Chapters Spike’s Search For Smootches
Author's Note
This story takes place right after Tale Of Silent Night, so read that one first of you haven’t.
Teenage Wasteland
——————————————————————
Spike was starting to wonder if Twilight even loved him anymore, but theory went out the window. Of course Twilight loved him, but she just didn’t show him as much love as when they were living in the Golden Oaks library all those years ago. To put it bluntly, he felt very left out. This feeling really made him think about everything, he thought about EVERYTHING. Past, Present, Future, you name it and he thought about it.
On this day, however, Spike only thought about one thing and one thing only. What was he going to wear for Applejacks birthday party tonight? He though of his special bow-tie made by Rarity, but he shot that thought down. He rummaged through his closet and found a simple little bow tie, black and crafted from satin.
He put the bow-tie on and made his way downstairs, and greeted Twilight, Derpy, Dinky, and Starlight.
“Hi Spike, ready to go?”, Twilight asked him.
“You betcha, Twilight! This is going to be fun!”, Spike replied with a grin.
The others laughed at his attitude, and made their way outside. The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was about 15 minutes in length, so the group began to make small talk. They talked about Applejack, her loyalty, and what they thought she was going to get from her friends. Twilight herself had gotten Applejack a scarf and some mittens, not being a delicatible Apple red.
As they made their way through town, Spike noticed just how many couples there were. The Cakes were snuggling outside their shop, watching their twins play in the snow, Lyra and Bon-Bon were happily trotting to get some groceries, and other couples did their business as the snow fell on the quiet town of Ponyville. Spike just sighed and continued walking, he hated seeing this kind of stuff. He felt very empty as they continued to trek towards the Apple family homestead.
“Are you ok, Spike?”, Derpy asked.
Spike turned his head towards Derpy and began to blush, he hadn’t expected anyone to hear his sigh.
“Yeah, I’m ok. It’s just a little too chilly for my liking.”, he lied.
Derpy nodded and looked back towards her marefriend, who was happily humming her favorite tune. Spike and company then arrived at their destination, Sweet Apple Acres. The group walked up to the rickety old home and knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal Applejack, who bore a very large grin.
“Howdy, y’all! Thanks for making it, Ah hope y’all just have the best time ever!”, Applejack said with a Pinkie-like grin.
The group wished her a happy birthday as they made their way inside. When they entered the decades-old home, they noticed that it was decorated with the most amazing attention to detail. Pinkie Pie had truly gone all out tonight, but that didn’t suprise anyone. The group broke up to find their own place.
Twilight and Derpy went towards the other Elements and began to make small talk. Dinky found Sweetie and Scootaloo, who then went off to help Dinky finally get her cutie mark. All that was left was Spike, and he didn’t have a clue of what to do. He found a seat in the corner of the home, and plopped down.
His thoughts drifted back to the many couples he saw in town. He wasn’t mad at them, he was sad at their actions. He had been yearning for those kind of emotions for years. He had originally thought that he would find it with Rarity, but over time those feelings faded away, he just lost his spark in the fashionista.
His eyes then focused on Twilight and Derpy, who were happily chatting with Rainbow Dash. They looked so happy, so happy that Spike wanted to rip his spines off. He was happy for them, yes, but he was also jealous of their close bond. He sighed again and made his way outside, hoping that some fresh air could maybe clear up his blues.
He went out the door and leaned on the porch. His eyes focused on Luna’s moon, which seemed to wink at him. Creeped out by that, he looked at the many trees that gave the farm it’s name. Unbeknownst to him, there was a pony creeping up from behind. The mare tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to jump in fright.
“Woah, calm down there nelly!” Applejack said.
Spike turned to find Applejack. He began to clutch his heart and breathed heavily.
“Please, don’t do that again, AJ.”, Spike said in between breaths.
“Heh, sorry there Spike. What were you thinking about, sugarcube? Y’all looked really into whatever it was”, Applejack asked.
Spike just looked back at the ground, he didn’t know what exactly he could say. He knew that Applejack was trying to help, but he didn’t want to say that he was lonely.
“Uh, nothing.”, Spike said.
Applejack just looked at her reptilian friend and gave a quizzical look. She may not know what he was thinking, but boy she could smell a lie from a mile away.
“Spike, you should know that lying never works with me. You can tell me what’s wrong, not matter what it is, Ah promise Ah won’t judge.”, Applejack said, honesty seeping from her pours.
Spike hated to admit it, but dang, Applejack was a good convincer. She could sell cake to Celestia, for goodness sake!
“Do you really wanna know? It’s really, really dumb. Plus, it’s your birthday, I wouldn’t want to be a downer tonight.”, Spike said.
