The Talk
"Do you really love me, Spike?"
"Rarity, no matter what happens between us, through thick and thin, I will always love you."
***
It was a rainy afternoon in Ponyville, and most ponies decided to take it easy and stay indoors. Maybe read a book, or take a nap, or what-have-you. But not for Rarity. Usually, she would have chosen to stay inside and most likely work on some dresses and whatnot. But today, she felt like it was time to do something for her dragonfriend, Spike. In the past, and even now, Spike has always been the one to do special things for Rarity, and Rarity has always been grateful. But, she has noticed that she doesn't do much for Spike. So, she decided today that she's going to get him a gift. But not just any gift, no. A gift she knows will make up for all of his hard work, a fire ruby.
"Spike dear, I'm going out for a bit." Rarity said, trying to get out of the boutique as fast as possible, only to be stopped by a curious Spike.
"Should I come? Do you need help with- actually, what are you going out for anyway?" asked Spike.
Rarity bit her lip. "I'm just going out to do some errands. And no, I don't need you o come with me. It's your day to relax. You've worked so hard for me recently, and I think it's time you relax," At this point, she had gently pushed Spike back into bed. "Matter of fact, I think you should drop by Twilight's. You haven't seen her in a while."
"Are you sure you won't need my help?"
"I am absolutely positive, Spikey. I'll be home in little while." She said, giving him a kiss. "Have fun, dear."
"You too, Rares." Spike waved.
Rarity shut the door behind her. "That was close."
***
Rarity had made her way all the way to the gem field and began her search immediately.
"This is some terrible weather today. At least I dressed properly." She said, looking down at her attire, which consisted of a raincoat and rain boots, with a big hat which protected most of her mane from the rain. Rarity continued her search.
An hour had past, and she had found nothing. She had continued to search, though. She had no intent of quitting just yet. Within another hour, she had hit something with her shovel.
"Ah! I think I found it!" she exclaimed. She began to dig vigorously had the ground until it finally came out. She looked at the sapphire with a frown. She sighed. "Oh well, I guess I should keep looking."
She began to start thinking about her relationship with Spike. She knew that she was happy with him. She began to think back to the day it happened.
***
It was a cold February afternoon. But it wasn't just any afternoon. It was Hearts and Hooves Day. Everypony was either with someone they love, or spent it alone. Their was one pony though, who did not want to spend it alone, again.
"Here we are, once again. Another lonely, Hearts and Hooves." sighed Rarity, sitting by the windowsill, watching the
couples walk by.
"But what about all the stallions who come by your door either roses and chocolate?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"They only want me or either looks or fame. None of them want me for me!"
"Who knows? Maybe the next pony to knock on your door could be the one!" Sweetie said optimistically.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Sweetie smiled at Rarity.
Rarity trotted to the door. "Just you watch. It's going to be just another stallion hoping to get lucky." When she opened the door, she was not expecting the pony, or dragon, to be there.
"H-Hi Rarity." Spike said shyly. Rarity stood there mouth agape while Sweetie Belle was laughing in the background.
"H-Hello Spike. Would you like to come in?" Rarity said, stepping aside.
"Thank you." Spike mumbled as he made his way to the couch.
"Would you like a drink, darling?"
"That won't be necessary, thank you. I actually came here to ask you something." Sweetie looked over at Rarity, stiol somewhat in shock. They both knew what he was about to ask.
"Well Spike, I think I already know what your question is."
"Oh... really?"
"Yes. You were going to ask me to be your special somepony, weren't you?" She asked, glaring at him. He was blushing like mad.
"Well... not just that. I also wanted to take you out for dinner. I thought you would like that. But if you have other plans-"
"You want to take me to dinner?" Rarity asked in astoundment.
"Well... yeah."
Rarity was in utter shock. She didn't know what to say. She didn't think that her Spikey-Wikey would be sitting in front of her, asking her to go to dinner AND be his special somepony. Rarity was speechless.
"Well?"
"Yes, Spike. I would love to go to dinner with you. I will answer your other question after dinner."
"Yes!" Spiked coughed in his claw. "Ahem, I mean, okay. I will be here for seven." He said, making his way to the door.
"Alright then, seven it it. I'll see you then." Rarity said to him before he left.
"Bye Rarity, and thank you!" Spike waved.
Rarity chuckled. "You're very welcome, darling." She shut the door and looked over to Sweetie Belle. "Wow."
"You better start getting ready, you're date will be back in a little while." Sweetie teased. Rarity looked over at the clock.
