Love was never easy. A constant battle of push and pull between your partner, your mind, your urges, your body, and it never seemed to stop. Give and take was expected, but what if you felt like you've been giving too much? What if your partner feels like they've been taking too much? What if you feel you haven't taken anything? Such as the battle of love made itself out to be.

[*][*][*]

Stumbling into the classy lobby of the Carousel Boutique was a purple scaled, green spined teenage dragon. He felt himself giddy with excitement as he always acted around his love. He wore a bowtie, having just come from a celebration party. A national farming competition had been won-out by Sweet Apple Acres after hell and high-water slammed them repeatedly. However, none of that fazed Spike. Another love bloomed between their friends adding to the romantic feeling in the air... but that's another story.

Spike looked at the boutique, seeing the remnants of athletic uniforms. Tattered, ripped, damaged from usage... Rarity normally would have terminated everypony responsible, but she was one of them. He smirked as he examined the tear, waiting for Rarity to reveal herself. Upstairs, he could hear a shower running so he sat himself down on a small couch inside the lobby.

He laid his head to rest on the arms of the couch, gently closing his eyes as he got comfortable. He quickly rearranged the pillows until he found himself at complete comfort before he let himself doze. It wasn't long before he found himself fluttering his eyes open atop the couch. The heavenly scent of the boutique was something he could never get enough of; clean, pristine and sharing Rarity's scent. It was only two months ago that they had gotten together that one night, and Spike never felt like he'd had enough of Rarity.

But something hit his mind... Rarity claimed she wouldn't keep taking. She wanted it to be equal, yet Spike felt himself on one end of a scale. He felt like he was taking too much from Rarity. Her love, attention, time from her friends, and even her generosity. Physically, they had been pleasing each other various occasions yet never fully completed the bond. Tension would arise sometimes, yet they both agreed that they were too nervous.

Spike bit his lip while thinking, wondering if the best choice would be to take Rarity as his own... to 'seal the deal.' He gulped as he thought of the potential scenario, feeling his cheeks grow hotter. The thought of gently pushing Rarity onto her bed, kissing her neck to solicit a squeal, just as he pressed the tip of his phallus against her lips. Prodding gently, coating his member with juices, and finally pushing it in.

What would her reaction be? Would she be in pain? Would she gasp in surprise? Would she even want to do this? He'd do whatever she wanted. If she felt like it, he would. If not, he'd stay down. His claw involuntarily moved down to his pelvis just as he realized he had been pressing his phallus against a pillow.

Looking down, he remembered the slow process that started ever since he and Rarity confessed to each other that night. His body had begun a process to prepare itself for sex, and his normal, cute, small, and smooth penis changed. It grew a second head, it became larger, nubs formed on the skin while the tip became more pointed; it wasn't like a stallion's. It was more exotic and whether or not the nubs served a purpose in dragon kind, it would certainly make the sexual experience much more pleasurable for the female.

He seemed to be done with growing, standing at a typical seven inches; just above average. He gently touched the top phallus with the tip of his claw, shuddering as the sensations ran down the length. He dragged it tortuously down to the base, feeling every nib as he did. He slid his claws down the side and stroked it with a light touch before wrapping his thumb around it in a gentle grip. He slowly stroked the top phallus, feeling himself already panting lightly.

Rolling over on the couch, he positioned himself so he was face down on the couch and arched his back akin to a bridge; he used his legs for support so he could still stroke himself. His face pressed down in the couch, he tilted his head down until he could see himself in the dim light of the boutique's lobby. He opened his claw and grasped the second as well before clamping down comfortably. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled calmly... then he began stroking at a fast pace.

Pleasure rocked his pelvic area, sending electrodes through his nervous system adding a tingling sensation to his conscious. His loins were starting to heat up from the pleasure, but he was nowhere near done. Making sure his lengthened body fit on the couch, he took a quick moment to admire his height; he stood at the perfect height to kiss Rarity without her bending over. Grinning, he closed his eyes as his stroking quickened once again.

