Return of a Friend

Vibrant rays of beautiful sunlight sprayed across his exposed chest, each little touch of warmth feeling like the gentle fingers of his mother, silently caressing him. The snow white curtains that had been keeping out the light of dawn had been pulled back to allow what little wind chill there was to filter into the room through the now gaping window. Carrying along its breathless back were the heavenly aroma's of the outside world. He could almost taste the turning leaves with their almost blinding scent, layered in perfect harmony with the sweet, yet tangy smell of sweet treats being baked down at Sugar Cube Corner.

Gazing out, he could see the vast expansion of the city that he was living in, Ponyville, in all its glory. Far off in the distance he could see the mountains of Ghundlorîan, standing tall in all their gorgeous wonder. Based on the side of the Westernmost mountain by the name of Slitherian, was his home or birthplace, Canterlot. With all of its finest temperament buildings, stunning locational view, and its overly present symbol of love and peace, Canterlot was were he truly belonged in Equestria, as was Ponyville.

Feeling his heart wish to once more soar high among the snow capped mountain tops, shrouded away from view of the world by the various clouds that surrounded it, a sigh escaped him. Longing for the fresh, crisp morning air that was found high up in the mountains, the crystal clear waters located only in the streams that flowed down from the very peaks. Most of all however, he longed to share it with the mare that had shared so much with him, the very same mare that he had almost given his life to protect.

Resting against him was the silvery-white mare, who refused to leave his bedside, even after two weeks of being in the hospital. The mare had to be behind on her orders by now, if not, in a few days she soon would be. He knew that she was always busy around the fall, especially with the first Football game of the year coming up in only a matter of a few weeks. Despite this however, he was glad that she was still here with him.

In his heart, he felt as though what he was seeing right now was too good to be true. To know that Rarity loved him just as much as he loved her made him feel like it was all a dream. Whenever he would pinch himself however, he knew that it was indeed true, that Rarity loved him just as fiercely, if not more so, than he loved her, which always made him revert to what he loved to do the most. Running a hand down the back of her neck, letting his talons easily glide through her silky soft mane, always brought his heart to cloud nine. If the feeling of her head on his chest, being soothed to sleep numerous times simply by listening to his beating heart, was not enough.

Warmth radiated out from his chest, making his bones shiver ever so slightly from the power of it. Leaning down softly, he placed a kiss against her forehead, making the mare snuggle up closer to him. It was almost as if the mare was afraid to let him go, fear of him slipping away from her causing a sort of protective instinct to burst forth. A soft moan escaped his lips as her arms squeezed tighter against him, her breath slow and easy against the nape of his exposed throat.

A yawn escaped her soft, luscious lips, flashing him her pearly white diamond teeth. A tingle shimmered down his spine when he felt her bury her nose in his neck, sighing when nothing aside from his scent; a mixture of his masculine scent of sweat, laced with the nose biting aroma of charred, rotting meat, and attached to all, the heavy sting of smoke, assailed the senses in her mind. Without so much as a whisper, she placed a kiss against the underside of his jaw, nibbling on the scales for a few moments before she went back to taking in his scent.

Slowly, her elegantly designed sapphire eyes fluttered open to gaze upon his smoothly cut emerald orbs, which could only have been carved from the rare gemstone itself by beings higher than the land of Equestria. A light grin crossed both of their lips, both sensing what the other was going to say before it left their lips. Opting to let their actions say what their hearts wanted to, they leaned in close together, their lips barely brushing but a few inches apart.

As was common every morning since the revelation of their feelings for each other, both lovers allowed their lips to come together in the eternal embrace of love that they both craved for from the other with a burning passion. It was almost as if when they awoke beside the one that they loved, that all was right in the world, but the kiss meant that the day was going to be filled with naught but love.

Her fingers would slip into his sweaty hair, not caring about the cleanliness, only the fact that it was him. His scent was so overpowering that she would have thought she had been bathing in it for the last two weeks, which was not far from the truth. Knowing that it was his own unique smell that clung to her fur made her want to be with him even more, to just let him take her right then and there, but she knew better. They both did.

Spike could never stop his scaled hands from running through her mane, brushing past numerous locks as he managed to run his talons down the fur aligning her spine, making her body shudder with sheer pleasure that was so unique to only his touch. Ground vanilla always assailed his nose whenever their kiss would get very passionate as it was now, with their bodies pressed close together, their tails slowly interlacing tightly around one another, while their tongues wrestled for dominance in their mouths. He never had to look to know where the scent was coming from, for her knew by heart where it's source was, as his nose was almost always buried in the same crook of her neck whenever they would fall asleep together.

Silent as a cat trying to avoid a rabid dog with a taste for flesh, Doctor Monitor slipped into the room to notice that once again, Rarity and Spike were so engrossed with each other, so lost in their own world, that anything outside of it ceased to matter. To pass the time as he always did, he began to reread the report that he had just finished sorting through, making sure that it was all in correct order before he presented it to the drake.

Knowing fully well that he had other patients waiting to see him before the night once more rolled in, Doctor Monitor cleared his throat rather loudly, making the couple gently break apart, Rarity clinging close to Spike. "Well Spike, it looks as if your leg has set properly now. Your blood pressure seems to be back to normal, and your cuts are starting to clear up. None of them should leave any nasty scars like the one over your eye." He paused as he looked closely at Spike's face, noticing that his scar had mysteriously vanished, almost as if it was never there in the first place. "Well, I'll be a Timber-Wolf, your scar seems to have been erased away Spike. You look just as you did before that 'accident' years ago."

Spike looked towards Rarity, who simply shrugged her shoulders before placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Anyway Spike, you are free to leave whenever you wish. Just let me know if you need any crutches, a wheelchair, anything like that alright? We'd be happy to provide them for you, given that you not only take good care of the equipment, but that you also return them to us when you are done."

