Rarity

“He’s been gone for a while,” the alabaster unicorn whispered to herself, as she lay on the dirt floor of the cavern.

Light streamed in from outside, brightening up the usually dank crevice that she had found for her and Spike. It was still clear that snow blanketed the ground from without, and although she knew that the violet dragon could defend himself, it still worried her what was out there after what had occurred to bring them to this situation.

Rarity sighed and brushed a small rock away with a dirt smeared hoof. “Spike is fine, dear.” The unicorn breathed in and blew a few locks of stray hair out of her eyes, laying her chin against her crossed hooves.

She had finally been able to rest for a time, or at least she felt like she had. It was difficult, nearly impossible to determine how much time had passed since the proper lady was immobilized inside of the cave. It now came down to Spike to tell her what time of day it was, though she could tell it was day time from the sunlight. At least Rarity felt like she was well-rested. It was better than the exhausted state she had been in before the dragon begged her to sleep.

Rarity shuffled her hind legs along on the ground, feeling the numbness in them growing painful. She clenched her jaw and shut her eyes, holding in a gasp as her body twisted, her dislocated vertebra sending hot pains throughout her spine. When the tense feeling dissipated, Rarity let out a whimper. It was suddenly all too clear how this would occur every time she made the slightest movement.

She let her head drop to the floor slowly, trying her best not to go through that again. How am I meant to help Spike find his family now? she thought grimly. I’ve only made him worry about my safety, and now it is likely that we will starve out here. Rarity shut her sapphire eyes loosely, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I’m such a fool…thinking that I could protect him out here.”

Visions of all of those times the dragon had tried to help her flashed before her; the most prominent being when she was taken by the diamond dogs. Had I not already handled the situation; had those dogs been more determined to keep me, I am certain that he would have risked everything for my safety…and I never even thanked him. How could I possibly do the same for Spike?

She wiped the tears from her eyes and face, seeing how much dirt and grime had collected on her since they arrived. “This isn’t even half of what my little Spikey-Wikey must have gone through for me; making him carry my things, be my pincushion for an afternoon, all for a few trinkets or hollow praise. And when he turned into that giant dragon.”

Rarity’s eyes blinked open, raising her head up from her hooves while remembering her injury. I…I haven’t dreamed about Spike attacking me for some time.

“Maybe you actually fear that he won’t forgive you for your past treatment of him.”

“My…my past treatment,” she echoed, staring down at her chest. The alabaster unicorn placed a hoof on the fire-ruby necklace, mulling over that thought for a moment. Is…is that really why? I thought that it still might have been because of him being a dragon. But now that I am here I couldn’t ever feel afraid of Spike. Rarity lifted her head and gazed around at the cave.

The bag before her still had several meals in it that would carry them through the next few days, but the violet dragon had still brought up the concern of running low on food and water. When the proper lady had awoken, Spike was already preparing to leave to see if he could find anything.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he had said when she asked what he was doing. “If we don’t figure out how to continue,” he paused and exhaled, “we may be here for a while.”

She hadn’t missed the melancholic tone to his voice as Spike said that. It either meant that he was filled with grief over bringing Rarity with him, or that he was upset with her for slowing him down. It was obvious that he was grieving for her, but a part of the fashionista wished that he would be angry with her instead.

I deserve it, after all. Rarity sniffed in sorrow. There hadn’t ever seemed to be a time when Spike was even the least bit upset with her, which only served to add to her regrets over using him.

She turned her head to stare at the open entrance, once again awaiting his return. The only thing she could really tell from her position on the dirt and rocks was that the storm from earlier had ceased. At least the weather has let up. Rarity poured her magic into her horn and lifted the saddlebag over to her, rifling through the food and the water and other supplies. “Oh, that’s right,” the pony said with a huff as she brought a scarf out with a flick of her magic. “I didn’t bring a mirror on this trip.”

After wrapping the scarf around her neck, she closed the flap with a hoof and shoved it away to lay her head down once again. I must already look terrible, and there’s no way I would be able to fix it out here. “I didn’t bring anything that I usually would, besides these scarves and blankets. I suppose it will have to do, though I had not anticipated how long we would be in such a cold place.”

“Rarity, I’m back,” a familiar voice said from the entrance.

Rarity’s ears perked up as she heard his gentle landing outside of the cave. He strolled in, his saddlebags settled on his back. She smiled at his approaching form, thankful that he did not seem to have sustained any injury. “Welcome back, Spike. I hope you did not run into any trouble while out there.”

The violet dragon shook his head easily and sat down in front of her. “No, nothing like that. In fact, I found some more food for us, in case we run out.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful darling,” she said gladly. “I didn’t think anything would be able to grow in such harsh conditions.”

He set the bags down in front of him, for Rarity to inspect. “Me neither. It was a lucky find, honestly. These berries I found are delicious. Bearberries, I think. I have an entire bush of them in here, along with some leaves from shrubs, some Labrador tea and other flowers. I even managed to dig up some gemstones while I was out, though I had to melt the ice and snow with my fire breath and heat the soil first.”

Rarity placed a hoof against her chest, gazing into the saddlebags full of all sorts of plants. “My, you have been busy. And here I was, concerned that some great beast had tracked you down.”

“Yeah. Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just wanted to make sure we had enough food.”

“It’s quite alright, Spike,” she responded with a cheerful tone. “You are here and uninjured, so there is no need to apologize.” Rarity once again opened the bags, locking onto the shrub branches as an idea reached her. “Spike,” the proper lady started, not taking her eyes from the plant. “Were there trees where you were?”

She turned her sapphire eyes on him, as he tried to recall. “Uh, yes, there were a few small trees. Why?”

“I have an idea, but I need you to go back where you found those trees and bring enough branches to make a stretcher that will fit me.”

He stared at her as if she were crazy. “But you’re not in any condition for that.”

She took a deep breath and laid a hoof on his claw. “Spike, we cannot stay here. If we are not found by whatever it was that attacked us, we will eventually starve. It may slow us down, but at least we will be moving. I should have enough fabric from the scarves and blankets I brought to secure the branches together and create as soft a ride as possible.”

After a moment of silent staring, he let out a sigh. “I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?” he asked.

Rarity chuckled at the defeated look he was giving her. “No, dear, I’m afraid not. This is an important step for you. Finally, you can try and find out about your own species on your own, without relying on what little information ponies have about dragons in books. I will not allow myself to be what prevents you from seeing them.”

He stared back at her for what seemed like an eternity, Rarity seeing the pride and admiration he had for her in his emerald eyes. Spike exhaled and dropped his gaze to the dirt floor in front of her. “Thank you, Rarity. I’m sorry that this happened to you.”

“You did nothing wrong here, Spike,” she replied, lifting his head back up with a bit of magic. She grimaced as she shifted her broken back uncomfortably. “Whether or not you gave me no choice but to accompany you, I would have done so. This is not unlike the dragon migration years ago. And it was my own carelessness when gem collecting alone back then that created this problem.”

After a brief moment of silence, the violet dragon nodded his head. “Okay, I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He extended his wings and spun around, running out of the entrance to begin his search.

I’m certain that you will, my dear. She sighed happily, despite her predicament. Rarity, with nothing else to do, started to prepare the fabric for being what would hold the makeshift stretcher together.

Spike sauntered back into the cave about ten minutes later, carrying with him a dozen or so branches of the native tundra trees on his back and wings. He set them down in front of her, and took a seat beside the alabaster unicorn.

“Excellent,” Rarity shouted with glee. “This should definitely be enough to prepare what I had in mind. I have already finished tearing the scarves and blankets for the task; it all comes down to tying it all together. Oh, and I created a sort of belt or saddle for you to wear to drag this all along behind you. It will be much easier than carrying the stretcher and I on your back this way.” She held a piece of a white scarf up in her magic that she tore to create two long, thick strands of fabric to join Spike to the front of the stretcher.

She secured the scarf around his middle with her sapphire aura, being careful not to tear the tying strands. For a while the two remained silent within the cavern. Rarity occasionally asked Spike to hold one end of the assembled group of branches so that she could tie those strands she had created together. It was nearly finished when Rarity noticed that he was fidgeting the way he did when he wanted to speak about something private.

“Spike, what is it? Is something the matter?”

The dragon dropped down to lie beside her, brushing some dirt and rock around with his hand. “Nothing, I’m fine.”

She frowned at him. That is quite possibly the very worst lie you have ever told me. “I know that look, Spike.” She reached over and laid a hoof across his arm. “What is going on?”

“It’s just that…” He sighed, and turned his head toward her, “before I regained consciousness from whatever did this,” he placed his free claw on the patch of ice and snow on his chest, “I had this dream. It felt so…real. So familiar, but I can’t remember ever experiencing something like it.”

“Well, what was it about?” she asked, having finished her task of creating her stretcher. Rarity repositioned herself as best as she could to give her attention to Spike without causing any unwanted pain. “Perhaps talking about it will jog your memory.”

He shook his head and looked at the floor. “It…it’s pretty hazy now, but I’ve been thinking about parts of it while I was out collecting food. I couldn’t…see anything. It was pitch black all around me…and it was like I was in a cage. I could hear things though; sounds of fighting. I was trying to get out of this barrier that I couldn’t see, so that I would be able to help whoever was in trouble, but I couldn’t. And then everything went quiet, except for some really strained breathing. After that stopped too, I woke up in a panic. It’s been bothering me ever since.”

She stared at him worriedly, imagining that he would have wanted to do all he could to protect that creature. She tightened her hoof over his wrist. “Hmm. Has this dream ever happened before?”

“That’s what is so weird,” he answered, turning his eyes on her again. “I haven’t been having dreams for weeks, at least not that I could recall, and now I have this nightmare.”

