Let's Give Us A Try

Chapters

You Know What's Not Cool?
What's In A Relationship?
Tastes And Values
The Three Cs: Conversation, Compromise, Cuddling

You Know What's Not Cool?

When the sun shined on days like this, it seemed like it was purposely taunting him. Everything outside was bright and happy, full of energy and possibilities. People walked the streets, dogs were barking and playing with their owners and their children, college students laughed about one thing or another, all of it seemed to be taunting him. “I hate the sun.”

“And last night you claimed to hate the moon.”

Spike, the adopted son of Night Light and Twilight Velvet, turned, staring unamused at his older sister. She was cute if he had to use the standards of other people to describe her, long purple hair with a streak of raspberry, cut evenly and neatly, he could admire his own work when he wanted to, they both agreed Twilight should never hold scissors ever again. Peach toned skin and violet eyes made her quite the looker, and people everywhere went for the whole ‘girl in glasses carrying a book at all times’ thing. She stood at a reasonable 5’6” and though she was known to spend more time in books than out in the sun, she was well groomed and presentable at all times. Plaid shirt and a skirt that dropped down to her knees, that was Twilight Sparkle, powerful Soulsage, honor roll student, presumed valedictorian and all around amazing genius, and the bane of his existence right now.

“Then let’s just say I hate them both? Maybe I just hate time as a concept.”

Twilight for her part sighed, walking into her brother’s room and sitting next to him on his oversized bed. “Are you going to keep being this way until I come back?”

“Nah, just the rest of my natural life.”

“Spike, look at me.”

Her brother turned from the window to face her as his tail laid limp behind him.

“It’s just a week.”

“A BABYSITTER TWILIGHT!?” Spike yelled and flopped hard onto his bed. “I do NOT need a babysitter dammit!”

Twilight groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Language, Spike.”

“I am a grown ass man!” Spike yelled in return.

“Do you pay the bills in this house?” Twilight squinted her eyes at him again, she hated cursing in general but something about listening to Spike do it made it so much worse.

“As a matter of fact, yes I do. I pay the phone and internet bill.”

Twilight blinked and summoned this month's bills, recognizing a lot of Spike’s handwriting on everything even if she and Spike split a lot of the bills. “...well I still can’t have you cursing up a storm when you don’t get your way. Mom and dad said that I was in charge while we lived alone and my number 1 rule is-”

“No cursing, no pornography and no internet after 12 am, not that you follow even half of those.”

“I do follow all of my rules!”

“You issues of ‘Big Iron’ says otherwise,” Twilight suddenly didn’t feel like looking at Spike anymore. “Also I always check the log in times just to throw them in your face.”

Twilight glared at the dravyern boy. “I’m telling you Spike it's just because I want you to be safe while I’m gone.”

“Here we go.” Spike rolled onto his side.

“I’m serious! I read up on some incidents happening in the city nearby, there’s been robberies and even a kidnapping!”

“Two years ago!”

“It could still happen and don’t interrupt me!”

The bickering didn’t stop for at least another hour, Spike loved his sister dearly, he really did. He’d jump in front of a car to keep her safe, he’d already done it once, there wasn’t much that would stop him from trying to keep her safe. But by the gods above did she get on his nerves. If it wasn’t enough that she restricted his access to everything but she was incapable of trusting him on his own. She was going to leave town for some kind of week-long event, he wasn’t really paying attention when she was talking about it, but was leaving one of their friends to watch him while she was gone. It was something he was slowly getting tired of, being treated like a kid just for looking younger than he actually was. It wasn’t like his dravyern blood was a secret, his long tail, the scales on his back, the predator-like eyes, a pair of, while useless at the moment, wings that he’d sprouted some time ago and the ability to breathe flames, it was all a bit hard to keep secret. But it also meant that he was long lived, which in turn meant a longer time spent in what would be referred to as ‘adolescence’ for his kind. He didn’t look like he was a 19 year old college student, but he was one and had to prove it over and over again throughout his life.

And dammit all his sister did not help.

He gave up long into the bickering and accepted his lot in life, simply using this chance to pester her for doing this to him. Just because he was an adult didn’t mean he couldn’t be a little childish.

Twilight’s ringing phone put an end to his petty attempt at revenge as she got up and left to answer. “So who’s my warden for the week anyway?”

“Two weeks! I told you that.” He really didn’t care. “And as to who I called over, they’re already here.” Twilight’s voice got further away but his enhanced hearing meant they both knew he could hear her.

Spike for his part just sat up, wondering how to present himself and decided being pantless and in his boxers wasn’t a good start. He tossed on one of his purple sets of pants and a green short sleeve jacket, walking out and pulling on a pair of socks as he stepped against the carpeted hallway. Staying in his room would just depress him further, so he went to face the music.

He stepped out soon enough to catch his sister on the phone, happily chatting away with his would-be tormentor. He figured it had to be one of her book-type friends, he wouldn’t mind spending a week with Moondancer or Twinkleshine, he had a decent rapport with them even if it meant he’d be locked to whatever rules Twilight gave them.

When Twilight went to the front door his eyes followed her, he wondered if he could sneak out but didn’t want to bother with the aftermath. Time to pay the piper.

He wasn’t usually this pessimistic, he swears.

He walked to stand behind his sister as she opened the door, he almost had to double take.

“Sup Twi?” Her scratchy voice was a dead giveaway, but then again, everything about Rainbow Dash gave her away. Long, wild multicolored hair, amaranth, vermilion, grayish olive, harlequin, cerulean and purple. He was being eloquent today. Tanned skin and bright cerise eyes jumped from Twilight to Spike, that signature smirk always made him feel better, it was especially comforting considering this whole thing somehow. She was taller than he and Twilight both at 5'10”, not that either was hard to do. Her toned, lithe body showed somewhat against the dark sleeveless shirt, her arms and tattoo open out to the world since her favorite Wonderbolts jacket was tied around her waist. Faded dark-blue pants hugged her hips and ended in a worn pair of blue and yellow shoes. Rainbow was an athletic type of beauty, Spike could appreciate that, she was genuinely attractive when she wasn’t being a prankster.

“Hello Rainbow Dash, sorry again for taking your time like this.” Twilight smiled and the two friends shared a small hug.

“No prob! I get to take it easy for a week, all good with me.”

"Two weeks actually..." Twilight breathed out as she watched Rainbow Dash step in and looked down at Spike, smiling at the dravyernian boy.

He could feel it coming.

“Sup squirt?”

There it was.

“Sup Crash.”

Rainbow Dash’s smirk faltered as a rosey color tinted her cheeks, Spike smirked in response.

“Spike! Be nice.” Twilight chided him but Spike just waved it off and moved from the hall to the doorway and into the living room. “Sorry about him Rainbow, he’s being difficult today.”

“Eh, it's chill. I get worse from AJ and Pinkie any day of the week.” She turned as a suitcase magically flew to Twilight’s hand.

“Well I’ll get out of your hair now, I sent you the rules Spike has to follow, there’s enough food to feed the both of you for a week, if you need anything else go with Spike to do some shopping. If anything happens let me know.” Twilight rummaged through her handbag and handed Rainbow Dash a marginally thicker wad of cash then the athletic girl expected.

“Oh uh, sure thing.” Rainbow began counting and flicked through the money being handed to her. She expected maybe $200, $400 at best, but $2000?

Maybe she should babysit Spike more often.

Though she hadn’t realized Twilight was still talking before she was done counting. “Twi just go already, I’ve got this.” She reached out and patted her friend’s shoulder. “Leave the twerp to me and go have fun at whatever you’re doing.”

She shoved the girl out of her own house and grabbed the door handle. “See ya in a week or something.”

“I said two-”

The door shut on her and Rainbow stretched before kicking off her shoes immediately, flicking through the money in her hands. When Twilight came to her for this she was initially pretty iffy about the whole thing. Spike needing a babysitter? He was an adult. Twilight said something about just watching him, keeping tabs so he doesn’t do anything stupid or something like that. The track star hummed to herself as she recalled it, Spike was always pretty responsible, outside of the few times he acted a little ridiculous because of his crush on Rarity. She just couldn’t imagine Spike doing something that would get him in trouble.

She stepped into the living room to address her ‘charge’ and took a long look at him, something she didn’t recall doing in some time. Spike was…short. At 5’2” he was one of the shortest guys around the campus, even shorter than most girls she knew, it didn’t help that he also didn’t look like an adult, lacking that facial structure you’d expect from someone who was 19 years old. Something about his dravyern blood made him like this, she didn’t remember the details. What he lacked in height, he made up for in being stronger than most people, even if it didn't show on his body. Short, spiky green hair over dark brown skin made him stick out, in a good way, he was like an exotic plant or something. He had piercing green eyes that took on a predatory sharpness even when he wasn’t focusing on anything. The long spade-tipped dragon-like tail that lazily flopped on the couch he was sat upon was purple with light green under scales and had green malleable spikes that led up to parts unseen, she knew that he had purple scales up along his back, having made fun of him for his molt seasons in the past. He had these pointed ears and she recalled his teeth were sharp like the other dravyernians, she honestly didn’t recall much about them. She did know however, that under his green hoodie was a pair of small purple and green wings, mostly because he couldn’t fly. All things together he was…cute? That was the word a few girls had referred to him. Rainbow didn’t disagree per say, she would just never say it out loud.

After the inspection of the young man was done she flopped on the couch, joining him but keeping a decent distance between them, an entire cushion as a matter of fact. She liked to stretch out and was about to when Spike spoke up.

“So? How much did she bribe you with?”

Rainbow caught an edge to his voice but played it off as being upset of having someone watching him. She’d be upset too. “Two thousand flat. I didn’t know the egghead had this kinda cheese.”

Spike glanced at her and crossed his legs. “It helps that she’s a penny pincher, she’s really good at holding onto money, mom and dad didn’t even have to worry about the funds they put away for us. However, I wouldn’t be super excited about that.”

Rainbow’s brow raised in response.

“That’s food money.”

Rainbow blinked. “But Twi said-”

“That we had enough food to feed us over the week and that I’d take care of shopping after that? Yeah, no. Twilight doesn’t put groceries in the house, I do, so I know that the food in there is enough for about a week at best if we eat like a Soulsage, which is breakfast and dinner and maybe lunch. I have a stomach for three people and you’re a Skyborn which means your metabolism is higher and thus you need to eat at least twice as much as any normal Soulsage. Twilight, my dear loving sister, didn’t factor in that I portion my food and hers very differently.”

Rainbow’s open mouth closed while Spike went on his spiel, he really was Twilight’s brother. “So…this $2000?”

“Will be gone before she even gets back.”

“...well shit.”

“It’s either use that or our own money, it's up to you really.” Spike leaned back onto the couch and huffed.

Rainbow turned and put her legs up on the remainder of the couch, just far enough from Spike that she couldn’t kick him. “We’ll just use it then, no point in it sitting around and gathering dust.” She leaned her head back and thought of things to better her mood. “Two weeks in a comfy pad like this is gonna rock, wonder if we should call the girls over for a party? Get something big going on, pizza, loud ass music and a good stiff drink.”

Spike chuckled. “Oh poor delusional Rainbow Dash, read Twi’s list of rules.”

Rainbow Dash blinked, she hadn’t done that yet. She pulled out her phone and checked the several messages that Twilight had been sending her these past few days and scrolled through the unread messages until she found a list. “What the fuck!?”

“Yep.”

“No alcohol, no junk food, no gatherings of more than 3 people at once while in the house.” Rainbow blinked and read on and on, getting more and more confused. “Curfew!? What are you? 12?”

“Mhm…”

“Parties are prohibited and Spike must remain at home at such a time that Pinkie Pie organizes one, if he is invited he is to return home at 8pm!? Is she a prison warden?”

“You see now what I deal with.”

Rainbow looked at Spike and he seemed to be in an even worse mood after she read that all out. Of course he would be! This was stupid! “Fuck these.”

Spike just turned to her when she said that.

“We’re not following these, do whatever you want to man.” Rainbow sat up straight and crossed her arms. “You know what’s cool? I’m here and in charge, so I say fuck these rules, if Twi has a problem with that she should have gotten someone else to watch you.”

Spike’s mood brightened a little at that but not by much, she understood, years of harsh rules do that.

“You know what else is cool? We’re gonna party before she gets back.” Rainbow smirked but Spike just rolled his eyes. “Come on man, chin up! Think about it! Beer, good grub, loud music and staying up till the ass crack of dawn.”

He huffed and Rainbow just groaned a little before tapping her chin. She didn’t want Spike feeling like this the entire time she was here, but she was awesome at cheering people up.

“You know what else is cool? Going out on the town and doing what we want. We’ve got my car so we can go wherever and do whatever.” Spike’s tail stopped flopping, she wasn’t sure if that was good or not.

“Isn’t it cool being here with me? Bet you’d wish you got Rarity though-” He flinched at that and she swore he said something but it was too low to hear. “She’s on her fashion thing again, but you wouldn’t get the freedom you’d have if I wasn’t here.”

She wasn’t looking at Spike anymore, but kept listing things off. “You wanna stay up? Cool. You want to get drunk? Also cool. Play loud music and eat the biggest burger we can find? Super cool. Parties and girls? Absolutely cool, just don’t do something I wouldn’t do.” Rainbow Dash laughed and though she expected Spike to laugh with her, he didn’t. She remembered they’d been pretty cool in the past, laughing at each other and stuff, maybe he was just imagining everything he could do.

“Something else that’s cool is-”

“You know what’s not cool?”

Rainbow jumped a bit, slowly turning to look at Spike. He was looking at her now, she’d never seen him look this mad before, his eyes were sharpened more then usual, like weapons being pointed at her throat.

“W-wha-”

“Not being able to take a step out of this house without supervision.” His hand gripped the couch, sharp claws scraping at the fabric. “Being told to go to sleep when everyone else is up and active into 3 in the fucking morning.”

He stood up and Rainbow shrunk a bit. “You want to know what’s cool? Rainbow? Watching you girls have fun and go out whenever the hell you want. But what’s not cool is being left behind, told to watch the house or not even being asked if there’s something I want to do. Having my phone taken if I’m on it during dinner, my computer having a fucking shutdown timer on it, restriction on driving MY car, not even being allowed to get a motorcycle, having my shit taken from me, being called short, everyone treating me like some dumbass kid all the time. THAT’S WHAT’S NOT FUCKING COOL!”

Spike’s raised voice made Rainbow more scared then she expected of her shorter friend. She blinked in fear at him before he just…seemed to give up and sat back down where he was on the couch.

“Spike…isn’t cool.” He looked away, going quiet and seeming to be done speaking at all.

There was a long pregnant pause between them, the athletic girl staring at Spike in a confused shock. Has he always felt that way? She couldn’t say anything at first, cycling through the things he said. “...but…”

Spike huffed, his tail curling around himself in some kind of defensive stance.

“...okay hold on, she lets you go out. We’ve seen you leave while we’re hanging out.”

“When she knew I was headed to Rarity’s or AJ’s, I didn't go much else. Wherever I do hang out, you girls are all usually there, that and on campus. And if I’m not in her sight she always calls or texts me to ask where I am.”

At that Rainbow thought hard. He hung out with his friends, but she did seem to recall when he was out Twilight would pick up her phone every now and then or take a moment to call. She always just figured she was doing booknerd stuff…

“Okay…I see the curfew thing, I didn’t even know she was doing that. But you said that you didn’t want in on the ‘girly’ stuff.”

“Once.”

“Huh?” Rainbow blinked.

“When I was younger, I told Twilight one time that I didn’t want to hang out and do girly things. She hasn’t asked me again since. And how often are the things you guys do really ‘girly’?”

Rainbow thought back to the last time they hung out, she and the girls went to a concert, they partied and watched sports. They went to some kind of show and a few movies. And she didn’t remember seeing Spike or any of that being very ‘girl’ centric. “...like…a bit of it? I mean I usually don’t want in when they do stuff like talk about guys or gush over fashion…but I’m still there…”

Spike didn’t have to respond to that for her to get what he wanted to say.

