“Weatherman said rain tonight,” Twilight commented, looking into the porcelain cup she held in her dainty hands and watching the brown tea swirl. She took a sip, then ran her tongue across her lips. She always did appreciate the cinnamon flavoring added to this blend. “You wouldn’t guess from how it looks outside right now. But I cross-referenced the almanac in the library, and sure enough...” She set her cup down, clinking it slightly on the white coaster before looking out the window. Pausing, she turned to her host.
“Thank you for coming, by the way,” Twilight said, reaching over and dabbing at her brown chin with her napkin. “I think I needed that break from studying. Applejack said too many late nights are unhealthy. Judging by the headaches I’ve been getting, I’m inclined to listen to her—sorry she couldn’t make it today, by the way. Guess Mac needed a hand. She was getting out of the shower just as I was going to bed.” Twilight let a chuckle pass her as she stirred her cup with a spoon. “I got scolded pretty hard for burning the midnight oil.”
“I can certainly imagine that,” Rarity said, smiling as her lips parted to sip more at her teacup. Sighing a bit and closing her eyes to enjoy the tea’s divine taste, she asked, “So, how are things in the library? Is that new assistant you hired keeping up?” Rarity reached over to drop another sugar cube in her tea, daintily stirring her tea with a spoon.
“Well, she tries her best, and that’s all I can ask for. If I’m going to be honest, though, both her and Applejack both can’t hold a finger to Spike.” She blew across her rim and took another sip of the beverage. Twilight crossed her legs and took to bouncing a foot up and down as she listened raptly to the conversation.
“Well, of course,” Rarity chuckled, her purple lipstick covered lips breaking out in a smile. “He was your number one assistant. Hard to replace that, that’s for sure.” Rarity set her tea cup back down on her coaster, taking a moment to gaze at her heart-shaped face in the reflection from the tea. She brushed a strand of her perfectly styled curled purple hair behind her ear.
Twilight rested her head on her hand and smiled toward the tailor. “But aside from the new assistant, the library is still very routine. Unlike a certain someone’s job. How’s yours fairing?”
“Oh, I get by,” Rarity replied. She tapped a finger against her chin, head leaned back in thought. “What with the fall line coming soon, I have to draw up some new designs and get prepared for colder weather fashion to take the world by storm. But I’m sure I’ll manage. It’s actually quite exciting to drum up new ideas for the latest trend to hit the media.”
“That’s our Rarity,” the librarian exclaimed with a smile. “On the cutting-edge of everything she does.”
“Why thank you, darling,” Rarity said with a smile which beamed with the sparkling radiance of her charm. “I just manage is all. If I am to do anything, doing it of my utmost skill is key to truly excelling.”
“‘Any job worth doing is worth doing right,’” Twilight quoted. “It’s a good philosophy to live by, for sure.” She pushed her chair in forward and rested her elbows on the table. “Applejack says that quite often.” The librarian paused, her cup inches from her lips. “Sorry I keep blathering on about her. She just comes to mind pretty often nowadays.” With another sip of her cup, she smiled kindly. “Speaking of which, been having suitors knocking down the door lately?”
“Oh, just the usual crowd,” Rarity replied with a roll of her eyes. “Most are just immature dolts who can’t even keep their wits about them or their pants on in my presence. It’s so hard to find a nice guy in this town.” Rarity pursed her lips to take another sip of tea. “Well, at least a nice guy who isn’t afraid to ask out a lady. Most are just too timid for their own good. Know what I mean?”
“Well, there’s a certain charm in someone who’s a bit timid,” Twilight said, laughing once more. “Applejack couldn’t even get the words out when she asked me to dinner on our first date. She was so red I thought she was getting sick.” She waved her hand, dismissing the thought. “But I can understand wanting a stronger partner too. Though I do recall a certain man by the name of Blueblood that was a bit too strong for your tastes.”
“He was…” Rarity sighed, holding a hand to her forehead. “A bit on the unbelievable side, truthfully. I don’t blame him entirely for his behavior, since I sought him out in the first place. That’s the last time I try to chase after someone based solely on appearance… and money… fame… nobility.”
“I could talk to Macintosh. He’s a bit quiet and shy, but he’d treat you right,” she offered.
“Macintosh is fine and all, but I look for more in a man than just appearance.” Rarity trailed a finger around the rim of her cup. “As fine as Mac’s appearance might be, I just don’t know if I’d be cut for the quiet and shy type. You know me. Lights, glamour, and fashion abound. I need someone with a bit of…” Rarity shrugged. “Kick, if that’s the right word for it.”
“So someone like Spike then,” Twilight joked, finishing off her drink and leaning forward to grab the tea kettle from the center of the table. “Would you like another cup, by the way?”
“Oh, I think I’ll be quite alright, thank you very much” Rarity said with a raised hand. Her lips fell in a small frown, her brilliant blue eyes losing some of their shine for just a moment. “As for Spike, well… you can’t be serious in someone like him to be with me, can you?”
“He’s coming home for a visit pretty soon,” she said, giving a devious, sly smirk. “I’m sure he’d fit with you like a glove.”
“He’s actually visiting?” Rarity asked with a raised brow. “I thought he was still enrolling at the guard academy at this time. Doesn’t he have another year of training to finish?”
“Oh, he does,” Twilight agreed. “But he’s coming back for my birthday. They’re entitled to a week’s vacation every year. He’s using his days off in one go.”
“Well, isn’t that… sweet,” Rarity said, biting her lower lip. Though there was a bit of hesitation in her voice, noticed by Twilight on the dot.
“Something on your mind?” Twilight asked, raising her brow.
“It’s just that… well…” Rarity let out a slight cough, shifting her gaze from Twilight’s eyes. “You know as well as I do what Spike does whenever he comes to town.”
