My Little Pony Fan Fiction

Spike Through The Heart

By Kraven Ergeist

A/N: Just a disclaimer about ages. In the show, I consider the Mane Six as roughly the equivalent of 16-18 in human terms, while Spike would be closer to 12-14. I'm setting this roughly 4 years after the show, so we can assume that Spike is about the age of consent in this fic.

Chapter One: Twilight Time Redux

Spike could not have been more proud. It had been a long time since Twilight and her friends had saved Equestria from the wrath of Tirek. Years had gone by, more adventures had come and gone, but still the friendship that had bound the six mares representing the elements of harmony had never been stronger.

That said, there were many things that had changed. Twilight and her friends presided as judiciaries of all matters pertaining to the harmony of friendship in Equestria. Mayor Mare still ran things in the town, but whenever an issue came up that she couldn't solve, she could take the matter to Princess Twilight with every confidence that she or her friends would be able to work something out. As news of her position spread, ponies would come to Ponyville from far and wide, seeking the council of Twilight and her friends.

In the wake of Twilight's ascension, a new era of peace and harmony had been cast over Equestria. In the past few years, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had all discovered their cutie marks. New enemies had popped out of the woodwork, but many old enemies and rivals had turned over new leaves, including Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, not to mention Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Even Discord, in whom Twilight's faith had at one time been shaky at best, had earned the trust of all of Ponyville (though Spike was noticing of late the draconequus spending an inordinate amount of time in Canterlot with the Princess).

All this was not all that had changed, however. Spike had gotten older, and noticeably taller, when compared to how he was when his adventures with Twilight had began. While on all fours, he stood eye to eye with Twilight, who had also gained a few inches on her friends. And when he reared up on his hind legs, he practically towered over the entire group, standing almost as tall as Discord himself. While his appetite for gems had grown with his age, since this was his natural growth as a young dragon and not one born of greed, he maintained his command of language as well as his compassion for other creatures.

Living as he was with Twilight in the crystal library (to this day, she patently refused to refer to it by the title of Friendship Rainbow Castle that Celestia had given it), with every book lost from the Golden Oak Library restored through a time spell, he had access to untold numbers of books. As he grew older, Twilight had encouraged him to take up more advanced books in his pastime, such as Huckleberry Hoof, The Great Trotsby and The Thoroughbred of Monte Cristo. While at first, these classics had held little interest to the young dragon, he found himself paying much closer attention when he got about halfway through The Canter in the Rye.

It wouldn't have been so bad if Twilight hadn't insisted on him writing a book report after each book he finished.

"Hmmm..." Twilight mused to herself as she inspected the ink-dotted parchment Spike had handed to her, holding it up to her face with magic.

They were both in the top floor parlor of the crystal library, which Twilight had quickly designated as her personal reading and relaxation lounge. There were windows encircling the entire room, the floor was carpeted with a fuzzy woolen rug, and the floor was littered with soft, silky down throw pillows, ranging in size from the size of Spike's head to the size of an entire mattress pad. The sunlight flooded in from the west, bathing the room in a warm, comforting glow, causing every inch of the room to radiate with heat. It was quite easy to fall asleep in this room, as in fact Twilight had on many occasion.

Twilight had been up there that evening to put some finishing touches on some documents for Mayor Mare - life as a princess seemed to involve a lot more paperwork than she honestly cared for - when Spike had brought up his book report to her. The report had come as a welcome reprieve from the monotony of Ponyville politics; Twilight loved The Canter in the Rye, and she couldn't wait to hear Spike's appraisal of the book.

Spike, for his part, couldn't have looked more awkward if he'd tried. He plainly refused to make eye contact with Twilight during her increasingly frequent glances in his direction, and he couldn't stop pawing at the floor with his bottom foot.

Twilight couldn't help but notice something off - both in Spike's book report and his behavior. Having been her scribe since he was old enough to hold a quill, Spike usually wrote with crisp and neat penmanship. But the paper she was reading read little better than chicken scratch, and while the report clearly indicated he had at least read the book, his analysis of the material when compared to his other reports was remarkably lacking.

As if he had deliberately left out part of the report.

Finally, she cleared her throat.

"This is alright, Spike," she said gently. It was not alright, of course - were she grading it as a school paper, it would barely be worth a B minus. "You've identified the core subject of the story well enough - Foalden's growth into adulthood and departure from innocence. You mention his expulsion, his sister, and his hat, but you don't really get into the how's and the why's of the story. Why is Foalden Plowfield so reluctant to grow up?"

Spike chewed on the inside of his lip as he pondered the question. He was sitting on his hindquarters, resting on a sufficiently sized cushion while Twilight reclined on her side amidst the throw pillows, looking absolutely regal in every way a Princess should. She had even donned a pair of reading glasses; she was not far sighted, not really, but when she was studying at the magic academy, she used to rely on them during all-night study sessions that really taxed her vision, so she didn't have to strain her eyes so much. Mayor Mare must have been giving her an inordinate amount of work for Twilight to feel the need to put them on tonight. But for whatever reason she had done so, there was nothing to be done to temper the sexy librarian look she was inadvertently achieving with her glasses on and her mane tied back.

Spike kept his eyes averted as he fidgeted nervously.

"Uhh..." he stammered, finding his voice. His voice had changed somewhat in his adolescence. It had not yet reached the raspy depths of the great dragons of the mountains, but it was no longer the high pitched voice of a baby dragon either. "Lack of role models?" he offered, helplessly.

Twilight sighed. "Close. More importantly, it was because the role models that he did have were all so terrible. He spends the book trying to find some-pony who will talk to him and listen to his problems, but every-pony he meets has ulterior motives. All of his friends and family, his teachers, cab drivers, the prostitute, the nun...they all wanted something from him. None of them were willing to just sit and listen. And to Foalden, this was..."

Twilight peered at Spike over the brim of her glasses to find his eyes locked on the floor.

