Love Measured in Scales

Spike opened his eyes slightly, looking at the little white flowers on the red bed sheets he had slept on. Spike closed his eyes again and stretched his little arms and legs out, letting out a huge yawn. With the grogginess lifting from his mind, he slowly realized the sheets he lay on weren’t Twilight’s. He sat up and surveyed the room. A collection of ponyquiens situated on the far side of a wooden sewing desk immediately reminded Spike that he was in Rarity’s room. His ears picked up a soft peep to the left of him, and he turned to see the fair unicorn softly stirring, her purple spiral mane crooked and strung out slightly from their earlier excursion and laying against her pillow. Her eyelashes fluttered as she blinked, her eyes moving about while she woke up slowly.When her eyes found him, a delighted smile appeared on her face. “Hello there,” She said to him sweetly, digging her head into her pillow.

Spike grinned at her and leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Rarity’s lips before laying against the bed again. The unicorn giggled softly, and returned the kiss, as well as a few underneath his chin and along his neck. The two lay staring at each other for a moment, Spike holding Rarity’s hoof in his grasp, and running his thumb affectionately across her white coat. Rarity gently pulled away and pressed her forelegs out in front of her, letting out a high pitched yawn as she stretched. “Mm… I should probably see about starting dinner.” Rarity rolled back over to look at Spike, gently touching his nose. “Are you in the mood for some Veloute de Chataignes?” Spike offered her a puzzled expression as he mulled over the articulent sounding dish. “The soup made from chestnuts, dear.”

“Oh yeah, that one was good!” Spike replied. Now that he was awake, he realized he was getting relatively hungry. He was only treated to Rarity’s cooking so often, since he normally had dinner at Twilight’s…

Twilight! Oh no, what time is it?

Spike looked towards the only window in Rarity’s bedroom, and noticed a lack of sunlight emanating from outside. He quickly rolled away from Rarity and hopped out of bed.

“Spike, what’s the matter?” Rarity asked, sitting up with her blanket pulled up against her chest. “Is everything alright?”

“I’m not supposed to be out after dark. Twilight’s gonna kill me!” Spike replied, before scurrying down the stairs.

“Spike, please settle down!” She called after him as she rose from her mattress and followed in his footsteps, her fire-ruby necklace jingling as she trotted “I am sure you have nothing to worry about!”

“But I've never been out this late before, Rarity. I've gotta get home before Twilight--!” Spike quickly opened the front door and was about to dash outside, before he found himself looking at a purple alicorn staring down at him. “Uh… hi Twilight!”

“Hello Spike,” Twilight said flatly as she stepped inside of the boutique, Rarity having just reached the bottom of the stairs. “Spike, do you know that you’re out past your curfew?”

“Yes ma’am.” Spike replied with his arms behind his back.

“Could you tell me why you’re out this late?”

“Because I, uh… well, you see--”

“Twilight,I feel that I am responsible for this,” Rarity interjected as she stepped in front of Spike. “ We were enjoying each other’s company so much, we simply lost track of the time. I should have asked Spike straightaway if he needed to be home at a certain time. If you must be cross with somepony, then let that somepony be myself.”

“Oh, I’m not mad at either of you!” Twilight reassured them as she waved her hoof back and forth, “Spike’s been really good about keeping his curfew since we've lived in Ponyville, a slip-up is bound to happen sometime. Just don’t make a habit out of it, okay?” Twilight finished as she looked down at the little dragon. Spike finally looked up at her with a relieved expression on his face. “So, what were you two doing for so long anyway?”

An alarmed look came over Spike and Rarity’s face as their pupils shrank. The two looked at each other momentarily, then quickly darted their gaze from one another.

“We were… trying on outfits!” Rarity replied energetically, pulling Spike close to her with a foreleg. “Little Spikey-wikey just loves playing dress up whenever he’s here, doesn't he?” She asked rhetorically, looking down at him with an uneasy smile.

“Uh… yep, sure do!” Spike said, chuckling nervously.