“Makes a beeline for your store,” Twilight answered without pause. “And asks you to dinner.”
“Every time,” she said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “I mean, it was sweet when he was younger, but now it’s getting annoying. He just doesn’t quit, does he?”
“Well, to be fair, have you ever told him to stop asking?” Twilight offered. “I mean, he’s a brother to me, so I like to think he’s not pressuring you into something on purpose. But if I need to, I can talk with him about it.”
“I’ve told him I’m not interested, but no, not exactly telling him to flat out stop.” Rarity sighed, looking up into Twilight’s gaze. “And while I appreciate the offer, Twilight, I’d rather do it myself. It might be on a bit of the embarrassing side for you to tell him to stop than me.” Rarity smiled, her face once again radiating that special charm she had that could illuminate a dark room. “But hey, maybe he’s grown disinterested in me after all these years. Maybe even a girlfriend in Canterlot to call his own. I hear those guards can get practically anyone they want while in uniform.”
“It’s true. How else do you think Shining Armor ended up with a princess? It sure isn’t his hygiene that she found attractive.” Twilight put a hand once more to her chin. “But you’re right. He’s probably moved on by now. A lot can change over two years.”
She had just leaned over to get another cup when there was a knock at the library's front door.
Rarity stared at Twilight. “Expecting company?”
“Unless it’s just one of the girls. Though they don’t knock. Maybe someone didn’t realize we were closed today?” She rose and quickly made her way to the front, gliding past the tables and piles of books ready to be reshelved with a dexterity that could only be obtained from years of practice.
“Coming!” Twilight called out. She put her hand on the knob the and turned it, pushing the door open and pausing when seeing who was on the stone steps.
Spike stood in front of the door, smiling warmly at her, his smile one of the only things that was the same with him. His body had lost all sense of the boyish pudge it once carried, replaced instead by hard, dense muscles and a trim stomach, all but the outline hidden away by the crisp, well-pressed brown guardsmen suit on his person, and the white, nearly shimmering sash he wore across his shoulder.
“Hey, Twilight,” he said, the voice missing its childish alto and instead holding a masculine tenor.
“Wow, Spike, look at you!” she exclaimed, stepping forward and bringing him in for a tight embrace. She held him, briefly mesmerized at his rock-hard body. Out of habit, she leaned forward, maternally resting her chin on the top of his head and running a hand down the back of his head, through his shaggy, unkempt green hair.
Guess some things just don’t change, she thought, pulling away from their hug. She stared down into his eyes and cracked another grin. “It’s great seeing you again! Come in, come in! I was just having tea with Rarity—she has got to see this!”
He stiffened a bit at her name, but offered a relaxed, easy smile after a beat. “Great, let’s catch up in there.”
They made their way through the main room, then ducked into the back, finally coming to Twilight’s kitchen.
“Guess who’s back?” Twilight called out, moving ahead and taking a few steps into the kitchen with a broad smile.
Rarity got up from her seat, her eyes widening when she caught sight of Spike. It’s like someone had replaced the pucky, barely an adult young man she knew from before with someone with all sharp edges and dense muscle. Even his smile had a new shine of confidence to it, giving his cleanshaven face a more adult look than she had ever seen on him.
“S-Spike?” Rarity asked, holding a hand to her lips in amazement.
He nodded, bemused by her reaction. “Hey there, Rarity. Miss me?” the man asked, tweaking his nose with a thumb then resting his hands on his hips.
“I just can’t believe how much you’ve changed,” Twilight marveled, walking around him a few times for good measure. “The guard academy really did shape you up.”
“Well, we’re out of some of the duller parts of training now,” he explained. “I’m all brushed up on rules, tactics, that stuff. Now we’re doing heavy labor, swordsmanship too. Captain says I got a gift for it.”
“Wow, Spike, I just can’t believe at how much you’ve… wow,” Rarity said, her smile widening on her lips. “You’ve really shaped up into a really strapper gentleman, haven’t you?”
He looked up at her, chuckling a bit. “Don’t know about the gentlemen bit, but I’ve been working on the strapping at least.”
“Shame you can’t work out height,” Twilight joked, stepping behind him and resting her arms easily on his shoulders.
“I work with what I was given,” he replied with a shrug. “Just means I can slip past defenses in duels and am a smaller target in practice skirmishes.” Spike easily smiled. “That, and I can get clothes cheap thanks to taking less material.” The guardsman looked over to Rarity again. “Speaking of clothes, how’s the shop?”
“Oh, it’s going fine, thank you for asking,” Rarity replied, still momentarily stunned with Spike’s appearance. It wasn’t just his looks that had changed, but his personality as well. Gone was the meek little boy she knew from before. Now he had a confident air about him… though that little part still stuck. “I’m just curious at how your guard training has been. I heard to graduate from the Royal Canterlot Academy you must be at the top of your class.”
Spike nodded. “Top ten students in the class move on to become Royal guardsmen watching the Princesses. Rest become grunts that have to go through the ranks in normal military fashion. Though I’m shooting for a different rank and title than either of those options, when it’s all said and done.”
“Oh really?” Rarity asked. “What rank are you hoping to achieve, Spike?”
“Knight-errant,” he stated with a serious nod. “The best of the best of the guardsmen, even greater than some of the Royal guards. I want to be even stronger than Shining Armor is.”
“My, that certainly is an aspiring goal to have,” Rarity said with a raise of her brow. “I hope you achieve that dream, Spike.”
“You work at something hard enough and the odds get stacked in your favor,” he deftly replied. Then, with a tap of his temple, he continued. “But you need to take breaks too. It’s important to know when to catch your breath.” He rested his finger against the corner of his mouth. “Speaking of which, you’re not overworking yourself anymore, right? Last time I was here, you were swamped with orders.”
