Chapter 1

The streets were quiet and empty as Spike kicked the small stone at his feet, only shooting a bored, somewhat sad glance as it rolled ahead of him.  Spike placed his small hands in the new coat that Twilight had stitched for him and walked slowly on.  It was Spike’s birthday today, and he had made a promise to himself and to everypony else, that he would never let what had happened last time happen again.  He decided that his walk was starting to get boring, so he turned and headed at an even slower pace back to the two's library home.

Twilight had left town recently to go meet with Princess Celestia, who had called her to Canterlot on urgent business, so Spike had taken up the liberty of setting up his own birthday party.  Except that he didn't do one thing that Twilight always would, invite his friends.  Spike had done everything from creating the banners, to purchasing the cake, even to getting his one and only birthday present (the coat was an early gift from Twilight).  While Spike sat all alone in the dark library, chomping slowly on his small piece of cake and downing his second cup of apple cider, he decided to open his one and only gift this year, a book which he had intended to give to Twilight.

After he had finished his cake and cider, he walked towards the stairs, looking at the banners and the cake and thinking about how pointless his design in them had been; nopony would see them except him.  Looking away from them, he ascended the stairs up to the bedroom and placed the book on Twilight's bed, right at the base of her pillow.  Afterwards, he walked back down the stairs and placed the pretty much whole cake into the refrigerator, placing the half jar of apple cider beside it.  When he closed the door to the refrigerator, he looked sadly at himself in the mirror.  He walked over to get a closer look, and in a sad whisper to himself said, “I don’t feel any different.  I’m not any taller, and I’m not any stronger.  I guess if you don’t grow, then what’s the point of a birthday anyway?” Spike frowned as he used his index finger to wipe some dust away from the wooden bottom of the mirror.

He turned and walked back into the main room of the library to start taking everything down.  As he was making his final check to ensure a clean return for Twilight a few days later, a rather loud knock at the door startled him.  He ran back toward the door and pulled it open, only to find nopony outside.  He looked left and right, even up above to see if it was a pegasus, but whomever it had been disappeared too quickly.  Before Spike turned though, something caught his eye and he looked down, surprised to find a white envelope with “Spike” familiarly written in some of the most beautiful cursive writing he had ever seen.

He picked up the letter and walked back inside, closing the door behind him.  Once inside he grabbed the nearby letter-opener and gently broke the envelope’s seal.  He pulled the contents out, and found that it was, as expected, a letter.  With curious eyes, he opened the neatly folded paper and read the short letter to himself.

The letter read:

Dear Spike, Happy birthday!  Please come over to my boutique at Seven ‘O Clock sharp.  I don’t want you to be alone on your birthday, and I also have a little something for you.  I’ll be waiting.

- Love, Rarity

Spike could hardly believe his eyes as he read the letter over and over again.  At first, he really didn’t believe it; perhaps it was somepony playing a cruel prank on him.  He had seen Rainbow Dash’s writing, and knew that it could not be her.  Pinkie Pie was out of town, Applejack was pretty much trapped at Sweet Apple Acres with all of her work, and Fluttershy would never do that to anyone, and Spike didn’t really socialize with anypony else, so it had to be Rarity!

It was strange though, he thought, that Rarity had asked him to come right at sundown.  It was six ‘o clock right now, so Spike decided that he should go ahead and prepare himself.  He ran upstairs and vigorously washed his hands and face, and then he scrubbed his claws, after that he ran to comb his scales, and finally to wash the rest of his body off in a small tub of water. It had taken him forty-five minutes to make himself presentable to Rarity, so he threw on his coat and walked out the door.

As he walked down the street, he used the disappearing sun as his watch.  Rarity’s home was just a few minutes away, so he walked on at a quick pace, knowing that it would be rude to keep a lady waiting.  Based on the position of the sun, he had about five minutes to go, but he wasn't worried for he was making good time, and in about two more minutes found himself at Rarity's doorstep.

To his dismay though, the shop door read “Closed”, Rarity always kept her boutique open until nine.  Regardless though, Spike knocked once on the door.  She didn’t come, so he knocked a little louder this time, she didn't come again.  Finally, just as he was about to give up, he brought his fist up to knock one more time.  But, before he could do so, the door opened and Rarity walked forward, beautiful as usual and wearing her fire-ruby that Spike had given her; she never seemed to take it off.  Once she saw who her visitor was, a bright grin crossed her face “Spike!” she exclaimed “You got my letter!  And right on time too!” Spike was surprised when she lowered her head down and hugged him.

