Spike grabbed another flyer from under his arm and nailed it onto the post. “Alright, that makes 20 flyers hung up. Who knew people pays good money to watch brats for a couple of hours?” In fact that’s exactly what he put on the flyers! ‘Busy? Need to run an errand? Wanna get freaky but your kid’s in the house? Drop your brat off at the local library in Town, giant tree you can’t miss it. 12 dollars an hour, tips are encouraged as well. Responsible teenager willing to watch kids while getting your needs in order.’ His phone number at the bottom of the page. Perhaps a bit to money grabby, he didn’t care though, it’s always best to be direct and honest with what you want from people, right? “I gotta remember to buy kid type food, Spaghetti-O’s,and unhealthy shit, kid’s love unhealthy foods.” Spike said to himself, wandering down to the mini-mart, the very same one he was fired at.

Spike entered the store, the familiar smell brought him back to a simpler time where he’d sleep on the toilet paper stack in the Staff room and eat almost expired chocolate, the manager sweeping away until he met Spike’s stare.“H-hold it! You’re not gonna try anything funny are you?” the manager of the store asked, aiming the brook stick at him.

“I don’t know, depends on if you’re gonna throw me out again. Relax man I’m just getting food.” Spike replied.

“Hey Spike, ‘sup man? Bummer you got fired, you were the only worker who was cool here,” the tall purple haired girl moped, twirling her short hair behind the counter.

“Nice to see you too Scoots. I wish I knew your secret to getting away with napping on the job.”

“Come a little closer and I’ll tell ya,” she chuckled. Spike indulged her, leaning over the counter, cocking his head at her as she put her lips mere centimeters away, she took a slow breath and quickly licked his ear.

Spike pulled back immediately letting out a groan, “You’re such a cock tease.”

“It ain’t no secret anyway, it’s luck and instincts, you hear feet shuffling then you perk up and look busy.” She answered with a grin, grabbing one of the magazines off the magazine rack.

“Those are for customers,” the manager barked.

“Then I’ll buy it point-dexter. Calm your respectable tits, anyway, whatcha want Spike?”

“Spaghetti-O’s, junk food, stuff that kids like,” Spike replied.

“Ain’t the weirdest thing I’ve seen bought, far from it. Some old dude once bought six banana’s, pack of Trojans, and some Vaseline.” she whispered, chuckling like mad.

“Don’t wanna know, I’m just gonna get my shit.” Spike gagged as he walked away from the counter. Returning in a matter of minutes, Scootaloo began scanning the items.

“So, you got a new job yet?”

“Like anyone would hire me. No I’m uh…” Spike was hesitant to answer.

“What? c’mon tell me, I wanna know man, anything’s gotta be better than this place!”

“... Babysitting.” Spike mumbled

“Whasat?” Scootaloo leaning closer.

“Babysitting!”

“Pbbt, hahaha! Are you kidding me? I did that when I was like 13, you’re 18 dude, why are you babysitting? Fucking loser.” she replied, laughing wildly.

“Well how about this, you make 9 dollars an hour here to stock, clean, and bag items. I’m getting 12 dollars an hour just to make sure some kids don’t die. Just the other night I got 100 bucks for watching some kid. Who's the ‘fucking loser’ now?”

“Damn, okay, fully take it back, who was the kid?” she asked, leaning on the counter

“I think Twilight was her name, she think’s we’re brother and sister now, and she shot me in the eye with a pellet gun right after getting into my porn stash. Good night overall.”

“Wow, you sound awful at this, remind me never to let you watch my kid if I ever have one.” she replied, placing the last bag of chips in the in the bag. “Okay, you’re gonna have to pay up… sixty seven dollars!” Spike could only give her the shit stare with that sorta joke she pulled, “Alright it’s fifteen dollars and forty five cents is your final total sir. Remember to tip your cashier and tell the manager of the good service we gave today.” she said sarcastically.

Spike handed her 20 bucks, “Keep the change darlin’, and it’d be best if I didn't tell the manager how ‘good’ you are at your job. See ya Scoots.” He picked up the bags and made his way back to the Library.

“You two would make a disgustingly pleasant couple, why not go out?” The manager said trying to strike up a conversation.