“Oh, I’m quite fine now, darling,” Rarity replied, smiling fondly at him. “I have a new assistant and everything to help me with that, so I can manage at top performance. But thank you for your concern.”
“I don’t know, Rarity…” He looked up and down her body, analyzing her. “Being trained as hard as I have been has let me figure out when people were really beat. If you haven’t planned some time for yourself tonight, I’d recommend taking a moment to just get away from work for a bit. Maybe a lobster, a little white wine, some violin music…” He snapped his fingers, dropping a fist into his open palm. “I know! I just happen to have two reservations to Le défilé tonight! It’d be a perfect moment of peace.”
Rarity had to hold in her reaction to groan. It seemed even with all of Spike’s changes, he was still the same, deep down. And not to Rarity’s surprise, Twilight was nowhere to be seen, leaving her to deal with this all by herself. Well, she was asking for this…
“Well, Spike, that certainly is sweet of you to do so…” Rarity paused, letting those words hang in the air for a moment. “But I think I’ll have to pass. Thank you for the offer though, darling, it really is nice of you to ask.”
He paused. It was only for a second, but he seemed almost shocked that it didn’t work. But his surprised expression died quickly underneath another disarmingly charming smile. “Other plans?” he guessed, the question coming casually.
“Uh…” Rarity was split. On one hand, she could lie, but that was never her way in the first place. On the other, she could tell him the truth and hurt his feelings. Again. A process she always felt guilty for in the end. “Spike… it’s just that while the offer sounds great, I’d just rather not do it. You understand?”
“Do it with me, you mean?” Spike gave a few quick, curt shakes of his head, staring at her. “Can I at least ask you why?”
“Spike…” Rarity sighed, looking away from his quivering gaze. “There reason has always been the same, Spike. I see you as a friend. That’s it. Nothing more. I know you want more, but unfortunately that’s all I have to offer.”
“I’m not asking you for just my benefit,” he replied, carefully considering his words. “I mean, be honest with me here, you don’t think there’s even a glimmer of potential…” He gestured at his chest. “You know, inside? I mean, I’m not exactly your usual fare, I understand that. But…” Spike swallowed, staring hard at her eyes. “I think, deep down, if I turn and leave this kitchen and drop it, you might have regrets that you didn’t at least try us.”
Rarity stared into Spike’s unwavering gaze. He stood straight, didn’t move a muscle, and looked like he was staring down the face of death himself. And all Rarity could think was how brave he looked.
“What do you regret then, Spike? Chasing after me, even after all these years?” Rarity asked.
He didn’t even flinch at the question. “Regrets? Over you? Not a one.”
Sighing again, Rarity picked up her purse. Throwing the strap over her shoulder, she began to walk past Spike, stopping just as she reached his side. Staring down at him, she said, “Nine o’clock sharp, okay? Wear something nice.”
He paused, nearly doing a double-take at her words. Once they sank in, his eyes widened and he quickly nodded. “I’ll be there and dressed to the nines.”
“Excellent,” Rarity replied with much less enthusiasm than Spike had. She told herself she was just in it for the good food and hopefully a night of relaxation. Though having to contend with Spike would pose to be a bother. Hopefully she could work things out with him tonight so he could at least move on with his life and she with hers. Making her way to Twilight’s door, she glanced over her shoulder one last time before departing. “And please… don’t use expressions like you used before.” And with that, she left Spike to his own devices.
He scratched at his head. “That ‘nines’ bit? But I learned that one in the guard...”
“Well, isn’t this lovely?” Rarity said, smiling a grin with as much fake cheer as she could muster to Spike across the table. They sat at a dimly-lit booth in the corner of the restaurant. Due to a scheduling conflict, the table he had requested was occupied. Which was just as well, as the live music that should have been playing was absent, due to the violinist being involved in a car-wreck last night.
“It could be worse,” Spike offered, coughing a bit as the fumes from the smoker’s section they were in got to him. “There’s at least a decent atmosphere, plus I’m sure the food will be phenomenal. As soon as our waiter shows up, anyway.”
“Yes, well, it beats late night sewing back at the boutique, that’s for sure,” Rarity chuckled, attempting to break the slightly irked mood that filled the air.
“See?” Spike replied. “I’m not completely full of it. It’s good to take a breather.”
“I do have to agree with that,” Rarity replied. Staring at her silverware and fidgeting with her fork, she said, “And you do make good company to spend time with, Spike.”
The waiter approached the table and stared down at them, a pen and notepad at the ready. “What can I get the madam?”
“Some white wine to start off with, please,” Rarity replied. “Riesling’s from the ‘56 period if you have any.”
“We do, madam.” He spared a glance towards Spike. “And for the gentleman?”
“Same as her,” Spike replied.
He stared at the guard for a moment. “I’ll need to see some identification.”
Spike sighed, digging into his pocket and flipping it open. The waiter stared at it for a good moment, before jotting down words in his notepad and sharply turning around and marching off.
“I didn’t think I looked that young.” He weakly chuckled. “...Guess I’ll take it as a complement.”
Rarity smiled, though her’s was more pained to bring out. “I… suppose.” Resting her chin on her upturned hand, she asked, “So, since you are twenty-one now, have you been drinking much? I know the military boys can be quite the party animals.”
“Just socially,” he replied. “I haven’t gotten a taste for it quite yet. It’s still pretty bitter, especially the mead they serve in the mess hall.”
“Well, at least you’re smarter than most men your age,” Rarity commended him. Spike’s face blushed at the mention of him being called a ‘man.’ Better than being called a ‘boy’ like he was subjected to only a few years ago.
“I wouldn’t say smarter,” he replied. “Just not as stupid as when I was a kid. I must of been a huge thorn in your side.”
“Oh, you weren’t so bad,” Rarity said, waving her hand. “You were just the sweetest thing, really. Always there when I was in a pinch or needed help.”