"I will be fine doc, thanks though." A pregnant silence fell upon the room as Spike and Doctor Monitor gazed at one another, both seemingly knowing what to say, yet unable to. "Uh, Doc, I know that I didn't say it before, but, uh, thanks for patching me up. If it weren't for you, then I wouldn't be here right now, with the best girlfriend that I could ever wish to have."

"Hey, think nothing of it, it's my job to keep the living from being not living." Both shared a light laugh, lighting the mood in the room. "If I were to fail, then what kind of doctor would I be. Besides, you are an old patient, and friend of mine from years ago, no reason not to do my best with you."

The doctor sighed as he once again looked down towards his clipboard, seeing all of Spike's medical records before him. "Knowing how you are you will try to do what you can today, but let me make a few things clear, for your sake more than mine. Spike, I don't want you going to school today, but you are free to go tomorrow though alright? I want you to rest in bed today and stay off of that leg as much as you can. In the afternoon, maybe walk around a bit, but no heavy lifting with that leg or chest, got it? That means you too miss Rarity, no getting him to lift heavy objects for the next few weeks, you understand?"

In unison they nodded their heads towards the doctor, both voicing their understanding with a, "Yes doctor."

"Good." As he began to walk away, the doctor could not help but start to chuckle to himself while he looked back towards the young couple. "Spike. The next time that I want to see you should be in a few years, when I am delivering your baby." Spike and Rarity simply looked at each other, a deep, crimson red blush on both faces. "You, you may leave when ready. J-just notify the nurse when you do."

Dr. Monitor said nothing more as he left the room, smiling as he walked down the hallway in utter silence, broken every now and again by the sound of a patient yelling for a nurse.

Spike and Rarity were still blushing heavily, neither one wanting to clear the misty silence that was hanging close around them. Both were so embarrassed, yet also nervous at what the doctor had said, that neither one was in any hurry to make their blushes deepen even more.

Coughing from the doorway stole their eyes from one another as they looked over to see Applejack, leaning against the door frame with her stetson tipped over her eyes. With her hands in her jean pockets and a blush heavy on her face, trying hard not to say anything for fear of something 'else' escaping her.

Looking closer, they could see that Rain was busy placing kisses against her neck while they were waiting for the couple to finish with their awkward moment. One hand was holding onto her arm while the other was around her back, stroking her blonde mane every so gently. Taking in a sharp breath, the mare glanced up to see that Spike and Rarity were staring at her, trying hard not to laugh at the awkward predicament.

"Rain, Rain. Ya better stop, there watchin' us."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Stepping around Applejack, Rain came to stand in the room, close to the bed, but still keeping closer to his girlfriend.

"Rare, Spike. Rain and Ah were wonderin' if y'all needed a ride home? We could drop ya off first Rare so that you can get back to yer dress makin'. Then we could drop Spike off at home with Ryder." Applejack managed to hide her wry smile beneath the features of her blush from what she knew about Ryder, about what he had done for both the drake and the mare.

Rarity sat up on the bed, letting a hand rest atop Spike's as she cleared her throat, "That would be appreciated, but leave Spikey with me for a bit. Doctor said he needs to rest, and to stay off of his leg. I want to make sure that he does just that." Her eyes turned fondly to him, making him gulp as he realized that she was not joking. "Besides, I want to spend more time with him."

AJ could not hold a smile from coming to her face as she watched the couple tighten their grip on one another, their tails having yet to drift apart. "Well that was kind if easy to see there sugar cube. Ain't nothin' wrong with that at all . Just wanted to make sure where we were taking y'all. Anyho, Rain called ahead to say that we were goin' to be late today, 'wakin' up late'. They already know that y'all ain't goin' to be there today. Called in sick fer ya both."

"Well thank you Applejack, that was very kind of you to do. Between having to help Spike and trying to catch up on all of the dresses that I have put off for these last two weeks, I am not ready to tackle school today. We will hopefully be there tomorrow." Rarity paused as she looked first at Applejack, then at Rain. "Thank you, thank you both. I know that this was not all Rain's idea. You are the bestest friends that we could ever hope or ask for."

Spike sat up slightly on the bed, resting on his good arm as he spoke in a coarse, almost raspy voice, "I agree with Rarity. You are my two most important friends other than Twilight. You are both always there for me and Rarity, just like you are now. You both helped me to find the courage to tell Rarity how I truly feel about her. It was your inspirational writing that helped me Rain, all of those poems that you wrote for Applejack, they inspired me to write one of my own for Rarity. And it was your reassuring words Applejack that gave me the strength in my heart to take that leap of faith, to just trust what my heart was telling me. Thank you both."

By now Applejack was rather hard pressed to not bury her head in Rain's chest so as to hide the bright red that had happened upon her cheeks. Between Spike's words and Rarity's, it was a wonder that her entire face was not tinted a deep crimson red yet. Although she was embarrassed as to the good nature of things that her friends were praising her about, she knew that all of what they were saying was true nonetheless.

Leaning back against the stallion who was holding one of her hands firmly within his own, she allowed a content sigh to escape her lips as she felt the warmth of his chest against her back. "So uh, Rain an' I are ready to take y'all out of here whenever ya like."

Rarity grinned sheepishly as she sent her eyes back towards Spike, who had done the same. A knowing, nonverbal exchange was passed between them. Just the slight glint in his eyes as the full realization that he was going to be helping Rarity around the boutique once more, a chance to truly spend some 'alone' time with here where they would discuss things like normal couples would, made him want to run out of the hospital himself, taking her with him.

Neither Spike nor Rarity spoke as they slowly inclined their heads towards the opposite couple, a knowing smile spreading across their lips. "I'll be waitin' fer ya in the truck. Come on Rain." With an unspoken agreement, Rain followed his beloved Applejack as they left the room, heading down towards the waiting room.

In the silence that ensued, Spike began to grow nervous. Both he and Rarity knew that he wore naught but a hospital gown covering his entire body, which was slightly embarrassing to him. What was more, was the fact that not only was Rarity his best friend, but now she was also his girlfriend, which made what he had to do all the more embarrassing.

