Frayed Feathers and Scales

Spike sighed softly as he exited the shower, a towel wrapped around his lower half. His tail swung back and forth, lazily fanning is legs with air.

He checked his sharp canines, pulling a gem shard out of them, then smiled softly as his tail waved behind him.

He looked around, then adjusted the towel, checking the corners of the bathroom to see that no one was going to pop out, then sighed to himself.

"Spike...why are the ladies so into you?"

This wasn't a boast or cocky remark. He buried his face into his hands and repeated the question, an exhausted groan erupting from him.

He pulled his hands away, then gave a confused look at he heard something clatter to the ground.

He turned around, jaws open, ready to burn whoever thought it would be a good idea to sneak up on him, and he knew it wasn't Rainbow Dash or Pinkie, as they were too noisy to be properly hidden.

He looked around, his rounded pupils becoming slits as he surveyed the bathroom. Once nothing popped out, he looked down, blinking as he relaxed.

A scale sat there.

He blinked again, then lifted up the purple scale, giving a confused look around. He turned to his tail, another scale already growing in, then looked back at it.

He wasn't supposed to shed for another week, what's up with this?

His long, forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air, turning to the sink. He left his clothes in his room, he would have to go and get them.

He sighed, a small spark coming out as he adjusted his towel, then opened the door, walking out of the room.

He felt...refreshed. He no longer had to hold the world on his shoulders with the weight of his and Gildas relationship.

Twilight had accepted her, even if she gave her a look every time they walked by. But, with the admission from yesterday still fresh on his mind, he felt on top of the world.

He quietly dodged Twilight and Starlight as they conversed back and forth, then ducked under a Pinkie jump hug, who then disappeared under a potted plant, much to Spikes confusion.

He shrugged and kept walking, humming to himself as he opened the door, only to be greeted with a pleasant surprise any straight, hot blooded male would love to see; Gildas rump.

Spike quietly shut the door as he admired her perfect rump, giving an goofy smile. It was the perfect blend of fat and muscle, and the way it jiggled made Spikes fire burn hotter.

He felt his member rise when he suddenly spotted something that made it deflate; Gilda was holding a photo.

Not just any photo, but the photo of when he...his birthday incident. She peered curiously at the giant monster, its jaws open to give a soundless roar while its spines, jagged and misshapen erupted out of its back. She blinked as she saw its emerald green eyes and, in its hand, was a woman with curly, purple hair.

"What are you doing?" Spike asked, his hands on his hips, making Gilda jump.

"Oh, uh...sorry Spike. I was looking through your comics and found this." She handed him the photo, making Spike give a soft sigh, staring at the photo. "Where did ya get a badass cover like that?"

"It isn't part of a comic." Spike responded, setting the picture on his bed.

Gilda flashed him a confused look, before blushing, seeing his half nude body. She coughed, then turned around, giving him privacy. He looked over, smiling, then pulled on some underwear. He pulled his sweatpants on, a boring grey, returning his gaze to the picture, forgetting his need for a shirt.

"So, what is it?" Gilda asked, turning around, her blush returning once she saw his naked upper body. She'd love to leave hickies on that cute neck of his, leave everyone a reminder who his girlfriend is n-

Her thoughts stopped when she saw his face, seeing two things his eyes; fear and regret.

His eyes gently brimmed with tears, before he noticed Gilda staring at him. He wiped the tears away, then gave her a nervous chuckle, responding, "A...a mistake."

"What happened" Gilda asked, peering at the picture. She noticed the dragon seemed familiar. Its eyes were a beautiful shade of...green...

Wait a minute.

"This...is your dad?!" Gilda yelled out. She looked back, seeing Spike, slowly snickering, the regret erasing off of his face. He then started to chuckle, starting to laugh after.

"My dad! Aha! Oh jeez, my sides!" Spike fell back, holding his sides, making Gilda blush. Her anger started to surface, making her put her hands on her hips.

"What's so funny?!" She barked, only to see her anger stop when Spike stopped laughing, cowering in on himself.

"S-sorry." He muttered out, giving her unintentional puppy eyes. She could only sigh, then wrapped and arm around his shoulder, pulling him into his side.

"Sorry. My...anger can get the better of my sometimes, little dude." Gilda apologized, flashing him a soft smile.

That made Spike gently press against her, then smile. "So, who is this dude? Your grandpa or somethin'?"

"No, no. That is me." Spike waved his hand, not noticing the look Gilda gave him. Spike gently handed her his scale, which she compared to the dragon; it was the same color as his.

Gilda looked over at Spike, seeing him frown at the wall. She studied his face, noticing his green hair matching the jagged spines on its head and back. She glanced at his tail, it was shorter and slightly thick compared to the long tail, but it definitely had the same spade.

"What happened to you?" Gilda asked, making him shift uncomfortably against her.

"Just...something with my biology. It's when I got too many objects on my birthday, my greed sorta controlled my body. It forced me into a mutated version of myself and I...rampaged through the town, stole everything in my way."

"Woah."

"Yeah. I didn't hurt anyone like, seriously. A few scrapes and cuts, maybe a few destroyed shops and damaged buildings, but no fatalities...luckily." Spike gave a nervous laugh, then looked up at her, his eyes showing worry of judgement.

Gilda leant down to kiss his forehead, making him smile and blush. "Look, Spike...we all make mistakes. I have...hurt many people and I have not been the nicest person around, but...you can't let that define who you are, be is a giant monster that destroys cities or a mean bitch with an anger management problem."

Spike started to hum softly, then look up at her, giving her a soft peck on the lips. "Thanks Gilda."

Gilda blushed, gently brushing her fingers over her lips. She then teased, "Besides, I think a short dragonblood is sexier than a fire breathing dinosaur."