Dreams that Bind

Today has been a sad one to say the least. Thirty minutes into cider season and the Rainbow Dash got a visit from her parents. She told us that her grandfather was on his deathbed and she had to go with them to see him. Naturally we let her know we would be there for her. Forget being turned into a Nightmare Moon, losing somepony close to you is ten times worse. She was gone for about fifteen minutes when she returned and asked us to come to the funeral, which was, rather strangely also fifteen minutes. It was just us, Rainbow's parents, and a priest there. Apparently Rainbow Strike wasn't particularly close to more ponies. Anyway, after the funeral, we went back to work and finished up in record time. After the cider rush, Applejack said that the line is usually shorter after everpony in Ponyville had some of their cider, and didn't need us to help anymore as they could manage. That said, it was Saturday and Fluttershy and I were late for our weekly treatment. Lotus and Aloe were worried about us when we didn't show up at our usual time, but after I explained what happened, it was business as usually. I allowed them to go through our treatment, just to help us relax. Near the end, I cleared my throat. I had something important to ask her. I was thinking about my feeling about Spike after me gave me the fire ruby back.

“Fluttershy Daring, can I ask you something?” I asked.

“Um, sure what is it?” Fluttershy asked.

“You know how Rainbow Dash and yourself got together? How did it happen?” I asked.

“Well, it happened after Angel ran off. Rainbow came back with him later, and I asked her why she brought him back. She said because she couldn't stand to see me sad. I guess that's when she realized she loved me, and we went from there.” Fluttershy replied.

“Oh, well you see, you know how Spike…feels about me?” I asked.

Fluttershy nodded.

“Well, I recently realized the feeling …is mutual.” I replied unsurely.

“Really? You like him that way?” Fluttershy asked.

“No, I LOVE him. I asked Twilight how old he was and she told me he was 12. As you know, a pony is a legal adult at that age, so we could be a thing, so to speak, which I really want. But I don’t know how to get us started.” I said. I had asked during Spike's last birthday, before he became an adult dragon.

Fluttershy smiled. “Just tell Spike how you feel, and the rest should work itself out.” she said reassuringly.

I returned the smiled. “Thank you Daring, I will.” I replied.

As we exited the spa, I race off to the library. When I had arrived, I found Twilight with her muzzle buried in a book, and a pile of books stacked next her.

"Good morning Twilight Darling." I said.

"Hey Rarity." Twilight replied, not even looking at me.

"Is Spike around?"

"No, I gave him the day off."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Sweet Apple Acres most likely."

"Thanks Darling." I replied, and left.

Why would Spike be there? If we needed him there this morning, Twilight would have brought him. Oh well, whatever he's doing, I'm sure he doesn't want to be disturbed, I'll just come back tomorrow. I returned to my boutique and was just about to start brainstorming new designs when I heard the bell at my door rang. I went out to greet the customer, only to find Applejack and Spike there with a burnt pie.

"Hey Rarity, we brought that pie you asked for." Applejack said behind a fake smile. I didn't know what was going on, but decided to play along.

"Right, Thank you both, please bring it to the kitchen." I replied. We went into the kitchen and Spike set it down on the table.

"I helped bake it." Spike said excitedly. I looked at pie they had brought, and it wasn't very appetizing. Still, Applejack urged me to go forward, and I couldn't let Spike down. Oh the things I do for love. I took a piece with a folk. I look at the object of my unannounced affection and took a bit. It was tasted awful. It was burned inside and out. "You even look good when you're chewing..." Spike laughed nervously," W-who looks good when they're chewing?" He asked Applejack. I took that opportunity to spit out that nasty pie. At least I can look good chewing, how many ponies can say that? "Aren't you gonna have some more?" Spike asked when I had "finished"

"I... had a big lunch!" I lied.

"It's ten in the morning."

"Breakfast. A big breakfast."

"Ohhh. Okay."

"Maybe you could take her plate back to the kitchen and wash it off?" Applejack suggested

"As you wish!" Spike replied, bowing as he left with the plate.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

Applejack sighed. "I saved Spike from some timberwolves in the Everfree Forest, and now he thinks he has to serve me forever."

I squealed in delight. "Oh, what I wouldn't give to have somepony forever in my debt! I'd get them to organize my closets, and give me pedicures, and help me with my sewing and–"

"Okay, I get it, havin' somepony to do things for you would be a dream come true. But I don't feel right havin' Spike thinkin' he owes me somethin'. You tasted that pie. Sometimes, his help isn't that helpful."

CRASH

Spike stood at the door into the kitchen, bubbles foaming from within. " Do you... have a broom I could borrow?" I pointed to the broom next to the door. He took it and disappeared behind a curtain of bubbles. "Somethings not right here. Spike can't be so incompetent, Twilight's library would be in a state of constant mess if he was." thought to myself when a voice interrupted.

"AJ, Rarity, what's happening?" Rainbow Dash asked from the window I had left open. She seemed to be doing better since the funeral, she was in a good mood.

"Applejack saved Spike's life and now he has to serve her forever." I replied.

Rainbow Dash seemed to like the idea as much as me. "Sweet! What are you having him do? Wash your laundry? Clean your room? Help you with your unfinished novel? Mine's about this awesome Pegasus who's the best flyer ever and becomes the captain of the Wonderbolts!"

"How ever did you come up with that ingeniously woven intricate plot line?" I asked sarcastically.

"Just came to me." Rainbow replied, purposefully ignoring my sarcasm.

"Thing is, I don't really want him to serve me forever, but I don't know how to get him to stop." Applejack pointed out.

"That's easy! Just make him help you with something really, really hard." Rainbow replied.

"I dunno. I don't want him to get hurt."

"Puh-lease. He'll quit way before there's even a chance of getting hurt!"

We heard a second crash, and Spike came out with a piece of pipping. What did he do in there?

Rainbow Dash lowered her voice and whispered to Applejack. "Leave this to me," and turned her attention to Spike. "Sooo, Spike, Applejack was gonna help me stack some hay so I could practice smashing through it, but I'm feeling extra, extra powerful today."

"You are?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, I am. So instead of hay, I'm gonna smash through rocks!"

"Rocks?" Spike asked.

"Yeah! A huge tower of rocks! And you're gonna build it!"

"I am?"

"Yeah, I mean, unless you don't wanna help Applejack..."

"I do! It is Spike's dragon code!"

"Then get to it!" Rainbow ordered. "Trust me. This is going to work like a charm." She re-assured Applejack as Spike rushed off.

I was too worried about the pipe Spike had brought to worry about how that plan could go wrong. After they had left, I went into town to find a plumber.