//------------------------------// // Wedding Day - TheMesenger // Story: SpikeDash Group Collab // by Vexy //------------------------------// No matter how hard he tugged at it, the tie strangling him refused to loosen. With a frustrated sigh, Spike released the fabric fastened around his neck and let it hang over the balcony's painted white railings as he leaned over. She chose an amazing spot, right beside the beach with a beautiful view of the sea. Spike looked up and watched the sun slowly begin its descent, painting the sky orange as it moved. A rose bush had been arranged around the railing, adorning the balcony with lovely red flowers and breaking the monotonous white. Her dress had been similar, Spike remembered: white with complementing splashes of pink and streaks of red on the train. The veil was yellow, a bright, warm buttery color, thin enough for one to steal a quick peek at the bride's blushed cheeks and rose colored lips. Spike tore a rose from the bush and peeled away the petals, letting them rain into the foaming ocean below. The seaside breeze was warm, but he shivered anyway, making no move for the black dress jacket draped over the railing next to him. "Hey." Spike lifted his head and turned, dropping the rest of the flower in surprise. Rainbow Dash, wearing her airy sky blue gown with plenty of room in the back for her wings, approached. "Hey," Spike said, looking back to the sunset. "What are you doing here? I thought you were dancing." "They started the slow dance, and I don't do slow," Rainbow said as she slumped over the balcony beside Spike. "What about you? What're you out here for?" "Just needed some fresh air," Spike answered, breathing deeply. His eyes widened, and suddenly he began to hack and wheeze. "Oh geez, that's salty," he coughed. "Guess it is a bit stuffy in there," Rainbow agreed. "So how you holding up?" The dragon lowered his head and sighed, shooting out a stream of sparks from his nose. "Is it that obvious?" he asked. "Kinda, but I don't think anypony wanted to bring it up. Pretty awkward thing to talk about," Rainbow Dash said, slugging at Spike's shoulder. "So, wanna talk about it?" "I thought you said it was awkward," Spike grumbled. "Yeah, but talking's better than, well, this," the pegasus argued, gesturing at the deserted balcony, save for the both of them. Laughter rang out from beyond, from the decorated gazebo at the end of the path. "Come on," Rainbow insisted, "just get it out of you system so we can go join the others." "I don't know, I think I'd just kill the mood if I went." "You're killing the mood now." Spike reached out and grabbed another rose. "It's just, I know I should be happy for her. I mean, I know she's happy and he makes her happy. I know he'll treat her right, like a real lady. I know I should be happy, I'm her friend, but, it's just, I can't help it." A scaly fist pounded against the while wooden rails, shaking them. "I can't help it. I told myself I moved on, I told myself I was fine with this, but I can't help it. I keep wondering to myself, what if it was me standing next to her. There's that stupid voice in my head that keeps telling me I could make her happier," Spike growled, striking the balcony rails again, "and I just can't get it to shut up!" He raised his fist and prepared to bring it down. Something held him back, keeping the claw in the air. Rainbow Dash, Spike realized as he turned, had grabbed his arm. She released the limb, and Spike let it fall limply to the side. "Even after all this time?" Rainbow asked. Spike chuckled bitterly. "I'm pathetic, still pining after a mare I never had a chance with." Rainbow Dash raised a wing and struck the dragon in the back of the head. "Maybe a little," she said as Spike rubbed the afflicted area. "But it's not the end of the world. It's time to move on." "Weren't you listening?" Spike hissed. "I know that. I thought I did." "But you didn't. Maybe today'll help," Rainbow said. She stared out into the horizon, watching the sun sink into the ocean. "Maybe today's a reality check. You can't keep living that fantasy of yours after seeing that after all." Spike opened his mouth to argue. Nothing came out. Instead, he followed Rainbow's gaze toward the ocean. "Yeah, maybe you're right," he said quietly, barely louder than a whisper. "There a lot of girls out there, plenty of fish in the sea." Rainbow patted Spike's back, then pushed herself away from the balcony's edge. "Hey, wanna dance?" "Dance?" Spike repeated, tearing his eyes from the sunset and autumn skies in confusion. "What, like right here?" "Well, you don't look like you're ready to join the rest of the party, and I don't think I'm ready to leave you here by yourself," Rainbow Dash declared. "Come on, like this." She placed her hooves into Spike's claws and forced him to stand straight. Following Rainbow's lead, the two began to sway. "I thought you said you didn't do slow," Spike said as the skies began to darken. Rainbow Dash smirked. "I don't, but when you're with me, the world just seems to slow down. Besides," she added, her lips brushing the tips of Spike's ears, "I'd say we're moving pretty fast."