Tonight was something of a special night for Spike and Sombra.
While they had had a few dates in the past week, and they had all been magical, tonight was Spike's twenty-sixth birthday.
Spike had had a small gathering at the house in the afternoon. Sombra, Twilight, Lyra and Bon Bon, the crusaders, Gilda and Fluttershy (who Sombra had yet to meet), and the Cake family that ran Ponyville's most popular bakery. Each of them came bearing gifts for their resident dragon.
From Twilight, Spike received a book about magical theory and it's relations to the natural world. A topic she felt was right up Spike's alley. She was so curious if the book's explanations were accurate she photocopied the entire book for him so he could highlight and correct passages without harming the book itself.
Sombra got the impression Twilight failed to realize most people didn't do this with the books they read.
The crusaders presented Spike with not only a fully repaired and improved diving suit, but a set of magic-tech walkie-talkies with near infinite range for future world-saving escapades.
The cake family had arrived with several batches of various gem-based pastries which Spike had proceeded to slowly consume over the course of several hours.
Of course Lyra contributed her gift of moonshine, and Sombra the new card game for them to play together. Spike had to resist the urge to kiss Sombra for such a sweet gift for them to share, not wanting to break the news of their relationship to anyone just yet. They had to settle for a chaste hug, but neither minded too much.
Spike had even received some very thoughtful cards from the elements of harmony not in attendance, his relations in the empire (and several bags of fan mail from crystal ponies), and a box of the highest quality gemstones from Celestia and Luna. Clypeus even sent a changeling envoy with a wine bottle full of concentrated love, which could apparently be used in cooking in small amounts. Something Spike was eager to experiment with.
Gilda and Fluttershy's gift had been by far the most surprising however.
Gilda had briefly explained the contents of the envelope she had given Spike, but a full examination was in order.
Sombra was currently laying atop Spike's back as Spike went over the papers. The pair had headed up to the lounge and put on one of Lyra's records. They were alone for the night, Lyra having opted to give them privacy and headed to Bon Bon's house.
It was just about sundown, and Spike and Sombra had already played several games of Card Wars.
Spike and Sombra were much more evenly matched at the game than chess. Sombra seemed to favor playing it safe and using tricks with surprising results, allowing for great defense and incredible flexibility. Spike favored brute force and draw power, but also recognized the flaws in his deck and did a fair job covering for them.
As of now they both had four wins under their belts.
For now, instead of tipping that balance in either direction, it was time to briefly attend to business.
"Oh that Gilda. She really is sneaky. Turns out, when I went to the Griffonstone Embassy the other day to make preparations for our trip, Gilda was there and eavesdropped on us. Gretta, the one that runs the place is a friend of hers.
"Turns out, Gilda was there picking up the last of the papers her and Fluttershy need to go adopt in Griffonstone. She had Gretta push some papers through. The long and short of it is we're going to Griffonstone with them at the end of the month. Everything is all set, and now we're a couple weeks ahead of schedule." Spike practically squealed with happiness as he looked at the paper in his claw.
"I suppose it pays to have connections. Fortunately you are quite connected to those with connections." Sombra chuckled, happy Spike was in such a good mood.
"So, now that both gem hunts are set to go... I'm thinking quiet night at home. We can just have the house to ourselves, then head out to the river tomorrow. I know a great takeout place that delivers, and they know I'll tip big for delivering way out here. I can fire-mail them an order ahead of time and we can eat in.
"Birthdays are okay, but I really want to just be with you tonight. Us getting some quiet time is the best gift I could have asked for." Spike suggested.
Sombra desperately wanted to agree, but he couldn't help but feel Spike wasn't enjoying himself all that much. He had seen Spike happy, really, truly happy. This was not that same face. It was something different that looked the same.
A pale imitation of the normally bright smile Spike had any other time.
Sombra was finally convinced there was something gnawing away at the back of Spike's mind.
"Spike? Is there something wrong? You seem a bit... Out of sorts. I've noticed it a few times today, but I thought I was imagining things. I can tell something is amiss." Sombra asked hesitantly.
Spike sighed and laid his head back on the ground, staring up at the ceiling.