“And I still am, if you ever need it.” Spike cocked a thumb to his chest. “I wouldn’t be knight-errant material if I didn’t help where needed.”
“Well, I’m sure they’d need you more at the castle than for an overworked dresser like myself.” Rarity blinked, fluttering her lashes at him. “But I do appreciate the offer, Spikey Wikey.” Spike actually blushed at the mention of his old nickname.
The waiter arrived and gently placed their drinks down on the table. “Have the sir and madam decided on a meal?”
“I’ll have the shrimp alfredo, please,” Rarity said, taking a sip of her wine and enjoying its fine, aged flavors running down her throat. “I heard this place was famous for the meal.”
“Excellent choice, madam.” He nodded. “And for you, sir?”
Spike took a sip of his drink, briefly swirling it in his mouth before swallowing. “I’ll have a ragù alla bolognese, with a parsley garnish. And could I have wheat noodles?”
“Certainly, sir.” The waiter nodded, jotting down the order and once more departing their company.
“Wow, aren’t you the sophisticated one,” Rarity giggled, smirking at the man. “Last time I saw you you’d be happy to eat the first thing in the fridge.”
“Well, anything tastes like heaven compared to the cafeteria at the academy. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate higher-end food as well.” He raised his glass in a toast and smiled at her. “I had a good teacher... regarding things like that.”
Rarity clinked glasses with his own. “Anything to bring some class into you, Spike. Glad you applied it to good things in your life.”
They sat quietly for a few long moments, Spike lazily rolling the wine in his glass. He looked at her and smiled, before returning to his drink. On looking at her again, he couldn’t help but laugh a little under his breath.
“What’s so funny?” Rarity asked, already halfway done with her glass.
“You remember that time you, the girls, and Sweetie Belle all went to that swimming hole on Applejack’s property?”
“Yes…” Rarity trailed off, already guessing exactly what Spike was going to say.
“Well, I just remembered you coming down that slope that lead to it in your new swimsuit and you tripped, rolled down the hill and landed face-first in that mud.” His face lit up with an ear-to-ear grin. “I never saw you that angry before.” He laughed quietly again. “Don’t know where that came from, maybe the wine…”
“Maybe it was the fact the swimsuit slipped off and you saw me… exposed?” Rarity asked with an unamused glare.
“Do you really think that low of me?” Spike honestly asked, hurt. “Once I saw you were okay, I stopped looking. I just thought the fall was funny.”
“Yeah, well, some of us had to explain to Twilight why her assistant couldn’t stare at me without getting red in the face for weeks after that incident.”
“To be fair, I did that beforehand too,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “When I was a kid, I thought you were just this perfect thing, you know? I couldn’t even form sentences around you.”
“Yes, everyone was quite curious about that weird stutter you developed when in my presence,” Rarity laughed, leaning forward with her chin resting on her hands with her elbows to the table. She had to commend Spike with his ability to keep his eyes on her eyes without glancing down. The low cut simple white dress she had worn for the date gave ample view of the vastness of her cleavage. So far she had met no man that could resist the temptation to take a peek. “But I just thought it was adorable.”
“Times change, huh?” Spike replied. “I can’t say I’m adorable anymore. Though the years haven’t even touched your looks. You’re still just as pretty as when I first saw you.”
“Oh, you’re making me blush,” Rarity gigged, holding her face in her palms. “You always did say the sweetest things.”
“Just to you.” He grinned. “Everyone else thinks I’m kind of a jerk.”
The two left the restaurant in high spirits after the respectable meal. Spike covered the bill and started the walk to Rarity’s house, matching her pace stride-for-stride.
“Well, it was a rocky start, but it was still pretty good,” he said, his tone chipper as they traveled the street, the gas lightposts illuminating the way home.
“And you were the perfect gentleman as well during the entire date,” Rarity said, smiling fondly at Spike. She tugged her waist length coat closer to her body, shivering slightly. One of the bad aspects of the hip hugging dress she designed was that it wasn’t the most practical for cold weather wearing.
Almost on cue as they continued down the street, the sky rumbled and the first fat, thick drops of rain began to land on the street, before increasing in frequency.
Spike quickly undid his jacket and wordlessly handed it to Rarity. “At least it’s a pretty short walk.”
Rarity draped the jacket over her head. “Yeah. Though I feel terrible for your suit to be ruined.” She spread the jacket out further over her head, nodding to Spike. “Come on under. There’s plenty of room for the two of us.”
He quickly joined her underneath the improvised cover, his head resting just at her shoulder and once more matched her slightly faster walking pace.
“It’s fine. I can get another suit. That dress is one of a kind, I bet.”
“This? I just spruced it up on the spot. Your suit probably cost you a lot of money in a city like Canterlot. I simply can’t allow for it to be ruined because of me,” Rarity said, smiling down at Spike. Well, at least one thing that’d never change about Spike was his refusal to accept her generosity without a fight.
The two quickly made their way back to Rarity’s boutique, where they thankfully stopped under the cover over Rarity’s door.
Spike glanced out to the street, where the rain took on a fever pitch, soaking the roads and leaving small, multi-streamed rivers going around and over the cobblestones on the walkways. “Well, at least we beat the worst of it.”
“Indeed.” Rarity returned Spike’s jacket to him, then commenced with the first date initiative of awkward standing around. She could just go inside and say goodbye, but then she’d be leaving Spike out in the rain. But if she invited him in to wait out the storm, he might see it as another invitation altogether. So she was left to standing with her hands behind her back while she mulled over her thoughts.
Spike didn’t look at her. Instead, he kept his focus on the rain. “What about earlier, Rarity?” he asked suddenly, jarring Rarity back to attention. After a pause, he clarified; “Back in the library?”