They did leave him behind, there was no doubt in her mind about that, they just gathered and took off without thinking, and then that led to all the times Spike brought them food when they were over or the times when he’d come out and Twilight would tell him to get to sleep or something.

“...the phone, car and stuff…that all happens?”

“I only get to drive my car when I’m taking her somewhere, going to college or picking something up. ‘No joyriding Spike, you could get a ticket’.” He mocked his sister and sighed, still not facing her.

Rainbow’s eyes never left him though, she traced his face and eyes, the slight sadness in them growing as he seemed to realize he had outed his feelings. “That's…shit man…I mean…we can’t have always left you out. You’re along for lots of stuff, the car show, that trip we took to Crystal University, that vacation out to uh…fuck! Vanhoover! You were there! I remember that.”

“Oh boy, being dragged along and left in a hotel room while you’re all out doing stuff, being made the luggage boy and being handed money to go and buy snacks…”

Rainbow’s shoulders sagged. Had they really done Spike like that?

…

They did.

Every time he was around them he was like a bellhop or just told to go to his room, the few times he was around he certainly wasn’t really a part of the conversation. He did talk to them but she couldn’t recall a single time…Spike voiced wanting to do something…

“...I…we…” She started to wipe her eyes, they were getting scratchy and when her eyes fell on Spike again she was sure the guy before her would turn to dust if he could. “...I’m sorry…”

He didn’t answer, the apology only seemed to hurt him.

“We…we shouldn’t be treating you like that! You’re our friend for fucks sake! How the hell have you never brought this up?”

“...Spike, stop being childish.”

The words went through her so fast she thought she’d been shot. There was one time, years ago when they were in high school, Spike wanted to tag along to a PG-13 movie since he had just turned 13, Twilight said he wasn’t mature enough to see it and when he begged to go the words just came out of her. Not Twilight, not Rarity or Applejack, but herself, she’d said the words being echoed back to her.

He’d been holding onto those words for 6 years.

Rainbow didn’t feel so ‘awesome’ or ‘cool’ anymore.

Spike sighed again, heavier than before. “Just…forget it. This is why I didn’t want to say anything…”

“Forget it? Forget it!? Just forget that we’ve been treating you like shit since we’ve known you!? Fourteen. Years. That’s how long we’ve known each other. But not one time did we ever treat you like a friend! How!? How am I supposed to forget!?”

Spike shrunk into himself and Rainbow reigned herself in, she wasn’t mad at Spike, she hated herself right now. “S-sorry I just…I’m sorry.”

“...it's fine.”

“It is fucking not.” Rainbow leaned closer and Spike somehow moved further away from her. “...you’re supposed to be our friend Spike, I always thought we were friends…”

Spike sighed yet again and finally looked at her. “...you are one of my friends. But I was always…Twilight’s little brother. A tagalong. The little kid with the stupid crush…”

Rainbow wanted to tell him he was wrong. But was he? She couldn’t remember the last time the two of them hung out if he wasn’t doing something for her. When was the last time she even thought about Spike when it wasn’t tied to Twilight? She didn’t know.

She sat back down and slumped against the couch. “...sorry…”

Spike just gave a painfully dry chuckle. “Let’s call it even…”

She couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth, but she couldn’t think of a single thing to say to the defeated dravyernian male.

…there was one thing she could say.

“You are cool.”

Spike blinked at her. “...no I’m not.”

Rainbow sat up and nodded to herself. “Yes, you are.”

Spike didn’t seem to believe her.

“You’re an awesome cook, you’re funny, you help me fix up my car, you’re cute-” Both of them blushed at that. “You’re super chill, you’re strong, you can code and shit, you’re smart and you’re loyal…after all the shit we’ve given you but you still say I’m your friend…way more than I’ve ever been.”

He just looked at her for a while but just sighed. “...I could pick those apart…”

Rainbow just gave him a flat look, a sad one as well as she realized how down he really was.

“I had to learn to cook because Twilight sucks at it, I joke to make up for feeling inferior, I took classes to build and fix up cars and stuff but no one goes to me for it, they all go to you.” Rainbow hissed, that one stung. “I’m only like this because I can’t act up or I’m seen as annoying otherwise, I had to learn to get past the child lock Twilight put on my computer and I’ll never be as smart or as loyal as any of you…”

“...have…people been comparing you to us?”

“No…I’ve been comparing myself to you all.”

Rainbow was crying again, but she wiped the tears away before they got the best of her. “You don’t have to…”

“...being Spike was never enough so…I felt that if I didn’t…I’d really be forgotten…”

Rainbow and Spike sat there after that, neither of them sure what to say or do after those words. What felt like minutes passed before Rainbow finally spoke.

“You deserved better than us…”

Spike turned to look at her, Rainbow was fighting tears.

“You’re awesome! You cook better than any of those stuffy fucking places Rarity takes us! You laugh at all of our dumb jokes, you put up with me and my bullshit all the fucking time! You made my car fucking awesome! I couldn’t have done that shit! You’re not annoying! You’ve never been annoying! You don’t deserve the way Twilight- no! You don’t deserve the way ANYONE is treating you!” Rainbow gave up and the tears rolled down her face.

“...it's not about what I deserved.” Spike slowly spoke up as Rainbow Dash tried to wipe away the tears more and more. “I…I wanted to belong with you guys. Because no matter how often I was forgotten or not included…you guys are my friends. My best friends.”

She looked at him and realized he was handing her napkins, she stared at them for a while before carefully taking them and blowing her nose. A trash basin slid over with a push of Spike’s tail as well. Rainbow Dash started crying a little more.

“...Rarity doesn’t deserve you.”

“That’s just the tears talking, you don’t mean that.” Spike gave her a dry smile and Rainbow sniffled.

“I don’t…do you still have a thing for her?”

“Haven’t since high school.”

“That’s like…6 years? How has no one noticed?”

Spike just shrugged as Rainbow blew her nose again and finished wiping the tears.

“...you’re awesome man…I would have fucking lost it by now…”

“I’m just built different.” Spike shrugged and Rainbow laughed, he smiled at that.

“How has no one like, snatched you up or whatever? You’re super patient and can cook, don’t most folks go for that shit?”

“You’d be surprised how many girls aren’t super chill dating a guy who looks like jailbait.” Spike rolled his eyes and Rainbow hissed again. “Besides the fact that because I cook so well I got the ‘I feel like I can’t match up’ comment before.”

“That’s- Wait, you’ve dated before?”

Spike nodded and Rainbow groaned before flopping against the back of the couch. “Well…guessing it didn’t work out?”

“Out of ten? Seven lasted four dates, two stopped during the first and one girl said it was a dare.”

“Ouch.”

“Right?”

They looked at each other and chuckled, things were still a little awkward, but something about having everything out in the open made everything feel more…natural.

Rainbow Dash sat up and rubbed her eye a bit. “You know Moondancer thinks you’re cute.”

“I heard, two years ago.”

“Fuck, I keep doing that.” Rainbow groaned at herself.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. Honestly? I’d rather we leave it under the bridge to drown.” Spike waved his hand in the air.

“But that sounds so fucked, like…I can’t just forget this.” Rainbow ruffled her hair as Spike shrugged.

“If I'm being honest? I didn’t even want this to come out. Before you say anything, I told myself a long time ago that not all relationships are made equal. It’s not the best but…I was ready for you guys to never treat me the way you do to each other, you guys have been through a lot together. And I wasn’t there. I was just ‘Twilight’s brother’ and never more than that. You don’t think about Sweetie Belle all the time right?”

“I…I guess?”

“It’s like that, sometimes different people have different values and treat people who they aren’t super close to somewhat indifferently, but they still treat them like friends when faced with them. It's not exactly like courtesy but it's something people do all the time.”

Rainbow just blinked.

“You’re like, super smart.”

“I studied social interaction and the mentality of ‘friendship’, apart from my mechanics studies and thesis.” Spike relaxed more, laughing at himself a bit.

“That’s why you fixed up my car right? Something about some paper or something?”

“Yeah, I was doing a study on engines, oils and natural substitutes. Didn’t get very far though, Twilight needed my help with a project and it just dropped off my radar. Still gonna turn it in during finals though, waste not want not and all that.”

Rainbow Dash nodded at that and gave Spike another look over, he looked better now. Smiling and laughing, she liked him like this.

“...should I talk to the others?” Rainbow’s face fell a bit when Spike flinched at the idea.

“...probably not. I don’t want to hurt Pinkie…”

“So…we just keep this between us?”

“...yeah?”

They stared at each other again.

She knew how he really felt and he knew she was sorry and legitimately, sincerely felt terrible about it.

The world was opened to them now, there wasn’t much between them now besides air and silence.

Rainbow shuffled a little and wiggled her toes underneath her socks, pursing her lips as she thought of what to say next, when she just suddenly thought ‘Fuck it’.

“Hey Spike?”

Spike blinked quickly, not sure who would speak first but thankful she did. “Yeah?”

“I barely know shit about you.”

He wasn’t sure where she was going.

“But I know you’re cool, you’re funny, cute, a hell of a cook, I can relax around you and shit like that you know?” She looked away from him for a moment but saw him nod in the corner of her eye. “We don’t really hang out much, but I wanna change that. But the more I think about it, I don’t know enough to know where to begin. I know you like cars and you’re into sports, I still remember the off season.” She chuckled at the memory of her, Applejack, Granny Smith, Big Mac and Spike all yelling at a television screen while the other girls all tried to cover their ears.

“When I think about it, I really like the idea, hanging out with you. Getting to know you and stuff. Just chilling and talking about things. But not because I feel terrible- Because I fuckin do.” She saw Spike rub the back of his neck and smiled to turn her head to him. “I want to do it because I realized something, Spike is cool.”

Spike blinked and blushed a little at the praise. “Jeez um…thanks RD.”

“So we should go out.”

And she lost him. “Huh?”

“Okay check it." She turned her body to him, her legs rest on the couch. "I wanna get to know you, right?”

Spike followed along and turned his body so he was facing her. “Right.”

“I wanna hang out with you way more now and do stuff with you, right?”

“I guess?”

“I think you’re cute, funny and cool.”

“Thanks?”

“But I don’t know what the fuck to do, because I feel like dogshit but don’t want to come off like I’m doing this because of that.”

“...so your solution is to pity date me?”

“No! To date date you, It’s not out of pity, any girl that could snag you is fuckin’ lucky man. Not every dude can look at someone who’s dismissed them for like ten years and still care about them enough to do all the stuff you’ve done for us. That's awesome and…well…you deserve to be appreciated.”

Spike blushed as Rainbow scooted a little closer.

“It’s not out of pity. You’re a cool guy. One of the best I know the more I think about it. It's like…all the things I’d taken for granted about you are all coming back to me and telling me ‘Hey, Spike is a total 10, date him before you regret it’ and you know I follow my gut feelings.”

Spike nodded at that before sitting up straight and uncurling his tail from around himself. “So…you really want to date me?”

“I at least want to give it a shot? I mean I went out with AJ, we broke up but we’re still cool.” Rainbow smiled hopefully and scooted closer. “So?”

Spike stared at her, a long hard inquisitive look, studying her in every way he could, it's not like the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. Dating Rainbow wasn’t a terrible idea, it was just the timing that made him skeptical.

“...can you promise me something Rainbow?”

“Okay.” Rainbow agreed without missing a beat.

“But you don’t even-”

“You’re worth it Spike.” Rainbow smiled, softer and kinder than he’d ever seen before. “No matter what you ask of me I can do it. I really do think you’re cool and…I want to give this a proper try.”

Spike blinked and smiled. “I was going to ask you to promise me that you really mean this but…sure…let’s give us a try.”

Rainbow brightened up and blushed as she rubbed the back of her neck, Spike suddenly thought she was cute.

“So…wanna kiss?”

Spike’s face flushed and he backed into the couch’s arm. “W-wh-what!?”

“Come on, don’t be a prude dude.” Rainbow’s flushed face pouted slightly. “It’s just a kiss man, you’ve kissed before, you’ve had to.”

Spike blinked and slowly nodded.

“See? It’s not a big deal man.”

Spike slowly sat back down and gave the idea some thought. “Don’t you think that’s a bit fast?”

Rainbow Dash crossed her arms and her brow raised in a look that made Spike feel dumb for asking that question.

“Right, fourteen years and I still forget this is Rainbow Crash I’m talking to.”

“Hey! Watch it buster! Just because you’re my boyfriend now doesn’t mean I won’t pound you.”

“Not even a single date and you’re jumping to pounding me? For shame Rainbow.”

The track star blushed hard and Spike laughed out loud at that, but instead of getting mad Rainbow Dash just got closer to him. Spike’s laughter died as her weight shifted the couch and he turned to see her coming closer. The two locked eyes, Rainbow’s brilliant cersire orbs bore into him, she was really going to do it. He opened and closed his mouth as she got closer, but he gave it some hard thought for a moment. Kissing Rainbow wouldn’t be too bad…

Spike’s anxiety fell away as he leaned in, Rainbow blushing more as he did so, she was way more nervous about this for some reason. Their eyes began to close as they got closer, each other’s breath on the other’s lips, Spike’s was hot, but not uncomfortable, something about the thought of his warm lips made Rainbow close the distance without thinking.

It was happening.

And as soon as it started Rainbow pulled back for a moment.

“...spicy…”

Spike flushed deeply, his dark skin becoming at least five shades darker.

Rainbow Dash kissed him again and Spike’s eyes went wide for a moment, before he fell into the strangely electrifying embrace, her lips were interestingly sweet he noted. It was a rather chaste kiss, no sucking face or deliberate making out, just their lips held together in something meaningful and slow. Spike's heart attempted to beat out of his chest, the loud thumping making Rainbow's heart beat in a strange rhythmic dance. A spark flew between them, something that hadn't existed before flashing into life. This calm union, this strange but oddly enticing thing that held their hearts together during this time. It could build into something greater or flicker out in a puff of smoke, but for the time being, they just wanted to be together.

Time lost its meaning to them as Rainbow’s hand came up to cup Spike’s cheek, her tanned fingers brushing against his warm skin. Spike’s hands came up to her waist, lightly holding her hips as the tender kiss continued for what felt like hours. Rainbow gave a wiggle of her hips when she felt Spike's hands land there, her new partner giving her a little squeeze, sending a happy jolt through her.

They pulled back finally, and looked into each other's eyes.

“...wow.” Rainbow breathed out slowly.

“...yeah…” Spike blinked but didn’t move his hands.

They looked at each other for a moment and something about it all made them laugh. Rainbow leaned her head against Spike’s and his draconic tail wrapped around her leg.

The athlete giggled and traced Spike’s jaw with her thumb. “It’s like kissing a breath mint.”

“Well I’m making out with pop rocks.” Spike lightly squeezed her hips in a caring gesture.

They laughed again.

Minutes passed before they stopped and looked at each other again, they didn’t speak, they just closed the distance between them again.

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to deepen the kiss and Spike didn’t seem to mind as he returned the gesture. The kiss is deeper, just a bit heavier, but that’s as far as it seems to go as the two of them continue their embrace, a passionately slow time where the fresh couple found their peace in one another. She claimed Spike's lips was spicy, but the deeper the kiss went the more his natural warmth and strangely cool lips made her spine tingle. Spike found Rainbow to be, in a word, sweet, her lips and motions were loving and caring, her lips, although they sent tiny jolts of electricity through his body, were like dangerously addictive honey.

The more they kissed, the more the two of them fought to keep their hands busy. Rainbow’s other hand came up to his face as she kisses him more, her other hand continuing to hold and caress his cheek. Spike’s tail wrapped further around her leg and his nails slightly drag against the fabric of her clothes. Rainbow enjoyed the pressure and shivered slightly at his touch. The only sound that seemed to flow through the quaint house were the light noises the both of them made during their time together. Rainbow’s own soft hums into the kiss meeting the light purring coming from the young man beneath her.