Thoughts of Rarity flooded his mind. Thoughts of her demeaning herself for his pleasure; orally pleasing him, using her hoof, allowing him to slide his phallus' against her lower lips, anything that made him feel he was deeply connected to Rarity. His panting increased and he clenched his eyes tighter. His hand switched between the plain old stroking, to tight squeezing, to sliding his claws around the length. He grasped the tips, giving them a slight squeeze while teasing the spaces below the two heads with his claws.

He gasped as he did, feeling himself pass the moment where he knew his climax was imminent. He grit his teeth, feeling animalistic growls seething through his teeth before he released his grip of his phallus'. He didn't want to climax just yet... only Rarity was allowed to give him that pleasure. Not a memory of her or his fantasies. He set his claws next to his head while keeping his arched position. His tail drooped between his legs, limp while his phallus moved ever so slightly. He tensed the muscles in his pelvis to twitch the members. He watched them for a few seconds before closing his eyes again as he felt his climax escaping him.

He let out a shriek as he felt a pair of lips envelop the tips of his two phallus'. His eyes shot open in alarm before he saw Rarity's mane inches from his face. She stood next to the couch with her head under his body, bobbing back and forth gently. His euphoria prevented him from asking questions or even wondering how long Rarity was standing there, and only focused on the pleasure. Rarity wanted him to climax, so he was going to oblige.

Reaching his other, dry claw down, he gently set it atop of Rarity's head, gently wrapping each finger around her horn. She stopped bobbing her head, having grown used to this; whenever Spike grabbed her horn, she knew he wanted control. Without words, he tugged on the horn and she moved back. He pushed gently and drove the phallus in further. He started this slowly to postpone his climax before he felt the familiar rush flood his senses.

He released his grip on her horn just as soon as he established it, and he dropped his arm onto the couch. He felt his legs trembling, meaning he was about to fall any second. Rarity instinctively began bobbing her head back and forth, licking the phallus' quickly while sucking back. The pressure, swift movements and soft lips around him sent him over the edge. His body convulsed as he climaxed, causing him to quickly wrap his arms around Rarity's barrel. She was practically lying on the couch; convenient as his legs slid off the end of the couch.

The slip was enough to make him jam his entire length into her mouth, and before he could pin her down, she held a hoof up as Spike finished. The warmth ran through his entire tract, coming out of both heads and finally, emptying into her mouth. He caressed her coat while his legs involuntarily twitched. Eventually, he stopped, relaxing fully. Fortunately, Rarity gently pushed Spike off her head as she removed his head from her mouth.

Spike instantly curled on his side while Rarity stood up, looking down at the panting dragon. Staring off with glazed eyes, he growled quietly while he rubbed his chest with his claws, calming his pounding heart. Rarity smiled down at him as his eyes focused on her legs before following up to her face. He gulped, smiling at her just as she swallowed the seed.

"That was the most awkward fellatio I've ever had," Spike stuttered out.

"Dear, you could have waited," she said quietly.

She laid down next to him, allowing him to hug her from behind. He buried his snout in her mane, gently rubbing her chest with his hands. His phallus' retracted back into his body, and he finally felt perfectly relaxed.

"I was. I wasn't planning on finishing," Spike responded.

"But you had started, no?" Spike sighed, and Rarity giggled. "I'm teasing, but you could have waited... or at least joined me in the shower."

"I don't want to ask for more than I have," he mumbled.

He heard a soft giggle come from Rarity, and he felt his face redden. He leaned against her neck, sniffing her hair again. Her hoof gently wrapped around one of his hands before tugging it down to her legs. Lifting her higher leg up, he knew what she wanted. Her grip released and he slid his claws gently across her teats, lingering around each nipple causing a stifled moan to escape Rarity's mouth.

His other arm, lying under Rarity, moved as he trailed his claws up her neck. He rubbed her snout before she found her horn being grasped once again. She let out a yelp as she felt an odd sensation run through her horn; pleasurable but completely unknown. She felt her body start to twitch excitedly, just before Spike's other hand brushed her lower lips, dragging one claw over her clitoris.

