Prince Blueblood's newest guards want to humiliate the Prince at the gala by slipping a love poison in his drink. After he consumed it, the Prince spontaneously falls in love with the first pony he sees. Unfortunately, it's Spike the Dragon.
Warning: The following story is currently unedited and contains some M/M shipping. If you don't like one or both of these, you know where the exit button is. This is an experimental piece that I'm working with.
Prince Blueblood's newest guards want to humiliate the Prince at the gala by slipping a love poison in his drink. After he consumed it, the Prince spontaneously falls in love with the first pony he sees. Unfortunately, it's Spike the Dragon.
“NO! NO! NO!” Prince Blueblood screamed, “Have neither of you listened to a word I said! I asked you to fetch the admiral ink! This is clearly azure! Did you not read the label at all?”
The Prince newest personal guards stood there at attention while his majesty berates them. “We did, Your Grace,” spoke the stallion on the left.
Blueblood narrowed his eyes, “Is that so Curve Dagger?” In his aura, he held up the inkwell in question, “Then tell me, what does this say?”
“Azure.”
“To be fair,” the guard on the right said. “We had to grab it in a-”
“Did I spoke to you Silver Cloak?” the white unicorn nearly spat in his face.
“No, you did not Your Ma-”
“Then no you didn’t!” Blueblood yelled. “You only speak when spoken to! How did either of you pass boot camp with this lack of discipline? Perhaps I should inform of your superiors so that the both of you could be demoted back to privates. Do either of you want that?”
“No sir,” both stallions said in unison.
In a fit of rage, the prince uncorked the bottle of ink and splashed it across both of their faces. “Then go back to that shop and get me the admiral ink! Do you want to be the cause for war between Equestria and Saddle Arabia?”
Trying their hardest to hold their anger back, both guards said in unison, “No sir.”
“Then go! And make sure you clean this up when you get back.”
“Yes, sir.” With that, both guards left the Prince’s chambers. But before they could leave the palace to go into the city, they both made a stop at the barracks to clean themselves and their armor from the blue ink.
“Face it Dagger,” the white Unicorn said as he whipped his face with a rag. “Our superiors are punishing us.”
“I won’t be surprised if that were the case,” the equally pale Pegasus tried to scratch the ink off his armor with a sponge. “I guess this explains a few things.”
This got Dagger’s attention, “What do ya mean?”
“Have you heard that anypony that’s been assigned to be Prince Blueblood’s personal guard ends up resigning, frequently? I don’t know if you’ve heard the rumors that the more we’ve spent time with the guy, the more I think that they might be true.”
“Mind enlightening me?” Dagger inquired, “After all, unlike you, I didn’t grow up in Canterlot.”
“I'm surprised you haven’t. Even before I joined the guard I’ve heard all sorts of things coming from His Majesty. I remember one that while I was in high school, there was a rumor going around that the Prince had treated these newbies so badly that the privets begged their superiors that they would go as far to suck them off just so that they could be reassigned to something else.”
The Pegasus blinked, “Woah, really?”
Cloak shrugged, “Don’t know, but I won’t be surprised if that were true. But as far as I know, no one has lasted so much as a year with the guy.”
Dagger snorted, “Yeah, I can see why. It’s not even a week yet, and I’m already thinking of committing regicide.”
His comrade laughed, “I know. I rather spend a year with the drill sergeant all over then spend another minute with that spoiled, arrogant, uptight stallion that ever ate hay.”
There was an awkward silence between the two guards, Cloak looked around the barrack’s bathroom before muttering, “Maybe we need to do something about it.”
The Pegasus raised an eyebrow, “Like what? You’re not suggesting that we…”
“What? No. I’m not talking about killing him, we’d get executed for that.” Shaking his head, the white Unicorn clarified, “No, I’m talking about teaching that pure evil stallion a lesson, at least take his inflated ego down a few notches so he won’t be so high and mighty.”
“Like embarrassing him or something?” his companion asked.
“Yeah, something like that – just some sort of prank to bring his sense of superiority down a bit. Something so embarrassing that he would think twice of treating his personal guards like that.”
Still angry at being belittled from the mistake that was made, the pale Pegasus leaned closer. “What do ya have in mind?”
“You that the Grand Galloping Gala is coming up?” his fellow guard nodded. “I think if there’s a time in which his ego could be brought down, it would be right there and then. But whatever we end up doing, it cannot harm the Prince physically, and if we do get punished, the most we could expect is being Court Marshaled. Plus, it has to be in the open for all to see and hear. Try to make it look like that anypony else could have done it. The question is what exactly?”
Both Royal Guards thought for a minute or two until the Cloudsdale Pegasus recalled something. “Have you ever read about what happened in Ponyville that one time when these fillies had accidently given their teacher a love poison?”
Cloak hummed, “Kinda. Why?”
Dagger grinned wickedly, “Do you think there might be a chance we might find that recipe, for His Royal Highness?”
Then it clicked to his fellow guard. “Oh! Oh, that is cleaver! But where are we going to find it or the ingredients for it?”
“The story did say it was in Ponyville,” the Pegasus pointed out. “When we get our leave, then we could find that book and gather the ingredients to make it.”
With a look at the window to where it looked out to the palace, Cloak too grinned, “Alright, now that’s a plan I can get behind.”
_*_
Weeks of tolerating the Prince’s antics later, both Cloak and Dagger were able to find the instructions of the recipe of the Love Poison and the ingredients to make a small vile of it. They bear with Blueblood’s demands up until the Gala in which they had to stay by the Prince’s side. At one point, the Prince had ordered them to fetch them some Prench champagne from a particular year did the two guards had time to converse.
Dagger looked over before he whispered to his comrade. “Cloak, I think I’m starting to have doubts about this.”
“What?” The Unicorn whispered back, “I thought we’re committed to this?” he said as he grabbed a glass of champagne without looking the date it was made.
“Well, hold on a second here,” the pale Pegasus said. “Before we embarrass him in front of all of these ponies, don’t you think we should at least give the guy one last chance to redeem himself? Sure he’s evil, but shouldn’t we at least give him a fair shot at being nice before we pour it into his drink?”
Cloak breathed through his nostrils, looking over to where the Prince was and thinking for a moment. Then looking at what year the champagne was, he sighed, “Okay, fine. If he can’t redeem himself from us grabbing the wrong drink, the bottle goes in. Got it?”
His companion nodded, and the two guards made their way back to the prince who after taking the glass into his aura, took one sip before spitting it out.
“What is this?” he hissed, “This isn’t the 986, this is the 996 champagne! Are both of you deaf? Now you both go get me the right aged glass or I’m going to make sure that the only duty that either of you will ever do is to clean every toilet for the rest of your lives!”
As the guards headed back to the refreshment table, Cloak looked over to Dagger with a scowl on his face. “That’s it,” he whispered, “We’re defiantly doing this.”
Nodding, the Pegasus took out the small vile from underneath his wing, and as they looked around to make sure that nopony was looking, they slipped the Love Poison into the glass.
