Just Friends

Spike was sneaking through Sweet Apple Acres, eyes darting to every corner. He suddenly heard some snickering and saw the bushes ruffling. He grinned mischievously and got on all fours. But what he didn't know, was that in a bush behind him, two reddish-orange eyes were peeking through.

"Yaaaugh!"

"Oof!"

Apple Bloom jumped out of the bushes and tackled Spike, it soon led to the dragon and filly tussling each other before Apple Bloom got on top, pushing Spike's head to the ground.

"The Dragon Huntress keeps her title another day!" Apple Bloom cheered. She leaned down to Spike, giggling. "How does forever sound, Spike?"

"Yeah, yeah." Spike gently pushed Apple Bloom off him. "You keep the title." Spike then smirked at the smug filly. "But not for long!" He tackled Apple Bloom which led to another tussle between them. But Apple Bloom once more got on top and pushed Spike's head to the ground.

Apple Bloom leaned down to Spike, grinning. "Mah title."

"Well, it's official!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo emerged from the bushes, with the unicorn holding a notepad. "That's 10 wins for Apple Bloom in total!"

Scootaloo sheepishly walked up to the dragon. "Sorry you didn't get a win, Spike."

DONG! DONG!

Sweetie Belle gasped. "Come on, Spike! We gotta get to Rarity's!"

Apple Bloom giggled. "Spending time with your marefriend, Spike?"

"No!" Spike spoke up. "Me and Sweetie Belle are just helping for the day!"

"Betcha y'all want more!" Apple Bloom teased.

"No I don't!" Spike crossed his arms.

"Yeah ya do!" Apple Bloom grinned.

"Don't!"

"Do!"

"Don't!"

"Do!"

"Why do you do that?" Spike sighed.

Apple Bloom then hugged Spike from behind. "You and Twilight are honorary apples, Spike! Ah always wanted a little sibling to mess with."

Spike couldn't help but smile at that. Though Apple Bloom liked to tease, it was never out of malice and Spike was honored she considered him family.

"But I wanna know, Spike." Sweetie Belle walked up to Spike. "Does Rarity know you have a crush on her?"

Spike rubbed his shoulder. "Well, I kinda told her after I became a giant dragon. But...it never came up again. I mean, I still like being with her besides that...But what about Rarity? I...never thought how she felt."

"Why don't ya just tell her the truth?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I don't know, Apple Bloom." said Spike. "It would just feel awkward."

"But, Spike." Scootaloo spoke up. "When I went camping, I learned you just can't bottle up how you feel. One way or another, you'll get through it!" Scootaloo put a hoof around Spike. "Either way, there's always somepony else who thinks you’re cool!"

Spike with wide eyes looked to Scootaloo, as the young pegasus began to blush and turned away. "Maybe not right here, but you know!"

"Hurry, Spike!" Sweetie Belle began to nudge Spike. "You can confess to Rarity when we get there! We're gonna be late!"

"Okay, okay!" Spike quickly said, but not too sure.

And through the day, Spike and Sweetie Belle certainly helped. They were quite the little team to Rarity. They gave complex opinions on her dresses, get supplies, and if Rarity was too focused on her work, Spike and Sweetie Belle would entertain themselves. But through it all, Spike was thinking about his conversation with the Crusaders earlier. If Rarity still thought about his crush.

But it now past 9:00 and Rarity just sent her last customer out the door. She flipped her sign to 'Closed' and let out a large yawn. "Oh, gracious. What a day. I do believe I earned a goodnight sleep."

"Aww, but we just closed, Rarity!" Sweetie Belle jumped on her sister's back. "Can't we have some more fun? What else can we do that's fun?"

"The only thing that sounds fun now is getting to sleep." Rarity spoke, trying not to lose her temper. "Maybe we can do something more fun tomorrow."

"Okay! Goodnight!" Sweetie Belle quickly hugged her sister and ran upstairs.

Rarity couldn't help but chuckle at Sweetie Belle's hyperactive energy. She turned to Spike with baggy eyes. "Um, you too, Spikey-Wikey. I'll see you next time."

But Spike still looked worried. There was still a lot on his mind. "Rarity?...Uh, could I ask you something?"

"Hmm?" Rarity was about to head upstairs and but stopped. "Oh very well. But please make it quick."

Although it was quick for Rarity to rub her eyes, so much began to go through Spike's head. How did she feel about him? Did she feel anything in return? Was it finally time to let it all out? But what if he shouldn't? Was he really going to risk his relationship with Rarity just because of a silly crush?

"Do you feel weird around me?" Spike finally asked.

Rarity's baggy eyes shot open as she turned to Spike, concerned. "Why would I? You're my dear friend after all."

Spike rubbed his shoulder. "Well...I was wondering how you felt about...about..."

"Yes?" Rarity asked.

"...About my crush." Spike finally answered.

Rarity's eyes widened. "Oh...This."

"I mean, when we first met, I had a really huge crush on you." Spike began. "And I wanted to do anything for you. Help with dresses, dig up gems. Honestly, even if we never found a gem, I was still glad to spend time with you."

