Spike stood at the door to the Carousel Boutique, the slow consuming feeling of dread washing over him as he was greeted by none other than Rarity Belle. The mare who broke his heart and sent him packing for a whole year just to work through his feelings for her. The mare who didn’t even bother to show up to his welcome home party, or say anything to him in the month he had been back.

Though Rarity seemed completely unphased by their history. She greeted Spike with a smile and stepped to the side, giving him a clear path into the boutique. She smiled softly, raising a hoof to beckon him inside. “I just made some moonflower tea. I find it’s just perfect to ease you into a new day. Won’t you join me for some, darling?”

Spike’s wings unfurled slightly, hanging off his back as he was caught between running away and remaining motionless. It was an inevitability, in the city Ponyville had blossomed into, the elements were all major figures. Not to mention him dating her sister which made this meeting not only inevitable, but closing in.

His lack of a response was only met by Rarity’s simple smile. With a quick light of her horn, she wrapped her magic around Spike’s claw and began to guide him inside.

It took until the door closed behind them for Spike to resist as he came to his senses. “I’m sorry Rarity, but I’m only here to find Sweetie Belle. I wanted to see if she’d…”

“I’m sorry but I don’t have the faintest idea where she is right now. She never came home last night, and she never tells me anything anymore. She’s just gone and forgotten about her dear old sister.” She cut in before he could steer the conversation in a direction she didn’t want. “But enough about her, you’re here so let’s finally catch up darling. I’m so very interested in how that little train tour went.”

Spike froze up as she led him to the kitchen, still not releasing his claw from her soft magical grip as she guided him through the house he knew so well. So well in fact, that he could probably find half her fabrics blindfolded if asked. “I- I’m not sure. I think I should just-”

She cut him off again but levitating a tea cup to him, the delicate flowery aroma bringing him back to all the times he had prepped the same brew for her. “Please don’t go just yet. I have so much to say to you, Spikey Wikey. Please won’t you just stay for a few minutes. Maybe Sweetie will even return in that time, if it is indeed her you’re looking for.”

Presented with this, with the memories and the nickname he hadn’t heard in over a year, he relented, and took the teacup. Rarity released his claw and he followed her over to the table. Spike wasn’t entirely sure what Sweetie had told her sister, in fact he was willing to bet it was relatively little based on how little her home came up on their dates. Maybe it was entirely wrong to start his search here anyways, but it was her home, where else could he have started. Just, it had to still be her house too.

“I never did get to apologize for the way I acted that night, did I?” Rarity started as she poured Spike some of her tea. “It must have taken a lot of courage for you to do so. Quite the dashing and stunning display if, well, you know.”

Spike kept quiet as she brought up their last meeting. His birthday and the day he promised to ask Rarity to be more than what they were. There was a whole song and dance Pinkie helped him put together, with the pinnacle coming just as Luna’s moon crested the horizon, rising opposite of Celestia’s sun providing the perfect light across the perfect backdrop. Well, perfect if not for the fact she rejected him before getting to the chorus and made a beeline out of the party. “It’s okay, Rarity. It took some time but I think I’m good now.”

“Yes, quite. But that day has weighed on me since. I don’t mean to accept your proposal but, can we not still be friends Spikey?” She poured herself her tea and sat opposite of him. “We had so much fun together when we were younger, I’d love to see if we could bring back those wonderful days.”

Spike continued to drag, his responses coming out seconds later after his brain fired through half a dozen possible responses. Sure he wanted to in the past but, now he wasn’t sure. “Rarity, I’m not sure I’m ready for it. I’m not-”

“So you’d consider it then? Oh how I’d love to pick up where we left off, maybe a month prior to that dreadful evening.”

“I don’t think you understand Rarity. I’m not sure I’ll ever-”

“No, no Spike, I assure you it would be just fine.” She cut him off before taking a quick sip, and continuing before he could finish. “Just think of how things could be, like when we would go gem hunting and you would protect me from any nasty beasts we encountered underground.”

“Did you ever get your blue hat back from the wurms?”

“No, but last I heard the diamond dogs had stolen it and put it on some sort of altar. I’m being worshiped down there.” Rarity gave a small haughty laugh before taking another sip. “Add them to the list of my adoring fans.”

“I guess, maybe.”

“Oh but you traveled, surely you saw some of my work while in the major cities? Did you see Coco in Manehatten? How has she been?”

Rarity navigated the conversation away from the old times together and shifted to his trip. It was a risk having him talk about it but it got him talking, it kept him here. The stories were moderately interesting but Rarity had little time for them as she was focused on her own things, still she laughed and smiled along with him as she prodded more and more out of him.

The two remained together for a while, sipping tea as time passed. A simple minute long excursion to find his beloved Sweetie Belle had transformed into a rekindling of old friendships. At least, that’s how it seemed. But for Rarity, each word was carefully chosen, practiced and rehearsed, letting Spike talk aout his adventures while she steered the conversation to stay away from the reason he came. She needed him here, so she wouldn’t let the mention of her sister steal Spike back to his quest.

“Ahaha, you mean to tell me the princesses didn’t give you your own room?”

“Luna is always busy at night so it wasn’t too bad. Her room was really cozy.”

“I’d never imagined the princess of night to have a room described as cozy. Far more cold than comfy I’d expect.”

“No, Luna’s just like anypony, just, with far more plushies than the average pony.”

“Well I’m glad you enjoyed your adventure. Maybe what happened wasn’t the worst thing then if you got to go see the world afterwards.” Rarity gave a light chuckle as she had sprung a trap, adding her own spin to the past.

