She slept peacefully next to him, and for the thousandth time he found himself wondering exactly what it was he had done to deserve her.

He marvelled at her. Even in the dark he could clearly see the shine of her white coat. Her violet mane, even tusseled by sleep and the last night's activities, lay about her like some beautiful aura. Her chest rose and fell beneath the covers, the little breaths exhaled by her perfect little slightly opened mouth. Dear Celestia, even her teeth were perfect.

The sun began to rise, the light slowly creeping over the floor towards the bed. His arm cramped and he shifted, pulling the covers from her ever-so-slightly. She let out a little whine and pouted in her sleep, tugging at the blankets. He snuggled closer to her, letting his fiery core warm her. A small smile crossed her lips as she snuggled up to the new heat source. He couldn't supress his own smile, nor his urge to kiss those perfect lips. He leaned over and gently brushed his mouth over hers, tasting the sweetness of her breath.

Well, as sweet as morning breath can be.

Her lips puckered out, trying to capture his. Failing, she pouted again. Her eyes opened the barest inch, then widened when she saw him staring at her. "Goodness. What time is it?"

"No idea. Early though. Sun's just coming up."

A hoof rubbed the sleep from her eye. "How long have you been awake?"

"An hour or so."

"And you've just been... watching me all this time?"

"Yeah. You're really pretty when you sleep."

She smiled at that and brushed his scaled cheek. "You never run out of compliments do you, Spike?"

The adolescent dragon grinned sheepishly, baring his ever-growing fangs. "I hope not." His grin faded and he looked away from her gaze. "Rarity, last night..."

"...was incredible." She finished, grabbing his chin and forcing him back up to eye level. "I've never felt so close to anypony in my entire life."

Spike felt his grin returning, but he quickly shook his head and cleared his thoughts. "No, that's not what I meant."

Rarity's mouth began to drop into her famous pout. "So... you didn't enjoy last night?"

Spike shook his head quickly and kissed her forehead, just beneath her horn. "No, that's what I meant either. Last night was probably the best thing, uh, ever. I never dreamed anything could feel so good."

Her pout instantly returned to a smile. "What is it then?"

"Rarity... has it crossed your mind that we might get in trouble for what we did?"

"For doing what exactly? Oh, do you mean that third position? I told you that it would be a strain on your back and all the blood did rush to my head..."

"No...but that one was a little strange."

Rarity's smile grew wicked. "What can I say? I've never had the pleasure of a teenage dragon's company before. It was just a little... exper-i-men-tat-ion." She dragged out the last few syllables, playing with them on her tongue.

Spike gulped and continued. "That's what I'm talking about, Rarity. You're a unicorn. I'm a dragon. I'm not terribly sure we're supposed to... do what we did."

Rarity huffed. "Oh please, darling. I shouldn't think there's a problem so long as the... mmm, parts... are compatible."

Spike chuckled and stroked her cheek lightly with a claw. "No doubt that they're compatible. But I'm not sure what the rules are when it comes to inter-spieces relations. Or relationships, for that matter.” He added at the end, his tone slightly hopeful.

"Well, that's something we're just going to have to figure that out, won't we?"

"And then there's the others. What about Twilight? How's she gonna feel if she finds out about this?"

Rarity stiffened. "You don't mean you've... not with Twilight...?"

Spike threw his hands before him defensively. "No, of course not. She's like my big sister. You were my first."

"Oh. Well, I don't suppose there'll be a problem there either. Spike..."

"Rarity, I guess I'm just trying to get at that I don't want this to be a one night thing. I've..."

"Spike." She stopped him firmly, her hoof over his mouth. "Please listen, because once I start saying this I don't want to stop. If you stop me, I shall simply die of embarassment. Is that clear?"

Spike could only nod.

She inhaled deeply and started talking. "I'm supposed to be the most generous pony in all of Equestria. As such, I have to forgo many things that many ponies take for granted. One of those things is, for lack of a better term, love. I am doomed to forever give my love to all who need it, but never keep any for myself. That's where you come in, Spike. You never expected anything from me. You just... love me. For some cosmic and unfathomable reason, you love me. You've always loved me, haven't you?"

Spike nodded. "Since the day we met."

