Exposure Therapy

"Twilight? Sunset? You awake ye-EEP!" A new voice squeaked the next morning, waking Twilight up.

"Mm....huh?" Twilight yawned, getting her glasses. She blinked a few times before finding herself looking at another unicornblood girl; this one with hair and tail similar to hers, but bright amaranth with purple and violet streaks. She also had glasses, though her's looked worn and repaired more than once, along with a simple, sheer blue nightgown. "Oh, hi, Moondancer."

"H-hi...uh...am...I...are we...?" Moondancer rapidly looked at all three of them, her cheeks blazing.

"What?" Twilight looked at a still sleeping Spike, and Sunset, who was stirring when it clicked, her own face reddening quickly. "Oh, OH! Uh, heh-heh....we can explain. Ah, is Starlight with you?"

After several minutes of explaining, blushes, and a few innuendo on Sunset's part, Moondancer, and Starlight Glimmer, were sitting on the couch, wide-eyed and full of questions. Starlight was another unicornblood girl, with moderate and light violet hair with pale aquamarine highlights, wearing a t-shirt and tanga shorts. She was also the first to speak up. "S-so, the principals agreed to let his parents enroll him here, to try and help cure his fear?"

"That's the gist of it." Sunset replied. "Granted, he can talk to other girls besides me and Twilight...as long as there's some space, or us, between him and them."

"I...I'm still trying to work my head around it all." Moondancer admitted, looking over at the slumbering giant. "Look at him, he's huge! The thought of him being terrified of...well, me is..." She trailed off with a squeak of confusion.

"Don't you think you're exaggerating a little, Moondancer?" Twilight asked, looking back at him. "Sure, he's a little taller then us, but still."

"Twilight, look at him!" Moondancer pointed. "At best, a double bed is six feet in length. He sticks out off it by a foot, at least!"

"That's what I told her last night!" Sunset added, stepping over to him. "See? He goes the complete length!"

"Huh?" A look of bewilderment crossed Twilight's face. "But...but he wasn't that much taller than Principal Celestia when he got here yesterday!"

"Wait. Twilight, didn't you say he was scared almost all day yesterday? Especially after the girls started grouping around him?" Starlight asked.

"Yeah, but-" She stopped and facepalmed. "Twilight Sparkle, you ninny. I can't believe you forgot about that! Of course he'd be bigger after he's calmed down sleeping; dragonbloods have emotion-based mass fluctuation!"

"Ok, I'm going to pretend I've heard that before and ask for a refresher." Sunset commented, a hand on her hip.

"A dragonblood has a default height, but a strong enough bout of emotion can cause their own innate magic to react and alter their size." She responded. "Like fear will shrink them down, letting them move into smaller area easier then their normal height. And anger'll cause an increase, making them look a lot more intimidating. From what I've read, their size can alter as much as twenty-four inches from the default."

"Which means Spike is one big boy. Wonder what else is..." Sunset started, before Twilight's glare silenced her. "Right...well, since you two are here, I guess we better get started. He'll probably wake up before long."

"Just remember, no sudden movements towards him." Twilight sighed. "Learned that the hard way when Pinkie got exited."

"Wait, you mean he's what smashed the gym fire exit??" Moondancer's jaw dropped a little. "How...how strong is he!?" She squeaked. "Those doors are at least quarter inch steel, and at least a couple of hundred pounds! It was ripped right off the hinges and nearly folded in half!"

"I...I don't really know." Twilight admitted. "Maybe I'll ask when things settle a little. Right now though, we should probably get started."

Half an hour later, and when the four were engrossed in a debate over arcane science, a deep yawn from the bed grabbed their attention. Twilight looked to see Spike sit up, scratching his head. "Oh, morning Spi-" Her voice died when she realized just what he'd slept in. He'd changed to a pair of pajama pants and a snug-fitting t-shirt, showing off the definition of his chest and shoulders.

"Whoa...Spikey's ripped!" Sunset managed to get out, fanning herself.

"To quote Fluttershy: oh my...!" Starlight's eyes widened a little.

Moondancer just bit her lip, cheeks reddening.

"Mm...Morning, Twi." He mumbled, yawning again as he climbed out of the bed, inadvertently looming over all four girls. "Shower?"

"Oh, y-yeah...it-it's over...over there." Twilight pointed shakily towards a nearby door, her glasses fogging up, and thankfully for her, hiding her blush.

"Thanks..." He sleepily dug through his bags for clean clothes and shower stuff before heading to it.

The four quietly watched as he walked into the bathroom, barely breathing until the door closed. Once the heard the 'click' of the lock, they slumped into whatever seats they were by.

"D-Dear lord!" Moondancer squeaked, panting slightly. "It should be ILLEGAL for a guy to be that hot!"

"You can say that again!" Starlight tugged at her shirt.

"Whooo...and I thought he was delicious before." Sunset licked her lips. "Mee-yooow!"

Twilight, however, just sat there, visible wisps of steam wafting off her cheeks and horn sparking slightly. "Spike...m-muscles...big!"

"Um...sh-should we get back to...to..." Starlight blinked. "What were we talking about again?"

After a few minutes, and once they all managed to calm down, they settled on term papers they were going to work on later that year. The conversation continued on, mixed in with commentary about recent goings-on around the campus.

At least, that lasted until the bathroom door opened again and Spike stepped out.

In just a towel. "Twi, Sunset? Is it ok I use your toothpaste? I forgot to bring..." He trailed out when she saw Moondancer and Starlight, paling a little in the process.

Starlight gulped, her eyes never leaving his chest.

"Illegal!" Moondancer squeaked.

Twilight just 'eep'ed and clamped her hands over her nose as red began trickling out.

"Again, mee-yoow!" Sunset exhaled, a perverse grin on her face before she managed to settle down. "Um, Sexy-I mean Spike, this is Moondancer and Starlight Glimmer." She pointed to each in turn. "And, well, we're the Canterlot Academy Academics Club."

The two just waved slightly.

Spike just looked at them...then shrieked before slamming the door closed.