Of Dragons and Mortals

Chapter 3: Meetings and Cuddles and Clothes, Oh My!

“... And that’s how the Blueberry Special got its name!” Pinkie Pie concluded, making a grand gesture with her free arm to punctuate her story as Spike finished his breakfast. She had managed to stay silent for all of two minutes before she started talking his ear off about this and that, but Pinkie rambling like usual worked wonders in calming Spike down and allowing him to center himself.

The fact that Pinkie was still glued to his side made centering himself a little harder, but he managed.

“So what happens now?” Pinkie asked in an innocent tone. Spike didn’t answer, lost in thought. “I think you need some new clothes. The ones you have on are all baggy and awkward. You need a tailor.”

Spike could feel what Pinkie was about to say, and the thought sent his mind reeling for the umpteenth time that morning, undoing his newfound calm. In what could only be considered a panic, Spike fumbled and made an attempt to get up, forgetting that a strong and heavy earth pony was holding onto him. The result was a faceplant on the table that sent his empty bowl flying. Pinkie reached out with her free hand, caught the bowl as it left the table, and went on talking like nothing had happened.

“You need to go see Rarity.”

Rarity.

The name struck a chord deep in Spike’s core. The mare who had caught his attention, and gained his affection, from the moment he saw her. The most beautiful mare in Ponyville, and the one who had spent the longest time in his heart.

It’s said you never forget your first crush. As far as Spike was concerned, truer words had never been spoken.

“It’s okay, Spikey!” Pinkie announced. She pulled Spike’s face up from the table. “I’ll walk with you to the boutique! I mean, you need to be escorted so nopony takes advantage of you.”

Spike frowned for a moment, and was about to argue that he could fend for himself. Then his recent encounter with the fairer sex came to mind, and he decided to not argue the point. Before he could say anything, however, she let out a gasp.

“Oh no! I still have work today! I can’t walk you halfway across town; the Cakes need my help!”

Pinkie gestured to Mrs. Cake. She was working the counter to cover for Pinkie’s break, and her husband was nowhere to be seen. From experience, Spike knew that at this time, Mr. Cake was dropping the kids off at school. “Miss Cheerilee wanted to have a parent-teacher thing this morning,” Pinkie said, “and Mr Cake said he’d take care of it this time, so he won’t be back for a while. But don’t you worry, Spike.” Pinkie stood up and patted Spike’s shoulder in a reassuring manner. “You just sit right there until somepony we can trust shows up.”

Without offering any other explanation, Pinkie gave Spike a quick hug, then walked back to her post behind the counter. Spike remained where he sat, a little afraid to go against Pinkie when she had her mind set like this.

Besides, the more he thought about it, the more an escort seemed like a good idea. A lot of ponies were staring at him, and most weren’t looking at his face.

The looks were a lot more intense now, after Sea Swirl and Pinkie had flirted with him. Maybe they felt the ice had been broken. However, as the minutes passed by, the only things Spike got were warm gazes and friendly greetings from the townsfolk. In the long run, Spike figured, sitting casually in a public place like this might get the rumor mill going and prepare the rest of the town for his new look. Perhaps things would even calm down a bit?

Another flash of that knowledge burned it’s way through Spike’s mind. This flash told him that he would only have to deal with the flashes for a few more hours. So that was good.

Even though the earliest morning rush was over, there was no shortage of customers for Sugarcube Corner to handle. Pinkie did not have time to sit down with Spike again, though she made sure to stop by a few times to remind him to stay put. After twenty minutes or so, Thunderlane sat down at Spike’s table, striking up a casual conversation. Caramel and Time Turner also ended up joining the group, though all three stallions eventually needed to go about their day. All in all, about an hour passed before a certain yellow pegasus walked through the door.

Fluttershy glanced around the Corner, happy that no one was looking her way as she walked up to the counter. She wasn’t all that interested in what everypony was staring at, so she approached the counter with an uncharacteristically casual sway to her steps, glad that something else was drawing the crowd’s attention today.

“Flutters!” Pinkie Pie called. She suddenly appeared from behind the counter and pulled Fluttershy halfway across it in a hug. “I’m so glad to see you! I need your help. We need your help.”

“What’s wrong, Pinkie?” she asked, worry seeping into her voice.

“That,” she answered. She placed a hand on Fluttershy’s chin, guiding the pegasus’s eyes to the corner she had missed on her way in.

Fluttershy immediately hid behind her mane, then peered out, blushing red as a sunset.

Spike was sitting at the table in the corner, but she had never seen him like this before. He was all… big… and… and hot. A few days ago, he had been all small and cute, but he had matured like… like… like a butterfly.

Spike’s eyes met hers, and her mane was no longer enough cover. With a whimper, she deployed her left wing to shield her, using the feathery appendage to hide her whole upper body, leaving only her eyes peeking out.

