The Kiss of Immortal Love

~ III ~

Together

Spike carried through the tunnels, alone, for the first time in a while. Every passage caused him to examine the mare in his cradle, sound asleep, wiggling, fighting to fill the gap between her and his body.

Until she groaned herself awake.

"Maaahaaaawwwww!" Twilight writhed her spine as her legs spread in unison, the popping of kinks audible. "Mmhmm... S-Spike?... S-Spike!" Her violet gems adjusted to the world, blinking through the haze to the sight of him. "Spike! You're okay! Spike!"

The dragon should have known better as forelegs crossed over his neck again, feeling the mare lurch over his body—causing him to stumble into a wall. From there he slid onto his rump, knowing no escape, cupping the back of her head with a claw.

"You're okay, oh, you're okay! I thought... that if I couldn't... oh, Spike!" Twilight dug into the space between his jaw and throat, snuggling her head tightly there. The soft and warm brushing of fur and mane across his scales. "I'm sorry I had to make you do that. Hurt and killed to compensate for my weaknesses. I wasn't sure if I could even bring you back."

Spike lifted his chin and stared at the ceiling, his claw stroking the back of her head, cherishing the smooth strands passing through his digits. Trembles rocked her spine, sudden and violent, diminished by the seconds and his strokes.

Until they were no more.

"But both of us are okay now," her voice mumbled from beneath his jaw. "Which means... we can continue with the journey." Her head pulled away and shook out from his hold. "Y-You never stopped, did you? Even in death, you're already back to it."

Spike nodded.

"Guess that... makes sense." Twilight bowed her head. "And, uh, s-sorry for sleeping on you like that. Had to make sure you were safe and... stuff. Your, um, scales are really smooth to sleep on. Nice body do. First rest I've got this whole trip. Sorry again."

Spike shook his head.

"H-Heh! Guess I was a pretty fluffy blanket to have, huh?"

Spike nodded.

"That's good, then."

The two sat like that for a time, unsure of what to say or do, not quite ready to move. Twilight sat on her haunches and gazed down the tunnel, torches lit from Rarity's previous trek. Left and looming afar, blinding of white shone inside, the faint breeze carrying through the shaft.

Twilight went to remark on it to her lips opening to no words. Instead she leaned back into the dragon again, without words or remarks, no need for either to see the other's expression. Mask or long mane couldn't prevent the happy air between them.

Spike didn't need his phantom claw to enact on what he couldn't, following through on a desire born of greed, one that saw his remaining claw wrap around her barrel. Feeling around its shape before tightening into a hug.

He fought the evil thoughts in his mind telling him to reach the bubbly shapes down lower.

But the two embraced in that tunnel, huddled tightly, tightly so, filled on the others embrace. The rest before was mandatory due to strain and recovery. This, however, was out of choice. The small mare bundled within the big dragon's hold. Her chin resting on his shoulder, rubbing across it, both for its shape and feeling and for merely being close to him.

And if it weren't for the mask.

Twilight would have probably kissed him again.