"No. Nothing's wrong. Not really. I just can't help but think of stupid stuff from the past on my birthdays. It's just sort of there in my head, and it just boils up to the surface every time it's my birthday. I'm really sorry if I'm killing the mood. It just kinda happens." Spike exclaimed guiltily.
Sombra didn't hesitate to jump down from Spike's back and sat down beside his head.
"I am here to listen. I have learned talking about things is best, if you feel up to it." Sombra replied, cuddling up to Spike.
Spike couldn't resist the look in Sombra's pleading eyes. There was something about them that made the lingering negativity dissipate somewhat. Even so, it took Spike a moment to decide where to start.
"I guess it has a lot to do with one of my exes. His name was Noteworthy. We were together for nearly a year, but we kept it quiet because he was older than me and I wasn't eighteen yet. Something happened to him. Someone took their eye off their cart full of stuff, and it rolled down a hill and hit him." Spike started, catching Sombra somewhat off guard.
Sombra waited patiently, letting Spike continue at a pace he was comfortable with.
"Noteworthy got pretty banged up, and started thinking more... big-picture once he recovered. He was already in his mid-twenties, and he decided he needed to quit his band and get a real job, and find someone to settle down with. Namely a pony he could have kids and grow old with. He moved to a small town outside Trottingham and I've never heard anything about him since.
"I didn't take the rejection that well, because it was right around the time I went through my most violent growth spurt, and when I had to start hunting for my own food since veggies and gems alone weren't doing it for me. Everything just hit all at once, and I had a hell of a time dealing with it. Worst of all, I felt like I couldn't tell Mom I'd been dating a guy so much older, and ponies wouldn't get the hunting dilemma." Spike explained.
There was a brief pause, and Spike seemed to suddenly lose the ability to look Sombra in the eyes. It was as though Spike was deeply ashamed of something. Sombra couldn't imagine what would leave such a deep cut on Spike's psyche.
Sombra did his best to be as supportive as possible, even though he had very little idea of what to say.
"You can hardly be blamed for such misfortunes, nor the callous words and actions of a former love. I hardly see how any of it is your fault." Sombra reasoned, placing a comforting hoof on Spike's snout.
Spike was quiet for a moment, but after he seemed to come to some kind of a decision. Spike rose from his spot on the floor, but stayed close to Sombra.
Spike used two of the claws on his right hand to push back a section of scales on his left wrist, though he seemed to be having quite a bit of difficulty doing so. What little of the pinkish-blue skin Sombra could see beneath was scarred. Heavily. Knowing that almost nothing could pierce dragon scales, the sight of the old injury momentarily confounded Sombra.
The implications of what the scars meant hit Sombra like a ton of bricks a second later, rendering him momentarily unable to act, or even think.
"I don't blame myself for Noteworthy... I blame myself for what I did when I couldn't take being me anymore. It was a bad time, and even if I live to be thousands of years old I'll probably never stop feeling guilty and stupid about it." Spike sighed as he let his scales resume their normal phalanx of protection.
Laying back down and holding Sombra close to him, Spike seemed to stare off into nothingness as if it were a window into his memories.
"On my first night hunting, my instincts kicked in and I easily caught myself a boar and snapped it's neck. It was so easy to kill with the new strength I was getting, and it made me feel like I was a monster. On top of that I was in an incredible amount of pain from growing so fast, and the break up was still fresh in my mind. My hormones were out of control, and I couldn't even bare to eat the boar that I had just killed even though I was starving.
"So, I just wanted it all to be over with. I used my own fangs to bite through my scales, and I sat in the clearing crying and waiting for it to be over. I think I passed out after a minute or two, but it's a little fuzzy. Then, as I faded away, I realized that I was leaving Mom and everyone else to suffer because of my selfishness and stupidity." Spike began, looking as though he wanted to cry.
Even though Spike seemed to have exhausted the tears meant for crying over this dark page of his past, Sombra had plenty to spare. Even though it was clear Spike had come out of the experience for the better he couldn't help but be distraught. The very thought of Spike wanting to take his own life drilled a stake of cold steel into Sombra's heart.
