A First Date

by BlazzingInferno

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Spike, Rarity
Length: 8255

It’s Hearts and Hooves Day, and Spike is going on his first date with Rarity. He has a perfect day planned for his perfect mare, so why is something bothering her?

Last night the impossible happened: Spike asked Rarity to be his special somepony for Hearts and Hooves Day, and she accepted. So what if it took a magic disaster to seal the deal? The most romantic day of the year, and Spike’s life, is about to begin. He’s dreamed of this one chance to win Rarity’s heart for years, and nothing is going to stand in his way; not even Rarity’s strange emotional jumps between happiness and panic.

Although this is technically a sequel, reading Disparity isn't necessary to enjoy what follows.
Cover art designed by Novel-Idea
Edited by bobdat and AuthorGenesis

Published 2014-08-27 03:20:07 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-30 01:01:08 UTC

Preparation and Promises

Spike couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t stop smiling either. He folded his arms behind his head and listened to the stillness of the night.

“Tomorrow’s Hearts and Hooves Day.”

The only response was the soft sound of Twilight breathing. He grinned all the same.

“Tomorrow’s Hearts and Hooves Day and I’ve got a date with Rarity!”

He’d said it a hundred times already and it still didn’t feel real. Saying it a hundred more wouldn’t help. Instead he stood and walked over to Twilight’s desk and looked over her unfinished letter to the Princess. He knew every word of it, and yet it still felt good to see it all written down.

He skimmed over most of the letter. He didn’t need to revisit Twilight’s attempt at emotive magic and all the insanity that resulted. What he wanted to see was a footnote nestled in the very last paragraph: “the only positive effects of my experiment are the removal of such dangerous spell books from general library circulation and, interestingly enough, netting Spike a date for Hearts and Hooves Day.”

Once again his grin took over. He wanted to dance and sing. It took all of his self control to not jump onto Twilight’s bed and try to convince her to celebrate with him. He couldn’t celebrate yet though, and not just because the sun wasn’t up.

This was his first and possibly only chance with Rarity. She’d granted him more than just a quick dinner or walk in the park; the entire day was theirs to spend in each other’s company. Everything needed to go perfectly, and for that to happen he needed to start getting ready right now.

Twilight stretched in bed and yawned. Birds were twittering outside her window in the early morning light.

“Morning, Spike.”

Her assistant’s usual assertions that it was too early never came. He must’ve been up too late last night. She should’ve just written that letter herself rather than keep him up.

“It’s Hearts and Hooves Day, aren’t you excited?”

Again, there was no response.

“Spike?”

Finally she sat up. Spike’s bed, just beyond the baseboard of her own, came into view. All she saw was a discarded pillow and blankets in disarray.

“That’s strange. He hasn’t gotten up before me in… well… ever.”

She folded his blankets and fluffed his pillow with a bit of magic. Up early or not, it wasn’t like him to leave his bed unmade.

A quick inspection of their living area turned up a few more clues, but no dragon. A toothpaste tube missing a cap here, a towel on the floor there, and an assortment of other signs pointed to Spike leaving in a big hurry.

“Spike?” Her tone had shifted from curiosity to concern.

The library’s front door slammed below her. She raced down the stairs and found Spike leaning against the door, catching his breath.

“Spike, there you are! You had me worried.”

Spike smiled as he caught his breath. “It’s Hearts and Hooves Day.”

“You’re not meeting Rarity until ten, why get up so early?”

“I had to, Twilight. I had to be at the Far Afield Cafe as soon as it opened so I could make reservations for brunch, I had to be first in line at the Ponyville theater to buy tickets for tonight, and I had to be first in line at Rose’s flower stand so I could get these.” He held up a bouquet of red roses and purple irises.

One whiff of the flowers was all it took to get Twilight thinking about breakfast. “I’m impressed Spike, you really thought this… wait, how did you afford such an expensive-smelling bouquet, not to mention a pricey restaurant and theater tickets?”

He tried to hold back a yawn. “By getting up super extra early to hunt gems. Digging them up in the dark wasn’t fun, but it’ll all be worth it though when I’m gazing into Rarity’s eyes…” His voice trailed off and, judging by the vacant look on his face, his mind wasn’t far behind.

“Stay with me, Romeo. We need to go over a few things first.”

“I’m way ahead of you; I even made a list.”

She took the proffered scroll with her magic and unrolled it. “Let’s see; arrive with flowers at ten, brunch at ten fifteen, window shopping until one, a play from one to four–”

“They’re doing The Pony of the Opera, she loves that one!”

“Uh huh… cook her dinner from four to six, walk her home. Wow Spike… I knew you were excited, but… wow. You really thought this through.”

He grinned, this time with a bashful shrug and a glance at the floor. “I’ve sort of been planning this for years, just in case.”

She rerolled the list and give it back to him. “That’s why we need to talk.”

“What about? I’ve got this, Twilight, I thought of everything.”

“All except for the what happens if today doesn’t go like you want it to.”

“Aww, Twilight, don’t make me think about that, not right before.”

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. How about this: I want you to promise me something, then I’ll just sit back while you finish getting ready.”