“Whatever do you mean, Spike?” Rarity asked with a tilt of her head.
“About there being a, uh, potential.” He tapped his chest with a finger. “You know, a glimmer.”
Rarity stared off to the side, choosing to glance at the rain rather than him. “You still won’t give up on that, will you?”
The guard crossed his arms, sighing. “No. I guess not. Not when I think it could work for us.” He gestured back west. “I think you were having fun in there, Rarity. I think… I think you enjoyed my company.”
“Spike, I’ve always enjoyed your company,” Rarity replied. “But as friends. Can you not see that, or do I have to spell it out to you now?”
“I’m a brick,” Spike dryly replied, almost challenging her. “Spell it out. Spell it out and I’ll drop the whole thing.”
“Fine,” Rarity said, raising her hands up in exasperation. “Spike, the reason we’re not a thing and can never be a thing is because you’re still a kid! Are you happy now?”
“A kid?” he repeated, incredulous. “How in the hell am I still a kid? It’s like you haven’t even noticed where I’ve been for the past couple of years! Or if you’re talking the age difference, so what? Seven, eight years is a drop in the bucket. Come on.”
“The reason you’re still a kid is because you’ve never grown up, Spike.” Rarity sighed, more agitated than sad. “You’re still chasing after you childhood crush! Even after all these years, when there were probably plenty of girls in Canterlot for you to choose from. You still chose me, Spike! You still chose me. Even after I turned you down time and time again…” Rarity looked Spike straight in the eyes. “You’re still that little kid that stuck to Twilight’s leg all those years ago. And that’s all you’ll ever be, unless you move on.”
He was briefly stunned into silence. Just when she thought the quiet was going to last forever, he spoke in a somber, considering tone. “Plenty of ‘girls,’ in Canterlot, sure.” Spike stared back at her, unabashed. “But not a woman. Not the honest, gentle, beautiful woman I grew up with. Not even in the same ballpark, Rarity.” He took a moment to think, before continuing. “And it’s not some dumb kid’s crush. Hasn’t been ever since I went to the academy.” The man shook his head, refusing to even think for a second that it was. “If it was a crush, I wouldn’t be able to notice your flaws. Like right now, when you’re being this damn stubborn. We both know I'm not a kid anymore.” He turned, clasping his hands behind his back and intently observing the rain. “Besides… even if what you’re saying is true, that you’ll never feel the same way I do, there’s something that men have that boys don’t.”
Not waiting for a response, he continued. “Dreams. Not the fleeting, idyllic dreams of a kid, but honest ones. Ones I’m willing to sacrifice for.” He turned, quickly rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand. Rarity did her best to ignore how red the whites in his eyes were right now. “My dream is making sure you and Twilight are taken care of. Twilight’s got Applejack now, but you’re still here. Waiting for someone. Someone to help you. Someone to take care of you. I think you’re drowning, and you don’t even realize it.”
The guard sighed. “I guess what I’m getting at here is that, even if you find someone, it’d still be my goal to make sure you’re happy. A kid would just want you for himself. A man wants to take care of what means the most to him, even if that means giving her up. A courtly love is better than nothing.” He laughed, a small, hollow ghost of a noise that made him sound far weaker and vulnerable than his muscled appearance would suggest. “I’m not the best at this. What I’m trying to say here is that what I feel for you, what I’ve felt for you for all these years makes me a man.”
Rarity was so stunned that she could barely move. Her lips opened and closed, but nary a whisper escaped them. Finally, she reached out to grab Spike’s arm with a gentle hand. “Spike… is this really how you feel about me?”
He sniffed, wiping his eyes with a thumb. “Yeah,” he croaked out, his words dead on his tongue after pouring out his soul to her.
“Spike…” Rarity gulped, holding a hand to her lips. “You know you still have more years of training in the guard academy. And even then, if you become a knight-errant you’ll have even less free time. I’ll just remain what I’ve always been, a simple dressmaker in this town. What would you give up… if you had to choose?”
“Do you even need to ask?” Spike questioned, his voice a hoarse whisper. “A man follows his dreams. And I already told you what my dream is.” Hesitantly, he moved his hands, meeting hers and holding them reverently in his palms. “But… after what you just said to me, can you really see me as a man?”
“Yes,” Rarity said, her eyes watering as she squeezed his strong hand in her grip. “I think I can, Spike. I really do.”
Before she knew it, her face was leaning downwards to his. She didn’t know what compelled her to do so. Maybe it was Spike’s words, his charm, or some feelings of hers she didn’t know, she kept within her heart of hearts until now. Whatever the case, her lips soon met his for the first time ever. And more than anything did both of them want more. Spike felt a bit foolish, but he reached upwards, resting a hand to the back of her neck as the kiss continued. They finally broke, Spike’s face an almost comical shade of red from the action.
Rarity was panting slightly, a tinge of blush appearing on her perfect features. She could still taste a bit of Spike lips on her own. And boy did she ever want another taste. Coughing slightly and looking to the sky, she noticed that the rain wasn’t letting up anytime soon. “Spike, would you like to… come in?” Rarity asked, attempting to hide her flustered face with a hand. “I certainly can’t let you return back home in this type of weather.”
“Well, I’d hate to intrude, but if you think it’s okay…” Spike nodded. “Thank you.”
Rarity opened her door, throwing off her coat immediately on a hanger, showcasing her smooth shoulders with just the thin straps of her dress covering them. Sashaying forward with a sway of her curvaceous hips, she glanced over her shoulder and asked, “Do you want anything to drink, Spike?”
“Maybe some tea. I’m still a bit cold from the rain,” he replied, putting his own jacket on the hanger then rubbing his hands to get feeling back into them. “Can I get a fire started?”
“Go right ahead,” Rarity called from the kitchen, already putting a pot on the stove to boil.