Unfortunately, Spike’s phone went off.

Spike’s eyes fluttered as he took back his lips, leaving Rainbow just a little upset. “Just gimme a sec.” He grabbed his phone and flipped it on. “Ah…Twi’s calling, she’s probably at the airport.”

He quickly answered the call and put it to his ear. “Twi?”

“Hi Spike! I just got to the airport, and I’m about to board so I won’t be able to check up on you two or anything. Now I know that you don't like the arrangements but I hope you try and get along well while I’m gone.”

Spike looked at Rainbow Dash, who was currently laying her head on his chest, seemingly surprised by the toned nature of his body. “We should be good.”

Rainbow looked up and smirked. “More than good.”

Twilight on the other end piped up. “Is that Dash?”

Rainbow was about to swipe the phone but looked at Spike, a question in her eyes. He just smiled and handed it to her. “Sup Twi?”

“He hasn’t given you any trouble has he?”

“It's been like…a few hours?” She lowered the phone and looked at Spike, neither of them knew how long they’d been making out. “Uh…but no we’re good. Give him some credit, egghead, he’s quite the guy you know.” Rainbow gave him a look and Spike blushed.

“I know, but I can’t help but worry. Just take care of him okay?”

“I’ll do more than that.” Rainbow cooed at Spike and the dravyern boy let out a mix of a purr and scared hum.

“What was that?”

“Nothing Twi, go ahead and do your thing, see you.” Before Twilight could respond she hung up and put the phone down on the floor. “So, are we going to keep kissing?”

“I-I mean…I’d love to, but we kinda need to eat and stuff.” His phone went off again but they both ignored it.

“The food can wait…” Rainbow scooted closer.

“...it can, can’t it?” Spike stole her lips and Rainbow let out a delighted hum at the spicy embrace.

Maybe these next two weeks would be better than either dared hope?

Author's Note

New story who dis?
For real though, it's a fun to write something focused on two people for once.

So I don't want to start the 'Oh no, all of the girls are horrible' train, that really wasn't the point. It happens, some people just kinda forget the people in their lives, that doesn't make them terrible and I hope no one thinks I'm trying to paint them like bad guys.

Hope y'all enjoy this bad boy though, should be too long all things hoping.

What's In A Relationship?

Sleep was nice. It was something of a hobby to the Skyborn, naps during any hour she could get to herself were like little treats. She usually found pretty comfortable places to sleep, but something about this ‘bed’ she was on made her not want to wake up.

But she still stirred awake.

She grumbled at the sleep that left her, attempting to threaten it into coming back to her. However, her combat with a concept faded from her mind as she felt her ‘bed’ rise and fall. Her eyes moved up and traced the green hoodie. Up some more. Dark skin and a cute jawline. A little more. Spike’s lips.

Lips.

She kissed him.

Rainbow jolted but didn’t move, instead going for a slow rise off of the young man’s chest. She looked at where they were, they hadn’t left the living room, the couch having become their resting place for the night. A blanket was on the floor, food and drinks were on a nearby table and there were DVDs all around.

Last night slowly came back to her as she covered her face a little, after making out for even longer they couldn’t ignore their stomachs anymore and actually ate something. She called Spike a good cook, but man, when he wanted to, the man could make something ridiculous.

They both agreed her wings sprouting from her back would go unspoken.

Her fingers slid down her face to the television, it was still on and playing some soft music while on its standby mode. She remembered watching a bunch of movies, eating, drinking, getting drunk, and blacking out.

At least she must have blacked out because she couldn’t recall where the blanket came from.

Her eyes fell onto the still-sleeping form of her new boyfriend. …it was strange thinking that…Spike was her boyfriend. Before this day she didn’t know if would believe it if someone had told her that this is where she’d find a better beau than whatever that last guy was. And then the how came back to her. Her shoulders dropped as she looked at Spike, she never once considered how he must have felt being left out, never asked how he felt, never even thought to stop by and hang out with the guy. Sure she was going to do that all now but that didn’t change what happened before. He said to drop it, but it wasn’t something that she could just let go of.

Rainbow raised her hands back to her face and lightly slapped her cheeks. She was NOT going to do any of this out of pity! She liked Spike, she really did, he was an awesome guy, sweet to her and any girl he met, the kind of guy you can rely on and that’ll rely on you. All of these things swam through her mind as she locked eyes with his lips.

It helped that he got an A+ in kissing.

She thought about kissing him awake, but something about that made her feel weird, so instead, she reached out and poked his lips, they were rough, like a pillow in texture and cushion. His breath and lips were hotter than she’d ever thought they could be, but it wasn’t so hot she worried about getting burned. It was the kind of warmth that would come from sitting on the couch while a fire was lit during winter. Cozy! That was the word she was looking for. His lips were cozy, his chest was cozy, Spike was a cozy boyfriend.

…

Something about that sounded undermining…she’d keep it to herself.

While she was lost in thought, the tracing of Spike’s lips began to drag him from sleep. Rainbow snapped back to the world and took her finger back quickly as he groaned and groggily opened his eyes. He blinked a few times and Rainbow Dash just watched him come to the same realization she went through.

“...we kissed.”

“A lot.”

Spike sat up and looked at Rainbow with clarity, they took up the centermost part of the couch, very close to each other, just a single lean forward and they would be touching.

But they stayed that way for a bit, just looking at each other again, seas of thoughts wordlessly flowing around them until Rainbow Dash leaned in and kissed him.

Spike didn’t shy away or flush like he did before, only returning the quick kiss, both of them staying leaned in close into the other.

“...breakfast?”

“What time even is it?”

Spike blinked and his tail swiped his phone off the ground, Rainbow blinked and a playful thought ran through her as Spike cringed as he opened his phone.

“What’s up?”

“Twilight called me 40 times.”

“Woof.”

“I also got a call from Miss Tia and a text from Miss Luna, they both say hi and they’ll handle Twilight. “ Spike hummed but blushed when Rainbow leaned against him to look at his phone.

“Mooncakes huh?” Rainbow gave Spike a look and he quickly closed his phone. “Hey I ain’t gonna judge man, they’re hot.”

“To be clear, Button did that when he had my phone once.”

“And you never changed it?”

Spike remained quiet while blushing. Rainbow’s smile curled up and she crawled up further on the young man until she had him pinned. “Blushing Spike is cute.”

“And vicious Rainbow is scary.”

Rainbow Dash laughed and got up off of Spike. “Okay, okay, I’m done.” She turned and gave him a less playful smile. “So? Breakfast?”

Spike stared at her for a moment before chuckling and standing up. “Coming right up, what are you feeling?”

“Pancakes.”

“FlapDash returns.”

Rainbow lightly shoved Spike and the dravyernian boy laughed as he moved to the kitchen. “Ass.”

Spike looked at her and smirked before looking at the floor of the living room. “Do me a solid and pick up everything? Even if Twi isn’t here I take pride in being clean.”

“Got it tiger.” Rainbow bent down and rolled up the blanket, stood up and looked back at Spike for a moment as he started pulling stuff out of the cabinets.

“...have you ever checked me out?”

“Nine hells!” Something clattered as Spike dropped a bowl. “You’re gonna give me a conniption if you keep saying things like that with no build-up!”

Rainbow just kept looking at him, and the longer she did the more his cheeks flushed.

“...yes.”

“When?”

“Are we really talking about this right now?”

“I mean…when would we?”

“...you have a point.” Spike sighed as he disappeared under the kitchen counter. “Track, during gym, while you’ve jogged by in the morning, that one time last year when you and the girls came over while I was studying, it was before you got drunk by the way.”

Rainbow hissed at that memory, she and Pinkie had stormed into his room and bothered him for about ten minutes before passing out on his bed.

“Not proud of that night…so you think I’m hot?”

“Dash, half the campus thinks you’re hot.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“...yes, you’re hot.”

Rainbow Dash watched Spike stand back up, his ears were the same shade as his face now. Seeing him blush made her oddly giddy, she had to fight the girly feeling of jumping around though. She’d do that later.

“Thanks Spike.” She giggled as he began mumbling and grumbling while continuing his cooking preparations. She turned and set the blanket on the couch, moving and picking up the cups, bowls, and plates, bringing them over to the sink in the kitchen. She turned her eyes to Spike as she turned to go back to the living room, his back was to her and it made her want to poke him.

So she did.

“Yipe!” Spike jumped as a finger touched the back of his neck, he turned and Rainbow had her hands behind her head and whistled. “Do you wanna talk about something?”

“What? All I did was touch you.” Rainbow looked at him and her mouth flattened at his tone.

“Yeah well, don’t.” Spike sighed and opened the fridge to pull out a set of eggs, when he stood up Rainbow had her arms crossed and her brow was furrowed. The two stared at each other for a moment.

Rainbow was the first to look away, her shoulders dropping a bit.

Spike blinked and set the eggs down before sighing heavily. “Sorry…”

“No, don’t. I’m sorry.”

“Rainbow, look at me.” She didn’t. “Dash, please look at me.”

The athlete looked at him finally.

“Neither of us need to be sorry.” Spike stepped over to her and leaned around the counter next to her.

Rainbow groaned and leaned on the counter alongside Spike. “...does it make you uncomfortable? The way I am?”

“Not really, it's just how you are.”

“You seem bothered by the questions and stuff…”

“I’m not bothered by it, it just catches me off guard.”

Rainbow Dash looked away for a moment but turned to face him again. “Don’t tell anyone about what I’m gonna say, okay?”

“I’ll take it to my grave.”

“...I like body heat.”

Spike blinked. “Huh?”

“It’s like…I want to be close to people because it's comfortable. Hugging people, leaning on my friends, laying on Fluttershy’s or Pinkie’s lap, stuff like that is cause…I like the warmth that comes from people.”

Spike nodded slowly and rubbed his chin. “Your love language is contact.”

Rainbow tilted her head. “Love language?”

“It’s uh, like the things you do with people that shows you care about them. You don’t like to hug and lean on people you don’t know well right?”

“Nah, just my friends.”

“That’s what’s called ‘love language’ not everyone has one, and not all of them are obvious. I have one too.”

Rainbow thought for a while and looked Spike over. “You do? Is it one of those not obvious ones?”

“Tail.”

Rainbow blinked and looked down at his tail, it was somewhat curling around her leg and when she looked up at his face Spike was blushing. “I like this love language stuff.”

“But the point I’m making,” He raised his finger at Rainbow and she focused on what he was saying now, even as his tail still held onto her leg. “Is that different people show how they care differently, you also run at a different pace than me. I prefer a slower run of things, I want to make sure that things are secured. I got this way after years and years of figuring out who I am. So the way you are isn’t bad, it doesn’t make me like you less and any frustration I let out was…”

Rainbow had hung off his words so when he slowly began to trail off she found it strange, he was eloquent, despite what he thought of himself Rainbow thought he was one of the smartest people she knew. But she only just kind of figured out what he was thinking, and as he seemed deep in thought it was up to her to pick up the pace.

“Is it because of how fast it all happened?” Spike’s eyes refocused onto her and a face he made just yesterday flashed again before her. “I get it, when I walked through that door we were still just friends and taking jabs at each other. We’ve got a back and forth thing going and it's hard to drop. I admit that, I almost snatched your phone when you were on the phone with Twi, that’s not cool usually but it's just kinda the way it was with you, AJ and Pinkie. We just act, but now that’s not always cool. Especially after what we talked about yesterday.”

It was Spike’s turn to look away for a moment, as true to his feelings those words were, he wished he had said them differently.

“I’m not gonna act like I studied social…whatever, but I do know what it's like to deal with a relationship changing. Me and AJ started going out in high school, yeah? Well if you asked anyone else literally nothing changed beside the fact that I tried kissing her. Which she didn’t like, at least not in public. But she never said that to me, she just pushed me off and we argued, because that’s how we always did things. But neither of us, like, picked up that something had to change if we were going to work out, they didn’t change so…” Rainbow kind of trailed off before moving on. “But we’re still tight, I’d fucking kick anyone’s ass if I heard them say some shit about Applejack. But like…I learned from that, so every other relationship I got in changed from what whatever we were before. Like with that asshat Jet, we were like bros, but when I gave him a shot I tried being closer and not so much like a bro anymore. Things nosedived cause he’s a fuck though.”

“You did talk about that once, something about trying to…”

“In his words ‘Keep me with the company I should have.’” They both just rolled their eyes at the words. “But yeah like that, when I dated Gilda we stopped butting heads and tried to be more comfortable with each other. But we didn’t say anything to each other, we just kinda…hoped the other person would get it.”

“So…that’s why you just…say stuff?”

“Better than saying nothing ever in my eyes. I’m not patient enough to wait and hope for someone to understand my wants and needs. You were right, it's just who I am, and I wouldn’t change that.”

Spike nodded at her, he found learning from Rainbow was interesting, the way she spoke and moved, leaning back and then standing up straight when she got excited or figured something out. The way her eyes shot about as she spoke, only to land on his again. All her motions made her very interesting to watch.

He certainly was interested in her lips as well, but now wasn’t the time.

“I get that, I’ll admit…I hadn’t thought about how we’d have to change…”

“It’s not something that just ‘poofs’ into your head, gotta get that experience in.”

“Which you have a lot more in.”

“That was a dig wasn’t it?”

“If it was, are you gonna do something about it?”

Rainbow and Spike looked at each other for a moment before they both laughed, Spike turning and getting back to making breakfast. “So? You want to be, like, vocal about everything?”

“That’s the idea.” Rainbow stepped over and stood behind him while he started cracking eggs. “You don’t like being touched, right?”

“Not exactly, I like physical contact, I’m pretty big on hugs and stuff myself. It’s my back overall that I don’t like getting touched.” He turned on the heat on their electric stove and set the pan down before getting to mixing the necessary ingredients. “Something about stuff happening where I can’t see it bothers the hell outta me.”

“So I can’t grab your ass?”

Spike was happy he froze instead of jumping like before, he was slowly getting used to Rainbow Dash and that worried him a little. “Excuse me?”

“What? I’m sure you've got a soft butt, like 95% sure.”

Spike grabbed the bowl he was using to make the mix and turned to give Rainbow an expression that asked a very loud question.

“You just seem the type to have a great ass.”

“I don’t think I want to consider that further.”

“It's a compliment.”

“Obviously.”

Rainbow poked his forehead and Spike stuck his longer than usual tongue out at her.

“But to answer your question seriously…I’m not sure how I feel about it. It seems a little fast to be thinking about the way you’ll manhandle me.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Fair. Guess we’ll see how it goes.”

“Quite…wait I should ask, do you have an issue getting…touched?”

“Nah.” Rainbow leaned back on the counter again, still standing directly in front of Spike at this point.

He stopped his mixing to ponder her words. “Really?”

“I mean…I feel like you’re not the type to walk up to me and just-”

“Please put it in a way that won’t have me precooking this batter.”

“...grab my ass?”

“That works.”

“Yeah, you just don’t seem the type so it’s not something I worried about. But like if you ever do decide to get the stones to do that, I don’t mind as long as it’s not something the world has to see. So keep the kinky behind closed doors.”

“I will keep that in mind.” He turned back around and continued making breakfast while Rainbow stared at the back of his head.

“But getting back on track, so it’s just don’t touch your back.”

“Specifically, don't sneak touch my back, I don’t mind if you like, rub my shoulders or hug me from behind, it's the secretly doing it thing that makes it uncomfortable.” He got the words out when Rainbow stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Is this okay?”

“I-its good.” Spike blushed and continued what he was doing, at least until he felt Rainbow’s face against his neck.

“How about this?” She nuzzled his neck, her lips brushing against his dark skin, making him flush even deeper.

“Y-yeah.”

Spike could feel her heart beating against his back, among other things that were on his back. He was allowed to focus on what he was doing while Rainbow Dash continued to hold onto him, just watching him make their breakfast for the remainder of this time.