“Ewh, gross. He’s just a friend, just a very funny, cute… W-who dubbed you cupid anyway?” she answered, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Spike drew closer to the Library, making out a little girl in a sweater sitting on the bench beside the library, holding a raggedy stuffed bunny. Probably a good time for some self promotion, “Hey kid, tell your parents if they ever need a babysitter to call me,” Spike said, handing her a flyer from his back pocket.

“That’s uh… why I’m here.” the pink haired girl muttered, staring at the ground.

“Oh… They just dropped you off?”

“They told me to wait until you get back.” Spike looked to the door of the library, the paper of the ‘Open’ side flipped to, ‘Be Back in 5’. “Oh they told me to give you this, they were in a hurry,” she reached into her pant pocket and handed Spike a folded paper. Spike took the paper from her, the paper reading, ‘Dear Librarian, sorry the note, had our daughter be more talkative we could just relay through her. However her being a very reclusive girl, We’ll be the ones to tell you. We had a matter to deal with and had to leave little Fluttershy here, we will take no longer than 7 pm, until then please keep a close eye on her.’

“Okay then Fluttershy, what do you wanna do?” Spike asked, putting his hands in his coat pocket.

“I dunno…”

“Want to watch cartoons or something?”

“Okay.” she replied.

Spike unlocked the Library door and held it open for the little girl, “Ladies first,” he said humbly with a slight bow. She giggled, but quickly went straight face again, hopping off the bench and walking into the library, Spike following shortly behind. He marched to the kitchen and quickly set the bags down and then walking back in the lobby. “So it’s about a quarter past one, we got a while before your parents get here. So… just cartoons?”

“Uh huh,” she answered curled up on the couch.

“O… kay. My name is Spike by the way, just ask me if you need something,” Spike replied as he sat down, handing her the remote, her sweaty little hand touching his as she took it. ‘Jeez, kid must be nervous. At least today will be easy, it’s not like she’s gonna get into my porn or shoot at me.’ She stopped on an Animal Planet special on Meerkats, making her smile brightly with an adorable little squeal. “You like animals huh?”

“Yea, my mommy and daddy own a Vet place where I get to take care of some of the animals. I hope to live on an animal farm one day.” she replied, looking at her stuffed bunny. “I didn’t know this place was a library though, it sure is big.”

“Heheh, and your parents said you weren’t talkative. Yea, it’s mainly just a storage place for books dealing with history, mainly of Equestria but there’s some other books about random crap.”

“Do you live here mister?”

“Yea, there’s a bedroom upstairs and even a guest bedroom down here. The Library itself covers it’s own rent since the Town’s taxes pay for it, but I still need to do a part time job to feed and clothe myself. I find it kinda ironic though, I live in the library yet I’m the dumbest person I know.” She giggled a bit, just what he was fishing for, “What was the emergency that your parents had to leave you for?”

“I think one of my mommy's best friends had a party or something, they didn’t tell me but I heard them talking about it.” she said hugging her bunny.

“What’s your rabbit’s name?”

“Angel, my daddy won him at that claw machine thingy at some arcade on my birthday.”

“Aww that’s nice,”

“No one showed up to the party, other than a few of my cousins and my parents,” she said with a sigh, looking down at the floor.

“It can be hard making friends, but it can also be easy.” Spike stated, Fluttershy fixated her head in his direction curiously, “ Just don’t be so reclusive and try to find people with similar interests, easier said than done of course, but if you don’t put yourself out there no one’s gonna notice you. Kinda the same thing with those flyers, had I not put them out there you wouldn’t be sitting here now.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Getting shot down sucks, but it’s a risk ya gotta take if you want something. Just like a risk I’m going to take now, do you wanna be friends, Fluttershy?”

She stared at him in awe, blushing brightly, “R-really?” He nodded, “Yes!” she quickly replied, hugging Spike.

“Heheh, alright new friend, can I trust you to be alone for just a sec? There’s some stuff I gotta take care of.”

“Yep,” she replied with a smile, turning back to the Tv. Spike stood up and made his way to the kitchen, opening the cupboards and putting the groceries away. ‘Glad I got shopping done today, didn’t expect to watch another kid today, especially one so cute. I just hope she doesn’t get into anything like Twilight.’

As Spike grabbed the last can, he heard a huge cry, “NOOOOOO!”