She began to openly moan, failing to arch her back due to Spike's position. Trapped in his embrace and two pleasurable sensations, she excitedly began to grind her hing legs together, clamping down on Spike's hand. No problem, he just pushed two claws into the lips. Rarity let out yet another surprised yelp as she felt her juices seep from her opening. Spike made sure his claws were coated as he pressed the insides of the lips, continually brushing her clitoris with his thumb. His other hand still seemed to be somehow extracting pleasure through her horn.

"A technique I picked up in the past few weeks; I can eat magic. If I apply it to a horn and 'eat' gently, it causes a pleasurable sensation akin to a male orgasm," Spike calmy said.

Rarity snorted, moving her forehoofs down to her pelvis area as she attempted to shove Spike's fingers in deeper.

"Spike, what did I say about science lessons during sexual contact?"

He sheepishly grinned, unbeknownst to her, and then dipped his fingers into her opening. She finally twitched involuntarily, only made worse as Spike began to furiously rub her clitoris and inside her vaginal opening. Her body forcibly arched, and she kept her hooves atop of Spike's hand as if it would serve to make her feel better.

Spike had her in a powerless position. He was in control, knew it, and acted like it. She could only lie back and take his rough fingering. It wasn't long before she started to moan while writhing under his control. Her head felt pleasantly light as if applying an aphrodesiac through her mind. Her tongue lolled out and her eyes looked up. Her climax was coming much faster than usual; Spike knew her sweet spots almost dead-on now.

"Spi~IKE!" she shrieked as her body convulsed.

She curled up even more, almost into a ball while Spike utilized his taller body to keep his hands on her horn and inside her lips. She gushed juices over his fingers while her horn involuntarily lit up with magic. It was a gentle warmth she gave off, and it was absolutely incredible. Spike released his grip on her horn, and she felt herself go light headed. Eventually, she stopped twitching, loosened up, and unfurled back into Spike's full embrace.

He lifted his head and retracted his hand. Rarity glanced up at him just as his fingers, glistening with her juices, entered his mouth. Her face reddened once more at the sight and she found herself averting her gaze. Spike giggled, and made sure his hands were clean before wrapping them around her body again.

"Spike, if you want more, you don't have to ask," Rarity whispered.

He gulped before, nodding. He chuckled as he realized she couldn't see him, and replied. They continued lying on the couch, snuggling as the time passed. It would be only an hour before Rarity moved, shifting towards the edge of the couch. Spike released his embrace on her and she slid off the edge, touching the floor gently with her hooves before standing up.

She quickly stretched her body, making sure to crack her back. She let out a light yawn at the peak of her stretch. Spike lazily slumped off the couch, refusing to stretch his body and stumbled towards the stairs. In his stumble, he tripped on the rug, falling to the floor with a thud. He barely felt it, and Rarity rushed over.

"Oh my, are you okay?" she asked, rolling the face-down dragon upwards.

He chuckled, nodding his head. "I should probably stretch my body next time."

Rarity smiled, helping him to his feet before he properly stretched. Just as he craned his back, he spotted Rarity heading up the stairs. He followed her before feeling his neck was stiff. He felt the back, remembering that he still had the bowtie on his neck. He undid the bow, took it off, and followed after Rarity. No confirmation at all, yet he knew he was supposed to follow.

They both entered her room and Spike took the first chance to set the bowtie on a nearby dresser. Rarity sighed, looking over her darkened, frilly room before happily cantering over to her bed. Her horn lit up, the curtains opened to reveal the moonlight, and a light came on giving the room a dim glow. Spike found himself admiring the room regardless of how many times he had been in there. His eyes trailed off before refocusing on Rarity as he heard her magic light up. A golden necklace levitated across the room before locking itself on her neck, and she turned around to reveal the Fire Ruby.

"You're scared of asking for more than you have, yet you give me everything. You truly are the most generous dragon ever," she said, swooning happily. Spike scratched the back of his head, remembering the moment and wishing to be humble. He looked back up to the white mare, and he walked closer. "You give me your time, you fight the Diamond Dogs, you stopped yourself from hurting me after I've taken so much." She looked down, caressing the Fire Ruby necklace once before looking back up to Spike. He stopped at the edge of the bed, looking down at her nervously.

