After The Mistletoe
The sun shone high in the sky while the ponies of the small town, known as Ponyville, put away their Hearth's Warming Eve decorations to wait until next Hearth's Warming. A young unicorn filly skipped down the road of the small, but well-known town.
With a smile on her face, Sweetie Belle waved at the nice ponies of the town. Until she stopped skipping with her eyes looking at Twilight's Castle on her right. Lowing her smile, the young unicorn slowing trotted passed it hoping that the dragon that lives in there doesn't see her.
It has been one week since Hearth's Warming Eve, even longer since Hearth's Warming when Sweetie and a certain drake had shared a heartfelt moment under the mistletoe. It had felt for lack of another word... right. And yet, Sweetie Belle couldn't help but think that it had been a stupid whim, just a childish act. He still had a crush on her sister, Rarity.
There was nothing for it, she couldn't seem to make Spike see how she really felt, and now she wasn't even sure herself. It had been just a crush, it has to have been. It was just a silly crush, it didn't mean anything then, or at the very least it meant very little now. It didn't amount to anything for Spike from what she could tell. That's what she kept telling herself, when she let herself think about it.
It had been that way since that Hearth's Warming, neither Spike or Sweetie Belle felt the same as before. This was part of the reason they avoided each other, they both just didn't know what to say? It how to approach the other. Everything was awkward. Or painful.
They were right though, it has felt like how she dreamt it. Up until the point where she had to ask that stupid question. It had burned at her, lurking just below the surface on every date. Spike seemed to drift off, or how she could have sworn he murmured her sister's name. This was the end of them, the end of her foolish dreams. He loved Rarity. Her 'perfect' sister, but not her.
She should had never told Spike how she felt. It would have been better to suffer in silence instead of having her heart ripped out. Why couldn't he feel the same? Couldn't he just see how her sister used him, making him run errands. Even using him as a living pincushion… Or that time she gained over some idol of hers, Trended Hoof was it? It was right in front of him!
Sweetie Belle bowed her head and totted off away with Spike watching her from the window. Wishing that he could just move on but something always pulling him back to Rarity but what?
Sweetie Belle bowed her head and trotted off away with Spike watching her from the window. Wishing that he could just move on, but something always pulling him back to Rarity but what?
Is it her charms, looks, personally? But Sweetie Belle was like that too, maybe even better. So why would he stay with Rarity? Spike question this in his head, fighting a never ending battle. Wanting to just to run up to Sweetie Belle but 'I'm sorry' doesn't solve all the problems in the world. Spike just let out a small sigh just right when Twilight Sparkle walked in the room.
"Spike, it been a week you two need to talk it out. Nothing gets better without talking." Twilight said causing the young dragon to look at her.
"But she doesn't want to see me. Sweetie Belle doesn't want to talk to me." Spike said making Twilight let out a giggle.
"I wasn't talking about Sweetie Belle. If you want to love her you need to talk it out with the one who you can't move away from." Twilight said causing Spike to look out the window.
"Rarity." he whispered until another thought came to his mind.
"Twilight, you never gave Fluttershy your Hearth's Warming present for the secret Santa Hooves." Spike said.
"Oh, please Spike of course i..." Twilight started until she thought about the party a week ago. Knowing the only pony missed was Fluttershy. "I forgot about Fluttershy! I'm meant to be the Princess of Friendship and I forgot about giving my friend a present!"
"Twilight calm down! Fluttershy is the kindest pony in Equestria, if you say you’re sorry and give her the present. She won't be upset." Spike said trying to calm Twilight down.
"You're right Spike. Here, I'm meant to giving you a talk I guess you are my number one assistant."
Twilight, being the closest thing to family to Spike. He realized early on that something was amiss with her little helper, and it took a lot for her to wait for him to tell her what was wrong. Before she decided to question him, however, he came to her. And blurted out everything that had been troubling him, and now Sweetie Belle. Spike was relieved that she didn't judge him, she just... Listened. He hoped that Sweetie had somepony to lean on.
Sweetie Belle.... It still hurt thinking about her.