Rarity tried to speak. "Well I-"

"I know it's not gonna happen." Spike spoke, which surprised Rarity. "I wasn't born yesterday and Twilight kept trying to say it wasn't gonna happen. But I was first like 'What does she know?'. But deep down...I knew she was right. But I still liked being with you. You helped save me from a bunch of mean dragons. You tailored my outfit for the Royal Wedding even though you were getting exhausted. When Trixie enslaved Ponyville, you didn't leave my side after Fluttershy went to get help, the whole time we waited. And I'm not gonna lie. I always said I hated girly things, but...after being with you...I grew to like that I do."

A speechless Rarity was letting everything Spike said sink in and let him continue.

But Spike sighed. "But...if things still feel weird. I get it. If...if you don't want me around anymore, I'll go." Spike opened the door, but it suddenly closed back in magic. Spike looked over to Rarity, who beckoned him with her hoof with a gentle smile.

"Spike...come sit with me, please."

Spike slowly walked up to the white unicorn and sat beside her. "Look, darling. I am...deeply touched you feel this way about me." She then frowned. "But a romance between us...just wouldn't work."

Spike sighed. "Yeah...it's 'cuz I'm a dragon."

"Oh no, Spike!" Rarity spoke up. "It has nothing to do with your species. It's just that...Darling, you must understand that you're just a child. I'm too old for you."

Spike slumped. "Yeah...that too."

"Oh, Spike." Rarity whispered as she gently nuzzled Spike. "I'm so very sorry. It's never nice to hear this. But..." She wrapped a hoof around him. "I do appreciate you spending time with me."

Spike was confused. "But...why? Why did you still be there for me all those times even if you knew we couldn't be together?"

Rarity smiled. "Because I care about you." She positioned Spike to properly face her. "You yourself knew we couldn't be together, yet you still longed to be with me. You alerted the girls to save me from The Diamond Dogs. You played a part in saving me from being another Nightmare Moon."

"But it doesn't change the fact I had...feelings for you." Spike said.

"You're still a good friend, Spike." Rarity spoke. "You also help out in my workshop. You work quite well with Sweetie Belle and keeping her company. You're even like a little brother to me." She then stroked his cheek. "In fact...at times, I care for you like you're my own little boy."

Spike was surprised. "R-really?"

"Of course," Rarity then put her other hoof under Spike's legs and held him in a tender hug. "You've done so much for me, darling. With your kindness, loyalty and bravery, I am more than proud to be your friend. And from now on, I want to repay you more, though not for romantic fashion. Anytime you need a friend to accompany you on a little journey or just a friendly little romp, or perhaps another pony's shoulder to rest on or cry into...I will strive to be there for you."

Back then, Spike would've been a blushing and babbling mess in Rarity's hug right here. But after expressing his feelings and her reaction...it felt different. It was soft and relaxing as he could hear the soft beating of Rarity's heart, which sounded as soothing as Twilight's or even back when Celestia and Cadance held him when younger.

"Thanks, Rarity..." Spike sighed happily.

"It was my pleasure, Spike." Rarity gently set him down. She then looked outside her window. "Oh, goodness!"

"What?" Spike asked.

"By the time shop closed, it was sunset." Rarity spoke. "Now it's pitch black. I surely can't let you go outside unsupervised."

"Are we going for a midnight walk?!" Sweetie Belle asked excitedly from upstairs.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity lightly scolded.

"Yeah, yeah." Sweetie Belle grunted before going back in her bedroom. "Maybe tomorrow."

Rarity cleared her throat and turned back to Spike. "What I mean is, maybe you'd like to spend the night?" She turned to her fainting couch. "I mean, I only have a couch, but-Oof!"

Spike hugged Rarity's neck from behind. "I'd love to! I'd love to, Rarity! Thank you so much for everything!"

The unicorn's heart melted at this moment. This wasn't a quick hug Spike would give in the spur of the moment due to his romantic feelings. This felt like a genuine hug he would give to a friend.

"Ooooh..." Rarity chuckled as she turned and shared a tight embrace with Spike. She let the dragon nuzzle in her neck as she gently stroked his scales. After a minute, she set Spike on the couch.

"You just make yourself comfortable. I'll get a letter to Twilight ready." She got out a letter and quill ready and hummed as she began to write. Once finished, she wrapped it. "Ready, dear?"

"Ready!" Spike then flamed the scroll as it disappeared.

"Very good." She levitated a pillow and blanket on the couch. "Now, I must say you've had quite the day yourself."

Spike nodded as he yawned and started to lay on the couch. Rarity covered him up with the blanket and looked to the stars outside her window. Once she looked back, Spike was lost in a peaceful slumber. She smiled deeply at the sleeping dragon and nuzzled his head. "Pleasant dreams..."

Back at The Golden Oak Library, Twilight Sparkle was nervously pacing. "Oh, where's Spike? I hope nothing bad's happened to him!"

Flash!

Twilight jumped as the scroll appeared in front of her and quickly began to read.

Dear, Twilight. Do not worry, your little Spikey-Wikey is safe with me. We had a long conversation about his feelings toward me and I let him down gently. He thankfully didn't act too broken-hearted, just as I knew he would. You're very lucky to have him your care. Never lose sight of that. Your dear friend, Rarity.

Once Twilight finished, she smiled and held the letter to her chest. "Thank you, Rarity...for being the friend he needs."