He dropped the can, running into the Lobby, “Wh-what’s wrong kid!?”

She was teary eyed, clutching her bunny to her chest, “Th-that snake just killed a b-baby meerkat.” Spike , baffled, turned his attention to the Tv. A large python wrapped around a dead little meerkat, consuming it, Fluttershy’s watery eyes glued to the Tv, unable to take them off.

“Okay, okay. We’ll uh, change the channel.” Spike quickly snatched the remote off the couch, turning to the next channel over.

“Welcome back to ‘Slaughterhouse Pigs’! Where we teach you how to gut, dress, and prepare you own pigs!” Causing Fluttershy to cry even harder

“Not helping!” Spike flipped to the next one.

“This week's episode of ‘1000 Ways to Die’. An owner of a Junkyard finds himself caught in his car compactor.”

“What the hell is with all these sick programs?!” Spike exclaimed, flipping channels again,

“We now return you to ‘Happy Time fun Dance”

“Thank god…”

“... OF HELL’!”

“Dammit!” Spike uttered, frustrated, he gave up and turned the Tv off. “Sorry kid I…” he looked at the shivering little pink haired girl, her face buried in her knees, bawling her eyes out. “Hey, hey it’s okay…” Spike said reaching out to her, dropping the remote as it hit his foot. “GAH!... Little fucker,” he exclaimed, Making Fluttershy laugh a little. “... Ya like that? Me getting hurt?” Spike grabbed a book from the coffee table and dropped it on his other foot, exaggerating the pain as he hopped around groaning, turning her sobbing hiccups into giggles. He began slapping himself in the face, punching himself in the gut. anything to make this little girl feel better. After just 3 minutes, his face stinging and his stomach bruised, she had stopped crying. Spike flopped down beside her, “Feel better? Cause I sure don’t.”

She laughed, and kissed his cheek, “Thanks for making me feel better mister.”

Spike blushed as he rubbed the back of his head, “Don’t mention it kid, besides I was the one who made you feel bad anyway. So, what do you wanna do now? I don’t trust the Tv enough to turn it back on.”

“Spin the bottle?”

“That requires more than 2 people, and I’d rather not kiss an 8 year old.”

“Nooo not kissing you big dummy, truth or dare.”

“Still that goes best with groups. What’s a game two people can play?... Hmm. Twenty Questions!”

“What’s that?”

“One person comes up with a person, place, thing, or animal, and the other person has to guess what the word is by asking simple question, like if it’s big or if it’s small. Wanna try?”

“Okay! I’m thinking of something.” she replied excited.

“Does it start with a ‘R’?”

“Is it a cat?”

“Yea!”

“Okay, eleventh animal in a row that you’ve done” Spike groveled.

“Let’s go again!”

“NO!... I mean uh, no let’s just have lunch and stop playing this, please. I don’t know how you stayed entertained playing it for two hours.” he griped.

“What do you have to eat here?” she asked

“Well I have Spaghetti-O’s, stuff to make PBJ, Chips, Vegetable soup?” she shook her head, dropping all his food ideas, “Alright, what do you want then?”

“Apple slices and peanut butter.” Spike facepalmed, ‘The ONE thing I expect a kid to never eat, and she’s asking for fruit.’ “Fruits are unethical. chips are where it’s at!” Spike declared jokingly.

“Oh, then nevermind. My parent’s don’t like me eating greasy or fatty foods, besides we ate before we got here.”

“You’re awful skinny, are you and your family vegetarians?”

“No we just don’t eat a lot of grease or fats. This one time though I had a low-fat cookie, it tasted amazing,” she said with stars in her eyes. Spike walked to the kitchen, bringing back a bag of chips, “S-spike I really shouldn’t.”