Spike walked to the longue and knelt by her fireplace, setting to work. The location of her supplies hadn’t changed since he was last here, so it was easy to get one set up. And with just a little of work, he finally got a small blaze going. He then moved a few feet back and sat on the couch, waiting for the fire’s warmth to reach him.
Rarity arrived with a tea set, which she placed on a small coffee table before Spike. Pouring the boiling hot water into his cup and adding the tea bag to it, she smiled to him. “Would you like any sugar, Spike?” she asked, offering the cup on its coaster to him.
“Just a little,” he replied, giving the beverage a stir and reaching to put a small lump of sugar into his drink. “Thank you.” He took a sip and felt heat radiate through his body. “Just what I needed.”
“Me too,” Rarity said, adding some sugar to her own cup.
The rain continued, filling the room with a gentle tapping as it rapped against the windows. The fireplace spat and crackled, sending flickering, comforting light across the room and washing the two sat before it with a feeling of nostalgia. Of cold winter nights spent together, the snow too dense and wild to send Spike home. Rarity, a glass of merlot, Spike, a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket wrapped around him as they’d talk the hours away, Rarity teaching him of things far and wide, fashion, politics, the world, and Spike, always attentive, always questioning, always willing to share his opinions when needed. While she wasn’t the most knowledgeable woman in town—that would go hands down to Twilight Sparkle—she did love to teach him.
“I wonder how long it’s going to rain for?” Spike pondered, bringing Rarity to the present as the man polished off his beverage.
Her thoughts turned to Spike. Spike, the strutting guard. No longer that timid boy she knew from long ago. Now, he had a different air about him. A purpose. A purpose she didn’t even know he had. To be with her. How she had wished over the years someone out there would’ve. But in the end, it was the one person she ignored and dismissed for being a child that was the true champion of her heart all along. Spike… her Spike, was what she’d been looking for. And he had been waiting for her the entire time.
She came to a decision on what should be done.
“Long enough,” Rarity commented, fluttering her eyelashes at Spike as her eyes sparkled with a devious amusement.
“Long enough?” he repeated.
"Yes," she replied, getting up from her seat and taking one next to him. Rarity crossed her legs, one foot sliding along Spike's leg as she smiled slyly at him. "Just long enough, darling."
“Oh,” he realized. Spike glanced to the side, thinking of what needed to be said. Finally, he took her hand. “Rarity… I mean, are you sure? I don’t want to force you to anything.”
"Spike, no one is forcing anyone," Rarity whispered in his ear. She was so close that Spike smelled her perfume. A scent that he'd dream of smelling on lonely nights. "I've never had anyone tell me what you just said. From before. About caring for me and loving me as much as you do. I always thought that your devotion was just a simple boyish crush. Something you'd grow out of. But now..." Rarity turned Spike's cheek so they were eye to eye. His leafy green irises to her brilliant blue. "I see that it's much, much more. It's the love one adult has for another. A love I sadly never experienced from someone else before. At least... until now."
He opened his mouth to say something else, but promptly closed it. Now wasn’t the time for words. Now was the time for action. Tentatively, he brought his mouth to hers, deeply, sensually kissing her, bringing up a hand to sweep Rarity’s violet hair behind an ear and shutting his eyes, lost in the tender moment. He broke the kiss and sat next to her for a moment, his hand gently caressing her cheek. “If you’re wanting… this, should we move, or…? Just tell me what you want.”
"I want you, Spike," she replied, taking his hand and kissing it softly. "Take me to my room, please. I'm ready."
He nodded, reaching down to the back of her thighs and the small of her back. Without even a moment’s hesitation, and despite her having a good half-foot in height compared to him, Spike easily lifted her into his muscular arms and carried her out of the lounge and up the flight of steps leading to her room. He paused in the upstairs hallway, glancing to the room to their right.
“Sweetie Belle isn’t here tonight, right?” he asked.
"It's just to the two us," Rarity said. She held onto his arms with a hand.
“Good.” Spike nervously smiled at her and reached over, opening the door with a hand and carrying her easily over her bedroom’s threshold. He laid her gently onto her bed then went to the door and shut it out of habit before returning to the bed and sitting on the edge, looking at her from the corner of his eye.
“You mentioned no one had ever said anything like what I did to you earlier, Rarity.” He cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at her. “I don’t care either way about your answer, but does that mean you’ve never… you know?”
"I have." She gulped, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "But usually it wasn't returned. Or things didn't work out."
“Oh.” He wrung his hands tightly together, leaving white lines where his fingers touched. “Can I tell you something?”
"You can tell me anything, Spike," Rarity said, staring at him curiously.
It took him another moment, but he finally got his words out. “I’ve… I’ve never been with a woman before,” he explained, heat noticeable on his face. “I-I mean, I have an idea on how this works, I’m not totally clueless, but…”
"Oh Spike." Rarity held out her hand and patted the spot on the bed right next to herself. "Come here."
Hesitantly, Spike scooted closer and grasped her hand with his own, squeezing it slightly in his strong grip.
“Now Spike,” Rarity began, giving him a small smile. “It doesn’t matter to me if you’re experienced or not. All that matters is that you’re here, with me, and that you love me.” Rarity guided his hand up to her left breast, directly above her heart. “I’m all yours, Spike. You have nothing to fear.”
For Spike, this was the first time he had ever touched a lady in such an… intimate way. His hand gently squeezed her breast, eliciting a small whimper of pleasure from Rarity. She pressed his hand harder against her breast, saying, “I want you, Spike. Please.”
Without thinking, Spike’s hand moved to the straps of her dress. He slid them down over her shoulders, revealing the naked white flesh of her back as the top part of the dress fell down. She wore a silky white bra that held her weighty breasts flush against her body. Spike stared at them for a moment, then a moment longer, his eyes entirely transfixed upon them.
