The Diamond's Shadow

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

Chapter One

A lot can change in twenty years’ time.

Which was a funny thing to consider when the first several years of your early adolescence are as chaotic as Discord on a happy day.

For Spike, he’d been witness to many events within that time. He watched his sister/mother figure save the world countless times from threats ranging from ancient magical entities to destructive nefarious forces, revived legends thought lost to time, helped restore entire kingdoms to order, and even nearly cracked the code of how Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Senses worked. Since the final battle against Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow, life had hardly slowed down. He’d become an ambassador for the Equestrian nation, improving relations across the map. Twilight had become the new Princess at the head of the kingdom while her friends all prospered and made their own lives complete.

He’d experienced love, then lost that love to the perils of business and fame, before rekindling that same passionate fire when he reunited with Rarity. They went from faded friends to forgiven companions to passionate lovers fast enough to almost make his head spin.

Well, when she did that one little trick with her mouth and the whipped cream; then his head really would spin. Metaphorically.

Thinking of the fashionista brought a fresh smile to the dragon’s face, the wind tugging at his scales as he flew towards Rarity’s now famed Carousel Boutique. A building that had begun Rarity’s career now had duplicates of it spread across Equestria, promoting her fashion lines and serving to further market her designs to the world. Her flair for the craft had never seemed to falter, and with their restored bond, she became all the more inspired to create. Her passion always had enamored her to him, and even with them being older now, he still saw her as a visage of beauty none could compare to.

The world below Spike was looking rather picturesque as well when he thought about it. Being in the midst of winter, the occasional snow flurry passed by Ponyville regularly, giving many of the streets and houses a topping of snow that was visually appealing, if a stark reminder of the chill outside. Anyone he saw as he flew overhead had on their fair share of winter coats and scarves. Some Spike could even guess were made by Rarity, at least the flashier types.

A couple flaps of his wings permitted a soft landing on the ground in front of the boutique, his feet crunching in the small layer of snow still on the ground. His draconic nature afforded him little trouble with it compared to when he was little. His steps up the stairs brought a definitive thud of claws against the wood. He brought his hand up to knock on the door and had only tapped it once before it was opened, and there she stood.

“Spikey! Oh, right on time as ever, darling!” the unicorn declared, giving him a loving smile as she peered at him over her work glasses. “Oh, and you even tried out that sweater I made for you! How was it? Did it hold well in the wind as you flew?”

The dragon glanced down at his torso, which was covered with a maroon red sweater that framed his physique well. The material was soft yet durable enough that it didn’t give trouble while he was flying. Rarity’s genius showed in being able to make a comfortable top equipped with two barely noticeable slits along the back, which allowed Spike to use his wings and not destroy his wardrobe in the process. He looked and felt casual aplenty along with a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt beneath the sweater.

“You did a fantastic job! They held up just fine even on the wind gusts. As I expected from your talented hands.”

Rarity grinned and embraced him, her fingers running along the back of his neck to his shoulders. “Oh, darling. These hands express their talents on you in more ways than just dressing you. A whole week without you leaves them just itching to touch you.” She leaned up and kissed him on the lips, the drake gladly returning the kiss before parting to follow her inside the Boutique.

The interior was much the same as it had always been since he was younger and smaller, only now he had a height to properly appreciate the building’s layout. To the far side still rested the triple set of mirrors Rarity employed when inspecting clothing at every angle. They looked polished, the light gleaming off of them as they reflected the Boutique back to any onlooker. The small catwalk Rarity had built to accompany them - a way to strut your stuff, darling, she’d said - only came up to Spike’s waist now instead of being a looming thing he had to clamber up and over. Here and there, various mannequins displayed the latest of Rarity’s designs. He took note of some as she led him in.

“I see you’re working up another Ruby special over there. Did Manehattan call that one in?”

“Apparently, this year, they’re all about red. Frankly, red only works in so many ways before ponies begin thinking you’re a walking apple. Not that Applejack would complain.”

“No, I don’t think she would. Did you get Twilight’s note about her gown? She told me something about the back end doing awful things-”

“To her tail and catching in the worst places, yes. I know all about it, dear.” Rarity assured him. “Twilight might be our newest and brightest leader, but even leadership needs help to look the part sometimes. A little stitchwork and spacing on the fabric will have her solved in no time.” She paused, a wry smile on her lips. “For commission, of course.”

Spike chuckled. “Of course. You know, though, you’ve hardly drawn attention to the best-looking outfit you have in here.”

Rarity paused and looked up to the smiling drake’s expression. A raised eyebrow was his reply, making him smile more.

“Yours, obviously.”

He watched as the mare gave herself a cursory once over. It wasn’t the flashiest of attires, compared to what Rarity sometimes made. A tailored button-up shirt that fit well against her ample curves, the pale pink color allowing her white fur to look all the more radiant. Her bosom’s cleavage had only just a light, tantalizing peek out from the way the top two buttons were undone, intentional on her part. The shirt was tucked into a pencil skirt that was a simple violet shade Rarity favored yet worked for her in showing off the long legs that led down to the heel-clad feet she stood upon. With her mane tied back in a work-styled ponytail, she was every part the attentive but sexy mare he’d come to fall for all over again.

“Oh, Spikey, you flatterer. I’m hardly showing off in this.” She replied, grinning despite her protest.

“Maybe. I guess I am a bit biased.” He was quick to move about behind her and nuzzle her ear to whisper in it. “Maybe I just prefer them off of you and on the floor.”

Rarity shivered, and a hand came up to caress Spike’s cheek. “Oh, you little devil. Right here? In the middle of my own store?”

“You still have a bedroom upstairs. I’m fairly familiar with it.”

She couldn’t help a playful laugh, biting her lower lip as he leaned down to kiss her neck. “Yes, you are, aren’t you? And the locker room shower. The hotel. Even the castle’s broom closet.” She stopped his advances by turning about, her hands resting on his chest as he found a spot to rest just above her hips. “But what I called you here for takes precedence, Spikey. Even before your...tantalizing offer.”

Spike nodded and kept watching her as she led him up towards the mirrors, talking as they went.

“When we reunited in the gym, and you openly accepted me despite all my wrongdoings, Spike, I realized I could trust you with my life and not even second guess it for a moment. You welcomed me back when others would’ve been justified to push me away, to let me go. I cherish that. And I want to do everything I can to make sure I never give purpose to lose you again. The mere thought is terrifying alone.” They were up on the catwalk now, moving back towards the mirrors.

“You know I love you, Rarity. It’s not even something to be questioned. Nopony or any being could convince me otherwise.”

The unicorn beamed at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek before continuing. “Something I am forever grateful for. But as I was thinking one night, I haven’t told you all about myself in the time I was gone. Some you’ve no doubt heard through grape vines or gossip mags: the parties, the business dealings, so on and so forth. But there are also truths I told to nopony. Because I feared rejection and worse things because of it. Times were difficult, all on one’s own out there.”

Spike frowned at this before reaching out to take Rarity’s hand that had let go of him, making her look up to the drake.

“But you’re not alone anymore. You have me. And Twilight. And all your friends.” Spike insisted. “And we’re not going anywhere.”

“...thank you, Spike,” she replied softly, smiling at him. His affirmation seemed to bolster her, and she nodded. “So!” She continued to hold onto his hand with her left while gesturing with her right to the mirrors. “With that being said. It is high time that I come clean with something about myself. Right here, right now. All I need to know, Spikey, is if you trust me.”

He felt the answer in his heart as his lips moved of their own accord. “With my own life.”

“And so shall I trust you. But not with just my life,” Rarity told him, “but with another’s life as well. An old...let us say, ‘shadow,’ from our shared past adventures.” She turned away from him and looked to the middle mirror of the three before them, prompting Spike to look as well. “Vanity! Are you there, dear?”

Spike stayed quiet, at first out of polite respect for whatever Rarity was planning. Nothing happened yet, as far as he could tell. “Uh, Rarity?”

“She’s shy, darling. I told her about this, and she said she’d try, but I knew she would be nervous.” Rarity replied. Spike was confused; it was just the two of them in here, wasn’t it? Did Rarity adopt a new cat?

“Rarity?”

“Yes, Spike?”

“You didn’t uh...you know. Overdo it on working overnight, did you?”

Rarity scoffed. “Hardly. I can go two nights without rest before I need it if I’m inspired enough. Trust me, Spike, it’s just a matter of...ah! There!”

Spike looked at the middle mirror again, not sure what he was expecting to see. It reflected everything in the world around him: the catwalk, the other mirrors, Rarity, himself, the dark-colored figure peeking from behind the curtain…

...hang on.

Spike glanced over his shoulder to where the same curtain in reality rested. But nothing was there. He looked back to the mirror as Rarity got up close to it, beckoning at it with her hand.

“Come out, darling. It’s ok! Don’t be afraid.”

Seconds passed before the figure emerged and approached them, coming up to the mirror. As they drew closer, more details of them became evident. It was a mare, a little taller than Rarity by an inch or two. Wavy, lustrous purple hair like the unicorn’s fell down her shoulders and back, streaked with the occasional glittery silvery-white. She wore the same outfit as Rarity did, but it contrasted with her dark, charcoal black fur color. Her wrists were covered with metallic-looking bracers, emblazoned with a diamond image akin to Rarity’s own cutie mark, and extended to the middle of her forearm. Her horn was a little longer than Rarity’s, but her eyes were more beckoning. They gleamed without help from lighting effects or magic, he guessed, and bore a purplish hue that complemented her mane. If anything, they were like a shadow of Rarity but built...bigger. His eyes told him that she was more prominent in the bust and hips department than Rarity was but brought his focus away from such details to keep them trained on her calm if nervous expression.

She walked with slow but steady steps, finally coming to rest in front of them. Their mirror’s reflections dissipated as she passed through them, the image distorting a little before settling again as a picture of mimicry, only without Spike or Rarity’s doppelgangers standing there. Well, at least Spike’s.

“Vanity, meet Spike. Spike, this is Vanity. My muse and helper for the better part of the past several years.” Rarity said. “It’s about time you two met.”

“Hello, Spike.” Her voice was a little deeper than Rarity’s, a little more breathy. It was easy on the ears, but Spike’s eyes narrowed.

“...I...I know that voice. Kind of.” He said slowly before turning to the waiting unicorn. “What...who is this, Rarity?”

“Do you remember, a long time ago, when we once dealt with the Nightmare reborn within me?” Rarity asked. “I did...terrible things to you all. I might have been piggybacked by an ethereal force beyond my reckoning, but still. I can still remember how much of a struggle it was to be done away with it. Thanks to my friends. And you, Spike.”

Spike’s eyes widened, and he looked to Vanity, who ducked her head. “So she’s-”

“No.” Rarity cut off his thinking and speech before softening her tone. “No. And yet, yes. It’s...different. I ask you to hear me out; I’ve not lied to you yet, and I promise you that not a single lie will leave these lips.”

Spike looked between the two and slowly relaxed. “Alright. I’ll hear you out. Because I know you, Rarity.”

