Finding Your Family

Spike and Scootaloo didn't talk about their respective parties for a few days after they were planned out. They didn't want to spend what little time they had together those days arguing, and opted to wait for the weekend to discuss it more openly with a less restrictive timeframe.

"So, has Pinkie contacted you about your bachelorette party?" asked Spike, pulling back the covers. He already knew she had, as what would be going on at Scootaloo's party was openly discussed at his own meetings.

"She has," answered Scootaloo. "Did she talk to you about it?"

Spike nodded. Both dragons slipped into bed and clasped each others' claws. Spike, in particular, wrapped his around Scootaloo's waist, hugging her as he took a deep breath. "Do you feel... trapped by me?"

Scootaloo pressed the back of her head against his neck. "What do you mean?"

Spike's grip tightened for a moment, then relaxed. "Pinkie Pie told me you didn't want to be reminded that marriage was a cage that kept you locked to me."

"And I don't," answered Scootaloo. "I don't want to be made to feel like my social life is ending because we're going to be married."

"Does that mean you do feel that way?"

Scootaloo turned around and looked into Spike's eyes. "Spike, if I want to go out to a bar with my friends, are you going to tell me I can't; that I have to stay home and watch the kids?"

"Well..." Spike hesitated. "I can think of a few scenarios where I would, but I don't think you'd be that irresponsible."

"Like what?"

"If Barb is sick with rotscale, or if you can't find a babysitter, or if it's early in the morning and you still have to prepare their lunches and send them off to school."

Scootaloo's jaw dropped. "You have that little faith in me?"

"No! No, I think you'd be a great mom! It's just, I don't think you'd go out to drink without ensuring that the kids are taken care of, first. If everything's taken care of, of course you can go out and have a good time! I won't stand in your way unless it's important."

Scootaloo pressed herself against Spike. "I would never do anything to harm our kids. And Barb was vaccinated for rotscale; they all were."

"Good."

"I wasn't, though. They said I was too old, and that I'd end up worse for wear if they gave it to me."

"Yeah, I'm also not," replied Spike. "Same reason. Twilight meant well, but didn't know any better. Big risks over age three, and I was five when she found out."

"Well, I was fourteen," chuckled Scootaloo. "That's the way it goes, I suppose... So, what's the plan for your bachelor party?"

"Oh, nothing much," shrugged Spike. "Pinkie's having a string quartet come to the castle, and a bunch of casino tables. Oh, and an open bar. What about you?"

"Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are taking me bar hopping in a stretch carriage, and that's all I know. While I was able to convince them not to hire a stripper, I was unable to convince them not to do water pistols shaped like dicks. Pinkie apparently has a modified Super Soaker that she wants to use, and she already waterproofed the carriage."

"So you're not... You're not bringing any stallions to yours?"

"No, but... I don't mind if you have mares at yours. I know how boys can be."

Spike shook his head. "Thorax offered to bring in changelings so I could have six of you while you were out with the girls, but... It didn't feel right."

"Really?"

Spike leaned down and kissed her. "The only dragoness I want is you. Why would I want the fantasy version when the real one is right here in my bed?"

Scootaloo blushed, pressing her forehead against his chest. "I still wouldn't mind," she smiled. "It's the bachelor party. Things like this happen. Just as long as you don't bring back any diseases or fertilize another clutch of eggs."

"I wouldn't be fine with it," answered Spike. "I kissed a mare and felt bad about it. Sleeping with one would ruin me. But I won't deny you the experience of having a stallion, so long as you come back to me at the end of every day. I don't want to be what stands in the way of your happiness."

Scootaloo shrugged. "I guess that's it, then. No hookers for either of us."

"No strippers, either," nodded Spike. He paused for a moment, and then added, "It's possible that Thorax might bring one, anyway. He was pretty adamant about it. Said it wouldn't be a real bachelor party without the guest of honour having his dick milked, but I think I'm still allowed to refuse."

Scootaloo had to stop herself from bursting out in laughter. "Were those his exact words?"

"Yeah. He can be a bit vulgar at times."

"I'm bet he's glad Twilight wasn't around to hear him."

"Oh, she was. They were sitting right next to each other."

Scootaloo's jaw dropped as she looked up at him. "You're joking..."

"No, ever since they started sleeping together they've--"

"They're having sex?!"

Spike fell silent for a moment, then brought a claw to her lips. "That's supposed to be a secret..."

"Oh..." Scootaloo made a motion like she was zipping her mouth closed. "I won't tell anypony, I swear."

"Thanks," sighed Spike. "They want to keep it quiet, just spoken of in rumours with no outright confirmation for the public until they're ready to announce it, which they don't want to do until they're sure how the population will react. Since there's a species barrier, there's still a lot of stigma around these kinds of relationships, which would burn for us, as well, if you still looked like a pony. While I don't have a preference for what you look like, I don't want ponies harassing us or the kids for this."

"Me, neither," chuckled Scootaloo.

For a few minutes, they lay in silence, each content in the knowledge that the other one was in this relationship for the long haul. What they wanted was to remain with each other, and that was very encouraging to the other side. Still, one question burned in Scootaloo's mind, and she had to ask.

"Who do you think Thorax turns into when they're in bed?"