Applejack chuckled and shook her head, she didn’t know what he had on his mind, but she was darn sure not gonna stand there and let her friend wallow in his own self pity.
“Sugarcube, Ah don’t care what it’s all about, your important to me. For Celestia’s sake, ya saved me from Timberwolves! Of course A’d be willing to help you out.”, Applejack.
Spike, for the first time in a long time, grew a genuine smile. He didn’t know she cared that much. Spike thought about his options, and just said screw it.
“Well, it’s just that....umm.....I’m tired of being left behind.”, Spike said.
Applejack just looked confused, what did he mean? Did he mean that he hated being left behind during their adventures, was that it? No, it couldn’t be, he had never shown any signs of that, but if it wasn’t that, then what was it?
Spike noticed her look of confusion, and quickly elaborated on his previous statement.
“What I mean is, I’m tired of watching g my friends fall in love. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for them and all, but it’s just so frustrating! But do you know what’s worse? Watching your own SISTER fall in Love right before your eyes. She’s happy, that much is true, but what about me? What about the faithful, trusty assistant? Do think it’s fun to be alone in a giant castle, wasting away while your own flesh and blood is out having the night of her life? Do you?”, Spike asked, his face welling up with tears.
Applejack was taken back by his sudden change of tone and emotion. She had seen his greed take over him, but she had never seen such a tender soul collapse right in front of her before. She wrapped her hooves around him and tried to comfort him, but to little avail. His tears were contagious, as she began to also openly weep.
The amount emotion being displayed by the farmer and the dragon could’ve made Maud Pie preform Bohemian Rhapsody. The two soon pulled back and looked deep within the others eyes. Spike tried to muster up the courage to speak, but was quickly shushed by Applejack.
“Spike, Ah know how y’all feel. Mac is always out and about with Marble, and it can get pretty lonesome ‘round here. Applebloom is always gone, and Granny Smith just sleeps and snores, so I get plenty of time to myself. I wanted to put an end to that feeling, but ah wasn’t sure how it could be done, but now ah think I know.”, Applejack stated.
Spike looked genuinely interested in what she had to say, and for all he knew it could’ve been anything.
“Why don’t we go out sometime, just me an’ you. Maybe that could take away these feelings and brighten our spirits.”, Applejack proposed.
Spike’s face had thought written all over it. On one hoof, it would be nice to try to get out of this funk, but on the other hoof it could be awkward. By the way Applejack had said it, she made it sound like a date. Suddenly his face lit up, he made a sudden realization.
Maybe...just maybe.....Applejack was the answer to his blues. The cure to his heartache. Maybe she was his ticket out of this teenage wasteland.
“Sure, Applejack, i’d love to go out. How about this Saturday at, let’s say, 5:30?”, Spike asked.
“Ah don’t see a problem with that, but what exactly would we do?”, she asked.
Spike pondered for a good 3 seconds before giving his answer.
“How about we just keep it simple and see what happens. It could be fun to just go with the flow.”, Spike added.
Applejack smiled back and opened her mouth to speak.
“A’d like that, Spike, Ah really would”, she said happily.
“Hey, Applejack! Spike! It’s time to bob for apples! You comin’?”, Applebloom called from inside the house.
The pair looked at each other and laughed. They made their way inside the house, but along the way, they both thought the same thing.
“Maybe change is on the rise”.
Spike’s Search For Smootches
Saturday, a day of leisure and laziness for all ponykind, the one day where all the worries go down the drain. For some, it was just THEIR day. For others, it was yet another 24 hours. For two residents in Ponyville, however, their Saturday was going to hopefully be eventful.
Spike and Applejack used the first half of the day to freshen up, making sure that everything was clean and classy. Spike polished his scales, making them shine like fireworks on Equestria Day. Applejack brushes her usually straight mane, trying to give it a regal, yet simple look. They were both ready, that was surely true.
The time was 5:20, ten minutes away from their outing on the town. They chose to call it an outing because the word date sounded awkward. Plus, it’s not like they wanted it to be a date, right? Well, maybe that’s reason.
Truth be told, Spike thought Applejack was actually quite attractive, though he always thought that it was a friendly type of attractiveness. On the other side, Applejack thought that the once baby dragon had grown into his scales. Whether these thoughts would be brought up tonight, however, was an entirely different question. Right now, the focus was on the experience.
Anyway, they pair began to make their way to their mutually decided meeting point, which was Sugarcube Corner. They both said goodbye to their respective families and made their way to the sweet establishment. When they arrived, the clock had just struck 5:30. Pretty good timing, wouldn’t you say?
“Hey.”, Spike greeted.
“Howdy, Spike. Are ya having a good night?”, Applejack replied.
“Yep, how about you?”, Spike asked back.