Spike smiled. Yesterday, it would have made her “aww.” Today, it made her heart flutter wildly in her chest.

Fluttershy was cute. It was a fact, and her hiding like she did behind her wing, with that adorable squeak she made when she was embarrassed, made Spike smile broadly, unknowingly causing the blush to spread all over the shy mare’s face. His eyes drifted downwards. She was wearing a dress that cut off just above her knees, which showed off a bit of her beautiful legs. Her wings were vibrant and feathery, typical of a healthy pegasus, but at the moment, Spike kind of wished he could see through them to Fluttershy’s slender form.

Realizing his eyes and mind had wandered, Spike gazed down at the drink he was cradling in his hands. He blushed a bit, feeling oddly ashamed at having ogled Fluttershy. It felt just a bit wrong, somehow. More so than fantasizing about the others.

“What… what… what?” Fluttershy repeated, trying to find words to express her embarrassment. “What… what happened to… Sp... Spike?”

“Well... I’ll start from the beginning. Spike told me that last night...”

A few minutes passed as Pinkie gave her friend a thorough description of the events of the day so far. As they spoke, Fluttershy’s initial wave of embarrassment ran its course, and her wing retreated to her back, where it belonged.

Spike inevitably looked up again and let his eyes wander over Fluttershy’s back, lingering longer than he should have on her fine rump before he examined her beautiful, slender back and those magnificent, downy wings. The view was capped by the silky rainfall of her soft pink mane, which she was twirling around one of her fingers. She shivered, maybe sensing his eyes on her, but didn’t squirm away.

“She did what?” Fluttershy asked Pinkie as the pink mare approached the end of her explanation. The concept that a stranger had hit on Spike was uncomfortable, and she felt uncharacteristically angry. The fact that the mare in question had long since left the Corner helped, but only a little.

“I know, right?” Pinkie answered, the shadow of a frown on her face. “And I don’t think she’s the only one waiting for a chance to swoop down and steal Spike away. Look around.”

And Fluttershy did. Being a wallflower and an animal caretaker, Fluttershy had developed a keen eye for body language. It helped her keep away from bullies and ponies who might want to engage her in conversation. Together with her familiarity with a lot of the town’s population, Fluttershy was able to read the crowd in the Corner with great accuracy.

There were no stallions currently inside the Corner, though that wasn’t unusual. Every single mare in the Corner, however, occasionally glanced in Spike’s direction. Fluttershy detected one or two who were suspicious or scared, but they were in the minority and would probably come around in time. Most of the crowd was appraising him, the way one would examine a new landmark or a freshly renovated building. These ponies were not a threat, Fluttershy concluded; they were merely observing the change in scenery and had no intentions for the dragon one way or the other.

What bothered Fluttershy, however, was the surprising amount of mares who were unsubtly eyeing Spike. Their demeanor reminded her of cats with a fresh toy. At the moment, they were just sizing him up, but she could tell that these mares were getting ready to “pounce.”

A part of her insisted that that these were nice mares driven a bit up the wall by the lack of stallions in Ponyville (and in Equestria, for that matter), who had spotted a handsome, available young male who had been a long-time pillar of the community and a friend.

Another part of her bristled at the thought of these… these outsiders laying as much as a finger on Spike. They were not allowed to!

Fluttershy met the dragon’s eyes again, and he smiled at her. This time, she didn’t let her embarrassment rule her. She returned his affectionate smile with one of her own. Then her momentary courage failed her, and she had to look away, her cheeks burning. Her wings fluttered in a subconscious attempt to fan herself from the sudden heat.

“I see what you mean,” she told Pinkie, who simply smiled and patted Fluttershy’s shoulder affectionately. “Um… So what happens now? Oh, and one eclair, please.”

“Certainly!” Pinkie vanished into the kitchen and emerged a second later with a plate containing the requested baked goodie. She placed it in front of Fluttershy and accepted her bits. “And what happens now? Well, first off: Spike needs new clothes, I mean look at him, and we need to let the rest of the girls know what’s happened. Twilight’s all busy right now, so it’s up to us!”

Fluttershy nodded.

“Okay. I agree. And one of us needs to be at his side just in case.”

“Precisely! I knew you’d get it. So!” Pinkie Pie clapped her hands and grinned. “You go sit next to Spike and eat your food, and when you’re done, walk him over to the Boutique and work something out with Rarity.”

“Okay.” Fluttershy nodded again. With a clear course of action in mind, she turned towards Spike’s table, finding the dragon’s attention focused on her and Pinkie. She approached him as bravely as she could manage.

Spike sat back and patiently waited for Fluttershy to reach him. Watching her awkwardly stumble over while refusing to make eye contact for more than a few seconds was heart-meltingly adorable, and he took the opportunity to look her over properly without her wing blocking access to her beauty. Toned legs, beautifully wide hips, and a slender body with delightfully full and firm breasts. Fluttershy was truly built like a model, which, come to think of it, she briefly had been.

