Rarity watched as the happy couple left their wedding reception for a night of socially acceptable copulation. The bridal bouquet was safely secured on her back, and there was no way she was going to let that go no matter how much the other singletons were eying it up!

The party was winding down, and soon it would be time for everypony to slumber. The bearers of the elements had all been given their own rooms in Canterlot Castle, to save on the usual arguments. Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy were early risers, Rainbow Dash the complete opposite whilst Pinkie would be suffering from a massive sugar crash tomorrow morning. And the Cutie Mark Crusaders Flower Fillies (yay!) had been given a special room with absolutely nothing of value in it they could break

As Rarity thought about all her friends, she released that she had skipped one, and that thought alone made her think about something else, something that had been bugging her all evening.

Her mind cast back to when Chrysalis first revealed herself and defeated Celestia. Everypony had backed away in fear, everypony, even the legendary Rainbow Dash and tough as ol’ nails Applejack.

But one baby dragon hadn’t - he had placed himself in front of his not so secret crush and Sweetie Belle. His instinctively went to protect the Belle family, and that was greater than any worry he had about himself. This was not the reaction of a dragon, a naturally selfish creature, but of a drake that cared deeply for her and her sister. And this wasn’t the first time - when she had used him to help hunt for gems and were attacked by the Diamond Dogs, he fought for her safety, not his own.

And tonight, with the brand new Princess Twilight Sparkle off with the other rulers to deal with the Changeling issue, Spike would be all alone in his and Twilight's old room. A shiver went down the white unicorns spine. Rarity couldn't bear to think of this brave hero being alone tonight. Afterall, little Spikey Wikey was still a baby dragon, and youngsters should not be left to be lonely, not matter how self-sufficient they actually were.

Perhaps she could ask one of the others to look after him - Fluttershy would jump at the chance to babysit Spike, she loved all creatures great and small. But then, he wasn't really a baby that needed looking after. He was mature for his size and age compared to a pony, and didn't need to be looked after, but just a bit of company.

But Rarity was torn - She didn’t want to lead the young dragon on and this had always meant that she often held back some of her emotions. Even when they were falling to their assumed deaths, she just couldn't let him say those words. Inviting him to stay the night in the same room, no matter what her intentions were, could easily be mistaken for something more than she intended.

But then she started to think what her intentions actually were, and what his intentions were. Spike had matured massively in the two years he and Twilight had been in Ponyville. Of course they all had, but he demonstrated many attractive traits:

- He was loyal, especially to Twilight who he almost had to look after sometimes.
- He cared for her, and her sister. Wait, he cared for everypony
- He could be very giving...even for gems which were a drug for the average dragon.
- He even recently stood up to three adult dragons in order to protect a baby phoenix, one of the bravest things she had seen…until today

Surely that was everything she was looking for in a pony, or in this case a drake. But did she love him?

What is love? She thought to herself She remembered looking it up once in Twilights dictionary Or did she ask her sister to? she pondered. She remembered the words “An intense feeling of affection and care”

Based on that, she loved many things
I love my sister, regardless of what she does I will always love her.
I love my parents, regardless of how much they embarrass me
I love my friends, including Spike, as friends and would go to the end of the world for them. I mean, I went to cloudsdale to support Rainbow Dash, and even went to a volcano on dragon migration to protect Spike.
I love my work - it is not just a job, it is part of me.
I love Equestria - being an element of harmony I am proud to come to its service.

Rarity then took a more deeper think about the other sort of love...romantic love. She hadn’t actually ever had a special somepony of her own, and in fact had only ever been on one “date” - the disastrous time at the Grand Galloping Gala which wasn’t even a real date based on how the Prince acted. So she didn't really know what to expect. She was still a fairly young pony after, younger then most ponies guessed, and despite being an adult now all that would come in time.

She decided that it was too complicated to resolve tonight, but this still left her in a quandary about what to do about Spike. Eventually, she decided friendship had to come first!