Her hoof found its way to his shoulder. He looked into her eyes and saw how much effort she was putting into keeping her worry hidden. She couldn’t keep that under wraps, not from him.

“Anything, Twilight.”

“You’re taking a big step today, and it involves one of our close friends. Whatever happens between the two of you, I don’t want that friendship to end. Just promise me… promise me that, no matter how today goes, you won’t think of yourself as any less of a dragon. You’re my friend, Spike, and with or without Rarity’s affection you’re still an important part of all of our lives.”

His grin, and the giddiness responsible for it, vanished. He started to nod and then decided to hug her instead. “I promise, Twilight. I promise.”

He could feel her nod back. “ Thanks, Spike. Now go sweep Rarity off her hooves.”

In an instant his grin was back. This was going to be the best day ever.

Something Unexpected

He could hear her sewing machine whirring away from outside the Carousel Boutique. With the flowers cradled under one arm, he raised a hand to knock. His claws hovered a few inches from the door while he contemplated his promise to Twilight. She was right, this was a big step. He was taking Rarity out on a date. Excitement was giving way to nervousness.

His other hand clenched into a fist. “Come on, Spike. Dragon up and knock already!”

He knocked. The thump of claws on wood was a bit softer than he wanted it to be. Still, he heard the sewing machine quiet down and the clip-clop of hooves approach the door.

The handle turned and the door swung open. “I’m sorry, but the shop is closed for the day. If you could kindly…”

Rarity’s boilerplate speech stopped when she saw him. He could feel her gaze drift from his smile to the bouquet in his outstretched hand. Now came the part where he was supposed to say something. He’d practiced this a dozen times in front of the mirror, each time adding a little more chivalry and charm. Faced with the real moment, he could barely do more than stare into her azure eyes.

“H–hi Rarity, happy Hearts and Hooves Day.”

“Oh, Spike, these are lovely! I’m dreadfully sorry, I’m running a bit behind schedule this morning. I was supposed to finish up these last minute orders yesterday, but what with the magic fiasco I haven’t had time to box them up.”

For a moment his heart sank. Was this really happening? Did she really have work to do or was this just a ploy to get out of the date? Her sheepish smile could mean so much, or so little.

“It… it’ll go faster with two of us working, right?”

“Spoken like a true gentle-dragon. If we work together we’ll have this finished in no time.”

She led him into the shop, or at least where her shop should’ve been. In its present state it was more of a warehouse. Cardboard boxes and piles of folded clothes were everywhere.

“Would you mind terribly if I started on a flower now, Spike? I know it’s quite unladylike, but I’ve barely found time to eat with all this work in front of me.”

He started to nod, momentarily forgetting that her back was turned. He’d gladly hand her each and every petal if that’s what she wanted.

“Of course! Anything for you, Rarity.”

“Thank you, Spike. I just have to finish hemming this one dress, then all of it gets boxed up and sent on its way.”

She returned to her work table and the sewing machine whirred to life. He pulled a rose from the bouquet and set it next to her.

“For you, my sweet,” he whispered.

She didn’t hear him over the sewing machine and he was glad for it.

“So… what can I do to help?”

“I’m so glad you’re willing to help, Spike, and I’m so sorry our day together is beginning with work. Every garment you see has a slip of paper folded inside of it. That paper has the name and address of the pony that ordered it. If you could pack each one in a box and label it accordingly that would be lovely.”

“Got it.”

He took one last look at her, the perfect form of equine beauty, and turned to face the work ahead of him. The first pile consisted of three dresses, each one in a different color of the same soft fabric. The slip of paper said they were destined for a pony way out in Manehattan. He found an empty box, set the dresses inside, taped it shut, and wrote the address on the top.

Stealing glances at Rarity made the work go quickly. First pack up a box heading to Fillydelphia, then watch her delicately nibbling a rose petal. Pack a box for Canterlot, then watch her inspect a fabric stitch. Write out an address, watch the sun catch her glossy white coat and violet mane. This didn’t feel real. He was going on a date with the most beautiful mare in the world, a mare whose clothing designs were worn all over Equestria. He’d never felt so humbled and honored to be in her presence.

“Don’t screw this up, Spike,” he whispered to himself, “she’s finally going out with you. Don’t blow it.”

His hand reached out and, to his surprise, didn’t find another dress to pack. All the boxes were taped shut, save the one next to the sewing machine.

The final dress floated into the air in a light blue aura and Rarity threw off her glasses. “Et voila! I’ll pack this one and then we can be on our way at last. You’ve been such a dear helping me at the last minute, not to mention bringing me these wonderful flowers.”

“Aww, it’s nothing. I hope you’re still hungry, there’s a table waiting for us at the Far Afield Cafe.”

She spun around in her chair with a huge smile on her face. “Why I haven’t been there in years! Let’s go at once.”

“Great!”

A light blue scarf, the same shade as her cutie mark, floated off a nearby stand and wrapped itself around her neck. “Oh, and one more thing…”

The sign in the shop window glowed blue and flipped around, officially closing the Carousel Boutique for the day.

“No more dressmaking or distractions. Today, Spike, is just for you and I. Are you ready to go?”

Spike’s smile said it all. He’d been ready for years.