I haven’t had anything but those sorts of dreams since you returned, Rarity pondered, still feeling guilty about having such dreams about Spike. She smiled at him and tapped her hoof against his scaled arm. “I’ll be here to help in whatever way I can, darling. If you experience a dream like that again, do not hesitate to ask me about it.”

Spike returned the happy visage, flicking his tail back and forth along the ground. “Thanks, Rarity.”

“Anytime.” She sighed and glanced back over at the assemblage of tree branches and fabric, hoping that this would make things easier on both of them. “Now, I suppose it is time that we continue on our way. I have completed my stretcher design, I just need to clamber onto it and tie you in to drag it along.” Rarity wrapped herself up in her aura so that she would not be in so much pain while she crawled on. The strain it created was still excruciating, though she managed better than before.

“Do you need some help?” the ambassador asked, standing just near enough to lend his aid if necessary.

She ceased in her pulling and took a few breaths to ease the stress on her limbs. “That would be lovely, darling,” the fashionista said in a cheerful tone. “Could you hold the stretcher still, while I bring myself onto it? I’ve laid the blankets over top of the wood so it wouldn’t be so uncomfortable, but it might hurt my back if it moves around under me.”

Spike nodded his head and made his way over to the opposite end of the logs. “Sure thing, Rarity. Just let me know if you need anything else.”

With her magic still surrounding her body, Rarity pulled herself up onto the blanket. She groaned as she felt the vertebra shift and her muscles contract. The struggle ended once the elegant mare reached the dragon, lowering herself down onto the bed of branches and blankets carefully. Exhaling with relief at the anguish retreating, Rarity lifted her head up and secured the strands of fabric from Spike’s harness to the stretcher.

Her head was cloudy once she finished, so she laid her head back down onto the blanket to rest, wincing when a muscle in her back spasmed. She saw the dragon turn his head toward her. “Are you alright, Rarity?”

“Yes, dear,” she assured him, feeling out of breath from the nerves in her back being stretched. “To be honest, this is becoming more and more bearable each time I have to move.” It was a partial truth, though the effort was still incredibly painful. The worried stare that Spike gave her in return was not so comforting to her. “I am fine, Spike. I will recover in time, so don’t be so concerned with me.”

“But I should be finding a way to get you home,” he exclaimed, turning about to face the alabaster unicorn. “Even if we do find dragons, they probably know as little about pony anatomy and medicine as ponies do about dragons. I just…can’t leave you alone here and fly back myself. This is all my fault.”

“No, Spike, it’s not,” Rarity answered sternly, giving the ambassador a confident glare. “I made this choice myself, knowing the risks.” She paused and exhaled gently. “I can’t say I thought that my back strain would come back in such a way, but I was prepared to experience some setbacks. I know that you are worried about me and I really do appreciate it, but you can’t afford to have any doubts right now. There is no way that we will be able to fly out with me the way I am, so our only hope of rescue is to keep moving forward.”

In response, Spike stared back a moment, before shaking his head and looking off into the cave. “Even now, Rarity, you still manage to surprise me. You’re the one who is injured and you’re the one who’s calm and coming up with a plan. How do you stay so composed?”

She smiled. “I have friends like you to look out for,” the unicorn replied simply. Spike’s cheeks grew rosy, breaking eye contact with her out of embarrassment. Her own face seemed to match his in emotion, realizing that she really did mean that. Rarity had always meant to come to his aid if the need arose, which brought to mind their last encounter with those teenage dragons, but now that she knew how she felt about him, it was all the more clear how far the proper lady would go to keep him safe. “As long as you are here, and you need some help, I will give all I can.”

The violet dragon lifted his head back up, his face awash with pride and cheer. He chuckled lightly and bowed his head to her. “I’ll just have to return the favour then. I promise; I’ll find someone who can fix what happened to you.”

“Thank you, Spike.” Rarity levitated the saddlebags beside her onto the stretcher, before taking a deep breath and exhaling. “Alright. I’m ready, my dear.”

Spike nodded at her and began to walk toward the cave entrance. The seamstress wrapped herself up in the blankets she brought and settled in as they continued on their way. It was surprising to Rarity how effective the stretcher was for her; it was quite a smooth ride, once they were out of the cavern, though it was obvious that he was avoiding steep hills and sharp rocks for her benefit.

She breathed in calmly, resting her head and body against the blanket as she watched the world slowly sliding by. The proper lady watched Spike’s wings stretch out at his sides occasionally, and his tail swung back and forth while he strolled along. Rarity turned her gaze to the snow being packed down by his feet and her stretcher as she returned to thinking about the end of the dragon migration.

Had Spike not run away from those dragons back then, she began hesitantly, what would I have done? A breeze carried across the tundra, blowing her already tangled and messy mane and tail about.

“Fighting’s not really my thing, I’m more into fashion, but I will rip you to pieces if you touch one scale on his cute little head!”

Her lips curled upward after a moment of thought, remembering the threat that she had made in his defence. What a silly mare I was back then. Though I suppose I would have done whatever I could to protect my little Spikey-Wikey. Her eyes returned to stare at Spike, reminiscing about the surprisingly mature little dragon. I wonder if I actually did have some feelings for him back then. I didn’t really think much of it until he gave me this fire-ruby, but now... Would I have said and done those same things if that day hadn’t changed how I thought of him?

“Oh, and Rarity,” Spike called from in front of her.

“Hm?” the mare said in a bit of a daze.

“Let me know if you’re cold. We can look for some shelter if those blankets aren’t enough.”

Oh, I think resting up against you would be more than enough, Rarity thought with reddening cheeks. She cleared her throat to rid herself of such imaginings. “Thank you, darling. I’ll be certain to let you know if anything goes wrong.” Always so sweet to me. In so many ways you have grown up, and yet in others you haven’t changed a bit. Don’t ever change how much you care, Spike.

The two quickly grew silent. There was little else in the area around them except for the wind to make any noise. Snow blanketed every surface that they passed; hills, cliffs, rocks, what few trees and plant life that was hardy enough to live here. A few rabbits bounced across the tundra, and Rarity thought she saw a few ibexes as well, though they never ventured close enough for her to tell.

A few passing conversations started up as either Rarity or Spike spotted something unusual; a strange bird that was not native to Equestria, an odd rock or cave formation that the alabaster unicorn pondered what kind of gems would be contained within, but for the better part of their day the two stayed in a peaceful and calm, but wary mood. The blankets did surprisingly well for out here, though she had made them specifically for winter weather, but Spike took occasional refuge amongst a crag or crevice to make certain that Rarity was staying warm.

She, for her own part, had no qualms with stopping to rest, being able to snuggle up to the ambassador for coziness and additional heat, and of course Spike had to lie down some time. Both of them ate one of the meals that they had prepared and they spoke about what they would find when they reached the dragons in the area.

Spike was interested most prominently in learning about his culture and history, which Rarity couldn’t deny fascinated her almost as deeply. She was however more involved in determining how dragons age; how quickly they mature. According to watching him grow up, it only took four years for him to become the size of a full grown pony, and like he mentioned while they were flying over the open ocean, she was curious to know how much more he would grow.

That will not change how I feel about him, she insisted, while eating a few bearberries that Spike had collected. Rarity sighed uneasily when another point occurred to her. Though yes, it would make it difficult for him to remain in town if he were the size of those other dragons. She huffed to herself in defiance to her own thoughts. I said I would stay with him no matter what and I meant it.

Her gaze shifted over to her left as she saw the dragon packing up his saddlebag. He slung it over his back and pushed himself to his feet. “Alright, I’m all set to continue. Are you okay, Rarity?”

She nodded kindly in return, closing the flap of her own bag with her magic. “I’m quite alright, Spike. I’m ready when you are.” He beamed at her in response and walked over to place the makeshift harness back on. Their long trek resumed, and Rarity held renewed confidence in their quest. I’m certain that when we find these dragons, they will be able to help us figure something out.

Despite there being so many new and different things from what Rarity knew of Equestria’s landscape, gazing at the same general formations grew to be a weary experience some hours into the journey. She often found herself nodding off when nothing was said between them, though she felt her dreary mood was attributed highly to not being allowed to move on her own. Rarity still held on with pride to the fact that she was experiencing a portion of what Spike participated in on a regular basis.

It brought back surprising joy to her when she pondered about being able to do this with the ambassador all of the time. However, hopefully I won’t need to be dangerously injured to experience such flights of fancy. If I tell him how I feel about him…then I’m certain my life would be full of such exciting experiences. It would never be a dull moment being the first unicorn mate to a dragon. Her face was flushed with emotion as she watched Spike’s tail sway.

She hadn’t missed that he held a certain admiration for the mare, even now, and he cared deeply for her and her safety, yet Rarity didn’t wish to burden him with such feelings at the moment; not until she knew confidently that he still loved her the way he once did. Her content visage faded into a frown as those thoughts returned her to the way she treated him. Those dreams may have ended…but I do not know if I deserve his forgiveness or his affections yet.

After several long hours of nothing but wandering through the snow covered lands, Spike pulled Rarity’s stretcher up to a cluster of vertically turned rock faces. They were positioned at odds with one another, creating a bit of a wall all around them. The sun was sinking low over to the west, and clouds were dominating the normally deep blue sky above. “These rocks should be enough shelter for the night,” the violet dragon assured, unstrapping himself from the fabric of Rarity’s many scarves.

The fashionista saw no other areas with such protection from the elements, so it was agreed. Rarity insisted on sharing the blankets with him, and when she had exhausted his list of excuses why that was unnecessary, Spike relented. She lay on her side, up against him, while thoughts of what the settlement of dragons would look like were tossed around in her head.