She left her room and trotted across the castle to Twilights room, nodding to the guards who recognized her and allowed her to pass along the corridors at night. When she arrived, she took a deep breath to compose herself before knocking. After a short delay, and a mumble from within about being woken up at this late hour, Spike eventually opened the door.

“Hiya Rarity” Spike half yawned

“Oh, hello Spike” Rarity responded, caught off guard by just how sleepy Spike looked, wondering if it was a good idea to wake him.

“Twilights not back yet, I think she’s going to be gone all night”

“Actually, I came to see you!”

“Me?”

“Why yes. I was thinking how much of a shame it would be for you to be stuck here alone, so I wondered...if you would perhaps...like to spend the night...not alone”

“You girls having another sleepover?” Spike shuddered, remembering cleaning up the mess from the impromptu indoors camping trip.

“No no no, we have our own rooms. I just could stand the thought of anypony, or dragon, being alone after the day we had!”

“Strange to think Twilight becoming an Alicorn wasn’t the weirdest thing to happen today” the dragon laughed “It was pretty freaky there for a while, wasn't it?”

Freaky, yes. Scary, even more so...but you protected me Rarity thought to herself “Why yes, but thank Celestia we had Twilight to save the day...and save Celestia...that phrase needs a rethink.” The pair sort of half giggled.

Spike scratched behind his head, he’s thoughts starting to clear after being woken up “So, what were you asking again?”

Rarity took another calming breath “Spike, rather than stay here alone, perhaps you would rather stay in my quarters tonight...you know for a bit of company?”

“Yeah, sure, that will be great. This place seems so much bigger and empty without Twilight here, despite being filled with more tombs than Canterlot Library”

They laughed, looking around at a room that could only be suitable for a book-mad mare like Twilight. It astonished Rarity to think this is where her now very sociable friend grew up, alone with just books and Spike for company.

“Let me get my things and head off” Spike yawned, chucking a few things into his basket. Lifting his bed onto his back, he followed Rarity out of his own quarters and towards the main castle. The trip back didn't take too long, as Spike knew a few shortcuts through the castle. Reaching the door to Rarity’s bedroom, the unicorn let out a rather too loud a sigh. Spike eyed up Rarity, who was acting more nervous than he had ever seen the pony act before.

“Everything alright Rarity?” Spike asked confused

Rarity took another deep breath “Why yes spike...it’s just...a mare doesn't often share her sleeping quarters with male friends that often”

“Erm, Rarity, we’ve all shared the same sleeping car on the Friendship Express before?”

“I know, but this is different. It’s just the two of us and I didn’t want you to get the wrong...idea” the unicorn sort of stuttered at the end.

Spike smiled, then blushed, at Rarity “Oh don’t worry about that...I know how you really feel about me. I’m a friend...and that’s fine as to be friends with you, and the rest of you gals, is like totally the best thing in the word” and with that Spike opened the door and waved the unicorn inside like the gentledrake he was.

Rarity walked through and thought things over - Of course Spike would occasionally still act a little lovey-dovey towards her, but that was happening less and less. He has matured a bit from his original crush, and always respected her boundaries. In return she had stopped using him, so often at least. Actually, that wasn't true at all, but at least she made sure he was properly rewarded so it was a job, even if perhaps she could be a little more generous with the allocation of gems when they hunted together.

Spike plonked his basket down at the side of Rarity’s bed, the side closest to the fire “Okay if I sleep here?”

“Why, of course Spikey Wikey, wherever you want.”