When breakfast was finally done, they sat down and ate, neither speaking, but both of them carrying the same thoughts in their minds. They had a lot to say, Rainbow had made a good point of it, getting out what both of them are comfortable with and what they want out of the relationship would be the healthiest thing here.

Spike was focused on finishing so he could talk, his eyes landing on Rainbow Dash deeply enjoying the pancakes. He smiled at that and swallowed. “Guess I’m the designated cook between us.”

Rainbow looked at him and nodded, she grabbed a glass of apple juice and chugged it down before speaking. “Hell yeah, I mean, if you want. I can’t cook for shit, but if you ever don’t feel like cooking I can go grab something.”

“Speaking of that, what about the car situation?”

Rainbow hummed at that, they both had cars, however- “I don’t really drive mine unless I’m going pretty far. I took a drive like last week out along the coast, but she’s been sitting back at home for a bit. So I guess we’ll take yours local?”

“And hop in the hotrod for casual drives out of town?”

“I like that idea.” Rainbow grinned and stuffed her face with pancakes again.

Spike chuckled and took his time drinking down his own glass before getting up and taking care of dishes while she wrapped up. “Anything else before we sit and talk shop?”

Rainbow Dash muffled some kind of affirmative before loudly swallowing. “Kissing! When can’t I kiss you?”

“That's a part of ‘shop’ but honestly? I don’t really care about stuff like that, Twi is a prude but mom and dad sure as hell aren’t.”

Rainbow walked over and handed him the reminder of the dishes. “I get that it's a part of what we’ll be talking about, but it's really important. Cause I like kissing you.”

Spike blushed, again, that was happening a lot around her, at least she was blushing this time too. “I like it too.”

Rainbow giggled before shaking it off and leaning against the counter, it was getting lots of attention today.

“What do I taste like?”

Spike almost dropped a glass on the floor. “You are-” He looked at her and she looked fairly bashful about the question, he paused and scrubbed the cup. “...electricity charged strawberries.”

“...wow.”

Spike felt a jolt run through him as Rainbow kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks tiger.”

“What’s up with the nickname, not that I mind.”

Rainbow hummed and tapped a finger on her lips. “Can’t call you Spikey, that’s not really my thing. I could call you other stuff but tiger just seems to fit, no real reason.” She turned and tapped the finger that had been touching her lips to Spike’s, getting another blush from him.

“Let me work, woman.”

She simply laid her top half on the counter and gazed at him while he cleaned.

No words or teasing, she just looked at him.

“You like staring at me don’t you?”

“Yeah…I just like seeing you in motion, I never appreciated all the little ways you’re different from me.”

“You mean Skyborn to Dravyernian?”

“That too.” She reached out and her fingers traced his jaw, he jumped a little at her touch but thankfully had finished the dishes. She ran two fingers down along his jaw until they came near his lips. “Your skin is almost like leather…it's softer but sturdier than anything I’ve felt before...”

“Can trace that back to draconian ancestors, magic does strange things as time goes on.” He turned to her as her hand came up to his cheek, slowly moving up and through his hair. The action and tenderness of her touch drew a low rumble out of his throat.

“I didn’t say anything yesterday…but I didn’t know you purred.”

“It’s not purring exactly, it's not a buzz or anything.”

Rainbow stood up, making Spike’s head turn up as she stood very close to him and continued to run her fingers through his hair. The same rumble came from his throat as he stared up at her through lidded eyes.

“Sounds like purring.”

“Fine, I purr.” He stared up at her as she examined his eyes.

“I didn’t know they changed colors.”

Spike’s eyes faded from their deep green to a slightly more teal color as he stared at her; she wouldn’t have ever noticed it if they weren’t this close. However, no sooner did she mention it than they quickly turned back.

“It's a response to stimulation, a chemical reaction to excitement, anger, sadness, that kind of thing. Course I try to keep a cool head so they don’t tend to change much.”

“Cool…”

Rainbow looked down at the shorter male whose face was being held up by her hands. She just leaned down and kissed him, not really surprising Spike as he returned the embrace. She kissed just a bit deeper now, exploring his lips with her tongue, Spike didn’t back away or flinch, instead he put his hands on her arms. She felt him pull her hands away and she slowly broke the kiss, though she remained close enough to continue if Spike wanted to.

“We…should talk first.”

“...later?”

“Later.”

Rainbow made a face, she really liked kissing Spike, her cozy boyfriend was like temptation wrapped up in a cute guy with a bunch of cool stuff decorating it. But she’d be patient for him, even if it wasn’t her usual deal.

He was worth it.

Spike led her back to the couch, Rainbow quickly picked up the DVDs though as they had lain forgotten on the floor. They both sat down and now the floor was open for…anything really.

Spike began. “You mentioned liking contact, does that mean you don’t mind PDA?”

“Nope, I’m all for it. Usually I’m not into gushy stuff, but something about feeling the warmth of someone else just makes my day. And you’re like a fireplace on a cold day. So yeah, BIG into PDA. What about you?”

“No issues here, just as long as anything touchier stays being a closed door.”

“I get that.”

Spike hummed and leaned back on the couch. “How are we on the ‘L’ word?”

“Lesbian?”

“Love, you airhead.”

Rainbow snorted a laugh at Spike as he rolled his eyes.

“Haha, sorry man, but uh…not yet. You know? I feel like it's fine for us, fourteen years of knowing each other makes up for the year Rarity claims is enough time you should wait. But we don’t know if that’s what this is yet…right?”

Now that was a question.

“...I’m not sure. But I do agree, maybe not after a single day of dating.”

“Okay um…how do you feel about people knowing about us?”

“Tell the world.”

“Wow, didn’t take you for the type.”

“I don’t have anything to hide Dash, if I did, I’d make it clear.”

“Glad we’re on the same track.”

“What about the dating situation? Do you want to go on actual dates?”

“I mean…yeah? Like I don’t really care for fancy shit, you know? But going out to the beach or something is cool.”

“I’m pretty partial about plans and stuff, but I get you like to just pick up and go. I’ll give it a shot if I can.”

“That…that means a lot.”

Spike and Rainbow smiled at each other as she reached over and took his hand.

“How do you feel about drinking?”

Spike groaned. “Can’t stand it.”

“How!? A good cold brew is fuckin’ great.”

“Because it actually makes me sick.”

Rainbow blinked.

“What can I breathe Dashie?”

“...fire.”

“And what can alcohol do?”

“...you’re not gonna like, explode or something, right!?”

Spike raised a hand to calm her down. “No, nothing like that. The fumes and everything just messes with my stomach and throat. If it’s fairly low in percentage I can drink it, it's just not my thing otherwise.”

Rainbow relaxed a bit. “That’s good, I like you so I don’t want to see you blow up.”

“Thanks. Okay uh, how much time do you want to spend together?”

“...all of it?”

“...really?”

“Yeah, I mean, I get that we’re both busy and stuff. I’ve got my sports career and Wonderbolt stuff, and you’ve got…how are you making money?”

“Oh, I’m an editor.”

“For who?”

“Yearling.”

“...shut up.”

“I’m serious.”

“...shut the fuck up.”

“I can literally call Daring, like now. She’ll have my tail, but I can do it.”

Rainbow just stared at him. “How have I never known this?”

“Because I go by a pseudonym, it was one of the requirements to work with her, considering I can’t actually talk about anything that comes my way.”

Rainbow did her best to manage her breathing as she looked at Spike. “You’ve been talking to my hero for how long?”

“Two years, I wanted to work earlier but she gave me the boot and said to apply later. I did and now I’m here. Not sure I want to do this for the rest of my life though…”

She just stared at him some more before shaking her head, obviously he was being as vague as possible so he couldn’t talk about much. “Okay um…but like I was saying. Any time I’m not working, training or hanging with the girls, I want to be with you.”

“It's not hard to find me, I always have my phone on me or I’m at home.”

Rainbow nodded and began to rub her thumb across the back of his hand. “...what about…sex?”

Spike’s heart dropped to his feet and smoke began to billow out of his nose. “I- uh- wha?”

Rainbow didn’t tease him or laugh, she was genuinely considering this.

Spike’s mind worked into a frenzy as he stared at her, trying to constrict his thoughts into something coherent.

“Early.”

Words failed him.

“T-too early.”

That was better.

Rainbow nodded, her eyes locked onto their hands, still locking together. “Thought so…”

“...Dash?”

“I…it’s something with the body heat thing…”

“Ah…skin to skin…”

“Yeah…”

Spike took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “It’s something…I’d like to do at some point. I’ll be honest about that.”

She smiled at him again, appreciating how straightforward he was being.

“You’re hot, as we’ve cleared up, and if we get that close I wouldn’t mind at all.”

“But not now, or anytime soon. Yeah, that’s fair.”

“I get the feeling there’s something you aren’t saying.” Spike raised an eyebrow.

“...it’s not a big deal to me? Like it's just another thing we’d do together. I know lots of people are really awkward about sex, waiting till marriage or not liking to talk about it. But…I don’t really think it's something to shy away from. If you can do something like that with someone, then you can do basically anything with them. Rarity says I’m ‘Sex Casual’.”

“That sounds about right.” Spike nodded and took Rainbow’s hand up with his and brought it to his lips, kissing the tips of her fingers. A small squeak coming out of Rainbow. “I’m…I guess ‘Sex Nuetral’? I agree that it’s important, but I don’t think I’d need sex in a relationship to enjoy it.”

“Like if the person you’re with doesn’t ever want to have sex you’ll be good?”

“Kinda? More like I can be with someone without ever wanting to have sex with them, Fizzie and I-”

“Fizzie? Wait, Fizzle? You mean that dude that hangs with Garble?”

“Yeah? Oh…did I not mention that?”

“NO!” Rainbow groaned and her head fell back. “Now I KNOW you have a great ass, you fit all the notes!”

“I demand a detailed explanation on that at some point, but yes, I’ve dated guys before.”

“Guys as in plural?”

“Snails discovered lots of stuff about themselves, one of them is that I wasn’t their type.”

“Man I’m out of like every loop.”

“To be fair, I promised to keep it quiet.”

Rainbow nodded at that. “Okay, so I get that part. So you want to have sex with me, but just not yet. You’re fine with me being really casual about it, even if you’re not always up for it?”

“Got it in one.”

Rainbow nodded and began humming. “What’s it like kissing another guy?”

“Like kissing another girl.”

“Fair.”

“Anything else?”

“Man I’m drawing a blank, you got anything?”

Spike swiped his phone with his tail again and flipped it open. “I could look up a list of questions.”

“Sure, fuck it.”

Spike chuckled and start rolling through questions, focusing on the ones that hadn’t been answered or weren't stupid. Rainbow let his hand go and sat up to focus on him. “Okay answer these in order. Where would you like to go with me? Do you want me to compliment you? Where and how can I support you? If you could describe our relationship in a word - what would it be? Is there a behavior I have that irritates you?”

“In order? The beach or just the coast, I’d like to chill with you next to the ocean for sure. Yes, please, but seriously I’d appreciate anything you’d say, jab or not, I know you don’t mean much by them. I’d appreciate if you’d stop by for my games and when I’m training, just being there will seriously help. Cozy. You’re sassy, but it's cute as long as you don’t do it too much.”

“Gonna tackle one of those, cozy?”

“Like a fireplace.” She spun around and laid her head in his lap.

“Marshmallows included?”

“You’re such a nerd.”

Spike smirked down at her and Rainbow laughed as he went back to his phone.

“Here’s one that might need its own though, what would you prefer we be? As a couple I mean, do you want us to be casual, focused on our relationship and building it towards something? Do you want to be open or exclusive? Because I wouldn’t know the first thing about that.”

“Same man…let’s stick to just us. Those are questions for Future Rainbow.” She cracked her knuckles and laid her legs out across the couch properly. “Anything else?”

“Uh, What do I mean to you?”

“That’s a deep one.”

“It's on the list.”

“You’re…the first person I’ve felt totally at ease with in a long time. AJ and me share a lot, Fluttershy knows a lot about me too. But I feel like I’m learning things about myself with you and that you won’t judge me…”

“I’d never judge you.”

Rainbow smiled at that but it fell as Spike gave a confused blink.

“Huh…it might be listening to us…”

“Whatcha mean?”

“Is there a question you want to ask me but haven’t because you’re afraid of the answer?”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened and she turned away from Spike for a moment, taking a breath and looking back up to see his concerned eyes boring into her. They were being open with each other, keeping this to herself would spit in the face of everything she’d said up to this point. She needed to be upfront with him, he deserved it.

“...you won’t think I’m soft for wanting to sleep with you right?”

“...you are so fucking stupid.”

“I’m being serious!”

“No I don’t care if you want to nap on me, with me or around me. Why is that a concern?”

“Because it’s really mushy and girly and fucking squishy! I’m Rainbow Dash, not squishy, the cool and awesome track star!”

“Those words-”

“That sass isn’t cute right now.”

“Noted.” He leaned down and kissed Rainbow Dash softly, she groaned but returned the first after a second. He pulled back and she whined. “You’re still cool Dashie.”

“Damn right I am.”

“You’re also really cute.”

“Fucking bastard, kiss me now and I’ll only think about killing you.”

Spike laughed and kissed Rainbow again, her mood brightening as she closed her eyes, the two of them exploring each other’s lips again.

And then Spike’s phone went off.

“Gods fucking dammit!”

Spike let out a loud laugh as Rainbow sat up and flopped back against the couch, he tempered himself slowly and answered his phone. “H-hello?”

“SPIKE!”

Spike jumped away from his phone before returning it to his ear. “Hi, Twi.”

“Why didn’t you pick up your phone!?”

Rainbow slowly reached over and Spike relinquished his phone happily. “Because we were watching movies and chatting.”

“But I called–”

“Forty times, Twilight you live in the safest neighborhood in the area, your brother is a cop, I’m the fastest Skyborn in the city, AJ is a call away and Spike has literally been hit by a car and only gotten scratched. If something happened, we could take care of it.” Rainbow looked at Spike and he silently clapped, the Skyborn giving him a wink.

“...I know you’re right…but I can’t help worrying about him…” Twilight’s voice was quiet on the other side, Rainbow took a moment before sighing.

“I got it Twi, that was my bad. Just relax, trust him okay?”

“Okay…could you put Spike back on?”

She handed the phone over without a word, Spike took it back and smiled at his girlfriend before putting it to his ear.

“Hey, sis.”

“...you know I have faith in you, right Spike?”

Spike paused, he looked at Rainbow and they shared a look. For as frustrating as Twilight was, she would always be his sister. “Yeah…I know. I love you.”

“I love you too Spike.”

“Take care of yourself and don’t stay up too late.”

“I’ll try.”

“Eat more than two square meals a day and make sure you keep your eyes in front of you and not in a book.”

“Now you sound like mom.”

Spike laughed and Rainbow giggled as well.

“Take care sis.”

“Take care little bro.”

Spike hung up and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “...I need to talk to her when she comes back, don’t I?”

“...I mean…I wasn’t going to make you but…holding onto all of that isn’t healthy. You said it's okay, but it's kinda not.”

“I know…I know…but that’s a problem for Future Spike.”

Rainbow smirked and the couple shared a fist bump.

“So what now?”

“Well we could go back to making out, which I’m always up for, or we can do those quiz things I saw on that question site.”

“Sounds like a wonderful waste of time, let’s do it.”

They snuggled up close to each other and started rolling through the number of random couple quizzes on the only slightly sketchy site. Rainbow Dash was leaned entirely on Spike and his tail had completely curled around her waist. They laughed out at one of the answers they got from a quiz and started talking about what could have been nothing at all. But it was a small part of what would be whatever it was they were building together.

Author's Note

Another chapter in less then a month!? :trixieshiftright: :trixieshiftleft: What sorcery is this?

So that Slice of Life tag is gonna get it fucking mileage. There's a LOT of talking going to happen going forward. I hope you guys enjoy!