It fascinated her to learn how different their two worlds were and if they had any similarities. She hadn’t forgotten that she was among the only three ponies to have ever seen inside a colony; and now Rarity was most likely going to be the first pony to have a conversation with a dragon from one of their settlements. It was frightening for her also, remembering her first experience with one of the elder dragons that took up residence in a mountain near Ponyville.

“Rarity,” Spike said, breaking her from her reverie. She looked to her left, locking gazes with the diplomat. “I just thought I’d let you know that…I’ll protect you if these dragons turn out to be like those other ones.”

She beamed at him, setting a hoof on his violet hand. “Where did this come from?”

“Well,” he hesitated, staring down at her hoof. “I was just thinking that when we get there, you’re probably not going to be very welcome, being a pony. And those teenage dragons four years ago certainly proved that they don’t like ponies much. If anything like that happens here, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Her face lit up, her sapphire eyes sparkling in the dim light of the evening sun. “I’m certain you will, Spikey-Wikey. Now get some sleep, darling. I’ll stay awake for a few hours, and then I’ll wake you.”

If any argument was in his eyes, she spotted no sign of it on Spike’s lips. She gazed at him as prim and proper as ever, despite her obviously unkempt appearance, making short work of his protests. His emerald eyes relaxed, and his infectious joyful grin returned. “Alright, alright. I never could say no to you. Goodnight, Rarity.” Spike brought his chin to rest against the blanket on her stretcher.

Rarity knew that both of them were tired; she hadn’t missed the effort Spike used in keeping his eyes open. His tiredness was apparent in the dark lines under them, as she imagined her fatigue showed in a similar fashion; however, it was her turn to once again keep watch.

With me like this though, we wouldn’t have much chance to escape. She swallowed and gazed over at the horizon, while the last rays of sunlight dropped from sight.

Darkness replaced the last flicker, colouring the landscape in a far altered and unsettling mood. If what Spike was attacked by finds us…I just hope that we are enough together to fight it off. The proper lady took a deep, calming breath and exhaled through her nose. “I may not be able to move, but I have been practicing my magic,” she whispered to the gloom around her. “I am far from defenceless.”

In the early hours of the next morning, the alabaster unicorn was still keeping a steady watch over the tundra. A faint breeze was still present here, winding through the pillars of rock that provided a break in its speed. There were a few hares that bounded in the snow around her, Rarity almost missing their pure white coats, if not for their hopping through the soft white powder.

Foxes scampered through as well, trotting close enough for Rarity to see their eyes as hers had adjusted, but not near enough to warrant a warning shot of magical energy from her horn. Most likely they were after the hares that had passed through moments earlier, at least that was her reasoning. Caribou roamed around too, though they appeared to be returning to their homes for the night.

Rarity looked down at the resting form of Spike, brushing a stray lock of violet hair from her eyes. “Spike, wake up, dear,” she said quietly, shaking the slumbering dragon with a foreleg.

In reply, he took in a deep breath and shook himself awake. His eyes blinked open, and he turned his gaze on her. “Oh. Is it time for me to get up, Rarity?” He still sounded groggy.

“I’m afraid so,” Rarity answered, while laughing. “I can barely keep my eyes from falling of their own accord. I haven’t seen anything of any perilous nature come through here yet, so hopefully whatever was after us before is still searching.”

He stretched out his back from beneath the covers, moaning pleasantly as he regained his senses. “Good. I don’t know if I’d be able to fight something like-” He stopped, stiffening up as he lay next to her.

“Spike? Is something wrong?” Rarity asked anxiously.

The ambassador exhaled. He relaxed against her slightly, but Rarity could tell he was still uncomfortable. “I just remembered something. I hadn’t thought of it before because whatever left this ice on my chest caused me to lose consciousness instantly. I couldn’t process the sounds around me, but that dream I had…that fight I told you about had sounds so similar to the one I heard just before passing out.”

Rarity gritted her teeth. I know what you’re getting at…but that just makes things even more concerning. “So whatever attacked us back then…do you think you may have seen that thing before?”

Spike shook his head, appearing lost. “I don’t know. It might have been a nightmare brought on by the stress of what happened to me. I know that’s more than possible given the circumstances, but something is telling me that it might have some kind of truth to it.”

“Like a warning?” the mare offered.

“I think it’s more than that, though we should definitely take it as a warning as well. I feel like it’s happened at some point, but to my knowledge, I have never experienced anything like that. I’ve certainly never been in a fight like the one I heard.” He exhaled in defeat and glanced in Rarity’s direction. He smirked at her. “Though I suppose we should save that for when you have rested. Get some sleep, Rarity.”

The alabaster pony nodded. “Thank you, Spike. We’ll make it through this together, dear. I promise.” She covered her mouth as a yawn escaped her, her body finally giving in to the drowsiness and the tender throws of being able to dream. The proper lady took one last glance at Spike and the surrounding area, before succumbing to her tired body’s pleas. “Goodnight, Spike.” She laid her head down against the blanket and shut her eyes, feeling warm against the fabric and the dragon’s smooth scales.

It took her little time to fall asleep.

There were birds chirping. Light shone down through the trees as Rarity hummed a little tune. A picnic lay in front of her. Mountains could be seen in the distance and clouds permeated the sky above the elegant mare.

Grass rustled behind her. Rarity glanced over her shoulder.

“I hope I’m not too late,” Spike said, sitting before her on the picnic blanket.

She waved a hoof at him to ease his mind. “Oh, no, not at all. I’m just a little early is all. I completed the dress I was working on last night and so I had nothing to finish up this morning. I thought being out here would be better than being cooped up inside until our scheduled picnic.”

“That makes sense,” he said. “I just finished talking to Pinkie Pie about her going to see Twilight. She had some big plan or other for the day, but she wouldn’t say much about it.”

“Well, that certainly sounds like her,” Rarity said with a laugh. “I hope you have brought your appetite. As I said, I had nothing else to do today, so I prepared some extra meals; if you are able to stay for an extended period as well, that is.”

Spike shrugged his shoulders, as cheerful as ever. “Sure, I’m not going anywhere. You chose a great day for a picnic. It’s lovely out here right now.”

She turned her head to gaze up at the sky and relish in the warmth of the summer day. “Yes, it is a splendid day to be out.” Pegasi and birds flew about in the distance. The leaves of the trees rustled in the breeze.

“So, Rarity, how have you been?”

“Oh, terrific darling. I’ve been looking forward to this for a while.” The elegant mare lifted the top of the basket with her magic. She brought out a sandwich for each of them. “I hope you have been as excited about this as I.”

Spike chuckled, the alabaster unicorn giving him a sly smirk. “Of course. Spending the day out here with the most beautiful mare in the world; how could I not be excited?”

“Oh, you flatterer. You’ll make me blush, dear.”

Rarity smiled demurely and sighed at the pleasant feeling of the wind brushing her fur. Her sapphire eyes opened to the light of day, still with a cooling sensation on her back. She stretched out from under the blankets and pushed herself up on her hooves. Well rested at last.

“Rarity?!”

“Hm?” She turned her head to stare at Spike. “What is-?” Her eyes widened. “My…my back.” The seamstress spun around to face him, as stunned and confused as the violet dragon appeared. “I’m standing, but…but how?” Stretching out her back again, Rarity slipped out from under the blanket and swung her tail around. “Spike, I don’t feel any pain. None at all, not even the pain I felt before my back was broken. How?”

“I don’t know,” the ambassador answered. “I was just…worried that you would never be able to walk again. You were shivering under the covers, so I put more of the blankets over you. I had my claw on your back for a moment…and then it started to glow blue.”

Rarity glanced off to the side, feeling her cheeks heating up. “Well, thank you for your concern, Spike. And…I suppose for healing my back as well.” She turned back to face him with a grateful visage. “You must have more magic in you than just your fire breath.”

Spike scratched at his neck nervously, his own cheeks rosy. “I guess so.” He stood on his legs and lifted an arm to glance at. “Still, I don’t know how I managed to do it.”

“Well, however you did it; I am eternally grateful, darling. It certainly makes travel easier. Still, it’s such a shame to leave such splendid fabric here just because I tore some of it.” The violet-maned pony turned her gaze to the makeshift stretcher, levitating the blankets and scarf remnants back into her saddlebag. “I daresay I could recreate something out of all of this; when we return home, of course.”

Spike chuckled at her as he flicked his tail back and forth. “You never cease to amaze me, Rarity.”

Rarity smiled and turned her chin up slightly. “Well, dear, we may be in unknown territory, but that doesn’t mean I can’t think about making new ensembles. We must stay optimistic, after all.” And now that I can stand on my own again I won’t be such a burden on you anymore. “Now then, I suppose we had best be on our way.”

“I have a better idea,” he responded, lowering himself down and drawing one of his wings away from his side. “We’ll get there faster if I fly us there. Hop on.”

Rarity raised a hoof in concern. “Are you sure? Flying is what made you an easy target in the first place. I wouldn’t want something like that to happen to you again, Spike.”

“I’ll fly low so we aren’t spotted so easily,” he said. “As long as we don’t let our guard down and keep an eye out for anything suspicious below, I’m sure we’ll be okay.”

She bit her lip anxiously. It was true that nothing bad had occurred for quite some time, yet that did not mean that their luck would hold forever. Spike’s cheerful disposition and swishing tail made it difficult to bring up any sort of argument though. Rarity giggled lightly at the show. He’s a bit like Opalescence when she’s happy. “Very well. I suppose you are right, my dear. I trust you have everything you need before we take off?”

The dragon ambassador nodded his head and waited for her to climb on. Rarity sighed and levitated her saddlebags onto her back, before carefully clamouring onto Spike’s back. Once she was seated comfortably, he strolled out of the cluster of rocks that they had used for a shelter. Spike flapped his great wings a few times to pick up and test the wind currents.