"Spike?" she asked, partly in irritation but with honest concern in her voice. "Is something wrong?"

Spike shook his head, red-faced. "N-No, no. I'm listening, Twilight."

Twilight raised an eyebrow, before returning back to her lecture.

"Well, anyway, for Foalden, this was indicative of the superficiality and artificiality of adulthood," she said, evenly. "It only served as evidence to him that growing up would lead him to a life devoid of innocence. Foalden wants to preserve innocence; he can't even bring himself to throw a snowball to mar the pure beauty of the driven snow."

Twilight cracked a sardonic smile.

"Heck, were he a real pony today, he'd be the only colt in Equestria to pay a call-filly not to sleep with him!" she said with a laugh.

She had expected Spike to laugh with her. She knew her sense of humor still needed some work after all these years, but she did find the topic rather amusing. And Spike was clearly uncomfortable with something, and she had hoped the levity might ease the tension a little.

Instead, it had quite the opposite effect. His face went beet red, and his eyes returned to the floor.

Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"Spike, seriously, what's wrong?" she asked, honest concern and curiosity in her voice. "You only ever get this way when something's bothering you."

The flush in his cheeks did not abate, though he did manage to look up from the floor.

"I, uh..." he stammered, helplessly. "I'm just not really...comfortable talking about...you know..."

Comprehension dawning, Twilight raised an amused eyebrow. "Talking about sex?"

Spike's eyes returned to the floor. "Uh...yeah..."

Twilight sighed in sympathy. A few years ago, she would have been just as uncomfortable with the subject. She had actually managed to convince her dad and her brother to explain the birds and the bees to Spike to spare herself the embarrassment. As she had gotten older and more experienced, however, those insecurities had eventually evaporated, and now it was just another part of life.

"You don't have to be uncomfortable talking about stuff like that to me, Spike," Twilight offered sweetly. "I mean, come on, how long have we known each other?"

Spike idly scratched at the scales on the back of his neck. "That...doesn't really make it any easier, Twilight."

Twilight frowned. "Why not, Spike? Don't you trust me?"

Spike furrowed his brow. "Of course I trust you."

"Then why is it so hard for you to talk to me about this?" she asked, earnestly.

"Look, it's just hard to talk to such a pretty mare about this stuff, alright?" Spike blurted without thinking.

Twilight was about to refute him, but the full meaning of what he'd said sunk in, and she found herself at a loss for words.

"Oh...well, I..." she stammered, before blinking in confusion. "You...what?"

Spike gulped and looked away, suddenly wishing he had chosen his words more carefully. "Uh...I mean, uh..."

Twilight was still mentally processing what she'd just heard.

"You...wait, you...really think I'm that pretty, Spike?" she asked, almost in disbelief.

It did not seem like it should have been possible, but somehow Spike managed to blush even harder.

"Well, yeah..." he stammered in a halting voice. "I mean, I've always..."

He clamped his claws over his mouth before he could say anymore.

"Uhhh..." he blurted, a little too late. "What I mean is..."

Twilight was practically speechless. In all the years they had been living together, not once - not once - had she considered the possibility that Spike might see her like that. The thought hadn't even occurred to her. She had practically raised him since the day he had hatched, and he had become such an integral part of her life, that she had never even thought to look at him as anything other than Spike.

It's not that he wasn't a caring and devoted guy, and she'd be lying if she said that she didn't find him cute, but he wasn't supposed to see her like that! He wasn't supposed to blush like that whenever the subject of carnal romance came up! He wasn't supposed to grow up and stop being that baby dragon she had known since she was a filly. He was Spike, and he was supposed to stay that way. Not a growing young dragon with carnal desires of his own - just Spike.

But now...

He was growing. Whether she wanted him to or not. And she was a fool for thinking that he would stay a baby forever, or that she had any right to expect him to not to change just for her sake. No, for however much she wished to keep thinking of him as that innocent baby dragon she had grown up with, the fact remained that Spike was growing - had grown, in fact, the more she thought about it. He had practically sprouted up right under her nose without her even realizing it. And before she even knew it, he was reading more, getting smarter, getting taller, and slowly but surely growing up into a handsome young dragon, and...

Dear Celestia, was she blushing too? Twilight quickly turned away to hide her embarrassment.

"That..." she squeaked, before clearing her voice to speak more evenly. "I think that's enough talk about your book report today, Spike. Good job. I, uh...I should really be getting back to work here..."

Spike hesitated. He was reluctant to leave the conversation there, but at the same time, he was utterly relieved at the thought of being permitted to leave.

"Are...are you sure?" he muttered uneasily.

Twilight had already found the paperwork Mayor Mare had left for her, and was hard at work, keeping her nose thoroughly buried in documents.

"Yes, yes, I'm quite sure, Spike," she said, a little too quickly. "Why don't you get started on your next book?"

Spike looked defeated. "Of Mice and Mares?"

"Yes, yes, that one," Twilight said impatiently, still not looking at him.

A frown on his face, Spike wandered back down the crystal stairs, wondering how he could have handled that better. Clearly he had upset Twilight, and all because of his stupid hormones. He wondered if he should just give up on trying to impress mares entirely. He hadn't made any progress with Rarity over the years - in fact, ever since her business had reached national fame, stallions had been courting her from all corners of Equestria, all of them handsome and successful, and could offer her so much more than he could. He had all but given up on the prospect of a special some-pony then and there, but his stupid brain had of course refused to quit thinking about it. And then Twilight had to assign him these stupid book assignments and...

No, he chided himself. He couldn't blame Twilight for this. She was just looking out for his best interests. He was the one who stepped out of line by bringing up his personal issues. What right did he have to burden his guardian, his princess, his best friend with these petty troubles? She had more important things to do then attend to his insecurities as a young male dragon, and he should be expected to be able to keep it together, at least around her.

