Spike found some wine and shares it with Rarity. A side story to "Between Day and Night".
A side story for "Between Day and Night", first published on Valentine's Day.
Twilight is in Canterlot dealing with her own feelings for Celestia while Luna and her cult are doing their thing. Meanwhile Spike spends his time wooing his one true love. He already earned himself a date. Maybe several bottles of ancient wine can help.
Perfect… Two hours of choosing dresses, putting on make-up and combing her mane. Average time for her, but now Rarity could proudly claim that she would not be able to look any better. The mare that looked at her from her big mirror was perfect is every conceivable way... With the exception for one little detail: She could not force herself to smile. Her eyes went over the elegant red dress, the ruby earrings, her perfect mane but they would always stop on the reflection’s lips.
There were so many reasons to be happy: Celestia was seeing her designs and would maybe even consider asking for a dress. She had raised a glass with Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle. There was an amazing dinner on the stove and a bottle of champagne in the fridge. And soon, she would have some company to celebrate.
Yet, she could not smile!
Doubts and worries were gnawing on her like Opal would on her toys. “What if he has a bad day or something unforeseen happens and I reject him, even though he deserves better?” “Maybe he manages to get to me, but we make a terrible mistake!” “What if I get arrested for paedofoalia?” “What if I get sent to prison and they use me as currency!”
Rarity closed her eyes and focused her thoughts: *It is just one date! Dinner and that’s it! It’s not as if he is going to do something grand and magnifique...* She turned around and towards her vanity. The fire ruby was sitting on the otherwise empty surface, mocking her with its beauty. Rarity had designed this dress especially for it. It was laced with golden hems and smaller rubies. The fire ruby would be highlighted in the middle. It was gorgeous and a just a very tiny bit sexy.
*Perfect for this occasion... right?* she thought and quietly finished her ensemble.
Beyond perfect!
Rarity looked at the gorgeous mare before her and let out another sigh. Slowly, magic engulfed the necklace and levitated it back to its place on the table. One by one, she removed her ensemble until only make-up and eyelashes remained. “This will be for our next date...” she said softly, while her mind silently added *Please earn it!* In the end, Rarity settled on a chaste, black cocktail dress and an onyx necklace. She was still gorgeous by any standards, but it was nothing compared to her previous one.
A knock on the door tore her from her thoughts. “Showtime...” she muttered, forced her lips into a smile and left the room. Even before opening the door, the alabaster unicorn felt as if something was amiss. The knock had sounded as if something metal had knocked on the door. As she opened, she was not greeted by a cute purple dragon, but by her neighbor, a blue stallion with a musical cutie mark, whom she knew as noteworthy. That means, his name was noteworthy... he was called Noteworthy, the stallion himself was not very interesting.
“Hello, Mrs. Rarity.” The stallion said with a smile.
“Oh...” Rarity answered in surprise “Hello. We are sadly closed already.”
“I know, I know. I’m just helping with the piano.” The stallion explained “Could you step aside, please?"
Rarity’s perfectly trimmed eyebrows rose. She looked past the stallion and really, there was a piano right behind him. Quietly she made room.
“Ready, Spike!” Noteworthy announced, disappeared below the instrument.
“HEAVE HO”
A screeching sound informed Rartiy that the piano was in a loud argument with the door frame and slowly but steadily winning. Finally, the door frame chose the path of the wise and surrendered, sending enormous black instrument jolting into the middle of the room.
“Thank you, buddy!” Spike announced happily and shook claw/hoof with the blue pony.
“No trouble. Just help me fetch it tomorrow. Bye!” the stallion answered and left quietly.
“Will do. Good night!” The dragon waved after the stallion while leaning against the instrument.
Rarity was about to ask why exactly Spike had just shoved such a black monster through her front door, when something caught her eye.
“Darling... did you... adjust my tie?” she asked, carefully eyeing the dragon.
Spike was clad in his black tuxedo, wearing a white shirt underneath and the red, gem encrusted tie that she had given him a while ago around his neck. But it was much smaller than when she had given him.
“Oh... yes...” Spike answered and blushed “A few months ago, Twilight put me on a bit of a gem embargo, after I spilled a smoothie on her “Impractical Physics” book. I was really hankering for a snack... I’m sorry, I didn't mean to..”
“It looks much better like this.” The unicorn said dryly. The tie had been much too big back then, since she hadn't put at much thought into it. It was before the fire ruby. Oh dear... had the fire ruby changed so much?
“You apparently picked out the colours that didn’t go with the red and the others make it much slimmer and elegant now.” Rarity observed. She got a step closer. “But now it’s all focused on your neck... you need another accessory...”