“Fire in the hole,” the Unicorn commented. “Remember, as soon as we give this to him, we need to get out of his line of sight immediately. He’ll fall in love with the first pony he sees, so get ready.”
The two Royal Guards returned to the Prince to offer the correct glass of champagne to him. As soon as he took it into his magic, both Cloak and Dagger quickly went behind Blueblood as he lifted the drink to his lips. After tipping the bubbly liquid back into his mouth, the guards watched to see who the Prince would see first.
To which, it didn’t take long.
Blueblood heard the sound of someone laughing, his curiosity made him look over towards the laughter. His eyes focused upon the one that was laughing, to which he felt his blood feel warmer, his heart beat faster, and hearts had replaced the pupils in the Prince’s eyes.
“Oh… my…” the royal Unicorn whispered.
The Prince’s personal guards looked at one another for a moment before Cloak cautiously approached Blueblood. “Uh, Your Highness, are you alright?”
Blueblood laughed while at the same time gave off a goofy smile, “Oh, everything is fine. It’s just…” he sighed, “I think I’m in love.” There was a collective sigh of relief from both of his guards before the prince quickly turned around to both of them. “So how do I look? Is there a stain on my tuxedo? Is my mane alright? Do we have a field of roses on hoof?”
Both guards looked at one another, “I… think so?” Dagger said cautiously.
“Excellent!” the love-struck Prince quickly turned around and although his hooves were shaking nervously, he felt excited as he approached Spike the Dragon.
“Wow Pinkie!” Spike said between his guffawing. “That’s gotta be the most random thing I’ve ever heard!”
The pink mare shrugged, “What can I say? You can learn a lot when you’re at the bottom of the ocean with a pineapple. But what about you?” she nudged him. “Being your first time at the gala, what do ya think?”
“It’s okay I guess,” he looked around the ballroom. “Though I don’t exactly see why those tickets are so sought after.”
“Maybe it’s because we tend to shake things up,” Pinkie smiled before she looked up. “Hey, isn’t that guy the one who used Rarity as a pony shield for falling cake?”
“Huh?” the little drake looked over his shoulder to which he spotted a familiar-looking Prince heading his direction. Spike frowned, “Blueblood.” His expression didn’t change when the Royal Unicorn came up to him with a nervous smile.
“Good evening Sir Spike,” Blueblood nodded.
There was a pause before the purple dragon raised an eyebrow, “Can I help you?”
Blueblood’s eyes looked off to the side for a moment, “W-Well, I was hoping if I could have some time to speak with you… Alone?”
Spike looked over to Pinkie, who shrugged as she was just as confused as he was. “Why alone? Can’t you talk to me here?”
The prince’s cheeks took on a pinkish tint, “Not exactly, I would prefer if I could talk to you someplace else, like in the Royal Garden?”
Although suspicious, Spike sighed, “Okay. But for a couple of minutes.” Blueblood’s smile widen, showing his blinding white teeth, “And less smiling,” the drake added, and the light was quickly vanquished.
The two of them walked out into the hedges of the garden, with the prince’s guards closely behind.
“Oh, here we go,” Cloak muttered to his comrade. “Now here’s a gift-wrapped embarrassing moment waiting to happen.”
“With Spike in the line of fire?” Dagger questioned, “Isn’t that going a wee too far?”
“The recipe said that if that were ever to happen, all we have to do is to drag him off, lock him out of sight of the little guy for an hour, and he’ll be back to normal. If he does go too far, that’s when we’ll step in.”
The guards followed the Prince over to one of the fountains after Blueblood dismissed them; the two guards hid behind some bushes and listened on.
“Okay,” Spike folded his arms, “You got me out here, alone, so what do you want?”
Blueblood blinked, “What do you mean?”
“C’mon Princy,” the dragon frowned, “I haven’t forgotten about what you did to my friends. Especially Rarity and Applejack.”
“Who?”
“One of them is a white unicorn with a purple mane,” Spike deadpanned. “The other is orange, had a cowpony get up that was trying to sell her family’s food here a while back.”
“Oh…? Oh!” The Prince realized, “They… Those were your friends?”
“Yeah! From what I’ve heard, you were a huge jerk! Even Twilight was stunned how you were acting back there,” with a scowl, he clenched his claws tighter. “And don’t get me started for what you’ve done to Rarity. So what do you want from me then?”
The white Unicorn rubbed the back of his head, “Oh… Perhaps I’ve given off some unfavorable impression, have I?”
“Ya think!”
Blueblood winced, “P-Please, what exactly do you want me to do? Apologize?”
Spike’s gaze narrowed, “That would be a start. But that still doesn’t answer why you wanted to see me.”
“I wanna be with you.”
There was a very uncomfortable silence between them for a good three minutes.
“Why?” Spike finally spoke up what was on his mind.
The Prince smiled, “Because, I’m captivated by you.”
Now it was the little drake’s turn to blink. “What?”
“It’s true,” the stallion took one step forward while Spike took several steps backward. “I’m rather a fool that… I haven’t noticed you sooner.”
“Uh…” Spike looked up and down at him from the light of the fountain, “You feeling okay?”
Blueblood laughed, “Never better in my whole life. Though, I do wish I could make it up to you for not appreciating such a dashing, brave, and loyal gentledrake that you are, until now.”
The baby dragon took another step back, “Uh, wait a minute.” He held his arms up, “You’re not saying what I think you’re saying… aren’t you?”
Another laugh, “And, what do you think, I’m trying to say, good sir?”
“Are you telling me that you… you…” the slits in Spike’s eyes got very thin, “no way.”
“Oh-ho yes way!” Blueblood smiled. “I think it would be pointless to tell you that I love you.”
There was another uncomfortable silence, “I have so many questions,” Spike said, shaking his head.
“Fear not,” before the little drake could react, he suddenly found himself swept up in the Prince’s aura. “By the end of this night, all the secrets of my heart shall be revealed to you! Come, let us return to the gala for all the world to see!”
“No! Wait!” Spike waved his arms about as the Prince started to prance his way back to the palace. “Blueblood stop! What are you doing?”
“Showing off Canterlot my newly appointed consort of course!” the Royal Unicorn practically sang.
“I never consented to this!”
“Whoever said that my love needs to be conditional?”
“HELP!”
In the bushes, the two guards looked at one another, “Isn’t this going too far?” the Pegasus inquired.
His companion, however, grinned wickedly, “No, this is perfect.” Cloak’s horn glowed for a moment before popping a camera into existence, “Now this I gotta see.”
_*_
It wasn’t unusual for couples dancing at the gala. If anything when a waltz is playing, its commonplace to see mares and stallions caught in a slow dance, talking softly to one another. And although rarely seen, even couples who happen to be the same gender dancing wasn’t much cause for unwanted attention. What was, however, was the fact that not only was one of the only Princes in Equestria dancing with somepony, not only was it a male, but that one he’s trying to sway with the music is a dragon that’s trying desperately to get away from Blueblood.
