It was Hearth's Warming Eve, the first one Twilight was going to spend in her new castle, and the first one in more than a decade that she was going to spend without Spike. Trotting around the palace, she came across the council of friendship hall which had been set up by the castle assistants ready for the meal the next day. All of her friends were going to join her; five thrones would be filled with those she loved. Some normal chairs had also been brought in for other guests for the feast - three for the other members of the apple household, three for the Belle household and two for Scootaloo and her mother.

However, there would be one empty chair at the table, next to her. Spikes throne remained at the table, unused since he left. Afterall, Twilight wasn't going to let anypony else use it whilst he was away. Looking round the decorated room, Twilight sighed thinking about how they would be celebrating in the Crystal Empire. However, a nearby clock chime reminded her there was one task left for the day, an enjoyable one of watching the Hearths Warming Eve play at the town hall.

Twilight was told that as a Princess in her own kingdom, she would have to be the patron of her own play. As she couldn't act in it, she let Cheerilee's class put it on as a school project. Besides, it seemed more festive and fun to let foals perform the play than grown mares like they did at the Canterlot. As she sat in the front row with most of her friends, another one joined them.

“Rainbow Dash? Aren’t you supposed to be acting as the windigos in this?”

“Yeah, but I found a last minute replacement. Besides, this way I get to see all of Scootaloo's acting.”

The play soon started, Cheerilee acting as the narrator and director. Twilight rather enjoyed watching the play, and was going to try to make it traditional for younger ponies to play the parts every year across the land. The play was going along as predicted, with the foals enthusiasm making up for a lack of acting skill, until the cave scene arrived. Twilight was eager to see who was playing the part that Rainbow was due to play and with bated breath waited for the line “It must be a windigo!”.

A purple dragon, covered with long blue fabric strips tied to his scales, flew onto the stage, slowly circling it with his leathery wings. Rainbow sniggered as both Rarity and Twilight eyes expanded at seeing Spike’s return, and giggled to herself at the dragon idea of how to make an entrance And he can fly too, he is like so much cooler now!

Twilight almost ruined the play right then and there by flying up to hug him but managed to keep herself under control until the end of the play. As soon as it finished, all the foals came rushing from backstage to their parents and friends for congratulations. And amongst them a stallion sized spike saunted confidently across to where his friends stood.

He stopped a few hooves away from Twilight and smiled, flexing his new wings as he did. Twilight bit her lips a little, not wanting to break the almost staring contest that had started between the two. Of course it wasn't a staring contest, they just did want to be the first to speak as neither were sure what to say. Fortunately, Pinkie Pie broke the silence “Oh my gosh Spike, your back? It's a hearths warming miracle!”

Spike turned to smile at her “Well, you know the egghead probably wouldn't have any fun without me around.” Some of the ponies nearby gasped as Spike ruffled up Twilight’s, Princess Twilight’s, mane with a claw. Noticing everypony's reaction, Spike continued “It’s been pointed out to me before, by Celestia no less, that I am a dragon and therefore the Princesses have no dominion over me!”

Twilight smiled at the newfound confidence of her dragon son “I’m still your mother, young man.”

“That’s funny -” Spike studied his claws “- I don’t believe I have hooves.”

Twilight could sense that he was only joking, but she was determined to win the argument “That may be, but I looked after you as a baby and raised you. So I am your mother. So come here and hug me!”

“Of course” Spike came over to Twilight and gave her a proper hug.

“So, did your cheekiness grow as much as your wings?” Twilight asked as the pair embraced.

“Not really. I just didn’t want the whole thing to resort into complete mushiness straight away...I really missed you Twilight”

“I really missed you too...big guy”

On Hearths Warming Day, the friends and family gathered at lunchtime in the grand hall. The castle had somehow magically made Spike’s throne bigger overnight so he fitted on it, and he sat between Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Spike spent half of the time discussing flying with Rainbow Dash and half catching up with Twilight. Whilst they had kept in touch with letters during the months he had been away, they still had a lot to talk about.

Rarity was on the opposite side of the table, obviously spending time chatting to her family on one side and Sweetie Belle on the other. Every so often Spike saw Rarity glance his way, but the table layout didn't really give them a chance to talk. The meal took all the afternoon and evening, a lunch turning into a civilised gathering fit for a princess, despite how much Pinkie Pie tried to kick it up a notch. The three fillies went off to play in the castle, the adults sipping some of Berry Punch's finest.