Twilight’s eyes shifted back and forth from Spike to Rarity, a small blush forming on both their faces. “Well then,” Twilight began, a tiny smirk appearing on her face, “Sounds like you two had fun! Are you ready to head home, Spike?”

“Yeah,” The little dragon replied as he walked towards her.

“Good. I cooked dinner for us about twenty minutes ago: I’m hungry!” she jokingly nagged him. Before stepping out the door, Spike turned and waved goodbye to Rarity. The unicorn lifted her hoof to her mouth and blew him a kiss before waving back to him. After the door shut behind him and Twilight, Rarity looked to her left, noticing her reflection in the mirrors surrounding the round staging area. She realized that her usually perfect mane was still out of sorts, her hair frizzled and crooked in some places, one spiral on the end beginning to uncurl itself.

“By Celestia!” Rarity exclaimed abhorrently, “Did I actually face the two of them looking like this!? How embarrassing!” Rarity quickly levitated a nearby brush and began restoring her mane to its proper beauty.

The little bell rang as the door to Golden Oaks library opened. Spike stepped in, and was welcomed home by a soft hoot from Owlicious. Twilight stepped in after him, moving towards the kitchen with a slight bounce in her steps.

“So, you’re not mad at all?” Spike asked, a hint of confusion in his voice as he followed her.

“Nope!” Twilight replied as she turned the corner to the kitchen, “Hurry and eat Spike, it’s almost bedtime.”

Twilight’s magic moved to Spike’s plate once he took a seat at the table, affixing it with a few spoonfuls of macaroni and cheese, as well as some green beans. Spike normally made a fuss about eating his vegetables, but the dragon surprisingly put up little resistance and actually took a bite of them first before dipping into his macaroni. He curiously watched Twilight as he ate, the alicorn pouring the both of them a glass of iced tea before constructing herself a plate with food. An awkward silence hung in the air between the two of them as they ate. After swallowing some food, the little dragon reached for his glass of tea and took a large sip.

“So, was sex with Rarity everything you were hoping it would be?”

Spike’s arm holding his glass up to his lips dropped before he spat a mouthful of tea out towards Twilight. The alicorn was quick to put up a magical barrier, catching the airborne drink before it hit her. “You knew!?” Spike asked astonishingly as the floating liquid was redirected back into his glass.

Twilight snickered proudly. “Of course I did, Spike. I’m insulted that you think me so clueless. It wasn't that hard to put together!” Twilight took a bite of her dinner and swallowed before continuing. “It doesn't take that long for you to walk to Rarity’s from here, and judging from how long it takes us when you and I are in bed, I’d imagine it takes roughly the same amount of time for you and her, plus or minus a few minutes depending on how you two go about it. Also, I've seen Rarity’s bedmane after a sleepover. As if that weren't enough, the two of you had ‘guilty’ written all over your faces. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing when I saw your faces flushing. Yeah, just like that!” Twilight teased him as his face reddened. Spike threw his hands up over his face as the alicorn snorted in laughter. “Why are you so embarrassed? ”

“I dunno...” Spike mumbled under his claws.

“Oh, I see,” Twilight raised a hoof to her chest and another to her head, leaning back and closing her eyes, “The young dragon’s heart quakes at the thought of his true love, and his passion for her burns ever brighter now that he has tasted her sweet nectar for himself!”

“Okay, geez!” Spike reacted strongly as he shook his head, “You've been reading too many romance novels, Twi.”

“I’m just so happy for you Spike!” The two cleaned their plates off, and Twilight levitated their dishes towards the sink. “Does this mean that you and Rarity are a couple now?” She asked as they both left their chairs. Spike averted his eyes to the floor and scratched his left arm, before nodding. “Oh, my gosh, really?” Twilight asked, following an excited gasp.

“I’m pretty sure,” Spike replied, “She even said she loved me, before I said it. She got really mushy after we were done, I was surprised. I think she’s serious.”