Twilight trotted down to Fluttershy cottage. That is closed to the Everfree Forest, Twilight walked on the cut grass and stopped in front of her friend’s door, standing outside on the doorstep. Twilight let out a short breath with her mind running a mile a minute.
Calm down Twilight, Nothing to be afraid of it just you forgot one of your best friends and being the Princess of Friendship... Oh, I'm such a horrible pony Twilight thought to herself.
Without trying to runaway and hide, Twilight gave a few knocks to Fluttershy's door.
"Coming!" Fluttershy voice rang with Twilight breathing getting faster and faster.
Fluttershy open the door and smile seeing her friend. Before the shy pegasus stepped out of the way.
"Please ,Twilight, come in, do you want some tea?" Fluttershy asked with Twilight taking a seat on Fluttershy couch.
"Oh yes, please.Thank you Fluttershy" Twilight said buying herself some more time.
Twilight heard Fluttershy hum a sweet sounding song with Twilight only hearing Moonlight Shadow. While Fluttershy got the tea ready. Twilight lay on the back of the couch and let Fluttershy beautiful voice full the room.
Twilight loves hearing her friends sing, but she always loved Fluttershy's voice the most. Somepony so kind and sweet should have a voice that great. But it soon come to an end with Fluttershy bring in two cups of tea on a silver tray.
"So why did you visit me Twilight? I mean I like you and I enjoy being friends with you, I'm just wondering." Fluttershy said causing Twilight to let out a sigh.
"I failed you." she said.
"Failed me, how?" Fluttershy question.
"I was meant to give you a Secret Santa Hooves and I let you down. Some princess of friendship I turned out to be." Twilight said with Fluttershy wrapping her up in a hug.
"Twilight that alright. You're letting your princess title go first and don't see the big picture. I don't mind not getting a present as all as you are my friend." Fluttershy said.
"Thanks Fluttershy. But I still feel terrible about the gift." Twilight said.
Fluttershy let out a small and unheard sentence that somehow got quieter and quieter.
"What?" Twilight asked trying to hear what Fluttershy was saying.
"Nothing!" Fluttershy cried out letting out a nervous laugh.
"Um... okay." Twilight says."It's just that.. .well. I felt the same way when I was at a loss of finding something I could give Applejack for Hearth's Warming." Fluttershy admitted
"Oh Fluttershy. That must have been awful for you."
Fluttershy's pink mane bones a little while she nodded. "It really was. But do you know what I realized?"
"No." Twilight replied incredulously, wondering where Fluttershy was going with this. So far she wasn't feeling any better about her own mistake.
"Of course I panicked at first, but then I came to a conclusion. That as my friend Applejack would love and appreciate any gift I have her. As long as I put genuine thought into it. It's the same with you, Twilight."
"No, it isn't. You still have Applejack your gift, and I didn't get you anything, Fluttershy." Twilight looked at the floor and shook her head.
Some Princess of Friendship she's proven herself to be. It was bad enough missing Moon Dancer's birthday, but now she had forgotten to present one of her closest friends with a Hearth's Warming gift. What kind of friend was she to do that?
Once the young filly unicorn entered the clubhouse she noticed the stares coming from her two best friends. Letting out a nervous giggle and rubbing the back of her neck.
"Hey girls, what's up?" Sweetie Belle question them.
"Sweetie, what happened?" Scootaloo asked.
"Happen? Nothing happen alright! I don't even know what your talking-" Sweetie Belle said before Apple Bloom cut her off.
"Spike. We talkin' 'bout Spike" Apple Bloom said making Sweetie Belle fall to the floor.
"What about him?" She question.
"What happen?" The two question.
"Well-" Sweetie Belle started.
"C'mon Sweetie Belle. We're yer friends, if ya can' trust us, who can ya trust?" Apple Bloom reasons.
"Yeah, we only want to help!" Scootaloo adds, earning a head now from the former speaker.
"It’s not that I don't trust you both. But I'm not sure I feel like talking about it. Me and..... Spike I mean."
Her fellow CMC look about ready to press her for more information. Apple Bloom looking concerned and hurt, while a frustrated Scootaloo just stared off to the side. She couldn't look at her friend just then. They were both tired of this beating around the bush and Sweetie Belle did well to take note.