As luna's night took hold, the gathering was winding down and in dribs and drabs ponies were going either home or off to the rooms provided for the night. Rarity’s parents went upstairs to bed with Sweetie Belle, and with the crowd thinned, Rarity took Spike off to one side.

“Hello Spike, it’s good to see you!”

“Rarity!” Spike greeted warmly “It’s good to see you too. You look well.”

“Yes, but not as well as you do. You sure have grown in these past few months! Those wings look rather impressive.”

Spike turned his back slightly “Yeah, they came in about a month ago. Cadence took me up flying and then just threw me off her back. They grew during my fall…”

“That sounds horrible!” Rarity gasped

“No, it was a trick. She caught me before I hit the ground and since then I’ve gotten used to them. Cadence did some research and apparently falling, or being pushed, out of the nest is how Dragons learn to get their wings!”

Rarity saw them flutter slightly as he spoke “Mind...mind if I touch them?”

“Not at all.” Spike replied, turning round fully. Rarity gently stroked one with a hoof.

“They feel thin...but powerful”

“They are. I won’t ever have the speed of Rainbow Dash, but eventually I should have more flying stamina for the long migrations. She’s already looking forwards to a race.”

“Well, the time away certainly has done you some good.” Rarity summised.

“Yeah, hows things with you? From Twilight’s letters it sounds like your business is going well?” Spike had none of the awkwardness that he always used to have round her but a quiet confidence instead.

“I can’t complain, it’s been a good few months. I’ve hired some helpers to do some of the work to let me channel my creativity.”

“Helpers hey, I’m surprised they could put up with you.”

Rarity laughed in response “I may have had to tone down my dramatic moments...slightly!”

Spike just smiled back, a moment passing between the pair. Rarity began to walk to the door to head home for the night. Spike knew he had one last thing to say “Well, it’s good to see you again. Perhaps we can catch up properly on my next visit?”

“Wait, you're not staying?”

“No, I’m leaving tomorrow morning to go up Canterlot for a while. Luna and Celestia, I mean the Princesses, would like to teach me some dragony things.”

Rarity looked visibly upset, so Spike continued “I’ll be back for Winter Wrap Up. I can help Applejack with the planting, Fluttershy with some of the animals, and of course help you with some of the first gem hunts of the new season...for the right price of course.”

“Of course!” Rarity smiled. “Well, do pop past to say goodbye before you leave.”

“Sure, It'll be mid morningish. See you tomorrow, goodnight Rarity”

“Goodnight Spike” Rarity replied. Spike leant forward to give the pony a hug. There was warmth in the hug, but equally Rarity knew that it wasn't the same sort of affection as shown before., something she reflected on sadly on the way home. He's changed...good for him. Although I will miss my Spikey Wikey.

Spike lay in his new bed, looking out of the window. He then heard a knock on the door.

“Come in Twilight”

The alicorn opened the door and entered quietly “How did you know it was me?”

“I could smell you...in a good way I mean. My senses have started to heighten.”

Twilight climbed up into Spikes bed, keeping herself above the covers “How are you feeling Spike? I saw you chatting with Rarity...you okay?”

Spike placed a hoof on Twilights face “Yeah, it was difficult but better than I expected. I’m not quite moved on yet, but getting there.”

“So more time away?” Twilight asked softly, to be met with a soft nod from the dragon. “I really do miss you Spike!”

“Just a few more months Twilight, I’ll soon be back to bother you on a daily basis.”

“I know” Twilight giggled, giving her charge a hug “But no matter how big you get, you’ll never be too big to get a clip round the ear young man, so drop that cheekiness!”

Author's Note

I had never planned to do anything about Spike coming back, orignally I was going to end with him going away, but it did feel unfinished. I know this doesn't have an ending, but really this just segways into a new ongoing universe where Spike and Rarity are just friends.

There won't be a sequel as I am in favour of Sparity (despite a few stories pushing them apart...I just thats a reflection on my first love) My next Spike story will be a happy one with Sweetie Belle. So you know, follow me to see when that gets posted.