What do you see?

Spike dunked the remaining part of his donut into the decaf coffee that had just been topped up. It was way too late at night for anybody, let alone a baby dragon, to be drinking strong coffee. Even on a night like this…

The whelp sat alone in one of the street facing booths of Joe's Donut Shop, pony-watching as the mostly couples in the street walked by. Today was a day for couples, not for a loner who nopony loves.

Of course he knew he was being a little too melodramatic there. Twilight loved him like family, which made sense given he really was her family. Her princess duties had brought her to Canterlot (some weird magic thingy to do with Cadance on this day that the other Princess had to help with) and ever the faithful assistant he had come along.

And they hadn’t come alone, Rarity had also come up with them for a few days. She was due to check in on her Canterlot Boutique and make a few adjustments for clients. After all, Hearts and Hooves day was a much bigger deal in the Capital than in the small town of Ponyville, not in passion but in terms of bits spent. Spike preferred the more rustic way of doing things, seemed so much pure than the materialistic way the nobles did it.

But it was a shopkeeper's dream so of course Rarity had come up to help Sassy Saddles in the final tailoring for the most fussy, but lucrative, of clients. And of course as always he had helped out Rarity all day as she created new masterpieces. And of course, as always, he was left alone as she went on a date with somepony else.

Like every other time for the past few years.

“Hey Spike, fancy a top up and another donut.” Joe came over to ask.

“Yeah, but sure you’re not closing up soon?”

“Not tonight young drake, it’ll be a late one for me.” the unicorn half smiled, half sighed as he walked away.

Joe was a good stallion, and a family man. It was strange to think he would be working Hearts and Hooves evening, but it was a busy evening for him as well. The nobles may have their fancy restaurants and shows, but for younger couples a donut date hit the spot without hitting the bit bank too badly.

Spike had seen many couples come and go that evening, and despite being happy for them, each one was still a dagger in his tender heart. Dwelling on that, Spike barely noticed that somepony had sat down in the booth behind him.

“What do you see in me Spike?” he heard a familiar voice sigh, the sweetest one he knew.

Spike looked in the window and could just about see a reflection of the pony in the other booth, a white furred, purple maned goddess who for some reason had decided to sit in the next booth with her back to him.

Spike was confused, but guessed for some reason Rarity didn’t want to be seen. “I don’t understand” Spike half-whispered back.

“What do you see in me Spike? I just want to know as no-one else but you seems to see it.”

This was dangerous territory for their friendship and Spike knew it, but his friend needed him “I’m sure I’m not the only….”

“Prince Blueblood - ” Rarity interrupted “- Trenderhoof, every other stallion who has or hasn’t asked me out...”

Spike got up and walked to the next booth, sitting opposite Rarity. Her make-up had run a little with tears, not that Spike cared about things like that. “What went wrong?” Seeing Rarity raise an eyebrow, he added “Well, I won’t ask how the date went because it's pretty clear something is wrong.”

Rarity sighed, using a napkin to dab her eyes “He was just after my connections to the princesses, and the status that my business provides. Nopony seems to want me for me.”

The words angered Spike. This wasn’t the first pony that had asked Rarity out who was just aiming to use her rather then because of love. It made his blood boil but knew he had to maintain his composure for Rarity’s sake.

“Rarity...there are a lot of jerks out there…”

“Yeah, and I seem to attract them.” Rarity said a little harshly, but Spike ignored the tone.

“...but there are a lot of good ponies too. Good ponies who will appreciate you for who you are” The most beautiful and sexy unicorn in Equestria Spike added mentally.

“That's just a fantasy Spike, it’s not really like that. The stories go on about finding your Prince Charming, but it doesn't happen.”

“That’s nonsense!” Spike proclaimed, causing a reaction in Rarity for Spike never disagreed with her “Look at Big Mac and Cheerilee, Lyra and Bon Bon, Princess Cadance and Shining Armour, Fluttershy and…”

“Oh, so it’s just me then?” Rarity snapped. Spike didn't take it personally, he knew what it was like to have your affections spurned.

Joe brought over a mug of coffee and a donut for Rarity “Here, it’s on the house” he remarked as he discreetly left the two of them to talk.

“Rarity, I know you are hurting right now, and rightly so. Your date tonight, well, he was a jerk. And you're better off without him.”

“Oh, so I can be an old mare, a crazy cat lady?”

“Pah” Spike half giggled, earning a disdainful look from his companion “You, alone? You do realise that I wouldn't be able to count the stallions in Ponyville alone who would love to go on a date with you.”

A faint blush formed on Rarity’s face as the truth hit home. She often, probably too often, got her way back in Ponyville with a well timed piece of harmless flirting. “Maybe I am being a little too fussy. I could perhaps think about casting my dating net a bit wider. After all, as you say, there’s plenty of ponies in the world.”

Or dragons Spike thought to himself. However, he knew it wasn’t the right time to say something like that. Noticing Rarity release a yawn, Spike went over to Joe and settled up his billed. “Come on Rarity, it’s late, let's get you to bed.”

Rarity huffed “I’m not a foal with a bedtime Spike, I will go to bed when I’m ready!”

Spike marched back over to Rarity “Now, young lady, you need to rest and recover”

The whelp being so forward with her put Rarity on the backfoot and she nodded in agreement. As she stood up, Rarity started to wobble a little, until Spike quickly added some support. “Are you drunk?” Spike asked.