“Let go!”
“Oh don’t be shy.”
“I mean it!”
“So am I.”
“Seriously, let go, they’re staring at us.”
“Ignore them when you have somepony as equally handsome right here.”
“You know I’m not into you.”
“So?”
“TWILIGHT!”
“Yes, I suppose we should let you’re… what is she to you again?”
“Let go of me!”
“You’re surprisingly a fussy dancer, aren’t you?”
“I don’t wanna dance!”
“But this is fun.”
“It isn’t to me. Gah! Where is Twilight when you need her?”
“Probably having fun somewhere else in the castle, much like how we’re doing.”
“Seriously, can you get any creepier?”
“Don’t be so panicky. You really should relax my dear.”
“How can I when you won’t let me go.”
“Not until the music is over.”
“That was twenty minutes ago!”
“I still don’t see the need to slow down.”
“Good Celestia! I swear I’m talking to a brick wall!”
“The best kind,” Blueblood grinned, only for Spike to try to pry himself harder than before.
“Seriously, what’s gotten into you?”
“I just happened to fall in love with a handsome drake.”
“When did this happen anyway? We didn’t as much as talk longer than five minutes in the past.”
“But I’m glad that we’re speaking now.”
“Is anypony gonna help me?”
“You know, I don’t see how you can be afraid of me. It’s not like I’m gonna drag you into my room to do anything indecent, it’s quite rude you know on the first date.”
“We’re not dating!”
“But you know it’s true. This is a great honor you know, being a consort to me and what not. So there’s no need of being so modest about it, shout to the world that we’re together.”
“I don’t want to be!”
As this was going on, Blueblood’s personal guards stood nearby, one of them was snapping pictures. Eventually, they were approached by a Canterlot noble in which he tapped Dagger’s shoulder, “Excuse me, but is this normal?” he pointed over to the prince.
“Nope,” the Pegasus replied, “But I admit that it’s a first.”
“I’ll say,” the noble looked on. “Whoever knew that his Majesty prefers the rougher sex. I say that it’s pretty brave of him to come out with his… that is his coltfriend, right?”
Cloak snapped another picture, “It is tonight.”
The noble’s eyes widen, “Oh my…” He started to step back, “I think its best we leave them be.”
When the Canterlot noble was out of the room, both guards looked at each other and tried to suppress a fit of chuckles.
Chapter 3: Désolé de le dire, et il est désormais un peu intimidant
“What are you thinking of my love?” Blueblood asked with the sweetest smile he could muster.
Spike narrowed his eyes. Thankfully the prince has finally taken a rest by one of the tables, but before the dragon could flee, he was pulled into a hug by the stallion’s foreleg. “To be honest,” he told him, “I’m half tempted into burning your face off.”
The white unicorn laughed, “Oh Sir Spike, you have the most marvelous sense of humor.”
Annoyed, the drake puffed smoke through his nostrils. His eyes scanned the room, looking for someone or something to escape with. If only he could do or say something to get away from the Prince and find one of the Princesses to reverse whatever was going on. His eyes spotted several tables down with their backs turned Applejack and Rarity.
But they were out of hearing range, so the baby dragon has to get their attention another way. There was nothing on the table so he looked down and spotted the buttons on the suit of his sleeve and got an idea. Now all he needed was a distraction.
‘Sorry about this Rarity,’ He thought before turning to his captor. “Hey Blueblood, mind letting me go? I’m getting hungry here.”
“Say no more,” the Prince turned his head and called out, “Curved Dagger?”
Immediately the white Pegasus came up and saluted, “Your Grace?”
“Would you go into my personal vault in the Royal Treasury and pick out a nice, clear ruby, preferably about the size of an apple? And be sure to put it on a plate for Sir Spike post haste.”
“Right away,” he saluted again and immediately left the room.
While this was happening, Spike plucked one of the black buttons off from his sleeve and after making sure the Prince wasn’t looking, tossed it over to the table where the two mares were. To the dragon’s relief, Applejack noticed the black button and looked over to where it came from. He frantically waved for them to come over.
“Auntie Celestia did say that those were your favorite,” Blueblood said as he returned his attention to Spike. “She talks quite a bit about you and the adventures that you go on with Princess Twilight you know.”
“Well that’s because I’m her number one assistant,” the little drake looked over to see the two mares approaching.
“Not to mention you’re well-earned fame in the Crystal Empire. I do say that your stain glass window was well deserved for such bravery.” Spike resumed trying to pry himself from the stallion’s foreleg. “I remember going there myself and saw that handsome statue of you. Though, I don’t quite think they’ve captured the balance of masculinity and softness of your face.”
The little drake looked up at him, his mouth held open, “I… I don’t know if I should take it as a weird compliment or just plain creepy.”
Blueblood frowned, “I don’t see why you see my compliments as creepy my love.”
“Spike?” the baby dragon silently thanked whatever and all gods there were to hear that heavenly voice of rescue. Rarity, like Applejack, was taken aback at what they were seeing. “Prince Blueblood?”
“Rarity, Applejack!” Spike tried again to pry himself away. “You gotta help me, Blueblood’s gone crazy!”
“Crazy in love,” the blond unicorn chuckled before he looked up. “By the way, you two look familiar.”
“Now hold on there,” Applejack said. “Why are ya holdin’ onta Spike like he’s some teddy bear?”
“Sir Spike is my first consort,” he said with a smile before the farm pony stepped in to pry the drake from the prince’s surprisingly tight grip. “What are you doing!”
“First of all,” the farmer told him as the baby drake could breathe again. “Spike here is a kid. Second, he doesn’t want to be held by ya. And thirdly,” Before the baby dragon could slip through, Blueblood suddenly switched him to his other foreleg. “Even if he is older and wants it, Y'all ain’t good fer him ta be around.”
“What!” the Prince stood up, “Are you saying I’m not good enough for him?”
“Uh, am I interrupting something?” they turned to find the Pegasus guard, hold a plate with a rather large ruby on it. “I’ve brought the gem you’ve requested sir-ah-ah-achoo!” as he turned his head away and sneezed, the Prince, with Spike still in his grasp leaped backward from the table.
“Honestly dagger,” Blueblood scolded, “What did I say about covering your nose when you sneeze around me.”
“It was just a sneeze,” Spike pointed out, “There’s no need to be all jumpy like that.”
“Of course there’s every reason,” the stallion held him up. “At least we’re lucky that he didn’t sneeze on us or your ruby even. I don’t want all those germs to get either one of us sick. Or worst yet, we could contract a fatal disease and die.”
“What in the name of sanity are ya talkin’ about?” Applejack questioned. “Sounds like yer afraid of germs or somethin’.”
Blueblood looked down at the baby dragon before looking back up, “I have made a promise that I would apologize. I take it that you’re… Applejack? The mare that was selling that unauthorized food at the gala sometime back I presume?”
“Yeah, that was me,” she frowned, “The one that yer lips touched ‘carnival fare.’ Now let go of Spike!”