With one last powerful flap of his wings, the violet dragon took to the air, with Rarity hooking her fore hooves around his neck. Her mane and tail flew about in the upward draft of wind as she closed her eyes to enjoy the free feeling. He levelled off about fifteen feet from the ground and began flying forward for the dragon settlement.

Despite her elation to be up here with Spike once again, the alabaster unicorn kept a wary eye on the snow and the trees and rocks for any sign of trouble. The next couple of hours went by without much talk, other than Spike’s occasional question about Rarity being settled on his back. She replied without a worry and returned that if he needed some rest, he was welcome to land for a moment.

When noon rolled around, Rarity judging the time from the angle of the sun, the two saw a noticeable change to the ground below. There was no longer any snow covering the land or sloping hills covered in the white powder. No small trees or shrubs could be seen in the area that they were soaring over; only red tinged crags and cracks in the earth, bubbling up with lava.

“Spike, are these the Scorched Lands you spoke of on the train?” the mare shouted, leaning over his left shoulder.

“I think so,” he called back, turning his head slightly in her direction. “I’ll have to fly higher soon. These mountains are everywhere.”

Rarity nodded in response and tightened her grip on his neck. “I’m ready when you are then.” With a few strong pumps of his wings, Spike pushed himself and the elegant mare higher into the air. How easy it is for him to change altitude or direction, she pondered. I can certainly imagine why dragons migrate. They must do it for the wonderful feeling. The fashionista rested her head against the back of his neck, enjoying the feeling of his smooth, warm scales against her cheek.

After another hour of flying, Rarity was once again staring down at the lava springs and rocky peaks of the dragon lands. There was a plateau among the mountains, spreading far out into the horizon ahead of her and Spike. A few odd, misshapen trees grew scattered across the earth there and leafless shrubs dominated the landscape directly up to the edges of the cliffs, the gnarled branches of some curling down a few feet off of the plateau.

“Rarity,” Spike said in a quiet tone. She shuffled along on his back, leaning further out on his shoulder to see. “I think we’ve found the colony.”

The proper lady grinned, hearing the excitement in his voice. “I’m so happy for you, Spike. You’ll finally be able to learn about your own kind.” Rarity returned her gaze to the plateau rapidly approaching, but she caught sight of something below them. It seemed to be another dragon. She gasped. “Spike, watch out!”

“Whoa!” A fire ball shot forward at them, though the violet dragon managed to avoid it with a quick stroke of his wings. “What are they doing down there?”

“Perhaps they see us as a threat,” Rarity suggested. She still glared daggers at whoever had fired that shot, trying to injure Spike again after all that had occurred. “I think it would be best if we landed. I believe that was merely a warning.”

Sighing and shaking his head, Spike began to descend from the sky. “Yeah, you’re probably right. It just bothers me that my kind is so suspicious of everyone.”

“I know it’s difficult to accept,” the alabaster unicorn soothed, rubbing at his back with a comforting hoof. “I realize that I can’t tell exactly how you feel, knowing how different you are from other dragons. I was so worried back in the last dragon migration we watched together that you would…turn into one of them during that trip you took, and I would lose my little Spikey-Wikey.” Spike lowered his head in silence as the two of them neared the ground of the plateau. “But imagine my joy and relief when we found you defending a little phoenix egg from three of those brutes at the end of it all. And perhaps there are more dragons like you here.”

The ground met them, and Rarity leaned over to catch the dragon’s expression. He turned his head and the mare saw his lips curl upward. “I hope so. Thank you for coming with me, Rarity. It really means a lot.” Spike crouched down and spread his left wing out so that she could disembark.

“It was my pleasure, my dear,” she said sweetly, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. The fashionista slid off of his back, not missing the embarrassed and utterly adorable expression Spike now wore. He folded his wings against his side and nodded to her nervously, standing. Rarity focused on the swiftly approaching group of dragons, eyeing them cautiously.

She started walking toward them herself, determined to show some initiative and demonstrate that she was not frightened this time. Spike joined her in meeting these hostile dragons, Rarity noticing a clear alteration in his stance and posture, as she most likely showed in her own attitude.

When the dragons met them, it was apparent that they were quite larger than Spike. They stood two or three heads taller than both the unicorn and dragon, and they looked none too happy to see them either. The three were walking on all fours, wings spread out to appear even larger.

“Well, well, well,” the middle dragon growled, holding his head up proudly. “A dragon and a little pony. What are you doing here?” he asked, turning his head toward Spike.

“We’ve come to meet with the dragons here,” Rarity replied, putting on a civil tone. “We do not wish to be a bother.”

He glanced her way, his eyebrows lowering angrily. “I don’t think I was asking you, pony.” The red dragon blew smoke from his nose, looking back over at the ambassador. “What are you even doing here with one? Don’t you know you can’t trust anything ponies say?”

Rarity frowned at the red dragon, finding his prejudice insufferable. “I beg your par-” She stopped as Spike stepped closer to her, staring directly into this dragon’s orange eyes.

“I know who you are,” the violet dragon said, piquing Rarity’s interest. When she gazed back at the leader of this group of bullies, who they were suddenly clicked in her own mind. “I met you and your group four years ago; during the Great Dragon Migration.”

The leader raised an eyebrow in response. “Am I supposed to be impressed that you remembered? Who are you anyway?”

“My name is Spike,” he growled. “And it’s not nice to see you again, Garble.”

The dragon sneered at the two of them, nodding a few times. “Yeah. Yeah, I remember you. You’ve grown up a lot since I last saw you. And I remember this pony too; she threatened to tear us to pieces, right?” His group began chuckling behind him.

Rarity poured her magic into her horn, remembering all of the cruel things she saw them make Spike do and put up with. “With very good reason, my dear…I assure you. If Spike hadn’t retreated, I would have shown you what unicorns are capable of when her friends are threatened.”

Garble huffed indignantly, showing the slightest tinge of a smile as he took a step closer. “You have guts…for a prissy pony. And that gemstone you’ve got around your neck looks like quite the meal. Why don’t we see if you can do as you say?”

Spike roared loudly at the three dragons, baring his teeth and stepping closer to him. He coiled his tail around her hind legs protectively and took a menacing stance. Garble halted in his approach, attention on Spike. “If you touch her, I will make you all regret it.” He snarled threateningly. The proper lady felt her face heat up from his actions, his smooth tail cradling her gently as she stared unblinking at him. She took another step toward him, near enough to brush her coat against his violet scales.

Rarity watched the three back off a step, obviously not expecting the once small dragon to be so aggressive toward them. She herself was a little surprised to see him act that way, though one look into the diplomat’s eyes told her that he was protecting more than just a good friend.

“Whoa, calm down, Spike,” the lead dragon said, folding his wings against his sides. “What is she your-?” Garble paused and glanced across at Rarity. Her aura still lit up her horn in a sapphire light, waiting to be channeled into a spell. She winked at him, knowing exactly what he was trying to ask.

The alabaster unicorn watched with a most satisfying amusement as the older dragons shrunk back, clearly realizing what she herself was realizing about Spike. I suppose they have seen what dragons with mates can do if threatened. She smirked. And they clearly don’t want to see it happen to them. The red dragon swallowed loudly, appearing no less upset than he was earlier.

“Fine,” he grunted. “We’ll take you to our home. This pony of yours will have to explain her reason for being here to the other dragons.”

“My name is Rarity,” she stated sharply. “I would appreciate being addressed as such.”

Garble exhaled as he eyed the unicorn and spread his wings out. He turned sideways and took to the air with a few quick flaps of his wings. “Follow me.” Rarity looked on as he and the two other dragons took off. When they were off at a certain distance, she turned to Spike. She still felt his tail around her legs, Spike locked in a defensive stance over her.

Her heart began to beat faster when Rarity saw how serious he was. She reached a hoof out and pressed it against his shoulder. “Spike?” His body shook slightly, the violet dragon glancing back at her. She smiled demurely at him. “I believe I am safe now, dear.”

Realization seemed to hit the ambassador immediately. Spike’s emerald eyes widened and he took his tail away from her legs. The dragon stepped away from her, obviously embarrassed by his behaviour. He cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

Rarity shook her head lightly in response to his nervousness. “Don’t be.” She sauntered closer to Spike, resting a hoof against his chest. “It was really touching.”

The two stared at one another for a moment, before the dragon coughed into his shoulder. “I guess we had better follow those three,” he reasoned, crouching down for Rarity to climb on. “If we lose sight of them we might have a difficult time locating their home.”

She nodded at him and made her way over to his back, though she was still deeply amused by his actions. I can’t believe that you still feel that way about me, Spike. You’re feelings have matured along with you, but after everything I’ve put you through I don’t understand. When she realized she hadn’t moved for quite some time, she saw Spike gazing at her in confusion. The seamstress placed a hoof on his back and pulled herself up, laying herself down over his flexible spines. I’m the luckiest mare in the world.

Once Rarity wrapped her forelegs around the ambassador’s neck, he took off rapidly, flying in the direction of the three bullies. It took little time for the settlement to come into view. It was set within a deep crater on the plateau, creating a valley with hundreds of dragons resting at the precipice and down below. To Rarity it even appeared that they had tents and houses set up.

Those three older dragons were waiting for them above the crater, looking none too pleased to have to escort a dragon with a pony on his back to their leader. With a mere hand gesture, Garble and the others began descending into the valley. Spike matched their pace, both he and Rarity keeping a close eye on the other inhabitants of the colony.