Also to shamelessly plug my things again, I am working on this during my free time, so if you'd like to support me a little, you can do so here. No one is obligated to do anything and I'll keep writing until my fucking arms fall off so no worries.

Now a genuine questions. Would you guys prefer I focus on this story before starting a new one? How often would you prefer a chapter gets uploaded?

Tastes And Values

You never really noticed when the weekends are coming to a, well, end. Those two days most people use to relax and wind down after a long week of either work, school or something in between. Sometimes even the weekends were so busy that it never felt like you’d ever get a break. Lots of people say the week really starts on Monday, that first day when you realize there are things you have to do besides sit at home and relax, when your sleep is disturbed by the unconscious effort to wake up to face the week ahead. There isn’t anything quite like it, though it's something that everyone deals with and eventually has to come to terms with.

Monday was the start of life.

But Mondays were also days he wished wouldn’t come at times.

Before it was because high school seemed to drag on forever, but with being able to make his own schedule in college it became a fight to deal with the rest of the day after his early morning class while he waited for his evening ones. But today? Today’s monday was the worst because it meant they couldn’t spend time from morning to night together for a long while.

Spike awoke early on Mondays, he was conditioned to almost. And he realized that a rainbow headed woman was curled around him. Her arm was around his chest, while her legs curled and trapped one of his legs, he could feel her lips brushing the side of his neck as she breathed slowly in a comfortable sleep. He recognized the nature of this as odd until the past two days came to him and though he blushed, his nerves remained settled.

The young man looked at her sleeping form and blinked. I’m dating Rainbow Dash. Was the thought that ran through his mind a few times until he smiled at it. He didn’t scoff at it or wonder how he got here, it all felt too natural for that. Of course the ‘how’ still bothered him a bit as his face fell.

“...I hope you don’t let what I said keep you here…”

Rainbow’s sleepy response was to nuzzle even closer to him, pressing her body completely against his arm and side.

He smiled and slowly sat up, turning and leaning down, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. Rainbow shivered and elicited what could only be called a ‘pleasant whine’ as her face contorted into a sleepy smile. Spike chuckled and slowly took his arm back before turning to get out of bed. Though he did turn back once more to look at the athlete in his bed. It took everything in his power to convince her to leave her shirt on, but she refused to sleep in jeans, so instead he’d given her a pair of his own shorts, something stretchy so it could actually fit. Something about seeing her asleep in a pair of his pants was strangely attractive. Yet another conversation he’d be sure to have with her.

He leaned back down and planted a small peck on her lips, the Skyborn attempting to return whatever pleasant feeling that was interrupting her sleep. He just laughed and rubbed her cheek a bit before getting up and getting ready for his day. A quick showered, a brush of his teeth and a change of clothes were all he really needed, stepping into his room with his worn jacket over his shoulder. He had a moment before she woke up he figured.

But the soft growl he heard behind him while he was looking in his closet, deemed to shove his foot in his mouth.

“Dashie like.”

“Dashie will keep it in her pants.” Spike turned to look at Rainbow as she laid on her side in his bed.

The athlete stuck a thumb under the elastic waistband of the shorts and tugged on them, flashing Spike with just a bit of hip. “Don’t you mean in your pants, tiger?” She lets the band go and with a light ‘thwap’ as it snapped to her hip. This all seemed to light a fire in Spike's chest as he blushed hard.

“I stand corrected.”

“Oh do you know?”

“There will be none of that.” Spike turned and pulled out a jacket and one of his short sleeve decal shirts.

Rainbow let out a loud laugh and rolled around on his bed while he threw on a t-shirt and the rest of his clothes. He turned to his still laughing girlfriend and leaned over her. She stopped to look at him, still chittering small laughs as he looked down at her. He glared but smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead, this got a squeak from her and a happy giggle as she turned around and sat up. Rainbow got onto her knees on the bed and leaned over, making Spike support her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Good morning Dashie.”

“Mornin’ tiger.” She kissed him softly, leaned over more, finding Spike’s strength very pleasant as she didn’t feel worried at all that he would ever let her drop.

The kiss slowly began to deepen, the pair opening their lips for the other. Rainbow shivered at Spike’s minty warm breath and gripped hard at his clothes, finding it hard to feel her legs. Spike seemed to pick up that she was leaning more and more on him and broke the kiss. Rainbow opened her mouth to complain but only gave a ‘Oh!’ when Spike scooped her up out of the bed and held her up by her legs so they were at his sides. She blinked, her face flushed deeply, her blush only intensifying as Spike stole her lips, pulled her from the shock of being carried and back into their embrace.

Her arms wrapped tighter around his neck, her legs squeezed his sides a bit, his hands dug into the flesh of her thighs and sent a jolt of electricity from Rainbow Dash to Spike. It was here that Spike finally pulled back, looking at Rainbow as her breathing was a little rough, he made to speak until her arms slid from behind his head, her hands capturing his cheeks as she kissed him again. Deeper this time.

Her tongue rubbed against his own and Spike let out a soft grunt as he fought back, the kiss and the raging inferno. He pulled back and through harsh breaths managed to get out. “College.” Before Rainbow Dash kissed him again.

“We can miss a day.” She stole his lips again and Spike growled.

“I know we can, but next time.” He leaned up and kissed her roughly, Rainbow happily accepting, however being the one that pulled away this time.

“Next time.” She just looked into his eyes as he continued to hold her up.

“...next time.” Spike put her down but neither one of them moved.

This was going to get harder by the day.

After Rainbow sped home to pick up some clothes and came back, she’d expected to head home at night before he slept before things happened, they were on their way. The drive to campus was laced with the general conversation that seemed to crop up between the two.

“You do know my clothes are a bit small for you to like rob, right?”

“You’ve got some baggy stuff, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”

“Anything in particular you wanna lay claim to?”

“Maybe that pair of shorts, I liked them. Oh and that shirt that has ‘Crush, Kill, Destroy’ on it.”

“You’ve got one of those, I’ve seen you wear it.”

“Yeah, but that’s my shirt, it's better because it's yours.”

Spike just shook his head a bit as he pulled into the campus parking lot. He waved at a few people while getting out and stretched, his tail closing the door behind him. He turned to Rainbow as she stepped out with both of their bags in hand and began walking with her.

“I know I’ve got Tech 3, and you’ll be doing your morning sets and stuff. Where do you wanna go after?”

“Hmm…we could go grab a bite after I finish up. I remember you said Tech lasted a while, you got something else after that right?”

“Evening Math and Science.” Spike turned and bumped elbows with a friend from class and turned to Rainbow Dash again. “Around 4.”

“Damn, we’ve only got like…four hours together!” Rainbow huffed and grumbled to herself.

“And then when I get home I’ve got work.” He looked up to the sky, glaring at the light shade of gray it took on. “And it’s not looking pretty today.”

Rainbow huffed. “And I’ll probably be stuck on campus until 8 during practice, you can head home without me.”

“I don’t mind waiting, I’ve got a tablet I can work on.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want you sitting around waiting if it’s gonna rain or something…”

“You did ask me to stop by during practice.”

Rainbow blushed a bit, saying it was one thing, seeing him there made her a little nervous, though- “I appreciate it Spike.”

The two smiled at each other when they were someone calling after Rainbow Dash. They turned and out came the rest of their friends.

“Howdy RD, mornin’ to ya Spike.” The mighty Terran Applejack, she was a step above any other of her particular subspecies. All Terrans were strong, sturdy and really good at things that required a personal touch. Applejack could beat any Terran on campus any day of any week. Standing at a 6’1” she was a tall, built and generally intimidating specimen, her tanned skin showed her years of working under the blistering sun while out on the farm. Her bright green eyes and wild blonde hair tied up in a ponytail accompanied the freckles upon her face, even as they were shaded by the stetson on her head. She wore a plain white t-shirt that cut just under her collarbone, over top it was a red unbuttoned flannel cardigan. A pair of well worn jeans fit her snuggly and led down to a pair of boots that looked like they had been unceremoniously beaten to shit and fixed up for use. In a word, Applejack was built like a barn.

“Good morning to the two of you, I just hope the rest of the day is well with this ghastly weather.” Rarity was easy to point out in a crowd, beautiful azure eyes, long flowing indigo hair, with a deep purple eyeshadow and a touch of blush across her cheeks it all beautifully contrasted against her dark skin, drawing the eyes of guys and girls around. She wasn’t terribly tall, only about 5’8 but she was fit and had an hourglass figure she strived to keep. Today’s ensemble was a light gray hip hugging skirt and black leggings, a blue and white long sleeve blouse and a grayish blue scarf hid some of her figure but anyone who knew her could recount the number of times she had been scouted by fashion agents. The fashionista seemed to have the sense not to be wearing heels today, going for a pair of white flats instead. She was the picture of beauty, one that Spike was happy to just admire now for aesthetic reasons alone.

“Mornin’ Dashie! Hello hello hello Spike!” Pinkie Pie bounced over happily, giving the pair a tight hug. Pinkie was, well, pink. Her poofy raspberry pink hair curled and bounced with every move. Her cerulean eyes could brighten even the most somber of folks as they sparkled with life before her friends. She was a touch lightly skinned then Spike but was still marginally darker then Rainbow. She stood shoulder to shoulder with Rarity in terms of height, and though she lacked the muscle a Terran would naturally gain over the years no one in their right mind would say she was anything but fun shaped. A slight amount of pudge that made hugging her delightful and hips that could turn eyes when she wanted to, these all made Pinkie, well Pinkie. Today was set to be a tad cold so she dressed in a cotton candy colored long sleeve shirt and wroe another bright baby blue shirt atop that. Her yellow skirt and blue pants led down to a pair of bright yellow shoes. The baker snuggled happily against Spike’s cheek, he recalled them not seeing each other in a few days.

“I didn’t get a chance to say hello this morning Rainbow, she just stopped by and flew off before I had come up after feeding everyone.” The shy Skyborn that walked over was the lovable Fluttershy. Always calm and just a bit too shy for her own good, the pale peach skinned woman was the second tallest of the group at 6’0, on the days she would stand up straight. A single cyan eye could be seen beneath her long pale-gray rose hair, the other hidden from sight as the long kept locks flowed down to the middle of her back. She wore a thick green turtleneck and a long pink skirt, coming down a pair of light green flats. Simple wear for the simple beauty of Fluttershy. What she lacked in ‘style’ some would say, Spike would claim she made up for it in heart and kindness, he did recall one of his few female friends outside of the girls before him saying ‘She has a big heart alright’. He set his jaw and just smiled at the shy girl who waved back at him.

“How are you all doing today?” He patted Pinkie on the arm as she let go of him.

“Early risin’, early to work.” Applejack huffed out. “With the weather bein’ testy like it is, we spent all yesterday tarpin’ the whole farm so nothin’ would get ruined.”

“Yes, this weather is quite temperamental, it was lovely just this Saturday too!” Rarity crossed her arms at the weather but sighed. “But such is the force of nature.”

“Sounds like a band I heard once.” Rainbow chimed in and leaned a bit on Spike’s shoulder, the dravyernian boy giving her a look and a smile.

“That’s because it is a band.” Spike laughed as Rainbow poked him in his cheek.

Fluttershy blinked at Rainbow Dash’s action as Pinkie moved and began poking Spike as well. Spike rolled his eyes and let himself be poked from both sides.

“Y’all stop teasin’ the little guy.” Applejack groaned and shooed Pinkie and Rainbow’s hands away, getting a sharp look from the athlete. “Ain’t he gettin’ enough of it with you watchin’ him?”

Rarity blinked and gasped. “Oh my! It had slipped my mind, Twilight’s already left hasn’t she? I do hope she enjoys herself.”

Fluttershy nodded and looked at Spike with a little smile. “Twilight asked if Rainbow and I could watch you, but we thought two people being over was a little much.”

Rainbow huffed and wrapped an arm around Spike’s shoulder. “Damn right, and all those rules are bogus too. I’m gonna give her a piece of my mind when she gets back.”

Spike just looked at Rainbow and shook his head. “Just don’t go breaking the wall again Crashie.”

Rainbow looked down at the young man and pouted at him, getting a laugh out of the boy as his tail wrapped around her waist.

“Sorry! Sorry! It’s too easy sometimes.”

“You’re lucky I like you.” She grinned and played with his hair a bit while looking at her friends. That was probably enough right?

She wanted them to piece it together, after all, it’d be obvious right?”

“I must say Rainbow, I don’t much care for how you’re bothering poor Spikey.”

Foot meet mouth.

Rarity reached over and patted Spike on his head. “He’s just a little gentleman, with the patience of a saint.” Spike let her pat him on the head a few more times before moving his head away and out from under Rainbow Dash’s arm.

“It’s not a bother, but I gotta get going. Last thing I need is to be late to my favorite class of the week.” He took his bag from Rainbow and looked at Applejack. “If you’re not busy could you stop by Thursday with some fresh apples? I’ve been craving a good pie and I haven’t baked in ages.”

“No problem at all, partner. Mind if we make a day of it?”

“A bake day!” Pinkie Pie gasped and jumped up and down in place. “I’m coming too!”

Spike laughed and nodded. “Just bring whatever you’re comfortable with, and try not to invite the whole campus either. Gotta keep the house clean.” He waved and walked off.

Pinkie waved in return and bounced on her heels while thinking of what to bring. “Oh there’s so much to bake! And so little time!”

“Just don’t get ahead of yourself Pinkie.” Rainbow huffed while watching Spike leave. “We’re trying to keep his house in one piece.”

“What’s bit your wings?” Applejack crossed her arms at her rainbow-headed friend. “You seem in a foul mood.”

“Foul how?” Rainbow looked at the farmer from the corner of her eye.

“Well ya keep teasin Spike for one, and you’ve snapped at us twice now. Just seems like something’s bugging ya.”

“I’m not teasing Spike.”

Rarity just sighed and shrugged. “A bit of fun is all well in good, but the young boy-”

“Man.”

“Excuse me?” Rarity blinked at a slightly irked Rainbow Dash.

“He’s not a kid, Rares.” Rainbow huffed and turned to look out across the campus again, even at this distance she could still see him. It was odd how now she could follow him without trying, she watched him turn and talk with another friend of his and the two turned a corner and finally left her sight. She almost reached out for the small part of herself that he took with him. “Not a kid at all…”

Her friends blinked and looked at each other for a bit before Pinkie spoke up. “We know he’s not a kid, silly. He goes here, duh.” She moved closer to Rainbow and smiled. “But he doesn’t mind.”

Rainbow’s eyes moved to Pinkie and she blew hair out of her face. “I’m sure he does.”

Applejack’s brow furrowed as she made Rainbow look at her. “Dash, what’s up with you? I get that you’re watching over Spike, but you’re acting mighty protective of him. It’s not you’re dating or somethin’.”

“We are.”

There was silence for a bit before Rainbow looked to her friends and smirked. “We are dating.”

Another long pause before Applejack laughed and roughly slapped Rainbow’s shoulder. “Pull the other one! Ha! Nice one, almost had me goin’.” She wiped the corner of her eye with Rainbow steadied herself. “Gonna be chucklin’ about that all day. See y'all later.” She waved and walked off.

Rainbow turned to say something when she spotted Rarity shaking her head. “For shame Rainbow, you should not jest about such things.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well obviously you and Spike are wholly incompatible.” Rainbow glared at that as Rarity continued. “Teasing and bothering Spike is one thing, but attempting to play with his heart is-”

“Something only you can do?” Rainbow shot back and immediately covered her mouth.

A cold, awkward silence held them in place while Rarity blinked, hurt behind her eyes.

Rainbow dropped her hand and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, that…I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just…you know what. Talk to Spike about it. Maybe you’ll listen to him better…this time.” The athlete walked over and hugged Rarity before her cyan wings appeared and she flew off in a rush of wind.

Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie all stood in shocked silence before Pinkie looked at Rarity, her mood having dropped a bit. “...we should head to class…”

The other two nodded before moving in a line towards their next shared class, stunned into an awkward awareness that Rainbow had gotten mad, seemingly for Spike’s sake.