“Wait, Madame, at least give me a chance to explain myself. Also, you are half right on one thing. I am indeed afraid of germs, for you see, I have something called Mysophobia. It’s not just that I’m disgusted by sneezes and coughs, but I don’t tend to eat anything without knowing if it was prepared to free of food poisoning. If anything, I wouldn’t dare touch any food at this gala without me inspecting beforehoof to see if it’s all up to standard with cleanliness. When I saw your food, something that I or somepony else had inspected… Let’s just say that you… delicacies caught me off guard.”
“Wait,” the Apple farmer blinked, “Really? Ya just brushed off mah hard work because you didn’t have nopony ta expect it?”
He nodded before turning to Rarity, “As to you, I remember you very well. Now that I’m with Sir Spike, I no longer have to put up a façade anymore and to tell you the truth. Yes, it’s true that I didn’t have any interest in you and I was trying to give you the subtle hints throughout that night. It was for two reasons: the first was that up until then, I have mistaken you for another Canterlot gold digger. The other, now that I’m with Spike, I can finally come clean with is that… (Oh how should I put this…?) I prefer male company. But regardless, my consort is right on one thing, my behavior that leads up to the… cake fiasco, was indeed my doing. For these reasons to the both of you, I apologize.”
The three of them, Applejack, Rarity and Spike were slack-jawed for a moment or two. It was until Rarity broke the silence, “Well, at least you’re taking responsibility. But Applejack is right, why Spike as a consort? He’s not even an adult yet.”
“So?” Blueblood simply said, “I can wait. After all, our love is quite young after all,” he chuckled at his little joke.
Spike cringed, “Seriously Prince Blueblood, when did this happen?”
The stallion sighed, “Only about forty-five minutes ago when I first noticed that charming laugh of yours.”
“That sound’s oddly specific and recent,” Rarity commented. “Regardless of what Applejack had said of him being far too young, being in love and calling your consort far too soon don’t you think?”
“It’s never too soon to fall in love,” the Royal Unicorn said, much to the gagging of his “consort.”
“You know,” Spike said, “If you’re gonna give me compliments, could you make them sound normal and not creepy in any way shape or form?”
“Now that’s just asking too much,” Blueblood deadpanned.
“Still, let go of me,” the dragon tried to pry himself again, “I’ve already promised my friends that we get to spend the whole night together.”
“You can do so with me,” he said before he waved for Dagger, who still holds onto the plate that held the rather large ruby to be placed on the table. “After all, there are so many things I wanted to show you too before the night is out.”
“Spike,” Rarity said as she approached him and held up the severed button. “Is this yours?”
He held up his sleeve, “Uh yeah?”
Her horn lit up and taking out a needle and black thread from her pocket, shew the button back on. “Do try to keep him occupied,” she whispered, “and keeps him in this room if you can. We’ll have Twilight resolve this in no time.”
“You do know that I can hear you,” the Prince spoke up before he got an idea, “Actually if you need us, I’ll be taking Sir Spike to my chambers to show him something.” Blueblood returned his attention to a dwelling drake that was staring at the shiny ruby that was out of reach. To this, his horn immediately lit up for a napkin. “Please don’t slobber,” the prince cringed, “it’s really unsanitary.”
“Huh?” Spike snapped out of his fixation with the ruby. “Did you say something?”
Blueblood chuckled as he put the ruby into his claws, “No love. Please enjoy this gem; it’s imported from a mine in Mount Everfree.”
Rarity narrowed her eyes, “I do hope you wouldn’t do anything distasteful to Spike.”
“Without my beloved’s consent?” he put his free hoof to his forehead, “Perish the thought. Now then,” he got up from the table, this time taking the dragon into his blue aura, “Come along Spike, let’s head off to my bedroom.”
From mid munching, Spike’s eyes went wide, “Rarity, go get Twilight quickly! I don’t wanna star in a clopfic!”
Rarity blushed, “How would you- You know what, never mind, where is Twilight anyway?”
“Seriously Cloak,” Dagger muttered as the two of them followed the Prince to his chambers with Spike in his aura. “Isn’t this going a bit too far? We’ve already got the pictures, a good chunk of the gala has seen them, and now he’s taking his love interest into his room.”
The Unicorn guard spoke up, “Pardon me, Your Highness, but what exactly are you planning on doing with Sir Spike?”
“I have a surprise for him,” Blueblood sang, “It’s a secret.”
Spike turned his head towards the guards following behind, “Guys help me! Don’t you see he’s gonna do something to me?”
“Oh Spike,” the prince cooed as his aura put the young drake in front of him, petting his head. “You need to have more faith in me darling. I wouldn’t dare do anything that would hurt such an adorable face as yours.”
“Seriously you guys,” Spike pleaded to the guards, “He’s really creeping me out.”
The Pegasus guard glanced over to his fellow comrade, “We have to stop this.”
Before Cloak could respond, Blueblood was picking up the pace as he headed down the hall towards the gilded doors of his bedchamber. “I wish to be remaining alone with Sir Spike,” the prince said. “I have something rather special to show him.”
The Unicorn guard’s eyes widen, “Uh… Your Grace?”
“I know you’re going to love it,” the Royal Unicorn said, looking at the dragon with… bedroom eyes.
“Wait! Prince Blueblood!” both guards made a mad dash towards the blond unicorn, but it was already too late. The Prince had crossed through, closed and locked the doors behind him.
With the guards banging away at the doors, calling for the Prince, Blueblood looked over at his new consort to see he was sweating and had a look of fear in his eyes. “My love?” he inquired, “What’s wrong?”
“L-Let me go,” Spike pleaded. “Blueblood, please, this is going way too far. Just let me go and I promise I will never tell anypony about this.”
The Prince blinked, “Spike, I have already given my word that I would never harm you.” He tried to touch the baby drake but he flinched back in his magic. With a sigh, he said, “Alright, I will release you. Only if I could at least show you something that I have never shown another pony before. It’s the reason I brought you here after all. After you take a look at it, then you are free to leave.”
Spike gulped, “Uh… okay. What is it?”
Smiling, the Royal Unicorn directed him to the walk-in closet. “It’s in here; I would think that it would be of interest in you…” he laughed as he turned on the light to the rows of clothing. “If anything, I’m quite nervous to tell you the truth. But excited too that I get to show my first consort the part of me that I have never shown before, ah, here we are.” Blueblood stopped at the very back of the closet. Setting the little drake down, he pushed away from the row of winter coats to a blank white wall. Stepping forward, he reached his hoof to the shelf that held the coats and Spike heard a soft “click,” before the wall opened up into a black void.
With a soft smile, the Prince extended his hoof into the darkened room, “After you my love.”
Gulping, Spike complied. He stepped through the darkness, “If this happens to be one of those dungeons that’s in Twilight’s secret stash, I’m out.”
Blueblood chucked, much to the discomfort of the younger dragon, but when the Prince clapped his hooves to turn on the lights, Spike’s jaw dropped.