Clearing his throat loud enough to earn the attention of the silvery-white mare, he motioned towards the door. Upon seeing a quizzical expression slip across her perfect features, he could not help but sigh. "Rarity," he began, "I know that we are together now, but I need to change."

"I noticed that darling, but I don't see what is wrong. I have seen you change many times before. Many times when you were soaking wet and I could clearly see what you were hiding if I wanted to." When she saw that he was starting to get a slight shade of rose on his cheeks, she knew that he was really going to be even more embarrassed doing that sort of thing around her now. "Oh, I see darling. No worries my cute Spikey-Wikey, I will leave if that makes you feel better."

Rising from her place beside him on the bed, she reached into a small bag underneath of the bed that had been left for him and placed a bundle of finely folded and wrapped clothing on the sheets. "I love you Spike. I will be waiting just outside of the room if you need anything." Placing a reassuring kiss on his cheek, she smiled warmly as she made her way out of the room, taking a seat in the waiting chair outside.

Silence fell heavy upon the room, almost like a thick blanket of mist that would cloud out one's sight, rendering them blind. Every now and again he could hear the beeping of the machine beside his bed, taking accurate measures of his beating heart. Whirling around in the wind outside were a few leaves of various hues of fall, each one sailing past his field of vision much like a ship upon water. He sighed.

With Rarity gone, Spike whisked away the sheets to see that where there had been wrapped bandages only a few days earlier, was now his bare, exposed flesh beneath the multiple layers of scales that normally covered it. Being wounded like he was, all the way to the soft tissue beneath his hard natural armor, meant that his wounds would take longer to heal than those that he was dealt before. Once the first layer of scales grew in, the rest would be back within a couple of weeks, but for now, he was going to have to wait a few months before the first layer was even halfway grown in.

With his body having such a large gash as it did, meant that the doctors had to remove several layers of scales all around to cauterize the outside of the wound, so as to stop it from tearing apart the flesh underneath. When that was done, they had to use an extremely hot fire to spread over the rest of the gash to make sure that the blood would cease flowing.

Running a single scaled finger over his soft, almost leathery tissue, which was slimy to the touch and left a trail of what looked like soaking wet mucus stuck to the scales on the tip of his finger, he gasped as he felt the organs that were underneath of it. Looking at the skin reminded him of looking at dirt colored water, while yet it felt almost like a soft, thin sheet that would easily separate from the tiniest of imperfections. Wherever his finger would push down, if only slightly, he would feel the the organs that pumped his blood through them, his 'Gallîánth', which his mother claimed was where his internal fire was made, and the various other organs that kept him alive, shift or part so that he was pushing against either bone or just free floating fluid.

Gasping lightly, he groaned when he tried to trace a finger around the edge of the skin, where the charred flesh and scales met his newest layer of skin. The scales were colored a deep shade of black, while where it met the dirt colored flesh it went from a deep black abyss to a light tint of silver, before it reverted to a deep, almost murky hue of brown, then became a rich dark orange and finally ended in the dirt colored leathery skin. Realizing that touching the rim of his wounds caused the most pain, he made a mental note to always wrap something soft around it to keep it from irritating him whenever he had to move or shift quickly.

Wincing as the pain of his scales rubbed against his new layer of flesh, he managed to slide out of the bed and change into the clothes that awaited him. A pair of fairly new blue jeans, a black tank top, and his favorite necklace that his mother had given him when he first moved out. Letting the only piece of jewelry that he owned slide around his neck made him feel at home, gave him renewed hope that no matter what, he was always going to love his mother and father, and they were always going to love him. Looking down, he saw his name staring right back at him, big black letters that spelled 'Spike', written in his mother's very own handwriting and crafted out of solid green emeralds, found in the East side of Equestria. These emeralds were the purest in the entire land, and could never be replicated. Their shine was more brilliant than even the most beautiful sapphire, which made it more valuable to some ponies or dragons than gold.

Smiling, Spike laid the dark mint green gown onto the bed as he grabbed the bag from beneath the bed, beaming even more as he emerged from the seclusion of the hospital room, only to find Rarity lost in a picture that was always precious to them both.

Around her neck hung a heart shaped locket wrought of pure silver, inside of said locket were two pictures; one was of Spike and Rarity when they had first met and had become the best of friends, the other was when he was in his Freshman year of high school. Behind the two were the most beautiful rays of sunshine that his mother had ever made, while before them was a small tower of mild weed grass. A smile was stretched across their faces as Spike sat on a small park bench, with Rarity leaning over him, her arms wrung around his neck as they both looked at the camera, their cheeks touching.

Spike was always fond of the picture himself, as it was the day that he had first joined the school's soccer team, and when he and Rainbow Dash had really started to become more like brother and sister, replicating his relationship with Twilight. Yet it was also the first and only day aside from the last two weeks that Spike had been allowed to escape the torment that he always got from Thunderlane and his entourage.

Gazing at the picture reminded him of when he was younger and he had thought that his mother was the most beautiful mare to ever exist. But that changed the day that he met Rarity. Even as they grew older, Spike watched as almost everyday the mare that he had started to fall in love with grew ever more beautiful. Now, starting two weeks ago, he no longer had to fantasize about what life with her would be like, no longer did he have to imagine what it would be like if he kissed her, nor did he have to wonder what it would be like if she knew his feelings for her. Now, if he wanted to feel her soft serene lips against his, he could. If he wanted to hear her sweet laughter at any given moment, all he had to do was say what always made her laugh.

Resting a hand on her shoulder, he almost jumped when she placed her own free hand over his, her fingers interlacing with his while a deep felt shudder rocked her body. Despite the fact that for two weeks they had been sharing the same bed almost nonstop, he was still not fully used to the new physical contact that was between them.

Rarity enjoyed every moment of her new relationship status with Spike, her best friend, her would-be brother, her lover, but more than that, the most loyal boyfriend that she could ever hope to have. Years ago, she would lie awake at night and wonder what it would be like if she were to ever get with Spike, what he would do for her, what she would do for him, what their relationship would be like, but now it was a reality. What she imagined before, was nothing even remotely close to what she was actually feeling. Images in her mind of them together was now a reality to them.