‘Sorry!’

Spike blinked at the word on his screen all during Tech. He had gotten the text about an hour ago, he couldn’t tear himself away from his assignment long enough to respond, waiting until he was done to finally look down and try and understand what was going on.

'What for?'

'I got kinda mad at the girls...'

Spike blinked hard and made sure the professor wasn’t looking at him before he continued texting.

'Why!?'

'Well Rarity kept calling you 'boy' and 'little' and it got to me. But I kinda left without...tell them.'

'And I'm guessing they're gonna come to me about it?'

'Yeah...'

Spike sighed.

'Rainbow, you are a dum dummy'

'I know...'

'I like you anyway, so when I'm out I'll give you a cheer up hug'

'...a kiss too?'

'A kiss too'

'Awesome'

'Ttyl'

'LU'

'Uh'

'Like you! You dork!'

'XP'

Spike couldn’t stop smiling at his phone, looking up one more time to make sure the professor was still mid-lecture and quietly snapped a picture.

Out on the campus track Rainbow was busy wiping her face down after texting Spike, she felt better after having talked to him, though not being next to him still sucked. Just as she was deep in thought, her phone went off again, she looked to see Spike sent her something. When she swiped her phone open she had to cover her mouth and look around to make sure no one was focused on her as she glanced down.

The shot was of Spike, looking down at his phone, his shockingly long tongue rolled out of his mouth and curled in a circle with the caption ‘Tongue or no tongue?’

Rainbow looked around again, no one around since it was still fairly early, and began jumping up and down, giggling and dancing on her feet. She felt giddy in the way Spike teased her, just thinking about kissing him again made her happy. Though she grinned and lifted her shirt a bit.

Spike felt pleased with himself, he was sure that Rainbow would enjoy it, though he was a little self conscious about it, he felt confident with his new girlfriend, but it was hard to ignore the idea in his head that things were moving too fast. As those thoughts plagued him his phone vibrated in his hand. He blinked and swiped it open before seeing what it was and had to choke down a cough.

An upward shot of Rainbow Dash, her shirt up high showing off her sports bra and toned abs. Rainbow was winking at the camera and biting her lip. Spike could clearly see she had just got down with a workout with how what little sun there was glistened off her body. A caption on the image reading ‘You’ll need all of it to keep up tiger.’

The dravyernian stifled a growl and put his phone away, lest he get caught. This woman could fight fire with fire, and if the fire in his core burning bright was anything to go by, he didn’t seem to mind.

However, as wonderful as his girlfriend’s abs were, he pulled himself back to the fact that he’d have to talk to the girls, and he knew who was likely to come see him first. She had a habit of being straightforward like that.

He sighed a bit, but smiled. Someone had to let it be known, who better than him?

And with that thought he focused on Tech and barely noticed the time as it sped by him. He was packing up when his normal partner for the class patted him on the shoulder and pointed at the door. He turned and chuckled a bit, it was just like her.

He pulled his bag up over his shoulder and stepped out of the lecture room before looking up at his visitor. “Where do you want to talk?”

“Um…if it wasn’t too much trouble, could we go and sit at our usual spot?” Fluttershy fidgeted with her fingers as Spike nodded to her.

When it came to matters between the group Fluttershy seemed ready to step up and see things from all sides. Her usually anxious nature fell away when it came to her friends and their relationships. Spike appreciated that about her.

Their usual spot was a set of benches under some trees near the parking lot. It was a spot that was out of the way enough that nobody really sat there but close enough to the parking lot that it just became the meetup spot.

The two of them were alone at the moment, probably by Fluttershy’s recommendation. He sat down and his friend took her place next to him. A small quiet moment passed between them while she tried to find the words. But if Spike had gotten anything in the past few days, it was better if he said something.

“Rainbow told me that she got mad at you guys.”

Fluttershy jumped at his words before turning and looked at him, the soft smile on his face calmed her down a bit. “Yes…well…more like at Rarity.”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

Fluttershy took a breath and nodded. “We were talking about you a little after you left, Rarity kind of scolded Rainbow for teasing you and then she said you two were…dating. Applejack laughed and it made her upset, but Applejack left before she could say anything. Then Rarity said something about playing with your feelings and…”

Spike could imagine how Rainbow responded. “We are.”

The shy woman’s eyes shot open wide. “...you…you are?”

“Yup, it happened Saturday.”

“Oh…oh…oh my.” She put her hand to her lips and whispered so only Spike could hear it. “How did it happen?”

Spike flushed and lightly rubbed the back of his neck. “It just…did? We started talking, we shared some stuff and…I told her something I’d kept really close to my chest. I opened up and the flood gates figuratively burst out, we just thought ‘Maybe we could work’ and took the shot.” Spike chuckled softly and didn’t fight the wide smile that crossed his face. “It still feels kind of unreal…but I learned stuff about myself and about her in just these few days.”

Fluttershy’s nervousness and worry were gone, she giggled and smiled at Spike. “You sound like you’re really happy with her.” She then looked away for just a moment. “But…I’ll admit it's strange. I love Dashie, and I’m really excited that you two are together, but she just didn’t seem…your…”

“Type?”

“In a word…”

“Well…having a type doesn’t really mean much I think.”

Fluttershy blinked. “I…guess?”

“I mean, a type is just your preference really. It doesn’t have to define who you can end up with. I’ll admit, Rainbow doesn’t exactly fit the type of girls or guys I’ve dated so far.” Spike chuckled and Fluttershy stared at him in shock. “Yeah, Rainbow gave me that look too.”

“I-I didn’t-”

“It’s fine, I never talked about it.”

Fluttershy nodded and suddenly couldn’t remember the last time the two of them had talked like this.

“But anyway, my point is that while I like nerdy girls, shy guys and fashionable types doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the things about someone that makes them beautiful.” Spike hummed softly at the thought of Rainbow Dash snuggled up to him in bed. “Her eyes, the brilliant color in them, the way she looks at me. Caring and soft, different from how she is normally, from confident and smug to adoring and curious. She’s really curious about the differences between us, you know? And I really like letting her explore the little differences between us. Everything about her is electric, and tastes faintly like strawberries.”

“Meep!” Fluttershy blushed but behind her hands she was smiling like a fool while she listened to Spike go on and on about her friend. “W-what else?”

“She’s really straight forward, it’s kind of refreshing. We’ve talked a lot about pretty much everything. What we’re comfortable with, the things we want to do together, the way we want to be seen and how open we want to be. We disagreed on the general use of alcohol but she’s prepared for me to be the sober one for however long…this lasts…” Spike slowly zoned out at those words, blinking and fiddling with his fingers.

“Spike? What’s wrong?”

“...I don’t think I want it to end…but neither of us are sure how long this thing will last.”

Fluttershy nodded and hummed in thought. “Maybe…talk to her about it?”

“It's only been three days, I just don’t know-”

“Three days of dating,” Fluttershy cut him off and put a hand on his shoulder. “But fourteen years of knowing each other, I know you’re probably worried about taking things really fast. But there’s nothing wrong with knowing what you’d like to do with someone before or after you actually, well, start dating. You shouldn’t lose yourself over the ideas in your head for the future like marriage or kids, but if you think your relationship will last that long, there’s no harm in asking. Applejack and Rainbow went out for a while but even after they broke up they’re still close, the worst that can happen between you is that you disagree.”

Spike chewed on his lip at the thought. “I just…I don’t want to mess this up…”

“I know Spike.” She took his hands and held them carefully. “But it’s obvious to me that you really care about her already. It’s what to expect going from friends to being in love.”

Spike’s face burned with a deep, powerful blush. “L-l-l-lo-”

“I can see it in you, the way you talk about her. I bet you think it’s too early to say that too, don’t you?”

Spike just nodded.

“It might be too early for anyone else, but when you know someone long enough and care about them enough, you can say things like ‘I love you’ and know the meaning behind it. Like this, I love you Spike.” Spike blinked and chuckled a bit as Fluttershy chuckled as well. “You’re a great friend and I couldn’t imagine not having you in my life.”

“You’re a great friend too Flutters, love you too.”

The two shared a tight hug and when they leaned away Spike rubbed his neck again. “But maybe I shouldn’t say stuff like that to peeps that aren’t cool with it.”

“Love means different things to different people after all. I can openly love my friends, but I know it's harder for others.” Fluttershy nodded. “That’s why you should remember something, no matter what. When dating someone you should remember the three Cs.”

Spike blinked and tilted his head. “Three Cs?”

“Conversation. Compromise. Cuddling.” She took on an air like Twilight, going into teacher-mode. “A healthy couple talks to each other, is prepared to make small sacrifices for each other and are ready to snuggle up in bed…at least that’s what Pinkie says…”

“Wise words from someone who’s…” Spike watched Fluttershy blush more and more. “You two!?”

“We’re still in the ‘not sure how far this goes’ stage…”

“At least I’m not alone.” Spike laughed and Fluttershy giggled alongside him. “But you’re right…I shouldn’t worry about that kind of thing. I care about her a lot, I always have but now it’s just taking a different form. I guess I was just worried being open about it would, I don’t know, scare her away.”

“If she values what you have to say, then you two will be able to talk about it. She’s probably where you are right now. She’s actually a giant softie.”

“Don’t I know it.” Spike’s smile turned smug and Fluttershy full on laughed at his face, the dravyernian returning the laugh in kind. It was liberating, yet again, just getting something off his chest did so much for him.

“Thanks Flutters, this helped a lot.”

“No problem Spike, and I’m sorry about how we handled being told the first time. We shouldn’t have treated it like it was something strange.” She looked a little down about it but still smiled at Spike.

“No sweat, really.”

“So how open do you want to be?”

“Oh, well we figured we’d just focus on ourselves for n- AH!” Spike jumped and turned to look over the bench at the pink puff hiding behind a tree. “Pinkie…”

“Sorry, couldn’t help it. Rainbow got mad and I was super duper worried. Fluttie said that she’d handle it but I thought ‘What if Spikey gets mad too’ and got even more worried! SO! I followed her out of class and tried not to eavesdrop but there aren’t a lot of places out here to sneak around so I ended up hiding over here and listening to everything you said. I’m really happy for you two by the way! You guys are really cute together, like an odd couple, but matching really well together. But that doesn’t change that I feel bad for not believing it at first, she wouldn’t lie about something like that, I should know that by now. And I didn’t know you were bothered by me and the girls treating you like a kid. The more I thought about it the more I realized that it wouldn’t be nice if people kept treating me like that! And then I thought about when was the last time we laughed together and it was SOOOOO long ago! We should really hang out together some day! Oh but we are! Thursday is going to be a blast and I can’t wait to come over and bake with you! And then after that we can go on a double date! Something super duper uper fun!”

All without taking a breath.

Spike blinked and decided to tackle each one, one at a time. Firstly, “Fluttie?”

Fluttershy covered her face, even the tips of her fingers were blushing.

“Second, I’m not mad and I don’t mind you hearing what we talked about.”

Pinkie bounced over and dropped into Fluttershy’s lap, snuggling into the taller girl as she hid further behind her hair. “I’m glad Spikey, I’m still sorry.”

“Like I said, no sweat. Next, thanks, I think we’re cute too. And it’s just…I don’t mind being ‘Spikey’, it's treating me like I’m still just some kid that gets to me. And lastly, I wouldn’t mind going on a double date later, once me and Rainbow have gone out together at least once. She wants to take off to the coast for the first one.”

By this time Fluttershy had wrapped her arms around Pinkie and buried her face into her pink girlfriend’s back. Pinkie for her part giggled and looked back at Fluttershy. “It’ll be super fun, but Fluttie is right, you shouldn’t worry about how long you’ve been going out, but how long you’ve known each other. My parents were only friends before they got married, and now they’re closer than ever!”

Spike thought of Ignesious and Cloudy, the rather reserved couple and tried to imagine them young and in love. He came up short but smiled at his friend regardless. “My ‘like’ and ‘love’ are only a few months apart. And I’ve known Rainbow for years.”

Pinkie grinned from ear to ear and Fluttershy gave a soft little smile at the young man.

“Now I just gotta wait for her to drop by…speaking of. Where’s Rarity and Applejack?”

Rainbow tried to finish her last set, just one more jog and she would have cleared her daily workout, so much for taking it easy, sure but she found it hard to stand still knowing Spike was out there working hard. But the last few laps were marred by the pair of girls waiting for her to finish up. She’d hoisted Spike while talking to them by Rarity and Applejack seemed content to spit at her words.

She jogged her last lap while trying to figure out how she was going to face this undoubtedly awkward exchange. But before she even realized it she was done, she silently cursed her legs but moved to her spot to towel off and get some fluids in herself. She looked up as the two of them stepped over, the pain of how awkward this all was, seemed already too much for her.

So why let it get worse.

“Rainbow I-”

“Spike and I are dating for real and I’m sorry for snapping at you.”

Rarity and Applejack blinked and looked at each other.

“It started getting to me that you guys just…dismissed it as a joke, a prank or something…” Rainbow groaned as she took another drink of her pleasantly cold water. “But I shouldn’t have shot back like that, it wasn’t cool.”

Rarity stepped over and sat next to Rainbow, ignoring how possibly filthy the metal seating was. “Oh darling, I’m the one who should apologize. That was unbecoming of me, you would never have joked about such a thing. I should have been happy for the both of you, but…”

“Inconceivable?”

“I said incompatible, though it's not much better I admit…I always viewed you two having different…values in life.”

“Like how?” Rainbow looked up as Applejack stepped over as well.

“Well…Spike is real smart, a lot like Twi. I seem him buildin’ or fixin’ somethin’ up good. Spending hours in a room drawin’ up plans or writing somethin’ for days on end. You’re always movin’ and runnin’, it's your nature. Just seems like you’re headed in different directions is all.”

“I can lo- like, I can like someone who isn’t into what I’m into, or trying to follow behind me. My values don’t have to be his values.” Rainbow sighed and leaned back. “Besides, I like it when he talks. I’m not a flunkie or anything but Spike is super smart, he went on and on about things I didn’t even think about but he says it in a way I get. We’re open about what we want and like and I feel like we’ve already got a really solid connection or whatever. If we’re talking values then I value our time together over anything else, I lo- like, I like spending time with Spike. He’s fun, cool and really warm.” She smiled before coughing and looking away from a smirking Applejack.

“He’s cozy, and I like it that way. We don’t need anything ridiculous, we just…are.”

Rarity put her hands over her heart and smiled softly at Rainbow. “Seeing how much you adore him I feel even worse for treating it like a joke.”

Applejack nodded and scratched at her head. “I shouldn’ have laughed at ya RD, sorry.”

“Nah, it's fine guys. Let’s just call it even.”

“Oh but darling I must know! Who asked who?”

“Well I asked him.”

“Oh? How did it come about!?”

“Um…we just…talked. And I just thought ‘Hey, Spike is awesome and it’d be awesome to date him’ and I asked.”

Rarity’s face fell.

“Sorry it wasn’t as romantic as you’d like.” Rainbow stuck her tongue out at the fashionista and Rarity rolled her eyes.

Applejack rubbed her chin a bit. “Have y’all kissed yet?”

Rainbow coughed hard and turned to her cowgirl friend. “I- …yes.”

Rarity made Rainbow look at her. “You have!?”

“Yes! Jeez! We’ve made out! It’s not a big deal.”

Rarity swooned. “Oh but it was! It was Spikey’s first kiss, you are his first-”

“Elveneth.”

“Eleventh girlfrie- EXCUSE ME!?” Rarity shrieked and Applejack almost fell over.

“Beg yer pardon!?”

“I’m Spike’s eleventh girlfriend, well, ninth, he dated two guys so I’m ninth.”

Rarity almost fell over herself. “H-how did I not know?”

“Ah still thought he had the hots for Rarity.”

Rainbow waved that particular thought away. “Nah, he said he stopped feeling like that years ago.”