In the back of his head, Spike heard an army of angels singing at what he saw in that secret room. Everywhere, from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, a titanic room that easily rivals that of Canterlot’s library held comic books that were sealed up in plastic, organized by genera from superheroes to graphic novels. On another bookshelf, film canisters held a battalion of movies with a projector standing at attention. Marble podiums of plastic action figures stood proudly next to the shelves of board games of both classic and things Spike had never seen before from roleplaying to cards. On the ceiling above the crystal chandlers, a mosaic of every hero the baby dragon could name was depicted in an epic battle with their arch enemies. In the very back of the room, stood arcade games with a large bowl of bits sat on a podium in front of them.
“Well?” Blueblood grinned as he saw the amazement on Spike’s face, “Do you approve?”
“Look at this place!” the little drake exclaimed as he went to one of the bookshelves. “This has everything! ‘Professor Mystery’; the entire ‘Curse of the Pyramid’ series; first edition of ‘Maneiac’s Past!’ Where did you get all of these?” he gasped, “The super rare, limited edition of ‘Clockwork’s Revenge?’ This is impossible to find anywhere in the world!”
“And I got it first before it, or any of these became rare,” Blueblood said.
Spike raised an eyebrow, “What do ya mean?”
“My love, I have a confession to make,” the Royal Unicorn closed the secret door behind him. “Is that… I’m a closeted geek when it comes to these things. Oh sure, I do enjoy the finer things that come with the benefits of a prince, but every so often I take delight in the… immature subjects that I didn’t grow up with.”
This took the dragon by surprise. “Wait, you mean that you never read comic books when you were a colt?”
He shook his head, “Nor was I allowed to play with action figures, or watch any movies that weren’t educational or play mindless games. Until I was in my late teens, I never picked up a graphic novel. I was lead to believe that they were only for common ponies… that was until I spotted one that a guard had abandoned on his break. In fact… Where was it?”
The prince trotted up to a nearby bookshelf, scanned through the section marked, “Mystery,” until he pulled out what he was looking for. Spike saw the title on the hardcover: On Moonless Nights in Manehattan.
“I believe that this was the very book that caught my attention. At first, I thought about throwing it away until I opened up the pages to these art deco style drawings. Curious, I flipped through the first page and began reading. For the whole day, I couldn’t put it down. I was so captivated by the story, the art, and the characters in that mystery that… I wanted more. So I contacted the companies that published these to send in some of their critically acclaimed comics. Whatever they gave me, horror, fantasy, classic literature… mature readings even… but as I read on, I was hooked on comic books that… I felt young again. From there, as you can see, it escalated to collecting games, films, and even these toys too. As much as I didn’t want to admit, I’ve become a geek.”
“But why keep all of this hidden?” Spike inquired, “I mean, this place is amazing!”
Blueblood smiled, “I thank you kindly for the compliment. But as a Prince of Equestria, I have an image to live up to. My public face must always come first my love. Up until tonight, nopony knew that I’m obsessed with high-quality comics… or a lover of films… or collects games of all sorts… or even that I prefer stallions since other than Prince Shining; we’re expected to fall in love with a Princess. But in here… I’m as free as this room lets me. My own secret place, where I could drop my mask and be free for a while, yet, it is quite lonely when you’re the only one who has such interests.” His expression softens towards the baby Drake, “Which is why I’m so happy to show this to you because I know that we have a common interest that I don’t have to hide anymore.”
“What in Equestria are you talking about? Don’t you know that Shining is a nerd too? He’s the one who got me an interest in comics and RPG in the first place! You could have hanged up with him. Plus, who cares if you like guys? I mean, I do find it weird that you… spontaneously like me, but then again, I’ve never known a guy that’s gay before. So maybe that’s on me. But the point is, even if ponies know this about you too, it does mean not gonna hurt you.”
“It wasn’t so simple up until tonight Spike,” he shook his head. “Until I first lay eyes on you, I couldn’t enter into a relationship without fully knowing how the public and the nobility would take it. But with you by my side, all those worries, those fears that need to put up a façade had melted away. Come what anypony says! Tonight, I am now free as I want to be, and I want to be with you, and there’s nothing in the universe to stop me.”
Just then, there was an explosion that came from outside of the secret game room. This was followed by a stampede of hooves along with an earth-shaking voice.
“BLUEBLOOD! IF YOU HAVE SO MUCH AS TAKEN SPIKE’S VIRGINITY I SWEAR TO CELESTIA’S PLOTHOLE THAT I WILL PERSONALLY SKIN YOU ALIVE AND NAIL YOUR HIDE TO THE WALL OF THE THRONE ROOM FOR EVERYPONY TO SEE! WHILE BARBEQUING YOUR LIVING CORPSE OVER AN OPEN PIT! SO COME OUT HERE, YOU PERVERTED COWARD!”
The Prince gulped, he glanced over to Spike, “You know, Princess Twilight can be really intimidating when she wants to.”
Spike rolled his eyes and pushed open on the door, “It’s okay Twi, I’m fine.”
A galloping of hooves rushed into the closet, taking the little drake into Twilight’s hooves. “Spike, are you alright, Rarity has told me that-”
“Twilight,” Spike interrupted, “I was completely freaked out too. But…” he looked back into the secret room where the Royal Unicorn was. “But it’s okay now. Blueblood hasn’t done anything bad to me. Honest. If anything… I know this is going to sound crazy but… Can I hang out with him for a bit?”
The Prince’s ears perked up.
“What?” the Princess of Friendship asked. “But I thought the girls told me you were trying to get away from him.”
“Yeah, I know,” he scratched the back of his head. “However, something has come up that I think he does need my help. A friendship sort of a problem that I think I can help him out with. Of course, I think something is off in how he loves me all of a sudden, but I do think that this is deeper than that.”
Twilight looked up at Blueblood, who nervously waved at her. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“I think so. But if he does do anything weird, I’ll write a quick note to ya in case I need help. Do you trust me on this?”
The lilac alicorn glanced up at the prince one more time, thinking it over. “If you think you’re capable, okay. But if he does something that you’re uncomfortable with, notify me immediately, got it.”
“Yeah,” Spike nodded. “I’ll be okay. You could tell the girls that we’ll get to hang out a little later, it just that I need to take care of something first.”
“Alright,” Twilight put him down, “be safe.” She narrowed his eyes at the prince, “And I’m serious about the skinning part.”
Blueblood nodded nervously. When Twilight exited the closet, and her hoofsteps became quiet, the stallion rushed over to Spike to draw him into a quick kiss on the lips before hugging him while saying in a high voice, “Oh thankyouthankyouthankyoutha-” but he realized what he was doing. Setting him down, he put the flushed dragon down and cleared his throat. “I mean, thank you for giving me this chance, Sir Spike.”
“Uh…” Spike’s cheeks felt like they were on fire as he avoided eye contact. “You’re welcome?”