Rarity knew exactly what Spike would do for her. Just like when they were still best friends, he would die for her, he would shoot to the moon for her, he would do anything for her, and he would always wear a smile upon his face when he did. Only now, she knew that he did it not only because he wanted to, but because he loved her with all of his heart, and that was never going to change. No matter what life was going to throw at them, he was never going to rest unless she was truly happy with what he gave her. What she truly cherished about their new relationship however, was when they would be close together in a hug or a kiss, where nothing but them existed. It was in these moments that she felt truly free. Only when she was wrapped up in his arms did she ever truly feel pure, like nothing in the world could ever hope to harm her, ever hope to see her, or ever hope to stop her.

Looking away from the locket, Rarity managed to steal away Spike's undivided attention, his eyes falling slowly as he leaned in close to her. Letting her own eyes fall, Rarity waited in quiet anticipation for what was about to come. Feeling Spike's fingers tightening around her own made her smile wider as he placed his lips against her own, feeling the warmth, the love, the protectiveness that was always surrounding him.

Neither one paid attention to the sounds of the voices screaming down the hallway to a nurse or doctor. Not even the sound of a scratchy voice over the intercom could separate them away from what was their sole moment in their own world together. Silence seemed to befall around them. Slithering in like a shadow of night, the quiet world that they always reeled into was once more thrust upon them. As with all good things however, they were forced to break apart when they each realized that they had yet to meet up with Applejack and Rain, who were awaiting them in the parking lot outside.

At the end of the hall was a tall dark emerald cloaked figure, his golden yellow eyes looking like two flickering candles in a gentle breeze as he watched every move that the young couple made. His gaze never left them as they rose from their chairs and began to run down the hall, the silvery-white mare leading the amethyst drake. In a hushed whisper, the figure spoke to the air, "Target in sight master. Beginning recon: Phase One now." Silent as a thief in the night, the cloaked figure began to walk backwards towards the open window behind him, where he knew he could easily catch up to the young couple.

Giddy to return to the boutique so that they might continue their little moment of escape, Rarity lead Spike down the various halls of the hospital's IC wing. Many of the nurses and doctors that they passed yelled at them to slow down, which they neither one took heed of. With Spike trailing right behind her, he said nothing, not even allowing a single grimace of pain cross his face from the rubbing of his scales against the charred rim.

Exiting the IC wing, Rarity still led as they made their way down the various other halls of the hospital until they emerged on the bottom floor.

With a small ding, the elevator doors wheeled back to reveal the lobby floor. Glossy white tiles reflected back the white lights from above. Along either wall was a row of pictures plastered above a mint green paint. To the right of the elevator was a small desk, where a single clerk sat, looking over his paper work while answering numerous calls and punching new information into the computer at his station. Still feeling giddy, Rarity smiled as she nudged Spike's side, almost laughing from how giddy she was feeling. "What do you say about a little race Spikey-Wikey? Last one to the truck has to give the winner a massage?"

Without so much as a sideways glance to acknowledge that he had heard her, he took off like a streak of lightening. Rarity adopted a stern expression as she watched the drake race down the open lobby without a care in the world. Ahead she heard his laughter as he slowed down to a trot to look behind, only to see her glaring at him. Laughing even more, he shook his head before he resumed his pace, though now with a slight limp in his step. Rarity, knowing that if she did not start now was going to lose, shook her head as she raced after her drake.

Rain moaned lightly as he felt Applejack nibble at the side of his neck, taking the skin and fur into her mouth between her teeth, where she would give a sharp tug before doing it to another spot. Her hands were running up and down his slightly toned chest while his hands ran through her hair, the stetson she usually wore sitting on the dashboard to cover them from sight. At times, she would stop long enough to press her lips against his, making him wish for more, but knowing that they were better than that to do anything in the truck.

Feeling her hands begin to progress lower, he pressed their lips harder together as she began to scoot closer, almost to the point where she was sitting in his lap. Without letting her hands go too far, she teased him more by biting down hard on his neck, making him release a rather loud moan while their tails quickly found each other, tugging hard enough to make them think that if they were to be tied together in a knot, there was no chance of it coming loose for a good long while.

Rain chanced a glance over the stetson as he was pushed higher up into the seat, where Applejack could place warm kisses against his furry chest. Warmth engulfed him as he felt her lips against his heart, knowing that, if given the chance, her kisses would progress lower. Looking up, he lost his smile slightly. Upon seeing Rarity and Spike running out to them, with Spike's bag flapping against his back and in a slight limp, while Rarity's mane trailed behind her, he was forced to lovingly push Applejack away. "AJ, here they come."

No other words were said as Applejack quickly pushed back her hair, trying to erase all evidence as to what they had just been doing together. While Rain was doing the same with his hair, and smoothing out his shirt, she slipped on her stetson to make it look like they had been doing nothing more than talking. Applejack was treated to the same sight as Rain when she looked forward, laughing as both Rarity and Spike were running towards the truck like a pair of wild Timber-Wolves out for a kill.

Spike slammed into the hood of the truck with his outstretched hands to stop himself. Without much effort on his part, he walked to the bed of the truck, where he slung the bag of clothes into the bed before he too jumped in, ducking down as Rarity arrived herself. Before Applejack could even start up the truck, the silvery-white mare had launched herself into the bed, being caught by Spike. Rubbing their noses together, the newly formed couple began to roll around in the bed, being careful to not get too rough on account of Spike's injuries.

With a warm, caring smile, Applejack started up the truck, the whole while watching the young couple. "Ya know Rain, they remind me of us when we first got together. When we would roll around in the South field or the West orchard and wrestle ya know?"

