Spike tentatively knocked on the door. He still couldn’t believe he was doing this. After his final day at the boutique, he was tempted to delete Belle’s number from his phone. It could have been a clean break. No more seeing each other. No more wondering what could have been. A simple, true end to it all.

But he hadn’t been able to bring himself to do it. Instead, he had thrown on a clean T-shirt and jeans, and had walked to Scootaloo’s. He wasn’t sure what spurred him into showing up here today. Maybe it was the way Belle had looked at him as her voice broke; the utter honesty in both word and deed. Maybe it was because he felt like he owed Belle something for putting up with him for all this time. Maybe it was something much simpler. Maybe he just wanted to see her again.

The door was opened by Pinkie. She was wearing a tight pink T-shirt that matched her hair, and near see through yoga pants. It took an extreme effort from Spike not to outright goggle a her.

“Hey Spike!” said Pinkie Cheerily.

“Hi Pinkie,” said Spike. “I guess everyone is inside?”

“You betcha,” said Pinkie. “Come on in.” Spike took a deep breath, and stepped over the threshold. The house was just as it was the first time Spike had entered it, only this time there were a lot more people. There were the three girls who lived there, of course, as well as the bouncy pink haired girl who made this her second home. Spike recognized a few faces from his old high school days, included the redheaded Applebloom. There was a group of people Vinyl and Octavia’s age that Spike didn’t recognize. Most of the older people seemed to be clustered tight-knitted into a corner, dancing to a song that Vinyl was playing on her I-pod. Scootaloo, Applebloom, Belle, and an older looking girl that Spike vaguely recognized were sitting on bean bag chairs, passing around a bottle of Ciroc. The older girl’s hair was a pink (a much lighter shade than Pinkie), and she wore a yellow knee length dress. Pinkie led Spike over to the sitting group.

Spike couldn’t help but focus on Belle. She was wearing a lavender blouse and jeans. At Spike’s approach, she burst into a smile. Applebloom and Scootaloo seemed ambivalent. The older girl (who Spike had now recognized as one of Twilight’s old friends) waved as he approached.

“Oh my God Spike, it’s been years!” said the older girl. “Do you remember me?”

“Umm, Fluttershy, right?” asked Spike. The older girl beamed.

“Yes!” said Fluttershy. “How have you been?”

“Fine,” said Spike. He sat in between Belle and Fluttershy. Pinkie whooped and made her way over to the group of dancers, gyrating as she wormed her way into the group.

“Thanks for coming,” said Belle. “I really appreciate it.”

“Oh, my pleasure,” said Spike. “Scoot, Applebloom, how are you guys?”

“Fine,” said Applebloom curtly.

“We’re good,” muttered Scootaloo. A look of displeasure seemed to pass over Belle’s face, but it quickly passed.

“Look Scoob, we’re about halfway through this bottle,” said Belle. “Think we can get to the bottom of this mystery?” Applebloom and Scootaloo both groaned, Fluttershy giggled.

“Guess I gotta catch up,” said Spike. He held out his hand, and Belle passed him the bottle. He steeled himself, and took three long gulps. The entire group looked at him, impressed.

“Damn Spike,” said Scootaloo. “You got an iron gut.”

“You know it,” said Spike. He pounded his chest, and accidentally unleashed a giant burp. The dancing party seemed to skip a beat. Fluttershy slapped her hands over her mouth, but neither Scoot nor Applebloom decided to conceal their laughter. Spike blushed, while Belle patted him on the shoulder.

“Better out than in,” said Belle.

“Hey hey,” called Pinkie Pie. “You guys look like you’re getting a little low on liquor there.” She walked over to the group, reached into her massive pink curls, and pulled out a bottle of Grey Goose. She tossed it to a nonplussed Scootaloo. She tipped the group a wink. “It’s not a party until somebody hurls! Woohoo!” She bounced back into the coil of dancers.

“Oh my,” said Fluttershy. “I just came to hang out, not to get, um, hammered.”

“It’s okay Flutters,” said Scootaloo. “Me and Applebloom can take care of it.” The pair kissed. Spike was taken aback. He remembered hearing Belle talk about the pair getting together, but it was still strange to see them be so intimate.

“Hey, I want in too!” said Belle, snatching the bottle from Scootaloo. Applebloom pulled herself from Scoot, and waggled her eyebrows at Belle.