“Thank you, darling. Where was I...ah. Yes. After our friends and you bested the Nightmare, we all returned home and carried on with our lives. But a few years ago, I discovered that not all of it was truly gone. It came to me like a dream, but I was entirely awake and confused, much like you were Spike. Vanity here was hiding, buried away in the depths of my mind and magic. But she was not the Nightmare as we knew it.” She gestured at Vanity, who picked up where she left off.

“I was a remainder of the Nightmare’s power. A fragment. A shade. Purified by the friendship magic you and your kind can bask in. I expected to perish or to be cast out, as I would’ve deserved. But Lady Rarity took mercy on me. She gave me a chance. I was allowed to remain, bonded with her, and shared existence with her. I feel what she feels. I see what she sees. I saw in her a creator and chose to help her endeavors as repayment for sparing my life.” Vanity explained.

“Together, Vanity and I have brought some of the most unique designs and lines of fashion I could never have thought of on my own. Do you remember when Twilight suggested a “starlight” line in honor of Luna’s birthday?” Rarity asked.

“I kinda do. I remember Luna being a little surprised but grateful to still be recognized. That was...you?” Spike asked as he looked to Vanity. Under his stare, she seemed to shrink a little but replied.

“It was us both. I merely helped Rarity envision how to bring the night sky to the ground to be worn.”

“And I insist that you deserve credit for it, dear. I would never have thought of how to make an illusion of constellations work across a shifting fabric worn by a mare at a Gala. Let alone multiple constellations.” Rarity insisted.

“Right.” Spike folded his arms as he listened, curiosity genuinely going through his mind. It was definitely an unexpected development for his marefriend. “Wait, you feel what she feels? Like...everything?” He questioned. Vanity nodded slowly, but then comprehension dawned as Spike opened his mouth, eyebrows furrowed in prepared accusation.

“Except for moments of privacy!” She declared, making Spike stop. Her hands were raised in defense, and apprehension strained her features into fear before she schooled herself. “I have...never peered into her mind or the time she shares with you. I respect the boundaries she has. It is the last thing I would want to bring the ire of my host.”

“I saw to that ages ago, Spike. Rest assured, there have been no peeping toms on us.” Rarity said, making Spike sigh out the words he’d been reaching towards. “Vanity respects us. You and me.”

“Me? Why me?”

Vanity relaxed and lowered her hands to hold them in front of herself, inadvertently making her bust squeeze together. “You bring Lady Rarity joy and happiness, the likes of which none ever did before. I can see her memories when she allows them. In comparison, any other past relationship is but a spark to the bright flame she bears for you.” Vanity replied. “I would be foolish to not respect the importance you hold in Rarity’s heart.”

“I see. Thank you, by the way.” Spike said. This seemed to help Vanity relax a little more now that she had clarified for him. “So...a shade of the Nightmare, huh? Gotta admit I’m a little surprised, Rarity.”

“I never said I lived a boring life, Spikey-wikey. But it’s not a one-way street for me. I do well for Vanity as well.” The unicorn said. She came up to the mirror and pressed her palm against it, which gave cause for Vanity to mimic the gesture as she continued. “I have been in the very spot she stands: watching, thinking, but unable to act or speak out and be heard. And so I reached an accord with Vanity. As repayment for her help and to be a good host, I arrange to make a day to let her have a taste of reality. We swap places for the lack of a supernatural explanation. Twilight would probably have a field day studying it.”

Spike’s brow furrowed as he thought on it. “So...she takes control of the helm. Er, body. For a time while you ride in the backseat?”

“Precisely dear.”

Spike scratched the back of his head and looked from Rarity to the waiting shadow in the mirror. She seemed to be waiting for some sort of judgment or evaluation from him. Which was strange to the drake, but then again, he was likely the first told of such an arrangement.

“Well...I trust Rarity. I have no doubt there and still don’t.” He started, walking up to the mirror. He glanced at Rarity’s hand and mimicked the gesture with his larger own on the glass. This surprised Vanity, who looked up to him. Being closer now, he could see how pretty her eyes were, wide and full of color. Slowly, she brought her own hand up to meet his. The difference in size was clear, Spike’s hand dwarfing her’s easily. He didn’t pull away, though, as he spoke.

“If she trusts you...then I’ll trust you too. I know what it’s like to see others be mistrusted for appearance’s sake or because of old notions. If Rarity’s gonna vouch for you, then you’re good in my book too.”

Vanity’s eyes shone with emotion. “I-I can...call you friend? Sir Spike?”

“Just Spike is fine. I’m no knight, after all. Unless Twilight sneaks that in my job description.” He replied, smiling at her. “But sure. We can be friends, I think. If you want to.”

“Yes! I-I mean. Yes. It would be great!” Vanity seemed to take a moment to rein in her excitement before she spoke again. Rarity smiled as she observed him and her. “I am so happy to make a new friend. This is...this is wonderful!”

“It certainly is.” Rarity said before a lightbulb seemed to click on in her mind. “Ideeeeaaa!” The exclamation drew the other two’s attention from one another to her. “Why don’t you accompany her on her next outing, Spike? Let her have an experience with a friend!”

“Really? I mean. I’m fine to do that, but is Vanity ok with that?” He asked before looking to the shade. “Are you ok with that?”

“It would be an interesting experience, to be certain. We can try it out and see how things may fare.”

“Excellent!” Rarity said before stepping away from the mirror. “I had plans for this weekend, but now my Spikey-wikey can be there for her! How wonderful!”

“Right. So, hey, how exactly does this...work?” Spike asked, gesturing between himself and Vanity and Rarity. “I don’t have to carry a full-length mirror everywhere, do I?”

Chapter Two

As it turned out, no; he did not have to do that. Rarity’s compact mirror was more than enough.

Spike wasn’t sure what exactly went into the ritual of swapping personas for Rarity and Vanity or what to expect. His arrival that evening had him greeted by Rarity, who had him wait in the Boutique lobby while she claimed to be helping prep Vanity. He gave her her space and let his mind wander until Rarity emerged from the back room. Spike could admit to expecting something elegant or showy. Instead, she appeared with a fashionable pair of jeans, white snow boots, and a fluffy pink sweater that looked like it almost fit her but was a size too large. He thought to comment on it but let it go for the moment.

“Alright, so...any suggestions on this?” Spike asked her.

“Whatever do you mean, Spike?”

“Like, making sure she’s comfortable. And that I don’t scare her. Stuff like that.”

Rarity gave a light laugh into the back of her hand before answering him. “Oh, darling. Just be yourself; that’s all you needed to charm me.” She held up her compact mirror and nodded at it. “Ready when you are, Vanity!”

Spike covered his eyes as there was a brief but bright flash of light and magic that emanated from the mirror and encompassed Rarity. When the light had died down enough for him to see, he was left to appreciate the vision of Vanity now standing where Rarity stood. The odd attire Rarity had chosen made sense now, with Vanity filling in her stead. The mare’s physique brought out the clothing well, or rather, the clothing brought out her figure very well; it was hard to ignore how much the sweater tried to cling to her bosom or how the jeans seemed to fit her like a second skin. Experience with Rarity had taught him to appreciate a good-looking mare; Vanity was a vision in the casual attire. It made him wonder just what could be done if she attempted to dress up. Realizing he was staring, he shook his head and focused, realizing Vanity was waiting. One look at her eyes dispelled the thoughts swimming around in the back of his mind: she looked...nervous. Afraid.

He realized there and then he never wanted her to look at him that way again.

He took a step forward and held out a hand to her, palm upwards. “I know we’ve said it already before. But just for formality’s sake: Hello, Vanity. I’m Spike.” He said, offering what he hoped would be a confident smile.

It pushed Vanity to move, and she reached out to take his hand. Whereas most ponies would treat a handshake or greeting as any commonplace thing, for Vanity, it seemed like an experience akin to testing a new limb. Her fingers were slow, tensed as she rested her hand on his before gripping it gently. “...you’re warm. Are all living beings like this?” she questioned aloud. Her voice was soft on his ears, compared to Rarity’s more energetic tones. Yet it was pleasant.

“It sometimes comes with being a dragon. I...realize that there might be a lot of firsts for you in this tonight. I want to make something clear for you.” When she looked up at him again, it took him a second to not be lost in how her eyes gleamed. “I’m not here to hurt you, or cause harm, or force you in any shape or way. I’m your friend. And if at any point tonight you feel uncomfortable or ready to go home, it’s ok to say so. Ok?”

Vanity seemed to consider this before a smile crossed her lips. It was more genuine than the previous ones, and she relaxed her grip on his hand to bring her other up with it, holding it between the two. “Already, you show me kindness more than I expected to earn. Are all beings like you and Lady Rarity?”

“I can assure you there’s no one else like Rarity. Well, except for maybe you, but that’s a bit cheating.” He joked before seeing Vanity look a little confused. “It’s a joke because you and her are kinda similar. Different, but similar.”

“I see. Perhaps that can work in my favor; I too would like you to be at ease with me,” she noted, “Has Rarity informed you of a plan for tonight’s outing?”

“I’m afraid not. But I’m fairly flexible. So wherever you’d like to go, I’m happy to be right there with you.” Spike replied.

“I...would like to walk through the town. At least where we are allowed to go. If that is alright, Sir Spike?”

He held out his arm for her to take, giving her a moment to understand before she accepted and wrapped her arm around his. He kept his grip gentle for her, finding there was still some nervousness in her. Spike could guess that she was still wary of making a mistake and sought to keep the air light between them.

“Remind me to get a knight’s helm if I’m going to be a Sir. Think I’d look alright in one?”

Vanity looked up at him and gave a light giggle as Spike twitched the small spines along his cheeks with a practiced flex. “I believe Rarity would use the phrase ‘dashing’ would she not? I can recall a memory when you and she were younger, of you wanting to be her knight in shining armor.”

“You know, the phrase really does take a different spin when you know a guy with that very name.” He replied. The idle chatter carried them forwards and into the town. Being nighttime as it was, very few ponies were out and about, save for the occasional patrolling guard or another fellow civilian. Spike kept an eye on Vanity when some of them would come close by and noticed how she would seem to try and reduce her presence a little. Her nervousness would come and go in fleeting spurts, leading him to try and take routes he could reckon to be less crowded.

They came upon the park, and here it seemed Vanity could relax better. The open space was more freeing to her, and he let her go as she pulled away to wander among the snow. Their footsteps were in tandem with one another, Spike easily keeping pace with her while glancing at the night sky above, stars shimmering in the open sky.

“This is a good night out. Twilight was telling me all about her schedule for the night the other week. She’s very insistent on schedules; throw her off of a plan, and you witness chaos enough to make Discord applaud.” He told her.

“Tell me more about this Twilight. I see her in Rarity’s memories, and you two are often together. Is she significant?” Vanity asked.

“Twilight? Yeah, she’s been my sorta...step-mom/sister/friend ever since I was a hatchling. Gosh, that seems forever ago by now.” Spike replied. “You’d never think one day you’d go from minding a library to running a whole country. But here we are. It’s been a crazy journey to this point. And to think it all began with an old prophecy everypony forgot.”