But by Celestia, she had looked so beautiful, languidly lounging up there in the sun! These past few years, he had started noticing mares left and right. He supposed it was just part of the territory of growing up. Night Light and Shining Armor had told him he would start to see females all around him in a different light (that had been one of the most awkward conversations of his life). And it was true - after he had managed to tear his gaze away from Rarity for two seconds, every mare he laid eyes on started looking more and more attractive to him. Applejack with her down-to-earth appearance and strong, protective nature; Fluttershy with her adorable, waif-like demeanor and her soft green eyes; Pinkie Pie and her boundless energy and infectious smile; Rainbow Dash and all her spunk and poise and attitude...

And of course Twilight, who simply radiated warmth and reassurance whenever she entered a room.

Though they were all his friends, and he cared for each of them individually, it was difficult and awkward and downright embarrassing at times when he caught himself wondering just how flexible an athlete Rainbow Dash really was, or how strong Applejack's legs might actually be, or just how much dexterity Pinkie Pie had with her tongue...

Spike shook his head, reeling his thoughts in yet again. No, he thought. None of them would ever want him. He wasn't some dashing stallion or even a particularly impressive dragon; he was just Spike. And he would only ever be Spike in their eyes. Nothing more, and nothing less.

So, in resignation, he returned to his room (the library was big enough that he had his own room now), to get started on his next book.

Twilight, meanwhile, was stressing out so much that she couldn't even finish her paperwork.

What was wrong with her!? Why was she making such a big deal out of all this? It was just Spike growing up! No big deal! She knew it was going to happen eventually, didn't she? Well, the part where he'd suddenly start blushing around her was unexpected, but that was because she hadn't expected him to look at her like that! It would just take some getting used to, and then things would just go back to normal, right? This was all just a phase he was going through, and it would pass with time, right.

Not likely anytime soon, she thought to herself, as she paced across the parlor. The sun was beginning to set, and it would be nightfall soon. Mayor Mare expected her reports in the morning, but Twilight just couldn't concentrate. She was just too wrapped up, thinking about all those times she had been candid with the young dragon, been open with her thoughts and feelings, and how he must have been interpreting her; how she must have sounded to him. Celestia's sake, there must have been times where she must have sounded like a complete fool!

And as she thought back to all the awkward glances he had received from him, which she had written off as mere childishness, and she was struck with a startling realization that he could have been looking at her like that for years now! How had she been so unaware of him for so long?

She couldn't think straight! She had to talk to some-pony before she blew her top!

With a quick spell, she flung open one of the parlor windows and took off into the night, flying as fast as she could for Canterlot. Ordinarily, she would have just sent a letter, but that would have gotten Spike involved, and she just couldn't face him right then. No, for this, she needed to talk to Celestia face to face.

She arrived in Canterlot just as the sun finished setting. She saw Princess Celestria, standing on the balcony of the top most castle tower, as she gently lowered the sun below the horizon. Twilight flitted up over the balcony, before gliding easily downward, alighting with a gentle clip-clop on the marble floor. She spared a moment to reflect on how far she had come in her flight training, before trotting forward towards the princess, stopping to incline her head respectfully.

"My dear Princess Twilight," Celestia said gracefully as she opened her eyes from her sun spell. "What a pleasant surprise. What brings you to Canterlot at such an hour?"

Twilight lifted her head, concern evident on her face. "Princess Celestia," she said, somewhat out of breath from her hurried flight. "I'm sorry for showing up unannounced, but I have need of your counsel."

Celestia nodded her head. "Of course, Princess Twilight. Come inside - I was just about to prepare tea."

Twilight sighed with relief. The Princess always seemed to know just what to say to help her put things in perspective. And tea sounded like just what she needed right now.

As she entered the royal stateroom, Twilight caught a glimpse through the far window of Princess Luna rising into the air as she slowly brought up the moon. Waxing gibbous tonight, she noticed; it would be a full moon in another week or so.

There was a kettle held over a fire burning at the hearth of the stateroom, and a set of ornate looking silk couches surrounding a wide lacquered coffee table, where a white ceramic teapot, sugar bowl, creamer and a single cup and saucer sat. She watched as Celestia brought over a second cup and saucer from a cabinet by the stairs with her magic and set it on the table with the teapot, as at the same time, she used her magic to lift the kettle from the fire and gingerly pour its steaming contents into the teapot. Twilight remarked at the ease and fluidity with which Celestia used her magic to do even the simplest tasks, having evidently done this thousands of times, and it became all the more clear, even with so subtle an act, that Celestia and Luna had at one time together been capable of holding all the six Elements of Harmony themselves.

A strainer of tea leaves must have already been waiting in the teapot, as the scent of steeping tea began to reach Twilight's nostrils, and she allowed herself to breath a little more deeply than before.

Celestia smiled as Twilight approached the steaming teapot.

"It seems that the stress of being a Princess has once again brought you to my stoop, my dear Twilight," she said with a smile as she poured their tea. "You still take it with cream and two sugars?"

Twilight nodded as she sat the couch, unconsciously keeping herself poised, in spite of their shared history. As a Princess, Twilight had been teaching herself to keep herself composed at all times. Whereas in the days before her ascension, her mannerisms had not reflected her regality, and those not in the know had not seen her for the Princess she was. Now, the way she held herself, the way she strode, even the way she spoke while in public had all been refined to sound more regal and authoritarian. She had to remind herself to turn her Princess mode off from time to time now, as she did with her friends, with Celestia, and with Spike.

She gulped as she remembered what had brought her here, and how difficult it would be to even relay her concerns to her Princess without embarrassing herself.

"So tell me..." Celestia said, as she plunked four sugar cubes in her own teacup after serving Twilight her own. "What ails you this evening, Princess Twilight?"