Spike crawled into his bed and curled himself up in a blanket. Rarity slipped herself daintily back into bed. “I’m sorry to have woken you earlier; I just thought you would be lonely but you seemed to be okay“

“I was asleep…but I admit I was also lonely. Thanks Rarity” Spike called up from beside her

“You’re welcome Spike”

It didn't take too long for the dragon to fall asleep, but the unicorn lay in bed wide awake. Too many thoughts were going through her head, of the day, her friends, and a certain purple dragon with green spines…

Rarity looked over the side of the bed at the dragon sound asleep. It was a cold night and the fire had been put out for safety. It’s remaining heat was dissipating and Spike looked like his was shivering in his sleep Dragons are cold blooded and can cope with heat fine Rarity remember Twilight lecture But they are not too good at adapting to the cold, especially when young

Rarity started levitating a spare blanket over to Spike to try to keep him warm, when she stopped halfway What the hay Rarity, you only live once! Rarity put down the blanket, and instead picked up the sleeping dragon. Moving him carefully in her Aura, she slid him into bed next to her. Smiling both outwardly and inwardly, she rest her head and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Spike work up at the crack of dawn, as usual for when working with Twilight. He tried to stretch out but found a pair of hooves surrounding him in a hug. This was not too unusual, as he and Twilight sometimes feel asleep in each others arms. Although as he had grown up this happened less and less, which was natural thing for a family.

He couldn't turn to face Twilight, but he suddenly recognised the colour of the white hooves holding him. He also noticed the styled Indigo tail curled around his. Oh my Celestia, I’m in bed with Rarity! Spike screamed with joy internally, albeit it with a fair amount of confusion as well. He remembered the night before, and how he was sleeping in the floor How did I get up here?

He must have been moving around a bit, as he felt the unicorn wrapping him shift and then yawn. The Dragon was laying in fear, but eventually spoke out “eh, Good Morning Rarity”

Rarity’s eyes shot open and she nearly pushed Spike away in a panic. She then remembered the night before and that she had brought him into her bed. Wait, if I’m holding him, and my tail is wrapped around his…I must have made the first move. Way to be subtle, sub-consciousness

“Good morning Spike…how did you sleep?” What a stupid thing to ask

“Fine…I think” Oh my god, what must she think of me climbing into bed with her?

“Good...It was a little cold last night” The weather? really Rarity?

“Yeah. Look, if you let me go I’ll leave and you’ll never have to speak to me again. Just don’t tell Twilight, please? Oh, Twilights going to kill me when she finds out I got into bed with Rarity as she slept. And the whole town’s going to freak! I’ll be banished from town, I’ll have to live in the everfree forest where…

Spikes thoughts were interrupted by Rarity’s next words “Perhaps I don’t want to let you go”

“okay…wait, what?”

Rarity coughed as ladylike as possible “Well, what I mean is…I put you in my bed because you were cold.”

“So I didn’t sleepwalk my way into it? You’re not mad at me?”

Spike felt the hug around him tighten “Of course not Spikey Wikey! I’d admit, I can’t remember hugging you, but clearly I was the one to initiate it. It’s just a little strange, don’t you think?”

“Strange is bad, right?” Spike replied dejectedly

“No, strange is just…different. I just don’t know what to make of it” But Rarity, you still haven’t let him go

She still hasn’t let me go? Whats up with that? ”Okay Rarity…thanks for being there for me last night!”

The pair just lay there in silence for a while, both deeply confused, but then Spike noticed something else about his body. Something that he had never had before. Wow, this just couldn't be worse timing if it tried

“Erm, Rarity, I need to get up now”

The unicorn slowly withdrew her legs and tail and spoke a little hurt “Okay…of course, it’s a brand new day out there!” Rarity took the top sheet and slid off the bed, wrapping it around her body Why when we usually walk around nude do I feel the need to cover up now?

Spike just lay there “Erm, can you look away?”

“Spike, of course, but is something wrong?

“There’s something strange happening to my body I don’t want you to see”

Rarity picked up on the fear in Spikes voice “Are you sure everything is alright Spike?”

“I’m…I’m not sure”

Rarity suddenly could see something under the bed covers she was sure Spike was referring to, and looked away with a blush. Spike saw this and almost died of embarrassment “Yeah, that!”

Spike jumped out of bed and wrapped the other bed sheet around his waist. When rarity turned back, the dragon was just standing there as if confused as what to do. Rarity thought it may be best to let Twilight, or even Celestia, deal with this. But seeing how confused and upset Spike seemed, and she didn't know how much longer the Princesses would be unavailable, she knew as a good friend she had to deal with things.