They landed at the foot of a hill, halfway down into the crater. Rarity walked off of the violet dragon’s back, being careful not to injure him. She drew her gaze up to the top of the tall knoll, seeing an expansive grey grand hall-like structure resting atop it. There were several intricate and ornate spires on its cobblestone roof, curled and sharp spikes most likely representing a dragon’s horns or spines. They pointed ever skyward from the large double doors and at each side of the ancient looking building. It was a spectacular sight to see for the mare, despite the company she and Spike were keeping weren’t helping her enjoy the splendour.

Garble and the others pointed toward it, and took to the skies again seconds later. Rarity watched them go before focusing back on the task at hoof.

“Well, Spike, I believe it is time we met this leader. Hopefully, he or she is more amicable than those ruffians.” He didn’t respond. He merely stood there with his tail flicking about; his wings loose at his sides. The proper lady sauntered in front of him. “Spike?” He tilted his head toward her, appearing understandably nervous. Rarity raised a hoof up to Spike’s cheek. I am here for you, if you need me.

The dragon brightened at her expression, and her unspoken words of encouragement. She knew he had heard them; after all, so much of their relationship went unspoken before everything that had happened here. Rarity stepped back a few steps and strolled up to the hall alongside him.

Spike drew one of the great doors open and gestured for Rarity to enter first. Within those wooden mahogany doors looked to be carved several intricate patterns; some looking like elegant wings spread across the top, while detailed swirls and curved and sharp lines adorned the edge and sides all of the way to the floor. The doors themselves look marvelous to a fault, she mused, tracing the patterns with her sapphire eyes.

She bowed graciously toward the dragon once she had finished taking in the surprising beauty of this place, and made her way within. It was immense, certainly far larger than carousel boutique and large enough to hold a few fully grown dragons easily. The roof inside was lofty, almost imposing in a way. It was thirty or forty feet high at the least, with several tall white pillars arranged across from one another all of the way through, and the two sides of the grand hall met together at the center point of this breathtaking wonder.

Only one dragon was present here at the moment, however, other than Spike. The new dragon eyed Rarity curiously, stepping forward to greet them; or at least to greet Spike.

“A pony…and a dragon,” she spoke lightly. It was a bit of an older tone of voice, but still with a surprising elegance that spoke of a different language. Her accent was clear, but no resemblance to any that Rarity had heard before. “I never thought I’d see such a companionship, and yet here we are. Why have you brought her here to a dragon sanctuary?”

“I didn’t bring her,” he answered, shaking his head and then glancing over at Rarity. “She asked to join me on this quest, and…well…she kind of gave me no choice but to agree. But she’s a dear friend of mine,” he added quickly, making Rarity grin. “I’ve known her for years.”

“Really?” the olive green dragon asked, turning her turquois eyes on the mare. “How a dragon could know a pony is rather peculiar nowadays, though not uninteresting. What is your name, then?” she inquired of Rarity. She had long, slender spines all of the way down her neck, back and to her tail, with only a set of magnificently curled horns and ear frills on her head. Her wings were spread out, encompassing much of the hall in which they stood. It didn’t seem to Rarity to be an aggressive stance though; she felt quite calm in this dragon’s presence.

“My name is Rarity,” she said with a bow across the immaculate mahogany floor, not forgetting her niceties. The unicorn stood and gazed up into her eyes. “It is true; I’ve known Spike for six years. He has lived in Equestria with my friends and I for most of that time.” The elder dragon nodded in silence, seeming transfixed on her now.

It was beginning to dawn on Rarity that her appearance must have been ghastly and appalling, undoubtedly not an appropriate visage to be meeting an elder dragon with. She is probably the equivalent to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, she pondered in a tizzy, and my hair and fur is filthy. “I must apologize for how I look, my lady,” she said, dipping her head again. “It was quite difficult to reach this point in our journey and I had no way to fix my appearance before meeting you.”

“My lady?” the great dragon replied, smiling through her teeth. “You appear to have quite the noble and considerate tongue. I can’t say I’ve known a pony- a unicorn, with such proper manners.” She chuckled and the ground shook beneath Rarity’s hooves. “As for your apologies, it is not necessary. I do not have hair to speak of as it is, so there is no need to feel embarrassed by appearing in any way before me.”

“Yes, but…my coat is dirty and I would not wish to meet my princesses in such a state,” Rarity responded, brushing herself down as best as she could. She gave up after a moment of tidying herself up, sighing with regret. “I did not want to delay Spike from meeting with you, so I overlooked it.”

“Truly, your worries are unfounded. And to compare me to your princesses is quite flattering as well, I suppose. I would not call myself the ruler of all dragons, however, like they claim to care for all ponies. I merely lead this group of dragons at this time.” Another moment of silence passed, Rarity realizing that this dragon was looking intently at her neck. “I beg your pardon if this is too forward of me, but may I ask what that is around your neck?”

She glanced down at the fire-ruby necklace, placing a hoof on it in surprise. I almost forgot I had it. Rarity returned her eyes to the dragon, still with her hoof over the special jewel. “It’s a fire-ruby,” she stated. “It was a gift from Spike, actually; he gave it to me on his birthday one year. And I made this necklace for it, to show how much his gift meant to me.” And so I could always remember his generosity. She wrapped a hoof around it, casting her gaze over at Spike. His cheeks were red with emotion, staring forward.

“I see,” she answered, gaining Rarity’s attention again. “A lofty gesture. You must mean a great deal to each other.” Rarity blinked in disbelief at that statement, wondering what significance the fire-ruby had to this creature. The olive green dragon bowed her head at the both of them, with a slight curl of her lips. “My apologies. It would seem that in my interest to learn of your relationship, I have not yet told you my name. I am Thiuvinal, the matriarch of this group of dragons.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” the mare said in a bit of a daze.

Thiuvinal chuckled and rose before them. “A pleasure? I’m beginning to understand why you like this unicorn so much.” The violet dragon scratched at his neck anxiously, not meeting Rarity’s eyes. “Now then, you said you wished to meet with me. I presume you would like to know about dragons?”

“Yes,” Spike answered instantly. He took a step forward. “I was born and raised by ponies all my life, so I have no idea what it’s like to be a dragon. I went on a migration once a few years ago, but I didn’t really learn anything from who I met.”

“And you were raised by ponies?” she asked, settling herself down on the wooden floor of the hall. She crossed her arms. “I never thought a pony would be able to hatch a dragon egg. Would you be the pony who hatched him, Rarity?”

She shook her head and waved a hoof. “Oh, no, I did not know him back then. My dear friend Twilight Sparkle was the pony who had that great honour.” Spike couldn’t help but smile then, lowering his head to stare at the floor of the grand hall. Rarity merely gazed at him, still in slight wonder that Thiuvinal had been interested in her fire-ruby. Is it customary for dragons to give gifts to one another if they are close as well? That was always possible. I daresay I am just about as curious to learn about dragons now as he is, especially with such a pleasant dragoness to converse with as her.

The olive green dragoness chuckled at the two, raising her head up high. “You both look exhausted. I believe it would be best for the both of you to get some rest here, before we continue with this conversation.” She pushed herself up onto her feet. “You may use this house for now; there are rooms to spare for a dragon and a unicorn of your size. I am most curious to learn more about your time with ponies, Spike, but I think it would be best for both of you to recover first. My room is on the left side, so if you have any concerns, let me know.”

“Thank you for your kindness.” Rarity dipped her head in respect. Thiuvinal left them with a peaceful nod, and then walked off into a massive doorway on the left side of the hall. The proper lady turned to face Spike with a tired visage. “I suppose she has a point, darling. We seem to be a bit worse for wear. Perhaps it is best that we took a few hours to relax.”

He nodded his head in response. “You’re right. I suppose we should find some rooms.” He began walking toward the doorway to the right of the entry way, with Rarity strolling along beside him. They found a couple of rooms side by side far down the way and turned to one another before entering to sleep. He cleared his throat and stretched out his wings. “Well, I suppose we should get some sleep.”

She smiled back at him warmly, yet something was bothering her. She found that she didn’t want him to leave just yet. “Spike, how are you feeling about all of this?” she asked to buy herself some more time.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “I can’t believe we’re actually here, and we met such a calm and patient dragoness. After what happened at the migration, I was still worried that when I did this, finding someone who could talk to me about my kind would be incredibly difficult.”

The proper lady stepped closer and settled herself down in front of him, grinning brightly. “I am so happy for you, Spike. You’re finally here and you can learn all about your culture right from its source. I’m only sorry that it took so long to happen.”

“You don’t have to feel sorry for anything, Rarity,” Spike replied, taking a seat himself. “Until now I wasn’t old enough to take such a journey, and I understood that after you, Twilight and Rainbow Dash saved me from those dragons. I’m just glad that you’re here now. If I would want anypony to be with me, it would probably be you.”

Rarity bowed her head, unable to voice her response and feeling suddenly overwhelmed. She swallowed gently and stared at Spike’s feet. Yes, I do have to be sorry. I have to apologize to you for so much and you don’t even seem to mind. The alabaster unicorn pressed a hoof against the fire-ruby, feeling her heart thumping against her chest. “Spike…”

“I should probably let you get to bed, Rarity. You need to rest, even after your back was healed.” He stood up and began to saunter into the room as the movement caught her attention. Rarity sat there, her breath slowly picking up as she thought about all of the things he did for her.

The fire-ruby, the gem hunting, all of the chores he ever did for her without so much as a single complaint. She looked at his shrinking form, unable to move from this position and feeling hot tears brimming in her eyes. Even if you don’t still have those affections for me, I need you to know that you mean so much to me. She sniffed, her hooves beginning to shake. He was almost into the room right now, his tail swishing to and fro.

Rarity tried to rein in her emotions; she prided herself on her emotional control throughout all of her other experiences with love, and now her bubbling, guilty feelings were breaking all of that apart. Her shoulders slumped and she almost wished that he would turn around for some reason, so that he would see her and ask what the problem was. Then it would make telling him so much simpler. That’s what he would do, she told herself, sniffling and wiping the tears from her cheeks.