"I've taken everything you've given me, and now is time for you to take everything I have to own, starting with one of my most precious possessions," she said in a near-whisper.

Spike gulped, feeling his heart practically stop. He froze up, as he looked down at Rarity with wide eyes. Just as he thought, she rolled onto her back, spread her hindlegs, and slowly moved her tail out of the way. Her gaze pierced his mind with half-lidded eyes, a small smile complimented with reddened cheeks.

"I want you to take me," she said with a sultry voice.

Spike felt himself lose all breath in his lungs as well as himself locking up. His body tensed and his eyes widened, pupils shrinking. He gulped, feeling his entire body trembling as the words sunk into his mind. Time seemed to slow down as he processed the words, and he allowed himself to breathe. Rarity's gaze held no tricks or sense that she would back down; she was adamant, and so was he.

He leaned forward, setting his hands on the soft bed on both sides of Rarity's, body. He quickly ducked down and planted a kiss on her vaginal lips before crawling onto the bed, dragging his scaly underbelly across her body. His phallus' began to reemerge from his body, sliding against the bedsheets as he crawled over top of her. He looked down as she held her forehooves up against her chest, looking up at him with more or less a flustered gaze; her sultry grin gone. He stared at her eyes as her lips trembled along with her body. Both of them were trembling, yet Spike was the male. He had to pull himself together for them... then pull them together literally.

He dipped his head, planting a kiss on Rarity's lips. He felt his phallus' twitch, and he repositioned himself so that the bottom was grinding against her lower lips. Spike pressed himself against her mouth once again, kissing her deeply as he could. He used her trembling body as an advantage, pushing his tongue past her lips and into her mouth. She squeaked pleasantly, closing her eyes as Spike allowed himself to rest atop of her body; she was pinned and completely under his control again.

The feeling from before welled up in Spike; the feeling of being the one in charge. He felt like he really could lead them... but reminded himself he couldn't. Both had to be strong for this, and he had to make her realize this. He poked his tongue around inside her mouth, brushing it against her cheeks and teeth while her tongue lolled about helplessly. He caressed her sides with his claws, and slid them up her length until he found her shoulders. Running his claws up the forelegs, he grasped her hooves gently. His tongue pressed down against hers, and he pinned it down.

Rarity opened her eyes, meeting Spike's sharp eyes. The gaze he had was intimidating, and made her feel weak... but she wasn't. Her mind pressed that into her that she was never weak. She was always strong when she needed to be, yet here she was letting Spike do all the work. She couldn't lie back and take it like a spoiled brat. Here was Rarity, trembling over something entirely natural. She welled up her courage, and pressed her tongue upwards. She felt resistance from Spike's own tongue, but she tried her best to move her tongue around her mouth, constantly licking Spike's as they rubbed each others tongue.

She closed her eyes, feeling her heart pounding and her once-trembling body aching with anticipation. Her vaginal lips were once again soaking with fluids, running down onto her bed and coating Spike's phallus'. Whether Spike noticed this or not was unknown to her... but he noticed. He grew more excited, feeling pride for encouraging Rarity. He began to move his hips, grinding against her opening. Her oral battle against him started to fail as she found herself moaning as the nubs on his phallus brushed against her clitoris, sending a shiver each time it did. He stopped fighting for domination of her mouth, retracting his head. As he pulled back, he notice the small string of saliva connecting their mouths together. Rarity opened her eyes, keeping them half-lidded as she panted. Both were panting heavily after their make-out session, and Spike stopped moving his hips.

It was time.

He leaned his head forward, kissing her on her forehead just below her horn, before looking down at her. Releasing one hoof, he ran his fingers through her mane, reassuring the mare and ceasing her trembling.

"I'm sorry for when it hurts, my love," Spike whispered.

"It's fine, dear. I'm thankful that I could be so lucky as to have somepony like you," she said, excitement dripping from her tone.

"I'm so lucky that I could be what you wanted," Spike responded.