"And I was so horrible to you those first weeks. Using you as a pin cushion, evading you by any means necessary, using you to find jewels... I was so wrapped up in the needs of others that it never occured to me that you were trying to give me your heart and not trying to win mine. I learned the truth the day you gave me that ruby."

"My birthday? But not too long after that I nearly killed you, remember?"

"That came afterwards. I saw your true intentions the moment you handed me that jewel. That was the moment I fell in love with you."

Spike looked incredulous. "But that was years ago. Why'd you wait so long to act on it, or even tell me?"

"Spike, you were just a baby in dragon years. I had to wait for your body to catch up with the rest of you."

Spike chuckled. “Thank Twilight and that spell she found.” He remembered how excited he’d been when Twilight had stumbled across the charm in one of her oldest books. It allowed him to grow in size by gathering a small hoard but also reeled in the driving greed that came with it. The wedding had been the perfect opportunity to debut his new form. “There’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”

Rarity shrugged and ran her hoof in circles on the blanket. “You know… you know I have intimacy issues…”

“Sweetie Belle’s father?”

She sighed and nodded.

Spike took his hoof in his hand. “You know I would never do anything like that. I never could do anything like that.”

“I know.” She kissed his cheek. “I know.”

"So… why last night?"

"Well, with all the partying going on during the reception, I figured that no one would notice if we slipped away."

"How'd you know I'd give in to your feminine wiles?"

"I just had to trust that not even you could resist my powers of seduction."

"You naughty little mare." Spike smirked.

Rarity returned it. "You should know by now that I can be naughty about all sorts of things."

Spike inched his face closer. "Refresh my memory."

Rarity rubbed her nose against his. "Have you forgotten so quickly? That's a shame. I suppose I'll just have to reteach you everything."

Spike's claws lashed out and held her head in place just inches away from his own. "Rarity, before this goes any further, I need to..."

"I love you, Spike." She said it in a single breath, her eyes sparkling like no earthly jewel ever could.

Spike smiled. "I love you, Rarity."

Their lips met in perfect unity, hair upon scales, white upon purple. Her hooves wrapped around him, caressing the growing spines on his back. His own claws became tangled in her messy mane. Rarity's eyes shot open when she felt her locks being played with and gasped against Spike's mouth. Misunderstanding her intentions, Spike snaked his long tongue into her mouth. For just a moment, she surrendered to his minstrations. Her fashion sense prevailed seconds later and she pulled away entirely.

"Sweet Celestia, Spike, I'm a mess! Just look at my mane! And I haven't even brushed my teeth yet... oh, my breath must be horrid!"

"I don't mind." Spike whispered huskily, nuzzling her neck. "So long as you don't mind mine."

Rarity let out a giggle that became a moan as he nibbled her neck. "Normally 'dragon breath' is one of my pet peeves. But if I'm going to be waking up to this every morning, I suppose... OH! Careful, with the teeth, dear... I suppose I'm going to have to get used to it, aren't I?"

"Every morning?" Spike hissed, his tongue flicking out and tasting her gathering persperation.

"Well, I suppose not every morning. Twilight would get suspicious, I'm sure. I suppose I can figure out some... ooooooooh, right there, do that again... some excuse to keep you over a few nights a week... ah! Oh, enough of this."

Spike found himself on his back, his alabaster goddess above him. Their mouths melded together in harmony, their tongues waging war pleasurable war.

She squeaked in surprise as he rolled them over. He broke the kiss and looked down at her. Her chest was now rising and falling at a faster pace than before and her eyes were hooded with arousal.

"How long do we have before everyone starts to wake up?"

She moved her back left hoof down the length of his tail. "An hour, at least. Though the Apples are early risers."

"You think even today? That party last night got really crazy."

"Just in case, we're going to have to be very… quiet." She finished in a throaty whisper.

His claw trailed down and rubbed her flank, right across her Cutie Mark. "You can try."

She hissed in pleasure and pulled his face to hers again. This time they only came apart to cry out each other's names.

Afterwards, he held her and stroked her mane absent-mindedly. "You okay?" He asked.

She looked up at him hungrily. "Whether this is wrong or not, I don't think you've quite experienced making love until you've done it with a dragon."

Spike laughed. "Well, I guess you..." He couldn’t finish. She was on him again.