“Surely Twilight has given you the, erm, talk?” Rarity half blushed Please tell me you've had the talk

Spike’s blush deepened “Yeah, but it’s the first actual time!” before dropping to his knees “I’m so sorry!”

The unicorn picked the dragon up with her magic as she spoke “Don’t be silly Spike, its perfectly natural thing to happen as a colt, er drake, matures! Nothing to apologise about!”

“But…we were in the same bed…”

“That means nothing” Rarity interrupted and ushered Spike over to a table, where they sat down and she poured them a glass of water each. “Obviously I can’t speak from first hand, but it’s my understanding that it’s a common occurrence each morning as you mature!”

“So, it’s not my fault?” Spike replied meekly.

Rarity leaned over and gave Spike a nuzzle “Of course not, biology has it’s own way with things. I mean surely you've noticed when us mare…you know…go on heat”. She was trying to sound as Teacher like as possible, but wasn't pulling it off

At this point Spike’s face was redder than any Apple ever grown on Sweet Apple Acres. “Like now?” the dragon softly responded

Rarity’s face now joined the same colour as Spikes as she realised the truth Maybe that’s why I made the strange decisions last night. The unicorn coughed delicately before putting on a brave face “Why yes Spike. Mares obviously have a different, although related, problem…which I am currently afflicted”

“Afflicted? That sounds a little…harsh?”

“Okay, maybe that’s the wrong word, but it can be rather distracting at times!”

“Tell me about it! Rainbow gets really grumpy and Twilight gets really extra bossy! At least the rest of you seem to be okay with it…well, you seem even better then usual!

“Really?” Rarity was surprised So Spike notices the differences in us during our cycle. Is that creepy?

“I have to be careful round Twilight so I sort of became in tune with you ponies" Spike continuted as if he read the pony's mind "You seem to be so much more creative, and generous, when…you know.”

“Thank you…I think. Anyway, it is most common for colts, and therefore I assume drakes, to wake up each morning with…one of those” Rarity sort of half pointed at Spike

“So, what do I have to do to get rid of it?” Spike started blushing again

“Well, my understanding from Biology class is that they sort of disappear by themselves”

The pair both took a sip of drink, the embarrassment between them at an all time high. After a while, Spike situation had resolved itself but he wasn't sure what to say. Just as he was thinking of something to break the ice, Rarity’s stomach grumbled.

“Well, I guess somepony’s wanting breakfast” he giggled

“Hmm, yes I could do with a snack. Is breakfast being served yet?”

“24/7 in the castle – with celestia and luna on different timings, the kitchens are always open.”

The pair stood up from the table, allowing the sheets to fall down unnoticed by either, and the pair headed to the door

“Thank Rarity, you’re a true friend you know that?” Spike broke the silence

“No problem Spike, we’re all adults here!”

As the pair left the room for Breakfast, walking side by side, they had completely forgotten about the exact circumstances that they had found themselves in.

The following night Spike lay confused with Twilight in their old room, whilst Rarity lay alone in hers. She just couldn't get comfortable in her bed and keep tossing and turning. This in turn meant she kept having to remake her bed. The vicious cycle lasted for a while and Rarity found that she needed something in her hooves. She found a spare pillow and started hugging it, finding it slightly more comfortable than being alone. But it was no substitute to having a purple dragon to snuggle with.

I miss him. I should do something about that before I lose my chance the unicorn finally admitted to herself.

The next morning over breakfast, she got Twilights attention and indicated with a subtle head nod that she wanted a private chat. The pair went to one side and Rarity started “Princess, I…”

“Rarity, I’m just regular old Twilight okay?”

“Okay, Twilight, I’ll just ignore those wings and the fact your now taller then me”

“These old things?” Twilight ruffled her wings, and the pair laughed breaking the ice.

“Actually, the first thing I’ll do when we get back home is adjust your outfits for those”

“Okay, but do my Starswirl costume first…it’s my favourite.”