“Long as Scoot don’t mind, you can get in on this anytime,” Applebloom said sultrily. Scootaloo and Belle simultaneously rolled their eyes.

“Some things never change,” said Belle.

“And thank God fer that!” shouted Applebloom. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a pack of cards. “Anyone wanna play kings?”

“Hell yes!” said Scoot. Belle and Fluttershy nodded.

“Hey, we played kings the first time I came over,” said Spike.

“That’s right!” said Belle. “God, that was a fun night.” Belle and Spike shared a brief glance, and then turned away from each other. Applebloom frowned, and Scootaloo scratched the back of her head.

“Let’s go,” Applebloom said. She slapped down a seven, and four hands shot into the air.

~

It was an hour into the game, and the group was good and drunk. King's has a way of doing that to people; no matter how many times you swear you’ll sip instead of drink, you still end up on your ass. Fluttershy had left the group to go upstairs, and had been replaced by a very wasted Pinkie Pie. Applebloom was on top of Scootaloo’s lap, and it was clear to everyone that it was taking every ounce of their self control for them to not go at it. Belle, meanwhile, was happily talking to Octy and Scratch. Spike was the odd man out. He pensively played with an empty liquor bottle that was in front of him, rolling it back and forth. He just couldn’t relax, not completely. Scoot had ignored him, Applebloom had been stabbing him with snide comments all night, and Belle just looked sad and perplexed. Things were going exactly how Spike feared they would. He stood up with a stretch, taking the empty bottle with him.

“Where ya goin?” asked Pinkie.

“Throwing out empties,” said Spike. True to his word, he began scouring the house for discarded beer cans and liquor bottles. In no time at all Spike had gathered quite a collection. He carefully opened the front door, and closed it with his foot. He balanced the massive stack with the precision of a tibetan monk, and finally placed it in a nearby recycle bin. He walked back up the porch and stared at the front door. He shook his head, and walked over to the porch’s edge. He sat down, and reached into pocket. He had taken a few cigarettes with him, just in case. He had almost kicked the habit, but he was afraid he’d need some emergency stress relief. He pulled a lighter out of his shirt pocket, popped the cigarette in his mouth, and lit it. He hated to admit it, but it was bliss.

“That stuff’ll kill you,” said Scootaloo. Spike turned towards her. He hadn’t even noticed that she’d come out side.

“You gotta die somehow,” said Spike gruffly. Scootaloo scoffed.

“Whatever. Keep looking over there for a second, would ya?” Spike raised an eyebrow. “I gotta pee, and Fluttershy is currently using the toilet as her home base, if you know what I mean.” Spike felt a heat run into his cheeks, and he turned the other way. He heard Scoot go down the stairs, and the rustle of someone nestling themselves into the bushes by the side of the house. He nervously tapped his fingers, hoping that she would hurry up with her business. She didn’t take too long. After a while, Spike heard her coming back up the porch, and turned to see her. She leaned next to him and smiled.

“Not gonna wash your hands?” asked Spike

“I didn’t touch anything,” said Scootaloo. Spike was taken aback, but after giving it another moment's thought he realized this was entirely possible. The heat in his cheeks grew.

“Aww, you’re blushing,” said Scootaloo. “You’re just like Dash’s fiance.”

“Yeah,” muttered Spike. He exhaled a lungful of smoke. “I hear he’s a really swell guy. Nothing but good things.”

“You might be surprised,” said Scootaloo.

“What do you mean?” asked Spike. Scootaloo shook her head.

“Not sure it’s worth getting into,” she said.

“I’d like to hear the story,” said Spike. “It’s getting a little bit stifling in there. I think I’d like to get some air, sober up. Might as well talk in the meantime.” Scootaloo sighed.

“Fair enough,” said Scootaloo. “This is all secondhand, but I did get it directly from the horse's mouth. I was practically Dash’s little sister, back in the day. As she grew up, she grew out of my life. But for a while, I heard everything that was going on. Mind if I have a drag?” Spike shrugged, and handed the cigarette to Scootaloo. She took a long drag off it, and handed it back to Spike.

“Dash and her boyfriend were crushes for a while. Like, a long while. It was one of those weird things where they both kind of thought they had feelings for each other, but neither one wanted to pull the trigger. Dash was afraid she’d ruin the friendship. The guy was too chicken to make a move.