They kissed on the lips once more, before Spike released the grip he had on the other hoof. He brought both claws next to Rarity's body and he pushed himself up. He looked down at her face, seeing her eyes glistening in the light. Her smiling lips trembled, and she nodded. Reaching up her hooves, she wrapped them around Spike's neck, bringing his head in closer until their foreheads touched.

Spike lifted his rear end until the tips of his phallus' were brought down far enough to press against the opening. Rarity took a deep breath and clenched her eyes shut. Spike slid his claws closer to Rarity's body until he could caress her side, and took a deep breath himself. He bent his knees slightly and felt his tips enter her slowly. She held her breath in, making sure her lower half wasn't tense, and waited. Spike entered her walls, stretching her insides like normal until he hit a stop. This was it. He was going to voluntarily hurt Rarity... and she was going to give him her most valuable keepsake.

He didn't back down, and gave himself an admirable thrust. He broke the hymen with ease, and felt most of his phallus' enter her body. She let out a quick shriek before burying her face into Spike's shoulder, her entire body trembling violently. She began to shiver, sniffling as she let out several whimpers. Spike began to feel guilty, feeling the painful shivers emanate from her body, seeping into his. He was way too big for her! He should have stopped himself... or was he too big? Maybe this is natural... either way, he hurt her. She continued trembling under him while he waited for her to adjust to his size. He caressed her side, planted kisses on her forehead, and waited. Her trembling slowed down, and he completely forgot about his own pleasure. He stared at her tightly closed eye lids just as they twitched, opening slightly to allow a tiny gaze. Rarity's eyes met his, and Spike felt his heart skip a beat... even her pained gaze was sweet.

"Spikey-wikey, you're so big," she said, giggling as she finished.

All of the sorrow and guilt that Spike felt vanished, and he felt himself smiling just as he noticed the tears building up. He chuckled, kissing her forehead as she began to softly laugh.

"Mmm, you can try moving now, Spike," she said. Spike nodded, and pulled back slowly, causing Rarity to cringe slightly. "I'm yours. I'm part of your hoard, you big dragon."

A huge pressure built up in Spike's chest as he found breathing to be pleasantly harder. His heart beat in excitement and his face turned bright red.

"Mine..."

He slid his phallus' back into her, just as slowly as the first time. She squeaked as he pushed slightly further than the first.

"You're mine."

He slid back out of her, feeling a warm liquid with less viscosity than the juices; blood. He let the feeling of guilt pass as Rarity hadn't complained. He slid back into her with slightly more force than the first time.

"I'm yours, Spikey-wikey."

He looked at her, noticing the smile on her face was wider than he'd ever seen her try without faking. He slid one claw under her backside just below her neck while his free claw slid down her body, resting on one of her Cutie Marks. Spike shifted his whole body as he pulled back and pushed into her.

He sped up his pacing to a steady thrusting, making sure that he didn't slam too hard into her during her first time. Rarity pressed her face against Spike's, keeping her eyes clenched shut as pain mixed with pleasure caressed her consciousness. The pleasure slowly started to outweigh the pain, and her heartbeat started quickening. Spike's constant, steady pacing served to increase the sensations rocketing through her body.

Spike felt his phallus' tingle, growing pleasurably numb as he felt them grind against Rarity's insides. His nubs seemed to be helping as she adjusted much faster than he thought. She was pleasantly moaning while her forehooves continuously moved, rubbing Spike's neck. He could feel the scales being brushed and studied by her hooves as if she were trying to memorize his texture.

Rarity's panting increased as the nubs had indeed done their job well; she was feeling each and every protrusion grinding against her inner walls as well as her clitoris. Her hindlegs twitched involuntarily. Her head twisted and turned, practically nuzzling Spike as she tried to take her mind off of the pleasure; anything to stop the sensations to enjoy the moment longer, she took. She wanted to last for Spike.

Meanwhile, Spike never fought the sensations. He accepted Rarity's request to make her his own. He knew while thrusting into her, both him and his beloved were feeling the effects. The tightness of her walls wrapped him in a blissful warmth while the juices added on made the feeling 100% more satisfactory. The sensation was akin to a pleasurable melting; he was in ultimate bliss and harmony with his love, and his entire body was feeling it. He was hot, he was panting, his pelvic area was pleasantly numb, and he was staring into the deep sapphire eyes of his love.