“Rarity?” Spike asked carefully. The fashionista had a strange gleam in her eyes.
“TOP HAT!” she suddenly sung and bounced towards her studio. She reappeared seconds later with a top hat in his size. It had a red band with a single ruby on the side.
Less than a second after he was given the hat, the dragon felt magic lift him and carry him to the next mirror. “Looking great!” he announced at his reflection while tilting the hat slightly.
“I have to agree.” Rarity added, looking him over.
A huge blush invaded the dragon’s cheeks. “Thank you...” he muttered.
Suddenly realizing that she had just given him a compliment, the unicorn felt her cheeks get rosy. Quickly she turned and focused her attention back onto the piano.
“So, why is there a part of a classical orchestra standing in my living room?”
“It’s for after dinner.” Spike explained “Just wait for it.”
Rarity nodded and waited for another second. Spike was tilting the hat from side to side and readjusting the bow-tie, all while looking at his reflection in the mirror. *Something is still off...* the fashionista thought while eyeing him thoroughly. *Did he lose weight? He seems... less pudgy... no, he didn’t lose weight... are his ear frills bigger?*
“Spike, do you feel well?” Rarity asked after eyeing him a little more.
“Of course, Rarity! I could not feel better!” Spike answered happily, turning around to face her “How else could I feel with such delight- and beautiful company?” he gave a deep bow, raising his hat “Thank you again for this invitation!”
“Oh, you charmer.” The unicorn giggled. It was probably nothing.
“So, what exactly happened earlier today?” he asked after peeling himself off the mirror. “Fluttershy didn’t tell me much.” “Oh, don’t worry about it, dear.” Rarity soothed and turned to walk towards the kitchen “Just a bit of an emotional reaction that could not be vented properly.”
Spike nodded with a smirk. He knew that this was code for: “I was freaking out big time”
“If you say you are all right.” He started as he followed “But I don’t get why you wanted me to leave the wine at home.”
“That is easily explained, darling.” Rarity said as she entered the kitchen “The princess will get to see my designs. This occasion demands...” her horn lit up and the fridge opened “THIS!”
A huge bottle of very expensive looking champagne floated through the room.
“OH, we bring out the bubbly!” Spike laughed.
“Not my choice of words, but still correct!” the unicorn stressed and put the bottle in the already placed cooler. “Now, why don’t you take a seat while I prepare the dinner?”
“But I could help you.”
“Spike, you are my guest! Today I shall treat you as such.” Rarity stressed, leaving no doubt that she would not allow the dragon to help her.
“As you wish.” He answered and took his seat at the set table.
Suddenly the lights dimmed and the candle on the table lit itself. Spike’s eyes widened as Rarity made her way over to him, two bowls of soup floating with her. The soft candlelight reflected in her big, blue eyes and letting shadows dance over her form. He had always asked himself why candlelight was supposed to be romantic and right now he understood: it removed the room around. It was as if you and your partner were in this small bubble of light and the world was far, far away.
“Thank you.” Spike said as his plate was placed in front of him, blushing slightly.
The unicorn took he place across from him, having a hard time believing that in front of her was the same monster that once caught her in its tail and used her as improvised weapon. She wondered how he would look if he grew up naturally. If she would even live long enough to see it.
*No, Rarity! Don’t think such things now!* she scolded herself quietly. “Say, Spike, would you be a dear and open the champagne?”
“Of course, Rarity!” the dragon replied and grabbed the bottle.
The unicorn’s horn lit up and a very fashionable helmet appeared on her head.
A loud plop ran through the room and silence followed.
“Wait?” Rarity said in surprise “No flying cork destroying my kitchen? No mayhem and chaos?”
Spike let out a giggle. “Fingers!” he said and wiggled his claw “Very useful tools.”
The fashionista let out a laugh. “You truly are the superior species!”
Quickly, Spike filled two glasses to the brink and put the bottle back in the cooler.
Both raised their glasses.
“To your creativity and greatness!” Spike offered.
“Oh, you are such a flatterer...” Rarity giggled “I’d rather drink to Twilight, Celestia and you! For all the wonderful moments you three have given me! Twilight for becoming my friend. Celestia for her wonderful rule. And you.” The unicorn paused for a moment and collected her thoughts “For being nothing less than a prince!”
A Spike’s blush deepened and he averted his gaze. “You are too generous, Rarity.” He muttered.
“And you have become much too modest.” She said gently “It’s rude to clink glasses without looking into the other’s eyes.”