Twilight smiled warmly at the little dragon. “Congratulations Spike,” she said, stepping forward and placing a hoof around his back. Spike wrapped his arms around her neck in return. “You know, when you first started talking about how much you liked her all those years ago, I never thought much of it. I thought it would just be a boyish crush that you would get over in time, until you grew up and went to find a dragon of your own.” Twilight tightened her hug around him as she spoke, “I have never been so happy in my life to be proven wrong.”

“Thanks Twilight.” Spike said, before their hug broke.

“I can’t wait to tell the other girls, they’re going to flip! Pinkie Pie will probably want to throw a party for the two of you to celebrate.” Twilight stepped out of the kitchen and into the common room as Spike followed close behind.

“Heh, two parties in one week? Cool!”

“Oh, speaking of party Spike, you have one more gift, it’s up in my room,” The two climbed up the staircase to Twilight’s room. On the corner of Twilight’s writing desk sat a brown package, which Twilight lifted with her magic and hovered it towards Spike. “Derpy Hooves had forgotten this at the post office and rushed by to get it delivered to me before the day was over.”

Spike caught the package being levitated towards him and looked over the parcel, taking particular interest in the return address:

501 Sunset Valley
Canterlot, Equestia 00851

“Sunset Valley?” Spike asked, puzzled.

“It’s from Princess Celestia. That’s one of the addresses she uses when she’s not sending formal letters.”

With a new excitement, Spike sliced through the tape on the package with the tip of his claw and reached inside to find another box wrapped in a bright golden paper with silver streaks and orange ribbon. He marveled at its beauty for a few seconds, before tearing it to shreds and tossing it aside. Another box, a pale white color, which Spike opened to find a neat pile of shredded tissue paper . He began to dig eagerly, wondering what princess Celestia had given him. His claw came into contact with something solid. Spike wrapped his fingers around the object and pulled it out of its package. There in his grasp was a small purple egg with dark green spots around the surface. Its texture had a light shine to it, as it had been fortified with a type of starch to keep it from cracking so easily.

“I don’t get it… what’s this supposed to be?” Spike asked as he examined the egg in his claws. Twilight gasped as she looked it over herself.

“Spike, this is…” Twilight took a breath before she continued softly, “This is the egg I was given for my entrance exam for the School for Gifted Unicorns. You hatched out of this egg.” The alicorn’s voice cracked momentarily, and she began to fan her hoof in front of her shimmering eyes.

“Wow… so I came out of this thing, huh? I must have been really tiny!” Spike trailed a claw around the middle of the egg and realized there were small spaces in between. He gently pulled on the top and realized that it could be removed. Inside there was a small parchment rolled up into a scroll. Placing the top half of the shell on Twilight’s desk, he reached inside, unrolled the parchment and began to read it out loud.

“Dearest Spike: This day not only marks the anniversary of your birth, but also the moment when the destinies of many lives were set into motion all at once. It was you I saw emerging from the tower that examinations for gifted unicorns were taking place, which prompted me to sprint inside and find you along with Twilight. I saw great potential not only in Twilight, but you as well. I knew the two of you could achieve marvelous accomplishments if you worked together.

As you've grown, you have dedicated every day of your life to making Twilight’s studies easier. I have seen you go out of your way to help her beyond daily chores and assignments to reassure her in her abilities when she had lost faith in herself. Like Twilight, you have befriended each of the elements of harmony and absorbed their goodness into yourself, which has helped you quell the greed that consumes most dragons. You have even played a part in saving a land of ponies from torment, and reserved a place as a hero in Equestrian history.

Words cannot express how important this day is, my dearest Spike; for I and the others closest to you are reminded how touched we are by your life. Happiest birthday wishes, sincerely, Princess Celestia.”

Spike noticed there was another object in the egg shell; a small photo taken at Canterlot Castle, of Twilight and her friends, along with Princess Celestia standing behind them. Spike was laying on Twilight’s back, having just nodded off into a light nap before the camera had flashed. “Ha ha, hey look, it’s all of us at the castle!” Spike turned the photograph towards the alicorn.