"If you really want to know though, I can't really blame you. I should have told you instead of just tried avoid you. I'm sorry."
"That's okay Sweetie-" Applebloom began before being rudely interrupted.
"Besides, we're both pretty sure. Spike's the one who should be sorry, or he will be!"
"Somepony's been spending too much time aroun' a certain blue pegasus." Apple Bloom muttered, making Sweetie Belle laugh.
It was probably the first time in a while since she had. For a second everything was like old times, but then she remembered the last time she had laughed. And who's company she'd shared. Sweetie Belle let out a small sigh, catching her breath.
"I don't know. Where to start." she said.
"Well the beginning is always a good place." Scootaloo said with a smile.
"Right."
Everything was perfect, it was just like out of an fairy tale book. I couldn't believe that making me feel like a princess. With our first few dates being nothing more than a never ending dream.
Spike was the perfect gentle drake and he treated me like I was the only one in the world. Until, that day.
Sweetie Belle told them the story, with her two friends leaning in closer.
"Then what happen?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I'm afraid my sister out shined me again." Sweetie Belle said.
Well we were out on a picnic eating food. The sky was filled with clouds for once, and Spike and I were spending the afternoon pointing out the shapes we saw in them. That lasted until- well.
"Spike." I said causing the dragon to look at me.
"Yeah, Sweetie?" He question.
"Hmm...Do you like me?" I question him.
Spike turn to meet my glare. I could easily see the confusion in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Spike asked.
"Well. Do you like me more then Rarity." Sweetie Belle said, answering his question.
Spike stayed quite unable to answer or not wanting to give me an answer.
"It's not that simple Sweetie. I wish it was." Came spike's only response.
"What could be so complicated about it? I'm only asking if you still have feelings for my sister, Rarity." demanded a frustrated ivory unicorn.
"Why do you want to know?" Spike wondered.
"Just give me an answer!"
"Well what did Spike say?" Apple Bloom question. With Sweetie Belle eyes full with tears. While her eyes closed.
"There, there. Sweetie Belle" Scootaloo said patting her friend back.
"I’m fine" Sweetie Belle said she finish telling her friends the rest of the story.
We sat in complete silence with Spike who kept avoiding my question to no ends.
"Ahh! You know what Spike! You can have your perfect Rarity. Because we're done here!"
"I stormed away and that was the last time. I talk and saw him." Sweetie Belle said, finishing her story.
"Ahem sorry Sweetie. But ya should talk to Spike 'bout this." Apple Bloom said causing the young unicorn to bit her lip and look away.
"I know, I'm just afraid." Sweetie Belle stated.
"Well there no time like the present." Scootaloo said, with Sweetie Belle reply with an nod.
Sweetie doesn't turn to face them. She avoids their eyes as best she can. "I don't even know what there is to say to him, girls."
"You'll know when you see him." Apple Bloom says reassuringly.
"What if I get all tongue tied?" Sweetie Belle presses, she could stand anymore complications.
"That's fine too, we'll be right there with you." Reaffirms Scootaloo. Resting her hoof on her dear friend's shoulder, ready to lend her support.
She and Apple Bloom wanted their Sweetie Belle back.
Sweetie hesitantly looks back over to her friends, and shuffled a giggle. At this point Scootaloo was being chased about the club house? By a furious Apple Bloom. Who reached for a pink ribbon.... That was no longer holding back her mane.
Spike continued his journey to the Carousel Boutique. Getting more and more nervous the closer the young drake got to the place of his crush.
'Is Rarity my crush? Or is she just my friend? Spike question in thought.
Before he knew it, the young drake stood outside of the Carousel Boutique. Closing his eyes before he started knocking.
"Coming, darling." a elegant voice cried out causing Spike to swallow his breath.
Rarity open the door with a smile. Looking down to see her dear friend Spike standing there, frozen in place.
"Oh Spikey, please do come in." Rarity said, inviting the young drake inside.
"Now what do I owe the pleasure of the cutest dragon need?" Rarity question.
"Well I want to talk with you about Sweetie Belle." Spike said. Unable to look at the mare in front of him.