Both were reaching their ends. Both felt the pressure building up through their minds and bodies. Spike's body felt the familiar sensation of orgasm building up, but it was much larger. This wasn't like before. He felt catharsis entrap his mind, and he leaned forward, planting his lips onto Rarity's. She was in the same area physically, and instantly opened her mouth to let hers and Spike's tongues meet.

They furiously kissed each other with a strong passion, feeling each others tongue with swirling motions and heated breaths. The crispy clean scent of wintery air with a hint of smoke invaded Rarity's nose while Spike was met with minty scent. Their saliva, passionate kisses and heated breaths sent shudders down their spines, and Rarity squeezed Spike.

Spike responded by speeding up to the fasted he could go without turning violent. His thrusts were enough to cause both him and Rarity to bounce slightly on the bed, and Rarity felt the full effects of his thrusts. He went all the way in, down to the base, and the nubs assaulted her inner walls relentlessly. Her eyes shot open as euphoria established itself in her body. She began to let out loud moans, gasping for breath every few seconds as she felt unbelievable pleasure rupture her vaginal walls. She tilted her head down, watching her lower lips as Spike thrust his length into her. She felt herself excite more as she watched herself be penetrated. Spike must have noticed this, because he tilted his head down, too.

They both watched as he slid in and out of her, the view exciting them. The Fire Ruby seemed to glow as they did, shining radiantly regardless of the lighting. Spike felt his climax rapidly approach as a warm quickly built up in the base of his phallus'. Rarity felt her inner walls convulsing, squeezing Spike's length as she did. Both tilted their heads back, gasping and letting out shrieks of pleasure.

"RARITY!"

"SPIKE!"

They shouted each others names repeatedly, hugging tightly as Spike gave it all he could. He thrust into her as fast as he could in his position, and he felt both phallus' fill up with an intense heat. Rarity was sent over the edge and her entire body convulsed. She squeezed Spike with all legs as tight as she could as she felt her orgasm flush through her body. The squeezing and gushing of fluids against his phallus' sent Spike into the tip of his orgasm, just as he evacuated the white fluids into Rarity's body. She felt her body begin to twitch pleasantly, even moreso than before, as the hot white fluids coated her inner walls. She grit her teeth, doing her best not to let her eyes roll up into her sockets. She looked down as Spike pushed himself off her body, spotting her vaginal lips covered in sperm. The hot white load was still drizzling out of his body inside of her, bubbling out onto her lip and gushing onto the bedsheets below her. The last thing on her mind was a mess of dirty bedsheets as she felt Spike finally stop shooting into her. Spike dipped his head down and gave the Fire Ruby a lick before planting a kiss on Rarity's lips.

"I love you, Rarity," he said quietly.

Rarity felt her heart practically melting as he said this. She leaned forward, wrapping her forelegs around his head.

"I love you, Spikey-wikey," Rarity replied, nuzzling her lover. She glanced down with her eyes before looking back into Spike's eyes. She giggled to his confusion. "Spikey, would you mind pulling out... and please carry me to the bath? I don't believe I can walk."

Spike chuckled, brushing her mane out of her eyes. "Of course."

[*][*][*]

Spike stumbled about the library, sweeping shelves mindlessly before a door swung open downstairs. He let go of the feather duster, dragging his feet downstairs like a robot. He stumbled onto the bottom step, sighing as he waited for his orders. Twilight set down several bags near the door, and cleared her throat.

"Spike, I've been meaning to ask you something," she said.

Spike raised his head, meeting Twilight's gaze. She walked over to a chair and sat herself down, motioning for Spike to come forward. He stood up, sighing as he dragged his body towards a chair adjacent to her. He slumped down and looked up to her, seeing an odd expression on her face. She seemed to have a twitchy brow while her mouth was spread wide; not quite a smile or frown adorned her face. Spike gulped, nodding his head.

