then, Rarity asked serenely, "When can we do this again? With you as a pony?"
Spike hoped soon. "I'll see what I can do. Twilight can be hard to convince sometimes."
Rarity chuckled. "Yes, I suppose you're right." She sighed and moved closer to him, giving him a peck on the lips. "I'll see you tomorrow, Spikey-wikey."
He grinned and watched her trot away. "I'll see you..." he pushed the door open. "Tomorrow..." He took a final glance in her direction, then went in the library.