Smirking slyly to himself, Rain leaned over towards Applejack to place a kiss on her cheek. "You know, I seem to recall someone wanting do more 'physical activities' that didn't involve clothes." He grinned in victory when she blushed. "Tell you what, the quicker we drop them off, the more time that we can have to 'play' some more before we are due to be in school. I don't think that thirty minutes is exactly enough time. Do you?" Shaking her head, the mare grew her own grin as she almost floored the gas backing out of the parking spot. Turning the truck into drive, Applejack paid little attention to anything else aside from the rode as she dashed out of the parking lot faster that Rain himself would have liked.

---

Sunlight shimmered in from the window above the Carousel Boutique's main entrance, wrapping its bright tendrils around the glass chandelier that was in the middle of the foyer. Spectrums of light reverberated off of the various mirrors that lined the room, casting multiple translucent hues of the rainbow around the entire boutique. Both Rarity and Spike were mesmerized by the sight of it all as they entered the store, having been dropped off by Applejack not even a few moments ago. Neither one knew what magical sight was going to greet then when they entered the store that day, but both were equally pleased.

Glancing towards the far corner of the room, right where the posing stage ended against the bright white wall, were a few boxes with Spike's name on them. Taking no notice of the boxes however, Spike continued to gaze around the room, following all of the hues as they emerged from the chandelier. Each hue was rich, and refined to the point that each one looked almost like a beam of energy that could be used to create masterful works of art like the one that he was looking at.

Rarity, growing curious of the stacks of boxes in the room, began to walk over towards them, earning the attention of an awestricken drake. Opening the first box, Rarity was a bit surprised when she saw a bunch of Spike's clothing piled almost to the very lip of the box. Rifling through the clothes, she found some of his personal notebooks and soccer gear lining the bottom, along with a note attached to the bottom of his cleats. It read,

'Dear Spike, Mom and I thought that after you got out of the hospital you would like to move in with Rarity. Mom must really trust you, because when I asked her about Rainbow moving in she said no, but what she doesn't know won't hurt her right? Anyway, brought some of your clothes over. I will get the rest of your stuff over when I have the free time. Love you big brother, Ryder.'

Rarity giggled to herself as she reread the note, almost feeling her heart skip a beat when she reread the part about Spike being trusted to move in with her. It took every ounce of her willpower to neither start jumping and screaming to Celestia, nor to yell at Spike about the great news. However, she did allow herself a brief moment to dance in place while Spike began to search through the box himself. "Uh, Rarity? Why are my clothes in this box?"

Forgetting that she had yet to read him the note, she grinned. After reading him the note, a dead silence fell upon them, more silent than any other that they had, had before. Spike scratched the back of his head as he said, "So I guess that this means we are officially a couple now." Rarity was slightly worried that he was not smiling like she was. She began to worry that he was not happy with being with her like she was. Fear gripped her heart as she began to realize that Spike may love her, but not enough to live with her yet.

Tears began to form in the ends of her eyes as she gasped. "Y-you don't sound so happy. I-Is this not w-what you wanted?"

Spike refrained from looking up at the mare as he paced back and forth before her, a hand on his chin while the other massaged his bad leg. "Well, I wanted to move in with you, that much is true. Let me see, I love you, I want to be with you, but not fully mated yet...I know. There was something that I was forgetting to get for you. Wait here." As he turned around, he could not help but chuckle silently to himself.

Rarity watched as Spike went back over to the stack of boxes, quickly searching through the first two before finally growing happy with the third. Near the bottom, she heard him grunt as he tried to pull something out. Remembering what the doctor had said, she was about to tell him to stop when he pulled his arm free, keeping something tightly within his grip and hidden away from her. With a beam wider than the sun itself, he made his way back over to her.

"It has been a long time since I grew these feelings for you Rarity. About a month ago, I got this gift for you, hoping that you would love it when I gave it to you. Well, here it is Rarity." Pulling his hands around, he presented her with a rectangular navy blue velvet case. With a shaky hand, he turned it so that the clasp holding it shut was facing her. Reaching out, she opened the case and took in a sharp gasp of air. "I know that you love sapphires, so I thought that these would bring out your eyes, you know, 'make them shine more brightly' as you always say."

His words were lost on her. Her voice, caught behind the now large lump in her throat, was unable to form any coherent syllables. Before her very eyes was the most beautifully hand-crafted sapphire necklace that she had ever seen. Wrapping around a thin black string were numerous sapphire diamonds, each one etched with a letter. Altogether they spelled out, 'Rarity and Spike Forever'. The mare felt more tears come to her eyes as she glanced over the necklace a second, third, and forth time. The beauty that it entailed, made her thankful that Spike was now her boyfriend, but more than that, he now belonged to her, just as she belonged to him.

Picking up the necklace from its case, Spike walked around behind Rarity as he slid it around her neck, making sure that the silver clasp was secured. Hesitantly, Rarity lifted up a hand to run her fingers against the sapphires. Soft giggling escaped her luscious lips as she twirled around in place, loving the giddiness that the necklace had brought up in her. Although Spike always felt the fear that should anything happen to go sour between them was always evident, he knew that it was likely to never happen.

Spike placed a kiss against her cheek as he walked around to once more stand before her. Putting out his arms, it was all she could do to not fall into them. She buried her head into his chest, her tears soaking through his tank top as he caressed her, the only sound being her low sobs of joy. "Shh, Shh. There is nothing to cry about Rarity. I am here."

Looking up, she smiled warmly at him. "It's just that, I thought you were going to say that you did not want to live with me, that you did not love me enough like that yet. I was afraid that you were going to leave me Spike."

Hearing her words almost made him want to start to tear up as well. Instead, he opted to silence her with his love before she thought anything else negative. Using his fingers to aide him, Spike lifted her head even more so that he was fully looking her in the eyes. "I am never going to leave you Rarity. Don't ever let anypony tell you otherwise. Never even think that way. Cause you know what?" He paused to let her ponder the truth of his words. "Not even this world, nor even my own grandfather could separate me from you. I love you Rarity, and I promise you right now that I will always be here when you need me."

