I entered the Boutique to see that Rarity wasn’t in the downstairs store. I called upstairs and Rarity invited me up to her sitting room. She had laid out a table with a plate for each of us and some apple juice already poured out. I inwardly smiled as Rarity simply couldn’t resist taking a greasy takeaway treat into something more refined.

I served the two lunches up on the plates and sat down. Both of us were pretty hungry so we started our meals with some gusto, conversation suppressed in favour of flavour. But the silence wasn’t awkward at all, it was just one of two friends being really comfortable around each other. Although unless I wasn’t mistaken, Rarity was acting a little different like she was still thinking about something.

But as the meal came to an end, it dawned on me that our time together was likely to be doing the same. With Rarity now cheered up, there was no real reason for me to stay given we were just friends. Still, it was nice whilst it lasted.

Rarity took the dirty dishes and returned to the room. I racked my brain to think of something to say to help me stay, but it wasn’t forthcoming. I therefore stood up from the table. “Well, I better leave you in peace. Hope you enjoy the rest of the day Rarity.”

Rarity seemed a little surprised by this, but then composed herself “Actually Spike, if you don’t mind, there’s something I would like to discuss with you?”

I agreed, and we retired away from the table into Rarity’s sitting room, her on one couch and me on another. I felt a little nervous and the next sentence didn’t help this.

“It’s about something you said earlier. When we were in the spa. What did you mean when you said you’ve seen me nude?”

“Well, most ponies don’t wear clothes, at least not all of the time. Is that a problem?”

She seemed to study my response “But do you know why disrobing in front of you is embarrassing for me?”

“Not really?” I replied a little confused “I mean, I’ve pretty much seen everything anyway.” I blushed a bit at the end.

Rarity just looked it me, one eyebrow raised in curiosity. I felt it was best to explain “Whoa whoa whoa, what I mean is 99% of the time my friends are all nude, you don’t think that it’s invisible or something do you?”

“Well, no…” Rarity replied, clearly studying my words. “It’s strange, I don’t think ponies notice.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m a different species or something?” I replied with a shrug “But I know it’s all a little private so I don’t stare or anything. But I really don’t get it. And I really don’t get why getting in and out of clothes is such a big deal if ponies don’t notice?”

Rarity paused for a moment “Well, theres a difference between being natural…” she breathed deeply as if gathering her thoughts “...and then getting undressed in front of somepony you, well -”

I had no idea that the next word was about to change everything

“- like.”

I was going to respond I didn’t understand the fuss but then it hit me “Like? You...like me?”

Rarity now had a blush that was small but noticeable on her face “Yes Spike, I like you. More than just a friend.”

If pauses could be pregnant, this would be a septuplets worth as we both analysed what this meant. I broke the silence first “You realise I still have a crush on you?”

“I think we both know it’s more than a crush Spike” Rarity replied “I mean, you moved passed being all lovey dovey into this great friendship we have. But you’ve grown up. Today showed me that. You put my happiness first, and didn’t expect anything in return. Nopony had ever been that kind to me.”

“I’ve been worried about expressing anything towards you given your crush on me” Rarity continued, looking over to me with a little concern “Especially as I wasn’t sure if you were really mature enough.”

Ouch! There it was, the fact that I couldn’t escape.

“Because I’m a baby dragon” I sighed despondently.

“No, no, no!” Rarity replied, quickly making her way over to me. She sat down next to me and put a hoof on my now slumped shoulder. “No, not physical maturity, emotional maturity.”

I turn to look at her, but let her continue “You always used to act a little childish round me. But, these past few months I think you’ve really grown. The new castle has allowed you to show how much of a responsible and mature young drake you really are.”

“Yeah, losing the old library really made me think about things.” We just looked at each other, awkwardly. I decided to break the tension “Well, I still don’t get the whole clothing thing!” I joked.

Rarity giggled slightly, and then a twinkle shone in her eye. “Wait here” she said, quickly darting off to her bedroom. I sat on the couch patiently for a while, thinking things through. I wasn’t sure if things were going well, or badly. Clearly I wasn’t mistaken all this time that Rarity had felt something for me, but always seemed to be holding back. Was it because she thought I was just a child?