Her friends stared at her wide eyed yet again, Rainbow looked between them and a smug grin crossed her face. “He’s spicy too.”

Rarity blushed and fanned herself, Applejack merely coughing into her fist.

Rainbow laughed out and stood up. “But we’re cool guys, don’t worry about it. You know now and that’s what matters.” She turned on her heel. “But he’s mine! At least for right now, neither of us seem like we’re sure if we wanna be exclusive or not yet. I don’t wanna hand those lips to anyone just yet though.” Rainbow licked her lips a bit and eyed her friend’s reactions.

Rarity was finding a cloud interesting and Applejack had pulled her hat down over her face. Rainbow smiled proudly and picked her stuff up. “Now come on, we’ve only got a few hours to hang before the next class!” She lightly jogged on as Applejack and Rarity caught up.

After a few minutes their usual spot came into view and Rainbow ran over to Spike, the young man talking to Pinkie about something while she was still in Fluttershy’s lap. Rainbow did blink at that but moved to her boyfriend.

“Hey tiger.”

“Sup Dashie?”

“Things got cleared up.”

“Same here.”

“...so…”

“Here? Now?”

Rainbow looked to the rest of their friends and nodded quickly, a blush across her face.

“...fine.”

The rainbow-haired woman jumped in place, shocking her friends at the decidedly giddy attitude before their eyes shot open wide. Rainbow had leaned down and Spike grabbed her by her cheeks and kissed her, their lips open, their embrace was deep but chaste, they were in public. After a moment Spike leaned back and Rainbow Dash huffed happily, being led to the bench by Spike’s hand on her cheek. She sat next to him and wrapped her arms around his as his tail curled around her waist.

Pinkie was the first to speak, or whistle in her case. “Wow, that’s spicy.”

Rainbow grinned at Rarity and Applejack and they looked elsewhere.

“I see someone has been teasing our friends.” Spike smirked at Rainbow as she snuggled into his neck.

“I like to brag.”

“I know you do.” He kissed her forehead and Rainbow giggled under his care.

“Now I’ve seen everythin’.” Applejack blinked at the display.

“Quite.” Rarity took a seat and fanned herself some more.

“They are very cute together.” Fluttershy managed to squeak out from Pinkie’s back.

“Cute and spicy!” Pinkie giggled as Rainbow grumbled softly.

The dravyernian laughed and looked at Pinkie, they shared a look and he looked at Rainbow, lightly poking her arm with his free hand. “Hey Rainbow?”

Rainbow Dash looked up at him and blinked at the look in his eyes, it was different, just a little, but a good different. Something about how his eyes glowed a little brighter when he looked at her made her unbelievably happy. Like nothing could make this moment better. She really did lo-

“I love you Rainbow.”

She stood, well sat, corrected. Her eyes opened wider as her cheeks flushed darker and deeper then they ever had before. Her wings sprouted from her back, flapping happily as she looked into Spike’s eyes. She was worried about saying it to him, he liked to take things slow. He was methodical like that, she didn’t want to push him, but something about being with him was different. He treated her respectfully but casually, being near him made her happy and kissing him was becoming her favorite thing in the world.

But those words, those three simple words sent wave after wave of happiness through her as she just looked at him. She could almost feel tears coming as she took his cheeks and kissed him. Pulling back immediately before she forgot to respond.

“...I love you too Spike.” She kissed him again and Spike returned it readily. They both blushed at their friends whistling and rooting them on as their foreheads came together. They just looked into each other's eyes. Happy.

Now this day couldn’t get better.

Author's Note

100+ likes and 1k views! ITS NOT EVEN A MONTH OLD!!!

Much appreciated though! Y'all are the best and I adore you all.

ALSO! Whoever tipped me before, THANK YOU! Thank you so so so much! That meant the world to me. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and I'll be starting a job soon so my time might get a bit funky but I'll try to keep up with my schedule.

Have a blessed day darlings! :raritywink:

The Three Cs: Conversation, Compromise, Cuddling

The late afternoon calm of a Wednesday welcomed many students and passersby; they'd never guess a storm was brewing in the magically sealed off living room of the Sparkle residence.

“I CANNOT believe you right now!”

Spike threw his hands in the air while walking away from Rainbow Dash, rage planted squarely on his face, a lick of fire shooting from his mouth scaring the other girls that watched him just a little.

His tail whipped back and forth as he crossed the living room, stopping to point his fury at the rainbow haired woman.

“Not like you’re much better scales-for-brains.” Rainbow scowled in return and caught up with him. “Like you have any right being pissy about this.”

“Right!? Oh I have a right, I know I do. It's YOU who has no right saying that to me!” Spike shouted back and Rainbow growled in return.

“I’m just telling it like it is, what’s wrong? Can’t handle it, little man?”

“Don’t you fucking say that again.”

“Make me. Little. Man.”

Spike stepped up and Applejack had to stand up, obviously threatening to get between them. He looked at her and turned away from them all.

“That’s what I thought. You can talk a big game but you’ve got no spine where it counts.”

“It's called patience and integrity, but I guess one of us just doesn’t understand the word, especially with your GPA.”

“You got something to say!?” Rainbow bit back and Spike smirked with a mocking glare.

“Your barely passing scores speak for themselves, or should I slowly explain it to you?”

Rainbow’s wings spread out from her back and she took a step closer to the dravyernian male. “Watch it Scaly.”

“Or what? Violence? Another bite at being short? A one trick pony is difficult to educate after all.”

Rainbow grabbed his shirt and pulled him in close but Applejack pulled them apart.

“That’s enough y’all!”

Rainbow and Spike glared at her and she jumped a bit, taking a step back on instinct alone before turning and glaring at Rarity. “Fix it.”

“I-I had no idea they’d go this far…”

Fluttershy shakingly held onto an equally as scared Pinkie Pie, both staring in fear of Rainbow and Spike as they glared at each other.

“Stiff winged bitch!”

“Molting shortstack!”

“Hot head dike!”

“Pissant pushover fuckboy!”

“I’m hearing you LOUD AND CLEAR CRASH AND BURN!”

“Well open your ears YOU DIRTNECK BITCHBOY!”

They were very much in each other’s air space, both of them panting harshly.

Everything was quiet for a while before they turned to their friends.

“That good enough?” Spike rubbed his throat a bit. “Cause my lungs are killing me.”

“I feel that.” Rainbow walked over to Spike and Twilight’s kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. “Never doing that again.”

“Fer all our sakes I hope not, y’all had me goin’ somethin’ fierce.” Applejack took off her stetson and waved it in her face.

Rarity stood up and bowed over and over. “I’m so sorry for my foolish request! I had no idea a simple request would get so out of hand!”

Spike chuckled and waved his hand in the air. “It’s cool, I didn’t mean any of it, just thought about all the shit I could think of if I got mad.”

“I meant a little of it.”

“You wanna take this outside Crashie?” Spike walked to the kitchen and the girls heard Rainbow yelp and watched Spike carrying Rainbow under an arm back to the room.

She didn’t look uncomfortable at all.

“What? Me? Never. I’m completely against violence Shorty.”

Spike’s tail whacked her rear and she yelled in ‘pain’?

Fluttershy was blushing now.

“Lying Rainbow? Really?”

“I love you.”

Spike rolled his eyes and set her down on his couch. “I love you too.”

Pinkie, slowly recovering from the scene from just before, took to asking the obvious. “Can we promise no more play fights?”

Rarity nodded immediately. “Yes, absolutely. I had no idea you two could get so…”

“Harsh?” Spike handed out the word and Rarity took it with a nod. “I think we’re just the type to cut deep when push comes to shove.”

“If you’re gonna say something, make it leave a wound, knowwhatimean?” Rainbow pointed out as Spike sat next to her.

“I git it, I don’ like it but I get it.” Applejack flopped down on the couch near Rarity again and looked at Spike as he was being wrapped up in a Rainbow Dash shaped blanket. “Y’all just made it all seem so real is all.”

“Drama club and theater spoke for me I guess.” Spike shrugged as Rainbow nuzzled into his neck.

“I just followed his lead, though I imagined him as a shorter Jet.”

There was a room wide groan at the name.

“On that note I should make food.” Spike tried to pry himself free but Rainbow tightened his hold. “Dash, I need to get up dear.”

“Don’t wanna.” She shook her head and buried her face deeper into his neck.

Spike just looked at her for a moment and reached out to her back, and unceremoniously pinched her.

“Youch!” Rainbow jumped away and rubbed at her lower back as Spike stepped away, Pinkie Pie giggling and following along with Fluttershy being pulled as they all walked to the kitchen The Skyborn grumbled and sat back down and watched Spike walk away. However, she did notice Applejack was staring at her, she didn’t meet her farmer friend’s gaze though.

“...y’all are bothered by it ain’t ya?”

“...I mean…play fight or not I didn’t like saying things like that to him…” She curled in on herself and sighed.

Rarity stepped over and sat next to Rainbow, placing a hand on her shoulder. “And I must apologize again darling, I didn’t mean to stir up such things, it was silly of me to ask the two of you to humor me.”

“It’s not like we haven’t like, pretend fought before. I remember when we got Fluttershy to stand up to Applejack, we all laughed at that, like it was nothing. But this time I just...it's staying with me.” Rainbow sighed and leaned onto Rarity, the fashionista smiling and patting Rainbow’s shoulder.

“I know dear, it's also simple to move on. You just need to speak with Spike.”

“I know…”

Applejack sat up and flicked her hat up higher on her head. “Ya really love that guy dontcha?” She met Rainbow’s gaze with a warm smile.

She just nodded, it was the truth, five days, just five days and she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else then in Spike’s arms. Something about him just connected with her and she felt that Spike saw the same in her. Just the other day they spent two hours just sitting together watching food shows, she didn’t recall a thing that was said before they fell asleep with each other again. It was all amazing and ridiculously scary. It all felt so fragile, like it balanced unsteadily, supported on a set of glass beams. Any slight pressure made it seem like a crack would appear, one that couldn’t be healed. But the dravyernian was strangely strong, a powerful back that she could place things on.

But it was still a small back.

He shouldn’t have to shoulder every burden of their relationship, not that he was. They both talked quite openly about everything, nothing was left unsaid, that’s just how Rainbow was. But this felt like another thing she needed to talk to Spike about, he had to know that she was feeling this way.

Spike, Pinkie and Fluttershy returned with trays of food for the small group and they took a while to eat and chat, catching up with things and talking about how they planned to celebrate Twilight coming back.

Which led to the important question from Spike.

“How do we tell Twilight?”

Rainbow thought she’d choke, she was starting to understand how Spike felt with her sudden questions. After a hard drink of water she looked to her boyfriend and he also seemed to be as unsure as she was.

Fluttershy cleared her throat, drawing attention that startled her, but she fidgeted for a moment before speaking. “You could…try showing her when she gets back?”

“Twilight is about as stubborn as a mule, and if we didn’ react proper, ya know she won’t.” Applejack seemed to wince at readmiting the way she reacted just the other day. “If ya told her over the phone she’s likely ta teleport down here.”

“And end up in a hospital from Manadrain.” Spike flopped back and groaned. “My sister is a fuckin moron.”

Rarity flinched at the word but agreed. “Not in such words but quite, I believe showing her proof in a clear way she can see and being prepared to answer any questions.”

Pinkie nodded and bounced in place next to Fluttershy. “Maybe you could do it at a ‘Welcome home Twilight’ party! It’ll be just us, a private thing for us to welcome Twilight and the new couple!”

“Maybe…” Spike laid across Rainbow’s lap and the Skyborn started playing with Spike’s hair. “At least that way she won’t be able to claim it's a prank or an alternate universe.”

The woman playing with his hair laughed and quietly enjoyed her boyfriend’s warmth. “The egghead is not that bad.” She looked down at Spike and blinked at his flat face. “...no way.”

“You should have seen her when Ms. Tia announced her engagement to Mr. Sombra. She claimed that this was an alternate timeline she created by breaking up with Flash.” Spike’s tail curled and flexed as Rainbow’s fingers ran through his short spiky hair, drawing a low rumble from his throat. “I managed to calm her down after a while though.”

“That girl is stranger than a dry heat in winter.” Applejack’s eyes were locked onto the affectionate display of Rainbow and Spike as the Skyborn touched the Dravyernian’s hair and face. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used ta this.”

Rarity blinked and turned to look at the two as well. “Indeed, they do make for quite the pair but it's still quite a unique pair.” She watched Rainbow get lost in her motions of caressing Spike’s head. “Nothing is more strange I feel than a Rainbow who’s lost in love.”

“I hear that.” Applejack quipped and finally seemed to get Rainbow’s attention.

“And I hear you. I can like things, like my boyfriend and his warm, soft, comfy, rough…”

“You’re drooling hun.” Spike stared up at her and Rainbow flushed deeply. “Thanks though, your hands are comfortable too. Deft fingers and all that.”

Rainbow simply smiled and leaned down, attempting to give him a soft and tender kiss.

And then Spike’s phone went off.

“Gods dammit!!!” Rainbow groaned but kissed Spike anyway, she was not about to let his phone be three for three. “I will kiss you on the phone if that’s Twilight.”

“You will not.” Spike pushed her face away while she attempted to kiss him, laughing and picking up. “Hello?”

“Hi Spikey!”

“MOM!? I-I mean hi mom, how’s the trip going?” Spike shoved Rainbow away and the Skyborn growled at him, raring to pounce when given the chance, only to get snatched up by Applejack.

“Oh I’m fine dear, your father was a little under the weather so we decided to make the early trip back.” Twilight Velvet, his adoptive mother, sighed slightly. Spike had always been the more ‘homely’ between his two other siblings, ending up being responsible for many chores, against his will quite a few times. But due to this his mother always called him when she was curious about something or needed questions answered.

“Is he doing alright?”

There was a bit of shuffling when he heard his father on the line. “Doing fine son, just got caught off guard by a meal. Your old man’s been beat by cheese yet again.”

“Lactose intolerance isn’t a challenge.”

“It is and I’ll win!”

Spike laughed as the phone was seemingly stolen by his mother again. “Twilight is out on that trip right?”

“Yeah that’s right.”

“Oh you must be so lonely dear.”

Spike turned to the group of girls behind him, Pinkie and Applejack roughhousing with Rainbow as she tried to find a way to Spike’s lips, a teasing smile plastered on her face.

“I’m getting by…”

“Well since you’re on your own for a while-”

Spike tensed up. “Please no.”

The doorbell rang.

He should have seen this coming, honestly he should have.

All activity died as Spike quickly moved to the front door, the five girls all cleaning up as fast as they could, they weren’t in trouble but something about parents coming over just seemed to make them panic just a little.

Spike took a breath at the door and cracked it open, a pair of arms greeting him as he was pulled into a loving parental hug.

“Surprise Spike!” Twilight Velvet happily called out as she hugged her son. Spike hugged back, but his face was a mix of panic and exhaustion, the former his father seemed to mirror.

“It’s a surprise alright.” Spike took himself back and smiled at his adoptive parents. They were everything an adopted child would need, attentive, concerned, embarrassing and all too ready to throw down with anyone who gave him trouble for being adopted. They weren’t allowed back at a few ‘family’ restaurants anymore. Night Light and Twilight Velvet were his parents, there was no doubt in his mind.

And now his parents were in the same house as his girlfriend.

He was panicking again.

“R-real good to see you two. Just dropping by… unannounced…”

The deeper meaning seemed to pass through his mother straight to his father as Velvet pushed her way inside. “We knew you’d appreciate the company dear! It’s been so long since we’ve been by after all.”

Night Light just patted Spike on the shoulder. “Give up son.”

Spike deflated and accepted today was going to be one of those days.

His mother gasped aloud and Spike remembered he had company.

“Pinkie!”

“Mrs. Velvet!”

The bubbly pair latched onto each other as Spike rounded the corner, the girls had cleaned up a bit and he mentally thanked them all.