“Anyway, Twilight, I want to ask your permission…to ask Spike out on a date!”

“Permission? I’m not his owner”

“No, more like an older sister. But still, I would want to make sure you think he is ready”

“Yes, of course you can ask him, but are you sure about this?”

Rarity looked over to Spike who was chatting maturely with Fluttershy and Shining Armour “More than anything I’ve ever done”

Spike had obviously jumped at the chance for a date with Rarity, and for a few weeks the pair had been the hottest new couple in Ponyville. Everypony wanted the pair to get together, and so they always got special attention in restaurants and free gifts in the market etc. But as the dates added up, Rarity knew in a relationship the next step has to happen at some point.

After walking Rarity home to Carousel Boutique after their tenth date, Spike was sat having a cup of tea nightcap with his Unicorn marefriend. “I should head home soon” Spike sighed

“I told Twilight not to expect you back until the morning” Rarity replied with a confident tone.

“Morning, why?” Spike asked confused.

Rarity smiled kindly at her drakefriend, his innocence being more than a little charming “Oh Spike, surely you know what couples do when they have been together for a while?”

Spike shuffled on his claws a little and was very nervous. The dragon hadn't even gone in for a kiss on the lips yet, let alone anything more. But having discussed this with Twilight, Rarity knew it was time to take it to the next stage. Spike was ready, and old enough, he just lacked the confidence.

Rarity went over to one of her loveseats, and laying down she beckoned Spike over. The dragon nervously clambered up to the seat, and sat with a small gap between him and the unicorn. Rarity her aura to pull spike closer and placed her lips against his.

Spikes eyes shot wide open at the surprise of actually kissing his marefriend, and saw Rarity looking softly into his eyes. After the initial shock, Spikes eyes softened as the sensation of his first real kiss sank into his very soul. Rarity pulled away a little, leaving the smallest gap between the two pairs of lips, and Spike leant forward is response to kiss again. Rarity took that as a sign that Spike was ready, so allowed the kiss to resume.

After a few more moments, Rarity opened her mouth a little and prodded the pair of dragon’s lips with her tongue. Spike instinctively responded in turn, and the couple’s first kiss went to the next stage. Rarity had only kissed like this once before, and unfortunate incident after one cider season, and with Spikes tongue was much longer than the pony’s the unicorn found herself quickly losing the battle.

But of course it was a battle she was more then willing to lose…and the skills of the dragons appendage filled Rarity’s mind with all sorts of naughty thoughts.

After what seemed like an eternity to the couple, Spike pulled away to take a breath, Rarity doing the same. The looked into each others eyes, and then quickly returned to their passionate kissing. This carried on for a few more cycles, the pair enjoying the next step of the relationship.

But the kiss was just a spark that ignited the passion burning within both of them, and the pair’s thoughts both turned to amorous matters. But they were both nervous, as neither of them had done anything else before. Rarity thought she would have to take the lead being the older by age, but Spike surprised her by jumping off the couch and putting out his arm to pull up the unicorn. Rarity took his claw and he led her towards the stairs.

The trip to her bedroom was the most nervous moments the unicorn had ever had, even more so than when fighting nightmare moon, or taking on dragons. She was ready, but the first time of doing anything was always nerve-wracking and despite wanting this she was still unsure if either of them were really ready.

Spike pushed open the bedroom door and waved Rarity inside. He was about to step into the room but almost froze. Sure, he had been in the room a few times before, but only to collect some supplies or something, and never at night. He stepped in and closed the door, the click of the privacy latch underlining that he was on the different side of the door than usual.

Spike turned round and watched as Rarity made her way to her bed and lay down on it. Spike blushed as Rarity beckoned him over, the dragon taking a moment just to take in the view of his lover. But not wanting to ruin the mood by acting like the old love-sick baby dragon he used to be, he moved forwards before quickly thinking.

“Erm, I’ll be back in a minute, just want to freshen up” and the dragon rushed into the bathroom.