“Ah, yes. She who became Nightmare Moon.” Vanity said. “The name comes up in Rarity’s memories. And in mine apart from hers. We knew of her, even after her defeat.”

“You did?”

“The Nightmare that filled Princess Luna is the same Nightmare who took hold of Rarity years ago. And is the same being whom I come from. In a way, that Nightmare is a...parent, so to speak. Yet not. It is...confusing.” Vanity’s expression looked as puzzled as she sounded. Spike could guess the concept was admittedly different than what most would call normal.

“Well, most parents don’t go out on power-hungry rampages.”

“Indeed. That facet of existence with it was most perplexing. To conquer for conquering’s sake. Where once we saw alignment with it, we now feel a disconnect. It is like...like…” Vanity trailed off, trying to muster the words. Spike gave her time to think and watched as she looked at him. “May I ask a question?” She asked as she looked at him.

“Ask away.”

“I swore to Lady Rarity that I would not use my magic while in control unless our lives were threatened. But I feel the only way to describe what it was like must be demonstrated rather than explained through words. With you here to supervise, do you believe I can?”

“Tell you what; if she asks you about it, you can say it was my idea. I mean...she’s not listening right now, right?” Spike asked.

“No. Rarity promised she would behave and let me have this time to myself. Something of the lines… ‘I cannot let you thrive if I suffocate you, darling!’ or to the extent of it.”

“Then have at it.” He encouraged, gesturing with an open hand.

Vanity seemed to concentrate for a few moments, then lifted her hand up. Her horn took on an ethereal violet glow, darker than her mane color. But she surprised Spike as her entire being was encompassed in the magical aura before extending out to the snow surrounding them. With a gentle and precise scooping motion, she brought the gathered snow together, pressing it into a large ball that floated above the ground in front of them. It seemed entirely effortless on her part while Spike felt his jaw slacken.

“Imagine the Nightmare as an ever-shifting, changing element. Conscious. Thinking. Feeling. But no form to express itself. It seeks out means of doing this in ponies like Luna and Rarity, those who experienced a...fracture, in their emotions. It seeps in and finds a way to fill the void with itself and takes hold. I remember it’s anger, it’s pride. Like one loud voice, it commanded all of us within it to act in concert. As one we obeyed, and followed.”

Spike listened, watching Vanity as she spoke before looking to the floating ball of snow before them. It spun and turned while she continued, and small fractures began to crack along the ball of snow’s alleged solid surface.

“When the Nightmare was made to face against the magic you and your friends brought forward, it was like striking a match to the driest of forests. It burned across us all, and I, too, still remember its sting. The shouting grew quieter, fading until I could hear nothing.” The massive snowball fractured and fell to pieces, some falling to the ground in clumps. Others began to coalesce together and take shape, a few moments of magical snow crafting creating a snowy duplicate of Vanity as she was. Her expression in the snow was neutral, neither happy nor sad in Spike’s view. “When next I could think and hear, it was Rarity’s voice. Frantic. Desperate to solve how to revive her work. Instinct guided me to help, as I was instructed. A new connection was made, and thus, I came to become...this.” She gestured at the snow duplicate, and then herself.

“Wow,” Spike said finally after she finished. He gave a closer inspection of the snow mannequin, surprised to see she got the details down to even her eyelashes and the intricate spiral of her horn. “So it really is, in a way, like a new start for you. When you and Rarity connected.”

“Yes. It is certainly not the most glamorous of starts, but it was a start no less. When she and I realized we could speak to one another, I was afraid of more retribution. The Nightmare had hurt plenty of ponies and creatures, and I was one of its kin. Had she lashed out at me, I would not have stopped her.” Vanity looked aside, sadness crossing her expression. “There are times I do still wonder.”

“You don’t deserve that,” Spike replied immediately, making the dark-furred mare look up at him in confusion. “You don’t. That’s not fair to you.”

“But...I was the Nightmare. A part of it. Am I not guilty of its crimes? The harm it rendered upon others? Upon your friends? Upon...you?”

Spike shook his head. “No, you’re not. And I’ll tell you why in the easiest way I know how.” He looked about where they were and nodded to himself. “Can’t see it from this level. Vanity, may I have the honor of carrying you?”

This bewildered the mare for a moment before she thought about it and nodded. “Lady Rarity has trusted you to carry her before. I remember. And so shall I.”

Spike chuckled and approached her. However, when he reached out towards her, there was again her instinctive shudder and shift to reduce herself. The drake waited and placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. She looked up to him, and he offered a smile down to her as he met her stare.

“I promise you. On a Dragon’s honor. I won’t hurt you or let you fall.”

Hearing him speak and the oath he gave seemed to ease the mare a little, and she allowed him to scoop her up into his arms. Spike’s sweater ruffled in the wind as he lifted them both up a fair distance into the air, enough to see the tops of the roofs of Ponyville and some of the weaving streets that ran through the town. Vanity clung to him with an arm around the back of his neck and a hand to his chest.

Spike was a little surprised. Vanity was no problem to lift up, yet it felt right to carry her like this. To try and offer her himself for support, her chest pressed up against his firm own. He focused as the mare looked around with the new perspective they had. “Look over there, the area where Town Hall is and Sugarcube Corner. You see how some of the buildings look newer than the homes around them do?”

Vanity nodded, and he continued, wings flapping to keep them steady and aloft. “They’re like that because of me. I once lost control of myself and went from a tiny dragon to a rampaging monster. I can’t remember it all. But I know I did it. It took weeks to clean things up, and I had to work extra hard to make up for it all. It was a lot less bad than it could’ve been, thanks to Rarity and my friends. They stopped me from becoming a true monster.”

He looked back at her and smiled. “I expected to be hated. Disregarded. But my friends didn’t hold it against me. They forgave me because Spike the Dragon is not Spike the Rampaging Beast. I could’ve stayed that way if I really chose to, in that big state. But I chose not to. And in a way, you chose your way as well, just the same.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, think about it. When you first heard Rarity, that was when the choice was offered. Do you listen and hear her and help? Or keep to the dark like the Nightmare would’ve done and try to exploit her later? You chose to help. You did. Even if you think you didn’t, for one iota of a moment, you had the fork in the road in front of you. And you chose to help.” Spike explained. “You can’t be the monster you worry you might be if you choose to not be it. You chose to be you, Vanity. And that means you don’t bear the burden of the past on your shoulders. You made the change. And now, you get to live a life that you get to define however you want.”

Vanity listened, and for a few moments, after he spoke, Spike was left in the quiet as his words hung in the air. He was about to ask if he said something wrong before Vanity spoke again.

“Is it...can it really be so simple?” She questioned.

“Sometimes, the best things in life are kept simple because being simple’s the best. Favorite foods. Favorite pastimes. The stars keep things simple too.” Spike said, looking up at the sky. Vanity craned her head up, mindful to not poke his neck with her horn. Her mane tickled against his skin, but he never felt her lessen her grip, and neither did he. “And we all enjoy them, right?”

“Simplicity. If one is happy in simplicity, then in simplicity, they can remain. Perhaps...I can be simple. Sometimes.”

“You can be simple. And you can be complicated. You can do both,” Spike told her, peering down at her. Vanity’s features were much closer now, allowing him to appreciate that she was as much a beauty as Rarity was. Her full lips were pressed into a thoughtful pout, and closer inspection of her face revealed not a single blemish along the darkened skin. “...you just gotta be you.”

Vanity looked up at him, and he blinked before giving a quiet laugh. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be all philosophical. But yeah. Let Vanity be Vanity. That’s all you gotta do.” He lowered them down from the air and effortlessly floated to the ground with his wings out. As they came down, however, he heard Vanity murmur loud enough for him to hear.

“I think...that is something I can do. With you.” She replied, smiling. He landed and sat her down, noticing how reluctant Vanity was to let go. He found himself holding onto her hand for a few seconds longer, and their eyes met. Spike was about to speak when a sudden burst of magic came from beside them, giving him a face full of snow as was Vanity. He glanced at where the snow mannequin she’d constructed had been standing, only now it seemed to have worn off and consequently came undone.

“M-my apologies! I am still getting used to using magic appropriately. I have extensive knowledge of the spells, but using Rarity’s magic makes things trickier to master.” Vanity exclaimed. She was quick to try and pat off the snow that had gotten on his shoulders and the sweater, but Spike just laughed.

“I’m alright! I’ve had my fair share of snow fights before, you know. You should see when AJ and Dash try to compete, or worse, they’re on the same team!” he joked before returning the favor to Vanity. He was cautious as he brushed at her mane and then her shoulders, taking a moment to admire the way the snow brought out her dark features moreso. “You know...you look really nice in the snow.”

“I-I do?” She stammered in surprise. Spike realized what he said and caught himself.

“I-I mean, you look pretty! Uh. Pretty good! Yeah! Very pretty mare!” He paused and then slapped his own forehead. “Crap, no, I meant...huh?” He stopped mid apology as he heard Vanity laughing. Not just a polite one like she’d been doing, but a genuine, from the heart laugh. He felt his face warm but ended up laughing with her before she trailed off.

“We can hardly object to a compliment. It is...pleasant to know we...I, look well to you.” She said. “Thank you, Spike.”

“You’re welcome. C’mon; I don’t want you or me to catch a cold out here.” He insisted, and she took up his arm again as they walked together through the rest of the park. Spike told himself that he did not want either of them to get cold, but something said to him that neither of them had to worry about that. For his sake, he was a dragon. Freezing a dragon was a lot harder than expected. And Vanity...well.

Vanity had him.

Chapter Three

It was a slow but steady development over time. Vanity, little by little, opened up to Spike and became more and more accustomed to experiencing life with another person to interact with and talk to than just Rarity. But both Spike and Rarity could agree there was a warmth and liveliness in Vanity that hadn’t been there before. It took time to get it out of her, even with Spike’s assurances and patience. Rarity had to help coach her as well, leading to sometimes interesting little visits where it would be Spike, Vanity, and a carefully positioned mirror to let Rarity have a say in things as well.

Spike let his thoughts on the two mares wander while he walked lazily through the marketplace of Ponyville. He could’ve flown, but it was more habit of him to walk among the townsfolk than flying overhead. It was also less intimidating: no matter how many times those flower triplets saw him, he always caused a fainting spell in them when he would land too quickly. Though, to be fair, he imagined they reacted that way to just about any sort of surprise or shock. At least Vanity didn’t do that; he’d actually feel bad to make her react that way.

‘There I go again.’ He thought to himself as he walked. “It’s gotta be just how she and Rarity are like sisters that I keep going back to her. Not to mention we’ve done a lot.’

His mind drifted to one occurrence when he and Rarity discovered that Vanity desired to try painting. But her subject wasn’t to be a flowerpot or the outside scenery; she wanted to illustrate Spike.

The upper room of Carousel Boutique was familiar enough to Spike that he could envision it with his eyes closed to the most sufficient detail. Spending so much time there in his youth and adulthood with Rarity had given him plenty of experience. However, the room had been shuffled about to make room for Vanity’s idea to try painting. He took in the large painting easel and canvas, and a few colors set up alongside the easel on a nearby table. A wooden stool with a cushioned seat was next to it, with a larger one a few feet away in front of the window.