Blueblood looked over to the pinball machine for what might have been the twenty-fourth-hundred time at Spike. Ever since Prince Twilight had spared his life, the little drake didn’t say much or looked at him. It was as The Prince found it odd that although his “Consort” had promised that he would “help” him, he hasn’t done much but turned his attention towards the steel ball in the machine.
Eventually, that said ball had fallen through, ended the match much to Spike’s frustration. Spike groaned and tried to reach for another bit when he found his wrist was stuck in midair. Looking over, it didn’t take long to figure out who was using magic in the room.
“Spike, I think something is bothering you,” the Royal Unicorn said as a matter of fact. “You haven’t looked at me for the past five minutes. Would you please tell me what’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” the young dragon tried to pull away from the aura but was lifted up, forced to face the prince.
“I know that look anywhere,” Blueblood said, “Or rather, that behavior to be precise. You are trying to shut out everything because something is bothering you only you believe that nopony will listen.”
Spike’s eyes widen, “How did-”
“One of the benefits to dealing with foreign ambassadors, dignitaries, and leaders, is that with enough time and practice, you can read somepony’s body language. With what I’ve seen for the past five minutes, I have seen this before with myself.” When Spike didn’t respond, the Prince sighed, “Look, you said that you wanted to help me in some way. But after looking at you… I’d say that you need my help just as much. So please tell me, what is wrong?”
Spike looked away as his cheeks turned pink, his eyes turned towards the door of the expansive game room. “Blueblood… how well can you keep a secret?”
“I will take it to the grave if I must, my love.”
“But what about your guards? I know they’re standing right outside from the entrance of your nerd cave.”
“They’ve sworn an oath that no matter what they hear or see shall not leave outside of the palace. So please, speak freely.”
After letting go of his claw, Spike rubbed the sleeve of his suite with it. “It was that kiss you gave me back there.”
Blueblood grimaced, “Really? Did I have garlic breath?”
Spike laughed uneasily. “No, it’s not tha-”
“Was I too forceful?”
There was a pause before the baby dragon responded, “That’s not it either, rather, it’s that I…” he shook his head, his blush deepened. “Don’t make me say it.”
“What?” the prince raised an eyebrow, “What has the kiss gotten you so nervous about? It wasn’t the breath nor was it a surprise. So what has gotten you so…” then he trailed off as he realized something. “Sir Spike, did I give you your first kiss?”
Spike hesitated before he nodded, “My first real one.”
In the back of Blueblood’s brain, he could hear a voice of a goalie screaming 'GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!' However before he could congratulate himself being his beloved’s first kiss, he still noticed that his “Consort’s” face still had a look of concern on it. “So is that it?” he asked, “Is it because I was your first kiss? Oh come now Sir Spike, I’m the best stallion to have their-”
“It’s not that either!” Spike snapped, “It’s just gotten me scared that I liked it!”
This took the Prince completely by surprise, “Wait, what?”
The young drake sighed, “I mean… I had kissed before from mares. Only up until now, they were on the cheek. Even when it wasn’t on the lips, but it was nice. But when I got it from a mare that I have a crush on… it was even better.” He then looked up at Blueblood, “But when you did it… on the lips… I wouldn’t lie in saying that I thought it would have been weird… only it wasn’t, and that’s what scares me. So what does this mean anyway? I mean, I know I like mares, there’s no doubt, but…”
“You’re questioning if you like stallions too, is that right?” Blueblood asked, his heart was swelling with joy on the one hoof but worry in the other. He added, “And I would assume you might be wondering how your peers will see you? Just like me with the nobility?”
Spike nodded, “And you forcing me to dance with you isn’t gonna help either of us. I’m sure there are rumors spreading about us by now… I was gonna say that if I know Celestia as well as I do, that regardless what the rest of the nobles will think or say about ya, she would at least have your back.”
Blueblood chuckled as he wrapped his foreleg around Spike, again. “Before this wonderful night, I would have disagreed. Tell me Spike, how much knowledge of world history do you know concerning any royal family?”
The little dragon rolled his eyes, “Twilight practically reads them as a bedtime story to me.”
“I see, so tell me this, when was the last Prince do you know that preferred the company of stallions, and let the whole court know about it when he was alive?”
“Oh that’s easy, there’s…” Spike’s mind went blank. “Uh… What about- no… Well, there’s… Wait, nopony knew until after he died… Uh…” he shrugged, “Okay, I give up.”
“There’s never been one in all of history where a royal was gay, and the whole kingdom knew about it. Do you know why?” The young dragon shook his head. “Because, we Royals tend to think traditionally, meaning that we’re expected to wed a prince or princess for the purpose to reproduce so that there’s a possible heir. In other words, if the public finds out that you’re not straight, you could risk losing the throne. Up until tonight, no Prince or Princess that I know has ever done such a thing. It’s also the same reason why I had built this chamber in secret. As a Prince, I must appear straight, and mature that I have no need in chasing stallions, or playing childish games and reading comics.” He smiled, “But with you, I no longer care for what anypony thinks. I don’t care if Equestria demands that I should step down from the throne, I have never had this kind of freedom to love who I want. And what I want, is to be with you.”
“That’s somewhat untrue, Your Highness,” both Spike and Blueblood looked over to the door of the nerd cave.
“Who said that?” the Royal Unicorn questioned. His answer came when Curved Dagger stepped into the room.
“Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Your Grace, but you are wrong on the part of the nobility. If you did come out, I could imagine that they won’t react as harshly as you’re making it out to me.”
After being let go, Spike raised an eyebrow, “And how do you about this?”
“While you and His Majesty were… dancing, we’ve overheard one of the nobles saying that he was impressed that Blueblood was brave for doing so. Of course, it may be from one stallion, but considering that some ponies at the gala downstairs had seen it if there’s one, there’s another. Perhaps the Nobility is a little more open minded then you give them credit for.”
Blueblood was stunned when he heard this so he called out for his other guard, asking if this is true. “I defiantly can confirm this. I too was also there when we’ve heard the noble saying that. Although come morning, they might be talking more about Sir Spike’s age than anything else.”
“Yeah…” Spike grimaced. “Still… I was also gonna say that you should really open up because telling Equestria that you’re a bit of a nerd, will make you a whole lot more relatable then you’ll realize. I mean, apart from Shining Armor, stuff like this like collecting action figures, to playing RPG, even with your love of comic books won’t make you look lame but surprisingly cool. Heck, I mean, this is basically what I do with Big Mac and Discord for guys night in a nutshell! If we knew, I would be glad to invite you along.”
The Prince’s eyes were watering as he hugged him tightly, “You really mean it, Spike?” When he didn’t respond, he looked down to see that the Dragon’s face was turning blue. “I’m sorry, what are you saying?”
“Oxygen!” the baby dragon croaked.
After letting his grip loosen up, Blueblood looked down with him in pure joy, “Oh Spike, do you honestly mean all of that?”