Twilight took a grateful sip of tea, before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Actually, Princess Celestia, the trouble I'm having has nothing to do with my role as a Princess," she admitted remorsefully. "It hits me somewhat closer to home."

Celestia's eyebrows rose. "Oh? Do tell me."

Twilight sighed again as she briefly recounted the events of that afternoon, and what had suddenly occurred to her by Spike's revelation.

"I know that, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that Spike was a boy who would have boy feelings," Twilight said, realizing how silly this all must sound to the Princess. "I just...never expected those feelings would ever be directed towards me. And I don't know what to do about it."

She was half expecting Celestia to laugh out loud at the situation. Objectively, she knew just how irrational she was being about all this, but she was hoping that the Princess would at least be able to see her side of the situation. Then again, being a Princess, she had an uncommon gift for seeing things in a truly objective manner. Either way, she hoped the Princess would at least be able to help her.

"Have you tried taking it as a compliment and moving on?" Celestia asked, not smugly, but very close to it.

Twilight tried not to roll her eyes. It wasn't a laugh, but it was almost as bad.

"Of course, I know that's what I should be doing," she admitted. "I shouldn't be making such a big deal out of this. But I'm finding myself so inexplicably preoccupied with this whole situation, and I can't even understand why! And it's driving me nuts!"

This time, Celestia did let out a small chuckle, and Twilight had to control her temper not to let her agitation show.

"Wh-what's so funny?" she asked, almost angrily.

Celestia's smile was just shy of obnoxious.

"Have you considered the possibility, Twilight..." she began, in a slow, deliberate tone "That maybe, out of the two of you, Spike isn't the only one who may have feelings for the other?"

Twilight's eyes widened substantially.

"M-Me!?" she demanded, flabbergasted. "Interested in Spike?"

Celestia took a sip from her tea. "It was just a question, Twilight..."

Twilight's face was beet-red. "W-Well, it's a ridiculous question! How could I have feelings for Spike? We practically grew up together!"

Celestia took a deep breath. "Only you can answer that question, Twilight...but I think you're on the right track at least."

Twilight barely heard her. The idea that Spike would have any interest in her was preposterous enough, but that she would reciprocate those feelings? Absurd! He was like a brother to her! Well...maybe not like a brother, but a really close friend! Even though he was really a lot closer to her than her other Pony friends. But he was nothing like the colts and stallions that she had always pictured herself falling in love with and marrying one day. He was just...Spike.

But then...she had to admit that, even discounting all this nonsense about who thought who was pretty, he was not the same Spike that she had known as a young mare when she moved to Ponyville. In a few short years, he had gotten older, taller, smarter, and yes, definitely cuter. But he was still Spike on the inside.

Still the same kind, adorable, dependable, compassionate, trustworthy and loyal Spike.

And she had turned him away without a second thought.

Twilight quickly finished off her tea.

"I...I should let you get back to your duties, Princess," she said politely, as she rose from her seat. "Thank you for your counsel."

Princess Celestia inclined her head. "The pleasure has been mine, Princess Twilight."

Twilight hurried over to the balcony and took to the sky with a flap of her wings, making a beeline for Ponyville.

Spike was lying in his bed, flipping through the pages of Of Mice and Mares, until he realized that while his eyes had scanned every letter on the previous page, his mind had not absorbed a word of it. Frustrated, he turned the pages back to the last thought he could recall, and continued from there, only to find that his mind eventually started drifting again, and he slammed the book shut in frustration.

For Celestia's sake, how could he have screwed up so badly? He may very well have ruined his friendship with the most important pony in the world to him, and all because he couldn't stop his stupid teenage hormones from fixating on the way her coat shone in the late afternoon sun, the glimmer in her eyes every time she looked his way, the soft, supple curve of her flank as she...

"Rrrrgh!" Spike groaned in frustration as he struck his fists into his pillow, causing the book on his bed to bounce.

What was wrong with him!?

"Spike?" came a concerned voice from outside his door. "Is everything alright?"

Twilight!

Spike sat bolt upright, his blood running cold. He hadn't even heard her walking by.

"E-everything's fine, Twilight!" he blurted, feeling guilty for thinking such lurid thoughts.

"Oh..." she said through the door, sounding unsure. "Well, um...may I come in?"

Spike's heart was in his throat. He knew there would be recompense for his behavior that day, but he didn't think it would happen so soon!

"Ummm..." he muttered, sweating profusely. "Sure, I guess..."

The door to Spike's room swung open as Twilight used her magic to turn the door handle. Two years ago, he had officially outgrown his basket bed in Twilight's room, and she had decided that instead of simply building him a bigger basket, that it was high time for him to get his own room. He had been of mixed feelings about the arrangement, having grown up sleeping in the same room as Twilight, but after she had cleared out one of the crystal library's studies and he had been given go ahead to decorate the room however he wished, he quickly warmed up to the idea. The entire room was filled with comic books, posters and action figures of everything from Power Ponies to Star Trot to Supercolt. His bed was perpetually unmade, and the floor was littered with all kinds of toys and uneaten snacks, and the whole room looked and felt very boyish.

As Twilight entered, out of habit, she used her magic to clear a path to the bed, picking up toys and comic books and magazines and placing them in an orderly fashion on the shelves lining the wall. For months, she had tried getting him to clean up after himself, but eventually she had given up the battle and resigned herself to simply picking up after him herself every so often in hopes that he would get the message. At this point in time, his untidiness was about the furthest thing from her mind however, and the action simply served to further delay the inevitable purpose of her being there.

Spike was sitting with his knees tucked up to his chest, and he had a guilty expression on his face, which made Twilight feel even worse about the situation. The poor guy probably thought he was in trouble, the way she had been behaving. She couldn't let this misunderstanding come between them. She had to resolve this now.

"Listen, Spike..." she muttered as she sat down beside him on the bed. "I wanted to apologize for how I acted today."

Spike looked up from his bedspread, looking genuinely confused.