Ponyville’s streets were busy. By the time they reached the restaurant the crowd consisted entirely of couples. Everypony with a significant other seemed to be out on the town this morning, and Spike couldn’t have been prouder to be part of it.

The Far Afield Cafe was so crowded that the line stretched out the door. They took their position at the back and Rarity drummed her hooves excitedly. “This is such a lovely treat, Spike. Have you ever eaten here before?”

“Not really… a table here costs a whole lot of gems.”

“It is on the pricey side, but once you’ve tasted the food you’ll forget all about the expense.”

Spike held back a yawn. He wouldn’t forget getting up before the sun just to afford their Hearts and Hooves Day special; brunch for two for one fixed, and enormous, price. That didn’t matter though; this was more than a meal, this was him taking Rarity on the date of her dreams.

“So what should…”

As he turned to look at her he saw something unexpected. For a moment she’d been looking into the distance and chewing on her lip. Something was bothering her. Was he making her uncomfortable? Was she embarrassed to be out in public with him? He didn’t dare ask, for fear of breaking the magic spell they were under. All his dreams of romance were riding on this date, and he wasn’t ready to wake up yet.

She turned back to him, smiling her best. “What was that, Spikey-wikey?”

“I… uh… it was really okay to leave all the boxes inside your shop?”

“Yes dear, quite all right. My mailmare knows I have a big shipment this time every year and it’s gotten big enough in recent years that I’ve just given her a key to the front door. Enough talk of business; what else do you have planned for us today?”

“I figured after brunch we can do some window shopping, then I have tickets for The Pony of the Opera, and then I was going to cook a romantic dinner.”

Her veiled discomfort vanished in a smile and slight blush. “Why Spike, you really do know how to treat a lady. This day is going to be simply divine.”

Another pony spoke up in front of them. “Good afternoon, do you have a reservation?”

They looked up and realized just how quickly the line had moved. They were at the front, standing in front of the host’s podium. The bespectacled pony standing behind it was eyeing them, Spike in particular, with mild curiosity.

Spike smiled with utmost confidence. “Yep, the reservation’s under my name, Spike.”

The host glanced down at the podium and flipped through a book of hoofwritten names and dates. “Spike… let me see… here we are. Sir, are you aware of the time?”

“Of course I am, it’s…” He glanced at a clock on the wall and stopped short. It was ten forty-five. Taking care of the dress orders had cost them a half hour.

“Sir, your reservation was for ten fifteen. I’m afraid your table’s been–”

Spike grasped the podium’s edge and pulled himself up to eye level with the host. “Listen, I know we’re late, but you’ve just got to have a free table. I made a promise to my special some…”

He glanced back at Rarity before continuing. If she objected to what he’d been about to say, it wasn’t clear. She was still wide-eyed over him challenging the host.

“… I made a promise to Rarity that we’d have brunch here. I’ll pay any price.”

The host sighed. “You’re lucky that I was about to give away another no-show’s table. Follow me.”

Spike dropped back to the ground and tried to slow his rapid heartbeat. That effort failed the moment Rarity’s nose brushed his cheek. “My hero.”

He couldn’t recall much of the next thirty seconds. For all he knew the host teleported them to a table in the corner of the restaurant, one of the few that had a view of the streets outside. Menus were placed in front of them that, thankfully, didn’t have any prices listed. He’d paid in advance for their meal and anything on the menu was fair game.

Rarity disappeared behind her raised menu. “Hmm… What are you in the mood for, Spikey?”

Spike looked over their choices and, to his dismay, didn’t see anything that involved jewels. Worse still, he didn’t see any of his favorite standbys like pancakes or waffles. Every name and description was a jumble of foreign words.

“Uh… you’ve been here before, what should I get?”

“Well, the selection today is a bit different from what I remember, but I think I’m going to try the eggs suzette with plum clafoutis.”

He’d only understood ‘eggs’ and ‘plum’. “That… sounds good. I’ll try it too.”

While she gave the menu a second look, he turned his attention to the window. The streets were still crowded and the line to get into the restaurant was even longer. Some couples would be waiting a very long time just to talk to the host. His attention drifted to Rarity’s reflection in the glass. From this angle he could see her studying the menu, or at least pretending to. She was chewing on her lip again and her eyes were darting around in a panic.

His pulse quickened and his breath wasn’t far behind. Talking seemed to work before, maybe it would again.

“So Rarity, could you… tell me about yourself?”

He could hear the tension leaving her. Even before she lowered the menu he knew she’d be smiling again.

“What would you like to know, Spike? We already know so much about each other.”

“Well… how did you get your start in dressmaking?”

She touched her hoof to her cheek and looked off into space. “I suppose I’ve never mentioned that, have I? To tell you the truth, Spike, I rarely dwell on it anymore.”

“You don’t have to explain if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“No, no, it’s quite all right. It’s not an uncomfortable subject, or rather it shouldn’t be. One of my golden rules of business has always been to look forward and not back; it’s served me well over the years.”

“I’ll say, you’re sending stuff to ponies all over Equestria.”