My thought were interrupted by a heavenly voice “Oh Spike, would you come to my bedroom please?”

As I entered the room, I noticed the curtains were partially drawn and the door shut by magic behind me. Rarity was sat on a chair, wearing one of her bathrobes. As I walked towards, her, she motioned for me to stop. She then stood up and let the robe fall off.

I took it all in as a picture of both beauty and fashion. A tight bodice style saddle hugged her trunk, as tight fitting as a corset but without the restriction, covering from her dock all the way to her shoulder. The material was a deep purple and there were a few tiny sequins embedded along piped edges. And she was wearing stockings held up by lacy garters.

And around her neck was the Heartstone necklace. The symbol of the feelings I expressed to her when we were facing our final moments together.

I stood there basically paralysed as I drank it in. Not just the beauty of the pony and her clothes, or the attraction I felt. But also what it meant between us. With a slight giggle she slowly walked towards me “You see that by actually covering myself up, I’ve made myself seem that much more alluring.” She circled around me, my head following her. I swore she was swaying her hips deliberately and even swung her tail into my face. She then posed in front of me and my brain seemed to turn into mush.

“So, do you like?”

I may have been in a bit of a stupor, but I realised something. She wasn't asking to be teasing, but there was a hint of genuine concern there. I know Rarity hadn’t been on any serious dates before, and she took pride in the fact that she had never let herself be courted for the sake of it. I was probably the first creature she had ever done this sort of thing with. Her tone of voice, her eyes, the nervousness of the pose.

She was just a mare, standing in front of a drake, wanting to be loved.

“Rarity, it wouldn't matter if you were covered in mud and wearing a sack, you would still be the most beautiful pony in Equestria.” The words came so easily for me.

The sparkle in her eyes was all I needed to know that was exactly what she wanted to hear, but her next actions spoke louder than any words ever could. She basically pounced on me, pushing me a little forcefully backward onto my back, Rarity landing gently on top of me. She combed my head spines with a hoof as she spoke “Spike, you always showed me love even when I didn't deserve it. And I know you’re now mature enough to understand a proper relationship. Will you forgive me for all the time I made you wait?”

“Some things are definitely worth waiting for” I replied, surprised by my own poetry.

The sapphire eyes burned into mine, but there was something I had to say “Rarity, I'm kinda pinned under you right now.”

“I know, my Spikey Wikey” she cooed back,using her pet name for me for the first time today “Why, do you want me to move away?

“Huh, not really” I admitted. Because I course I didn’t, especially as I looked into the eyes. The eyes of a pony that always shined, but today seemed even more radiant and pure than ever before. I then saw Rarity leaning in towards me. I raised my head slightly in response, both of our eyes softening as we titled our heads to the side.

Our lips touched.

Fireworks went off in my brain.

A part of me couldn't believe it was happening, that after all this time it had finally happened. The kiss was fairly chaste and only lasted but a few scant seconds, but in those moments everything changed...

As I walked back towards the castle I reflected on the past hour or so. Rarity and I had only kissed the once, but then sat down to discuss things properly. We had decided that it was best not to hide the relationship from our friends, and next time we saw any of them we would let them know.

We also agreed that we had to go slowly. We were good friends, and had spent a lot of time together, but now we needed to get to know each other in a whole different way. It was probably going to be a while before I got to see Rarity's lingerie again, but that wasn't part of the relationship either of us was in any rush to explore. Besides, all good things come to those who wait.

As soon as I reached the castle, I found Twilight as quickly as possible. I guided her to a sitting room, made her a cup of tea, sat down and told her everything about the day (well, not all the details, she is my mother afterall). She was silent as I spoke, and I started to fear she wouldn’t approve. As I finished, I looked up to her hopefully.

“I am so happy for you two!” Twilight gushed, wrapping me up in a big hug. Comforting words were exchanged between us, and all my fears dissipated. That was until Twilight reminded me of an old promise.

“Yes, I explained to Rarity that already, and we’re going tomorrow.” I replied.

Author's Note

Please note that this is another short story, with only one or two more chapters to go.