Tears began to form in the corners of his emerald eyes as the intensity, and truth in what he was saying grew higher and higher. Quickly leaning forward, he once more captured her lips within his, silencing her beyond relief. Passion, unlike any other felt before, washed over them like a giant tittle wave. For only a brief moment of serenity that surrounded them, they knew each other thoughts, desires, dreams, fears. Their hearts beat as one, their intake of breath the same pace. Neither one ever felt more right, more at home, more natural than here and now. This moment was special to them, for this moment began their loves together fully anew.

Breaking apart, both Rarity and Spike had to lean their heads together while each had to take in a fresh breath of air. Quite literally, the kiss had stolen away their breath, leaving them unable to form any coherent words. Neither one spoke, just solely listened to the heavy panting of their respective mate. Stealing away the courage that was within his body, Spike pulled Rarity into yet another kiss, this time more fiercely. Putting all of his weight behind him, Spike pushed against Rarity to the point that they began to walk backwards. Not even caring what was about to happen, Spike spun Rarity around so that he fell over the arm of her bright red sofa. Without breaking their passionate make-out session, he pulled Rarity closer while burying his back into the cushions.

Running a single talon down her back, he could not hold back a hearty chuckle when she would shiver against him, her body pressing harder against him by its own accord. As if by some unspoken agreement their tails began to entwine together. Feeling a bit frisky, Spike ran his hands through Rarity's mane, managing to turn it from a beautiful sight of pure beauty into a frilly mess that almost resembled what she could possibly look like after their usual make-out sessions.

Rarity, try as she might, found herself quickly unable to keep up pace with Spike. No matter how much she wanted to be with him, she knew that it was never going to compare to how much he really wanted to be with her. Nothing she could ever do for him, nothing that she could ever give to him could ever compare to what he felt for her all of these years. I love Spikey, but he loves me more than I will ever be able to comprehend. His love is unmeasurable, unable to be described in words. The depth of it goes far beyond this world. It's almost like his love for me will transcend the flesh, just like Princess Celestia and Prince Lethnal.

Through her closed eyes, Rarity gasped within her mind. The true scope of what she meant to Spike, of what he meant to her finally flicked on like a light switch. Spike is willing to die to protect me. He almost did, and because of it we were brought together. Although I love Spike, I think I finally understand just how much I truly mean to him. If it wasn't for me, he would have been a lot worse off, probably would have died by now. I am the flame that keeps him alive, the spark that is his fuel for the fire that will always warm me when I need it to.

Rarity released a small moan when she felt his lips leave hers, only to press against the soft fur on her neck, his tongue tickling the skin beneath. Biting her lower lip, she allowed her eyes to remain closed while his fangs brushed against the side of her neck. Even though Rarity knew almost next to nothing about dragons or their culture, she did learn a few things from Princess Celestia during the two weeks that she was in the hospital. She learned about the Dülthùr Vĕxna, or the 'Blood Bond'.

The Dülthùr Vĕxna is a sacred dragon tradition known only to those who wish to be with a dragon themselves. During the Dülthùr Vĕxna, the male will make the first move by biting the female on the neck, hard enough to draw blood. The male would then drink a few drop from the female, marking her as his forever. In return, the female would do the same to the male, marking him as hers forever. After marking one another, they would hold a small bowl beneath them to allow a small flow of their combined blood to pool in the bottom. After a set amount was in, the couple would then drink the blood together, marking them as eternal mates and making each other permanently bonded. After this, no other male could claim the female, just as no other female could claim the male. If any were to try, the result would be immanent death.

There is always one flaw with the Dülthùr Vĕxna however; when the male and female drink the blood, it does not mean that they are mates, but instead it means that they are promised to each other. In a sense, it is more of an engagement rather than a marriage. When they mate however, it must be on the night of a full moon, instead of during any other time, as it was believed that the moon provided the power to make the couple officially a mated pair.

Rarity's train of thought was derailed when she felt Spike start to brush his fangs slightly harder against her flesh, his lips almost begging for her to tell him just one simple word, 'yes'. Grinning slyly, the mare ran her hands through Spike's neon green hair, loving how soft it felt beneath her touch. In a hoarse whisper, Rarity said, "I know that it is going to be hard for me to do, but I am willing to try the Dülthùr Vĕxna with you Spike."

Upon hearing what Rarity suggested, Spike broke away from his place on her neck to look into her sapphire orbs. Gulping, he leaned in closely as he asked, "Are, are you sure Rarity. I mean, we only got together two weeks ago, I hate to think about what could happen if..."

Rarity placed a finger against his lips to silence him. "I am well aware of what this means Spike, and though I have never really tasted blood, I am willing to do things in your tradition. No other male of any race could ever hope to capture my heart the way that you have. I want to be one with you. Although I am not ready to bare a child, I am ready to know that I am claimed by you. I am well aware that we have only been a couple for two weeks, but we have known each other for over twelve years. Hate to admit it darling, but we have been on a great many 'dates' already."

Spike, still looking like a deer caught in headlight, was unable to say anything. "Spike, you don't have to say anything." Growing silent, her grin turned into a broader smile as she exposed her neck to him, letting him see the very thing that would forever mark her as his own. "Come on Spikey-Wikey, please. Make me yours."

Spike just stared at Rarity, feeling his head reeling. She, she actually loves me. I thought that what she said before was more of like a 'I like you' rather than a genuine 'I love you'. But now, now I know that she really does mean what she says. Here she is offering herself to be my mate, well more to be claimed to be my mate. So she will be my mate soon enough, but when is up to her according to tradition, but I do know that is must be during a full moon, she must too if she knows about the Dülthùr Vĕxna. Rarity, my mate, my eternal lover. Can't really say that I don't want that, but the only thing that is keeping me back is the possibility of a child. Neither Rarity nor I are ready for that kind of responsibility yet.