“One day all of Dash’s friends decide to get together, and make the two admit their feelings for each other. It was kind of a harebrained scheme, to be honest. Something out of a story. But it worked somehow. Sort of. Only there were some unexpected consequences.”

“What do you mean?” asked Spike.

“Turns out a lot of the girls had feelings for this guy,” said Scootaloo. “That happens sometimes in groups where all of the friends are one gender except for one. People start falling in love with that friend, and before long they start fighting. The girls all thought they were better than that. They all thought that they could handle it.”

“Rarity was one of them,” said a stunned Spike. He was starting to connect the dots. Her phone call suddenly made a lot more sense

“Yeah,” said Scoot with mild surprise. “Guess you figured that out since she hung with Dash back in the day?”

“Something like that,” said Spike.

“Anyway, like I was saying, they all thought they were better than that,” said Scootaloo. “They were all determined to stay friends. But that’s not what happened. They all started to drift apart. About a year later they looked up, and they realized none of them had seen each other. Dash was engaged to the guy by then. This was about five years ago, I guess. They decided that they’d try to see if lightning would strike twice. They all got together again, although this time without the guy.”

“And did they all stay friends?” asked Spike. Scootaloo frowned.

“No,” said Scootaloo. “They had a gigantic fight. In one case, literally a fistfight. By the end of it, none of them wanted to see each other again.”

“Jesus,” said Spike.

“It gets better,” said Scootaloo. “The guy hears about this, and gets super upset. He hates the fact that he caused the girl's friendship to fall apart. He ruminates on it night and day, and before they know what’s happened, him and Dash have broken up the engagement.”

“But… but obviously it didn’t stay like that,” said Spike. Scootaloo smiled.

“You’re right, it didn’t,” said Scootaloo. “In fact, that’s kind of the point of this story. Cut to two years ago, and it turns out some of the girls have started hanging out almost by accident. Fluttershy and Pinkie, Applejack and Rainbow, Twilight and Rarity. Before long they all try to get together, and wouldn’t you know it, time heals all wounds.”

“It couldn’t have been that easy,” muttered Spike.

“You’re right, it wasn’t,” said Scootaloo. “They’ve never been as close as they used to be. They all still see each other, but for the most part they stick to their own cliques. Still, they’re at least on good terms. But here’s the real silver lining: Dash and her boyfriend got back together. They realized that they were sort of destined for each other.” Scootaloo looked at Spike. “They went through all that, but they still ended up together. Isn’t that something?” Spike frowned.

“So that whole story was to prove a point?” asked Spike.

“Yes,” said Scootaloo. “Love is never easy, but it can survive almost anything. It’s always worth trying for.” Spike rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t come out here for a lecture,” he said.

“Don’t,” said Scootaloo. “Just don’t be that guy. You don’t have to be that guy anymore Spike. You’re better than that.”

“What guy!?” asked Spike exasperatedly.

“That guy who is always a sarcastic asshole for no reason. That guy who just shits on people because he can. That guy who…” Scootaloo crossed her arms. “... who hurts a girl that has some very intense feelings for him.”

“I was just looking out for her,” said Spike. “You’re absolutely right. I’m the kind of guy you regret getting involved with, you know?”

“You’re being so fucking stupid,” hissed Scootaloo. Her hands were shaking furiously. It was taking every ounce of effort she had not to just start screaming in his face.

“Can you honestly tell me Belle has been better off since she met me?” asked Spike.

“No!” said Scootaloo. “But it’s because you keep putting her through all this stupid shit! If you would just stop being an asshole, it would be fine!”

“Whatever,” Spike murmured. “That’s just who I am.”

“No it’s not!” cried Scootaloo. “I think you can be a really nice guy, but I also think that you hurt people. I see the nice guy, and I see this person who hurts people, and I just can’t reconcile them.” Scootaloo shrugged. “I know it’s impossible to control your personality, but it seems like that’s something you could just turn off if you wanted to.”

“It’s not that simple,” said Spike. “If it was, I would have stopped being like this forever ago.”