A soft clinking sound filled the air, but nobody drank. As soon as their eyes met, they fell silent and smiled at each other. Rarity finally levitated her glass to her lips and the spell broke. “We should eat before it gets too cold.” She added. The first course was eaten in silence. Both had suddenly developed a deep interest in their meals that had absolutely nothing to do with the spark of affection that they had seen in the eyes of the other.
As Rarity finished (her ladylike nibbles had emptied the plate slower than Spikes manly glups) Spike instantly got to his feet, grabbing his plate.
“Spike!” the unicorn scolded “You are my guest. I will clear the table and serve the food.”
A blue aura surrounded the plate and took it from the dragon. “But I want to help you.” He answered crestfallen.
“I’m sorry, darling, but today, I am your host and as such, it is my duty and joy to serve you.” Rarity answered, looking over her shoulder “Just like you do whenever I visit the library.”
Spike let out a sigh and rested his head on his knuckles. He didn’t like the idea of Rarity working for him. While it did feel nice that she wanted him to be happy, it robbed him of the thing he enjoyed even more: Doing his best to make her happy!
“For you...” a angelic voice chimed and tore him from his frustration.
The dragon’s eyes grew wide.
“Is that... did you really?” he stuttered.
“Yes, Spike, I went through the trouble.”
“But... that is... a... I... Rarity!”
Rarity let out a quiet laugh and set down her salad.
Spike was struck speechless by the spread. Rarity had used several flat topazes like a cake base and spread sapphire and rubies on top, while a big diamond was the centre.
“It’s almost too pretty to eat.” The dragon muttered.
“You are right. I should probably take them away and use them for a dress.” Rarity teased.
She smiled as Spike quickly started to eat his dinner.
“Say, Spike.” Rarity began, between bites “I was wondering about something.”
“Ask right away!” the dragon answered, trying his best to swallow before talking.
“You remember when Applejack saved you from a timber wolf?”
“Of course.”
“You mentioned your dragon code several times.” Rarity explained “I was wondering: What exactly is this Dragon code?” Spike gave her a sad smile. “Ever since my birthday, I was worried that I might lose myself in darkness again. It’s not just greed, you know. Arrogance, rage, gluttony. A dragon’s heart is prone to many dark emotions.” He let out a sigh “You remember what my greed did to Ponyville... what it almost did to you. I asked the princess... mother... to help me take steps to prevent it from ever happening again. We got together and developed a code that I would follow. That would make sure that I would never hurt anypony ever again.” He looked up “If I keep strictly to the code, maybe I can grow up to be as much a paragon of dragonkind as you and the others are to ponykind. A truly noble dragon... not like those jerks I met during the migration.”
Rarity cocked her head to the side. “It’s tough to be a dragon amongst ponies.” She asked softly.
“It’s worth it.” Spike answered and softly added “Because I get to spend time with you...”
Rarity bit her lip and lowered her gaze. A burst of uncertainty washed over her. Spike’s open affection moved her yet again. Only this time, they were not falling towards an untimely end.
She quickly poured herself another glass. *I have to count my drinks.* she thought quietly *To his dragon tummy, this is little more than flavoured soda. But I don’t want to end up drunk.*
“Thank you, Rarity. This was both delicious and beautiful.” Spike said with a huge smile, after the last gemstone disappeared. “Why don’t you tell me something about yourself?” he suddenly asked “You never told me how you got your cutie mark or what you did in Canterlot. I heard you went to two parties at once. I was really disappointed when I had to cancel both Fancy Pants and Twilight’s parties.”
“You were invited to Fancy Pants’ party?” Rarity blurted out.
“Sure. We met at one of Hoity Toity’s parties. He’s a great dude!”
Rarity’s brain shut down for a second. The thought of calling FANCY PANTS a “great dude” blew a few fuses. After a quick reboot, she finished her meal.
“I had no idea you were so... interwoven with Canterlot’s high society, Spike.”
“Well, the princess is my guardian.” Spike said with a gentle smile “Sure... the usual suspects won’t talk to me, but Hoity only cares about good taste and fashion. He is completely tolerant as long as you have some degree of style. And Fancy is just a great guy.”
Rarity felt a huge pang of guilt. Yes, both were good and honest stallions. And Rarity had tried to impress them for all the wrong reasons. Just like she had spent her fair share of time among the “usual suspects”... a certain, blonde prince came to mind.
“Say...” Spike asked “Did you plan a dessert?”
“Oh?” Rarity was torn from her guilt “Yes, I did. Why do you ask?”
“I thought we could have a little break and maybe I could play for you.” He pointed a claw at the piano.