Twilight’s purple cheeks were layered with fresh tears, which continued to pour from her eyes. “Spike… come here…” She said to him, her voice trembling as she spoke. The little dragon marched towards her, leaning his chin on her shoulder as she lowered her head and draped her wings down his back.

“Geez Louise, Twilight, get a hold of yourself,” Spike teased her lightly.

“It’s her fault!” Twilight said jokingly, “Celestia should know better than to write something so sappy, and corny and… beautiful…” Twilight pressed her head more firmly against him. “I love you so much, Spike.”

Spike finally reached his arms around Twilight, and rubbed his palm behind her neck. “You too, Twi.”

Twilight pulled her wings away and lifted her head up. She sniffled a bit as she breathed through her nose, and then lifted her hoof to her eyes. “Ugh, my face is a mess!”

“Yeah, a little bit.” Spike said, walking towards her desk and pulling a piece of tissue out. He walked back in front of Twilight and lifted his hand towards her face.

“Spike, you don’t have to--!”

“Nah don’t worry about it.” Spike reassured her as he gently pressed the cloth to the corner of her eye. As Spike took great care to dry her face, Twilight’s gaze wandered over the little dragon’s purple face. She couldn’t detect a hint of discomfort as he went about cleaning her; his light green eyes remained still and alert, yet free of tension as he focused on each spot underneath her eyes. How did he get so good at this? Twilight asked herself as she was tended to. What happened to the little dragon who didn’t care for girly emotions and stuff? As Twilight found herself staring at Spike, she noticed that her eyes were tilted upwards just slightly. Has he gotten… taller?

A few minutes passed and Spike had finished tending to Twilight. Despite a hint of puffiness, the alicorn’s face appeared mostly dry. “There you go, Twi.” Spike said as he folded the tissue up in his palm. Twilight remained still for several seconds as her gaze was locked on Spike. “Um… Twilight? Hello?” Spike waved his open claw in front of her.

Twilight shook her head after her daze was broken. “Yeah! I’m okay Spike, thank you.” She said with a smile, “Well, we should probably get to bed. We’ve both had a really busy day, haven’t we?” Spike nodded in reply, waltzing towards his bed and letting out a soft yawn. Twilight lifted his blanket with her magic, letting him crawl in before she draped it over his form. “I’m so proud of you, Spike. I hope you’ve had a wonderful birthday.”

“M hm,” Spike replied as he shut his eyes, curling up in his basket, “Best birthday ever…”

Twilight moved her right wing over Spike’s head, brushing his scales as he fell fast asleep. She trotted to her own bed, slipping underneath her purple sheets adorned with the crescent moon and yellow stars. With another spark of magic, She switched off the lamp and candle in her room simultaneously, and lay her head on her pillow. A few minutes passed, and the alicorn found herself unable to fall asleep. She looked over her shoulder down at the foot of her bed. She could see through the darkness the shape of Spike in his bed, his small form rising and falling with each breath that he took. Twilight wondered to herself what part of the day he was referring to when he said it had been the “best birthday ever”. Had he been thinking about the majority of the day, in which he had gotten to laugh and play with his friends? About the gem cake that she had spent hours on making it the best that she could?

Or, had the entire day taken a silver medal to having sex with Rarity for the first time?

Twilight rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sure why she had thought that just now; this was Spike’s one special day of the year, he could enjoy whichever parts he most wanted to, however much he wanted to. The alicorn decided to distract herself by reciting various trigonometry equations in her head. Cosine squared of theta plus sine squared of theta equals one. Cosine of negative theta equals cosine of theta. Twilight’s mouth opened as she let out a silent yawn, and snuggled her head deeper into her pillow. Cosine of A plus B equals cosine of A… times cosine of B minus the sine of A times the sine… Twilight’s consciousness finally ceased for the moment, followed by a rhythm of soft breaths through her nose as she drifted off to sleep.