"But, like many times over the last few years, Zecora saved my ass." Spike chuckled somewhat darkly.
Sombra couldn't help but feel vaguely relieved as some of the light returned to Spike's eyes.
"I woke up in Zecora's hut with a roast boar next to me and an almost completely healed wrist. She smacked me something awful, which actually hurt since I was in the middle of growing pains. But I broke down and ate because I thought I really would die if I didn't, and I listened to what she had to say.
"She gave me some peace of mind, and taught me to meditate to calm down some of my crazy dragon-teen hormones. She even promised not to tell anybody how incredibly stupid I had been, so long as I came to see her once a week in the early hours of the morning. It's sorta how my lessons with her started. At the time I thought she was just looking out for me, but eventually I learned about who I was, and what I'm supposed to do." Spike finished in a much brighter tone.
Spike took a breath, feeling altogether lighter than he had before.
"You know... I've never told anyone that. Not even Mom or Lyra know. I had never been able to tell anyone. I couldn't. But... You're special, Sombra. You're one of a kind, and you don't care how messed up I am, even after seeing every side of me." Spike smiled, even as tears welled up in his eyes.
Sombra chuckled despite his reeling mind, wiping a tear away from his own eye.
"I could say the same. I am far from perfect, and I know better than most that just because you did something in the past it does not define who you are in the present. While my situation is a tad different, I still know who you are to me.
"I love you, and seeing fit to share your faults with me could never darken my image of you." Sombra declared, ushering Spike's head down to his.
With an especially emotional kiss, the couples metaphorical demons had been slain for the time being. Spike and Sombra eventually had to come up for air, and broke into smiles as they panted.
"I love you too, Sombra." Spike replied after regaining his breath.
Once Spike and Sombra had snuggled with one another long enough to return the mood in the house to a pleasant, romantic atmosphere Spike saw fit to carry on with the night as planned.
"How about we order that food, then see where the evening takes us? Namely the liquor cabinet? I'm dying to try that moonshine, and I think we could both use a little bit of a pick-me-up. What do you think?" Spike asked, now his normal self.
"A wonderful suggestion, if ever there was one. I was quite fond of that 'chineighs food' that Lyra brought home for us last week. Is this that same restaurant? If so, I would like to request an extra order of those delightful little dumplings." Sombra asked.
Spike nodded, summoning up a piece of parchment and a pen in a whirl of fire with a flick of his wrist.
"Okay, that's several orders of everything on the menu, plus extra dumplings. Let's go ahead and add some meat-buns, fried rice, crab rangoon, sweet and sour, and some egg-drop soup too. Gods I love those neighponese. So much seafood." Spike gushed.
Sombra couldn't help but chuckle at Spike's enthusiasm.
"It is good to see your appetite is intact. You didn't seem to eat nearly as much this week when we were out on the town." Sombra mused.
"Well, Ponyville's smaller family owned restaurants aren't exactly stocked with big enough kitchens for a dragon. I don't wanna put them out too badly. I know most of the owners. Luckily The Golden Dragon is run by a huge family and they buy everything in bulk." Spike chuckled with mild embarrassment.
"The Golden Dragon? Is that the name of the establishment? Seems a bit coincidental, doesn't it?" Sombra sneered.
"Different kind of dragon. The serpentine dragons of Neighpon are actually more closely related to things like sea serpents and basilisks through blood, but they're all at least part dragon somewhere down the line. They're supposedly pretty benevolent though, must not have been dragon enough to get hit with the greed curse. Maybe we can go meet some of them someday. Like a real vacation?" Spike suggested.
"Hmm. As tempting as that sounds, we have certain responsibilities to tend to before that day comes." Sombra sighed.
Spike smiled sadly and nodded, both wanting the final battle to come, and dreading the day.
As soon as Spike sent off the order, he and Sombra headed down to the living room to wait. With a quick stop to the liquor cabinet.
Spike procured a glass of water for Sombra, and a shot glass for himself. The moonshine wasn't to be taken lightly. There was a set of explicit instructions in the case the bottle had come in to be followed to the letter. At least by non-draconian drinkers.