“Spike, I am supposed to be the host.” Rarity said gently “You are always doing things for me.”
The dragon raised a claw and the unicorn stopped herself. “I enjoy doing these things for you, Rarity.” He said firmly “Please, let me play for you!”
The alabaster mare let out a sigh and nodded. “I would be honored if you played for me...” she said. Spike made his way to the instrument and took place. Rarity took place next to the piano and looked expectantly. He was playing without notes?
Eight nimble claws moved over the ivory-substitute. He began with a simple tune that quickly turned more complex, with quite some gravitas behind it. Rarity smiled at the dragon, who slowly became caught in his own world of music. She knew it well enough... he was approaching the zone. A row of notes tickled over the back of her neck and she let out a sigh. Spike meanwhile had reached the zone. His claws moved by themselves as he imagined Rarity before him. His hand hit the keys hard as a flash of himself out of control hit him. He forced the thoughts back and continued to play his heart out. He leaned back, breathing heavily, never stopping to play and his eyes shot open. Rarity was looking at him. She was laying on her side on top the piano, looking into his eyes with a smile. The melody became a bit lighter and Spike smiled back, a tear struggling in the corner of his eye. The alabaster mare nodded, never breaking eye contact. She could feel every single note resonate through her whole body. Every time the dragon tickled the keys, she felt it massage her. As if there was not a key, a hammer, a cord and a corpus between them. As if his nimble claws were caressing another pure, white surface. Her heart began to beat a bit faster and her smile relaxed.
The train stopped huffing and puffing and Rarity hoped dearly that the escaping steam would not take the last amount of lustre out of her hair. She already had to walk home with several layers of shame marking her beauty. Not only had she completely and utterly humiliated herself in front of both Princess Luna and her guards and secretary. Not only had she made the worst possible first impression on Spike’s adopted aunt and gotten the wits scared out of her by a pony that made Nightmare Moon look like a cuddly bunny. And not only had she wasted half of a workday sewing up a prison garb and create the world’s first fashionable ball and chain. No! She had gotten evidence that Spike was old enough to be in a romantic relationship and Princess Luna had given her blessing (as well as threatening to haunt her dreams until her mind snapped if Rarity ever hurt Spike).
She had asked and she had received. Now there was no turning back and denying it. The most adorable dragon in Equestria could be hers at any time she wanted.
So why was she walking home as if the tax pony was waiting there?
“Because it was a cute idea yesterday when he was serenading you… a sweet dream… and now it might be reality. Nasty, scary and horrid reality.” A voice inside her head whispered “And in reality, the nobles you admire are a bunch of decadent, big headed and selfish foals. In reality, there are monsters out there who kidnap you at the drop of a hat for the sake of their underground mining operation. In reality, you are so busy doubting yourself, you don’t even consider that you could be spending all this time finally making Spike as happy as he makes you. But you would rather spend some time in the dungeon than commit to your feelings. Very generous of you, Rarity!” That snapped the fashionista out of her thoughts. She stopped in the middle of the road and took a deep breath. “I always longed for a prince… Spike is the adopted son of Celestia and therefore a prince. And unlike certain other ponies, he behaves like one whenever we spend time together. I promised to give him a chance and my stars, he earned it.” With those thoughts, Rarity nodded to herself and pushed on, right into the back of a couch that was standing in the middle of the main road.
“My goodness, how did my fainting couch get here?” Rarity wondered loudly, as she walked around her beloved piece of ground-evasion furniture. To her surprise, a certain rainbow-haired pegasus was stretched out on it, snoring loudly with a bit of drool dropping out the side of her wide-open mouth. “Oh Celestia how unsanitary!” the fashionista groaned “Rainbow can keep you for now. But she better make sure you are properly cleaned when I get you back.” Shaking her head a little, Rarity continued toward Carousel Boutique when another though hit her. "I summoned the couch when I fainted in Canterlot, but it never made it that far. But its out here now, which means it got out of the house…"
“OH NO! MY HOME!” Rarity yelled and galloped off toward the boutique. Her worries about her love life were instantly replaced by ideas how many sinister and devious creatures had now taken up residence in her beloved boutique and what sinister plots they were already plotting. She closed in on the boutique and truly, the door was wide open! Her home was probably a den of debauchery and drug offense, where dubious ponies would smoke their weeds and their china-cats or however those drugs are called these days! AND SPIKE HAD SOMEHOW WANDERED HERE! Rarity had to save her beloved dragon!
“SPIIIIIIKE! What are you doing there?” she yelled desperately “Get away from the parlour of sin!”