“Well it’s obviously not simple!” shouted Scootaloo. She knew that her voice might carry and the people inside might hear, but she didn’t care. “It takes time, and effort. But you need to admit to yourself that you can change, otherwise you’ll never even start.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. “I know it from experience, Spike. I know you can change, because I did. I just couldn’t keep pretending to be someone I’m not. And you need to stop pretending. You’re not a punk, Spike. You’re not cooler than the rest of us. High school is over man. It’s time to grow up.”

“Fuck you,” growled Spike. “You think you know me. You don’t know anything about me. Anything about my life.”

“Maybe I don’t know your life, but I know enough to see how you and Belle feel about each other,” said Scootaloo. “I see the way you two act when you’re together. You two are in love. It’s so fucking obvious it hurts.”

“We’ve only really known each other for a few weeks,” said Spike. “You can’t fall in love that quick.”

“Sure you can!” said Scootaloo. “Sometimes you just know, you know? Like, you just meet somebody, and you realize it was meant to be. That’s how it was with me and Bloom.”

“Right. I guess that’s why it took you guys fifteen years to get together,” said Spike.

“Don’t try to change the subject,” said Scootaloo. “You know you love her, and you know she loves you. I don’t care if you think you’re bad for her. Maybe you are, but so what? You won’t really know that until you give it a try.”

“What’s the point?!” shouted Spike. For the first time, Spike was really beginning to lose control over himself. “It’s just going to end in disaster anyway! I know it! I’m absolutely, one-hundred percent positive!”

“How could you be!?” Neither had noticed that they party music had been turned off. “How could you possibly know that it wouldn’t end up working!?”

“BECAUSE EVERYONE ALWAYS LEAVES ME!” roared Spike. Scootaloo stood in stunned silence.

It came in stages. First the anger slowly began to leave Spike. Then, he felt something inside him releasing itself. Something that had been buried for a long, long time. “They always leave me,” said Spike quitely.

“Spike…” said Scootaloo. Spike grit his teeth, and closed his eyes. He marched off the porch, his hands clenched into fists. “Spike, wait!” cried Scootaloo. He began to jog, and then the jog became a run.

He wasn’t sure when he started crying. Wasn’t sure when the cries had become sobs. Wasn’t sure when he had to stop and sit down on the dirty sidewalk.

The town of Ponyville had been his home his whole life. Normally, that thought offered him some sort of comfort. But not tonight. Tonight, the streets were empty, cold, and nearly silent. The only sound that echoed through the still night air was that of his anguished cries.

~

He didn’t know how long he’d sat there. It seemed like an eternity. His knees were pulled up to his chin. Every once in awhile, he’d feel it rushing back up, and would try to stop it. But, inevitably, it came out, and he was wracked by a fresh bout of crying.

He felt something warm embrace him. He didn’t need to ask what it was. He knew.

“Please don’t leave me,” he begged.

“I won’t,” said Belle. “I promise.”

“I can’t take it anymore,” said Spike. “I’m so, so tired of getting close to people, and having them spit in my face. I don’t think I’m worthless, but that’s how people treat me.”

“I don’t think you’re worthless either,” said Belle. “I don’t want to leave you, I never did. But you just kept pushing me away.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just… I just wanted to do it to you before you did it to me. I’m so, so sorry.”

“It’s all right,” said Belle. She tightened her hug, and Spike began to calm down. “Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to come back to my apartment?” Belle asked. Spike’s heartbeat quickened. A thousand excuses passed through his head. But, to his astonishment, he opened his mouth and said,

“Yes.”

~

Belle untangled herself from him long enough to turn the lights on. After she flipped the switch, Spike took her right back in his arms, and kissed her bottom lip softly.

“Bedroom,” she demanded. Spike lifted her bodily, carrying her in his arms like someone on the front of a cheesy romance novel. Belle clasped her hands to her chest. Spike walked into Belle’s open bedroom, and set her down. Spike closed the door behind him, and the two were in the dark. He crawled onto the bed, and loomed over her. Belle could smell his cologne mingled with his sweat. She reached up, and ran a hand across his cheek. It was still wet with tears. “It’s okay,” said Belle. “I promise.”

“I know,” said Spike. He leaned onto her, and she felt his weight press on top of her. It felt right, somehow. Now Spike could smell her. She had the lingering scent of alcohol on her, but it was her hair that he focused on. She used a wonderful smelling shampoo, something lilac, and he buried his face in her curls. He raised his head back up, and gently kissed her. They stayed like that for a while, kissing each other. Belle took his hand, and placed it on her breast. He grasped it, and she moaned into his mouth.