“Yes, and I wish I could say that was always the case. Although I grew up in Ponyville, my favorite times as a filly were our summers in Manehattan visiting my aunt. She was the fashionista I wanted to grow up to be. She gave me my love of fashion, my mannerisms, my dialect…”

“Your dialect?”

She winked and, for a moment, dropped it entirely. “Yes, my choice of words. When it comes to the higher class, the ponies I wanted to make dresses for most of all, I knew I needed to speak like them to be taken seriously. Being a trendsetting fashionista means talking like one.” His jaw dropped. “That’s amazing! You just chose start speaking like that?”

“It took years of practice and nearly drove my parents mad. Nowadays it’s just second nature.”

“When did you open your shop?”

“Not soon enough, that’s how it felt at the time. Once I set my sights on the world of professional design, I spent every free moment gathering gems and making dresses in my bedroom. One fine day I finally had enough saved to open the Carousel Boutique.”

“That’s a terrific story Rarity; you’re a self-made pony.”

Her smile faltered. “The memory isn’t as wonderful in my eyes. When I think back to those early days, what I remember most is all the nights I came home covered in dirt and grime just for the sake of a few more gems. To this day I don’t like being dirty; everypony else just assumes I’m that uptight and prissy.”

“Wow… I’m sorry Rarity. It’s still a good story though, I think you should be proud.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Spike. It’s just the past, and it’s led to a wonderful present.” She batted her eyes and made him blush.

“Do any of our other friends know?”

“About my rough start? Fluttershy knows nearly everything. I tend to prattle on during our regular trips to the spa. Whenever I feel the slightest bit dirty or out of sorts I can always count on her to listen and not tell, just like I can count on you.”

He could spend an eternity in this moment. That sour look of hers before must’ve been his imagination. They were out on a date together having a wonderful time; it was just that simple.

A waiter approached their table and gave them the same curious look as the host. “Good morning madame and… dragon. Have you made a selection?”

Rarity gave him a goodnatured smile. “Why yes, I believe we have.”

She ordered something and Spike listened intently. There was no way he’d be able pronounce those words, and he knew it.

“Excellent choice, madame. And for you, Sir?”

“I’ll have… what she said.”

A moment later they were alone again. She gave him that special smile that seemed to be reserved for him alone.

“Enough about me, Spike. I insist that you tell me about your adventures in Canterlot prior to moving to Ponyville.”

“Me? Well let’s see… Twilight actually hatched me during her entrance exam to Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The Princess raised me but Twilight visited every day. Eventually I asked to be her assistant and the Princess said that would be great. Every since then I’ve been helping her with her studies, cooking, cleaning… whatever she needs.”

“Do you know anything of your dragon parents?”

“Not really. I asked the Princess once, she said my egg was found abandoned in the forests outside Canterlot.”

She held a hoof over her open mouth. “Oh, Spike…”

“It doesn’t really bother me. I wouldn’t trade my time with Princess Celestia and Twilight for anything. They’re like… they’re like my mom and big sister.”

She giggled. “I wasn’t aware I was on a date with the son of royalty.”

“Huh, I never thought of it that way. I guess I just see myself as Twilight’s assistant.” He leaned in to whisper. “When she’s in the middle of a big project, I think she’d forget to eat if I wasn’t there to remind her.”

She stifled a laugh. “I don’t think anypony that knows her would be surprised.”

“Rarity?”

“Yes, Spike?”

“Are you… having a good time? Because if you’re not I wouldn’t want–”

She reached across the table and put a hoof over his mouth. “I’m having a lovely time. This is simply the best Hearts and Hooves Day I could ask for.”

Dueling Hearts

Brunch came and went. That unpronounceable thing that Rarity ordered for both of them turned out to involve eggs, potatoes, and some sort of sweet pastry. It wasn’t pancakes or gems, but it was still delicious. Better still, their small talk came more and more easily as the minutes wore on.

Rarity touched a napkin to her lips and folded it over her empty plate. “That was a scrumptious meal. Wouldn’t you agree, Spikey-wikey?”

He nodded. The elegance of this place was starting to grow on him. “Delightful, but not as delightful as the company.”

When she didn’t respond he started to worry, at least until he followed her gaze out the window. “Is that Cheerilee and Big Mac? Are they yelling?”

“We’ve paid for our meal already, right Spikey?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s go!”

The scene outside the restaurant was drawing a crowd. What had likely started as a quiet disagreement was now a verbal wrestling match.

Big Mac’s deep, country drawl boomed through the streets. “… and I’ll tell you why we missed our table, and why the harvest was late too: you give Apple Bloom so much homework she doesn’t have time for chores.”

Cheerilee’s voice, usually the epitome of gentleness, adopted a screeching tone that chilled foals and adults alike. “Don’t you dare drag Apple Bloom into this!”

“Don’t see how I can’t, you’re the one grilling her on all those useless facts.”

“Useless? Are you telling me that dragging a wagonload of produce around is more important that math? How about learning to write? Does anything beyond apples even matter to you?”

“Now I didn’t mean–”

“Maybe that’s the real problem here: you don’t care about me at all, do you? Is that why you didn’t even bring me flowers today, or make sure you were on time for our reservation?”

“Rose was out of flowers by the time I got to her stand, not unless you wanted some apple blossoms from the farm.”