Spike meanwhile, who was sitting next to the open door with a comic boon in his claws looked up. “Awww! But Parlour of Sin is the best Mane-iac story yet!” the dragon lamented “I know it’s a bit cheesy but it’s a comic book…”
Rarity stopped next to Spike, panting heavily and shaking her head. “No! The boutique! The door has been damaged! I’m sure that the criminal underbelly of Ponyville has already crawled in and made this their new headquarter! Quick, Spike, we have to run an-“
“Erm… actually, when Noteworthy and I came here a few hours ago, we noticed that the door was open and got the piano out. And after that, I stayed here to watch the door until you came back.” Spike explained.
“Oh….” Rarity said and a blush invaded her cheeks. “Erm… Thank you, Spike. I guess I let my… wait! I summoned the couch several hours ago. Have you been sitting here all that time protecting my home?”
The young dragon nodded. “I tried to get the carpenter. But they said that they couldn’t fix the door with you not being here. Since it’s your property and all.” He explained quickly, clearly worried that Rarity would be angry at him not fixing the damage. Instead, Rarity stepped closer, extended her forearm around Spike’s head and pulled him against her chest. Spike’s cheeks ran red with surprised embarrassment and silent joy.
“So you spent hours of your time protecting my property…” Rarity whispered dreamily let out a sigh. She had spent all the time since yesterday buried in her own worries and here was Spike, taking all of them away with one huge deed, he didn’t even consider big. “Thank you, Spike. That was very sweet of you.”
Spike didn’t answer, his mind occupied with the softness of Rarity’s coat and the fact that she was holding him tightly against her chest. Sure, the two had exchanged intimacies before but he had never been so close to her. Never felt her Never felt her coat against his scales. Never heard her heart beat so eagerly within her chest. He simply didn’t know how to react, so his mind missed the idea of returning the embrace and his arms just flailed around in surprise until happiness claimed his energy and he just leaned against her.
“Now Spike. Since you spent your entire first half of the day sitting here, I suggest I have my shop repaired and spend the rest of my day expressing my gratitude.” She said as she slowly let go of the love-drunk dragon. “Unless you are occupied elsewhere.”
Spike instantly sprung back to reality. “NO! Erm… I mean, I don’t really have any plans for today. The library is closed anyways. Peewee wanted to help me sort out the damaged books and he got so excited… lets just say that dragons and phoenixes may be fireproof bur our floor isn’t. We are having the carpenters over too.”
Rarity let out a soft giggle and nodded. “So it is set. How about you go back to the library and inform the carpenters that my home would be next on their list. Meanwhile, I prepare everything for dinner. Just come back here with… let’s say the Haflinger Eiswein. I have just the right dessert for an old vin du glace.”
A huge smile appeared on Spike’s face. “Wow that sounds amazing! All right, Rarity, I’ll get everything done and meet you here in a jiffy!”
As the small dragon ran off, his comic book firm in claw, Rarity let out a sigh of relief. A creative mind could be a cesspool of dark thoughts but Spike just needed to be himself to ease her anguish. Maybe this would not end in absolute disaster after all. Rarity turned and entered her humble, now pianoless, abode and carelessly tossed her saddlebag to the side, just before catching it in her magic and placing it on the floor. Even in emotional dismay, a lady has to keep certain standards. She then decided to spend a few moments on her beauty, just refreshing her make-up, combing her mane and adding a bit more lip-gloss than usual. Finally, the unicorn prepared a few gems, she had heard Spike describe as sweet and a peppermint and daisy salad with some chocolate for herself. Eiswein, or Ice wine was a specialty from Germane. Late in autumn, the grapes were left on the vine until they froze. When pressed, the frozen water would stay behind and only the sweet grape juices and sugar would reach the bottle. It was a thick and full drink. Sweet as sin and full in its taste. And since it could only be made in places warm enough to have grapes, yet cold enough to have them freeze, it was very rare. The thought of sharing such a decadent drop with Spike sent a certain giddiness through the unicorn.
Just she, the dragon and a wonderful wine.
A shiver went down her spine.
The nerves!
“I can’t do this!” the unicorn groaned “I can’t ask him in here and talk about our feelings like they are a dress order! There needs to be some romace… passion… a…” her eyes wandered to the window “A STAGE!” Seconds later a picnic blanket and a pair of pillows began to glow and were stuffed into a basket. “The park is simply divine at this time of the year. The colours of the leaves, the smell of hay… perfect for a picnic. Now I just need one little detail to add to the equation.” Quickly the unicorn galloped back to her room and returned with her golden necklace that held the most precious gem in the entire building. The fire ruby. Only seconds later there was a knock on the door and Rarity smiled as Spike entered with a bottle in his claws.