"What are you apologizing for?" he asked. "I'm the one who was out of line."

Twilight shook her head, causing her mane to sway back and forth.

"I'll admit, it was...a little bit awkward for me," she blushed, thinking back to that moment in the parlor.

Even know, his gaze was difficult to maintain. His dragon eyes, once adorable in a manner that commanded maternal affection now seemed to be commanding an entirely different emotion.

"But you didn't say anything wrong," she assured him, blushing a little herself. "Not really."

Spike blinked, now looking totally confused. "Oh..."

Twilight chewed on her lip, worried that she may not have made herself clear enough, and still feeling an uneasiness between them. And as much as she wanted to clear up that uneasiness, the words that escaped her lips, she knew, would only serve to make things worse.

Still, she had to know.

"Do you...really think I'm pretty, Spike?" she asked, surprised at how hopeful she sounded.

Listen to her! She sounded like a school-filly out of high school! You'd think no pony had ever called her pretty before! Though, now that she thought about it...no pony really had, at least no pony she would have cared to hear it from. Ever since she had become a Princess and inherited a castle of her own, she had been no stranger to suitors courting her for her favor, but she had dismissed most of those out of hand (thanks to Rarity's caution) as attempts at currying favor within Canterlot. She had been dismissive of the notion at first, but the experiences had taught her over time to never take compliments at face value anymore. She could honestly say that she couldn't think of anypony who would pursue her just for her anymore.

Was that why Spike's admiration had been so unexpected? Or perhaps it was that the more she thought about it, the more she found that she didn't mind the idea of him admiring her so much? And the fact that she was reacting this way was cause enough for alarm in and of itself!

Spike, meanwhile, had started blushing anew at the query. She could tell he was struggling with the question, and she felt bad about putting him on the spot yet again, but she would much rather yank the bandage off quickly than linger on the process.

"That's not..." he stammered, but the thought died on his tongue at Twilight's insistent gaze, and he started again. "I mean, yes...but it doesn't matter."

Twilight blinked, confused. "What do you mean, it doesn't matter? It matters to me, Spike."

Spike turned away, a look of shame on his face.

"What I mean is..." he stammered, halting over his words. "What I mean is...you're Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"Wh-what?" she blurted in response.

Twilight was taken aback. Spike had never been intimidated by her role as a Princess before. Had he? If he had, then he had been hiding it fairly well. Did he honestly see her role as a Princess putting that much distance between them?

"What does that have to do with anything?" she demanded, her face filled with confusion. "I'm still me, Spike!"

"I know that, Twilight..." he shook his head. "But that's not the point."

"Then what is?" Twilight demanded.

He gave her a sullen look. "The point is that you're an amazing mare. And you deserve the adoration of a prince or a knight or a great hero or something...not someone like me."

Twilight looked crestfallen. Did he actually think that way?

"Spike..." she sighed in an admonishing tone.

"It doesn't matter what a lowly dragon like me thinks," he muttered, hanging his head. "I'm not a prince, I'm not a knight, and I'm not a hero. I'm just...Spike."

Twilight had had enough. She had enough experience with friends who saw themselves as less than what they were, and she was not about to see Spike fall into that same hole. She took his paw between her hooves and looked him dead in the eye.

"But Spike...you are a hero!" she exclaimed, putting every bit of sincerity into her voice as she could.

Spike blushed at her touch, but seemed unmoved by her words.

"Maybe to the Crystal Empire," he allowed, almost grudgingly. "Not to you."

Twilight shook her head in refusal. "Spike, that's ridiculous! No pony thinks you're a hero more than I do!"

He turned his eyes up to her, giving her a defiant look that actually shocked her.

"Oh yeah?" he demanded, looking like he was on the verge of tears. "Then prove it."

Twilight was dumbstruck. She had never seen Spike this...what, rebellious? Demanding? She wasn't sure where any of this was coming from, much less how to react to it. Prove it? Prove what? That she thought he was a hero? How was she supposed to do that? He had already saved an entire empire, and helped her and her friends save Equestria multiple times! What more did he want? And why did he seem to want it from her, of all ponies? What could she do to convince him how incredible he was? How could she make him see what a kind-hearted, thoughtful and caring young dragon he was, and how rare a thing that was to find!?

Even amongst colts her own age, it was difficult to find any pony who compared! Did he seriously not have any notion for how singularly spectacular he was? For Celestia's sake, how could he be so down on himself? If even half of the stallions who had come calling after the initial hype of her ascendance had been as well-mannered, considerate and compassionate as he was, than she would be...well, she would probably be taken already!

But they hadn't been! Not by a long shot! Spike stood head and shoulders over all of them, and he hadn't even been that tall at the time! And now? Now, not only was he still the same sweet and gentle dragon as before, but he had grown so much since then! He was smarter, stronger, taller and braver than ever before, and he was only getting more-so by the day!

And despite how little care went into keeping his room clean, he always kept his own scales so meticulously polished that they practically shimmered in the light. Spike was a dazzle to behold, she realized with sudden clarity. When before she had only seen the baby dragon, his compliment had lifted that veil of innocence, allowing her to see him as he truly was. And it was clear to her that Spike had indeed descended from a race of beings known historically for their vanity, but never before did she appreciate just how right they were to be so vain until now.

No matter how she looked at it, Spike had it all. Looks, manners, a kind heart. So why? Why did he not see all that? Why couldn't he see what she saw? And how in Celestia's name was she supposed to make him see it?

The answer surprised both of them.

Spike's eyes flew open as the young mare leaned towards him and pressed her lips against his own, causing his whole body to stiffen in stunned silence as she kissed him. Spike was dumbstruck! He hadn't dared, hoped or dreamed of Twilight doing anything like this! He had just spent the entire evening trying to separate the thought of Twilight from anything and everything even remotely like this! This was all wrong! Twilight wasn't supposed to be kissing him like this! Not while he was so vulnerable! Not while he needed it so badly! Not while he wanted so desperately to kiss her back!