"Okay. So, the cap is an extra-long dropper and we just put one drop in a glass of water, or fruit juice or whatever. It basically turns anything into booze instantly. That's ludicrously awesome." Spike commented as he read the instructions.
Spike did as instructed and let a single drop of crystal clear liquid into the glass of water.
The effect was immediate. The water briefly looked as though the night sky was trapped in a glass, as beautiful and brilliant as the real thing. Then, just as quickly the change happened it was gone. It was as though it had never happened and that the liquid in the glass was ordinary water.
"Well. That was quite impressive. I suppose you should do the honors, as it is your birthday gift." Sombra stated.
"Don't have to tell me twice." Spike chuckled.
Spike took a sip of the glass, letting the liquid trickle slowly.
It was cool and crisp, as though it really was a glass of the night itself. It was basically water, but with the alcoholic strength of absinthe. It wasn't rough, and didn't produce fumes of any sort. It was possibly even smoother than water, however unimaginable that sounded.
However the moonshine was produced, it's magic was potent and utterly undetectable to even Spike's hyper-sensitive and refined taste buds.
"Oh wow. Refreshing, yet strong. It's even already cold too. I'm getting Luna to tell me how to make this stuff, even if it takes me a century." Spike marveled.
Sombra wasted no time in trying the miracle beverage, and found it indeed went down like water. It was incredibly strong, but not unbelievably so. Still, the sensation of becoming lightheaded soon crept up on Sombra and made him feel a tad giddy.
"Goodness. I see why the mare Lyra obtained it from described it as 'technically not illegal'. This should be a controlled substance. It would be remarkably easy for one to imbibe lethal quantities. Were it available commercially." Sombra rationalized.
"True. Fortunately being durable or immortal has it's advantages. We're safe." Spike pointed out as he carefully poured his shot of undiluted moonshine.
The moonshine in the shot glass briefly became the night itself as before, though the reaction was slightly different. The absolute purity briefly caused a miniature spiral galaxy to swirl through the darkness of space before the liquid became clear again. It was if a cluster of millions upon millions of stars had just came into existence and faded away in an instant.
Sombra doubted he would ever get tired of the beautiful yet fleeting magic of the mysterious drink.
Spike quickly downed the shot, feeling like he had just drank a cool summer rainstorm at dusk. It was an admittedly weak description, but it would have to do. Then, for the first time Spike began to feel the effects of alcohol as a normal person would.
"Tingly. That's pretty amazing. If I learn how to make this stuff I really could party like everyone." Spike snickered.
"Do be careful. If you truly have never become intoxicated before you won't know what to expect. I doubt you would be too happy with yourself if you accidentally sliced through the coffee table while reaching for your glass." Sombra pointed out, even though he was still far closer to inebriation.
"Yeah, you're right. Plus I still need to pay the guy when the food gets here." Spike agreed.
knock knock knock
"Speak of the devil." Spike laughed.
At a glance, Spike could see Sombra took exception to that particular euphemism.
"Sorry." Spike chuckled nervously.
Spike rose from the couch to answer the door, finding two stallions in paper hats with a cart full to bursting. Spike felt a tad guilty the order had taken two to haul, but he planned to tip them both.
"Evening sir. We're here with your Golden Dragon takeout. I'm assuming you're Mister 'The Dragon'."
I really need to change that to Sparkle one of these days... Spike thought to himself.
"That would be me. Sorry about the lengthy order, but believe it or not I can really pack away the pounds." Spike joked.
One of the stallions smiled, but the older stallion said nothing, nor did he react.
"That's going to be four hundred and fifteen bits."
Spike held his claw back behind the doorway and repeated the same trick he had used to summon the paper and pen earlier. With a flick of his wrist and a quick rush of emerald flames a hefty sack of bits appeared in his palm, teleported from the wall safe in the dining room.
"There's five hundred in there. You two can split the rest for your tips. Lemme unload the cart for you." Spike said as he passed the older stallion the bag.
The stallion finally broke a smile and didn't protest to allowing Spike to serve himself. It took about fifteen minutes to carry everything from the cart to the coffee table, but Spike managed without spilling anything. Sombra offered to help, but Spike could carry things far more easily and efficiently so he politely declined.