"Um, well... are you... have had any nomad are..." She slapped herself in the face, coarsely sighing. "Are you and Rarity together?"

Spike would have spit his drink if he had one, so he tilted his head in confusion. "Why would you ask that?"

She chuckled, crossed her hindlegs, leaned back on the chair, and folded her forearms; a position Spike wasn't sure ponies could do.

"I see how you act near her," she said quietly.

It was Spike's time to chuckle. "As opposed to...?"

"I've seen how she acts near you. I've seen how you interact with each other. I've seen the signs. I've seen how you come home from her place smiling and feeling giddy about whatever happened. I've seen how your attitude isn't that of a lovesick crush," she said, looking off to the side. Spike lowered his head slowly, piecing together how he had been acting. "You really do love her."

Spike looked up to Twilight to see her smiling warmly. Spike found himself tearing up, smiling as well.

"Of course. I'd do anything for her," he replied.

"I'm proud of you, and if anything... she's the lucky one in this relationship," Twilight responded.

Spike looked at her uncertain, only for Twilight to walk over and give him a hug. Spike returned the embrace, finding relief that Twilight wasn't angry for whatever reason.

"Thanks, mom."

[*][*][*]EPILOGUE[*][*][*]

Spike and Rarity sat atop a balcony on the Golden Oaks Library, taking turns using the telescope. Every now and then, Spike would get excited and tell Rarity to peek through, whether it be spotting a constellation, a nearby planet, or another galaxy. No clouds, no moon, and a telescope made this the ideal night. They spent their night talking about the stars and recent events, enjoying each others company.

Nearby, in a small metal bin, a fire burned providing them with little light and lots of warmth. Twilight was inside along with the rest of them while they sat, enjoying the company of the stars.

"Spike, I have to say that living with Twilight has made you incredibly smart yourself. You're naming, pointing out, and talking about astral objects while I'm merely ogling over discoveries," Rarity said while peering through the lens.

Spike chuckled, turning away. "It's nothing, I just really enjoy the night sky. Sparkly stars, knowledge of feeling small in the grand scheme of things, it's something I picked up on. Princess Luna really knows what she's doing."

"I'll say, jewels, stars, and scales are perhaps the most sparkly things I know of," Rarity said, leaning back.

"Sparkles aren't everything, but they always do the trick," Spike said as he nibbled on a piece of bread.

"That wouldn't happen to be a reference to what I said when we first met, would it?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Chuckling, Spike stuffed the bread in his mouth to buy time, just as a nearby door opened up.

"Okay, I'm here. Stop saying my name," Twilight said, grumbling.

Both of them looked at Twilight for a second before giggling, much to her confusion. Spike shook his head as he swallowed while Rarity cleared her throat.

"No, dear, we were talking about the actual 'sparkle.' A shimmer," Rarity replied.

Twilight huffed and slammed the door shut. Inside, she could be heard grumbling, much to Spike and Rarity's amusement. They quickly went back to their stargazing, while Spike marked constellations on a homemade star chart while Rarity simply scribbled dress ideas onto a notepad. Before long, they paused for a short break, leaning back onto a small blanket to stare at the sky with their own eyes. Around Rarity's neck was the Fire Ruby necklace, shining brilliantly in the dark.

"Spike, I'll be honest. I never thought I'd be with a dragon in all of my life, let alone meet one half as nice as you," she spoke softly.

Spike rolled over until he was pressed against Rarity, and they hugged each other.

"I never thought that after I learned how different I was, I'd have friends half as good as you guys, let alone fall in love with one," he replied.

They turned their heads, facing each other. They gazed deeply into the others' eyes, leaning forward slowly. Their lips met and their eyes closed. It wasn't deep, it wasn't open-mouth tongue action, but a small kiss on the lips. They stopped as soon as they started, and held each other.

"What next? What do we do until whenever?" Spike asked.

Giggling, Rarity sensually rubbed his back. Spike frowned, studying the mare's face. Rarity leaned in, pressing their foreheads together.

"Our love is our flame, and we shall do whatever we want to keep it alive, Spikey-wikey."