"Rarity I can't." His words felt like stones in his heart, and he regretted having to say what he did. "I know that this is not want you want to hear Rarity, but we can't. Neither I nor you are ready to take care of a child, which I know will happen if we consummate. I love you Rarity, so very much, so deeply." He lightly tapped her lips. "But I also know where to draw the line. As much as I want to claim you as my own, I cannot rightly do that. Yes you are offering yourself to me, but I have to decline. I mean, are you really sure that you want to spend the rest of your life with me." As much as he didn't want it to, Spike's doubtful side was starting to peak up.

Rarity, picking up on the drake's saddened tone, swiftly placed a kiss against the underside of his jaw line. "Yes Spikey-Wikey. For years I have given though to what I want. I realized, you are what I have always wanted. Sure there had been a few colts along the way that might have caught my eye, but you know why I never gave them a chance?"

Spike sighed as he looked deep into her sapphire eyes. "Because they didn't quite fit what you were looking for in a respective mate?"

Rarity giggled. Leaning forward, she placed a kiss against his lips. "Because none of them were you. Spike, please, don't make me wait anymore. I have wanted this for the last ten years, and I don't want to lose this chance to be with you forever. Claim me, claim me now. Please." Holding her mane to the side, Rarity exposed her neck to him, moaning when she felt his breath against the nape. "Please Spike, please..."

Spike felt his sense of reasoning start to slip away. He would be lying if he said that he didn't truly want this. Ever since he met the mare over twelve years ago he has wanted to do this with her. But now that the chance was here, he could not help but feel that it would be a mistake to pass it up. Although, whenever he would think about doing it, he would remember what his mother had said when he was in the hospital, during one of the rare times that Rarity was out of the room. "Spike, I know you are at a young age, and might try what your father did, seeing as how you are so much like him.

"If you want to perform the Xenĩth Zenzthin, or just simply mate with Rarity in whatever fashion seems fit, it is perfectly alright if you do. You are after all close to being on your own Spike, and if that is what you want then I trust your judgment. You are my son little Spikey, no amount of time will ever change that. You will always be that little baby purple bundle that I held in my arms all those years ago." Tears were now falling from his mother's eyes as she recalled the night that she had given birth to him.

"Spike, you must promise me that you will never partake in anything physical with Rarity until you are both ready. Even so much as the Dülthùr Vĕxna unless you are absolutely sure that you two want to spend the rest of your lives together. Promise me."

"I promise mom..."

Spike sighed in defeat as he looked back up into Rarity's beautiful features. Her eyes were closed tightly, her breath coming in shallow gasps, while her heart rate was beating along with his own. Licking his lips, he softly whispered, "I am ready mother." Glancing towards the hallway leading up to Rarity's personal quarters of the boutique, he saw his father standing there, almost as if he was waiting to intervene should things go too far. In the same tone, though now slightly pleading, he whispered, "Please dad, let me have this one time alone with her. I promise not to take it too far. Go, be with mom, tell her the news." With a silent nod, Lethnal twirled around before he vanished in a small cloud of mist.

Bringing his eyes back to Rarity's exposed neck, Spike said, "Brace yourself Rarity." Jutting forward, his sharp fangs sank into the bare flesh beneath her silvery-white fur. Rarity gasped as she felt his teeth pierce her skin, but she put on slight smile as she groaned, digging her fingers into the back of his neck. Blood began to seep from around Spike's fangs, making him pull them out. Using his tongue, he began to lap at the liquid, loving the taste. Yes it tasted just like the copper, almost iron like taste that was always with it, yet what made him want more of it was not only the fact that he knew it was Rarity's blood by her scent assaulting his nose, but that the blood had the same taste that he was smelling, vanilla.

Pulling Rarity closer, he buried his tongue into the wounds, looking to get all that he could before his saliva would cause her wounds to heal over. The more that he took, the more that he felt his heart want to be closer to Rarity, and the more that his mind made his own blood begin to course through his body to his arms, his hands, his feet, anywhere but towards his heart. Time slowly passed, making seconds seem like minutes, minutes hours, and an hour a year.

Spike was fighting within his own mind to control the amount of blood that he was taking in. For he still needed her blood to flow to complete the Dülthùr Vĕxna. Finding that he had taken enough, and finally gaining some control back over his body, Spike fulled away, strings of saliva connecting his lips to her neck. Using a finger, Rarity broke the string before she pulled Spike into a passionate kiss, letting her tongue brush against his fangs, finding small amounts of her blood still coating them. Deciding to take a risk, she pulled the blood into her own throat, tasting it for the first time.

It tasted sharp, almost metallic like iron as it coursed down her throat, yet it was also slightly salty with a bit of vanilla to it. Finding that the taste was manageable, she resumed her kiss with him. Feeling his forked tongue wrap each single tendril around a separate part of her tongue always brought about a sort of adrenaline induced state where her head would feel light, heart soaring in the clouds, while her lungs could never get enough air.

Pulling away, she could not help but ask, "So uh, how am I supposed to um, bite you? I have no fangs. Are you going to cut yourself or...?"

Spike smiled warmly through his closed eyes as his mouth moved. No words came out, but she felt her teeth begin to brush against each other, some separating as a new set of teeth came in. In the forefront of her teeth grew in a set of sharp canines, fangs. "A spell that I learned from my mother. When we were in the hospital, she taught it to me when you were not there." He paused to take a breath. Between drinking her blood and the kiss, he was ready to pass out from the lack of oxygen that he was getting. "You, you can n-now finish."

Turning his head to the side, exposing his neck to her, Spike smiled and waited in quite anticipation for her to bite. Not even ten seconds passed before Rarity assaulted him, her fangs sinking past the scales into the flesh beneath as easily as a knife through butter. He moaned as he felt the sharp sting of her pearly white teeth drawing forth his blood, which he was all too happy to give her.

Blood began to seep past Rarity's sunken fangs. Taking this as her que, the mare pulled out her canines just as Spike had before her. Placing her lips around the wounded flesh, she used only her tongue to draw out the blood before taking it down her gullet. The taste was not at all like she had before. The taste was better that she thought it would be. It still had the metallic taste, but it was also laced with a combination of cinnamon sticks and for some odd reason, sugar. It was very sweet tasting, and it made her crave for more.