Rarity lay on the bed and waited. She could hear Spike splashing water over his face and muttering encouraging words to himself, and the unicorn smiled at her lover’s nervousness. As she waited, the thought about putting on some suggestive clothing entered her mind, but decided that was probably for another time. Instead, in a wave of inspiration, she levitated a piece of jewellery out of a special box, and put it around her neck.

Spike came out of the room, and hopped up into the bed next to the mare. He then noticed the necklace adding to his lover’s beauty.

“Is that the ruby I gave you?” Spike asked and was met with a sultry nod from Rarity.

“You don’t have to wear it; I know you don’t like it”

“Don’t like it?” the pony gasped in surprised “I love it Spike, it’s the most special thing I own”

“But but but…how come I never see you wearing it?”

“It’s too special to me to wear all the time. The thought of losing it? It would just be the worse possible thing!”

Spike looked into her lovers eyes, and they moved together for another quick kiss.

“Spike, this ruby always reminds me how your feelings for me brought you back from the edge of destruction.” Rarity used a hoof to rub her drakefiend’s face as she spoke. “It showed you were able to overcome your draconic instincts for little old me!

“These are the only gems I care about now!” Spike’s hand moved to Rarity’s cutie mark and gave it a little pat. He then realised where his claw was and was about to pull it away when he realised Rarity was more than happy where his claw was. He then proceeded to continue to explore his lovers body, using the very tip of his claws to lightly scratch as he did, and one of Rarity’s legs started moving involuntarily.

“Wow, you react just like Winona does when you scratch her”

“If you tell anypony that I will kill you!” Rarity half joked

“Well, I guess you’ll have to make me forget it?” Spike laughed back

Rarity tried to roll over on top of Spike, but the dragon wasn't having any of it and rolled on top of the unicorn, pinning her to the bed. He lent down and planted a kiss on his lovers lips, before then started kissing her neck. Rarity started giggling nervously as his kisses started lowering down her body – first at her neck before reaching her chest then belly before pausing. The dragon looked up to the mares face as if to check he was clear to continue.

“It’s okay” Rarity bit her lip nervously, but not wanting the dragon to stop. Spike gently reached out with a claw and took the teat in his palm and started to massage it. He was unsure just as to how sensitive they were, but the mares gentle gasps of delight told him he was on the right track. After a few moments, he released and reached across towards the other and repeated the action.

Spike lent down and took the first teat in his mouth, gently sucking on it whilst his claw continued to massage the other. Rarity tried to stifle her pleasure, but a drawn out moan came out of her mouth as her feelings.

She had fantasised about colts or stallions doing this to her for a long time, but until recently she had never thought it would have been Spike. But he was being so much tender and affectionate then she ever imagined any of them to be, especially given how she found Prince Blueblood to be at the gala. He really cared for her, and the love for each other just added to the excitement.

Spike looked up to his moaning mare with a glisten in his eye, as this was his fantasy come true. He never had romantic feelings for anypony else and Rarity was his first, and hopefully only, love. He had pictured this moment

After a while, an awkward thought entered the dragons head – should he go further tonight or leave that for another time. They had gone from their first kiss to this in one night, which seemed far enough, but he could also sense that Rarity’s body was physically ready for the next stage.

Rarity must have been thinking the same lines “Spike, darling, if you are ready, so I am”

Spike, gently lifted his head “I would rather wait if it’s all the same. After all, we have our whole lives together, so why rush things?”

Rarity pulled Spike up towards her face again and gave him a big kiss on the lips “Indeed my love. But when did you get so mature?”

“I think it was 10 o’clock last Tuesday” Spike responded with a bop on his lovers nose “Or perhaps weeks ago when I realised just how lucky I was to be with you”

The original odd couple, the pretty civilised pony and the inelegant but loyal dragon, cuddled up together for their first night of sleep as an official couple.

Author's Notes:

Intermission 2 and probably be a few weeks till the next chapters.

Up next we leave Ponyville behind and move on, but to where?