Vanity had on a different, more relaxed outfit today. Rarity had been having a field day, letting her experiment with styles. Today’s attire had the Shade looking rather homely but comfortable. A green top with ruffled sleeves and a deep v-neck that teased her bountiful cleavage but kept decent with crisscrossing strings of brown overtop. The lower half of her body was covered with a pale long white skirt, brought into sharp contrast with her wavy tail when it would flick about either side of her while moving.

“So you want me to be your model, huh?” Spike questioned. “Can’t say I’m the best first subject.”

“Nonsense. Your coloring and face are pleasant to see. It is my desire to try and capture that same delightfulness you exhibit upon the canvas.”

Spike chuckled. “Is that why I’m shirtless?” He said, gesturing at his bare pectoral with a thumb. He still had on a comfortable pair of sweatpants for comfort and to keep decent. But it allowed his upper half to be on display plenty. Vanity’s expression when he had removed his shirt was one he recognized as of surprise, but also a touch of feminine approval that his ego puffed its chest out for.

“One should not hide their loveliness behind bulky clothes, Sir Spike. I will try to not keep you seated for too many hours. We can take breaks when you wish it so; I only ask you to not look until we have finished.”

“Far be it from me to interrupt your process. Rarity’s shown me what happens so many times. Never thought a cat could be used as a weapon, but there you go.” Spike’s comment earned a giggle from the magical mare before he took up his instructed pose: using a spare table as a prop, he brought his chin down to rest on a fist, leaning forward slightly in his seat to stare directly at Vanity’s direction. He tried to imagine it from her perspective and did his best to stretch and flex a little for the sake of imagery.

Spike soon found himself continuously meeting Vanity’s stare, his green eyes catching Vanity’s look every so often. She would sometimes offer a smile, or correcting him, would tap a part of her arm or face to get him to adjust. He complied entirely, and by the time she was finished, he was treated to the sight of a masterfully done portrait, even having the background scenery of the nearby window to accompany him.

“Vanity, this is amazing! How did you...gosh, you even got my spines right on my cheeks.” He remarked.

“I only regret it took me so long to make. But my inspiration was certainly set on keeping me going. He was...very motivational.”

Spike felt his cheeks color at the compliment and beamed at the mare. Vanity returned his smile, her happiness sparking a warmth in Spike he felt delighted to experience.

And then there was the time they tried baking a cake…

“Oh, mind the icing, careful!”

Spike’s warning came as Vanity was cautious about applying the touches of blue icing to the circular ring top of the cake they’d been working on. It came as Rarity’s suggestion to try cooking something for the fun of it, and what better sort of thing to enjoy eating than a delicious cake? Vanity was not entirely familiar with the sensation of taste, so Spike made a simple choice of a chocolate cake to make. The kitchen started out pristine and organized, with the ingredients ready to go. By the time they had finished and gotten to applying the icing, Spike was reasonably sure there was some flour stuck between his scales, and Vanity had gotten a few dots of color and sprinkles that didn’t quite seem right. It didn’t stop either of them, though.

“I am just about...almost...there.” Vanity said as she pulled back the small tube and stared down at the cake. She was happy, Spike could guess, as she always had this brilliant smile about her when she was into what she was doing. It might’ve been a lack of social experiences that did it, but Vanity’s open displays of emotion helped Spike recognize the passions she had.

“Great job. Now, try it! We’ve been at this for a while; I reckon we deserve a bite!” Spike suggested.

“But would you not prefer it with gemstones baked in?” Vanity questioned.

“Of course. But this isn’t just a cake for me; it’s your first! Go on, tell me what you think.” At his insistence, the Shade conjured a cake cutter from thin air and used it to place a portion on her own plate. She brought it to her lips and took a large bite of it. Spike withheld a snicker, knowing Rarity would call such an act unladylike. Vanity chewed, and swallowed, and held still for a few moments.

“Well? How is it?” Spike questioned.

“...I believe I like cakes. This is...delicious, is the word, yes? Delicious.” She ate another bite, and Spike couldn’t help a laugh as Vanity got so into it, a dash of chocolate was left on her nose. Seeing him laugh made her pause in confusion until he gently swiped the cake off of her nose and ate it himself.

“Hmm. Sweet. Definitely chocolate. A hint of...strawberry.” He noted. “And, of course, just a dash of Vanity, which is extra sweet.”

The mare’s expression glowed from his remark, and Spike pat himself on the back for the compliment before watching as Vanity suddenly dabbed his nose with the icing tube and then swiped her finger on it in the same manner he had.

“There is...a sweetness. But also a kind of...goodness. The word escapes me. But it is definitely a Spike flavor.” She said, making Spike fold his arms.

“You realize, my lady, this means war.”

“What kind of war-oh!” Spike caught her by surprise with a light splash of chocolate mix, making the mare give off a squeak before she used her magic to turn the spare icing tubes into miniature cannons. The ensuing food fight left both a mess, and Spike apologized profusely to Rarity on her return while cleaning it up. Yet, Rarity offered no rebuke other than remarking on how they wasted a perfectly good cake.

Spike chuckled to himself, the memories staying on the surface and making him feel...well, quite delighted if he was honest with himself. Vanity’s friendship was an entirely new spark in his life, and nourishing it felt good to himself. She was different: curious but appreciative of his explaining things; nervous on her own, but relaxed and smiling when they were together. She was fond of hugging the dragon, he also noticed, but he had no reason to stop her. Being embraced by the beauty of a mare was hardly something to complain about.

Although...not every single moment together has been exactly pleasant.

It was one of their daylight outings, a little risky for the shade since she was so used to the night. But Spike had insisted on trying, and Rarity agreed to it too. There was no reason the magical mare couldn’t also enjoy the daylight along with nighttime. Vanity’s only fear was the public’s reaction, but she seemed more composed with Spike at her side. She held his arm as they went through Ponyville’s center, and he had left her for a brief minute to use the restroom when they stopped by the fountain in town square.

Coming back, though, he saw trouble in the form of two stallions trying to flirt - and terribly so, Rarity later described - at Vanity. Going off her apprehensive look, she didn’t appreciate it one bit. Spike was stomping over to them before he could even think about it.

“C’mon, a pretty lady like you would like the bar! All our friends are there! Right, Green?” the pale blue stallion said.

“Yeah, and we’re all friends here. It’s especially friendly for lovely mares all alone to have company.”

“Please...I-I have a friend here. I am waiting on them. Please go away.” Vanity said, but neither leering stallions moved away. She was cowering a little under their gazes, and that made Spike furious. Once he was upon them, he laid a firm hand on a shoulder each, letting his claws poke through their flimsy jackets.

“Green Fields. Ink Rush. Would you two mind telling me what you’re doing?” He questioned. Green looked up, and his face immediately became panicked. Ink, however, didn’t and thought it was just another normal stallion.

“Look, pal, we’re talking to this nice lady here, so you can just buzz off.”

“I-Ink, I don’t think you should say that.”

“What’s the matter with you, Green? Ow, that hurts! Freaking nails on your hands, man!” Ink complained before trying to bump his elbow into Spike’s middle. However, Spike being Spike, this had just about all the effect of Ink deciding to ram his elbow into a block of concrete, making him wince. “What in Tartarus are you made of-” He started before finally looking to see Spike frowning at him.

“50% dragon, 40% healthy lifestyle choices, 10% magic, and 100% not putting up with your shit for a second.” He growled out before heaving both men to the side and away from Vanity. With both of them dispatched from her, the purple-maned mare got up and was at his side immediately, clutching onto one arm. She wasn’t trembling, but Spike could tell she was upset. Worse still, Vanity had to keep to her promise of not using her magic, even with the two accosting her like they had. With a nod, he turned and made for them to leave, only for his senses to kick into gear and warn him of something from behind.

A sweeping motion of his free hand behind him allowed him to catch what had been thrown at him: a medium-sized rock about the size of his palm. He turned to the offender and saw Ink Rush looking in disbelief. He considered throwing the rock right back at the prick but made a different choice instead. Holding Ink’s bewildered stare, Spike simply clenched the stone in his palm and crushed it into dust, letting the fragments fall to the ground when he turned his hand over. Never once blinking, he huffed a tuft of smoke through his nostrils at Ink before walking away. He didn’t try anything the second time, and it left the pair walking in quiet for a couple minutes until they were far enough away.

It was Spike who stopped, and he turned to Vanity with a prepared apology, that not all of Ponyville was that way, that Ink and Green were just a couple of bumbling idiots who do dumb things because they think with the wrong brain sometimes-

Except he never got those thoughts out vocally because his lips were enclosed by Vanity’s own pressing onto them. He froze up, only halfway able to comprehend just how delightfully soft they felt against his own, or how Vanity’s hands rested on his chest and held onto him even after she broke off to let him speak again.

“...buh.” He remarked intelligently.

“You defended my honor. You could have struck them both down, yet you expressed restraint. You may not be a knight by legacy, but in spirit, you are the mightiest knight I know.” Vanity said, blushing despite herself. “A kiss is...hardly unwarranted.”

“...t-thank you.” He didn’t say more on the kiss, and she didn’t pursue it. Yet she never let go of his arm the rest of the day, not until they were home and Rarity returned to control once again.

Spike stopped in front of Ponyville Square’s fountain and stared into its watery depths for a few moments. Some realizations were starting to click in his mind about Vanity, Rarity, and himself. He let his mind focus on Rarity, imagining her reflection in the water’s surface: lovely, beautiful, pure as snow and the love of his life. But then his mind’s eye swept the colors of Rarity for the darker shades of Vanity: radiant, gorgeous, smiling at him and making his heart thump from the idea of kissing her again.

“...I think I have a problem.”

Spike wasn’t sure how long he stood in front of the door to Carousel Boutique. Honestly, he’d gotten so used to everything being excellent and relaxed between him and Rarity that to feel otherwise just seemed...wrong. He cherished her dearly, loved her without even the slightest of doubts. But now, he was having doubts about himself. He felt like time had reversed, and he was that little dragon again, always pining after the unicorn. Still chasing but without the wings, the muscles, the height! Good Celestia, the size alone was a help.

He squeezed his hands in front of him before balling them into fists at his sides, a huff of faux courage coming to him. He was Spike! And he was an adult! There was no reason he couldn’t come to Rarity, lay the cards on the table, and explain things out, and everypony acts like the responsible, intelligent adults they were. He was the assistant to Her Majesty, for scales’ sake! He marched himself up the steps leading to the door and knocked firmly three times, folding his arms while he waited. He could do this. That fire of his was burning with absolute assurance that things would work out just fine!

The door opened, and Rarity stood there in her work attire, but no less extraordinary in Spike’s eyes. The brushed mane, the adjusted glasses, the killer figure; she was the full package. He smiled at her, and she smiled back.

“Spikey-wikey!” She greeted before embracing him. He returned it with both arms, chuckling to himself. What did he have to worry about? This was good. There was comfort, warmth, and support. He sniffed and inhaled the flowery aroma of her scent and gazed at the violet locks atop her head.

Violet locks, just like...like…

“The mightiest knight I know.”