"Five o' clock?! I barely have enough time! I still have so much to do!" Rarity ran up to the bathroom to prepare for her date with Spike. Sweetie giggled at her sister.
***
Rarity snapped out of her flashback and realized that she had not found a single ruby.
"This is going to be much harder than I thought. I have to do it for Spikey."
***
Meanwhile, Spike decided to take Rarity's advice and visit Twilight. He knocked on the lavender mare's door.
"One second!" Not a second later, the door opened. "Come in."
Spike walked in and sighed. He saw Twilight engulfed in a book.
"Twilight?" Spike called. Twilight turned.
"Spike!" She flew into him, giving him a great, big hug. "Oh Spike, I missed you! I felt like you forgot about me!" Spike chuckled.
"I could never forget about you, Twilight. Who would take care of you if I did?" she chuckled and lightly punched him in the arm.
"I am very capable of taking care of myself, thank you!" she said defensively.
He laughed. "Mhm. Anyway, what's up? I haven't seen you in a while."
"I know! You need to visit more often!"
"I try. I'm really busy as of late. Rarity and I have been working hard on orders and barely even have time for each other."
"Speaking of which, how are you and Rarity?"
"We're good. Great in fact. Rarity had left a little while ago, which gave me some free time."
"You guys have been together awhile now, huh?"
"Yeah. I even remember way back when we were at dinner together on Hearts and Hooves Day."
***
Spike began walking back over to the boutique at around 6:50. He was more nervous than anything in his life. He felt like his heart was in his throat and his stomach was in knots. He knew he had to do it. There was no backing down. He stood at her door and hesitated before knocking.
"Alright Spike, you can do this. Be calm, be collected, be yourself. You'll be fine." He inhaled deeply, and knocked on the door. Sweetie came to the door.
"Hi Spike! Here to pick up Rarity i assume? She'll be down in a minute. Come, sit. Would you like anything to drink?" Sweetie asked.
"No, thank you." Spike said.
Not a second later, Rarity came down the stairs. Spike looked over at her and stared. His jaw dropped.
Rarity was wearing an all purple dress. Diamonds were embedded around the lower half of the dress. She also had her mane up in an elegant bun. She had also all purple heels and pearl anklets and necklace. Spike's heart completely stopped for a second. He felt under dressed. Rarity cleared her throat and Spike looked up at her.
"Spike, you know it's not polite to stare."
"I-I'm sorry Rarity. It's just, you look ravishing." Spike complimented.
"Really? I thought I had overdid it with the gems around the waist of the dress. Anyway, are you ready?"
"I-I'm ready." He stuttered.He knew this was going to be great.
"Alright then. Let's go. Sweetie, there's leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry. Stay out of trouble-"
"I got it! You two crazy cats have a good time!" Sweetie said.
"We will, thank you, Sweetie." Rarity said, before shutting the door.
"So Spike, where do plan we go for dinner?"
"Well, I have plans for Chèz Ponyvillè. You know, that place off the path of the city?"
"No, unfortunately I haven't heard of this place."
"Oh! Well, from what I've heard, it's one of the only fancy restaurants in Ponyville. I have a feeling you'd like it."
"A fancy restaurant, huh? We'll just have to see." Rarity had a feeling deep down that made it feel weird. she was expecting him to slip up at some point, but it seemed as though he had been doing everything perfectly.
When they stepped inside the restaurant, Rarity's jaw dropped. The place had seemed fancier than any restaurant she had ever been to. Chandeliers made of pure diamond, perfectly dimmed lights, candles lit at every table, it was like a dream.
"Spikey dear, how did you ever afford a place as fancy as this?!" Rarity whispered loudly trying not to attract attention.
"Well, it wasn't easy, believe it or not. Reservations were 100 bits per person.."
Rarity practically choked. "100 bits? Just for one?!"
"Well, yeah."
"Spikey, how?
"Well, I didn't think it was that much at first, so the first time I showed up with 100 bits, they thought I was making it for myself. Then they explained that 100 bits would include the reservations, the food, and I had payed a little extra for something else..."
"What do you-" Rarity was interrupted by the waitress.
"Reservations for two, please. It should be under Spike the Dragon." Spike said.
"Hm... Ah yes! Right this way, sir." The waitress began to walk toward a balcony.
When they arrived, Rarity was on the verge of tears. What she saw made her heart skip a beat.
It was a balcony setting that had one table especially made for two ponies. The usual candle was on the table, but on the ground below, Rarity heard music. She looked down and saw a small orchestra playing, and in front of it was a sentence written out in diamonds:
"Happy Hearts and Hooves, Rarity!"