She seemed to notice his staring, because her steps became even more unsure, but she glanced around the room and apparently found some courage, for her final steps were more determined. She sat close to Spike, so close that they were almost touching. Fluttershy glanced up at his face, but blushed and looked down, again twirling some of her beautiful mane around her finger. The cuteness was too much, and, feeling a sudden surge of affection and an urge to tease her, Spike reached an arm out and hugged her close.

Fluttershy froze, sheer emotion running through her, emotion she couldn’t properly identify.

Part of her wanted to run back home, barricade the door, and hide until everypony forgot she had ever existed. Another part of her wanted to snuggle close to Spike and never let go. She was leaning towards the former, but then Spike tucked her head under his chin, and his warm breath gently teased her ear.

Fluttershy melted into Spike’s embrace, her decision blissfully made for her by the sheer comfort she found in those strong arms. It felt right.

“Good morning, Fluttershy,” Spike said in that voice which his body had finally grown to match. For years now the disparity between his childish appearance and his mature voice had been… a little awkward, actually. And perhaps a little funny. But now the voice finally fit him, and it made her blush a little more.

“Good morning, Spike,” she answered, wrapping her arms around him to return the embrace.

There the two stayed, to the envious gaze of many of the mares in the Corner. Spike didn’t really notice, and Fluttershy found that she really didn’t care.

Pinkie smiled and tried to focus on her work, but her mind wandered. Right now, everything was fine, but she and the girls really needed to sit down and talk about what to do with Spike now. And talk to Spike to see what exactly his new form was capable of. A pleasant shiver derailed her train of thought, but she quickly got back on track. Maybe, possibly, she and her friends could become something more through this. But they could figure that out later.

After at least a full minute, the hug came to a natural conclusion, and they sat back. Fluttershy picked up her eclair and snuggled into Spike’s side, eating her breakfast with a smile. She surprised herself at her public display of affection, but another glance at the other customers in the Corner steeled her resolve: this was the time to stake her claim, not shy away. And the proximity felt too good to care too much what other ponies might think anyway.

“What brings you here so early?” Spike asked, shifting slightly to allow more comfort for them both.

“Hm? Oh,” Fluttershy answered, snapping out of her thoughts. “I’m, uh… I’m actually here to stock up on supplies for home. I came here to get some quick breakfast before I get to shopping.”

She turned to look Spike in the eyes, effectively halting his thought processes completely.

“But first, you and I are going to go to the Boutique,” Fluttershy stated simply. She took a bite of her eclair before continuing. “I just need to finish my breakfast first.”

With that, she snuggled deeper into her dragon and took her time finishing her food.

It was a glorious morning, with Celestia’s sun rising over a warm summer day. It was a perfect day to do a bit of hand-stitching by one of the Boutique’s windows, which is exactly how Rarity was spending her morning now that she’d styled her mane, applied her makeup, and otherwise gotten ready for the day.

She had an outstanding order to finish that she really should have gotten started on, but she had been inspired to make a stylish handbag in summer colors, and an artist can only go where inspiration takes her, after all. She still had time to finish the order anyway.

Rarity was broken out of her reverie by the sound of a knock on her door. A customer so early?

“Comiiing!” she sang out, putting down her half-finished work. She reached the entrance after a few seconds, opening the door with her magic from a few meters away and curtsying at the guest. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique and magnifique.”

“Hey there, Rarity,” came a voice she recognized. Looking up, she saw Thunderlane filling her doorway. “I’d like to speak to you.”

“Of course, darling. Come on in,” Rarity answered. She stepped back, allowing Thunderlane into the shop proper. “What can I help you with today, then?”

“Well…” Thunderlane paused, searching for the right words. “You can do me the honor of letting me take you out to dinner.”

It was time to leave the Corner. Pinkie merely smiled and waved as Spike and Fluttershy exited. Fluttershy had decided that the best way to escort Spike was to cuddle up to his side and drape one of his arms across her shoulders. It let her keep up the cuddling she had already come to feel so comfortable with, and sent a clear message to the mares of Ponyville.

Spike didn’t complain, because it let him hold her beautiful body close. They both felt safe and supremely comfortable locked in the affectionate gesture, so the walk to Carousel Boutique was a relaxed one.

But Spike had to break the silence at some point.

“You’re being very affectionate today?” he squeaked, unsure if he was asking her or telling her.

Fluttershy giggled at the sound.

“Well, I just… Well… This feels really nice,” she mumbled. “And so many things must have changed for you, so... maybe you need a little affection, maybe? I know my day gets a lot better when I hug, or get hugged by, my animal friends. And my pony friends. And… and my dragon friend.”

This time, it was Spike’s turn to chuckle.

