Twilight and Spike gazed through the downpour of rain outside their home. They had just returned from assisting Celestia with her and Luna's annual donation run for the underprivileged. Hours of collecting and delivering supplies around town wore them out, but they were in good spirits.
"It's beautiful," Twilight spoke.
"Yeah," Spike agreed, "We should probably go inside though before we get soaked."
Twilight nodded. She followed her dragon companion.
Spike discovered some time before they returned, several houses in the area lost power, including theirs. When the pair reached their shared room, Spike lit a makeshift lantern he kept next to his pallet and placed it in the center.
"I'm going to take a shower," Twilight informed him.
"I'll be here."
The mare placed her belongings on the bed and left the room.
As the warm flow of the water pelted Twilight's fur, she recalled Celestia's words to her. Earlier that day, the sun goddess revealed a secret to her. From the beginning, Celestia was pulling strings behind the scenes even Twilight was unaware of. The day of the entrance exam on, Twilight's life had been meticulously plotted out. Now it was up to her to decide her future - her future in love.
Twilight returned to the bedroom, her towel still slung around her neck.
"Spike, we need to have a serious talk."
"Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure. That's why we need to figure this out."
"What's on your mind?"
"Celestia told me that you've sort of been...eyeing me up over the last few years. Is that true?"
"I don't follow."
"She thinks you've been looking at me in a different way: a way most family members don't look at each other."
Spike chuckled anxiously.
"N-no way. You know her..."
"You can be honest. I'll respect you more for coming forward than I ever will if you try to deceive me."
Spike looked her in the eyes, and sighed heavily.
"...I'm sorry, Twilight."
"Don't apologize."
"I feel so ashamed. I was thinking about your conversation over breakfast this morning, and it just...I don't know."
Twilight's expression shifted to one of confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"You mentioned how alone you felt from the time you were a filly, and I wished as hard as I could there was something I could do to help you. I finally saw how deep your pain cut. I never wanted to see you hurt like that."
"Then...You really do love me...?"
"Of course I do: in every way conceivable."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"How was I supposed to say it without looking like some kind of creep?"
Twilight's face became painfully sympathetic. She strolled over to the distraught dragon.
"The only thing you've crept into is my heart."
She kissed him gently.
"What are you...?"
"How I missed it, I'll probably never know, but this was all part of Celestia's little game."
"How could she be behind this?"
"She thought it'd be cute to play matchmaker."
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"You sound disappointed."
"I do kind of want to wring her neck right now."
"I think I know just the thing to help you relax."
"Wait, Twilight; are you sure about this? Is this what you really want?"
"I realize something now. You were more than a test result, Spike. You've always been something greater. You were my gift. From birth until death, you've always been and will always be my gift."
"...And you'll always be mine."
Spike lifted Twilight into his arms. He returned her kiss, offering an extension on its duration. She gladly accepted. The dragon carried his partner to her bed. He held himself above her, allowing the motions of their intertwining bodies to reveal their desires. He ran his claw through her mane. The feeling of his presence brought her immense comfort and peace. For the first time in a long time, she felt protected and cared for. Spike removed his coat and shirt. Twilight blushed profusely, swooning at the sight of his incredibly defined abdominal muscles.
"Like what you see," Spike teased.
"Uh-huh," she responded with a nod.
"Well, it's my turn to tell you a secret."
"What's that?"
The dragon undid the belt of his jeans and leaned forward. He whispered into her ear.
"You're beautiful."
With a powerful thrust, Spike drove himself into Twilight's flesh. She wrapped her forelegs around him, pulling him closer in an emotional hug.
"Don't let me go," she pleaded.
"Never."
Twilight kissed Spike's cheek. She could feel his strength keeping her grounded when all once seemed lost. He had no intention of separating from her until every ounce of joy which had been sucked away by grief was restored to her being - until every sting of pain was replaced and exceeded by pleasure. Twilight's grasp grew even tighter.
"Keep this up, you're gonna' squeeze the life outta' me."
"Something tells me you wouldn't mind."
"How can you always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Read me like a book. Get it?"
"You're such a cornball."
"You didn't seem to mind when I was little."
"I'm sorry I wasn't more emotionally available when you needed me."
"Dragons are a proud race. We can scrape by with the scales on our knees if need be. It'll take more than an intellectually absorbed book horse to wear me down."
"I never treated you with the attention and respect you deserved."
"You just had to grow into it. Some people don't become sentimental until later in life when they've had time to process everything."
"You know, looking at intelligence from the outside is pretty sexy."
"I'm just a veritable wellspring of knowledge."
Twilight placed a hoof under her lover's chin.
"You are. You're incredibly wise and brave. Don't ever sell yourself short."
"Twilight..."
"I'm getting close."
"Wait, you can actually orgasm this way?"
"It's interesting the things you can learn when you get intimately familiar with someone."
"Wanna' take a break after this and grab some grub?"
"Sounds good. I'm famished."
"You can stay here. I'll get it."
"You're so sweet. <3"