“Oh yes, the farm; your real love. Is that why all we ever do is sit in that gazebo and talk about fruit?”

“What else are we gonna talk about? All those fancy things you know that I don’t? If you would’ve listened once in a while maybe you’d know how important the harvest is. No harvest means no apples. No apples means no bits. How’d you think I was paying for this fancy meal you kept nagging me about?”

Cheerilee’s bowed her head. “It’s not about the meal, or the flowers… I just wanted us to do something nice for once, something special… forget it.”

“Now Cheer–”

“I said forget it! Just go back to the farm!”

“Fine!”

They stomped off in opposite directions and the crowd gave them each a wide berth.

Spike gently touched Rarity’s shoulder. “Did that just happen?”

Rarity met his gaze. “I’m afraid so, yes. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

He nodded. “I’ll take Big Mac, you go after Cheerilee.”

Spike tore through the streets. Finding Big Mac should’ve been easy. He stood out, and above, in any crowd. What needed to be said was another question altogether. He couldn’t help but consider the similarities between his own Hearts and Hooves Day plans and those of the big red stallion. Had he inadvertently taken flowers and brunch away from him and Cheerliee? It probably wasn’t a good idea to mention either of those things, considering Big Mac was nearly double his height.

What gave Big Mac away wasn’t his height, or deep voice. It was the strange and terrible sound of his sobbing that led Spike to an alley behind a shop. He was sitting on the ground with his forehead pressed against a wall.

“H… hey Big Mac.”

Big Mac sniffled a bit and wiped a foreleg across his nose. “Spike? Don’t suppose you saw that terrible display, over by the restaurant?”

“It was… uh… kind of hard to miss.”

“I know, I know. I really ruined it, Spike. Six months I’ve been seeing Cheer without a single cross word between us, then I have to go and lose my temper right in the middle of our special date. I’d been saving all my spare bits for months for today, just to get into that fancy eatery. I didn’t think she minded all those dates in the gazebo, which was good since we could eat for free… Now she’s never speak gonna speak to me again. That’s exactly what I deserve.”

“Aww, come on. It was a fight, but–”

“I mean it. The minute things went off kilter today I just blew up. Harvest or no harvest, that’s no way to treat your lady. Cheer’s so smart and pretty… she deserves better than an uneducated country pony like me.”

“Don’t say that! She–”

“I should’ve just stuck to the ‘eeyup’ and ‘nope’, leave all the fancy talking to her.”

Spike grabbed Big Mac’s ever-present work collar and shook him, or at least tried to. He would’ve had an easier time shaking a house.

“Snap out of it, Big Mac! I get that you’re upset but you’re not making any sense.”

Big Mac’s eyes went wide, likely due to the little dragon trying, and failing, to physically move him. “Don’t see how you figure that.”

Spike paced back and forth. “She went out with you in the first place, you big dummy!”

“Well yeah but–”

“So who cares that you’re a farm pony and she’s a schoolteacher. She saw something in you back then, and apparently she still did this morning when you picked her up.”

He opened and closed his mouth a few times. “Guess you’ve got me there.”

Spike struck his palm with a fist. “Darn right I do. She cares about you, and if you care about her you need to go back in there and save Hearts and Hooves Day!”

He stood. “You know what? You’re right. I shouldn’t be cowering in some dark corner like a colt, it’s high time I find her and make this right. Hearts and Hooves Day isn’t over yet!”

“Hey, Big Mac?”

He looked down at Spike. “Yeah?”

“Could you… give me a ride? It’s kind of a long walk when you’re as short as me.”

A smile crept onto the stallion’s face. “Sure thing. I owe you one, Spike. You ever need anything you just ask… all except for love advice.”

Rarity found Cheerilee in a similar state at the foot of a bridge. Her tears were sending ripples across the flowing water.

“Miss Cheerilee, whatever has driven a lady such as yourself to tears?”

Cheerilee looked at her briefly. “I just want to be alone right now, Rarity.”

“Nonsense. You’re clearly upset, and I refuse to sit idly by and do nothing help.”

She started to cry harder. “There nothing you can do. It’s all my fault, I ruined everything.”

Rarity guided her to the nearest bench and sat down next to her. “That can’t possibly be so. Please tell me what’s bothering you.”

“The best relationship I’ve ever had… I ruined everything.”

“Big Mac?”

Cheerilee nodded and then buried her eyes in her hooves. “We’ve been together for so long and it’s been perfect from the start. Then as soon as I’m stuck in the classroom for a few late nights grading midterms I just let my nerves take over. Today Big Mac made a few honest mistakes and I just got mad, said awful things, and… it’s over now. I guess I should’ve known love was too good to be true for a pony like me.”

“And what, pray tell, is wrong with a pony like you?”

Cheerilee glanced at her again. “I’m not like you, Rarity. I’m not pretty, or sophisticated, or successful… but for a while it felt like none of that mattered. Before Big Mac I hadn’t had a date since… I don’t even remember anymore.”

“Cheerilee, you need to stop talking like that this instant!”

She seemed to shrink when Rarity adopted an authoritative tone. Suddenly she was on the other side of the teacher’s desk.

“What… what do you mean?”