“Oh hello, darling.” Rarity greeted eagerly and gifted Spike with a happy smile. “Say, how about we change this lunch into a nice, relaxing picnic? The park should be simply divine at this time of the day and if the carpenters are coming, we wouldn’t have much of an atmosphere in this stuffy old place.”
Spike nodded eagerly. “That’s a great idea, Rarity. How about you give me that basket and-“ he didn’t finish, as the winebottle was magically torn from his hand and placed in the basket.
“I’m sorry, Spike, but you have gone beyond the call of duty already. I may be a lady but I think I am fit enough to carry a basket.” Rarity said with a smile but a firm voice and trotted closer to Spike. She turned to her side and bent her knees slightly. “Now hop on and off we go!”
Spike’s eyes grew to the size of satellite dishes. “Hop on?” he asked in shock.
“Well, of course, darling. You have already carried a piano out of my home AND ran back and forward between here and the library twice today. I think you should rest your feet a little.” Rarity explained calmly and certainly, perfectly masking how incredibly nervous she was right now.
“But… I…” Spike stammered, confused by the suggestion.
“Its rude to keep a lady waiting, Spike!” Rarity stressed harshly “Just hop on and off we go. You ride around on Twilight all the time, I do not know what could be the issue.”
“But… Twi and me are basically siblings… I… I can’t ride you, Rarity.”
Rarity raised her nose in outrage. “And why would that be?” She asked in a ladylike huff. “Would you say that my back is any less comfortable than Twilights? Am I so scrawny that my shoulder blades would poke you? Do you think my coat is not soft enough for you? Or do you think me so weak and fragile that I could not possibly lift you even though I, unlike Twilight, do work out enough to keep my pristine figure?”
Spike took a step back and his gaze lowered to the ground. It felt weird… the idea of riding on the pony he cared so much about. Wasn’t he supposed to carry her around on his arms? Rarity meanwhile kept her nose up, though her features softened slightly, showing a bit of the worry beneath. "Come on Spike! How are you ever going to share intimacy if you are not comfy with being close to me? I don’t want you looking up to me all the time. How can you swoop me off my hooves if you are busy worshipping the ground beneath them?"
Finally, Spike swallowed heavily and nodded. “Fine, Rarity…” he said nervously and approached the mare of his dreams. Sure, she had kissed and sometimes even snuggled him before but he had never spent long scale-to-coat contact with her. Was this right? Sure, he wanted to touch her. The kiss, she had once planted on his cheek had burned there for hours. Every time her pristine coat had rubbed over his scales, it had set a lightning through his body. And now, she just wanted to sit on her back. The young dragon tried desperately to ignore the velvet texture of Rarity’s coat, the warmth of her body soft twitching of her muscles as his claws went over them. Finally, he sat down on her back and sighed. It was wonderful in every way imaginable! Twilight’s coat tended to be a bit on the rough side, since she took short showers and spent more time relaxing with books. Rarity was soft as silk and smelled of expensive perfumes. Her body felt firm and lean under his claws and he instantly crossed his arms as to not give in and caress her back.
“Comfy?” Rarity giggled happily, turning her head and giving him a loving smile. She could see the happiness on his face and the blush on his cheeks. And to be honest, it was nice to feel his adorable weight on her back. Until now, she had eyes the way Twilight would carry him around with a bit of confusion. Should a lady really lower herself to a mere pack-pony? But right now, he felt like a wonderful accessory to a perfect dress. A cute, sweet and kind accessory.
Spike nodded, his body slowly getting used to being so close to this very special mare. He was almost capable of rational thought at this point.
“Well, then off we go…” Rarity giggled and made her way out of the boutique, the picnic basket levitating next to them.
Though she managed to keep a brave face, the mare was still very nervous. Spike may have relaxed enough to be presentable, but this was a big step. This would be the first time that Ponyville would see him ride on someone else than Twilight. And though she pretended not to notice, Spike’s crush on her was well known throughout the town. What if the town would not accept them? What if they ran her out of town for being a cradle robber?
They passed the market place and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Big Macintosh, standing behind the counter, selling the fruit of his labour. Worry shot over her as the apple farmer’s gaze followed them for a moment. Suddenly a smile invaded the laconic pony’s features and he winked at the little dragon on Rarity’s back, who waved happily at him.
Rarity felt a boost of confidence. She relaxed and her gait became lighter.
There was Mayor Mare sitting with her early noon coffee in the café across the town hall. She too noticed the two strolling by and a playful giggle escaped the middle aged mare, making her almost spill parts of her latte.