Rarity could've cried, but had to keep her composure.
"Spike... this...."
"Have a seat, please." He offered her a seat, pulling out her chair for her. As she sat, he poured her and himself a glass of red wine.
"So Rarity, how do you like it?" Spike asked curiously.
"Spike, this is..." Once again, she was interrupted by a waiter, giving them their menus.
"Here are your menus. I will be back in minute to take your orders." He said. Spike looked at his menu, and decided almost immediately. Rarity on the other hand, looked over the menu, before being stopped by Spike.
"I got it." He assured her, resting his claw on her hoof.
"Hello again sir, what you'll be having tonight? He asked, smirking.
"The lady and I will both be having the soupe a l'oignon, please. Also more wine please." Spike asked.
"Alright, thank you. Your meals will arrive shortly. Have a wonderful night."
"Thank you." He handed him the menus and looked over to Rarity.
"Spike," Rarity let a tear run own her face. "Spike, this is the single best night of my life. I don't know how you managed to pull any of this off. It feels like a dream come true and honestly, I'm so glad I get to spend Hearts and Hooves with you." She wiped a tear and smeared makeup from her eyes.
"I'm really glad to hear that, Rarity. Thank you for giving me this opportunity." He took a sip of his wine.
"I really have to thank you for this wonderful night, Spike. And to answer your question, yes, I will be your special somepony.
Spike almost choked on his wine. "Really?"
"Spike, anypony or dragon who is able to steal my heart before my meal even arrives, is somepony or, in this case, somedragon I want to be with."
"Thank you so much, Rarity! I promise you won't regret it." And the night was perfect for the both of them. They enjoyed their meals, had a nice chat, and went back to the boutique.
"Spike, thank you again for this lovely night."
"You're very welcome, m'lady." He chuckled.
"I hope we can do this again, Spike. Goodnight." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and went inside, leaving Spike red.
***
"I remember that! That's when you spent almost 300 bits on dinner!" Twilight yelled.
"Heh, yeah." Afterword, they had a short conversation about astronomics that ended quickly, and Spike left.
***
Rarity was walking home from the gem field. If it wasn't raining, it would be easier to tell if she was crying or not. She wasn't able to find what she was looking for. She had to walk home empty handed. She felt bad. She began to talk to herself.
"I'm a failure. I don't deserve somepony, or somedragon so dedicated, so dead set on making me happy. He works so hard everyday for what? A pat on the back? I feel so bad for him. I don't deserve him." She sobbed softly as she made her way to the door. Almost immediately after she opened it, she was greeted with a hug from Spike.
"Hi Rarity!" He said, happy as ever. Rarity sniffled, returning the hug. "Rarity, is something wrong? Why are you crying?
"Spike dear, Can we talk?"
"Of course, Rares." He brought her over to the couch and sat down beside her. "What's up?"
Rarity inhaled deeply. She didn't want to say what she was going to say next, but had to. She had to do it. She turned to him and looked him in the eye.
"I don't think we should be together anymore." she said shakily. It sounded like she hesitated. Spike looked like he had seen a ghost.
"Wha-"
"Spike, I feel like I don't deserve you. I feel like all I do is use you and give you nothing return. You work so hard everyday a-and I give you nothing. You don't deserve me, Spike. You deserve somepony better. You deserve somepony who will treat you right. A-And I can't be that person. I am not what you deserve, Spike. Maybe one day, Spike, but right now, I cannot be with you."
She was looking down at the floor. She looked back up at him. He looked utterly shocked, sad, confused, and angry, all at once. Once he found the words to speak, not much came out.
"Oh."
"Spike, I'm so sorry."
"It's- I can't even say it's alright, because it's not. Rarity, I don't want somepony else. I want you. Was everything we had nothing to you?"
"Spike, you listen to me," she said sternly. "Spike, I love you with all my heart, and everything we've done, everything we've been this two years have been the best two years of my life, but Spike, what do I give to you in return? Nothing! And you don't deserve me doing this to you and neither do I, but I promise you, it's for the best. I understand if you hate me, Spike. But one day, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me." She stated.
"Rarity, I could never hate you if I wanted to. I love you more than anything in the world. You mean the world to me, and I need you in my life. I respect your decision, Rarity, but please, don't you ever think for a second I don't love you."
"Thank you, Spike. And I want you to know that if one day, if I ever figure myself out, I will come to you."
"Thank you, Rarity."