“Just because you don’t have an affectation or a business doesn’t mean you’re any less entitled to a successful relationship.”

“I don’t even style my mane, or wear makeup, or…”

“Did that matter to Big Mac? If that was really important would he have bothered to take you on single date in the first place?”

“Well…”

“It seems you’ve been drilling this into the foals for so long you’ve forgotten it applies to you too.” She pressed a hoof to Cheerilee’s chest. “It’s what’s inside that matters, not what you’ve done to pretty up the outside. Big Mac saw it before your fight, and I’m sure he still does.”

A quivering smile crossed Cheerilee’s face. “Do you really think so?”

“I’m sure of it, but it’s all for naught if you can’t change your attitude.”

“My attitude?”

“Yes, dear. This bout of self loathing is completely unladylike and needs to be stopped. Repeat after me: I am a beautiful mare, I deserve to be happy, and I won’t let my happiness slip away.”

“But…”

“Say it!”

“I… I am a beautiful mare.”

Rarity smiled. “Louder!”

This time Cheerilee shouted it. “I am a beautiful mare!”

“I deserve to be happy.”

“And I deserve to be happy!”

“I won’t let my happiness slip away.”

Cheerilee stood on the bench. “And I won’t let him slip away!”

Passers by stared at them. Cheerilee sat back down and blushed while Rarity smiled. “Don’t you feel better now, darling?”

“Do… do you really think he’ll forgive me?”

“If he doesn’t, then he doesn’t deserve you. You deserve happiness, Cheerilee, and it’s up to you to–”

Cheerilee jumped off the bench and waved. “There he is! Over here! Please come this way!”

Big Mac was galloping toward them with Spike holding onto his work collar like a kite in the breeze. He skidded to a stop in front of the bench and Spike was nearly thrown off completely.

He spoke between deep breaths. “Cheer… Cheer… I…”

Cheerilee and Big Mac started at each other for a moment before speaking in unison. “Want to start today over?”

Blushes crossed both of their faces and Cheerilee managed to get in the next word. “I’m sorry I yelled. I know you were trying so hard to make today special. We don’t need fancy things to be happy.”

“You haven’t got anything to be sorry for, unlike me. I went and ruined all our plans, and I won’t rest until I make it up to you. Hearts and Hooves Day doesn’t get to end until we do something special.”

“What can we do? It’s already afternoon and we don’t have anywhere to go.”

By this point Spike was seated on the bench next to Rarity. He tapped her on the shoulder and whispered in her ear.

She nodded in response. “That’s a marvelous idea.”

He sighed and hopped off the bench. “Cheerilee? Big Mac?”

The two ponies looked at him and spoke together once more. “Hmm?”

He held up two slips of paper. “Since you don’t have anything special to do today, how about you take these theater tickets? They’re putting on The Pony of the Opera at one.”

Cheerilee hugged him. “Oh Spike, that’s so generous of you. I can’t thank you and Rarity enough.”

He blushed. “Aww, it’s nothing. Rarity and I can find something else to do for the rest of our date.”

She stared at him for a moment with a confused look. “You’re on a date? With Rarity?”

“Yep, it’s our first one.”

She looked from him to Rarity and back again. “Isn’t that a little… What I mean is… aren’t you a little young to be going on a date?”

Rarity stepped forward. “Now see here, Cheerilee. Dragon or not, Spike is very mature, and gentlemanly, and…”

As her voice trailed off, Spike’s heart sank. He recognized the look in her and Cheerilee’s eyes. It was the same one that the host and waiter had given him. Everything made sense and, now that it did, his heart broke.

“You think I’m a… I am not a child!”

Cheerilee took a step back. “But… aren’t you a baby dra–”

“That’s right, dragon. Not pony, dragon! Do you know why most dragons live for thousands of years, why I’m a baby compared to them?”

“Not really, I just…”

“They spend all their time asleep! Big dragons are just big because they hoard treasure and sleep on it for a hundred years at a time. I’m not much younger than all of you.”

He could feel tears running down his face, and he didn’t care. “I’m short… but I’m not a child.”

As he walked away, he could hear his friends calling after him. He could hear Cheerilee apologizing and Rarity begging him to come back. He didn’t care. They all saw him as a little kid, a foal. Now he knew why Rarity kept looking away and making a weird face. She didn’t have to be embarrassed or uncomfortable any more. She could stick with the adult ponies and be happy. She didn’t need him around and, maybe after a while, he wouldn’t need her either.

Fire Lake

“Spike! Spike please come back!”

He’d been hearing Rarity say that for minutes on end now. For a while her voice had been fading away into the distance, and now it was getting louder. He wouldn’t look back, not when he could just keep walking and staring at his feet.

His head bumped against something and he staggered backward. As soon as he took a breath he recognized Rarity’s intoxicating perfume. Special somepony or not, crying in front of her was embarrassing.

“Spike, I understand that you’re upset but you’re clearly overreacting.”

“Just let me go, Rarity. I get why things have been weird for you today. It’s… it’s okay. I’ll just leave you alone.”

He started to walk and once again his head knocked against her. Her hoof met his shoulder. “Spike, I know you’re not a child. If you spent half as much time with Cheerilee as you do with the rest of us she’d know that too.”