Rarity smiled broader, her heart beginning to beat harder.
And now Derpy flew by and one of her eyes followed the pair for quite a while before landing, turning and looking confused. Then the bit dropped and she began clopping her hooves happily at the two.
Now Rarity was flying, the ground no longer making contact with her hooves. Everyone was cheering for them. They all knew how much Spike deserved this… how much they both deserved this!
Now even Spike was noticing that something was strange about the way Rarity moved. Her gait had become so much lighter, she was almost skipping. The dragon stretched his head a little to look at her face and he almost fell off in surprise when he saw so much happiness in her features. Her chin held high, her eyes now straight and full of confidence and a determined smile on her lips. He felt his heart skip a beat and sat back. As a small spring entered her step, he had to hold onto her or fall off and suddenly, he understood. This was what it felt like when she had this wonderful spring in her step. This was what it felt like when his Rarity was dancing through a world that loved her. And she shared it with him. A dance of happiness through the entirety of Ponyville. And all in spite of him lounging around on her back. Or maybe, a small voice in the dragon’s mind probed, it’s because of it?
He allowed that little voice to take control and just enjoy the walk, his heart beating as hard as it would beat if he was truly dancing with Rarity. And in a way, he was. Finally, they arrived at the park. Lyra and Bon Bon were there, sitting on their favourite bench in their favourite poses. They too noticed Rarity strolling by and both waved happily at the couple. Then they returned to their conversation.
Spike’s ride ended much too soon as Rarity found the perfect spot for them under a huge tree that had become a wonderful shade of red. Luckily it was still time until the running of the leaves. The unicorn used her magic to spread the picnic blanket and Spike hopped off, instantly grabbing the basket and setting up plates, glasses and so on for their meal. Rarity knew that her magic could not possibly catch up with his eager claws. When Spike was happily serving her, he jabbed needles into his scales, shoved over Diamond Dogs twice his size and, her hoof went to the gem on her chest, gave her the most amazing gift she had ever received.
Finally, Spike finished his work and Rarity scooped closer. “Thank you darling…” she whispered gently and settled down in front of him, leaving just enough place for their plates between them.
The young dragon smiled at her dreamily and took place as well. He tried to focus on his gems, a bunch of wonderful looking sapphires and a few juicy rubies for dessert, but he just couldn’t keep his eyes off the wonderful mare before him. The sun was making her coat glow and the fire ruby was glistening deliciously. Oh, how he wanted to shove the plates aside, take up all his courage and kiss her. But he knew his place. He was not worthy of her. But he was lucky enough to be in her presence and he would enjoy every second he could get.
Rarity meanwhile was eating her salad. Though she soon noticed that Spike wasn’t touching his gems. “Darling? Aren’t you hungry at all?” she asked, lowering her magically held fork. “You haven’t even touched your lunch.”
“Oh…” Spike quickly answered “Erm… you know, Ice Wine is a dessert wine. And these gems are all sweet, so I save them to go with it. When you have your chocolate!”
Rarity giggled softly. “Celestia certainly taught you well. Yes, it will be wonderful with some sweets. The slight sour note should be marvellous and the richness of the fruit! Oh, Spike, thank you for sharing this moment with me!”
“I am a bit worried that it might have become too soft over time. Princess Celestia always says that Haflingers are at their best five years after the fact. But this one is seventeen years old.” The dragon sighed.
“So its just as old as you are…” Rarity added gently. Oh goodness, what a great coincidence!
“Heh, looks like it!” Spike laughed “But I spent less time buried beneath a library floorboard than the wine.”
“Our luck. Goodness, I don’t even want to imagine what light would have done to this treasure. But that besides, you know that I never knew how old your actually were.” Rarity commented. She had to focus on his age. “I feel positively foolish for considering you a child until now. In this new light, the way you support Twilight truly shines. Before this, I may have considered her praise the same praise I admit to having given Sweetie Belle. The kind of praise that is more an encouragement of the loved one than the labour. But now I understand that even in young adulthood, you are already a hard worker, having a stable job, an incredible résumé as the personal assistant of Celestia’s most important student and you are the national hero of the Crysal Empire.”
Spike was blushing so deep at this moment, he looked more like a huge tomato with his spikes making a cute stem.