Before he could think to do so, however, her lips parted from his. Her eyes were closed, and when she opened them, she looked about as confused as he was.

Spike's mouth hung open dumbly, and he stared blankly at her in utter disbelief.

"Wh...what just happened?" he asked in stupefaction, red-faced.

His words seemed to bring Twilight back to the present, and she too suddenly blushed uneasily. What the heck was she thinking!? This was just going to make things worse! This was Spike here! What could have possibly possessed her to think kissing him would solve anything!?

"That's...commonly referred to as a kiss..." she explained matter-of-factually as she peeked at him from beneath her mane.

Spike pursed his lips. Her know-it-all attitude could be so aggravating sometimes.

"Well...I know that," he groaned. "But what did it mean, exactly?"

Twilight blushed even more, looking away, resignation in her voice. "Well...what do you want it to mean?"

Spike blinked. What did he want it to mean? Princess Twilight Sparkle was in his bedroom, well after dusk, and kissing him full on the lips! What did she think he wanted it to mean!?

"It..." he stammered, schooling his mouth not to say something foolish. "It feels like you just kissed me to make me feel better, not because you wanted to."

Twilight, still blushing, gave him a challenging look. "Of course I-!"

She stopped herself halfway through the thought, and recomposed herself.

"Look..." she said, feigning calm as she looked away. "Can't it be enough that I kissed you to make you feel better?"

Spike wondered if he had overstepped his bounds. Twilight Sparkle had just kissed him; he shouldn't be looking a gift pony in the mouth, so to speak. But his foolish heart would not let this go. If she had kissed him merely as a gesture of pity, then that made it the worst thing she could have possibly done to him! Here he was, stewing in unfettered feelings and emotions running rampant. A kiss from the object of his affections was like to send his heart plunging over the edge! For Spike, that kiss mattered! It mattered so much to him, because it represented the opportunity for so much more!

But if it had simply been done out of pity? A token, worth little more than a pat on the shoulder, something to keep him from making a fuss like a troubled child? No...no, that would not do. His heart demanded more than mere consolation. He would not be brushed aside like that. Not again. He was done being Spike, the baby dragon, who all the grownups had to step around and make amends for. He wanted this for himself, and he was done being pandered to like a child.

"No," he said simply, the green in his eyes brooking no argument. "I want you to kiss me because you want to."

Twilight's face lit up like a Hearths and Hooves Day tree! Was he seriously asking her what she thought he was asking her!? And the way he had said it, and the intensity in his eyes while saying it...sweet Celestia, her heart was pounding at the thought of it! This was no innocent request for affirmation or solace. This was hunger, unyielding and unfettered, restrained only by the goodness of his heart. Only then did Twilight comprehend any notion of just how much Spike wanted her in that moment. Those eyes that had languished over her in the parlor that afternoon were not the contrite eyes of a child...they were of a dragon, savoring the taste of warm flesh. The thought of Spike looking at her with such eyes...that such thoughts of her would pervade his mind like that...the realization completely took her breath away!

And by Celestia, she was loving it.

She plunged forward, momentarily uninhibited by embarrassment, as her lips found his once again. He closed his eyes as she descended on him, but this time, he kissed her back, his claws coming up to encircle her cheeks, pressing his lips back against her with a ferocity that she hadn't known he possessed. It was all a little frightening. And very, very exciting.

She parted with him once again, far before she would have liked to, for lack of air and lack of any idea what she was doing.

"There..." she said, breathlessly, cheeks flushed as she gasped for air. "Are you happy now?"

Spike was similarly oxygen deprived, but his breaths were coming out as wisps of hot smoke, his nostrils flaring aggressively. His pupils had dilated and Twilight's heart skipped a beat as she thought she heard something akin to a growl escape his lips.

He wanted more.

He was upon her yet again, wrapping his claws around her neck and waist, the hot smoke on his breath filling her nostrils with a musky scent that turned her legs into jelly. Twilight let out a strangled moan as he kissed her insistently, her wings flapping in a panicked response. His claws dug into her flank as she squirmed - it was painful, but somehow she didn't seem to care.

"Mmmh!" she grunted, her cheeks bright pink as she managed to pry her lips from his once again. "Ah! I'll, uh...take that as a yes...?

He was on her again, and Twilight felt more and more control slipping away from her as he kissed her greedily, his claws raking across her unprotected flank, eliciting another gasp from her lips. By the stars, he was kissing her! Spike - her Spike - was kissing her! And what was worse, she was actually enjoying it!

Dear Celestia, if she didn't stop this soon...

"Spike!" she squeaked, pulling away for another breath as she slid off the mattress and onto her hooves, ruffling her feathers and gasping for breath.

Spike stared back at her with a worried look in his eyes, fearing that he had hurt her. "I-I'm sorry!"

Twilight didn't respond. Couldn't. Sweet Celestia, that was intense! His claws on her back, his hot breath against her skin, the ferocity of his lips, his piercing green eyes...she was practically shivering from the sensations! She had never felt this way around any-pony or anyone else ever before! This was all so new and exciting, and she was anxious - for various reasons - to experiment further.

But she was also terrified about what it would mean if she did.

"Look, uh...it's getting late!" Twilight hurried blurted out, looking in every direction but towards him, not even believing her own excuse. "I should, uh...I really should get going..."

She quickly turned towards the door before she could see the face that Spike was giving her, before she could change her mind. She could still feel the fire of his lips on her own, the dull throbbing of the welts his claws had left on her flank, and it was everything she could do not to turn right back around and pounce on him.

"Wait!" Spike cried out in a panicked voice. "Twilight!"

She knew it was a mistake to turn around and look at him. She knew exactly the expression he would be making. She knew what power those eyes of his would have on her, what seeing those eyes would do to her.