"Oh yes poor Sweetie Belle. She was so heart broken, but why are you talking to me?" Rarity asked him.
"Because of my crush on you. I can't move on." the young drake said with Rarity lifting up his head.
"Now Spike what do you like about my sister, besides looks?"
"Well where to start? Sweetie Belle is amazing when she walks, the wind blows her mane showing off her beautiful emerald and I swear I hear angels sing."
"Speaking about angels, her voice is just so lovely and perfect. She may not be an elegant or perfect, but she is in my eyes." Spike finished.
"Then why are you here? Go tell Sweetie Belle that." Rarity said causing Spike to smile and nod.
With Spike's crush out in the open, and his true feelings for Sweetie revealed as well. The young drake had one last thing on his mind: getting Sweetie Belle back. He knew more than ever before that there was only one mare for him, and he wouldn't have it any other way. He only hoped she would take him back.
He winced when he thought back to the last time they spoke, they really weren't on the best of terms. But he had hope and as long as that didn't abandon him. He knew he'd find the right words to convince her that she, and she alone was the only mare of his dreams.
He just hoped it wasn't too late to be forgiven. They had wasted so much time avoiding each other.
Spike was so caught up in his thoughts and daydreaming about what he'd say to Sweetie. That he bumped into somepony, almost knocking them over as he stumbled a little bit himself too. Shaking his head in pain, with an sweet sounding voice rang through his ears.
"Oh, are you alright? Wait Spike!"
"I am so sorry, here let me-" His eyes widened when he realized who he had collided with.
"What? Sweetie, oh I'm so glad I ran into you!" Spike cried out.
Spike dusted himself and went to the aid of the pony he ran into.
"That's- that's okay, I should have been paying more attention. But that doesn't matter, because I was on my way to see you. I guess I don't have to search over all of Ponyville after all."
"That's kind of funny. I was going to do the same thing." Spike said with a small laugh.
"You go first, Spike" Sweetie Belle said with a forced smile on her face.
"Well. I want to say I'm sorry. I’ve been wrong it seems that my crush on Rarity was just blind and well silly. I shouldn't have put you through that and for that I am truly sorry. I like you Sweetie Belle, a lot you are perfect in my eyes and I don't care what others think." Spike said, finally telling the unicorn filly the truth.
"Are you sure you're not just talking about my sister?" Sweetie joked.
"No, of course not! Why would I be when I have my Sweetie back? That is... If you'll have me. I know we've been through an interesting break up, and we took things a little too fast. Jumping into a relationship after that Hearth's Warming, so what do you say, will you give me a second chance?"
"Well...I'm sorry too, I overactive with your crush. I was just afraid that you was dating me. So Rarity would get jealous and then go for you. That why I didn't want to talk or look at you. I was just being silly as well. You're kind, loyal and generous and I was blind to let that get in the way." Sweetie Belle said, letting a true and honest smile form on her face.
"I guess we were both being just really..." Spike said trying to find the right word.
"Dumb." Sweetie Belle finished making Spike laugh.
"Do you want to try again? I promise I won't mess up this time." Spike asked, holding out his claw.
"Don't make an promise you know you can't kept. We will mess up but when we do, we can help each other" Sweetie Belle said, putting her hoof on Spike's claw.
"Yeah that sounds like an plan." the young drake said, smiling at Sweetie.
"Let just take things slow for now. Until we get better" Sweetie Belle said.
"I agree. We've been staying away from each other you could have grown a foot taller than me!"
"It's hardly the time to joke about this." Sweetie Belle said bluntly.
"But if not now when?" Spike joked, causing Sweetie to laugh.
"Alright Spike, so what's next?"
"Well, we never did finish that picnic..." Spike said with Sweetie Belle nuzzled him.
"It a date!" she said, cheerful as ever.
The two bid each other goodbye. Their date would follow on the next day, they had a lot to think over that day. They went home, Spike telling Twilight about the day's events, and Sweetie telling Rarity. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom already knew of course, they were hiding in the bushes when Spike and Sweetie Belle ran into each other.
When it came time for her to relay the events to them they listened anyway. They were just glad to see their friend happy again. As far as they were concerned, those two were the happiest couple in all of Equestria.