“Fuck,” muttered Spike. “I love it when you do that.” He took his other hand, and placed it on her other breast. She moaned again, and Spike realized he was beginning to lose himself.

“Take your shirt off,” Belle demanded. Spike did. Again, Belle was surprised at how well defined he was. He wasn’t rugged, but years of skating has shaved all the fat off his body. She moved her hands down to his ass, and took a cheek in each hand. She squeezed them hard, and Spike let out an involuntary squeal. Belle tittered.

“I love it when you do that,” she said deviously. Suddenly overcome by a need for dominance, Belle muscled him off of her. She flipped him onto his back. Spike was too stunned by her aggressiveness to fight back. She straddled him, and planted her lips on his with the ferocity of an amazon warrior. They entwined tongues, and Belle grasped Spike’s wrists. She was in full control. The moonlight illuminated her prey, stunned and helpless underneath her. His eyes were wide as he observed him. “You’re amazing,” she said. She kissed the nape of his neck, and began to work her way down his chest. She lingered on his stomach, and let go of his wrists. Her hands found his belt, and began to pull it off.

“Belle-”

“No talking,” she said. “We need this. I need you, Spike. I need you now. That’s all that matters.” She pulled his belt off of him, tossing it behind her. Belle reached down, and pulled her shirt over her head. She was wearing a plain black bra, nothing fancy, but she swore that she could feel Spike twitch beneath her. “You wanna do the honors?” Belle asked. Spike nodded eagerly, and reached behind her. His face began to contort with effort.

“Goddammit,” he muttered. “I hate these things.” Belle giggled, and reached behind her. She undid the clasps in a flash, and tossed her bra aside. Spike’s hands were immediately on her. She tried to suppress another moan, but her breasts had always been sensitive. She let out a barking gasp.

“Oh God,” she groaned. Spike’s hands found her nipples. He ran his thumbs over them, and Belle could have screamed. She needed to take control. She reached down, and grabbed Spike’s package. Hard enough to get his attention, gently enough that it didn’t hurt. Spike gasped, and Belle put on a cheshire grin. She began kissing his stomach again, and slowly moved down to his pelvis. He unbuttoned the top of his jeans, and pulled down the zipper. She slowly pulled down his jeans. He was already hard. He wasn’t especially hung, but it was more than enough to work with. Belle bit her lip, desperate to contain her excitement. She kissed down his pelvis, going down until her lips found his hardon. She kissed through the fabric of his boxers. Spike gripped the side of the side of the bed, practically foaming at the mouth. “Tell me what you want,” said Belle.

“What?” asked Spike desperately.

“I said, tell me what you want,” Belle teased. Spike shook his head.

“I don’t- I can’t-”

“If you don’t tell me what you want,” said Belle in a singsong voice, “I can’t give it to you.”

“I want you to… you know…” Spike trailed off.

“What?” Belle demanded.

“I want you to suck my dick!” Spike roared. Belle’s eyes glittered in the moonlight. She yanked off his boxers, and slowly ran her tongue across his length. Spike couldn’t contain himself. He was gasping, nearly choking. Belle put her head over him, and slowly put him in her mouth.

“Fuck me,” groaned Spike. Bell bobbed off of him.

“Later,” she said. She lowered her head again, and began to work in earnest. She pressed her tongue against the tip of his cock, and closed her lips over the end of it. She began to bob up and down, working him expertly. She was very good at this. Spike didn’t know you could even do that with a tongue. Before long she had his whole length in his mouth. She lingered on this for a while, long enough for her to tear up. She gasped as she came up for air. “You like it?”

“God yes,” said Spike. Belle went back to work, a little faster this time. She moved up and down his cock, her tongue going into overdrive. She moved faster and faster, and Spike felt something building in him. He sat bolt upright.

“Stop!” he said. Belle acquiesced immediately.