“Because it’s true,” he replied. “Twilight told me that it’s not good to hide when there’s a world of ponies that can relate to you. ‘Sometimes the thing you think will cause to lose friends and feel left out can actually be the very thing that can make your closets friends. And realize how special you are.’”
“Wise words indeed,” the Prince said, “after all, I think even you could benefit from such wisdom yourself. Oh, Spike, with you by my side, now all that fear is gone and I am happy now than I ever have been. So…” Blueblood’s cheeks redden, “I know perfectly well that you’re still young, but until the right time… Sir Spike, Veux-tu m'épouser?”
“Yeah, now that’s the…” Spike blinked, “Wait, what did you just say?”
Thus Blueblood rejoiced while his guards looked at each other nervously. “Now?” Dagger murmured.
Without a word, Cloak lit up his horn, taking Spike away from Blueblood and the three of them quickly got out of the room to slam the door shut.
“Cloak! Dagger! What are you doing! Bring my Spike back! I need to tell everypony of our engagement!”
“What!” Spike screamed.
“He basically proposed to you in Prench,” the Unicorn Guard told him. “So for his sake, we’re gonna make sure he doesn’t leave that room for an hour.”
“Wait! Waitwaitwaitwaitwait!” the young drake waved his arms, “Back up. Why?”
“Well other than the fact that it’s illegal to purpose to a minor,” the Pegasus said, “long story short, we may or may not have something to do with it.”
By now, the Prince was banging on the secret door, to which the Guards ushered him not only out of the closet but out of Blueblood’s room.
“For the record,” Cloak said, “We are sorry for all of this.”
Spike sharply turned around, “You mean you two had something to do with why he just purposed to me?”
“Uh…” the unicorn guard looked at his comrade who was glaring daggers at him. “You should probably get back to the party, goodnight!” with that, the door was slammed shut.
“Hey!” Spike banged on the doors. “What’s going on! What did you two do!”
Inside the Prince’s chambers, both guards had their attention at the closet and at the double doors. One demanded Spike’s return while the other demanded answers.
The Pegasus looked at Cloak, “How long do you think we can keep this up before one of them breaks down the doors?”
“Dagger, we’re Solar Guards, we can take on anything.” He said before they noticed that there was a green light coming underneath the gilded doors. They also saw that the lock and doorknobs were turning hot red. “I think,” he added.
“Let me in!” Spike demanded as the door got increasingly hot.
“What have you done with my Spikey!” Blueblood cried out as something hard rammed against the secret door.
The only Unicorn in the room, Silver Cloak was sweating as his horn tried to secure the ever melting door while the only Pegasus was pressing his back against the hidden entrance in the closet. “We’ve dug too deep!” Cloak said as the dragon lay on the fire.
“Oh, you’re just noticing this now?” Dagger braced himself for another thump. “We should have just called it off an hour ago. We need to do something now.”
“Like what?” Cloak winced as the door was barely kept it together.
“You know,” the Pegasus said as there was another bang. “We’ve got to tell Spike the truth.”
“Did you forget that he has a direct line to the Princesses? If we tell him, we’ll get something far worse than court-marshal.”
“What do we have to lose now? We’ve got what we wanted.” Another bang, “I don’t know how much longer I can hold this up. I could really use your help anytime now. Just let him in.”
Reluctantly, the Unicorn slowly opened the scolding doors to a very irate dragon. “What is going on here!” he demanded as Cloak now focused his magic on the hidden door, giving his comrade some rest. “Did you two have something to do?”
“We didn’t mean to let it go this far,” Dagger spoke up as he left the walk-in closet. “We are so sorry for this.”
“But what did you two do?” Spike repeated his question, “It’s clear that you’re the ones that are making Blueblood act the way he does now. So talk or I’m telling Princess Twilight.”
“Spike, is that you?” Blueblood’s voice can be heard. “Please tell me you’re alright.”
Just then, Cloak got an idea, “Wait right here,” he then trotted back into the closet to the door, “Your Highness.”
“Silver Cloak! What did you do to my fiancé!”
“Sir Spike is fine, but you must stay in there for a while.”
“What are you talking about? Is he alright?”
“He is,” he looked back at a rather crossed dragon. “But he purposed that since you just fell in love with him all in one night, he wishes to set a test for you.”
Spike mouthed, ‘What?’
“I don’t understand,” Blueblood said, letting something rather heavy drop from behind the door. “What test?”
“Oh, it’s quite simple really. Sir Spike said that he fears that this whole proposal thing was a bit too quick. He said that he’s skeptical that you fell in love with him at first sight, so he wants to test you. The test is that if you can stay in that room, not be able to see him for an hour and a minute, then he’ll agree to marry you immediately.”
Spike was about to object but Dagger silenced him with a wing.
“Truly?” the Prince said in pure astonishment. “Well, I will not disappoint. Very well, I shall wait for him to show that I am indeed fit for his love.”
“Okay, good,” the unicorn finally let go of his magic as he stepped away. “We’re gonna be stepping outside of your chambers, so we’ll come and get you when your time is up.”
The two guards and the young drake stepped outside into the hallway before closing the melted doors behind them. “Okay, talk,” Spike folded his arms, “What is really going on here.” So the guards confessed to the young dragon of how the Prince was mistreating them so badly to the point where they both felt that they needed to get back at him. They told him that their intention was to humiliate Blueblood somehow, and a certain potion provided the answer. When they told Spike that they put Love Poison into his champagne, the dragon smacked himself. “Oh! Now it makes sense! Celestia, I should have seen this coming!”
“Again,” the Pegasus Guard said, “We are so sorry that this… practical joke has gotten out of hoof. But at least we are able to stop it from becoming something messier then it already is.”
“Not to mention you guys kinda humiliated me in the process,” Spike told them, his arms still crossed. “Do you guys have any idea what Equestria is gonna say about us come tomorrow morning?”
“Once the poison wears off,” Cloak stated, “Then it would be best to tell what has really happened.”
“Or why not we do it now?” Spike pulled from his coat pocket a small slip of paper and a pencil.
“Uh, what are you doing?”
The little drake ignored him as he scratched down a single sentence before sending it through his green fire. “I just told Princess Twilight that everything is resolved, and two guards were responsible for slipping Love Poison into Blue’s drink.”
Cloak’s expression drooped while his comrade smacked the back of his head with his wing, “Oh pony up! We knew that we’re gonna get caught eventually.” Dagger sighed, “I suppose that we might as well face the music for humiliating the Prince like that.”
Spike was about to say something when he burped up a scroll. “Huh, that was fast.” He unrolled the scroll to read its contents. The young dragon took several steps back, “This is odd, Princess Twilight has told me to take a couple steps back and for you two to step into someplace that has a shadow. She also said that is an order.”
The two guards looked at one another in confusion, when they couldn’t find one; they went to a broom closet and opened the door. Spike jumped as he saw shadows pulling them in, both of them screaming before the door was slammed shut. “The hay?” Spike cautiously went up to the door to open it, only to find nothing but the contents of a broom closet.