The fire snuffed out suddenly as it’d started. A Rockhoofian effort kept Spike from going weak, but he stumbled as he tried to answer back to what he only half caught as Rarity speaking.

“Say again, Rarity? I zoned out for a moment.”

“Oh, you must be tired from exercising. I told Twilight to give you breaks properly, but she’s such a workaholic, even as royalty!” Rarity remarked. She ushered him in and closed the door behind her. “I was just saying how fortuitous your presence here is. I needed an extra set of hands for this ensemble I’m putting on this mannequin. Come, come!”

He obeyed with little thought, finding the pit of his stomach collapsing deeper as he continuously saw things to think of Vanity and tearing his focus apart away from Rarity. He did his best to offer obligatory nods and grunts as he helped set up her new displays. Maybe he didn’t need to bring it up. Perhaps he could just...play sick the next few days. Just till things cooled down. He applied pins carefully and on autopilot, barely needing to consider them as each flash of purple or onyx black or silver would bring to mind Vanity.

“Spike, mind the pins. Now, don’t you think this number would just look absolutely lovely on Fluttershy?”

“Mmhmm.”

“She’d just have a ball in it I think. Well, my idea of a ball. Her’s is more or less spent at home.”

“Mmm.”

“And then she could dance the night away with that bear of hers. Or perhaps Discord might call up an ensemble.”

“Whatever makes her happy.”

“And then she could go on to conquer Equestria as Sombra’s right-hand queen, reborn and with an army of killer bunnies at her behest.”

“She’d be good for it.”

“Spike?”

“Yes?”

“I’m fairly sure you’ve poked that mannequin’s arm to death now.”

He snapped from his stupor and looked where he’d been working. To his credit, he hadn’t jabbed himself, but there were enough pins in place that there was no way this mannequin’s shoulder could move in any direction without tearing apart.

“Oh. Um.” Spike started. “I was...listening?”

“Did I lose you at dancing with a bear or the killer rabbits?”

“...there’s rabbits that kill?”

Rarity shook her head and set her things down, her horn glowing before the pins all removed themselves, save the appropriate ones needed for the display. “Come here, darling. You’ve something on your mind, and I’d like to know.” He did little to resist her leading him to the nearby table, where she sat down and he followed with an almost lackluster thump. “Now...what’s going on for you?”

“I...I just…” Spike sputtered. “I want to tell you. But you’ll be upset. I don’t want you upset.”

“Well, that eliminates a few options. I was honestly leaning to the idea of another impending disaster.” Rarity replied. “So it involves moi. Go on.”

“...” Spike sat there, trying to put the words together. They burned him, even as a dragon; how do you tell your marefriend, your lover, that you were falling for her...shade, is the term? Sisterly shadow?

“Have I done something to upset you?”

“No! Never. You could never. Not even if you burned my old comics.” He paused. “...please never consider that threat.”

“Forgotten already, dear. Then what is it? You seem...perplexed.”

“...is she here?” He questioned. At her confused look, he nodded at her in a meaningful manner. “She.”

“Oh. Goodness, you mean dear Vanity? No, she’s resting. Unaware. This conversation sounds private, though, so I’ve walled her off for now. I can do that.”

Spike clutched at his hands, fingers squeezing. He felt hot, like he should be sweating a storm, but found not a drop coming off him. His muscles twitched as his foot tapped urgently on the floor.

“My dear Spike, whatever has gotten into you to make you like this-”

“I like Vanity!”

He almost was shouting and clamped his hands over his mouth. There. They’d left him and took the burning sick feeling out with them. He looked at Rarity and thought he saw rejection in her confused eyes. He continued, and it poured out from him.

“I love you. I love you so much it hurts me. It hurts to even think I could look at another mare like I do you. But it’s because she reminds me of you. Because part of her is you. She laughs, she smiles, she talks in a way that I see you, and yet it isn’t you because it’s her! She’s her own amazing woman, and I have no business, no right, to even see her that way! I just got you back, and here I am, being an awful boyfriend, after all, we’ve said and shared. I feel ashamed and terrible! Like I don’t deserve to look at you!”

He shot up from his seat, not looking at the listening unicorn as he pressed on.

“She is different from you, and nopony could ever take your place. But I can’t lie to you and pretend there’s nothing about her that doesn’t appeal to me! She’s partially you! It’s not even some weird family bond thing; she is literally half you! And I tell myself, well, it’s alright to acknowledge a mare being pretty like she is, but you don’t go off and do things you shouldn’t want when you have a happy, fulfilling relationship with somepony already! Somepony amazing and gorgeous, and who I love! I loved you first, and I will always love you first. Cadance could cast some love spell on me, and I’d still choose you! I can’t...I can’t lose you. I can’t…”

Spike’s will crumbled, and he fell to his knees, eyes closed shut tight as he gripped at his legs for something to hold onto.

“...I can’t lose you again. It would break me.”

There was quiet in the parlor for a time. The world outside moved on, the wind lightly battering the window. Birds chirped as they flew by, a brief shadow overcast Spike’s face. The sunlight poured in, but the warmth didn’t spread through his being. He only sat there and waited.

The chair scraped on the floor as she got up. He tensed, then put up every mental bracing he had for himself. Here it came; the vengeful slap, the harsh words he deserved to be told, the utter disbelief that he could even look at another mare, let alone have more feelings than just for herself! Rarity’s heels clicked on the floor, and he heard her come to a stop in front of him. He waited.

Seconds passed.

The impact he felt wasn’t hard, or rough, or even quick. It was slow, on both sides of his cheek, palms pressing into them as fingertips reached just far enough to brush against his spines. He dared to open his eyes and saw Rarity’s face right in front of his. He stared but saw no hostility, no jealousy, no anger in her bright eyes—only understanding and warmth.

“Spike. Oh, my Spike.” She murmured. “Can you even begin to understand how I fell in love with you?”

“...w-what?”

Rarity smiled and shook her head. “What were you expecting, Spikey? A tantrum? Thrown furniture, tearful accusations?”

Spike just stared at her for a few moments before answering.

“Well. Some of that, yeah. Or at least your fainting couch.”

“Oh, that old thing? I did have a habit of using that prop, didn’t I?” Rarity remarked.

“It was your go-to for dramatic moments. Did you sell it?”

“Actually, I let Sweetie take it. The dear’s been such a doll with acting and music, but she wanted a piece of home for herself. It’s in good hands.”

Comprehending this along with the elapsed emotional whiplash left Spike to simply lay himself down on the floor, looking up at the ceiling. His dazed state allowed for Rarity to simply settle on the floor with him, placing his head in her lap and allowing her to gently run her fingers along his spines.

“Alright. I’m officially confused. What’s the deal, Rarity?” Spike asked. “You’re way too...prepared for a confession like that.”

“Hmm...you’re right. Perhaps just the right touch…” Rarity hummed aloud before levitating over a cushion from one of the nearby seats. Hovering it above his head, she let it fall to gravity’s pull, and the drake gave a light grunt before looking at the unicorn. “Will that do for now? I could use a bobby pin to poke myself until I shed a tear. Oh, but I just got this mascara right too…”

Spike reached up and took hold of Rarity’s free hand that had gone up to rub her chin in thought, holding it as he brought it back down to his chest. “Rarity. Focus, please. My confession? The emotions? You not rejecting me?”

“I couldn’t reject somepony, or somedrake especially, for being honest with me about his emotions. You’ve done better in coming right to me instead of doing what so many stallions do wrong: hiding it inside, building the tension up until you lash out in a terrible fashion, and compound your mistakes with lies and broken promises. You told me straight away. AJ would commend you for your honesty, probably with one of her little country-isms.” Rarity replied. “But that’s not the answer you’re really looking for, is it?”

Spike shook his head to the negative.

“In all the years that Vanity and I have been...I suppose bonded together is the term. I have done my best to give her the experiences of life that we take for granted. But among them all, social experiences have been the one thing I could not solve for. Who do I trust with such a secret? How safe would she be on her own out there, in a modern world with little experience to draw on? I could guide her, sure, but is that really letting her live or making her follow my instructions? She needed the genuine article. To truly get to experience freedom, laughter, joy. Even love.”

Rarity looked back down at Spike and smiled. “And then you came back into my world, Spikey-wikey. My gem among the coals. Someone I could trust, have faith in, and who could see beyond the surface to the pony needing a connection beneath the outside’s pretty face. Every time you two have gone out, she comes to me with the utmost delight. She gushes about you, praising you. You’ve done wonders for her and breathed life into her more than I could’ve thought to do on my own.”

“But...still,” Spike cut in, “I shouldn’t...be attracted like that. I’m your boyfriend.”

“That you are. But there’s something important you’re skipping over in your haste to keep to that adorable, wonderful chivalry of yours.” Rarity replied, giving his nose the tiniest tap with her finger before continuing. “Vanity is her own entity. As I am me. But we are also bound to one another. In a way, she gets herself - her looks, her charm - from her bond with me. She is a part of me that goes where I go, another facet of life I’ve come to appreciate. And so you, finding yourself attracted to and interested in this new facet, bring yourself to actually be embracing myself. Something I had not shown you until I truly could.”

Spike laid there and let this sink in for a few moments. The soothing strokes of Rarity’s hand continued while he thought before he spoke up. “So you’re...not upset. Because Vanity is part of you, and so that makes you ok with it?”

Rarity nodded. “In much simpler words, yes. You accepted me when I thought I’d shattered your heart and my only chance at love. Now I sit here, a much more complete and whole woman because of you and your wonderful heart, Spike. To deny Vanity that same blessing that I lavish in is cruel and selfish. The real question is, can you accept this new wrinkle in our lives? Will you show her the same affection you give to me?”

“...I think I can. But...you come first. Always.” Spike said. His mind was still reeling with the revelation of Rarity’s acceptance and reached up to caress her cheek. Cupping it in his palm, he watched as Rarity leaned into his touch and nuzzled it gently. “No matter what. You’re number one.”

“Oh, Spike…” She sighed, and he smiled for the first time since he first got there to the Boutique that morning. They stayed like that for a time before it occurred to Spike to mention something else.

“Rarity?”

“Yes, darling?”

“Can you...would you talk to Vanity for me? I think it will be...better, maybe? If it’s you to explain things, than me. She respects you without a second thought. You’re much better with romantic things than I am, after all.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure. You charmed the pants off this old mare. More than once, in fact.” She said, grinning down at him. “But maybe I can be convinced?” Her free hand came down to his chest, and a finger ran along his pectoral, tracing along with the muscle gently.

“How much convincing would you like?” He replied, smiling up at her as his hands came down to brush her middle, squeezing into her hips once they settled. Rarity gave a light shiver, her cheeks coloring brightly against her white fur.

“Carry me up those stairs, lover. Show me I’m not the only one with a silver tongue in this town.”

It was a blur of motion that carried Rarity upstairs to the Boutique’s bedroom, a flash of magic from her managing to flip the open sign to closed on the front door. It was what she could manage while Spike’s hands went to the distracting job of quickly disrobing her, their lips pressed to one another’s and muffling the gasp Rarity gave as he brought her to the bed. They wouldn’t be seen for several hours, not until Spike stumbled home with haphazardly thrown-on clothes and a smorgasbord of lipstick marks on his face and neck.