Maybe he needed a little, last push. “Darling…” Rarity said softly and levitated their plates away. “I think it is time that we are honest about a very important thing. I’m taking my hoof off your lips, Spike. Be brave…”
The dragon’s eyes widened so much, he felt both of his eyelid pairs strain. Was this a dream? Was he still asleep deep in library all while his junior assistant was hooting and giggling over the things he mumbled in his slumber? Oh, whatever! Even if this was a dream, it was an awesome dream and he would not waste this opportunity. “Rarity…” Spike said, forcing some calm into his voice “I… I always sorta ha… well, I used to have a crush on you.”
Rarity’s eyes went wide. USED TO HAVE? USED TO? DID I WAIT TOO LONG?
“But…” Spike continued “I’m not sure anymore if it’s a crush… I mean… when we met, I was smitten by your beauty… and then I discovered how strong you are as a person, how talented you are, how generous, kind and… well… just how much I love seeing you happy. Even when you fuss over things or when you are bossy or go overly dramatic… I just…” he sighed “I think I love you…”
Rarity felt her composure crumble. Tears stung in her eyes and she wanted to lunge forward and just rain kisses on the dragon. But she managed to hold back. “Then let’s find out…” she whispered “Because of late… I started to think the same.”
Shock invaded Spike’s features. “Are you-“
“Spike… I care for you. Deeply. I always thought that you were an amazing dragon and I always considered you a wonderful presence in my life. But I was under the illusion that you were a child. Just Twilight’s little brother whom she has to humour. And though your deeds affected me deeply, I had to push every feeling they cause aside, because those feelings were not proper!” Rarity sighed “But you are not a child… I only recently learned it. And suddenly those feelings… I can’t hide from them anymore. And I’m not going to hide what they cause in me from you.” Suddenly she fluttered her eyelashes and gave Spike a soft smile “If you think you love me… why don’t we try to find out?”
Spike swallowed and scooped closer. His eyes locked with Rarity and his heart skipped a beat as he felt the love in her gaze. He licked his lips and slowly approached. The unicorn meanwhile puckered her lips slightly, making it unquestionable what she wanted him to do. The dragon took one last breath and pushed forward, their lips finally meeting. His lips were used to fire, but Spike was sure he had never felt this much heat in them before. His eyes snapped close as he gave himself to a kiss that was even better than anything he had ever dreamed of.
Rarity meanwhile felt tingles through run through her body too. Spike’s lips were soft scales, flexible, warm and slippery. He wasn’t exactly a good kisser, being a bit too meek and careful but she was certainly enjoying his honest affection. And maybe he would improve as time went on. They parted and Rarity let out a giggle as she saw him fall onto his back with hearts in his eyes. “So much for swooping ME off my hooves, my dear.” She said teasingly and moved closer to nuzzle Spike’s cheek gently.
“Sorry…” Spike answered after a few seconds of basking in his happiness. “But… this was just too… amazing.”
Another giggle escaped Rarity at his words. “Oh, you are so adorable! But don’t confuse my composure with a lack of excitement. I gladly admit that I did enjoy this kiss a lot.” The young dragon got back into a sitting position a huge smile on his face. “That makes it even better!”
“Now you are just asking for another one…” Rarity laughed happily. “But I think that would make your cute little head explode.”
“And then explode again…” Spike snickered and gave a loving smile.
“So, how about we finally enjoy our wine? Though I doubt it to be as sweet as your kisses…” the unicorn added with a hint of seductiveness in her voice. She was enjoying herself tremendously. Spike had never left her cold per se, but now that she could actually enjoy his affection without any problems, seeing him so happy warmed every part of her heart.
Spike blushed deeply.
Rarity laughed and prepared the glasses. Carefully, she uncorked the bottle and poured two glasses of the clear liquid. It was thicker than regular white wine, full of fruity sugar. As Rarity swirled her glass, the liquid stuck to the side almost like a scotch or whisky. Spike managed to put his focus on the glass in front of him and sniffed it.
“Oh boy, this one did age well!” he laughed eagerly.
“He came from an amazing year!” Rarity added and offered her glass. “A toast! To this wine, this wonderful autumn…” she gave a happy wink to Spike “And to my adorable new drakefriend…”
Spike almost crushed his glass in surprise. “You… you mean it?”
“Spike, I don’t kiss po… creatures like this out of charity. I care about you and… well… I want to be your marefriend. And I want to see where it takes us.” Rarity answered with a smile. “Though I like where has brought me right now.”
“Me too…” Spike answered dreamily “And to you, Rarity. The most amazing mare, I have ever known.”
“Cheers!”
The glasses clinked and both took a sip. The wine was sweet with just enough alcohol and sourness to balance it out. Ice cold, yet with a slight burn in the throat and stomach to warm you afterwards. A delightful taste. But it paled to the warmth the two felt from just looking at each other.