She did it anyway.

And the expression on his face nearly broke her. The ache, the need, the longing in those eyes of his...it was almost too much for her to bear!

"Don't go..." he asked her in a soft, insistent voice. "Stay with me..."

Twilight's face flushed red. She wanted to. By the moon and stars above, she wanted to! Already she could feel her insides churning at the thought of what he intended to do to her, and Celestia save her, it had been so long!

"Spike, I..." she muttered helplessly, eyes lingering on the floor of his room, fidgeting vehemently. "I...I just don't know..."

"I don't know either, Twilight..." Spike said, getting to his feet and stepping over to her. "But I really want to find out."

He reached up to place a single delicate claw on her cheek.

She did not shy away.

"Please...don't leave before I even have a chance to figure out what this is..." Spike whispered.

Twilight closed her eyes. This was a mistake. She knew this was a mistake.

But for the love of Celestia, she just didn't care.

"Oh Spike..." she whispered, before practically diving into his arms, sending the two of them crashing onto the bed. Before, he had been the aggressor, but now Twilight had dealt with enough of his taunting eyes and heated kisses that she was done pretending to be the sensible, responsible one, and planted him on his back to straddle his waist as she mashed her lips into his.

Spike did not fight back, letting her have his way with him, opening his mouth at her insistence to welcome her probing tongue, feeling the warmth of her body over the scales of his belly. Wanting nothing more than to touch her everywhere, his claws wrapped around her neck and her back to tangle themselves amidst her loose, violet mane, his other gliding down her back to grab hold of her flank, causing her to suddenly flap her wings in excitement.

"Ahhhhh...!" Twilight gasped in a quaking breath, breaking the kiss to tilt her head back in elation.

Spike eased his grip on her rump.

"Sorry..." he stammered nervously, not wanting to hurt her.

"No, don't..." Twilight shook her head, losing the sentence in a gasping breath. "Don't stop. It's okay. Keep...keep going..."

The quavering in the mare's voice re-sparked the carnal desire in Spike's loins and he seized her mane to tug her head back even farther, allowing him access to her neckline as his claws found their way around her flank once again. In truth, he had no idea what he was doing, most of his knowledge coming from whatever he read in those adult comics that Twilight didn't want him to read. But whatever he was doing, it seemed to be working, as Twilight clenched her eyes shut as his lips and tongue found their way across her neckline.

"Ahhhhhhh!" she wailed, her whole body quavering. "Oh, Spike! Ohhhhhhh!"

Sweet Celestia, how was he doing this? Surely he wasn't experienced enough to be making her feel this turned on, could he? Was it just because he was a dragon, or had Spike been secretly getting lessons behind her back somewhere? She made a mental note to find out how, but quickly forgot about it when she felt his claws sink into her flank once again, and her legs were jelly once more.

The heat between her legs was growing steadily, and Spike could feel her warmth against his abdomen, her moist flower rubbing against the sheath between his legs. When he felt her flesh around his own, he let out a growl of pleasure, his claws digging more insistently into her flank, which in turn she responded to by arching her back, wings standing upright.

Twilight could feel his arousal beneath her, and let herself descend upon him, letting his girth fill her. Her mouth hung open at the sensation, her marehood flaring in response to the dragon's shaft. Eyes closed in delight, she planted both hooves on the mattress as she pressed herself down as far as she could go, welcoming him into her, feeling like she had been waiting for this her whole life.

She didn't know if this was the right thing to do, and right then, she didn't care. But damn it all to Tartarus, she needed this more than anything right at that moment, and by Celestia, she would have it!

What she hadn't counted on was what Spike would do next.

Twilight's pleasure was momentarily interrupted as the dragon gently slid her off of him, letting her flop onto her side as Spike sat up quite suddenly.

"Wh-what...?" Twilight stammered, somewhat dizzy from her joyride. "Spike...? What are you...?"

Spike didn't answer. Instead, he got onto his knees and gently rolled Twilight onto her haunches, positioning himself behind her, a carnivorous look in his eye.

Evidently, he was tired on being on the bottom.

Twilight blinked in realization of what he intended, and blushing, lifted her flank up to be level with his hips, which he eagerly accepted with both claws clasping her by the rump.

"Ahhh!" she gasped in response, her tail lifting almost instinctively as she glanced back at him, completely red-faced. "G-go easy on me Spike..."

He nodded once, a comforting smile on his face, as he gently teased her entrance with the tip of his shaft. Twilight bit her lip as he slowly penetrated her entrance, inch by tremulous inch, until he was entirely buried inside of her.

"Nnnng-ahhhhhh!" Twilight quavered, her front legs giving out from under her as she rested her chest against Spike's messy, unmade bed as he began to slowly move around inside her. He began to finally thrust, and she clamped her teeth down on the bedsheets, her wings fluttering in alarm as his movements sent waves of pleasure running through her entire body.

"Mmmmmh!" she moaned through the sheets, burying her face in the mattress to muffle her voice as her cries of pleasure began escaping unbidden with increasing volume. "Mmmmmmmh! Mmmmmmmmmmmmh! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmh!"

Dear Celestia, she was losing her mind! With every thrust, Spike drove her closer and closer to the edge! She could feel a hot fire building up inside of her, and every time Spike so much as moved, the flame got hotter. Then, as she felt herself pushed just to the peak of the precipice, she felt a sudden yank on her mane, forcing her head back up, the sheet still clenched between her teeth as Spike's own tremulous breath tickled her ear.

"Rrrrrrrrgh...Twilight!" he managed through a breath of hot growling, shoving himself into her with all his might.

Twilight could not contain the scream that escaped her throat as she came that night, nor could she do anything about the sudden burst of magic from her horn that knocked over several bookshelves and a chair as she did. She felt the heat from Spike's fiery breath on her neck, and an even greater swelling of heat between her legs as he released, claws gripping her possessively and greedily as his face contorted in the throes of an agonizing climax.