Upon smelling Spike's invigorating scent, she felt a sort of frenzy begin to overtake her. Thus she was unable to control herself as her body began to suckle the loose blood up, unable to stop. She began to grind her body against his in her induced state, and she was loving every minute of it. Between the blood that she was drinking, and the love that she had for Spike, she felt that this was perfect. A moment in time that would forever be locked away in their memories.

Some time passed before Rarity finally pulled away. Spike could not help but smile when her saw her. Her mane was tossed about her head in a frilly mess, sweat was dripping from her exposed flesh, while a string of saliva still connected her to his neck. To top off the scene, blood was dripping from her fangs, pooling on his stomach. Rational thought left him as he pulled Rarity into a deep kiss, not caring about the final part of the Dülthùr Vĕxna. All he wanted was to pull her into his arms and never let her go.

Rarity was not so far gone in the passion as her now soon-to-be-mate was. Unlike Spike, Rarity was still able to retain enough control to have remembered that there was a small bowl on the coffee table beside of them. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the small bowl. It was filled to the brim with elegant emeralds that she had no use for. Managing to break her arm free of Spike, she reached over to grab the bowl. Turning its contents over, she watched as the emerald clattered to the floor with a sharp tink, tink, tink.

Paying it no mind, Spike pushed Rarity up so that they were sitting practically in each others lap. Holding the bowl between them, Spike rested his head against Rarity's while their blood pooled in the bowl beneath the. Neither one spoke, instead allowing their actions to speak for them. Small kisses were placed on the others face. Drawing forth a sharp breath of air, Spike smiled as he licked her lips with his tongue, begging for another kiss. His wish was granted.

Passion flowed between the two, but both were careful. They both knew that of they allowed the passion to take full hold of them that it would end with something that they were not ready for just yet.

Glancing down, Spike saw that their flow of blood was starting to cease, but what amazed his however was the fact that their pooled blood was almost past the half-way mark of the bowl. Breaking apart their kiss, Spike raised the bowl to where it was resting again both of their lips. Closing his eyes, he poured some into his lips, then allowed her to do the same. Before she could swallow any of the mixture, Spike captured her lips with his, before opening his mouth and letting their blood mixture come together between them. Rarity giggled mentally at just how much Spike wanted to be with her, to kiss her like he was, even with their blood mixture between them. Leaning in more, she accepted what was about to come. As one, they swallowed all that was between them.

For a few more minutes they spent time swapping the blood between their mouths before drinking it down. By the end of the Dülthùr Vĕxna, the sofa had a few darker spots on it, while Rarity's shining silvery-white coat was covered in spot of crimson. Spike the same with his amethyst scales. Despite this however, Rarity could care less. She was happy with the way that the day had turned out, and with it only being morning, there was still plenty that they could do to pass the time until night. "Spikey. What do you say we get to uh, moving you in?"

Grinning, he placed another kiss on her lips as he said, "How about a shower first, eh?" Grinning back, Rarity pulled him with her towards the stairs. Neither one really cared about the mess on the sofa, all they cared about was each other. All that mattered to them in the world was their love, and nothing was ever going to change that, nothing...

---

Streams of light were plastered against the evening sky likes giant plumes of smoke billowing forth from a dragon-fueled fire. Orange was the most prominent color, drowning out the slight shimmer of gold that would sway to and fro. In the foreground were the deep purple clouds, while on the distant horizon was his mother's beautiful sun, kissing the world away until morning as it always did. Today though, it meant so much more to him.

A gentle breeze blew against his back, cooling him to the very bones. Freshly falling leaves fluttered past him, orange, red, yellow, all carried along the back of the wind. The grass swayed beneath his feet, at times leaning towards him as though it welcomed his presence. Heavily in the air was the sweet, tangy aroma of freshly painted grass. Taking in a deep breath of the evening air, he raised his head towards the sky before he released a jet of fire, displaying his happiness for all of the world to see, regardless of who was watching him. Tongues of fire rushed past his cheeks, bathing him in a firey inferno that displayed various hues of flames.

Before him was a slight mound that he always knew would hinder his sight of his favorite field in the world. Without further delay, he dashed forward, ignoring the pain in his leg. As he drew near, he could not help but cock his head slightly to the side. Just over the mound was the sound of laughter, a blowing whistle, and several grunts. Quickening his pace, Spike had to gasp when he reached the top of the mound.

Standing on the sidelines of the field was his older brother, Shining Armor, who was acting as their coach this year. Standing beside him was Twilight, his older sister. Shining Armor was glancing at a clipboard every so often, but most of the time he was watching the other ponies. Over twelve ponies were here today.

Among the mass he could make out a few that he knew, and was surprised to see. Applejack, Rain, Ryder, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and Cobalt. The rest he had either never seen before, or had rarely known. One that stuck out in his mind however was a mare with silvery-white fur, yet had a light and dark blue striped mane. Long ago he had met her, and could remember nothing about her other than that she was a musician.

Noticing Spike, Shining Armor ran over to where he was standing on the mound of grass, looking awestruck over the field. Smiling warmly, Shining Armor said, "Hope you don't mind, I sort of had to be the coach. What do you think?"

It took Spike's mind a moment to realize what Shining had said. "Oh, this is uh, cool I guess. Where did all of these ponies come from? I have never seen so many on the team since I was three. Did you have something to do with this?"

Chuckling, Shining Armor pointed out to where Applejack was standing, "Between her and Rain, they managed to get a lot of ponies to come. Believe it or not, all they had to do was promote the team. You are not as alone as you think little bother.."

"So, does this give us enough to play this year?"

"You bet ya bro. You need to get better pretty quick, our first game is less than a month away."

From a distance, two golden orbs from the same hooded figure as before watched the drake as he tried his best to race towards the field with his injured leg. Speaking again to the air, he said, "Contact is back on the team master. Permission to initiate Phase Two?" Silence, then, "Yes master. He will not suspect a thing."