“They’re put under arrest,” Spike jumped at the new voice behind him. Quickly turning around, he found a Lunar Guard standing behind him. She continued, “Pardon the sudden appearance Sir Spike; we tend to work quickly and silently.”
“W-Where did they go?”
She smirked, “In a secured cell in the dungeons to wait for their court-martial.” Shaking her head, she trotted over to close the door, “Poor Solars, they fall for it every time,” Turning to the young drake, she insured, “So where is His Grace anyway?”
“He’s waiting in his Nerd Cave for the potion to wear off.”
The Bat Pony blinked, “Blueblood has a Nerd Cave? Since when?” Spike shrugged, “Well regardless, I think we can take care of things from here. You may go back to the gala now Spike the Brave and Glorious.”
Just as the Lunar Guard was trotting up and open up the melted door, the little dragon called out, “Wait, I stay for a bit?”
Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “What for?”
“I mean, when his head is all cleared up, I want to talk to him.”
_*_
About an hour later, a Lunar Guard finally found the latch to the hidden entrance in which Prince Blueblood stepped out, “Hello? Silver Cloak? Curved Dagger?”
He nearly jumped as he noticed a Lunar Guard, “Oh, sorry, I tend to forget you ponies can do that.”
“Are you feeling alright Your Grace?” the Bat Pony asked.
Blueblood sighed as he put a hoof to his head, “I think so. At least my thoughts aren’t clouded with Sir Spike anymore… Sweet Celestia that was embarrassing. I don’t know what happened that I suddenly lost control and-”
“You were poisoned.”
The Royal Unicorn’s ears perked up, “What?”
“Apparently, from what I’ve heard, your personal guards thought you treated them too unfairly. So much so, that they’ve slipped a Love Poison into your drink to get back at you. To which, you instantly fell in love with Sir Spike. And before you ask, those two are in a cell in the dungeons as we speak.”
“Oh dear…” he shook his head, “Any idea where Sir Spike is?”
“Over here,” following the young voice out of the closet, Blueblood spotted Spike waving from the couch by the fireplace. “Hey…”
“Evening…” the Prince nodded his head, turning his glance away from the dragon.
“Can we talk?”
Blueblood sat down next to Spike, getting how uncomfortable this was, the Lunar Guards melted into the shadows of the room, giving them some time alone.
“About what happened,” the Prince began. “I am… So sorry for what has occurred. I couldn’t keep my emotions under control and…” He shook his head, “I suppose we’ve made tremendous fools out of ourselves, have we?”
“You remember what happened,” Spike inquired.
“Unfortunately. All those things I’ve said, clinging to you like a stuffed toy… and showing you my Nerd Cave… And tricked you into engagement (which by the way, I’m calling it off).”
The little drake laughed, “Yeah. We’ve… We’ve learned a couple things about each other… and ourselves.”
“Indeed… I suppose my Aunts would want an answer and given that you and my bodyguards know the truth… Then I might as well come clean with them.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “On what?”
“Considering what has happened, I think its best that we just go ahead and tell everypony. I still stand by that you shouldn’t keep what you’re interests are a secret, I mean, you’ve pretty much-won mine when you showed me your comic book library.”
“Yes. Though to be fair, I honestly didn’t know that Prince Shining Armor and I share the same hobbies. Do you think he’ll be impressed with the room?”
“Ya kidding? He’ll be like Daring Do finding a lost treasure room; he’ll be like a colt in a candy shop for being in there.”
“You know… perhaps since you’ve put up with my… emotions, that I could extend that invitation towards you as well.”
“Really?”
Blueblood nodded, “Day or Night if you wanted to borrow something from my personal collection, all you have to do is ask.”
“Well, thanks.”
There was another awkward moment of silence before Blueblood said, “I think you should do the same.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, at this point, I can’t keep everypony ignorant of my sexuality for long. With you, however, you’re still young and have plenty of time to figure these things out. All I want to say to you is that you should live authentically. For you don’t have to force to wear a façade, but you’re free to be who yourself and develop crushes for those you care for. Don’t take this freedom for granted. If in your mature years that you find that you like mares and stallions, then don’t be afraid to hide it. You’ll have me to support you whoever you decided to be with, regardless the gender. After all, with all that’s happened, it’s the least I could do.”
“You know, you’re much more likable when you want to be.”
The Prince laughed, “That’s because my stressful job of balancing relationships and customs suck the energy of being nice on some days. After all, it isn’t every day that I go on dates with the gender I prefer.”
“So I guess there’s some good from drinking a Love Poison?” Spike smirked.
“Perhaps… But those guards still need to be pushed somehow, they did poison a pony of Royalty.”
The baby drake’s grin turned wicked, “I don’t know if this is legal, but could I put in a suggested punishment?”
Blueblood raised an eyebrow, “I would be lying to say that I wasn’t curious.” Spike guested with his claw to lean closer to which he whispered it into his ear. “You can do that?”
Spike nodded, “I can get Twilight to help.”
The Prince smirked, “Oh I like your way of justice. But like I said, whoever you do decide to have a relationship with, I think they would have a wonderful coltfriend.” With that, the Royal Unicorn kissed the drake on the cheek.
Spike blushed, “Uh… thanks… I guess I should get back to the party then.”
“The night is still young,” both Blueblood said as he got up. “I suppose it’s time to come out to my aunts. And knowing them, they probably will get cousin Cadence over to play matchmaker with me.”
“And I’ll go fixing up that punishment,” Spike said. “One more thing, know that we have some things in common, do you want to be friends with me?” he held out a claw, to which, Blueblood shook it in agreement.
_*_
“Look on the bright side,” Cloak said as he rested upon the uncomfortably wooden bed. “At least we probably won’t have to serve that royal pain ever again.”
“That’s in the best case scenario,” Dagger laid his back against the stone wall. Looking above at the only tiny window in the room, he could barely see the stars. “We could be charged with cleaning the latrine with toothbrushes for years for doing this.”
“Or maybe Blueblood would have us be his boy toys to be played with,” the Unicorn chuckled.
“You think he’ll do that to us?” the Pegasus’s eyes widen.
His comrade shrugged, “It’s up to the Royals to give what punishments we get. At this point, I don’t really much care if he makes up put on Prench maid uniforms for the rest of our lives; we’ve finally got back at him. And that’s all that matters.”
There was a banging from the door before the slot near the floor slid open, “Here’s your water.” A picture with two metal cups was pushed into the cell before the slot was slammed shut.
Getting up from the hard bed, Cloak lit up his horn as he poured the water into the cups before passing one of them to Dagger. “You know, even though this isn’t whiskey or anything strong, I want to give a toast.”
Taking the cup, his comrade tilted his head to the side, “To what?”
Chuckling, he approached him by saying, “To us, and teaching the Royal Pain-in-the-flank a lesson in respect.”
Shrugging, Dagger clicked his cup against his friend before they drank together. After that, the only thing either stallion saw in their heart-shaped pupils was each other. For a still, sweet moment, there was one thing that was on their minds.