Teasings be damned, he loved that mare.

Chapter Four

The response from Vanity about Spike wanting to explore a possible deeper relationship or friendship - Twilight really did use that word around him too much - wasn’t given by Rarity as directly as he’d hoped. It took a couple days to find out anything from the fashionista, and as was her typical flare for the dramatic, she only gave him subtle if confusing replies.

“She is intrigued by you.”

“Keep up your good behavior.”

“Well, how do you think she’d respond?”

Spike decided he would just have to hope for the best. He could reason that if there was any reason to reject him, she’d have come out and said it straightforward instead of leading him on. So instead, Spike dedicated his energy and efforts to prepare for the next time Vanity would get to come out. It happened to fall upon a Friday evening, which suited Spike just fine. He’d prepared everything he could think of for the “sort of hoping it’s a date night” night, going off his time spent with Vanity. The cold weather outside actually worked to his advantage: instead of worrying about interruptions from outside, he could host things inside the Boutique’s own walls.

With Rarity’s given, if giddy, permission.

Spike stood up and took a moment to survey the room, then himself, making the final adjustment and moving a chair into place. He’d put in a little extra effort for Vanity’s sake and felt he looked actually quite dapper. Instead of a traditional black suit, he had set himself up with a white and red-trimmed number instead. Given his height and bulk, the suit did emphasize his form a little, but he hoped it would work. At least he’d had the forethought to leave the silly hat behind.

A timer nearby started to go off before he clicked it silent, signaling his time to collect Vanity from upstairs. He made his way up the stairwell and came to a stop in front of Rarity’s bedroom. It was odd, in a fashion. Here he was, an experienced and capable dragon, yet he could still be made nervous just from approaching a new romance. He never could quite shake off the shivers that would work up his spine and into his fingers, which made him clutch at the jacket cuffs for a moment before steadying himself.

A raised hand knocked on the door three times, and he stepped back. It took a few moments, but soft steps came to the door on the other side and opened it, leaving Spike to watch and then stare in awe as Vanity came into view. Rarity had outdone herself, fitting Vanity with a red strapless dress that was both bright and enticing on the darker mare’s figure. The teasing hint of her cleavage peeked just enough from the top rim of the dress yet kept her decent as she approached him. Her mane had been brushed, styled back to keep out of her face and allowing her bright eyes to peer up at Spike’s expression. A touch of eyeshadow and lipstick was all she needed to further emphasize her already attractive features while she walked forward, a long dark leg peeking from the slit in the dress’ side.

“Spike.” The way she said his name was in one way recognition, and in another, a soft question. She and Rarity had spoken. She knew of his feelings. But Spike wasn’t sure how she might feel herself.

“Vanity.” He greeted back, extending a hand out to her. She rested hers in his and stepped closer, the bracers she always wore clinking lightly from movement. “You look fantastic. I hope I match up well enough. Though I feel like a boulder next to a star.”

“...she told me you were a flatterer. Among other things.” Vanity replied, smiling. There was a pause between them, neither quite knowing just how to continue. Vanity tried first. “Spike...I…”

“Yes?” His heart raced as a million possible scenarios played out in his mind. Many of them were negative, out of an instinctual fear of rejection. It couldn’t be helped; a mare as lovely as Vanity could have any man she wanted. He wondered, for a moment, could she feel his own nervousness in his hand she held?

“...I’m so glad. To have this chance with you.” She said, and like that, Spike’s fears faded. The pounding in his ears dimmed as Vanity continued. “When Lady Rarity first spoke to me, I was so afraid. I feared I had done wrong in her eyes. To hear her speak of your affections, but directed to me...I could barely believe my ears. I thought I’d fallen into a dream.”

“If this is a dream, well, it’s pretty darn vivid to me. You certainly look like a dream.” He replied, and she beamed at him. “I’ve just...there’s a connection with you I can feel. It’s not just the whole situation with Rarity and all that. It’s hard to explain in words. But things just click right when I see you happy, see you smiling.”

“You do an admirable job of making such actions easy.” She appraised. “Come. Lady Rarity has kept this surprise of yours hidden all this time. May I see it?”

In response, he offered his arm, and she took it. He did his best to ignore how easily his arm brushed and sank into her bosom when it moved against him and focused on escorting her down the stairs to the Boutique’s showroom floor. When the room was finally in full view, he stopped to let her see it, extending his free arm out in a broad sweep. “Ta-da!”

It hadn’t taken too much labor to convert the room from a showroom into a romantic dining room as if he’d cut out the setting from the town itself and teleported it there for them both. A makeshift fireplace had been built up against a nearby wall; the fire kept low but providing warmth into the room efficiently. A large, circular red carpet had been laid out over the floor, one Spike had found while Rarity assisted with moving her catwalk out of the way for his intentions. A simple dining table with two chairs sat a few feet away from it, a lit set of candles in the middle of the table with a white tablecloth covering underneath it. The curtains had been drawn on the room’s opposing side while the window nearest to the table was revealed, allowing the moon outside to shine into the room. A nearby cart with several silver food platters rested nearby, ready for use at a moment’s giving.

“Oh. This is...Rarity has spoken of these rituals. Courtship. Dates, is the term?” Vanity questioned.

“Mmhmm. I know being out among others makes you uncomfortable, and the cold weather doesn’t exactly let us have a picnic either. So, why not bring the date here to you?” Spike explained. “It’s a little old-fashioned, I’ll admit. But sometimes, being old-fashioned is the ticket.”

“No one would complain or speak against a gesture like this. Spike...thank you.” Vanity replied before embracing him. He returned it and took the additional step of kissing her forehead, bringing a pink hue to her dark cheeks. “I hope it wasn’t too much work to do.”

“You’re worth the effort and more. C’mon. The only downside of the setup was not eating a bite of the food!” He said, earning a giggle from Vanity before she let him guide her to her seat, seating her first before bringing their food over to them both. Spike’s choice of food had been a little tricky at first. Knowing Vanity liked sweets was one thing, but he had to work to solve the rest of the dinner. Rarity had done her part to help, letting him know that she favored many of the same foods the fashionista did.

Thus, bringing her the tray as her own personal butler, Spike revealed a prepared and still fresh salad akin to how he knew Rarity enjoyed them. Yet by Vanity’s smile, he could see she approved of the change in salad dressing to suit her tastes than just Rarity’s. He did have to hold back on chuckling, though, when Vanity’s gaze zeroed in on the small, but delicious-looking chocolate cake still left on the tray for the time being.

Seating himself across from her, he gestured at the plate and said, “I hope it’s all to your liking. I admit I’m not 100% the best chef. You should’ve seen how many different ways I’ve learned to burn through salad leaves and into a plate.”

“Tell us-me about it. I wish to hear it from your own lips.” Vanity asked, her eyes trained on him. “The tales of your life intrigue me. Your adventures, your challenges.”

“I’ll do you one better. We’ll trade tales.” He offered her, gesturing at her with his fork. “I’ll regale you with tales of Spike the Great,” he paused to puff his chest out with all the boastfulness he could mock-up, making Vanity laugh, “and in turn, you tell me of some of the tales of you and Rarity out in the world. I know that mare traveled around. I’d like to hear things from your perspective.”

And so they went. Spike told her of some of the early trials in his life: fighting Sombra when he came back to life, the first time making friends with Discord, journeying to the Dragonlands. He did his best to not come off as boasting or arrogant, yet he never seemed to bore Vanity nor tire of her attention. She’d give him back equal tales of interest, providing a backseat view into some of the times Rarity had been thrown tail-over-head into the challenges of the fashion industry.

“...And so she unveiled the surprise star of the fashion show: Miss Coco Pommel, the former assistant to the Polomare woman. She was completely unprepared for miss Pommel to upstage her so well. Rarity felt quite the satisfaction in besting Polomare’s attempt at undoing her success again, but credited the true success to Coco.” Vanity detailed as Spike listened. The food had been quickly consumed by them both throughout several stories, more attention paid to the speakers than what their taste buds came across. “Ever since then, Rarity has been a steadfast supporter of miss Pommel and her own fashion line. I admire Lady Rarity’s ever-existent care for her. She is like a sister to her.”

“Well, in a way, you have been her sister. Well. Like...quarter sister?” Spike surmised before scratching his chin. “Not gonna lie, math wasn’t the strongest point for me. More Twilight’s field.”

“She is quite capable, is she not?”

“She could make a calculator sweat trying to keep up with her brain. Oh my stars, if you knew how much chalk dust I had to wade through on days, Twilight got into a research kick.” Spike gave a faux cough and waved his hand before his face. “I sometimes thought about keeping a personal set of glasses and an oxygen tank just to get through it.”

Vanity laughed, and Spike smiled at the sound. Her laughter was genuine, thrilled and delighted and light with humor. “Oh, Spike. I could hear such stories for eons, I-oh.” She looked down when the tink sound of her fork hit the empty plate. “Oh goodness. Have I really eaten through so much food? Rarity would think me ravenous.”

“I’d say you just have a good appetite, and I’m not hopeless in the kitchen,” Spike replied, chuckling. “But just because dinner is finished doesn’t mean the date is done. Not unless you want it to be?”

“I would...much rather continue it. I am enjoying you and this. I can see why they fascinate Rarity so.” Vanity said, looking up at him. “But what is next to do?”

“Well, there’s an option I thought of for you. Allow me,” Spike said as he got up from the table. Vanity was left to watch as he approached a small record player, which had been silent the night thus far. Looking back to her, he gestured at it with an open hand. “How would a dance sound? Just us.”

Vanity rose from her seat and walked over to join him at the player. “I would enjoy anything with you, Spike. But...I must confess. Rarity has never shown me or taught me dancing. I have...witnessed it, but never experienced it.”

“It’s a night of firsts then. But that’s no problem.” Spike told her as he set up the player with a record he’d chosen just for the occasion. Once the record was on and spinning, a gentle tune of saxophone and piano began to filter into the room. The dragon turned to his would-be date and held out a hand to her. “We can go through it together.”

“I fear I may not be as...enticing a dancer as Lady Rarity.” Vanity warned as she held his hand. He took it and brought it up to kiss the top of her hand lightly.

“It’s not Rarity I want to dance with. It’s you. Just you and me, together.” He told her, smiling down at the sheepish mare. Her bright eyes seemed to twinkle with emotion at his reassurance, and she nodded before letting him guide her into position with him. His height bore little trouble for the magical mare, his hand finding purchase on the small of her back behind the curtain of her mane while keeping ahold of her other to the side of them. She had hers around his middle, at first gentle but easing into a more secure grip as they let themselves wind and waltz to the music.

Spike wondered if there was something he should try to say as they danced together. The steps were a comfortable rhythm to fall into for something like slow dancing, and it felt right for somepony who wasn’t used to such a thing. Rarity wasn’t a high-profile dancer herself, but she still relished the opportunity to hold onto Spike as they moved along the dance floor. Vanity seemed much of the same mind, her eyes watching his as they moved. The rest of the room seemed to fade away in the wake of her dazzling pools.