For a moment, the two just stood there smiling at each other, but Rarity soon broke the silence.  “Do come in Spike, it’s getting dark and cold outside,”  She stepped aside to let him in.  Spike walked into the spacious room and turned to watch as Rarity’s locked the door, making the boutique “officially” closed.  Spike unzipped his coat to take it off, for it was warm in the boutique, but he was surprised as Rarity bent down and went to take it off for him, their eyes meeting once as she clamped down on the material and gently lifted it off of Spike.

“Why did she use her mouth?” Spike thought to himself as he looked at her horn.  He brushed it off, and trying not to be rude said “Thank you Rarity.”

She placed the coat on the hanger and replied, “You’re welcome Spikey Wikey, and thank you for coming.”  Giving no indication of why she had wanted him to visit, Spike looked all over the room in search of what he didn’t know.  “What are you looking for darling?” Rarity asked, watching curiously as Spike glanced all around the room.

“Oh… nothing.” He looked away from Rarity and blushed in embarassment.

“Come along Spikey Wikey” she said, sensing his discomfort “I’ve prepared us dinner.”  Spike could hardly believe his ears.  He tried to object, but Rarity was already walking toward the kitchen door, using her magic to pull him forward a couple of inches.  He followed her down the stairs and stood, mouth agape, at the sight before him.  Rarity had practically created a four-course meal for them!  At one end sat a bowl filled to the brim with fine gems, a plate with a towering home-baked chocolate cake, bowls with vegetables and fruits, an endless amount of crystal water and apple cider, and just about everything in between.

Rarity was delighted with the look on his face “I thought maybe you hadn’t eaten today dear.  My wittle Spike Wikey needs to have a full stomach on his special day,” she pointed out as she snuggled her head against his side.

Spike only looked at the table, but shook himself out of it.  This time though, a sad look crossed his face as he looked up at Rarity and said, “I really appreciate this Rarity, but you didn’t have to do all of this for me.  It just makes me happy that you and I are friends.”  He eyed the table once more, but then looked back up at her and finished, "I...I'll probably just do what I did last time.  I don't deserve anything for that..." he looked sadly down.

Rarity smiled warmly at him and said “Oh Spikey,” quietly as she gave him a kiss on the cheek that made his whole body stiffen up in surprise.  Afterwards, she brought her head around close to the other side of his head and almost in a whisper said, “Nonsense.  You pay no mind to what you did last time, it was an only an accident.” She looked him in the eye now; smiling as he nodded his head.  “You’re a very sweet little dragon Spike, and I’m glad you’re my friend too.”  Spike looked away, trying to hide his deep red blush.

“Now, come along, let’s eat.”  Rarity walked over and took her seat at the table, using her magic to pull another chair very close to her.  Unsure at first, Spike looked all around the table, but it was just Rarity’s chair and then his, so he walked over and took a seat at the table.  He was so close to Rarity that their bodies were practically touching; Rarity either didn’t seem to notice or care.

The two enjoyed their meal, talking to each other just as friends.  Spike trying both to impress Rarity and not be rude, ate very politely, using utensils instead of his usual hand method, sipping on his Apple Cider, and frequently patting his mouth clean with his napkin.  After they had finished eating, Spike helped Rarity clean the table and wash the dishes and utensils.  After all of the chores were done, Spike and Rarity walked back upstairs.  Spike glanced at the door and said, “Thank You Rarity.  The food was great, and to be honest with you, I... I had thought that everypony had forgotten my birthday."  A second or two later, it also sounded like he mumbled, "I wouldn't blame them either," inaudibly to Rarity.

Spike walked over and grabbed his coat from the hanger “Where are you going Spikey?” asked Rarity.

Spike pulled his coat on all the way and said, “I guess home.” He looked out the window to the dark streets, illuminated only by the few candle lit lampposts.

As he placed his hand on the lock Rarity exclaimed, “No, wait Spike!  I… I don’t want you going out alone.  It… It’s far too dark for you to be alone at this time of night.”  She looked away from Spike.  Her behaviour indicated to Spike that she was hiding something from him.

Spike still had his hand on the door as he asked, “Well, what else am I supposed to do?”

Rarity cut him off and blushed deeply, reminding Spike of Fluttershy “You could… Um… stay here,” she suggested and then smiled weakly at him.  Spike couldn’t believe his ears; didn’t think he was awake for a few moments, but eventually he replied, “Oh no Rarity, it's OK.  I don’t want to be a bother to you.” He looked sadly down.  “Wha… A… A bother?  Spike, No!  How could you ever think that?  You… you’re very sweet and I like being around you.” She told him softly.  Spike looked up at her; a girl had never invited him to stay over, nor had she ever complimented him so sweetly.

