Inspiration Aftermath: The Gift
Rarity stood back from the couch and admired the perfect work she had done that was laid on it before her. "Well, Rarity, you've done it again.", she said proudly with her head tilted back a little bit, her shiny white chest puffing out, and her eyes closed, showing her teal blue eye shadow to nopony but her own living room. The work that she had made wasn't just any ordinary piece of work, it was the gift for Spike. The gift was a maroon scarf with gems all over it. She knows that Spike will love it, because Spike loves gems. But, he doesn't just love gems for collecting, he loves to eat them. Although, he doesn't mind wearing them on some kind of clothing, like that one time when Rarity made him a tie with gems on it, he just didn't mind that at all.
She looked at the clock, it's almost evening, she knew she had to get going as soon as possible. "I better get moving, time's running out.", she said, grabbing the scarf with her magic and placing it in a box, before the putting the lid on. She then galloped out the door to find Spike.
She looked left and right on the streets of Ponyville, but no sign of Spike in sight. She doesn't know if he went out of town to get the Inspiration Manifestation business out of his mind or if he's trying to hide from her, thinking she still has that evil power inside her.
She saw Rainbow Dash walking out of Sugarcube Corner with a vanilla milkshake in her hoof. "Rainbow Dash!", she called, running to her friend.
Rainbow's ears perked up and saw the white fashionista running towards her. "Whoa, Rarity!", she yelped as Rarity came to a screech. "What's the huge rush?"
Rarity panted a few times before she can say anything. "I'm looking for Spike, because I have something I need to give him.", she explained, still panting. "Have you seen him anywhere?"
Rainbow Dash took a sip of her milkshake before responding. "Nope.", she answered. "All I can think of is Twilight's library, which he's always in." She took another sip. "Why not check there?"
"The library, of coarse.", Rarity said joyfully as the thought of the Golden Oaks Library. "Why didn't I think of that? Thanks, Rainbow!" She galloped away, leaving Rainbow Dash to enjoy her milkshake.
Rarity arrived at the Golden Oaks Library, where nopony was outside in front of it. Rarity wasn't sure if Twilight or Spike were in there. She walked toward the door and before she could knock, Twilight opened the door and saw her friend standing there.
"Rarity?", the lavender alicorn asked. "What are you doing here? I thought you were resting after all that inspiration chaos."
"I did.", Rarity responded. "I just want to give Spike something."
Twilight became curious of what Rarity was going to give Spike. "What is it?", she asked.
"It's a present... for my behavior towards him when I was under that spell the book put on me.", Rarity answered sheepishly, rubbing her right hoof with the left one.
"Okay.", Twilight said. "Spike's in our room, reading his comics." She stepped out of the library and galloped to pass by Rarity.
"Where are you going?", Rarity asked, watching Twilight gallop all the while.
"I'm going to Fluttershy's place to help give Harry a bath.", Twilight answered, turning back to Rarity. "See you later. You may step in." She galloped away, leaving and allowing Rarity to step into her library.
"Tootaloo.", Rarity said as she stepped into the library. She saw how peaceful the library was, the books were put in their rightful places and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves down as she walked up the stairs that lead to Twilight's room. She approached the door and knocked on it.
"Come in.", Spike said from inside the room.
Rarity pushed the door open with a hoof and entered the room. She saw Spike in his little basket, reading his Power Ponies comic. "Spike, thank Celestia you're in here.", she said in relief, getting Spike's attention.
"Rarity?", Spike asked. "What are you doing here?" He got out of his basket and put his comic down.
Rarity had a worried expression on her face and her hooves were shaking in nervousness. She took another deep breath. "Spike," was all she can start with before giving her apology to Spike. "About the Inspiration business, I just want to apologize for my evil behavior towards you. I know how much me being evil scares you, and I never should've scared you like that. And I have a gift to give to you." She handed the box to Spike.
Spike removed the lid from the box and laid his eyes on the scarf. He took hold of it in his claws before he admired it. He looked at every single gem that was stitched on it. He didn't whether to say 'wow, I can't believe you got this for me' or 'my gosh, I never knew you'd be so sincere.' Sure, Rarity's into handsome stallions like Fancy Pants (who lives in Canterlot), but she does trust Spike as a friend a lot. "Rarity.", he said.
Rarity flinched after hearing her name and gulped. She then noticed that his lips curled into a smile.
"It's... wonderful.", Spike said, folding the scarf.
Rarity made a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you like it, Spike.", she said as she watched her little dragon friend place the scarf on his bed. "I made that for you because I felt bad about my horrid side scaring you very bad. And I hope you're still my friend."
Spike walked over to Rarity. "Of course I am. And I'll always be. As long as I am from here.", he said, using a finger to draw a heart on the white mare's chest fur.
Rarity giggled, feeling how ticklish it was when Spike moved his finger around her chest. "Well, it's you who has the sweetest heart.", she crooned, patting him on the head.
Spike blushed. He gasped as something popped in his head.
"What is it?", Rarity asked.