“You’re close already?” she asked. Spike nodded, a little embarrassed. “No problem,” she said. She laid on her back, and spread her legs. “You’re turn.” Spike gulped. He was back in the power position. This time the moonlight was illuminating her. She was grinning from ear to ear. Spike had never seen anything more beautiful. Spike leaned on her, and grabbed a breast. Belle sighed with pleasure. She could feel him pressing up against her pussy, and she realized she was drenched. Something coursed like thunder through her body. Spike leaned forward, and ran his tongue over her nipple. She hadn’t been expecting this, and the thunder struck again- this time much harder. If she hadn’t known better, she would have sworn she had almost orgasmed. Licking became sucking. Belle was in utter bliss. She ran her hands through Spike hair. Spike took his mouth of her breast, and began to kiss down her stomach, mirroring her earlier actions. Belle couldn’t wait- she unzipped her jeans, and squirmed out of them. She was wearing pink cotton panties. Spike reached down, and felt her there. Belle almost screamed. He grabbed the top of her panties, and pulled them down. Belle kicked them off. Spike looked up at her.

“I’ve never done this before,” he said nervously. Belle gave him a surprised look. “My old girlfriend never wanted this.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Belle said. Spike ran a hand through her pubic hair- Belle hadn’t shaved in a while, but to his surprise he found that he didn’t care. In fact, he realized that he actually like the fact that she had that hair. He ran his fingers over her labia, and she pulled blankets into her clenched fists. He gently put a finger at her entrance, and Belle winced. “Actually, do you mind if I help you a little?”

“I think I’d appreciate that,” said Spike. Belle smiled.

“Good, I was afraid I’d, I don’t know, emasculate you or something,” she said. “Okay, don’t just finger me. Find my clit.” Spike ran a hand through her pubes again, looking for where he thought it was. Belle grabbed his hand, and led him to it. When she felt his fingers- bigger than hers, calloused- touch her, she let out her first unrestrained cry of pleasure. Spike felt his heart begin to pump faster. He really liked making her feel like that. “Circles,” she said. “Rub it in little-” he didn’t need any more prompting. He took to the task immediately, and Belle absolutely squealed in pleasure. He did it slowly, not wanting to hurt her. “Faster!” she shouted. He moved his fingers faster, and Belle’s legs began to shake. She couldn’t speak.

Spike made a decision. He took his fingers away. Belle looked down in anger and confusion, but she soon bucked back into the bed. Now it was his tongue on her clit, and he needed no help in this department. Belle wasn’t screaming anymore- her breath was caught in her throat.

“I’m close,” Belle said. He moved his tongue faster, and Belle pushed herself deeper into the bed. She could feel it building, but she needed something to push her over the edge, something like-

Spike took her clit into his mouth, and sucked. Belle lost herself completely. She bucked up and down, gasping with each wave of her orgasm. Spike was surprised, but immensely pleased with himself. She jerked involuntarily for nearly a minute, gasping and panting all the while. The feeling finally began to dissipate, and she blew a sweaty bang out of her eye.

“Oh yeah,” sighed Belle. “I needed that.” She cuddled close to Spike. There sexes were nearly touching. They began to kiss again. “One second,” said Belle. She rolled over, and opened her nightstand. She pulled out a condom, and switched on the lamp to check the date. After confirming it was still good, she reached up to turn the light back off.

“Wait,” said Spike. Belle paused. “As romantic as the moonlight is, I’d really like to see you.” Belle smiled, and left the light on. He handed Spike the condom, and reached back into the nightstand. She found some lube, popped open the top, and squirted some into her hand. As Spike put on the condom, she leaned forward and took his length in her hands. She ran the lube over his dick, and Spike shivered in pleasure. She lay on her back, legs spread. Spike positioned himself over her, guiding his dick to her entrance.

“You ready?” asked Belle. Spike nodded eagerly. “Go ahead,” she said. He put himself against her, and Belle gasped. He slowly began to penetrate her. It had been a while since Belle had been with anybody. On top of that, Belle preferred clitoral stimulation, so she wasn’t as used to insertions as someone with her experience normally might be. She pressed her fingernails into Spike’s skin as he entered her. Belle felt her toes curl. She was so full. Spike was gasping as well. She was tight, hot, pulsing. It had been so long since he had felt this, so long. He hadn’t realized how badly he had wanted it. They stayed like that, unmoving, coping with the overwhelming sensations.

“I’m gonna move now,” said Spike.