Twilight felt Spike's limber form slacken around her, though the need with which his claws entrapped her did not abate. She didn't mind. She craned her neck around to plant an insistent kiss on his lips, which he was only too happy to reciprocate.

Twilight finally found her voice again after several more minutes of gasping.

"Dear Celestia..." she exhaled, sweat shimmering on her coat. "That was...I mean...that was just...wow..."

Spike was equally breathless, his panting breaths still coming out in hot smoky wisps.

"I...I dunno how I feel about...telling Princess Celestia about this...just yet..." he stammered with a playful smile on his face.

"Oh, Spike..." Twilight laughed, turning around completely to throw her front legs around him and kiss him full on the lips. "You know what I mean! Where in Equestria did you learn how to do that?"

Spike smiled cheekily. "Must be those dragon instincts kicking in. That was my first time doing anything like that."

Twilight blinked at him in surprise, sweat still glistening her cheeks. "Are you serious?"

Spike bit his lip, looking down bashfully. "Well, yeah...you're my first, Twilight."

Twilight blinked again, slowly realizing the magnitude of her decision to follow her instincts that night. Slowly but surely, their evening of carnal adultery seeped from the forefront of her thoughts, only to be replaced by untold tomorrows of judgement, what-ifs, and regret. Before she got her wings, things like that wouldn't have bothered her quite so much...but before she got her wings, she hadn't been the Princess of Friendship.

"Spike, I..." she said, nervously. "I'm sorry, I..."

Spike brought a single claw up stroke her cheek.

"Why are you sorry, Twilight?" he asked, shaking his head in confusion.

She fixed him with a sorrowful look that pleaded for forgiveness.

"I...I didn't mean to..." she stammered, before she closed her eyes, unable to finish the thought.

"Didn't mean to what?" Spike pressed, sounding worried himself. "Give me the night of my life?"

Twilight shook her head. "No, Spike...it's not that simple."

Spike pursed his lips, trying to figure out what was going through the young mare's head.

Finally, it dawned on him.

"You're worried about what people will say about us."

Twilight opened her eyes, fixing him with a sorrowful stare. "You're one of my dearest and most treasured friends, Spike. But...there just can't be an 'us.'"

Spike frowned, looking away. "I don't see why this has to change anything. What business is it of any-pony else what the Princess of Friendship does in her off hours?"

Twilight shook her head, sadly. "Spike, do you honestly expect that you could keep something like this a secret? It would get out eventually."

"So maybe it would," he admitted, frowning defiantly at her. "So what?"

"So it'll undermine my authority," Twilight explained simply. "No pony in Ponyville will offer an ounce of respect to a Princess who sleeps with her assistant, Spike."

Spike leaned in a little closer so that his breath touched her ear.

"Even if that assistant is a fire breathing dragon?" he asked wryly, letting his breath smolder just a little.

Twilight drew in a tremulous breath, her skin still sensitive to a hair-trigger.

"Mmmmmmmmh-nnng!" she groaned, and drew away. "Stars be damned, Spike! Don't make this more difficult for me! Please!"

Spike continued to frown, completely dissatisfied with the turn of events this night had lead to. What had started as the night of his dreams had brought those dreams crashing down around him just as quickly.

"I'm sorry, Spike..." Twilight breathed when she'd caught her breath. "But this can't happen again."

Spike didn't take his eyes off of her as she turned away from him. She wouldn't meet his gaze as she slid off the bed with a clip-clop, nor would she turn to look at him as she slowly made her way back to his door.

The door swung open with a shimmer of her magic.

"What if..." Spike blurted.

Twilight stopped, not turning to look at him. He could see the tears running down her cheeks.

The words he would say next would tear out his heart.

"What if I wasn't your assistant?"

Slowly, Twilight turned her head, her tear soaked eyes finally meeting his own, a look of utter confusion on her face. What could he possibly mean by...?

Then she saw the determined look on his face, and her blood ran cold as she realized just what he was saying.

Spike had grown up so much in these last few years. He had moved into his own room, he had started reading at an advanced level, and was bigger, stronger and smarter than he had ever been before. But for all that, Twilight had never truly let him grow up. Not in her heart of hearts. But life goes on, and nature takes its course. The young dragon wasn't the little baby he had been when she'd first moved to Ponyville. Spike had proved that much just a short while ago.

Quite thoroughly.

The growing dragon in his heart would be contained no longer. The veneer of infancy she had constructed around him had been breached, and there was no going back. She should have thought of another way, should have found a way to ease into the transition, but her sense of duty had prevailed over the growing lump in her heart that forced its way into her throat and practically choked her to tears.

It seemed that this dragon had finally outgrown his nest.

Spike had decided it was time for him to leave.

Author's Note

I was toying with the idea of how I should end each of these chapters, and slowly, I came to the decision that because this will have all begun with Twilight that it should end with Twilight too. That means that the story would have a beginning, a middle and an end, and wouldn't just be a series of lemon fics in no particularly important order. Unfortunately that means that the first chapter has to end on a down note - hence "Spike Through the Heart."

From here onward, Spike will leave Twilight's castle and try to make it on his own. He may spend some time away from Ponyville, maybe try to reconnect with the older dragon clan, though I'm not sure for how long. Eventually he'll come back, but he won't be able to face Twilight. No, Spike has been damaged, and seeing the cause of that damage will only reopen the wound. He is in need of healing, and if anyone amongst the Mane Six is capable of offering that to him, there is one pony above all who comes to mind.

Sorry about all the corny ponified versions of classic literature. I also tried to make using Celestia's name as an expletive as believable as possible, substituting a few other words for variety, like Stars and Tartarus. I hope it came off as something a pony might say in vein, and not break the flow of the narrative too much.

Cover art drawn by Nara-chann.