Giggling, Rarity said, “You know, you can see a lot more of them once my bra is off.”
“O-oh yeah,” Spike muttered, hands fumbling behind her to undo the straps. After several seconds he was finally successful in his task, throwing off her lingerie and revealing the two enormous mounds she carried. Both his hands held onto them like they were the greatest treasures in the world, his fingers too afraid to even touch their already puckered nipples. “Wow… uh… w-wow.”
While Spike was busy marveling over her rack, Rarity’s hands were at work unbuttoning his shirt. She finally got the last button undone, revealing to her his hard pecs and abs. She smiled a bit on noticing the small tuft of green hair on the center of his chest. Lastly, she noticed a tattoo of a dragon running along the right side of his body, spitting out flames near his belly button. Her eyes sparkled when she saw this and she traced a line along its back.
“Twilight would kill you if she found out you had a tattoo,” Rarity noted. Her hand did much more than travel up and down the tattoo, however. She was feeling the dense muscle under his skin, once more marveling at the body of a true man. Her man.
“Yeah, well, the others thought it was a good idea, and I’m all up for being a bit impulsive sometimes,” he replied, finally gathering the nerve to begin fondling her breasts with his hands. Rarity moaned as he pinched her nipples, tugging at them slightly on her perfectly white skin.
“Spike…” Rarity muttered, tugging at the edge of his pants. Fiddling with his zipper, she said, “Let’s get started, shall we?”
“I’m never one to keep a lady waiting,” he said, smiling with a flustered face as she undid his pants and removed them.
Already Rarity noticed a noticeable bump in his boxers. Or rather, a mountain. “Let’s take a look,” she said with a small smile, tugging his boxers down. Once gone her white cheeks blushed a bright red at the sight before her. Spike’s shaft rose at attention to her, throbbing in the coldness of her room.
“Wow, um…” Rarity took his great length in her hand, slowly caressing it as both their faces heated up.
“I-I’m sorry if it’s too small,” Spike muttered, wincing slightly at the coldness of her palm gripping his cock. “I know I’m a bit… light compared to the videos I’ve seen.”
Rarity restrained the titter of laughter she felt in her. Albeit barely. He really doesn’t have a clue, does he?
“Don’t be fooled by that, dear. Those videos don’t represent a man, just as they don’t represent the woman,” Rarity replied. Her gaze once more shifted to intently stare at the head of his shaft. “You’re quite large.”
“Really?” Spike asked in shock.
Rarity smiled at him. “Would I ever lie to you?” Before Spike could answer, Rarity leaned forward, her violet lips wrapping around his head then took to slowly swallowing the length of his shaft. She paused at the midway point of his member, wincing uncomfortably as his tip went too far into her mouth, gagging her. She pulled back a bit, focusing on his tip instead while her cold fingers wrapped around the base of his penis and took to working it while her mouth lapped at the tip, circling around. Spike groaned, or rather, whimpered at her skill in the art.
Rarity stared up at him with sparkling blue eyes, her lips curling into a smile, still wrapped around his shaft. Grasping both her breasts, she fitted them around his member and squeezed them hard, moaning onto his shaft. Slowly, she began to knead them up and down, putting pressure on his great length while she bobbed her head up and down. Her tongue was like a snake, licking and caressing his cock with a hunger. Rarity’s breasts moved in a wild flurry, milking him with an expertise that came from experience, and her own wish to make the boy feel as good as she could.
Spike, in the meantime, leaned back and enjoyed the ecstatic feeling for all it was worth. He would have never guessed before that he could feel such pleasure radiating from one part of his body. His thoughts were a jumble, a part of him enjoying the animalistic urges that were being sated as she swallowed his member, the other part, fighting against that, instead comforted by the fact that Rarity was his. Rarity was with him, doing such an intimate and loving act. If he could, he’d stay as they were right now forever, awash in the dualistic pleasures he was feeling.
Unfortunately for him, that wouldn’t be much longer.
Spike’s hands gripped the edges of the bed hard as his back arched back, feeling a rising pleasure he knew all too well from the nights where he couldn’t control his lusts. “R-Rarity… nph! I… I can’t h-hold on m-much longer!”
Rarity stared up at him, releasing his cock from her lips and bringing his shaft out of her cleavage. Drawing herself up on the bed next him, she leaned, nearly on top of him, her hand reaching down and working up and down his shaft, still wet and lubricated from her own spittle.
“Spike, it’s okay,” she whispered tenderly into his ear, her breasts spilling over and resting on his chest as she continued her maddening tug on his member. “I know this is just your first time. I understand. Release yourself whenever you please.”
He grit his teeth, so close to the edge it left his entire body hurting and sore. Finally, he couldn’t hold back any longer and climaxed, launching ropey strings of seman over her hand and onto the pristine white sheets of the bed.
“S-sorry,” he stammered out. “I just…” Spike ran a hand through his hair. “Wow. It’s a lot different with someone else.”
Rarity kissed his cheek, holding up her hand where semen trails still stuck to her palm. “It sure is,” she agreed, never taking her gaze of him as she licked his love sensually from her fingers.
“I, uh, think I’ll be good again in a minute.” An idea sprang to him. “I can take care of you until then,” he said. “If you like.”
Rarity smiled deviously, sliding around on her bed until she rested her back at the headrest, spreading her leg and displaying herself to the boy. Already her lower lips were wet, the excitement from servicing him earlier evidently just as much as a turn on for Spike as it was for her. “Don’t keep a lady waiting now, Spikey Wikey,” she called out in a sultry tone, winking.