“I’ve only had a few drinks” Rarity protested, until she noticed the look on Spike’s face “Okay, about six”

Spike knew six was a lot for a lightweight like Rarity, or Fluttershy “Let's take a leisurely walk back to the castle then, that should clear your head a little”

Rarity smiled down at her friend. Ah Spike, always looking out for me, and Twilight...and Starlight. Actually, you do the same for everypony don’t you? What a noble beast you are.

As Rarity started out of the shop, she turned round and wonkily levitated the box containing chocolates that her so-called date had given her. “For misses, er, Joe” Rarity smiled at the stallion, not knowing his surname.

Joe spotted the shop name on the box, the most expensive Confectioner in town and probably more expensive than any gift Joe had ever brought his wife “I can’t give these to my wife, she knows I can’t afford things like that.”

“Say that a patron gave them to you, for providing a port in an emotional storm.” Rarity smiled.

Spike saw this unfold, the spirit of generosity living up to her element. How anypony could not love her was a mystery to him.

Originally Rarity had been bit annoyed that Spike had basically ordered her to bed, but once she got out into the fresh air she knew he had been right. She could tell she was a bit tipsy, and the air had a certain clarifying effect, even if her body was still a little uncoordinated.

“Thank you for making sure I’m okay Spike. After the Inspiration Manifestation fiasco I should know you have my best interests in heart.”

“I would never normally tell you what to do, I know the issues you had with your parents growing up, but I’m your friend so I’ve always got your back.”

Rarity smiled, and looked over to her companion. It may have not been the best choice of conversation, but in the state she was in she needed to know “You never answered my question Spike”

“What question?”

“What do you see in me Spike?” Rarity asked as casually as possible. However, Spike was no fool and could hear the insecurity in her voice. And knew that he was going to have to say some uncomfortable things to comfort his friend.

“What's not to see?” Spike replied softly “When I first laid eyes on you, your were the most beautiful pony I had ever seen. And in these years since, that remains true.”

“But obviously that was only surface beauty, I have been blessed to get to have you as a friend and see your inner beauty. And not just ‘generosity’- “Spike air quoted “ but your kind, loyal, smart and can have fun when you let your mane down a bit.”

Spike could see a faint blush on Rarity’s cheeks “Yes, you have your imperfections, who doesn’t? But your soul, your grace, your beauty, your…erm...body…”

Rarity flicked her eyes to Spike “My body? You...you think about me like that?”

“Well, yeah, not in a creepy way honest!” the whelp twiddled his claws as he spoke “But, you know, despite my size I’m not a foal and I...appreciate an attractive mare when I see one” Spike sort of mumbled.

“It’s okay Spike, I’m not mad or upset, just a little surprised.”

Spike took a deep breath “Well, you are tremendously sexy as well as beautiful and cute.”

Spike had grown a bit in the past year. Sure, he was still smaller than the average pony, but was nearly close to a filly’s size. Luckily, he was a lot stronger and so had managed to just about hold Rarity up when she wobbled a bit, due to a mixture of alcohol and the comments from her friend.

As she steadied, the faint blush grew in intensity “Sexy? You think I’m sexy?”

Spike scratched the back of his head, wishing he didn't have to do this “Yeah, of course. Surely you must know how alluring you are, with a toned body, seductive movement and posture, and….erm...not to be lewd or anything...” Spike trailed off, trying to think of the right word.

Rarity paused and when Spike turned around to see what was wrong, fearing he had gone too far, found himself being brought into a hug “Thank you for your honesty Spike.” Releasing her companion and starting walking again, she added “Whilst as a lady I would normally be aghast at such things being said, as a mare, I appreciate the thoughts.”

Spike picked up that was said with a hint of Rarity’s flirtatious tone, but ignored it for now. Resuming normal conversation, they soon found themselves back in the Castle, and in no time outside Rarity’s room. Rarity pushed open the door, stepped through and turned around “Would you like to come in for a Nightcap?”

“I don’t think having more drink is what you need right now.”

Rarity chuckled “Oh Spike you silly goose, when a lady ask you in for a nightcap she’s not asking you for a drink…”

The realisation of what Rarity was saying dawned on Spike “Wait, what...no no no” Spike backed away.

Rarity chucked and began to circle round Spike, swaying her hips a little “Come now Spikey Wikey, you want to make me happy don’t you?”

“Rarity, I don’t think you are thinking clearly.”

Rarity puffed and scoffed in the slight beatboxing way she sometimes accidently did “Nonsense Spike, I have never been so sure of anything in my life” she cooed as she sauntered towards him, placing a hoof on his chest.

Spike gently lower the hoof, causing Rarity’s face to fall “So, all those words were just a lie, you don’t find me attractive, nopony does” Rarity moped dramatically.

Spike cross his arms unimpressed “Rarity, that trick won’t work on me.” Thinking fast, he placed a claw on the side of Rarity’s face and looked into her eyes “If you still feel the same tomorrow, then trust me - I will rock your world. But not tonight...I need to be fully rested to give you what you want.“

Rarity practically quivered with excitement “To tomorrow then, my love!” she purred, before walking into her room, swishing her tail excitedly as she did.