“They’re not for you, they’re for me.” Spike had a dark little plan, tempting her with the chips, acting like they tasted like damn nougat eclairs with golden shavings. He opened the bag, smelling deeply the contents of the bag and exhaling with a satisfied sigh, reaching inside and pulling out a generous sized chip, placing it on his tongue and slowly biting down it, emitting a long satisfying crunch. Moaning and humming as he chewed down on it, bringing another to his lips, pushing it into his mouth slowly. Fluttershy watching all the while, mouth hung open, watching Spike engorge himself on chip after chip, looking like he really enjoyed it. Spike glanced over at her, looking fascinated at his chip consumption, he reached in the bag again, ‘accidently’ letting one hit the sofa. Fluttershy brought her shaky palm to it, bringing it up to her mouth, Spike watching from the corner of his eye as she just nibbled at it. Her eyes shot open as the flavors hit her taste buds, realizing the true flavor of the greasy food she’d been robbed of for her entire life. She quickly shoved the rest of the chip in her mouth, darting her eyes at Spike he put the bag right beside each other, turning the Tv on and changing the channel to something they’d both enjoy. She dug into the bag, grabbing a handful and shoving them into her mouth. “So kid, how do you like them ‘apples’?” Spike chuckled.

“Fatty and delicious,” she retorted, her cheeks puffing out from the mass amounts of chip mush.

Spike stopped on Channel 179, “Aw man, Diamond Dog Detective, I thought they took this off the air. I used to love this show when I was your age.”

‘♫ Who's the dog who’s got the plan, Diamond Dog! Who’s the dog who’s man's best friend, Diamond Dog! Solving cases and saving the day, he’s our hero - he’s here to stay. He can’t be beat, he can’t be swayed, it’s Diamond Dog! ♫’

“Ehh it’s a little corny, but it’s still entertaining.” Spike replied. Fluttershy was paying no attention though, all her attention was on the chips. “You go kid, make up for lost time.”

‘You did it again Diamond Dog, you saved the orphanage!’ Reporter Rabbit exclaimed.

‘Who’da thunk it was Professor Platypus trying to steal the orphanage’s charity money?’ Diamond Dog replied, handcuffing the Professor to the cop car.

‘Curse you Diamond Dog. Curse you!’ Professor Platypus wailed.

“Man, I didn’t think they’d have a marathon of the damn show. what time is it anyway?” Spike mumbled as he looked up to the clock, 6:26. “Time flies when you’re having fun, huh kid?” Fluttershy was KO’d, her head hung back, her hand in the chip bag, snoring a bit too loud for a girl her age.

A knock was heard on the library door, making Fluttershy’s head shoot up, “Oh no, they’re gonna find out I was eating junk food.”

Spike rolled the chip bag up and hid it beside the couch, “No they won’t just don’t mention it and you’ll be fine,” the two stood up and made their way to the door, “And hey, put in a good word for me and I can babysit again so you can eat more junk food.”

“You got it best friend,” she replied, giving Spike a quick hug. Spike opened the door, Greeted by two indistinctive people who he assumed was Fluttershy's guardians, with no describable qualities between each other.

“Hey sweetheart, have fun?” the man asked.

Fluttershy nodded, “Mr. Spike and I had a lot of fun, can he watch me more often?”

“We’ll see honey, sorry about the note sir, we were in a hurry to get to the party. I tried contacting you through your phone but none of the calls went through. In terms of payment I believe we were gone about 6 or so hours, so here is your payment.” The man said as he handed Spike a wad of cash.

Spike counted it up,“Twenty, Forty, Sixty, Seventy, Eighty, Ninety, Ninety two? Sir I think you got this wrong.”

“The flyer said that tips were encouraged, and I’m feeling generous right now. In fact, I was even thinking of having some angel food cake tonight for dessert, how does that sound Fluttershy?”

“Yes yes yes! Best night ever!” she exclaimed.

“Well, looks like you got her to come out of her shell a bit huh? Thanks again Mr. Spike, Can I count on contacting you if we need a sitter again.?”

“Always. See ya Fluttershy,” Spike replied, waving goodbye to the happy family. He shut the door behind him and walked into the lobby, another episode of Diamond Dog Detective starting, he plopped down into the couch, grabbing the bag from earlier, all the while singing along to the theme song as it started up.

Author's Note

Spike opened the door, Greeted by two indistinctive people who he assumed was Fluttershy's guardians, with no describable qualities between each other. Just in case the writers decide to introduce Fluttershy's parents into the future, this way I won't look like an ass... even though I kinda do now.

Thinking of doing either Rarity or Rainbow Dash next. Also thinking of having them leave to do stuff outdoors or other places, instead of staying cooped up in the Library the entire story.