“Well, A’d say that Ah am. You ready to go?”, Applejack once again asked.
“You bet, let’s go.”, Spike said.
Applejack nodded and the two began to walk. They began to make their way through the quiet town, taking in many sights. Applejack was the one who broke the silence, and Spike was all ears.
“So..Spike?”, Applejack asked.
“What’s up, AJ?”, Spike replied.
“What was it like growing up with the princess?”, Applejack asked.
Applejack didn’t know why she chose such a random topic, but decided to go along with it. She didn’t really know much about Spike’s early life, so she was quite curious of what it was like.
“Well, I guess it was normal, I mean about normal as living with a princess could be”, Spike said.
Applejack laughed at the snide comment, she liked when Spike showed his sense of humor.
——————————————————————
Gone was the bright smile, and in its place was a thought filled frown. His mood seemed to be dampened and sad, almost as if he was thinking about something ending. Applejack, hating the sight, tried to get some words out of Spike.
“Something wrong, Spike?”, Applejack asked.
Spike looked up and met her gaze. It was clear that he was thinking about something heavy.
“No, there’s nothing wrong, AJ. I’m fine.”, Spike said.
Applejack smelt the lie and pounced on it. She then asked a question that would turn the conversation around.
“Are you sure? Y’all know you can tell me what’s wrong, right? You can trust me.”, Applejack said.
Spike’s gaze, while not brightening, showed a bit more comfort when her words reached him.
“Well, I guess I’m afraid of the future.”, Spike replied.
“What do you mean?”, Applejack asked with a confused look.
“Applejack, tonight has been one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time. I don’t feel left out, or forgotten, or even empty. I just feel, well, right. I’m just afraid because it’s almost over.”, Spike said.
“You really feel that way, Spike?”, Applejack asked.
“Yep.”, Spike said simply.
Applejack was genuinely touched by his words, but she didn’t know what he meant by “afraid”.
“Why are you afraid then?”, Applejack asked.
Spike hesitated, but eventually responded.
“I’m afraid that I’ll go back to being alone. I’m afraid I’ll go back to being by myself in that castle, wasting away. You took that away, AJ. Those feeling are gone, and I thank you for that”, Spike said.
Applejack didn’t know what to say, but what could she say? He was right, tonight had been amazing, and she didn’t want it to end either. It was then that Applejack saw her freind Spike differently. He wasn’t just Twilight’s assistant, he wasn’t just her friend, he was a good, humble soul who just wanted to be appreciated.
“Spike, Ah feel the same. Tonight has honestly been one of the best nights ever, and I truly don’t want it to end. Ah also feel afraid, a’hm afraid that it’s just gonna be the same again. But, it doesn’t have to be.”, AJ said.
Spike wondered what she meant by that, so he chose to ask.
“What do you mean, AJ?”, Spike asked.
“Spike, your a good guy,and a great assistant, but your best quality is that your a good friend. Ah’d Be lyin’ if Ah said Ah didn’t want to do this again. In fact, let’s just hang out, just you and Ah. I need this too, Spike, and your the perfect one to share it with.”, Applejack finished with a smile.
Spike’s face lit up with a grin. Her words meant so much to him. It was then that he saw Applejack in a different way. She no longer seemed like a friend, but now she felt more like a trusted companion.
“AJ, would you like to go on a date sometime?”, Spike asked, not fully realizing what he said.
“Spike, Ah would like nothin’ more”, Applejack said.
They both smiled, it truly felt like the hard times had faded, and that good times were on the horizon.
Spike’s Search For Smootches
After their very successful date a month ago, Applejack and Spike were pretty much inseparable. Of course, it wasn’t every day that they saw each other. But when they did, by Celestia did they make the most of it.
On Friday, Spike went over to Sweet Apple Acres to see what AJ was up to. When he reached his destination, he spotted Applejack under a tree strumming a guitar. Now, Spike could play guitar; he only played rock, however. Folk wasn’t exactly his strong suit, but for AJ he would try anything. He slowly made his way over to the tree and heard what could only be described as musical perfection.
The way that Applejack played the beat-up acoustic wasn’t beautiful, It wasn’t complex, yet it wasn’t simple. It was calm and homey, with a hint a passion.
“Hey Applejack”, Spike managed to choke out.
Applejack stopped and turned to the drake with an extremely relaxed expression.
“Hey there, sugarcube. How’s your day been?”, she asked with a dreamy grin on her face.
“It’s been fine, I guess. Twilight has been stressing about something and I’m starting to worry. It’s literally keeping her up at night”, Spike said worriedly.
“Aw, it’s good you care Spike. I think she’ll be fine, though. You know Twi, she’s all head”, AJ said jokingly.
