White Veil

Carolyn called on Spike to help her with several jobs. One was a welding job repairing a metal lawn chair that's spinal support had snapped off. Another was a graphic design gig. The client requested a simple star design with a hollowed out interior. Carolyn applied the base layer, staining the bottom of the board solid black. Spike painted the star on by hand. Between jobs, they each made a around three hundred bucks.

The more time Spike and Carolyn spent together working and practicing their skating, the closer they grew. Soon, they found themselves hanging out at arcades and shops just to be around each other. Eventually, the moment of truth arrived. Spike sent the first email this time around.

"Hey. I was wondering if you'd wanna' come over for dinner tonight to meet Flash and Twilight."

"Sure. What time?"

"Can I pick you up around six?"

"Sounds good."

"Cool. I'll see you soon."

"Later, lover boy. <3"

Spike's face turned a dark shade of red. Was she just joking, or...

"Does she know...?"

"You have a bad habit of keeping girls waiting, you know that?"

"Looks like it."

"Well? A gentleman should lead a lady to their destination, should he not?"

"Hop on."

"That's more like it."

Carolyn wrapped her forelegs around Spike's shoulders.

"Hey, after dinner, you wanna' catch a movie," the dragon asked.

"I'm a little short on cash."

"Who said you were payin'?"

"Well, in that case...I'd love to."

Twilight prepared a dish of steak, green beans, mashed potatoes, and rolls that night. Spike was salivating before the plates hit the table.

"It's nice to finally meet you," Twilight said, "I was beginning to worry you were a figment of this loon's imagination."

"Welp, I'm here and in the flesh, unless Mr. schizo here has the most vivid imagination ever."

"You're calling me crazy when you treat cooking like chemistry class."

"I do not...," Twilight protested. Spike gave her a skeptical look, "...Fine...Maybe a little."

"So you guys met at the skating contest a couple weeks ago," Flash inquired.

"It was my first time seeing him there. He was acting all shy. I thought it was cute."

"That's funny, because the way he described it, you kicked his rear into next Sunday."

"I do have a good year and nine months on him."

"That would explain it."

"Right now I'm trying to kick him into shape for next year."

"How's that going?"

"He's got a long way to go, but he's committed and receptive. Dedication is the most important factor."

"That's how it goes."

"So you're a welder and graphic designer," Twilight inquired.

"On a case-by-case basis. My schedule's pretty flexible."

"Guess that's something you two have in common."

"Hey, we're pursuing careers we're happy with. That's the important thing, right?"

"Absolutely. Since we're on the topic, I think Spike would make an outstanding philosopher."

"I think so, too."

"Between us and our friends, he was always the deepest thinker. I can provide insight into physical reality, but his emotional and spiritual knowledge far exceed anything I've ever seen."

"What about your other brother?"

"Shining? He's a commander in the guard. From what he's told me, it's usually a pretty boring job."

"Must mean he's good at it."

"He's unquestionably gained a certain level of respect from the other soldiers."

"I don't doubt it."

Spike and Flash cleaned up and washed the dishes. While they were busy, Twilight and Carolyn spoke quietly among themselves.

"So, tell me the truth...Do you like him?"

"When he was watching me, there was a brief moment where we made eye contact. Do you know what I saw?"

"No. What?"

"Yearning..."

"So you see it, too..."

"Aside from my family, no one's ever treated me with the same acknowledgement and acceptance as him. I don't know why, but...I feel like I can trust him."

"He never had the chance to meet his biological family. My mom and dad raised all of us together. If I'm completely transparent, I was always closer to Spike than I was to Shining."

"It has to be your influence. That's all I can think of."

"Maybe."

After the movie, Spike and Carolyn returned to the mare's apartment. She settled onto the living room couch.

"I had fun tonight."

"I'm glad. I didn't know what to expect with those two."

"Hey...Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it."

"Do you...Like spending time with me...?"

Spike's expression became softer and warmer than she had ever seen before.

"Of course I do. You're the first real friend I've made since I was twelve."

"Have you maybe thought about being something...More than friends...?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because..."

"...You have, too?"

"Maybe...When I was alone, there were thoughts..."

Spike moved closer to her. His smile became playfully mischievous

"What kind of thoughts...?"

"Thoughts that weren't exactly...Decent."

"And what did you do about them?"

"Do I have to say...?"

"Well...You could always reenact them."

"...You jerk."

They pulled forcefully towards each other. Their lips involuntarily declared war, as if on instinct. Spike lifted Carolyn into his arms. Their minds were fueled by the deafening screams of everlasting desire.

"...Let's go to the room," Carolyn purred.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. Spike carried her to the back of the complex, freeing one of his claws to turn the knob before pushing on. They broke their charged exchange long enough for Spike to take off his shirt. He left on the necklace he wore the first day they met. Carolyn removed the garments covering her torso as well.

"You're a Pegasus?"

"Didn't want anybody to think I was cheating during competitions. That's why I kept them covered - so I couldn't use them."

"Smart."

Carolyn lied back on the bed. Spiked traced down her stomach, occasionally scraping his fangs against the skin beneath her fur. He longed for her; flesh, blood, and soul. All other images erased themselves as they became lost in intimate caresses. Spike kissed Carolyn's hoof in an act of ritualistic affection.

"Tell me what you want."

"...To fuck you until you're comatose."

His carnal request was all she needed to hear.

Over the course of the night, Spike offered his missing half a total of twenty neurologically-frying orgasms - one for each year he'd had to live without realizing her existence. Halfway through, they were forced to pause in order to re-hydrate, but such a small interval was quickly forgotten as they lost themselves twice over. Every ounce of negative pressure held within their cells dissipated, nowhere to be found. While their bodies unraveled in primal hunger, their minds were consumed only by loving concepts and perceptions.

The next afternoon, Spike could barely remember what happened; that is, until he saw Carolyn's form next to him.

"Oh, crap...Twilight's gonna' be so pissed I forgot to message them last night..."

The dragon watched as his lover inhaled and exhaled in exhausted harmony.

"I should make sure she's alright. I'll worry about Twilight later..."

Spike leaned over. He kissed Carolyn's forehead and got up to get dressed.

"I'll be out there if you need me..."

He could've sworn he saw what resembled a smile cross her features.

"...I love you..."