“But…”

“Come now, I insist we sit down and talk this over.”

“Where?”

“This looks like an excellent spot.”

He looked up and realized how right she was. They’d collided in front of Sugarcube Corner and, miraculously enough, one of the coveted outdoor tables was unoccupied.

They sat and, after wiping his eyes, he stared at her. “Just tell me the truth, Rarity, what’s been so wrong about today?”

She shut her eyes. “You might not believe me, but absolutely nothing.”

“Then how come you looked upset when we were waiting in line at the restaurant, or when we were ordering?”

“Because… because Cheerilee and I have more in common than I thought. Neither of us wanted to ruin yet another Hearts and Hooves Day by being alone.”

“Huh?”

“Just before you and Big Mac arrived she was telling me how long it’s been since she’s gone out with anypony at all. No matter how long it’d been for her, I’m sure my record’s longer.”

“That’s impossible; you’re a gorgeous, smart, generous…”

“It’s not that simple, Spike. Remember when I told you about my rise to the height of fashion? I’ve poured myself into my career ever since I was a filly. I never took much time for romance, and when I did it always ended in disaster.”

“But it’s Hearts and Hooves Day. You mean nopony ever just showed up out of the blue with flowers?”

“Perhaps some did, but I took little notice. In my experience Hearts and Hooves Day is more suited to celebrating love than finding it. Most years I spend Hearts and Hooves Day pouring myself into my work, just like I was this morning when you arrived. I hide myself away for the day and then buoy myself up for the rest of the year with ridiculous fantasies like marrying a prince. I wanted today to go well so badly, Spike… I’ve driven myself half mad with worry that I’d spoil it all, and now I fear I have.”

A single tear slid down her face. He leaped up and offered her a napkin.

“Please don’t cry, Rarity. I don’t want you to have a bad Hearts and Hooves Day, not today or ever again.”

The napkin floated out of his claws in her magic aura. “That’s sweet of you, Spike. I knew the moment you arrived with roses this morning that today would be special.”

“I might not be a prince, or even a pony, but you’ll always be my princess.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Thank you, Spike.”

They sat there for a few minutes, doing nothing more than sitting. At some point her hoof found its way into his claws, and they were both happier for it.

The sound of glass sliding across wood broke the spell. They looked up and saw Mrs. Cake nosing a pair of chocolate milkshakes onto the table. “Just a little something for the happy new couple. Happy Hearts and Hooves Day.”

She winked at them and walked away.

It took him a moment or two to understand the gesture. Mrs. Cake just gave them each a free milkshake, referred to him and Rarity and a couple, and didn’t give him a weird look. It took a moment more to find his voice.

“Thanks, Mrs. Cake! Happy Hearts and Hooves Day!”

When he turned back Rarity was sniffing her glass. “Mmm. I really should watch my figure more closely, but… well I wouldn’t want to be rude.”

She grabbed the straw and started drinking. He watched her down the milkshake, sincerely doubting there was anything she could do that’d detract from her beauty.

“Aren’t you going to drink yours, Spikey?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, definitely.”

This was nice, even if he wasn’t holding her hoof anymore.

“So, my dear Spike, it appears we need a new activity for the remainder of the day.”

“Yeah. Sorry I don’t have a backup plan. Maybe I should’ve listened to Twilight after all on that one.”

“Actually I’m glad you don’t. It seems to me that you put together a wonderful date for me, not so much for you or us.”

“But I love doing stuff for you.”

“That’s not the same. Tell me, could you even pronounce what we ate for brunch?”

“Oh that’s easy, it was eggs su… suzzy? With plum…”

She giggled. “The Far Afield Cafe is lovely, but I’m well aware that it’s outside of your price range. Did you really want to go window shopping, or see The Pony of the Opera?”

“Sure, with you.”

“And without me?”

“Well…”

“Precisely. If we’re to do anything more today I want it to be something that doesn’t involve you indulging my every whim. I want to spend time getting to know the real Spike.”

He ran a claw against the undulating pattern on his milkshake glass. “Something I’d like… one of my hobbies… I don’t think you’d want to hear about comic books, or penmanship… we already helped out a couple friends, and I’m cooking you dinner later. I guess there is one thing, but we’d have to walk into the forest for a while and I know you don’t like getting dirty.”

“Nonsense. If you’ve willing to take on the maître d’ at one of the fanciest restaurants in town, then I can certainly handle a little dirt.”

Rarity held up muddy hoof and shivered. “I do believe I said a little dirt, Spikey-wikey. Just a little.”

Spike was a few steps ahead of her on the path through the trees. He turned back and smiled. “Heh, sorry. We’re almost there.”

“And what, I may ask, is all the way out here that’s appropriate for Hearts and Hooves Day?”

He parted a few tree branches and stood aside. “You’ll see.”

The scene just beyond the tree line belonged in a watercolor painting. The meadow of flowers nearly glowed in the late afternoon sunshine and ended in a mountainside with a large cave opening. The roof of the cave glowed with the ever changing reflections of moving water.

“This is a gorgeous place, Spike. I know I promised to leave business out of today, but I do believe I’m seeing the inspiration for my new spring line.”