“Looks like he’s not hurtin’ for company.” Night Light chuckled and walked over to his wife.

Velvet and Pinkie finally let each other go and she turned to Night with a nod. “I guess so, I mean just look at him, surrounded by his friends, my little man really is all grown up.” She sniffled a little and Spike considered how far down the street he could get on foot before Velvet turned to him. “So? What’s my scaly boy been getting up to?”

“I haven’t been ‘getting up to’ much, just relaxing since Twi isn’t here is all and…” His eyes met Rainbow’s and something happened.

He wanted to ease into somehow, word it so things wouldn’t be awkward or tense for Rainbow, this was the type of thing that stressed her out.

But the words just came out.

“I’m in love with your son!!!”

Every head turned to Rainbow Dash, the Skyborn stood straight upright with her hands to her sides. Rigid and prepared for whatever might come next, even if she was sweating like a sinner in church.

Velvet blinked and just opened and closed her mouth. “Shining is married, you know?”

There was an audible silence that followed.

“Not that Cadance seems to mind, Night do you remember those photos of their-”

“Honey.” Night Light took his lovely wife’s hands. “I think she means Spike.”

It all seemed to take a moment before she looked at Spike who was at least ten shades darker now, barely keeping his hands down at his sides. He didn’t break eye contact with Rainbow and she held onto his gaze for dear life, lest she faint here and now.

“Oh…OH! …oh…” Twilight Velvet hummed and looked at Rainbow Dash again. “Does…Spike know?”

Spike coughed and dropped onto his knees, finally letting it all out as his mother fumbled the ball again. “HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! F-fuck! HAHAHA!!!!”

“Spike! Language!” Velvet chidded her laughing son, which caused Night Light to also let out an uncontrollable laugh, followed by Pinkie and Applejack. Rarity attempted to hold hers in which Fluttershy just giggled.

Rainbow however was on the floor as well, rolling on her back. “HAHAHA! DOES HE KNOW!? HAHAHAHA!!!”

Velvet’s cheeks flared a bit as she pouted. “It was just a question.”

Night Light blinked at the list Twilight had left for Spike and looked up at his son, he only nodded as his father’s eyes shot back to the phone. “...that girl is something strange.”

Velvet swatted his arm. “Our daughter is not strange, she’s just high maintenance. Now Spike, obviously this is ridiculous, you’re more than mature enough not to set the house on fire while left on your own…not that you’d like to be alone at the moment.” Her eyes shot to Rainbow Dash, having stolen a spot next to Spike.

Rainbow flinched at her gaze and squeezed Spike’s hand a little tighter.

The dravyernian cleared his throat and nodded. “You’re right, if I can spend this time with Rainbow I will. These two weeks were a gift that I won’t dismiss.” He looked at Rainbow and she looked at him. “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Rainbow blushed and smiled brightly at her beau, seemingly fighting every urge to kiss him.

“Is that time spent clothed?”

“MOM!?”

“I’m your mother, I have to know these things.”

“Respectfully, no you do not.”

Twilight Velvet looked like she was about to start the ‘mom talk’ before Night Light reached up and took her hands. “Dear, please.”

Velvet stared at her husband for a bit and slowly relented, growing sadder with every second.

“Your mother is just shocked, I am too. Not that I’m not happy for you son, but I have my money on Ms. Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy blushed, Spike blushed, Rainbow snickered and Pinkie looked inquisitively devilish.

“But you look happy, you look like you know what you’re doing and you’re with someone I know will take care of you.” Night smiled and nodded and looked at his wife who was sniffling now.

“I-I just…Shining is off, Twilight’s doing science and things, I thought Spike would be my little man for a while longer…” The tears that teased her eyes slowly rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at Spike. He met her eyes with one of concern for her, then her eyes moved to his hand still tightly gripping Rainbow’s. She slowly looked at the Skyborn and she looked just as worried for the older woman. A smile slowly graced her lips. “You two…look perfect for each other…”

The two looked at one another and shared a smile.

“So are you two going to be exclusive or-”

“MOM!”

“It’s a fair question these days! I read on the news that group couples were the new ‘thing’, Night I read that article on the flight back, do you remember?”

“I remember dear.” He felt back for his son, but this was one of the reasons he loved this woman.

“Mom, please stop.” Spike had taken his hand and had buried his face behind both of them. He could hear the other girls giggling and it only made his blush worse.

“Fine, fine.” Velvet finally relented. “Another question, you love him, yes?”

Rainbow jumped a bit and blinked before nodding. “Y-yeah, I do.”

“Can you tell me why?”

“Why? Well…I don’t know. I just…it feels right, you know? Like before we started going out things were fine, every day was good. But now? I look at Spike, talk to him, touch him- his hand or cheek I mean!” She blubbered out and Velvet gave her a knowing smile. “B-but when I do…the day is just…perfect. Like he was something missing in my day to day. And when I imagine not being here I feel…”

“Hollow…” Spike mumbled out, not seeming to realize he’d done so. “Like everything before was just barely passable, your world changed because of them. You change. You see things differently as well. You see beauty where you didn’t see it before. You feel peace where you least expect it. You even find things out about yourself you would never have known without knowing them.” He finally seemed to get that he was talking and just turned to look at Rainbow, stunned into silence by his words. “I love Rainbow because she’s a little piece of me I didn’t know I was missing. Not because she’s the most beautiful, the smartest, the fastest or whatever. But because she’s…just right. For me. She holds me up and I support her, it's just enough for us.”

Rainbow’s eyes began to well up as she gave him a shaky smile before nodding. “I love you because you’ll be there and support me. I’m not good at putting it all into words, but you’re perfect to me. I can’t imagine loving anyone else…”

Velvet’s hand had been held over her mouth for a few minutes now, clearly underestimating how deeply they felt for each other despite it only being a few days. She looked to Night and he was just smiling at Spike, a distinctly proud gleam in his eye.

The two made eye contact and they both nodded. “Then I don’t need to worry about Spike anymore.” Velvet stood up and Spike and Rainbow’s eyes shot to her. “Rainbow…please take care of my son.”

“I’ll try…but I feel like he’ll be taking care of me…” She looked at Spike and leaned in to kiss him on his cheek. Getting a furious blush from Spike and an adoring ‘Aww!’ from the rest of the room.

Night stood up as well and put an arm around his wife. “I don’t have to tell you to be responsible, Spike, because I trust you. You’ll make the right choices, even if you flub it the first time.”

Spike smiled and nodded to his father. “I swear I will.”

“Come on dear, let’s get out of their hair.” Night pulled Velvet away as she began to cry again. “I’ll text you when we get home Spike.”

Spike stood up and hugged his mother and father, both of them hugging him as well. “I’ll talk to you guys later, promise.”

Velvet held onto Spike for a bit before letting go and leaving the house with Night.

Feeling it had gotten late Applejack and Rarity excused themselves, seeing as the farmgirl was the fashionista’s ride, Pinkie and Fluttershy seemed to be taking the loving mood with them, both saying their goodnites before leaving as well. Once again, Spike and Rainbow were alone in the house, the world open to them and the possibilities of their feelings seeming endless.

“I’ll make something to eat, got anything in particular you want?”

“...nah…surprise me.”

Spike smiled as Rainbow happily laid down on the couch, watching him go. “One surprise, coming up.”

Night was always a time Spike had come to appreciate, the muffled ambience of a cricket in the distance, the cold comfort that blessed his room even with the window closed, the dim light of the moon and street lights making their way into his room. It's why he always tried to stay up a few extra hours, he’d gotten good about listening for the magically quiet Twilight trying to creep in to see if he was awake or not, she never did know that she breathed heavier when she tried to be sneaky. He loved the night, especially because it was when he could work the best.

His room was lit by the lights from his window, a single lamp and his computer screen. The only sound that came through clearly was the clacking of keys and his own mumblings as he read through the five chapters he’d been sent. It was another long week of this, reading through each chapter, checking for errors and spelling mistakes, then rereading it and doing the whole thing again at least four or five times. It helped that his boss was a famous author who didn’t drop the ball fairly often, at least most of the time. It was clear when she’d been out drinking or been up all night when he found words that didn’t exist in the early drafts.

His eyes smoothly went from one line to the next as he neared the end of the chapter, he hadn’t needed to clean up much just yet so he’d take a small break and take another look at it, with only two chapters left to proofread he was going to be early, just like Yearling liked.

He moved away from his chair and stretched, a light pop coming from his back before he let out a breath and raised his hand to his face, adjusting his-

Knock knock.

His attention was drawn to his door and for a moment his fight or flight activated until he remembered that Rainbow had probably come back. She went out to her place to pick something up so Spike had taken the last few hours to focus on work.

He moved to his bedroom door and slowly opened it, coming face to face with his suddenly shy girlfriend. She wasn’t looking at him and had her hands behind her back at the moment. He blinked but when her eyes finally opened she seemed to jump back in shock.

“Uh…”

“Y-you wear glasses?”

Spike blinked again and put his hand on the bifocals on his face, they were more stylish than Twilight’s, a set of grayish red under-rim glasses with little bits of gold rings on the temples that hooked atop his ears.

“Yeah, but only for work. It helps my eyes from getting strained.”

Rainbow continued to stare at him, a faint blush growing more and more as her eyes stayed locked onto him.

“You like this look?”

Rainbow nodded dumbly.

Spike just smiled and pushed his glasses up his face a bit to readjust them. “Noted. So, what’s up?”

She shook her head a bit to reorganize her thoughts before speaking. “C-can I come in? I didn’t want to just barge in like the last time I was in here.”

“Sure.” He stepped back and paused, finally taking a full look at his girlfriend, only noticing now the distinct lack of pants, luckily for decency sake she was sporting a pair of shorts, tiny shorts, but shorts nonetheless..

“Thanks.” She smiled and walked into his room, closing the door behind her with her foot before moving over to his bed and sitting down. She looked about Spike’s room, really taking it in for the first time. A band poster on the wall, some model cars on bookshelf with comics and novels strewn about, a basket that likely had dirty clothes in it, his computer station with notebooks and pens in a cup, it was like staring into Spike’s heart in a strangely mushy way she thought. She looked down at his bed, a faded brown blanket on a few other covers, four pillows and a balled up cover against the wall near the window.

All her observations were a distraction from what she came here for, but it helped her relax a bit before getting to the point. Though it didn’t help that Spike's huge bed was really soft.

She wrapped her arms around herself, she had tossed on some shirt with tiny sleeves and had gotten comfortable before getting here. She did realize how she was dressed in her boyfriend’s room, but they’d gone over this, neither of them minded as long as it was between them. Something about that thought made her look at Spike at long last, taking in his wandering gaze, watching him slowly make his way up her bare legs made something in her soul shudder in delight. When his eyes fell on her face and he realized she’d been watching him the dravyernian coughed and moved to his chair to finally sit down.

“So uh, to what do I owe this visually pleasing visit?” He tried to sound like it wasn’t a big deal but the blush on his face was still apparent.

“You know me, I just wanted to ask you some things.” Rainbow shifted on his bed and her legs slowly raised to better accommodate her on his large bed, Spike eyes flicked to them for a moment and Rainbow giggled, causing him to flinch just a bit.

“S-sure! I-I mean shoot, I’m all legs- ears! I’m all ears!” Spike put his face in his hands, carefully taking his glasses off while Rainbow laughed at him.

Her chittering only lasted a bit long before she stopped and looked down at her hands, her fingers lightly teasing the blanket underneath her. “...I’m sorry about the stuff I said…”

“Huh?” Spike looked back up at her, unconsciously putting the glasses back on his face as he examined her. “...you mean the play fight?”

“Yeah…”

“Dash you know I-”

“But I love you,” she cut him off and looked at him. “I have to be sure you know I’d never mean any of the stuff I said…”

“I already know that Dash, and I’m sorry too. Humoring Rarity wasn’t a big deal and she apologized enough for both of us.”

Rainbow smiled but it faltered before her eyes dropped again.

“...Dash talk to me.” She bawled her fists up and tried to but couldn’t raise her head up. She heard footsteps and watched a pair of dark brown hands come up to her cheeks and raise her head up, her eyes locked onto his brilliantly glowing emerald eyes. “Rain, what’s wrong?”

“...I just…started feeling like since everything was going right, somethin’ was going to go wrong. Like you’d get resentful because of the fight, or you were upset that I just blabbed to your parents, or that I wasn’t giving you enough respect and pushing your comfort zone and-”

Cozy, warm and spicy.

These senses filled her mouth as her favorite pair of lips met hers, the athlete’s eyes fluttered for a bit before they slowly closed, leaning up and into the reassuring kiss. Her hand slowly came up and lightly held onto Spike’s neck, the other moving to his chest, the pulsing of his heart felt through the thin fabric of his shirt. He pushed deeper, his tongue slowly parting her lips until she felt the intruder curl around her own, her voice escaped her as she let out a sound she was unsure about and felt a sense of loss as Spike took his lips and tongue back. She looked at him, dizzy and unsteady before seeing the look in his eyes, the same one she’d had when she looked in the mirror just a short time ago when she decided to come talk to him.

“...we’re a mess ain’t we?”

“Yeah…I thought that I’d talk to you when the mood was different, you know? I just kinda hole myself in here when I’m trying to focus on something else.” Spike’s hands lingered on Rainbow’s cheeks, his thumb lightly brushing her skin and getting a shivering sigh from his girlfriend. “I meant it all you know, the stuff I said to my parents.”

“...I meant it too.”

“I love you Rainbow Dash.”

“I love you too Spike.”

They shared a small peck before Spike let go, but Rainbow’s hand caught his and everything stopped.

His eyes caught hers in this moment, the look behind them and her breathing were louder than anything happening outside. Her chest slowly rose and fell as her thumb slowly brushed against the back of his hand. Her hair fell away from her face and something about the way her eyes flicked to different parts of his face was so loud that his mind found their own meaning behind everything she wasn’t saying.

“...I…”

“You don’t have to…”

“...I just…”

“I’m okay waiting for you Spike.” She pulled his hand back to her face and lightly kissed his knuckle, making his body burn up immediately as a bit of smoke escaped his mouth. “You don’t have to rush…we don’t have to rush.”

Things were quiet after that, there were so many things happening between them before Spike slowly took his hand back. He didn’t say anything as he moved to his computer, a few clicks here and there and he put it in rest mode. He moved to the window and closed to curtains, all the while Rainbow’s eyes never left him. He moved back to her and she slowly scooted further up the bed as he crawled onto it with her.

Nothing needed to be said, not really. He kissed her again and she slowly wrapped her hands around his back as she pulled him closer. Little things started happening between them, a dance of feelings and heat began to wave off of them as the second stretched onto minutes. This was where they wanted to be, with each other, feeling this deeply for one another.

Rainbow’s fingers crossed up his body and she took in everything about the loving man before her, the way his eyes glowed and sharpened at her as he laid atop her, his rough breathing as she continued to draw out more breathless moments from him.

There was a joke here, somewhere, well there was always later.

Spike’s focus was difficult to pinpoint, between her smooth form and electrifying touch he was certain that if he died here he would come back from the need of more alone. He was the only thing in her eyes, even their names seemed to have lost meaning here as they tossed out a reason to speak at all.

Then he remembered his glasses.

He paused to reach up and remove them, but the first words that had been said in the last few minutes escaped between them.

“C-can you…leave them on?”

Author's Note

Almost a month later and I nearly dropped the ball! Luckily I didn't totally flub it. Anyway, new chapter and some news.

I have a new job. And it's a little rough on me. But unlike with my last story I'm not going to let this one just sit for a year and not post. We're at the halfway point and I hope you guys will stick with me for a while longer.

On an actual chapter note, I tried REALLY hard to start within TOS of a teen story, I think I did okay. But I digress.

Also obligatory here is my thing for the stuff if you feel like it. No one is obligated to and I always consider not dropping it.

ANYWAY! Until next time y'all!
Edit: To the two people who keep making me cry thank you so much! You're awesome and I love you so much!