This had never happened before, not with any stallion she’d ever known, but in some way it seemed alright that this was occurring with him. Her heart was pounding against her chest; she was completely flushed, watching a perfect opportunity to confess to this wonderful and caring dragon slip right through her hooves.

The unicorn couldn’t think, couldn’t speak, could only feel the tears continue down her face despite her best efforts to wipe them away. Her other hoof was pressed up against the fire-ruby around her neck desperately. She glanced back and forth between him and his gift, panicking. He was almost gone, pausing just inside the doorway. Nearly there. Her one chance to really explain why she joined him on this perilous journey, missed.

No chance to ever go on that special anniversary date with him from her dreams and finally have the affections that he’d always shown her all to herself.

“Wait!”

Spike turned around to face her, Rarity feeling shocked and relieved and terrified all at once that it had been her who had called out to him. His eyebrows rose in worry from how she must have looked right then. She didn’t care. Not about her appearance or the mascara running from her tears or anything; just that he stopped and listened to her like he always had before was what mattered to her.

He took a cautious step forward, his wings stretching out at his sides. “Rarity? What’s wrong?”

She swallowed hard, still attempting to regain some control over her emotions. “Please, wait,” she repeated, finally finding the strength to stand. Her legs carried her over to the dragon, feeling more than a little nervous about what she was doing.

The elegant mare took in a shuttering breath as she stood before him, frightened by the fact that she was prepared to say exactly what she felt for him. Rarity wasn’t used to letting her words come out unfiltered, especially when she was speaking to males.

Spike just waited there, completely unmoving as their roles seemed to have reversed once again. “I want to apologize for everything I’ve ever done to hurt you, Spike. You cannot say that you don’t mind because I know in my heart that I have done such terrible things to you and I don’t want to hurt you anymore.”

She heaved in a desperate breath, the dam completely broken and the water pouring down from her eyes. Her eyes wrenched shut, but that did nothing to stay the tears. Rarity sat and sobbed outright in front of the dragon, years of regret and sorrow and anger at herself finally being let out before the one that she could show it to completely.

She gasped in a shaky breath when she felt a scaled hand under her chin.

Her tear soaked eyes shot open as she looked at Spike. He wore that same warm and sweet smile he always had when he was with her, but underneath it was sorrow. He was seated now, his face torn between fear and the want to comfort her. “You have never hurt me, Rarity. All of those times I was with you; the gem hunting, dressmaking, everything I ever did for you I helped you because I wanted to. So…please don’t cry.”

Rarity inhaled unsteadily, the look in Spike’s eyes taking any words away from her. Her heart thrummed in her chest, urging her toward him; to just get it over with already. She leaned forward, desperately, pleadingly, catching his lips with hers and pressing herself against him. Her eyes drifted shut. She drew her hooves up along his arms and around to his back, feeling Spike melt into the tender and passionate embrace.

His lips felt so different to her, so unusual compared to the stallions she’d shared any kind of moment like this with. She delighted in the sensations brought on by the unique flavours and texture of his lips. Rarity lingered there, drawing her tongue up to brush at his slightly open mouth. She could feel his teeth behind his lips, but she wasn’t concerned at all.

She brought him closer, near enough to feel her fur brush against his chest, sending tingles through her body. And it was at that moment that she realized how wet she was.

Her lips opened, damp heat pouring into her mouth. She felt Spike bring his arms around her back, cradling her softly. She pressed her lips against his in a mutual massage, and she and Spike were finally, actually kissing. Rarity darted her tongue past his lips and brushed it against one of his teeth.

Ahh! Ahhhhh! she shouted in her mind, feeling a rush of arousal in her loins. It wasn’t clear whether the screaming in her head was from the fear of being cut by his tooth or from pleasure or both, but her mind was more focused on deepening this unique and incredible embrace. A long, flat, snake-like thing brushed along her tongue and into her mouth.

This time she really did scream. She leaned back from the kiss, panting wildly from surprise, excitement and unbelievable pleasure.

“Sorry! Sorry, did I hurt you?!” Spike asked, looking just about as fearful as she felt. She could tell in his eyes that he was still focused on that moment.

“N-no,” she breathed, waving her forelegs wildly in front of her, staring down at them. “I just…you-your tongue, I didn’t expect such a…a…” An amazing and dexterous thing. She swallowed and stared longingly at the violet dragon. Rarity took in a sharp breath, realizing that she had just kissed Spike for the first time. I…I kissed him. I kissed Spike.

She thought about what the princesses would say; Twilight included, about what she was doing. It’s…it’s against the rules, surely. No pony has ever done something like this, it’s definitely forbidden.

He reached over and touched a hand to her foreleg in concern for…something. Her eyes shot up to the dragon, filled with sudden desire; a desire that she had fought so fervently against back at her boutique. Now all she wanted was to make this dragon hers. Oh, let them do what they want with me after. Right now, there is no one in Equestria or beyond who could keep me away from loving my dragon.

She lunged at him, and for the first time since he returned as an adult, she managed to knock him off of his feet. Rarity lay on top of him, still heaving in deep, shallow breaths while she looked down at him. Her tail was straining at her muscles, up and to the side, revealing her marehood to him inside the room. “Spike,” she breathed, lowering herself down onto his stomach. Rarity traced the edges of his smooth violet scales as she watched his eyes come back into focus.

He locked gazes with her, sitting up slightly. “R-Rarity-”

“Shhh,” the proper lady soothed, leaning down to him with half-lidded sapphire eyes. She poured her magic into her horn and drew the room door shut behind her. “Just kiss me.”

Spike swallowed loudly, though clearly he had a desire of his own to continue with this deplorable and utterly arousing act. He kissed her. Slowly at first, as she allowed him to explore her. It was obvious to her without him having to say anything that he had never kissed anyone before, but that didn’t distract from the tender moment. It was sincere, heartfelt and a lovely embrace.

She waited on bated breath and barely contained pleasure for him to slide his tongue into her again. Her body shuttered, nearly coming right there from the arousal that warm dexterous tongue brought to her haunches.

He tentatively flicked his tongue along her mouth, just behind her teeth. Her own tongue brushed against another one of his fangs, feeling a jolt of adrenaline rush through her and in her marehood. Spike drew one of his claws along her back slowly, and it felt as though he was teasing her. She moaned blearily as the dragon began to massage the tensed muscles in her back. Mmm, I’ve never been this turned on before just from kissing.

She felt his other hand stroke her unkempt mane, loosening the soft curls from whatever dirt was in them. His claws weren’t nearly as sharp as she thought they would be, remembering when they danced at his party; how she feared what it would be like to feel them, but that frightening sense had never been answered. She wished now that he had used them back then, the feeling driving her mad with lust for this creature. Her backside rose slightly off of him, exposing more of her wetness.

Rarity bit his lower lip, causing his claw to tense in reflex. It stung a little, and her eyes squeezed shut for a few seconds, but the claws didn’t break the skin. Spike drew away from her lips, appearing utterly mortified about what he had just done.

She stared down at him with unfocused eyes. She sighed tenderly from the feelings he was bringing to her.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he whispered, his claws hovering over her mane and back.

The fashionista laughed lightly, remembering where they were at this moment, drawing delicate circles across his chest. She smiled demurely at him, giving him her best sultry gaze. “Spike, don’t worry. If something like that happens, I will let you know.”

He just stared at her in wonder and amazement, completely floored by this turn of events. Rarity breathed in calmly and brought her head down to nuzzle the violet dragon’s cheek. He had no trouble returning that embrace, the alabaster unicorn brushing her cheek against his many times in the past. She drew a hoof up to the arm against her back, nudging it as a message for him to continue.

Spike started up again once he caught on, running his claws along her side and sending tingles through her body. “Mmm, Spike,” she moaned, stretching out on his stomach, “that’s lovely.” She released another hot breath and rested her head on his chest, feeling pulses of sexual thrill course through her body at each sharp scratch of his claws.

The dragon shifted in his position under her, growing more confident as she melted into his actions. He ran his free claw through her mane and down along her slender curves, eliciting a relaxed moan from her lungs.

Rarity leaned forward on his chest, still with her backside in the air slightly as she began to nip at his neck. She giggled when his head leaned back in response, exhaling and allowing her more area of his neck to tease with her mouth.

After a few minutes of her caressing the inexperienced dragon’s nape with her lips and warm tongue, Spike shuffled along on the floor, still cradling Rarity delicately in his arms. His claws continued to pull soft pleasured noises from her, and suddenly she slumped against him, releasing a surprised gasp.

He was drawing his claws along her collar bone and neck.

Despite feeling immense worry from those claws, she had an insatiable need for him to continue. Her mouth opened in a silent breath of sexual pleasure, leaning against Spike’s neck as his claws occasionally scraped along her vulnerable skin.

What…what is this? she asked herself, never having experienced something like this before in her life. Her hips began to tremble and buck against him as her eyes rolled back, feeling an aching heat in her marehood flaring up.

Rarity took a shallow breath, allowing the violet dragon free rein of her as she tried to ponder these strange feelings. It wasn’t that she did not understand what was happening here; she had heard about such sexual practices being performed by others. She herself had never experienced something like this before.

But I’ve never felt endangered before, she mulled over, releasing a soft moan as he scratched at an especially tender spot of her neck. She felt him linger around that area, probably realizing that she was enjoying the stimulation. She lost herself in the euphoric feeling for a moment, but it was clear that that couldn’t be the reason.