The gleeful tone in her voice threw Spike for a loop. For such a jovial response to one of the worst days in his life was just cruel. But sure, maybe good did come from it. He had a lot of fun, and if not for that disaster, he’d never have moved past her and gotten together with her sister. He took a long sip of his tea as he considered.

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Yes, a bit of pain can be worth a world of pleasure. That’s something I learned in my line of work, if something hurts, it can still be the most gorgeous outfit at the gala.”

“I’m not sure that’s comparable. Pain is still pain, and you left me full of it.”

“Yes, well I must apologize for that again. I simply had no idea you felt that way and it was quite a shock.”

Spike deflated slightly as she denied knowing about his love. He’d learned in the past year that everyone, even the rulers of their kingdom, multiple kingdoms in fact counting Ember and Thorax, had known about his crush. Sure, some of them didn’t enjoy it (it was Celestia), but they still knew. How could she not. Spike took a long sip draining his tea cup so he could leave and search for Sweetie some more, but Rarity wasn’t out of ploys yet.

Rarity continued to maneuver the conversation, forcing the topic from what Spike’s self discovery adventure had been to what it was like for her while she was gone. This was the Rarity he remembered. The one far less interested in hearing the stories of others and only wanting to hear her own voice. The moonflower turned bitter as he relived so much of his life in the blink of an eye. Rarity thought she had a handle on everything, but she was losing him more and more with each glamorized, self centered story she recounted

“And then Fluttershy finally agreed to model my spring line with me. Clearly it was fit for the most nature loving of ponies so it was only natural she showcase them. It truly was a wonderful show.”

Spike shifted in his seat, Once again emptying his teacup as he listened. With a smile and nod he planned to bow out, to find Sweetie wherever she went.

But Rarity wouldn’t let him.

As she saw his posture shift, Emergency bells rang in her head. She thought things were going her way, exactly as she planned, but things may be becoming so much worse. Maybe she couldn’t talk her way out of this. She had to do something, pull out one of the biggest tricks in her arsenal.

With a small gasp, she hopped off her chair and acted as if she had just remembered something. “Oh my. Spike, would you mind filling my teacup while I go get something. Our little chat just reminded me of something.”

“I’m not sure Rarity, I really need to go find Sweetie-”

“Oh pish posh. She’ll be back soon enough, she doesn’t start work until late anyways.” She called back while rummaging through her closet to find just what she needed.

Rarity returned with a purple and green gift box, tied closed with a golden bow. The same gift she failed to give him over a year ago repurposed and finally given. “I made this for your birthday. Tragic that I couldn’t make it to the celebration but I have been quite busy with requests and deadlines. Consider it an apology as well as a gift.” She levitated the package over to him, as she returned to the table.

Rarity’s pleasant behaviour set off some eerie alarm in Spike’s head. She was too casual, too obstinate, and too self-centered to give him even the slightest bit of acknowledgement. To nod along and simply listen. But seeing the carefully wrapped present put him right back in her grasp. A reminder of the generous pony he had loved.

He cautiously began pulling the ribbon on the package and opening his long delayed present. He pulled the bow and unraveled the fabric around the box, opening the present. Tucked inside was a purple and green satin cloak,decorated with a dozen little gems and in the corner, an embroidered copy of Rarity’s Cutie Mark.

“It was originally meant to show you were my number one. The person I could count on all the time. I do hope we can make it back to that one day.” Rarity smiled as she was sure she just sealed the deal, pulling Spike back to her.

She had just made the biggest mistake of the morning.

As Spike held up the cloak, he was hit by waves of nostalgia. There was something about the feel of the fabric that pulled him back to the countless hours he spent in her workshop. The feel of the embroidery, the luster of the gems, and the scent infused with the garment that just pulled out every positive memory he had with the designer. Maybe he should try to give her more, let her sway him just a bit longer, let her control…

The thought of her control caused every single nostalgic memory to break. The waves of nostalgia collapsed into a single thought that she just wanted to control him. The joy turned to revulsion as he let the weight of everything he’d done for Rarity hit him again. Suddenly he was back on stage, confessing every feeling he’d held for her and getting stomped on. Nothing would be the same with her again.

“I…” He placed the cloak on the table, pushed the chair back, and turned to the exit. “This-, I need to find Sweetie Belle.”

“Sweetie Belle is Lady Luxury.” Rarity called as she got up, letting the teacup drop just enough to make a crashing noise. The prim facade dropped for just a second as she lashed out, pulling her last possible card to ruin their relationship. If she couldn’t have Spike, then her sister wouldn’t either. “She took your question, Smith. She was the one who told you exactly what she wanted. She’s been controlling you from the start of your relationship.” Rarity’s voice strained as she held herself back from shrieking. “She’s manipulated you too, it’s what Belle’s do.”

“Sweetie is nothing like you Rarity.” Spike couldn’t even comprehend what she’d said. He didn’t want to consider anything she had to say right now. He just wanted to leave. “Don’t talk to me again. I’m done here.”

Finally, Spike escaped, leaving the cruel clutches of Rarity behind as she stood frozen. She knew she had lost, but any damage she could do was done already. With nothing more she could do, she pulled a pillow over to the kitchen and let out a manic screech as she reeled from her failure.

She’d lost, and nothing would be the same for her again.

Author's Note

So uh, I might have done a character assassination of Rarity. Oops.

This is another reason I have had trouble working on this. I have always disliked how rarity treated people around her in the show and I thought I could write this in a way where that came across, and I did, but it honestly just made me so bummed out making a character I still for the most part like become a monster in like, a way that felt too real.