Spike’s hand fell limp from the door as he asked in a quiet voice “You… You actually mean that?”

Rarity nodded her head and tried to convince him once more, “Now Spike, please stay.  I really don’t want you going out alone at night, besides it would be fun wouldn’t it?  Sweetie’s not home, maybe you could have her bed, or…”

Spike cut her off once more, “Are you really sure about this?” She nodded her head.

“Well, I guess since Twilight won’t be back for a few days it’d be OK,” Spike pondered aloud.  Rarity smiled at him and kissed him once more, Spike noticed coming dangerously close to his lips.

“Now, take that coat off and come with me Spikey,”  He did so quickly, and followed Rarity into the next room over.

Before Rarity could even say a word, Spike said, “You can go ahead to bed Rarity.  I know how tired you must be after all that cooking and preparation, coupled with all the work you probably did today.  I know where Sweetie’s room is, and I promise that I won’t touch a thing or make a mess.”

It seemed like Rarity couldn’t (or wouldn’t) stop kissing him as she delivered another soft kiss to his cheek, “Again with the thoughtfulness Spike.” This comment made him blush even deeper, “ But, I’m not tired at all.   I actually slept all day, because I thought that possibly we could, you know, do something together… as friends?”

Spike looked at her in uncertainty, “Are… are you sure?  I mean, I know that you might have better things to do than stay up with me.  Really, you can go to bed if you’re tired,” he urged her to rest.

Rarity warmly replied, “Oh, stop worrying about me Spike.  Why wouldn’t I want to stay up with you?  You’re sweet, and kind, and thoughtful, and generous, and…” Rarity blushed, noticing that she had drifted off and gone a little too far.  She cleared her throat “Well, Spike?  What shall we do?”  Spike looked around, not really seeing anything other than the projector which Rarity used for work and some books, and finally the piles of material lying about.  In reply, Spike merely looked up at her and shrugged, indicating that she should be the one to decide.

“Well, is there anything you need to do?” he asked before she was able to make a suggestion.  Rarity tried to object, but Spike quickly stopped her speaking in a gentle tone.  “Rarity, you’ve done enough for me already.  You have no idea how happy it made me when you invited me over, I… I would be alone without…” Spike quickly corrected himself “Alone on my birthday without you... I thought everyony had forgotten me.  I really want to repay the favor, so please let me help you with something.”

It was apparent that Spike’s speech had warmed Rarity’s heart, for she was choking tears back.  “Will you give me a hug first, Spike?” She lowered her head, and allowed Spike to snuggle up close to her.  “Well, I… I supposed there are a few things that you can help me with.  Nothing too demanding though…”

Spike smiled up at her, showing he was ready to show his work talents, and replied, “Thanks Rarity!  I’ll do anything I can to help.  I… I have to admit that I haven’t been doing much of anything today either.” They smiled awkwardly in the silence at each other for a few seconds.

“Great!  Now come on, I bet we can get all these projects done in just a few hours time,” Rarity said.  And with that, they both set to work.  Rarity did all the stitching and threading as Spike read off to her the checklists, and brought her supplies in a matter of moments.  Rarity was right too!  In all, the two of them had finished a batch of the finest dresses to go out to Canterlot the next week.  Rarity would practically have the whole week off now!

“Oh, I can’t Thank You enough Spikey Wikey!  You really are the sweetest little thing in all of Equestria…” Rarity said as she circled around and admired the two's handiwork.

“It’s my pleasure Rarity,” Spike said as he unwrinkled some of the fine silk material on a dress, and observed the expensive-looking job-well-done.  “You make really beautiful dresses Rarity; Almost as beautiful as you,”  Spike knew he had let the ball slide when Rarity turned her head towards him.  Spike was completely taken off guard as Rarity kissed him again, this time on the lips.  It was the moment he had been waiting for ever since he first saw Rarity; his heart beat quickly as he savored the moment and the taste of Rarity’s minty fresh breath.

She broke away, and Spike snapped back to reality.  For a moment, Spike only stared at her with a new look, a look of utter admiration for the pony that had done so much for him in one day.  Soon though, in a shaking and quick voice he said “I… I’m really tired all of a sudden.  S… See you in the morning Rarity.  Thanks again for the dinner... and... and everything.”  Spike dashed out of the room and bounded quickly up the stairs as fast as his legs would carry him.  Rarity looked after him with a saddened, but understanding look in her eyes, blinking once as she heard a door above her close with a loud and nervous slam.