“Okay,” said Belle. Spike pulled himself out, and both he and Belle were stunned when she dug her fingernails deep enough into him to draw blood. Spike hissed in pain, but felt Belle jerking under him again. She was cumming.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck,” she repeated over and over. This one had been completely unexpected. She slowly released him. Spike could feel blood dripping down his back, but he didn’t care. Seeing her orgasm again put his libido into overdrive. He needed to be in her. He drove himself back inside of her, and they both shouted in pleasure. “Wait, I need a second,” Belle pleaded. Spike grunted in frustration. “Sorry, sorry,” she muttered. “Okay, go ahead.” He started moving in and out. Neither of them talked, they couldn’t. Belle was edging again, and Spike was filled with an animalistic lust. He thrust in and out again and again, their moans beginning to crescendo.

“This is so fucking good,” Spike said. Belle nodded her head. “Keep going,” she demanded. Spike began to go faster, harder. The whole bed was shaking with their movements, groaning under their weight.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” said Belle. She felt a third orgasm coming on. She allowed it to take her, helplessly giving herself over to pleasure. Spike felt her pussy clamping down on him rhythmically with her orgasm. This was too much for him.

“Belle, I’m close,” he said.

“Go ahead and cum,” Belle said. Spike pushed his entire length into her, and pressed her head into the nape of her neck. He came hard. Belle could feel his dick pulsing inside her. She smiled, utterly satisfied. They embraced each other. Spike didn’t want to pull out of her. He could have stayed inside her forever. For the first time, things felt real. Honest. Certain.

They weren’t sure how long they stayed like that. Eventually, Belle shifted under him. Spike took the hint, and took himself out of her. They both sat up and stretched. Spike stood, and pulled the condom off of him. Normally this part was super awkward, but for some reason Spike felt content. Belle pointed to a trashcan nearby. Spike tossed it in, and walked back over to Belle. They sat next to each other, not speaking. They both just smiled.

“I love you,” Spike said. And he meant it. God, did he mean it.

“I love you too,” said Belle. They kissed, and laid back down. They ran their hands over each others bodies. It wasn’t sexual, it was exploratory. The barrier had finally been torn down. Now they were free to really learn about each other; not just physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Mind, body, and soul.

“I don’t know how things are going to turn out,” said Spike. “But I know I’m ready to take a risk. To take a leap of faith.”

“Me too,” said Belle. “But I plan on keeping my promise.” She snuggled into him. “I’m not going to leave you. Not ever.”

“Good,” Spike whispered. “I need you.”

“We need each other,” said Belle.

“Yeah,” said Spike. “We need each other.”

~

SIX MONTHS LATER

Twilight stood up, and the whole room quieted down. A lot of people were surprised when Dash had told people that her wedding would have two maids of honor. They shouldn’t have been. Her husband had always been friends with more girls than boys. Twilight had been like a sister to him, so Rainbow had no problem letting her fill the position that the best man would normally be in. Twilight raised her glass. It was clear that she was nervous. Dash’s husband gave her a thumbs up, and Twilight smiled at him.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Twilight said. “It is my honor to be here today. When I first met-” a loud sneeze echoed through the hall “-, I knew that he was something special. The kind of person that someone meets once in a lifetime. Empathetic, understanding, compassionate, the whole package. Don’t get me wrong, he’s certainly not perfect.”

“Here here!” shouted someone in the crowd. Everyone chuckled.

“I could tell you all about the time he tried to build a model train from scratch in engineering.” Dash’s husband groaned. “Or about he almost got thrown out of university for graffiting the cafeteria…”

“It was an art instillation!” shouted Dash’s husband playfully.

“But most of the time, he was pretty cool. When I met Dash, I knew that she was perfect for him. She’s his perfect foil. Smart as a whip, bold, and spirited, I could see this coming for a mile away.”

“Took them long enough!” shouted another voice in the crowd. Another chuckle.

“That it did. But it was definitely worth the wait. Dash, -” the man sneezed again, “-, you two are a match made in heaven. So, to Dash and-” the microphone let out a whine of feedback “-, may all your days be filled with marital bliss!” Dash raised her glass, and the wedding guests mimicked her. She took a swig, and the guests followed suit. A round of applause greeted Twilight after she got done taking her drink. She blushed, and sat back down. Spike punched her playfully in the arm, beaming at his older sister. Belle smiled at her as well.

“That was awesome,” said Belle.

“Thanks,” said Twilight.

