The Prompt: Spike witnesses something he won’t soon forget.

Spike walked happily through Ponyville. It was a bright, sunny day, but that wasn't even the main reason for his joy. Twilight had sent him out for a delivery, since she was far too busy studying to make the delivery herself. Normally, Spike would have balked at being used as a delivery service, but once he heard that he'd be delivering an important shipment of jewels to Rarity, nothing could stop him from taking on this task. Any opportunity to see that gorgeous, flawless white unicorn was an opportunity that he would gladly take.

Spike struggled at Carousel Boutique's front door, trying to open it. The bag of jewels was quite large and heavy, and it was difficult to shift it into one claw so he could open the door. He could have knocked, but it was a place of business anyway. Doing such a thing wasn't all that important to him, and it would just keep him from seeing Rarity for a few moments longer.

Spike looked around for Rarity, and when it was evident that she was not downstairs, he made his way upstairs. He glanced around, looking for the lovely unicorn's bedroom. What he found was not at all what he expected.

"SPIKE!!" Rarity shouted out as Spike looked into the open doorway of her bathroom. Spike's eyes went wide, and he dropped the bag of jewels. He stared for a split second longer before turning bright red and scrambling away from the doorway. Spike bolted down the stairs and flumped against the wall, breathing heavily and sweating. He heard the bathroom door slam shut, and his head dropped. Rarity would never forgive him for what he saw, and he felt absolutely horrible...but at the same time, it was a sight that he would never forget. He sat against the wall, closing his eyes and picturing what he'd seen. He had quite a vivid imagination, and the image was clear in his mind. He grinned guiltily as he ruminated over it, the scene he'd just witnessed playing over and over and over again in his head.

Spike then heard the bathroom door creak open. It snapped him out of his thought pattern, and his first instinct was to run like the wind. Rarity was sweet and kind, but after what he'd just seen, there was very little chance that she wouldn't be angry over it. He tried to get up, but his legs just wouldn't act on the impulses that his mind sent to them. He found himself frozen in place; nothing on his body would allow him to run like he so badly wanted.

"Spike!" Rarity spoke sternly from upstairs. Spike could feel the impending doom breathing down his neck. He silently wished that he'd said a goodbye to Twilight before heading out the door, as it was likely the last time he'd ever see her again after what Rarity would certainly do to him.

"Come upstairs," Rarity said. "Now." Spike sighed, knowing that he had to accept his fate. He slowly rose to his feet, eyes pointed straight down at the ground. He dragged his feet up the stairs, unable to even make eye contact with Rarity. He tried looking up at her a few times, but his gaze would reach her hooves, then he would remember what he'd seen and stare straight back down at the ground. He finally reached the top landing of the staircase and stared at Rarity's hooves, too guilty to look up at her.

"I'm sor-" Spike began to say, but one of the pristine white hooves that he had been staring at rose up and covered his mouth. It then moved under his chin and rose his head so that his gaze met Rarity's. Rarity did not look quite as angry as he'd expected, but it was still enough to make him feel awful. His eyes drifted to her partially-dyed mane, but quickly back to her eyes as she cleared her throat.

"You will never speak a word of this to anypony," Rarity said calmly. Spike nodded so fast that he thought his head would fall right off of his neck. Rarity about-faced and walked back to the bathroom. The can of hair dye rolled out into the hallway, before it was snatched back up by Rarity's magic.

"And tell Twilight I said thank you for the jewels," Rarity said curtly. She then slammed the door.

Spike breathed a sigh of relief. He had survived, and Rarity's secret was safe with him, although it was one he wouldn't soon forget.