"I actually have something to give you as well.", Spike said, speeding over to a little table with two drawers. He pulled out the top one and took a scrapbook that said 'the times with me and Rarity'. He timidly walked back over to Rarity with the top half of the book in front of his mouth, then he handed it over to Rarity.
Rarity took hold of it with her magic and read the cover of book in her head. "Oh, Spike. This is beautiful.", she said, smiling warmly. "Though it does have a unique cover design."
Spike chuckled nervously. "To be completely honest with you, it's not.", he said. "I started making that book a year and a half ago."
"Oh, Spike, no need to be embarrassed about your work on-" She paused before she shook her head. "Wait! That old?! Then, why didn't you give this to me from the start?"
Spike scratched the back of his head. "First of all, since we kept getting more pictures that include us, I decided I should put more pictures as the days go on.", he said. "And second, I was supposed to give that to you on your birthday."
Rarity gaped in surprise. "This was supposed to be my birthday gift? From you?", she asked.
Spike nodded, shuffling his feet. "I wanted to give it to you on that time, but I was just scared.", he said. "I didn't know what you would think of it."
"Why would you think I wouldn't like it if I haven't read it yet?", Rarity asked. "I'd love to take a look at the pictures you have in this book."
Spike smiled with joy and ran over to Rarity's side, as Rarity used her magic to open the book, so she can take a look at the first picture that's taped to the first page. It was a picture of Twilight and her friends, including Spike, in a group hug, it was on the time Twilight was welcomed to Ponyville.
Rarity loved that picture. "That time was so long ago.", she said.
"It sure was.", Spike agreed. "That was like the time when you and the rest of the pony gang took down Nightmare Moon."
Rarity raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "What else?", she asked.
Spike chuckled nervously. "And the time when we first met.", he said.
"Exactly.", Rarity giggled. She turned the page and saw the next picture: the time where Twilight and her friends were standing with Spike on his first birthday in Ponyville. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Applejack were the only ones wearing party hats.
Spike sighed contently. "That day was the best day in my life.", he said. "I loved it so much."
"I loved it too.", Rarity agreed. "Though, the day after that wasn't great, because you-" She cut off when Spike covered her lips with one claw.
"Didn't we agree never to speak of that time to each other again?", Spike asked with a glare.
Rarity chuckled sheepishly. "Right.", she said. "Sorry about that." She looked at the third page where a picture of Spike and Twilight's friends, including Princess Celestia, were celebrating Discord's second defeat in Canterlot. "About that time, I was glad you were feeling better after fire puking all those written parchment papers."
"I was glad as well.", Spike said.
Rarity turned to the fourth page, where she saw a picture of Twilight, her friends, and Spike were standing with Shining Armor and Cadence on their wedding day in Canterlot. She sighed joyfully. "I was so happy for them at that time.", she said.
"Same here.", Spike said.
Rarity looked at the fifth page that had the picture of Rarity burying Spike in the sand at the beach. The scenery shows Spike laying down on his back with the sand covering up his body up to his chest and his arms at his sides while asleep and smiling peacefully. It also shows Rarity smiling lovingly at Spike's adorable display as she patted the sandy area over the snoozing dragon's toes.
"I remember that time a while ago.", Spike said, pointing at the picture. "The time when you buried me in the sand while I was asleep. That was one of my favorites."
Rarity raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Are you sure?", she asked. "When I started, you weren't enjoying it."
(Flashback)
Twilight, Spike, and Rarity were enjoying a day at the beach. Rarity was too busy having a chat with Carrot Top, one of her friends she speaks to when she goes to the market in Ponyville. Twilight was burying Spike's tail in the sand. First, she dug a hole in the sand. Then, she stuck Spike's tail in it. And last but not least, she covered his tail. She wanted to make Spike look he was laying down on his back, because she thought Spike should take it to the next level having a day on the beach by just relaxing.
"Why do you want me to just relax, Twilight?", the dragon asked. Normally, he would play in the sand and build sandcastles, but relaxing is just not his thing.
"Well, Spike, doesn't it feel nice to just relax in the sun while you're at the beach?", Twilight asked, sitting in front of Spike's head while he's laying down.
"Yeah, I guess.", Spike muttered. "But, is it that necessary for you to have my tail stuck in the sand?"
"It's just in case you try to sneak away while I'm not looking.", Twilight said. "All those times we came to the beach, all you do is build sandcastles and play in the sand. I just want you to relax, just for today, Spike. Can you do that for me?"
Spike sighed. "I guess I'll give it a shot then.", he said. "I'll just take a nap, since there's no way for me to get away from you and you really want me to relax." He closed his eyes and went to sleep with a unamused frown on his face.
Twilight turned to Rarity, who was standing a few feet away in the distance. She noticed Carrot Top was walking away, which means she's done with her conversation with Rarity. She also noticed that Rarity was turning around to see her looking at her. She made a pointing gesture to her bag full of sand toys.
Rarity nodded at the gesture before she walked over to the bag and grabbed a small red shovel. She and Twilight planned something sneaky and funny they're gonna do to Spike. They've been planning when they were getting ready, Spike doesn't know it yet. They were whispering it to each other when Spike was upstairs searching for stuff to use at the beach. Now, it's about time they did the thing they wanted to do: bury Spike in the sand.