He crawled forward on the bed and stared at her vagina like it was a beast that needed conquering. “Let me know if I’m doing this wrong.” The young man leaned his head forward and stuck his tongue into her passage, first unsure, deliberate, then as he grew more comfortable, his probing turned ravenous with his tongue, searching every nook and cranny she had to offer, exploring her with reckless abandon. His hands crept to her firm butt and clasped onto the cheeks, giving him a better grip so he could continue his actions.
Already the realization of what he was doing, and to who, brought his shaft slowly back to life, rising from its exhausted slumber and hardening more with every passing second as he swam between her wet walls with his tongue.
“Oh yes… Spike, you’re wonderful!” Rarity called out, grabbing his green hair furtively and forcing his face deeper into her. “Keep going, please!”
Spike wordlessly complied, attacking her netherlips with the urgency of a drowning man searching for air. The man let one hand free of Rarity’s butt cheek and blindly groped until he found her hand. He squeezed it tightly in his palm and pulled out for a moment, circling her entrance and exploring its lips before plunging in once more, thrusting for all he was worth.
All the while Rarity moaned louder and louder with each lap of his tongue. She held onto her sheets with a powerful grip, then reached up to fondle her breast with a hand as she felt her edge near closer and closer. Finally, with a loud shriek she came, splattering Spike’s face in her sexual juices as she panted for breath from her climax.
“Oh Spike… oh Spike, that was wonderful,” Rarity sighed, still breathing hard as her legs quivered. “Please… don’t stop now.”
Spike readjusted himself, standing on his knees and guiding his manhood to her. “Just tell me if it hurts.” With that he slowly inserted himself, watching inch after inch of his body disappear into her. Finally, he found his member fully inserted. “You okay?” He panted out, blushing at the action and at the stimulation he already felt getting situated within her.
Rarity winced, her heart shaped face completely red. “Y-yes. Just… just keep on going, okay?” She reached out for a hand to grasp his neck with. “Don’t stop.”
Spike nodded, bringing himself out and thrusting forward once more, this time with a bit more speed. Gauging that she wasn’t hurting from his shaft, he continued to pick up speed, withdrawing, thrusting, and nearly shivering with every impact into her he caused. Running on blind instinct, he leaned forward, too short from this angle for her mouth, so instead he kissed her passionately, lovingly, on the neck, trailing over her neck and down in between her massive breasts.
With each thrust Spike pounded into her, Rarity was driven with an onslaught of feelings. Tender feelings she didn’t want to end, ever. Holding onto his neck harder with both hands, she wrapped her legs around his body to pull him in harder. “Don’t stop, Spike! Don’t… don’t stop! Please!” Her breaths came out in short, panicked pants as her lower quarters burned with lust and her heart beat a desperate rhythm of love.
He leaned forward, taking a nipple into his mouth and began sucking on it, pumping it with his mouth with every thrust into her heavenly body. “I-I’m—” he strained out, once more feeling a primal, hot surge of pleasure work its way from his lower stomach and into the base of his shaft. “Close!”
“I want you, Spike!” Rarity called out, hugging his body close to her own that they almost became one. “Don’t stop! I need this from you! Just you… just you! Please!” She moaned loudly as her hips were rocked by her approaching climax, nearing her limit with Spike close behind.
With one more gasp, he finished, erupting like a sensual volcano and pumping his seed deep inside her.
Rarity moaned with each pump Spike went into her. He continued to thrust until he was spent, while Rarity weakly clung to her body as she felt the last remnants of her energy fade along with her orgasm. Finally, she released him and lay still on the bed, Spike briefly resting on top of her heaving breasts, before rolling over, their breaths harsh and rugged.
“Oh Spike… that was wonderful,” she sighed, closing her eyes in content. “Just… amazing.”
He nodded, catching his breath. “Y-yeah. That was great, Rarity.” He took her arm and wrapped it around him, bringing her body close to him, then frowning a bit when he realized he was at eye-level with her breasts. He scooted up a bit on the bed, finally content with where he lay, eye to eye with his partner.
“I’m glad I waited for you,” Spike quietly said, leaning his head against her neck and staring to the ceiling.
Rarity reached out to grasp Spike’s hand, slowly rubbing his shoulder. “I’m glad I was worth enough to you to wait for.”
They lay together, listening to the patter of the rain on the ceiling before Spike spoke again. “I, uh, know I’m not the normal type of man you’ve dated, Rarity. I don’t have the sort of… charisma others have, and I’m meek when it comes down to it—earlier today I was scared to death asking you to come with me to dinner, no matter how much I tried not to be—but I, I want to get better. Be someone you can be proud of.”
“Spike, I’m already proud of you,” Rarity whispered to him, slowly brushing a hand through his hair. “More proud than I ever thought I would be. Proud that such a courageous, strong man can love me as much as you do. And proud that even after all the times I rejected you, you still came back to me.” She placed a small kiss upon his forehead. “It’s much more than pride, Spike. It’s love.”
His eyes watered as he smiled toward her, tilting her chin down with a finger and kissing her on the lips.
“Twilight’s gonna kill me. But you know what?” His smile widened. “As long as I’ve got you around? I think I can handle it.”
“Me as well,” Rarity agreed. Resting a hand on her chest and slowly running her finger down the hard muscles of his stomach, she asked, “So, how hard do they work you guards in Canterlot?”
“Usually three eighteen hour shifts a week. Just about kills me.”
“Well then…” Rarity got up, spreading her knees on either side of Spike’s waist. Smiling deviously down at him, she said, “You’re here for the entire week, so I see no reason why to not break up your routine. Think you can handle me for three eighteen hour shifts while you’re here?”
Blushing furiously, Spike let a small, tittering laugh through as he looked up Rarity towering over him. “I-I think I can manage that job, Captain.”
“Good,” Rarity spoke, her long locks of purple hair flowing like a waterfall down her head. “Because when I’m done with you, Spikey Wikey, guard training is going to look easy.”
