The Staged Affair

Across the hall, on the other side of the table, Celestia talked with her parents in private. Even with his keen hearing, he couldn’t make out what was being said, but he could tell from the smiles that it was a good talk. Spike remained in his seat, unsure of what else to do but look at the food he’d hardly touched. The best he could do was sip gingerly on his water. That was, until a hand tapped on his shoulder from behind.

He spun around to find Twilight standing over him. “Spike... Can I have a word with you?”

The dragon nodded his head, and she sat down beside him. He figured she was head to talk him out of staying, maybe even to break things off with Celestia in a way that wouldn’t offend her parents. Even he could admit that he was way in over his head. They weren’t really dating, but it all felt so real.

Twilight reached out with her hand, placing it on his and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m surprised at you. I feared the worst from this scheme of Celestia’s, but you’ve done a great job. You might not be able to tell, but I can see it in Anor and Ithil’s eyes.” An encouraging smile came across her lips. “They seem to like you, truly.”

Spike managed a cheeky grin. “Can you blame them?”

Twilight beamed and punched his shoulder. “Careful, Spike... You’ll hurt yourself, patting your own back like that.” She straightened herself in her seat, and her smile vanished. “I’m going back home. You’ll manage here without me, you and your... girlfriend.” The dragon was surprised. He hadn’t expected her to leave so soon. He also didn’t expect her to have so much faith in him. She leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “I’ll see you at home.”

Then, she rose from the table and walked to the other end of the hall to say her goodbyes to the other alicorns, and she was gone.

Celestia came over to the table moments later. She looked perky after talking with her parents. “Twilight told me she was leaving for Ponyville.” She placed her hands on his and held them tightly. “Does this mean you’re staying with me?”

Spike nodded with a smile as he stood up from the table. “Of course, princess... I couldn’t leave you now, could I?”

She quickly pulled him into an embrace, wrapping her arms under his and around his back. He felt warm and fuzzy in her arms, and a tingleing sensation traveled up his spine as her lips brushed tenderly against his ear. “Do not call me ‘princess’, Spike... You’re my boyfriend, my lover, remember?”

Spike felt sheepish. “Right... I’m sorry. Old habits, you know?”

Celestia looked as though she was about to say more, but she was interrupted by the sound of the doors opening at the far end of the hall.

“Mother? Father? What is this?”

Everyone in the room turned to see Princess Luna standing in the doorway, looking bewildered by what she saw. She looked to her parents first. “I wasn’t told you were visiting. What is the meaning of this?”

Lady Ithil stepped forward to greet her younger daughter. “Luna, my dear... Your father and I only came to meet your sister’s boyfriend. It was meant to be a private dinner.”

Luna’s gaze slowly shifted to Spike and Celestia. “Boyfriend?” When her eyes met his, her lips curled into a mischievous smirk. “Now that is interesting...”

It then dawned on Spike that Celestia hadn’t planned on Luna being there. Her sister wasn’t a part of their scheme. One word from her could undo everything.

“Luna!”

The younger princess flinched at her Father’s commanding call.

“This was meant to be a private engagement. You are excused until it’s conclusion.”

Luna looked back and forth between them: her parents, Celestia, and Spike. For a moment, the dragon wondered if she might actually say something to contradict their plan. Celestia looked furious, like she was challenging her little sister to do anything so foolish.

Luckily, the younger princess backed down, bowing slightly towards her parents and turning to the door. “Very well, father...” Her gaze shifted to Spike again, and her eyes met his. She lingered for a moment. Then, she left without a word.

Spike let out a long sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted to see was a titanic conflict between the sisters, but there was something that gave him pause. Sure, Luna had retreated, but why? Whatever the cause, it left him feeling uneasy. It was like Luna knew something he didn’t.

Celestia, on the other hand, looked calm and collected now. She took Spike’s hand in hers and drew him in close. The dragon became aware of her breasts pressing against his arm. He tried to put the thought of her flesh out of his mind, but that was a losing battle. Worse still, Anor and Ithil were approaching.

The ancient mare wore a wide grin on her face, while her husband looked far less enthusiastic. “Celestia, my dear, your father and I owe you an apology. Not only were you telling the truth about your boyfriend being such a handsome dragon, he’s every bit as lovely and charming as you claimed.”

Spike’s heart felt lighter in his chest. They’d done it... They’d actually pulled off what he thought would be an impossible task. “Thank you... Lady Ithil...”

Even more amazing than that, it seemed, was the subtle smile on Anor’s face. Spike didn’t think he was even capable of such a thing. “You surprised me as well, young dragon. Seeing the happiness you bring to our daughter has filled me with confidence in your relationship. I know you’ll be good to her.”

His heart began to feel heavy again, sinking lower in his chest. The words of Anor were kind and genuine, but they stung, because Spike’s ‘relationship’ with Celestia was a lie. Sure, he cared for her, but the idea of him ever really loving the princess and being loved in return was far fetched as a daydream.

Anor turned to his wife. “I’m ready to retire for the night. Let’s go and see Luna before bed.”

Ithil nodded her head and took up his hand. “That’s an excellent idea, dear.” Then, they excused themselves from the hall, followed out by a pair of guards as they left to find their younger daughter.

Once they were done, Spike and Celestia were the only ones that remained in the dining hall. The dragon sighed, relieved that the hardest part was over. “Well, I’m glad that’s done with... What happens now, Cel-“

The princess grabbed his shoulders, and mashed her lips into his, kissing him full on the mouth. He nearly screamed out of the suddenness of it all, but his cries were muffled by the kiss. Several seconds passed before she finally broke away, leaving them both gasping for air.

“Spike...” She breathed deeply, her arms draped over his shoulders and around his back. “Oh, Spike... You were brilliant!”

Still dazed from the sudden attack, he managed a weak nod. “It was no problem, really...”

Celestia rolled her eyes at him. “You’re far too modest for your own good, Spike. My parents truly enjoyed your company. That is no small accomplishment. However, for all of your successes, this is not yet over.”

Spike looked up at her. “Why? What do you mean?”

She smiled sheepishly. “My parents are staying for a few days. That means you’ll have to stay with me too, at least until they return home.”

The dragon wasn’t completely unprepared for that. She’d told him that could be a possibility, but he still hoped it wouldn’t come to that. “Alright... I’m guessing you have a room for me to stay in?”

Celestia laughed aloud, causing Spike to frown. It wasn’t that ridiculous of a question, he thought, but she laughed anyway. “Oh, Spike... You can’t be serious... No... You aren’t staying in a guest room. You’re my boyfriend, remember? You’re my lover.” She looked him directly in the eyes. “You’ll be staying with me, in my room.”

***Up Next: The Affair***