I’m in no danger though. He’s a complete sweetheart. His talons dug in slightly, still not puncturing the skin, but Rarity still felt something dribble down her stifles, literally wetter than she had ever been. “Uh!” she grunted, coming out of her thought process. She pressed against him harder, her tail about as high as it could go, straining against her muscles.

Rarity regained most of her control after another few calming breaths, returning the pleasurable feelings to this wonderful creature. She shuffled further along Spike’s body, lightly rubbing her aching marehood against him as she reached up to lick the bottom of his ears. She groaned out in guilty pleasure.

Her tongue brushed at the edge of his frill at first, pulling a soft moan from him. He went limp momentarily, and it was obvious to her that the ears were pretty sensitive on dragons. I will have to remember that, she thought, tittering. With her tongue still doing its work, she brought her lips up to the bottom and began to coat it with her saliva.

Rarity opened her right eye to peer at the expression Spike was wearing, finding him almost completely immobile except for his continued motions on her fur. He pushed down along her slim curves, reaching her raised backside. He rubbed at her flanks, causing her to inhale sharply. Her hind legs began to quiver from the sensual motions and occasional scratches of his claws along her flanks.

Oh… Who cares what the reason is? she shouted in her mind, throwing her concerns to the wind.

She drew her lips away from his ear frill, squeezing him tightly with her forelegs. Her rump wiggled in the air, bouncing up and down on her eager hind legs. She planted a soft kiss on the dragon’s cheek, before noticing all of the wonderful things he was doing had ceased.

His claws moved back up to her forelegs, gently cupping a leg in each hand. Spike lifted himself into a seated position.

“Hmm?” she asked him, almost sleepily.

He set her in his lap, clearly beginning to feel uncomfortable against the wooden floor like that. The dragon leaned down to her, moving his hands around her back to draw her closer. She giggled lightly at the contented grin on his face as he tried to process what was going on.

“Rarity, I…” He hesitated, suddenly in a daze. It was quite apparent that he hadn’t expected this sort of thing, let alone finding out that she was attracted to him. It was deeply amusing and charming to the alabaster unicorn.

She leaned into him, lightly pressing her soft forelegs onto his muscular chest. “Yes, Spike?”

He swallowed hard, and Rarity could feel him against her awaiting backside. “I…I- this is…what is going on here?” he finally managed in clear disbelief.

The elegant mare once again swirled a hoof around the violet scales of his chest, causing slight shutters to wrack his body. She giggled and looked up at him coyly. “Mmm, I guess what’s going on here is that…I am deeply attracted to you.” His delirious visage from that was priceless; just what Rarity would have expected from the innocent dragon she had known since he was little. “And that I love you...far more passionately.”

“You…you really…?” his emerald eyes widened, his face burning with emotion.

Rarity nodded serenely, seating herself as comfortably as she could despite the need to feel pressure on her marehood. She leaned forward, capturing his warm, tasty lips in hers for a brief, loving moment. When she drew back, Spike was cross-eyed and she was smiling. Both of their cheeks were bright red and hot, their shallow breaths mixing within the room. “Yes, Spike. I really, really do.”

She brought a hoof up to his cheek, gently rubbing the smooth violet scales. Rarity jumped involuntarily, letting out a gasp as a wave of nauseous sexual stimulation hit her. Spike’s member had brushed up against her craving entrance. She was panting a lot. It had been a long time since she’d done something like this, and feeling his own arousal where it was most needed drove her insane.

Rarity took in a breath and sat back down in his lap. “Spike,” she said, pressing a hoof against his chest to gain his attention. “Carry me.” He gave her an odd look. “Over to the bed.”

His cheeks flared. He swallowed loudly, trying not to appear like he wanted to think he knew exactly what she was suggesting. Spike leaned over slightly, cradling her back and rump in one muscular arm as he pushed himself to his feet. He kept her against his chest and neck as he walked on three legs.

She knew it wasn’t far, and that he would never drop her, so she sighed into the embrace and stared up at him lovingly. She pressed her hooves against his taut muscles, feeling them contort under them. He cleared his throat softly as he came to a stop, presumably in front of the bed.

The violet dragon lowered her down gently, taking a seat and cradling her neck and backside with both hands. She lay across the bed, waiting. When he didn’t appear to be joining her, she stretched along the sheets and moaned in disappointment. “Spike?”

“I…uh…” He fiddled with his claws, appearing more nervous than ever. He breathed a few times, and brought his gaze back over to the mare. “You…you want me to stay with you?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Right here?”

Rarity took in a calm breath and pushed herself up into a seated position. Her marehood still craved satisfaction from what they had been doing, but she understood his apprehension. “Spike, I know that this is your first time. You’re nervous, and I understand how you feel.” She rested an alabaster hoof against his chest. “I want this to go…as far as you are willing to take it, but not any farther than what you are comfortable with.”

He gulped softly and nodded his head in silence.

“Now then, I trust that you know how…everything works,” she said.

“Yes,” he answered, shuffling along before the bed. “Uh, Princess Celestia explained it to me when I was older.”

Rarity dipped her head. “Good. Please, come and sit with me, Spike.” The dragon did as he was told, stepping up onto the edge of the bed and taking a seat next to her. She turned to face him, giving him a reassuring visage. “Now there’s no need to be nervous, alright? It’s perfectly natural, but we’ve known each other for so long, haven’t we?” she asked, taking his claws in her hooves.

He seemed to relax when she said that, thinking back to all of the times they had been together. “Yeah. It’s…it’s still…a little unnerving though.”

Reaching over and gently caressing his left arm, she leaned forward only slightly; not too close as to make him uncomfortable. “You are doing just fine, my dear.” He smiled at her, much more confident in himself than when they began. “We can just start with some kissing, if you like, and see how we go from there.”

Spike swallowed and agreed. She leaned in slowly and met his strange lips with her own, the proper lady once again allowing him a wide berth to become accustomed to this intimate act. He brushed his long thin tongue against her lips, asking for entrance. Rarity parted her lips, and joined her tongue with his in a tender embrace.

She moaned against him, pressing her hooves over the taut muscles of his chest, smoothing his scales out as she made her way up to rest around his neck. The feeling of his tongue still enticed every fiber of her being, never having felt something so deliriously good before. Her tail once again rose off of the sheets, wet with her excitement as her marehood once again presented itself to only one male.

He pressed his tongue against the roof of her mouth, caressing past her tongue and exploring every corner of her. Spike drew his claws up her slender form, earning a groan of sexual thrill from the mare, feeling his claws scratch at her smooth skin. He slowly drew his arms across her shoulder blades, pulling her into his lap. She giggled into the embrace, feeling him press against her stomach as their act became more passionate.

Her face was flushed completely, wrapped up in feeling every strange muscle, and heat washed part of his body and mouth. She leaned in on him, causing him to shift back as she allowed herself more room, now with his confidence returning. Rarity heard his wings spread out for balance, as sweat slid down her brow and chest.

She lowered her fore hooves down across his scaled body, pulling delicate moans from the dragon’s mouth. They came to rest on his backside, feeling his aching member brushing up against her wet entrance. She cooed and massaged up and down along his lower back, feeling his muscles contort under her hooves.

Her breath suddenly caught, and her loving actions ceased completely. Rarity fell against him, her eyes rolling back. His tongue, she pondered deliriously. It’s wrapping around mine, oh…oh, my goodness this is hot.

Rarity leaned over farther, cradling him in her hooves and sliding her tongue along his. Spike fell onto his back along the bed, and she lay down on top of him. Her hind legs were planted on either side of his hips, quivering from the taut muscles in her haunches. The burning, craving sensation in her marehood was driving her mad, begging her for some relief.

She reined in those desires, wrestling her tongue free from his and sliding it into his mouth. He groaned into the intimate kiss, still drawing intense sexual feelings from scratching along her fur and skin with his claws. The elegant mare licked at every surface past his wet lips, caressing his mouth as her motions returned to his scales.

The unicorn retrieved her tongue from his mouth, pushing herself up on her forelegs as she lay on Spike’s chest. She stared at him through lidded, wanting eyes, breathing in ragged gasps. Her rump brushed up against his erection, earning another intense gasp of tormented pleasure. He set himself up on his elbows, looking about as excited and out of breath as she was.

“Spike…I want you to make love to me.”

His emerald eyes widened as he lay beneath her, but he did not look away from her shimmering sapphire eyes. His claws dug into her skin, eliciting tentative coos and moans from Rarity. Spike dipped his head, shifting in his position to set his legs in between hers.

A worrying thought hit her suddenly. She had had a few sexual experiences with stallions before, not too many, but it made her nervous as to how the dragon’s member would feel against her lower lips. Stallions were one thing, since they were the same species, but what if his was too big?

Not that she thought that big was bad, but…this might be a little uncomfortable if they weren’t compatible in this way.

Her tail spasmed violently, as she thought about having him inside of her. She could feel herself wink, begging for it. But what if it…hurts? His member was rubbing against her marehood, sending further nauseous waves of ecstasy and passion through her body. Just the thought of him entering her and the possible pain that would come with it was making her drench her fur. Sweet Celestia, what is wrong with me?

This had to be a mistake. Going through with this would surely make the princesses angry. Livid.

It will be our little secret.

She didn’t dare look back, but she could feel that his member was pointed right at her marehood, waiting for her to take him in. She pushed herself up onto her shaky hooves. Giving him her best enticing gaze, she began to lower herself down onto him. She flicked her damp tail and turned it to the side, sending splendid shockwaves through her loins.

Oh, this is going to feel so good.

She gasped out in sheer pleasure and arousal, as only the tip of his erection met her aching entrance. Her lips opened up around him, and she let out a timid moan as she finally, finally felt pressure on the place that she needed it the most. Rarity shut her eyes loosely, craning her neck back and hearing him making sensual grunts underneath her. It didn’t feel nearly as large as she feared it would, something the mare was immensely grateful for.

