Distant Memories and Aching Hearts

Tidal Wave had been given a paid week vacation after treating several ponies who were in terrible condition. One of them was Big Mac, who had got a concussion from one of the tree branches falling onto his head. During his time at the hospital, Tidal Wave started to develop feelings towards one of the nurses. Specifically, the nurse with the white fur coat, and pink mane which was in a bun. Tidal Wave didn't really know it at the time, but he soon realized he had fallen head over heals in love with the mare.

During his vacation, he was just sitting on a bench, reading one of his medical books. As he was reading, Spiked had bumped into him without either of them paying attention.

"Oh my. Are you ok, Spike?" Tidal asked

"Yeah...yeah, I...I'm fine." Spike replied with is head hung low.

"You sure? You seem rather upset. Here, why don't you sit down and we'll talk about it. Stallion to dragon."

"Um...I guess." Spike then takes a seat on the bench.

"Now what seems to be troubling you? You're not your usual cheerful self."

"Well...it's Rarity."

"I see. What is it about her that's troubling you, my dear friend?"

"I've had a crush on her since I first met her. But unfortunately, she's got those same feelings, but towards you."

"Wait, she what? Oh, now I see the trouble. You're upset because she doesn't have the same feelings towards you."

"Yeah" Spike looked down.

"Well, I think it's safe to say tell you that I don't exactly see her the same way. I mean, you said you've loved her since you first met her, so obviously you deserve to be her special somepony."

"Yeah, but what can I do?"

"Well for one thing I'll talk things over with her. Then I'll try to help get you two together. Besides, I've already had my eyes on somepony else I met in the hospital."

"Really? Who is it?"

"Nurse Red Heart, of course."

"WHAT?! But you're too young for her!"

"Nonsense, I'm 22 years old. I'm old enough to date her. But before I do that. First I'm going to help unite you with your, how shall I put it, "Diamond in the Rough."

"Really?" Spike asks. Tidal Wave gives a simple nod. "Gee, thanks, Tidal Wave!" Spike shakes Tidal Waves hoof with his claws.

Spike and Tidal Wave soon made their way towards Carousel Boutique where they found Rarity making a dazzling purple dress and Spark Wave just running around getting the right tools for Rarity to use. Spike just stood there wide eyed at how busy they are.

"Boy he just doesn't even WANT to stop yet his body tells him he has to. I feel sorry for him." Spike says

"Yes, but Spark Wave has been in much more difficult situations than this." Tidal Wave replies to Spike.

Rarity soon sees the young dragon and the "stallion of her dreams." She waves over at them and they wave back. Rarity continues to work on her dresses.

"So what brings you both here, darlings. Did you need me to patch up your suit? I can try to squeeze in an appointment but the orders are just stockpiling up these days. I might actually be booked for the rest of the month." Rarity says

"Actually, Rarity. I was hoping we could talk after you're done making your dresses." Tidal Wave says.

"Is that it? Ok sure darling. Come by around 8 PM and we'll talk then." Rarity replies, finally done with her purple dress.

"Very well then, Rarity. But can Spike join?" Tidal Wave asks

"I don't know what this is about, but I suppose my little Spikey Wikey can join." Rarity says looking towards Spike with a big smile.

"Excellent, I'll be back by 8 PM. Come along, Spike." Tidal Wave says, walking out the door with Spike next to him.

"Take care, darlings." Rarity replies. The doors soon close and Spike and Tidal Wave had decided to head home.

--

After Tidal Wave and Spike had a quick bite to eat, they made their way back to the Carousel Boutique.

"Are you sure you can talk her out of her crush she has on you?" Spike asks Tidal Wave

"Well, I am going to give it my best. But rest assured, my friend, I am going to be truthful towards her. Just have faith, cross your claws and let me do the talking." Tidal Wave says before knocking on the door.

"Come in darling." Rarity says in a sing-songy tone.

Both Tidal and Spike walk and to see Rarity walking out of the kitchen wiping her mouth clean with a napkin. Obviously she had finished her dinner as well.

"How about we go into the kitchen and talk. I even finished cleaning up the table." Rarity says.

"Ok sure, come along Spike." Tidal Wave says. The three of them take their seats on the table. Rarity at the front with Spike and Tidal on each side of her.

"So darling, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Rarity asks, turning to Tidal.

"Well, Rarity, I'm going to be honest with you. You're a unique and generous pony. You even possess all the qualities of the perfect bride." Tidal Wave explains.

"Oh, darling, thank you. I must say that for a young stallion such as yourself, you possess the qualities of the perfect groom." Rarity says blinking twice at Tidal.

"Yes, well here's the thing. Rarity, I love you...but...only as a sister. I've already had a crush on somepony else. I met her in the hospital and I plan on asking her out." Tidal Wave explained. After hearing that, Rarity felt her heart sank.

"W-what? I...I don't understand."

"Rarity, you must understand this. Are you aware that Spike has had his eye on you since he first met you? He's known you way longer than me and my friends put together. If you're looking for a special somepony, then you can stop searching because he's sitting over there." Tidal Wave says, gesturing to Spike from across the table.

"Tidal Wave, darling. I know that Spike has had these feelings towards me, but he's only like a little brother to me." Rarity says, making Spike feel HIS heart drop as well.

"Is that how you truly feel, Rarity? Because, to be honest, I think there's more to it than meets the eye. I say you should give Spike a chance and let him show you he'll make a wonderful groom. Maybe even better than me." Tidal Wave says

"B-but I..." Rarity gets cut off.

"Please Rarity. He loves you. He worships the ground YOU walk on." Tidal Wave explains.

Rarity then turned to Spike who was looking at her. She stares at him for a while and then extends her hoof at him.

"Oh, Spikey-poo. I just don't know what to think anymore." Rarity explains.

"Look, Rarity. I love you. But if you don't want to, I understand. Because to me, what matters is your happiness. I realized this over time when I first fell in love with you." Spike said staring straight into Rarity's eyes, holding Rarity's hoof.

The moment she heard those words, her heart felt like it had taken off. But she couldn't make up her mind on who she should be with: The stallion who had a natural gift for saving lives, or the dragon who's known and had a crush on her since the day he met her. Finally, after waiting for 5 minutes. Rarity finally made up her mind.

"Well, Spike... if I'm going to be honest with you...I...I guess I've been keeping my true feelings about you bottled up. So now, I only have one question for you, Spikey." Rarity says making Spike nod. "Spikey, will you be my special somepony?"

Hearing this made Tidal Wave smile. Without answering, Spike hugged his new marefriend, and Rarity did the same with her new coltfriend and this made Tidal Wave sigh in relief knowing that Spike and Rarity had finally gotten together.

"Well, since you're both busy. I'll just be on my way back to the apartment. Congradulations, you two." Tidal Wave says walking out of the kitchen and towards the front door.

"Tidal, wait!" Spike shouted from the kitchen, making Tidal Wave stop. He turns around quickly to see Spike running towards him and stop right in front of him. "I can't thank you enough for what you did for me."

"Oh think nothing of it. After all, you're like a little brother to me as well. Now why don't you go back to your marefriend. It's never a good idea to keep a lady waiting." Tidal Wave says before giving Spike a pat on the head.

"Okay. Thanks for everything!" Spike says going back to Rarity. Tidal Wave walked out of the Boutique and straight back home. He opens the door to see Spark Wave and Ground Dasher going at it again.

"You're gonna regret the day you EVER called me a glutton!" Ground Dasher said, with his entire hoof around Spark Wave's neck.

"Then how come you're not finishing me off, glutton?" Spark Wave says in a choking tone.

'Oh dear, not this again.' Tidal Wave thought to himself.