Rarity walked over to the right side of the snoozing Spike and looked down at him. She turned to Twilight, who made another pointing gesture to Spike's feet, telling her to walk over to them and sit down in front. She did that. She then used her shovel to scoop up some sand and pour it on Spike's scaly belly.
Spike woke up as he felt the sand against his belly. He glanced at Rarity, giggling and scooping up more sand. "Rarity, hey!", he said, as he felt more sand being poured on his stomach.
"I'm so sorry to disturb your nap, Spikey-poo.", Rarity apologized, scooping more sand and pouring it on Spike's belly to cover up his sides. "But, I would like to see how cute you would be if you were covered in sand." She once again scooped up more sand.
The next pour on Spike's belly shocked his nerves. "Okay, but I'd rather keep my body clean.", he said.
"Still, Spike, I am sorry, but I'm doing this.", Rarity said, shoveling more sand and pouring it on the dragon's lower belly. "No matter how many times you tell me to stop, I'm just gonna keep going."
Spike's heart began to beat faster as he watched Rarity continue to scoop up sand and pour it on his belly until his whole torso was covered up. He turned to Twilight, who was behind his head. "Twilight, help.", he said.
"No can do, Spike.", Twilight said. "I'm actually in on this."
"What?!", Spike yelped. He turned back to Rarity, still covering his body with sand. "Somepony, hel-" was all he can say as a cry for help before Twilight covered his mouth with a hoof to hush him.
"Shhhhh, just relax, Spike.", Twilight cooed. "I promise you this isn't so bad. Don't panic, just let Rarity bury you."
It helped Spike calm down. He was now getting used to the sand against his body. His eyes began to droop as he looked at Rarity and let the sand relax his body. "Thanks, Rarity.", he said, yawning. "I love you."
Rarity smiled warmly at the little dragon. "I love you too, Spikey.", she crooned. Before she could finish, she watched Spike calmly close his eyes and wiggle his feet slightly. It showed that he wanted her to put sand on his feet. She did so and patted the sand down on Spike's body to make it stick. Spike taking a snooze in the sand was the most adorable thing Rarity has ever seen in her life.
(End of flashback)
Rarity placed a hoof on her chest as her eyes let tears leak down her cheeks after remembering that moment. She wiped a tear off her face after it escaped her right eye.
Spike rubbed the back of his head. "Ok, maybe I did freak when you started, but it was the way Twilight calmed me down which made me get used to it.", he said.
"That is true.", Rarity said. "And I must say, your toes looked so cute when they were sticking out of the sand before I covered them up."
Spike shielded his toes with his hands as his face turned bright red with embarrassment. He cracked a smile. "Um, do you want to look at a few more pages before taking a break?", he asked, trying to not to talk in a stammering way.
Rarity tapped her chin in thought. "I think we should save the rest for next time when we take another look inside the book.", she suggested, closing the book.
"Are you sure?", Spike asked. "The next few pictures might be interesting."
"Look, Spike, when I get the time to invite you to my place, we'll continue to look at the pictures you put in this book.", Rarity said.
"Ok.", Spike responded. He flinched as he remembered something. "Oh my gosh, I almost forgot, Rarity. I wrote something at the very end of the book."
Rarity blinked a few times in surprise. "You did?", she asked, opening the book again and skipping to the very end of the book, where a note was written there. She began reading it.
"Rarity,
I've been working on this thing for so long after a year of the both of us being friends, and I wanted this to be perfect for you. All those times we had together mean a lot to me. But, ever since I first met you, you made me feel like the luckiest dragon alive. And I just want you to understand that I want the both of us to be more than friends, because I just have one simple question. Will you be...
A small piece of cardboard was taped over the last few words of the last sentence. Rarity removed it with her magic and revealed the mysterious ending to the sentence.
...my special somepony?"
She gasped as she read those last few words. She released the book from her magic. She was then on the verge of tears.
Spike fidgeted with his claws, not feeling sure if Rarity was going to say 'yes' or 'no' to the question. He felt Rarity's magic surrounding his entire body and pulling him over before the white mare wrapped her forearms around him for a hug. He started hearing Rarity crying behind his head. "Rarity, w-what's wrong?", he asked.
"Oh, Spike.", Rarity sobbed, squeezing him a bit harder. "Of course I'll be your special somepony." She broke the embrace, set the dragon down on his feet, and wiped a tear from her left eye. "That was sweetest thing I've ever read." She slowed her crying and calmed down, before smiling. "All these years we've been friends, I've always thought we weren't more than friends, but I guess I was wrong."
Spike sighed in relief.
"But, did you like the gift I made for you?", Rarity asked.
"Of course I did.", Spike answered. "Because, I've been wanting to get a scarf designed with gems for months. I really appreciate you making that for me, Rarity. But, the best gift I got most of all is you." He wrapped his arms around the mare's neck in an embrace.
As Rarity felt her little dragon darling's hug tighten, she couldn't do anything else but smile. "You silly little dragon.", she crooned, hugging him back.