“No matter what’s happening,” Fluttershy continued, “some affection makes the day… better.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Spike said. He pulled her a little closer, briefly nuzzling her behind her ear, which made her give an adorable little squeak. “Though I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess.”

They shared a laugh at that as they kept walking.

“Really now?” Rarity asked. She was caught slightly off guard, but was skilled enough in the social arts to avoid showing it. “And here I heard that you liked pegasi?”

“Ugh,” Thunderlane groaned. “Not that rumor again. I met my girls through work. I work as a weather pony. Thus, pegasi. I’m not some… what’s the word... Puritan or whatever, I just happen to have fallen for other pegasi.”

“And adding me to your herd will help curb this rumor?” Rarity replied, smirking slightly.

“Maybe, but I’ve been meaning to ask you out for months now, just to see if there’s a connection. And I can’t help but notice you’re dodging the question.”

“You’re right, I am.” Rarity paused. This part was never easy. “Let me get to the point, then. While I am flattered by your proposal, I am not interested. I apologize.”

A few moments of silence passed, broken by a sigh from Thunderlane.

“That’s what I thought you’d say.”

“I’m sorry. But if you did not think I would agree…” Rarity trailed off. It was not very nice to put salt on his wound.

He answered anyway.

“Like I said, I’ve been interested in you for a while. And today might be the last chance I have to ask you out. I just had to do it, you know? So that I don’t look back on it in ten years and wonder ‘what if.’” Thunderlane sighed again. “At least now I know, so I can move on.”

“That’s very mature of you. But what’s so special about today?”

Thunderlane met Rarity’s gaze and held it for a few seconds. He didn’t look nearly as devastated as most of the suitors she had shot down over the years. He really must have been expecting a “no.” Then he smirked, almost evilly.

“If you don’t already know… I’m not going to spoil it.” He turned around and began to head out the door. “See you around, Rarity!”

“Yes, see you…” she hesitantly answered as the stallion closed the door and, presumably, flew off.

That was weird. But Rarity shrugged it off and went back to her seat to keep working on her little project. As she sat down, she allowed her mind to wander to Thunderlane’s proposal. It was far from the first time she had been asked out by a stallion, but he had seemed unusually rushed. What was so special about today?

She shrugged. It was pointless to dwell on things she had no answer for, after all. And with that, she sat down, picked up her half-finished handbag, bent her head, and kept working.

She had barely begun when the doorbell chimed again, snapping her out of the zone she was just entering.

“Comiiing!” she sang out again. Keeping in mind her unexpected visitor from just a few moments ago, Rarity kept her eyes on the door this time, just in case some other stallion suddenly decided today was the day to ask a girl out. “Welcome toooo….” Rarity trailed off.

Standing in the doorway was the most gorgeous dragon, no, most gorgeous creature she had ever seen. The lines of his face were strong and virile, those eyes were deep pools of rich green, and the body hinted to under the ill-fitting clothes was toned and strong. She recognized him.

“Spike?!” she said, her voice breaking a bit as she felt a swoon approaching. That was when she saw a slender yellow pegasus tucked in under his arm. “Fluttershy? What… What…?”

“Hey, Rarity,” Fluttershy said, smiling angelically. “May we come in?”

Deep in the darkness of the Everfree forest was a cave. From the outside, it did not look like much, and the dragon who called the cave home preferred to keep it that way. This was a lair, a hideout. A storage area to keep all of his many, many gems.

Very few sane creatures braved the Everfree, which meant that the approach of a bipedal creature in a hooded cloak was rare, to say the least. The creature simply walked in, no preamble, no hesitation…

Not even a hint of fear.

The dragon moved, stretching himself out in all his glory, what little light existed in the dark cavern glinting off his green scales. If lunch simply walked up to his door, who was he to refuse such a kind offer? He moved towards the creature, but stopped.

There was an aura, a sensation about this creature. An aura of command. Respect. Terror.

The dragon withdrew, his enormous body withdrawing to leave his head leering out of the darkness towards the intruder.

“Who are you?” he roared, badly suppressed anger clear in his voice. “Who are you, to invade my cave?” As he spoke, his breath swept around the intruder, causing the cloak it was wearing to billow and reveal a glimpse of crimson armor hidden under the dark material.

The creature dropped its hood and removed the full helmet it was wearing. A pretty-boy unicorn with a dust grey coat stood before the dragon, showing as much fear as one might towards a petulant child.

“I’m Dragonheart,” the unicorn calmly stated. “And relax, big guy. I’m just here to talk.”

Author's Note

And here we are again with another installment of Of Dragons and Mortals. The support I've gotten for this, my first published story, is immense and very appreciated, I must say.

Story edited and made properly readable by Feo Takahari
Edit: and Pearly (not on this site)

So, I have nothing more interesting to say. I hope you enjoy the story so far and that you will keep enjoying it.

Signing off for now.

Rakni