Though it also had a bit to do with the fact Sombra had just finished his glass and looked a tad wobbly.
Once the stallions gave Spike the fortune cookies, they left with the bits and their empty cart and let the happy couple get to their meal.
Sombra had a box of noodles, some dumplings, a crab rangoon, some pork and mushrooms, and a few bites of things Spike recommended him to try. Spike quickly tore through most everything else, even going so far as to drink the cartons of soup. Had Sombra not been used to the sight he might have been surprised.
Somehow the accelerated rate of consumption was attributed to the word cute in Sombra's mind.
I wonder if that's the liquor talking... Sombra thought to himself.
Sombra had partaken in another glass of watered moonshine, and Spike a few more shots. By the time they had finished eating, the both of them were reasonably drunk. So much so that Spike decided to forgo getting up to discard the takeout boxes and merely destroyed any and all traces of them with a simple fire spell.
Fortunately the coffee table survived the spell, despite Spike's lack of focus.
Aside from the alcohol, all that was left was the fortune cookies laying atop it's shining surface.
"What are these strange crunchy-looking things in plastic wrap. They aren't to eat, are they? I'm rather stuffed. While it was quite nice of them to supply desserts we did not order, I doubt I could eat any more." Sombra postulated.
Spike laughed just a little too hard at that.
"These, are fortune cookies. They're edible, but they're mostly for fun. If you crack them open, there's little slips of paper with fortunes written on them inside. It's usually totally bogus, but it's fun.
"Lyra likes to add the words in bed to the end of them for a laugh. It's usually pretty funny." Spike explained, picking one up and offering it to Sombra.
Sombra drunkenly tried to open the packaging, but eventually he gave up on using his hooves and used his fangs to do it. Something Spike took a fair amount of interest in.
Wonder if there's a special word for fang-fetish? Spike's inebriated brain couldn't help but wonder.
"A romantic evening awaits you... In bed" Sombra read aloud.
The silence that penetrated the house immediately after Sombra read the fortune seemed absolute. It wasn't until they realized they could hear each others hearts beating like mad did either even take the time to blush. The unexpected fortune combined with the alcohol seemed to be taking away from the general awkwardness of the situation.
Instead it seemed to merely set gears in motion in both Spike and Sombra's minds.
"So... We've never really talked about getting.... Intimate, have we? I mean it's still pretty early in our relatio-"
Spike had been cut off by Sombra, having moved in for a kiss with surprising speed given the state he was in. It was a much different sort of kiss than those that had been shared between them before.
Where there had always been passion and affection, there was now lust in equal measure.
It was a crystal clear answer to the questions Spike hadn't been given the time to ask.
Once they separated, Spike wasted no time in gathering up Sombra and heading to the bedroom. It couldn't have even been a minute between the living room and the bedroom. Spike moved as swiftly as he would on the hunt, momentarily forgetting the alcoholic fog encompassing his brain.
Sombra was placed on the bed on his back, while Spike merely looked down upon him with the most predatory smile Sombra had ever seen.
Yet despite staring down one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful creatures to ever walk the earth, Sombra could do nothing but bask in the moment. There was no malice in the smile, but there was definitely hunger.
Spike's tail seemed to act of it's own volition and retrieved a bottle of clear liquid from within the nightstand.
Sombra quickly surmised it's intended purpose and was relieved of a large amount of anxiousness he hadn't realized he had. Especially now that he took a moment to realize he could now see that every part of Spike's anatomy was just as graciously proportioned as the rest. It was easily more intimidating to Sombra in that moment than when the orthros had risen from the ground.
Yet, at the same time, Sombra wanted Spike even more.
Spike was pleased to see that the situation was equally exciting to Sombra, and that Sombra's face was cherry red with embarrassment.
Spike quickly dialed back his enthusiasm, remembering the situation more clearly. He had let the heat of the moment and the lesser parts of his mind take over. The fact Spike hadn't been in the current situation in some time likely hadn't helped.
Spike was mildly ashamed he hadn't remembered this was a tremendous leap into the unknown for Sombra.
"If this is too much, we can always stop here. I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for." Spike asked, wanting to be totally sure Sombra was ready before proceeding.