“I told you that you’d kill it,” said Spike. Twilight blushed deeper.

~

The reception had been going on for several hours. Some of the guests had started to leave, but Dash, her husband, and their five friends that had met in that cabin so long ago were still here. They were sitting in a circle, exchanging stories and generally having a good time. Spike and Sweetie Belle were sitting in the corner, holding hands.

“What a beautiful ceremony,” said Belle. “It was wonderful.”

“Yeah it was,” said Spike. “I just wish I didn’t have to work in the morning. The boss has really been riding me lately.”

“He likes you though,” said Belle. “You know he does.”

“Yeah,” said Spike with a smile. “And I like the job. I’m just complaining to complain.” Belle giggled.

“Fair enough,” she said. “I don’t have anything to complain about. I was going to wait to tell you, but I got my letter back from the school. I start classes again next semester.” Spike grinned from ear to ear.

“That’s amazing!” he said. “We’ll be able to see each other all the time!”

“Like we don’t already do that,” said Belle.

“You got me there,” said Spike. “Have you told Rarity yet?” Belle shook her head.

“I’m going to wait until I actually start,” said Belle. “The last thing I want is for something to go wrong at the last minute. I think you know how that might look.”

“Not good,” said Spike. A gale of laughter from the seven people in the circle attracted the couple's attention. “They all look really good like that,” said Spike. “They look like they’re supposed to be together.” Belle sighed.

“I have a bad feeling this might be the last time this happens,” she said. “Rarity is moving to Manehattan, Pinkie’s got that job out in Fillydelphia, and Fluttershy is going to have her hands full with the new vet clinic that’s opening up. Not to mention all the globetrotting that Dash and her husband do.”

“Yeah,” sighed Spike. “It really sucks thinking about that.”

“At least we don’t have to live it,” Belle said. “I can’t imagine that. Watching your friends drift away. I know it happens to everyone, but…”

“We have each other,” said Spike. He grasped Belle’s hand tighter. “We’ll always have each other.”

“Right,” said Belle. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” said Spike. But they didn’t look at each other. They looked at the group of seven, laughing, drinking, hugging, crying.

Spike stood up, and Belle stood with him. They walked out of the hall together, leaving the sounds of the seven echoing behind them. Twilight turned around, and watched them go. The other six looked at her. She turned back to face them.

“So,” she said. “What’s next?”

Author's Note

First: As always, please message me with all grammar/diction/spelling errors. Thanks.

Second: if the sections about Dash’s husband seem confusing, please remember that this is a sequel to 7 Days in Heaven. It’s hinting at some things that took place in between the stories. I wanted to get all this down to give the people who were waiting for the continuation of 7 Days some closure. I might go back and try to write it all out, but I don’t want to promise anything. Also, if you want to know why his name is never mentioned directly, go read the story!

Anyway...

It’s finally done, and it only took me four years! If you are one of the people that have followed me on this journey from start to finish, I owe you an immense thank you for your patience. I hope the story is at least enjoyable. If this meant something to you, please pay it forward by writing your own fiction if you don’t already. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, there is no greater way to spread love, good will, and essential knowledge than through writing.
Special thanks to Blue Flame, who convinced me to continue the fic. If you’re reading this, I wish you all the best.
I hope to continue writing MLP fanfiction, but knowing me it may not happen. If this ends up being the last MLP fanfic I write, I wish to say that I am immensely proud of this fandom. Although I had some occasional issues with certain people, the large majority were amazing. I joined because I wanted to be different. I left because I realized that I wasn’t. I came back because, in an otherwise dark world, it’s nice to travel to a place where the ending is always happy, and the love is always pure. It’s corny as hell, but it really is nice to escape to a place where friendship is simple and uncomplicated. Where friendship is magic.

-jacetheponysculptor

P.S. As I do at the end of all of my fanfics, here’s the playlist I listened to while writing this:
-PC’86: Visions
-Tanuki: Babybaby
-Roman w/Macross: I Miss You
-Matabei & Kattch: Feels Like Heaven
-Skyhill: Firefly
-Ratatat (ft. Dan Avidan): Loud Pipes
-The Last Unicorn (cover)-Dan Avidan & Brian Welch
And a special mention
-Closer-Tegan & Sarah,
which I listened to on repeat as I put the finishing touches on this story.