“It’s a pretty meadow, but that’s not why I brought you here.”

“Oh, and what could be more romantic than a picturesque scene like this?”

“You’ll see, just follow me to the mouth of the cave.”

He hurried through the field of flowers and stopped at the cave opening, which also happened to be the shore of a subterranean lake.

She stood next to him and watched the sunlight dance against the waves. “This is indeed worth the walk, Spike. I never took you to be one for scenic views.”

“I’m not, really. Sure this place is pretty, but the lake’s the reason I come here.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s water surrounded by rock. It’s the perfect place to practice.”

Before she could respond, he took a deep breath and spat out green fire. This wasn’t the haphazard blaze that delivered Twilight’s letters to Princess Celestia. This fire burned for a fraction of a second and then left a perfectly formed pattern of smoke.

Rarity started open mouthed as a diamond shape, exactly like her cutie mark, floated across the water and caught the reflected sunlight light.

“Why Spike, that’s amazing!”

He grinned. “I’ve… kind of been working on that one for a while. Same goes for this one.”

He breathed fire again, this time forming a heart. “I’ve never brought anypony here, not even Twilight. The water and the rock keeps things safe, and being out in the forest means I don’t get embarrassed when I mess up.”

“Can you do more?”

He rubbed his claws together. “Sure. Here’s a new one I’ve been working on.”

This time no discernible shape followed the fire. An ugly white blob glided across the water instead. He grinned sheepishly. “I guess I need to practice that one some more.”

“Cheer up, Spike. I had no idea you were so artistic.”

“If you like that, you should see my penmanship. After writing all those letters to the Princess I…”

Her lips touched his cheek and drained all thoughts from his mind. “Thank you for sharing something so special with me, Spikey-wikey.”

This wasn’t the first time she’d kissed him on the cheek, and yet this one felt like so much more than just a token gesture of appreciation. He stared into her eyes and wished he’d turned his head at just the right moment.

“Rarity?”

“Yes, Spike?”

“Remember when I first asked you out, when I asked if you’d be my special somepony for Hearts and Hooves Day?”

“Yes, and I’m so glad you did.”

“Does this mean we’re… what I mean is… Will you be my special somepony tomorrow, and the day after that…”

She nodded. “As long as you’ll be my dragon prince.”

“Always.”

“Or would you prefer special somedragon?”

“Anything, call me anything.”

“In that case, I believe my prince promised to cook me dinner and then, being the gentle-dragon that he is, might be so kind as to walk me home?”

He bowed and kissed her hoof. “Of course, my princess.”

Goodnight

All too quickly the day turned to night. A wonderful day and a mostly successful dinner were long since behind them. They were standing, face to face, in front of the Carousel Boutique under the light of the moon.

She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for a wonderful Hearts and Hooves Day, Spike.”

“Was dinner really all right? I swear I’ve made chocolate soufflé before, I don’t know why it didn’t turn out this time.”

“Really, Spike, it was a lovely attempt and still tasted divine. I know neither of us has much relationship experience to fall back on, but I do believe that we need to be forgiving of each other’s faults. I’m certainly not perfect, despite what you may think.”

He opened his mouth and then closed it. Any possible counterargument sounded more like an insult.

“Well… I’m not perfect either. I’m also kind of short. Ponies are probably going to keep looking at us funny because they think I’m a kid.”

“Let them. We know the truth and, if they make a fuss, we’ll make sure they do as well.”

“What if it hurts your business? What if ponies don’t want to buy dresses from you because of me? What if…”

“Surely you’d think a self-made pony such as myself would have considered such things prior to you arriving this morning?”

“You did?”

Her smile faltered and she looked away. “Indeed. It is a risk to my career, possibly the biggest one I’ve ever taken since procuring my shop. Things might be fine if we keep seeing each other… and they might not.”

“But… I…” He hung his head. “I don’t want to lose you, Rarity… I don’t want you to wreck your career either. Ugh, why does this have to be so complicated? More than anything I just want you to be happy; even… even if…”

“No, Spike, don’t think of it that way. No business is without its risks, and this is one I’m willing to take. Self-made pony or not, I’ve spent years becoming the lonely fashionista that I am today. If I must suffer a setback or two for the sake of happiness, so be it.”

This time he kissed her on the cheek and, to his delight, saw her train of thought momentarily derail. Watching her stare off into space like that was both funny and alluring.

“No matter what happens, Rarity, I’ll stick by you… even if I have to dig up gems in the middle of the night so you can keep your shop.”

She blushed. “I know you would, that’s what makes the risk worth it.”

“And I still think you’re perfect; perfect for me.”

She blushed an even deeper shade of red. “It seems we’ve done everything out of order, haven’t we? A kiss after the first date is terribly unladylike.”

“We could always go out tomorrow and try again.”

She matched his grin. “Gladly, but not tomorrow. I do need some time to work without you distracting me with your sweet roses and sweeter words, my sweet.”

He blushed. “You heard me say that?”

She turned to the door and unlocked it. “Goodnight, until we meet again, my prince.”

“Goodnight, my…” he couldn’t believe he was saying it, “my special somepony.”