Spike chuckled and sat beside her. He really liked days like today. The sun, the scent, and the song; a beautiful combination.
“You know, Applejack, I didn’t know you played guitar”, Spike said.
“Oh, yeah, mah daddy taught me. He always said that music could cure anything that life threw at ya”, Applejack said happily.
“Well, you play really well. You could make some serious dough, honestly”, Spike said.
Applejack chuckled and turned to the drake.
“Ah appreciate that, Spike, but I just play for others joy. I’ve had to play lullabies for Apple Bloom on more than one occasion, and seeing her fade away is satisfying”, Applejack started to talk.
Spike listened closely, but was more focused on the mare that was talking. He had grown incredibly fond of AJ ever since that wonderful first date, but he didn’t know what they were. We’re they together? Or were they just real good buddies?
Well, whatever they were was killing Spike. He just HAD to know.
“So Applejack...”, Spike asked.
“Yeah?”, Applejack answered back.
Spike paused and carefully chose his words. Whatever they were, he wasn’t gonna lose it.
“What exactly are we?”, he plainly asked.
“What do ya mean?”, AJ asked back.
Spike gulped and continued.
“Are we...You know....An item?”, Spike asked.
He expected a hoof to the chin, but instead got a hoof on his hand.
“Well, Ah think we are. Spike, you make me really happy, plus you’re an amazing guy. If there’s anypony I would want to be with, It’d be you”, Applejack said.
“Wow...Uh...Thanks Applejack. That really means a lot. I like you a lot, AJ. Sorry if it didn’t sound romantic or anything”, Spike blushed.
“It’s alright, Spikey, that’s just who you are; and believe me, Ah like you for that”, Applejack said sweetly.
Spike blushed and hoped this wasn’t a dream.
“You know, AJ, I would love to take you out again. I loved the first date so much that it’s all I’ve thought about”, Spike admitted.
“Same here, Spike. I would love to go on another date with ya, just name the time and place”, Applejack said.
Spike put his claw to his chin and thought hard. He soon came up with an idea.
“Well, why don’t we just take a stroll around Sweet Apple Acres. I’ve always loved this place and I think it’s the perfect site for a date. What do ya say?”, Spike asked.
“Ah think it’s a great idea! How about Ah bring my guitar? You said you play, why don’t we just have fun?”, AJ proposed.
“That sounds awesome! Let’s go”, Spike pointed towards the path.
Applejack nodded and they took off.
——————————————————————
When Luna’s moon lit the sky, AJ and Spike decided to settle down next to a tree.
“That was a nice stroll, Spike. You made laugh with joke”, Applejack chuckled upon memory.
“Yeah, well you know Celestia and cake, they go hoof in hoof!”, Spike cracked up.
They laughed for a bit and settled when they noticed the stars. It was like something out of a Van Goh painting.
“You wanna jam?”, AJ said while pushing the guitar towards Spike.
“Sure, I’m always down for a jam”, Spike said and snatched the instrument up.
He made sure it was in tune and played few chords.
He then began to sang a gentle melody.
The stars at night are so bright, Under this blanketed night,
They comfort me when I’m weak, And they hold the secrets I keep,
Maybe when I fade away, With I will spend my days,
Lighting the night away, Lighting the night away,
Applejack sat in awe at his voice. It was rugged, yet sensitive.
“Spike....Where did ya learn to sing that way?”, AJ asked with her mouth agape.
“Well, after you sort books for a day, you need a little something to pass the time. I found music”, Spike explained.
“Ah..Ah can’t really follow that. You just took my breath away”, Applejack said dreamily.
“Sure you can, AJ. I heard you earlier, just sing that”, Spike said
Applejack nodded and took her guitar back. She cleared her throat and began to sing.
What else should I be? All apologies, What else should I say? Everyone is gay,
What else should I write? I don’t have the write, What else should I be? All apologies,
In the sun, In the sun I feel as one, In the sun, In the sun,
Married, Buried,
As Applejack sang, Spike’s eyes were wide and in awe. Her voice was so haunting l, and paired with tre lyrics it was nothing but incredible.
As AJ finished, she had some tears in her eyes.
“Applejack....That was beautiful. How do you even know that song? I didn’t take you for the grunge type”, Spike asked.
“Ah like all kinds of music. Somedays it’s grunge, others it’s folk, even punk on a good day. Music helps me, Spike”, AJ said.
Spike nodded and continued to look into her green orbs. They stared back with intense happiness.
They joined at the lips for a kiss. It wasn’t short, but it wasn’t liking either.
“AJ.....I think I....”, Spike started.
“Ya don’t even gotta say it, sugarcube, Ah love you too”, Applejack said passionately.
The two then fell asleep under Luna’s moon, which somehow winked again at the drake.