“See? Easy to settle into. You’re a natural.” Spike appraised.

“Only with a handsome guide to lead me.” Vanity said back, making the drake chuckle.

“You know, you’re gonna spoil me with all those compliments. Hasn’t anypony told you a dragon’s ego is like a hot air balloon?”

“It is a phrase I recall in passing. But it hardly deters a compliment where it is due.” Vanity said. She brought her head forward and rested it against his chest, her cheek nuzzling into his jacket top as she continued. “You have done more to make me feel alive in our time together than I could ever have envisioned.”

Spike blushed at the remark but didn’t speak against it. Instead, he continued to lead the slow and easy sway of their dance, his hand at her back idly petting and moving every so often. The comforting motion only made the mare hold onto him tighter, keeping close. Only just enough space was allowed to let them continue to dance, with all the rest of it occupied by her snuggling up to him, her dark colors contrasting with his white suit.

“...you deserve to get to feel that way.” He replied. The words came out quiet but in full sincerity of emotion, making Vanity look up to him. There was something searching in her gaze, and he didn’t look away or blink as she stared up at him. She started to lean up, and Spike moved to meet her slowly. They were only mere inches away...he could count her eyelashes from this vantage…

Skrrt

The aura around them popped like a spent bubble, both pausing and looking to the record player as the music suddenly stopped. It made both of them freeze up, looking from each other to the player and back. Spike was the first to speak, giving an apologetic smile.

“I guess I should’ve made sure the record wasn’t scratched.”

Vanity gave a light chuckle before shaking her head, her mane swaying with her motions. “Allow me. I can restore it. I have been practicing more.”

Spike watched as Vanity made to move for the player, only to stumble with a surprised “Oh!” escaping her lips. Her heel caught onto a tuft of rug that had bunched up from their slow dancing, the shift in balance throwing her forward to the floor. Instinct made Spike surge forward, first catching her by the arm to help her stay upright a moment or two longer, turning her about in the air. With that accomplished, the drake placed himself between the floor - knowing the carpet didn’t offer much in the way of padding or cushion - and Vanity’s form. When she landed on him, he was there to catch her and gave only the lightest of grunts as she laid atop him.

“You know, I’ve heard of ponies saying ‘get on the dance floor,’ but I don’t know if...this is what they...meant.” He trailed off as Vanity lifted herself up and peered down at him. Though the positioning had changed, their close proximity still allowed him to appreciate her features, only now it was her on top. Her mane fell about their heads, long silken lengths of violet and the occasional starlight bright white around them. Her hands rested beside his shoulders while her body rested atop his. For all her curves, Spike found her to be a comfortable weight astride him. It brought to mind other thoughts. Thoughts he’d been trying to keep at bay all evening.

“It seems maybe I...need more practice in heels.” She remarked. Her lips looked so soft, full, and kissable. Her cheeks were a rosy hue, only bringing out the color of her eyes more.

“...could practice other things.” He mumbled out, making Vanity blink before something seemed to click in her mind.

“...other things?”

“Well...there’s...there’s uh…” being put on the spot made Spike realize his thoughts were showing. His hands, he just understood, were holding onto Vanity’s hips, his fingers pressing through the fabric of her dress to grip her sizable body beneath. This close, he could feel the tickle of her breath against his mouth as she breathed out, her chest making a delightful show of trying to almost slip out of her dress. “...you know.”

“I might know,” Vanity seemed to purr out as she moved a hand to rest on Spike’s chest. Her eyes stayed fixated on his, and Spike felt almost being regarded as a meal found by a hungry tigress, “...but maybe you can show me?”

The question lingered in the air between them, smoldering as much as the heat in Spike’s stomach. He wavered for a few seconds, uncertainty gripping him before her. But while he felt he couldn’t decide, it was Rarity who gave him that final push as her words echoed in his mind.

‘Show her the same affection you give to me.’

He closed the distance between them and kissed Vanity with a hunger he didn’t realize had been brimming in him all this time. She welcomed it, sinking into his hold and bringing her hands up to hold his cheeks as he held her around her middle. She tasted of sweetness, of both the dessert she’d last eaten and the flavor of her own self that greeted him. He yearned for more, pressing harder into the kiss before breaking to breathe, then diving back in for a second, and then a third.

He was left panting slightly from the effort, but Vanity looked almost as hungering as he did. She continued the affection with a barrage of kisses on his face, cheeks, and chin before returning to his lips. The almost worshipful nature of her actions goaded Spike’s desire, and he couldn’t help a wandering hand that reached down to grip her rump through the dress, evoking a moan in Vanity’s throat. The open window it offered allowed him to slide his tongue into her maw to tangle with hers, wet and eager as she took everything he had to give.

When there was a moment’s pause in breathing, Spike found it filled with a loving stare shared between him and Vanity. The dark unicorn’s lips were wet with their shared saliva, and even though he wasn’t sure she needed to breathe, the delightful rise and fall of her bosom made him not question it for a moment. Her hands came up to rest on his cheeks, her voice a burning whisper in his ears.

“I need you, Spike. All of me desires you. I crave your touch. Your hunger. Use me to fulfill every pleasure you can imagine.” The lustful tone made his cock throb in his pants as his imagination went rampant with such an open offer. But a single breath of air offered clarity in his mind: lust might fuel him, but love would guide him. Vanity bore no resistance as Spike raised up and pulled her into his lap, the mare’s weight an inviting sensation as her hips straddled his middle. He lowered his head to kiss under her jawline, then trailed down her neck while breathing in the perfume fragrance she was wearing. Lavender filled his senses, and he stopped to nibble at her neck.

“We need to lose this dress.” He growled out. Vanity shivered above him, but a wave of her hand and a touch of magic had them both naked in an instant, clothes forgotten and flung aside. Cool air barely got to cross his scales before her warm body, and the heat of the nearby fireplace washed over the drake. He hummed in approval before pulling back to gaze at Vanity. The glow of the firelight dancing along with her dark fur only made his desires grow. Vanity seemed to sense this and brought her arms up under her chest to make the impressive mounds lift up.

“Still hungry, my dear Spike?”

“Starving.” He replied. It was all he gave before his head dove down to bury itself amidst her cleavage, nuzzling into the valley of tit-flesh and savoring the contact of it surrounding his head. He only needed one arm to keep her upright while the other wandered down her side, his claws a teasing sensation along her curves while he set about licking and nibbling on her breasts. She was at least one size bigger than Rarity was, he could guess and sought to give every inch of her his due attention. A flick of his tongue against a darker colored nipple made her squeal, and he dove on the spot to bring out more of the same. Lips latched tight around the sensitive nub, and he suckled hard while letting his hand wander further south.

It took him but a few moments to find her nethers, the heat coming off her as prominent as her wet folds his fingers found. Vanity’s gasp only drove him on, flicking his tongue around the nipple before plunging a long finger into her depths. Her pussy welcomed the attention, clutching at his digit as he worked it back and forth into her. Gasping quickly became moaning as Spike worked her over, letting her cling onto his shoulders with both her hands as he switched breasts. The one he’d been working over had light nibble marks around her nipple, soon covered by the palm of his hand working on kneading and squeezing as much of her as he could get ahold of. Her breast filled around his fingers as they sank into her chest, making her coo and wiggle her hips when a second finger plunged her depths.

“S-Spike! Oh, Spike, yes! Touch me! Deeper!” She cried out. He worked her faster, fingers wiggling and teasing her walls as her marehood tried to tighten around him, to keep his playful digits inside. He smiled - as best one could with a mouthful of tit - and brought a third finger into play. A nimble stretch of his index and ring fingers made Vanity gasp as her lips were spread wider apart, his middle finger plunging deep into her folds to reach further than the rest. Back and forth, steady and fast, he worked her over. The double treatment was sometimes Rarity’s favorite, and it seemed to be doing the same for Vanity’s pleasure as well.

Which was why he was well-prepared for the shriek from the dark unicorn when all four fingers went to work inside her, his index and pinkie now holding her open while the middle two fingers poked and stroked her. She was gasping and moaning in tandem with his efforts now, hands clutching to his muscled form for some sort of grip to hold onto. Her juices were soaking the palm of his hand, making it slicker and easier to work his fingers into her tight marehood. His lips enclosed around the nipple he was on and sucked hard, tugging on her just enough to try and set her off.

“Spike! Spike! SPIKE!” The steady rise in tone only had him go faster, barreling Vanity into her first climax of the night. He felt her whole body tighten against him and around his fingers, and he mentally cheered for the way she responded as he continued to wiggle his fingers against her folds throughout her climax. She trembled, high-pitched gasps for air all she could manage as ecstasy overwhelmed her. Retrieving his fingers from her depths took a moment as he slowly withdrew back to elongate the moment. Vanity mewled in protest as she was left empty for the moment, panting as she finally opened her eyes to look at him. “Oh Spike...such pleasure! Such tenderness! You...oh my!”

She had glanced down between them and had fixated on a clear and present change in Spike’s state. Namely, the way he was now throbbing and stiff, his erection’s tip aimed up as if meeting her stare. He had been ignoring the feeling in favor of working on Vanity’s pleasure, but with that focus gone, the tell-tale pulse of his member betrayed his thoughts. The heat of the fireplace and the warmth coming off of Vanity’s form helped keep him relaxed even as he sat there bare before her.

“...how shall I…?” She let the question hang in the air. It cut into Spike’s clouded thoughts a little, and he looked to her blushing face.

“Whatever feels natural. Trust me; just explore what feels good for you. I’m sure I’ll feel good toooohhh.” He trailed into a sigh as Vanity’s hand took hold of his rigid length, her fingers cool against the heated member as she stroked him a couple times to get the feel of him. He couldn’t help a shiver when she’d brush the small bumps that dotted the sides of his length, spreading his legs as she adjusted her position to get off his lap and lay between them. The new vantage point put her face directly at level with his cock, still stroking it slowly and looking up to him.

“Such an exquisite male. What if we…” Vanity trailed off before extending her tongue out to brush it against his underside. Wet and gentle, the pink muscle was a pleasant compliment against his reddened length, continuing to throb as she stroked and tended to him. Spike exhaled through his nose, doing his best to not only not force himself on Vanity as dragon instinct might’ve demanded but to not rush her either. Her first foray into lovemaking should be at her own pace, not just what his libido desired.

When she did come to a stop, both with her hand and her tongue, Spike’s cock was left with a healthy shine of spit along its surface. He looked confused as Vanity seemed to be thinking and was about to question if something was wrong when she spoke up. “Not nearly enough. To pleasure my drake needs something with more oomph.”

“Um. I’m...enjoying things fine, really-” He tried to cut in, but Vanity shook a finger.

“Rarity and I both agree: fine is not the best. And you deserve only the best I can offer.” Vanity insisted before looking up at him. Spike tore his eyes from her breasts that shook as she’d moved, but his glance had been noticed. Vanity’s grin was downright mischievous, making Spike blush. “Ah. How silly of me; I neglect two of my best tools that you fancy.” She noted before scooting forward, her hands cupping her breasts and lifting the mounds up before letting them fall into his lap, engulfing his cock into her cleavage in a heated embrace that had him throb from the contact.