Managing to rein in her euphoria over her relief, the violet-maned mare turned her eyes back to the dragon and fluttered them open. He was in bliss, staring back at her with blurry eyes. Her lips lifted slightly as she stared at him, and caressed his cheek with a delicate hoof. He pressed a hand over top of it, stroking down her leg and making her sigh. The violet dragon nodded for her to continue, still with his other hand on her back.

She resumed slowly, almost painfully so. She inched down onto him, feeling every little pleasant shock and shutter that wracked her body through this incredible moment of bliss and pressure. And then she muffled a tremendous scream, feeling another head against her tender lips. She went cross-eyed. There…there are...two of them?!

The unicorn let out an intense gasp onto his scales, burying her burning face into his stomach from the unexpected heaven shooting across her body. She was almost collapsing on top of him, trying to focus on his second erection. It was still sliding along her lips, jutting out against her as her magic managed to surround it.

She set it against her mound, creating even more arousal to drip from her marehood, but at least it wasn’t overwhelming. Rarity took him for days, months, years, crawling along as her walls were drenched and forced apart. She felt like she could remain here in this state for at least twice that long.

Spike let out a groan, tensing his claws around her and making her shake all over from the combined arousal. “Oh…my! Spike!” she shouted out, unable to contain herself any longer.

“Are you okay?” she heard him ask, sounding miles away.

“Oh, yes…yes, yes, mmm!” Her knees were bending inward, right on the cusp of an incredible orgasm. She could feel it, so unbearably close. She was losing her mind, feeling one maleness driving into her, while the other was sliding across her sensitive button.

She pushed in again, and let out a shrill cry that sounded like something extremely unladylike.

“R-Rarity!” Spike yelled back.

She almost scowled at him, managing to stare up at him, but she caught herself, seeing the embarrassed look in his eyes and remembering where they were. Rarity gave him an apologetic smile, resuming her slow descent onto his manhood.

He pushed into her with his hips suddenly, making her gasp out in real pain. “Ah! Slowly…slowly,” she said, unable to open her eyes and check on him, too lost in painful pleasure from having her walls stretched so wide. Her chest was heaving against his, as she ground her teeth together. She gave a little whimper of delight.

Whatever he heard her say, he began again, pushing smoothly, precisely, sliding into her by the hour as he took over. She felt every inch of her inner walls being pressed against his throbbing erection, helpless and in pure bliss as she teetered on the edge.

When she bottomed out, her hooves seemed ready to collapse from the pleasure. With him inside her, just resting with that pulsing maleness against her wall, it felt absolutely divine. She focused her eyes again after a brief moment, and the alabaster unicorn found the dragon with his eyes cast upward at the ceiling. “Duh…guh…buh…”

She slowly lay back down on his sweat soaked body, wincing with desire as one member pressed firmly up against her inner walls, while the other slid over her button. Rarity giggled into her hoof, raising a curious eyebrow when she had settled her breathing down a little. “What happened to that silver tongue of yours, dear?”

He grunted and shifted slightly on his back. “I don’t know. I can’t think straight.”

“Well, when you can think straight again, let me know,” she said decorously, tracing little circles with her hoof within his scales. “It’s rude to keep a lady waiting, you know, and I want you to enjoy this too.”

The violet dragon gulped as he looked at her, and took a few long breaths. He rested his head against the sheets, causing Rarity to chuckle at his behaviour. Once he had calmed down, he lifted his head back up, beginning to rub down her sides and down to her rump again. “Okay, I think I’m ready.”

He glanced into her eyes, waiting for acknowledgement and confirmation for him to resume. She nodded her head for him to begin pulling out. He blinked once and started to slip out of her. For some reason, it was on the first out stroke that she came. Whatever control she had regained over that short rest was completely lost to her mind again. She gripped his arms tightly in a vain attempt to stifle her screams.

“Uh, uh, mm, mmnuh!!” she moaned desperately, overwhelmed by the erection within her, and the pulsing member outside against her button driving her crazy with desire. Whatever it was, she climaxed immediately.

Spike grunted, clearly feeling her seed soak him. He drew his claws through her fur and across to her back, plunging his manhood back into her.

She was in a euphoria like no other. Her mouth was wide open in a silent gasp of unimaginable sexual thrill and release, continuing unabated as the violet dragon continued to pump into her. It was as though she were coming with each stroke of his, entirely at the mercy of this incredible rolling orgasm.

I can’t breathe, can’t move, think. Her eyes were wide open, staring into Spike’s arm or neck or head or something. It was incredible. He had even found a smooth rhythm in and out of her, stopping just short of pushing too far. A natural, she managed to ponder through her blurred mind. So good for me. She knew she was still lying across his body, her legs and tail trembling wildly, but she had ceased to feel any of it.

All of her attention was on this burning thing in her loins, her fluids dribbling out onto his hard member. Her vision blurred again, every fiber of her being except her lower half going numb, useless. Moments passed by, and still he was pounding into her.

Still?! How has he not finished yet? she asked herself, coming out of the ecstasy slightly. She could feel another wave of bliss coiled up in her marehood, the burning feeling of her walls being spread apart so rapidly, almost overwhelming.

His other member was still sliding up and down along her mound, and his claws were clenched achingly against her flanks. She bit her lip, muffling another amazing cry of pure thrill that would surely be heard by every dragon in the settlement. Her limbs shivered against him and she was sweating all over.

Well, what are you doing, darling? she asked herself. You’re the experienced one here, and he’s a virgin. Well…was a virgin. Is he really too much for you to handle?

Pulling herself together, she pushed herself up and locked lips with him once more, pushing her way over his sharp and arousing teeth and feeling a wave of dizzying adrenaline shoot through her. One of her hooves shot down to stroke at his exposed erection, caressing it fervently and pulling a surprised gasp from the dragon with each thrust.

He was close, she could tell. The huge phallus plunging in and out of her walls was tightening, so close to a release that she so desperately needed to feel from him. Her stroking quickened, feeling a third orgasm approaching from these intense feelings coursing through her body.

I’m going to make sure we experience this last one together, she dizzily told herself, still riding the last one down and moaning passionately from his claws being tight against her flanks. She separated her tongue from his mouth, reaching her limit and exhaling deeply.

“Rarity…uh…uh, uh,” he growled, as he and the alabaster unicorn climaxed at the same time. He pounded her mercilessly, thrusting against her as the burning hot fluid filled her and mixed with her own within her tight inner walls.

She pressed her body against him, everything from below her forelegs tensing up from the extraordinary feeling. Her hooves wrapped around his neck, and her hind legs shuttered and trembled as he continued coming, spurting up against and down her walls. She felt a little bit of his seed leaking out and onto her stifles, spilling onto his crotch.

He moaned passionately the entire time; as Rarity just laid there, mouth agape from bliss and pleasurable pain. Spike growled one last time into the air, and then he finally, finally stopped coming. Her grip loosened on his shoulders, drawing her hooves away from her stomach before at long last collapsing completely against him.

She was entirely spent, still feeling the phallus rubbing at her walls as it pulsated. Both of them were gasping for oxygen, totally lost in the ecstasy of their warm, passionate embrace. After a moment to calm down, Rarity picked herself up, and drew herself carefully off of him. The proper lady then lay down on her back, beside the violet dragon.

“Wow…wow!” Spike panted, turning onto his side with his wings spread out behind him. Rarity smiled from his excitement, still riding on that last bit of euphoria and hot dragon seed within her. “Rarity…that was…that was amazing.”

She laughed toward the ceiling weakly with her legs raised up, still not strong enough to look his way. “Yes. It…it most definitely was incredible, my dear.” The lady sighed in bliss, and felt her damp tail fall against the sheets of the bed. The muscles in her body finally relaxed a little, and she pushed herself over onto her side to stare at Spike. “That was some of the best loving making I have ever experienced.”

“You really mean that?” he asked, his emerald eyes still seeming unfocused.

She scooted closer, wrapping her forelegs around his shoulders again and burying her nose into his neck. Rarity slung her hind legs through his and twirled her drenched tail through his as best as she could. “Oh, yes. I most certainly mean that, darling. You were splendid…and if you do not mind terribly, I would very much like it if I could fall asleep like this with you. Is that alright?” She rubbed her cheek against his flirtatiously, before staring up at him with a beseeching visage.

He swallowed softly and drew his arms across her fur, drawing little shivers down her spine from his claws. Spike rested his head against hers over the sheets. “I never could say no to you.” He paused, and sighed longingly. “I love you, Rarity,” he whispered sweetly into her ear.

The fashionista snuggled up as close to him as she could, finally feeling at peace, having the dragon that had always been there for her to herself, as he had never once stopped loving her in return. She shut her tired, happy and glistening eyes, her chest brushing up against his in a perfect synch, as their breaths matched. “I love you too, Spike,” she mumbled, before she drifted off into a dreamless slumber.

Author's Notes:

Here we are. The next chapter.

Wow, I did not expect to finish it so quickly after I sent that blog, but that doesn't matter. Uh, well, with the addition of this chapter, of course I need to add a new tag; which I'm certain you can all guess at. This isn't becoming a clop fiction though. This is probably a one time thing, but I felt it necessary for all of the previous build up, and for future things as well.

Other than that, this is definitely my all time favourite chapter. I can't believe I hardly had to edit any of it. I wrote this whole thing in about two days! I thought I would need to completely rewrite everything from the halfway point.

And the interactions between Rarity and Spike, and against the other characters- Just beautiful, endearing, charming, and whatever other wonderful words that might describe how incredibly sweet these two are together in this chapter (and out of it). In my opinion, that is.

Thank you for reading and ta ta!