Sombra took a deep breath in an attempt to get himself under control, and let it out shortly after. The redness in his face diminished, but was still noticeable, even in the dimly lit room.
"I believe that we are both intoxicated, and that we might be rushing things... But it is what I want." Sombra said with a sudden seriousness.
Spike was a little surprised by the shift in tone, but it was clear Sombra meant what he said.
"Though I have every confidence in you... Deep down, I fear our time together may be limited. At the end of this year, one of us, or both of us may not survive. I want to experience everything that a normal couple in love can experience in that time. Intimacy being no different. If we can achieve that, than I will have no regrets no matter what the outcome." Sombra proclaimed earnestly.
Spike let a single tear trail down his face, yet could do nothing but smile.
"We'll win. Then we can do everything there is to do. Then we'll do more, and add them to the list. We start here, we save the world, we take that vacation to Neighpon, then we'll go from there."
Sombra nodded with tears of joy in his eyes as Spike preparing the both of them for what came next.
Sombra jumped in surprise as Spike applied the lubricant to him, both because of the unexpected cold and the entirely new sensation. While not unpleasant it was quite literally virgin territory. Sombra was now quite certain Spike was the only one he could ever trust to see him this vulnerable.
Still, surrendering to Spike only furthered the heat of the moment.
While Sombra couldn't quite bring himself to look, he soon felt Spike at the ready, waiting permission to begin.
Sombra gave a quick nod, and Spike slowly entered him, taking the greatest care possible. Sombra had never experienced anything like this, let alone with someone as generously endowed as Spike. Spike could only do so much, knowing the first time would always be rough at the start no matter the circumstances.
Still, Sombra gritted his teeth at first and bared it with little difficulty. The worst of it was the sheer audacity of the situation in Sombra's mind. Sombra had been unable to resist and opened his eyes to see Spike in the act, while simultaneously feeling him in every sense of the word.
The stimuli was almost overwhelming, and Spike had yet to even begin moving.
Sombra quickly realized he wasn't going to be able to hold on too long at this rate, but he would hold out to the best of his ability.
"Are you alright?" Spike asked, seeing Sombra with an expression too full of emotion to read properly.
"I'm fine. I just needed a moment to adjust. I-I think you may begin." Sombra replied, attempting to feign his normal composure.
Spike was quite happy for a multitude of reasons right now, but the one foremost on his mind in that instant was his glee that he didn't need to contain his feelings of how adorable he thought Sombra was when he tried to act aloof.
Spike began his efforts quite slowly, but gradually picked up speed. Had Spike not been so focused on his and Sombra's enjoyment of the moment he might have likened it to his and Sombra's first flight together. In both situations, Sombra let Spike take control and built up speed slowly.
As Sombra had predicted, he didn't last long. Only a few minutes in Sombra felt a sort of pleasurable pressure building, knowing full well what was about to happen. Having never experienced the sensation before Sombra was unable to put it into words, his head full of a warm haze of blissful confusion.
Thankfully Spike knew full well what was happening and hastened his efforts.
With barely a nanosecond separating the two, Spike and Sombra crossed the finish line together.
While the unplanned escapade had began a little awkwardly it had been sweet, and while it had been regrettably short neither would trade the experience for anything. It was only the first of many future experiences and they could look back on it fondly, no matter how much time passed. A first was a first, and a first wasn't meant to be perfect.
There was something perfect in and of itself about the awkwardness of any first experience with someone you loved.
Spike and Sombra both stayed in place in utter silence for a time, neither regretting it in the least. They weren't sure how long it took before they separated to get cleaned up, but it didn't really matter at to them at the time.
After a quick shared shower, the pair tossed the bed-sheets aside and climbed onto the now bare mattress. They didn't need any blankets, and they didn't even need to say anything. It had been their night, and absolutely nothing would take the happiness of that time away.
Spike and Sombra would fight any agents of hell, or heaven that wished to separate them. All worry had been cast away as the tired lovers slept in each others warmth, and the quiet of the night ensured them their peace. Tomorrow would be another day, but neither Spike nor Sombra would let saving the world get in the way of their love.