“Holy...oh geez.” Spike huffed out, making Vanity grin in victory as she pressed into her bosom from both sides and squeezed her bountiful tit-flesh around him. His tip poked out from the top of her cleavage, a dark red contrasting with the onyx black fur surrounding it. The drake couldn’t hold back a groan as she massaged her tits around his cock, giving her own pleased sigh as she no doubt felt his hips buck in reaction.

“Much better. Let me worship your body the way you deserve...my Spike.” Vanity said before beginning to work her breasts up and down his length, a continuous massage of pleasure that had Spike’s mind reeling. His moans couldn’t be contained and seemed to urge Vanity onwards, the mare relishing his verbal approval with a kiss to his tip. The kiss led to another, then a third, before she hungrily engulfed his end in her mouth and suckled on it.

“V-Vanity!” Spike cried out. She gave no reply but to run her tongue in circles around his head in her mouth, moaning as she tasted him and clearly approved from how she pushed her head and breasts down further to get more of him. Rarity couldn’t quite do this as well as Vanity was performing: not that Rarity lacked skill, but more that Vanity’s body was big enough to do it. Her breasts were soft as clouds yet as warm as the fireplace near them. He was sweating as he continued to pump his hips up, further driving him through her cleavage and into her waiting maw. She welcomed his efforts, her eyes closed as she centered on tasting him and stroking his cock with her breasts.

The slapping sound of Spike’s groin meeting Vanity’s bosom continued in the empty room, mixing into the chorus of grunts from Spike and the amorous sounds Vanity was making. His efforts would make her breasts give a bounce around his length, a visual stimulation that had Spike fixated on her as she worked him over. Her long mane fell about her head and shoulders, a framing color of violet against her black fur that only further brought out her beauty. Her full, plush lips caressed every part of his cock that she could reach that her tits couldn’t, fully engulfing the drake.

It was too much; for being inexperienced, Vanity was a quick learner. He was already leaking pre-cum. He could feel it; she was drinking up every drop of it. His thrusting grew more urgent, and Vanity pulled herself off of his tip to watch him as his cock swelled in size. Droplets of pre fell onto her cleavage and chest, adding a shine to her skin that bolstered what her sweat had done before. Spike huffed and growled as Vanity squeezed her tits tighter around him, her nipples poking past the minute barrier her fingers made over them.

“Give me your essence, my drake. Let it rain upon me. Mark me! Yes!” Vanity pleaded, growing more fevered as Spike’s tip swelled up. Spike chanced a look with squinted eyes tight from pleasure to see Vanity open her mouth wide, her tongue hanging out and her eyes pleading for his cum. It broke the proverbial straw in his back, and his back arched as he felt his orgasm surge from his core and out through his member. Streams of seed burst from his cock in thick spurts, splashing white against her face, neck, and chest. The streams of his cum only continued as Vanity moaned in bliss, basking in his marking of her skin. It poured out, flowing down into her cleavage and further streaking marks against her dark fur.

By the time Spike stopped splashing her and retrieved his length from her cleavage, Vanity was left laying before the fire to bask in his smell and seed. Even with his mind numbed from the orgasm she’d given him, his cock didn’t stop from working to regain its hardness as he watched her run her fingers along the slope of her breasts, scooping up his seed and bringing it to her lips to devour. The languid way she did it, as well as the lustful moans she gave, only egged him on. He didn’t say anything as he moved closer, idly grabbing for a bundle of clothing he vaguely realized was his discarded jacket before reaching for Vanity.

“Oh, Spike…” She sighed out as she watched him, moving with his fast motion of lifting her head so he could place the bundle of a jacket under it. Her mane fanned out and pooled around her head as he positioned himself at her waiting entrance. The puffy lips beckoned to him, but he regained a semblance of thought as he stared down at Vanity’s lustful expression.

“We can do this slow and easy. Or I can show you why Rarity takes her days off after I visit.” Spike growled out. Vanity reached up with a hand to caress his neck, then his cheek. The affection in her eyes made them shine.

“I want it all. Ravish me, my Spike.”

Well, who was he to turn down the invitation?

Instead of the slow entry he’d intended for, Spike aligned his cock and let his pointed tip breach through first, giving the false impression of going easy on her. He waited, counting the moments before Vanity opened her mouth to speak, likely to insist again before he grinned and slammed himself to the hilt in one motion. Her soaked folds took him well enough, but the force of the sudden penetration made Vanity throw her head back and scream incoherently. She tightened around him hard, clenching like a wet vice of pleasure that had him growl and pull back only halfway before slamming in again.

“Yes! YES!” The unicorn beckoned him. Her hands were quick to latch onto his broad shoulders, bringing him closer to her before grasping at his back desperately. “Use me. Fill me. Make me yours!”

The fireplace burned beside him, adding its heat to the raised temperature surrounding the two of them. Sweat continued to pour from Spike’s brow and down his form as he worked his cock in and out of Vanity’s tight grip, trying to already milk him for more of his seed. He wasn’t in danger of it happening yet, having just climaxed. The drake took full advantage of this to work her over, the rough and fast pace of his thrusts making her whole body bounce and tremble under him. Her legs clambered around him to try and further grip him, but only one leg managed it while the other stayed to the floor and raised back, keeping her spread wide for him to claim her.

Huffs of air came out of his nose as Spike continued to make Vanity beg and plead for more of his cock. Dragon pride demanded he fulfill her apparent wish to use her, making her pussy into his own personal plaything. She was almost as vocal as Rarity if only lesser from the saving grace of being too lost in ecstasy to scream obscenities and randy things at him like the alabaster unicorn often did. He shifted into a jackhammering speed, clutching at her hip to steady her and pin her under him while he went. Vanity’s tits bounced in random motions as she tried her best to keep up, her torso shifting in random directions from the force of his thrusts.

When she tightened up around him and screamed, he did offer a stroke of mercy and slowed to long, powerful strokes to further stretch out her climax. Her mouth stayed in a wide “O” shape as she sucked in air in large gulps, all but collapsing against the floor as her muscles failed to respond to her. Spike felt a notch of victory in his mind, but there was still the matter of his own far-off climax yet to be achieved. As Vanity lay there, he lowered his head down and growled in her ear.

“Roll over.” He commanded. “I want to take you from behind.”

She obeyed, wordless yet entirely willing as he withdrew from her nethers to let her move. Her lips remained spread wide, the pink depths within begging him to fill her again as she scrambled to lay on her front. She offered her wide rump up, a sight that made Spike growl in approval before slapping his cock into the valley her butt cheeks made. He ground himself against her, evoking a wanting coo from the shadowy mare before she squeaked in surprise as Spike engulfed her from behind, his strong arms embracing her around her front and bringing her up just enough that her hands dangled a couple inches off the ground.

“Are you mine, Vanity? My plaything?” He whispered in her ear. “I can feel how wet you are.”

“B-breed me. Please, my...my master.” She replied, chancing a look over her shoulder to him. “Claim me. I want...I need you!”

With a growl, he reared back and used a hand to align himself again. His pointed tip found purchase after one missed thrust, filling her wanting depths and making the mare moan as he pressed almost to her womb. Their new position left Spike kneeling on the floor, Vanity half-squatting, half-kneeling in front of him as he kept her upright yet bounced her as he thrust into her nethers. His new grip on her breasts allowed him to squeeze and knead the bountiful mounds at his leisure, making the unicorn seemingly melt under his efforts.

She was beautiful like this, he realized: hair a wild mess, body sweating and trembling, curves bouncing as her rump met his groin with every deep thrust he gave. She didn’t resist him at all, only giving all of herself to him. She tried to reach back to him, to hold onto him and silently communicate her want for him as she clenched around his cock. The rapid slap of his balls against her only added to the symphony of moans she gave off as he mated her. She was every part the wanton lover she wanted to be for him, he thought, as he reached down with his head and licked along her neck.

The touch of his tongue, a tender motion of silent affection, made Vanity’s head jerk to face him. Desperate, longing, she reached for his cheek and brought him up so she could kiss him full-on. He welcomed it, vaguely realizing both Vanity and Rarity were romantics at heart, even in the midst of sweaty rough sex. The thought of Rarity made him wonder for a moment if she could feel his efforts through Vanity’s connection: would she have left it open to Rarity so she too could experience and feel all she did? The thought of pleasing not just Vanity but Rarity as well made the fire in his belly burn all the brighter.

He growled into her lips and picked up his pace, giving up on rhythm for pure lust for the dark unicorn before him. She took it entirely and screamed in delight, Spike’s fingers finding the erect nipples on her bouncing breasts and tugging on them in a way that her squeezing his cock tighter. She was clearly close to reaching that orgasm she yearned for, and he wasn’t far behind. The drake saw in his mind’s eye Rarity equally yearning, using her fingers or even a magic-crafted toy to pleasure herself as she watched the two before her. She’d be begging for release as well.

Spike’s lips left hers to find her neck again, and here was where he chose to nip at her skin, enough to further push the dominance his dragon side commanded of him but giving Vanity all the pleasure she desired. She slammed into her orgasm with the force of a freight train, locking up and around Spike’s cock, especially while he tried to thrust through her wet climax. The wet splashes of her juices against his thighs and lap only pushed him on, lungs and muscles burning. He couldn’t hold it off any longer and finally gave in, a triumphant roar leaving his throat as he hilted himself into Vanity’s depths, and his cum surged forward again. With her milking every drop she could get from him, it took barely two seconds for Spike to flood her marehood and for the excess to start flowing down her thighs while continuing to build a swell in her womb.

“Y-yes...yes...b-breed...m-my master...my Spike!” Vanity gasped out as she started to go limp in his hold. Spike was in a similar breathless state, bringing both of them to a sweaty, messy heap on the floor while keeping her close to him. He embraced her fully and kept his cock inside her depths while he and Vanity basked in the afterglow. “T-this...this is...life. I feel...complete.”

Spike chuckled into her neck and kissed her cheek lightly, earning a loving look from the dark unicorn. “You were amazing.” He appraised. “Your master, huh?”

Vanity’s face was flushed as she looked aside, but her hand reached for his even as she clenched around his semi-hard cock still in her marehood. “...only you. My Spike.”

“I can work with that.” He assured her, making her look to him before they shared a loving kiss. The fireplace’s embers continued to burn, allowing the couple to lounge with one another in the aftermath. They could clean up later on; for now, there was only the attention they had for each other. If one was observant just enough, just past the pair and looking from the reflection of a nearby window, one could see Rarity’s delighted and flushed expression watching the two.

“I love you, my dearest Spike.”

Author's Note

I wanted to try a different take with the Nightmare Rarity character than I've seen others do. This took some time to hammer out, but I feel satisfied with it now. Certainly adds a new wrinkle to Spike's relationship, doesn't it?

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. I sincerely hope you've enjoyed it. If you did, please feel free to leave a comment or critique below. Your comments as always help encourage me to continue making these stories.

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See you next time! :raritywink: