All Things Come To Be Loved And Lostby TLCChaptersChapter One- "I Search, But The Words Just Won't Come"Chapter Two- "Sweet Nothings"Chapter Three- "The Quiet Ones, One And Lonely"Chapter Four- "Took The Best Of Me To Write This, But I Kept Drawing Fire And It Burned Up The Whole Page"Chapter One- "I Search, But The Words Just Won't Come"A book hit the ground with a thud, followed by another. And another and another, and so on. Hard covered novels, dictionaries, and encyclopedias alike hit and slid across the hardwood floors of The Golden Oaks library. The rooms were dark, bookshelves lined these walls and towered above the exasperated young mare, skimming through sections of every book in search of assistance. A simple definition or phrase. Something to help her understand. Something to calm the unnerving, uneasy thoughts plaguing her mind as of late. As of several months. Two months, six weeks and twenty seven days to be exact...her own memorization of the length of her time of insanity troubled her further into her search. More books flew over her buzzing head, her dark violet locks with a single pink streak twitched at the breeze the books gave her. Her tired eyes moved with unhealthy pace, the whites of them broken with the blood red cracks of veins and a light hue of pink surrounding her lavender irises. Their appearance brought on by the increasing madness she was causing herself. She didn't mind her own appearance as of late, her lavender fur and before mentioned mane unkempt, her diet unsatisfied, and her sleeping habits hardly existent. Twilight Sparkle has been beside herself on this search for these past two months. Of course, not straight. Her search was always interrupted by the usual culprits. Friends, locals in search for a book and didn't shy from visiting the troubled mare, even a certain drake whenever he wasn't busy with his own things would return every other week or so to check up on his boss and closest friend. Friend. Friend. The word stalled the slightly crazed librarian for a moment, flaring her nostrils and gritting her teeth slightly. Her mind was a mess of cobwebs, the combined information gained from each book being discarded in a growing pile behind her, and the frantic beating thoughts of her aching heart. Wait a minute, wait a minute now. Aching? It wasn't aching. Where did that come from? It was just...she was coming down with a sickness lately. Yes, of course. A sickness that affects the breathing patterns and-body temperatures! The sweat glands and- It didn't matter. For deep down she knew it was no mere sickness, and it was no simple remedy she searched for in every book in the pile in the center of the room. The Golden Oaks library sat in foreboding light, standing still and calm from the outside. Not many entered nor left in quite sometime, but others could still hear sounds within, bangs and thuds. On other occasions, it stood still. In eerie silence, but all was left be. No one questioned the sudden disappearance of the unicorn, one of the most prestigious ponies in Ponyville. She grumbled, shutting her eyes tight in frustration. The three books levitating around her suddenly lost their magenta aura and fell simultaneously around her, her body shaking lightly. Twilight sat there in the dark of the library, the only light came from the window from upstairs, only casting sunlight onto the piles of books and away from her. She cursed this, this feeling. It was her own fault, she couldn't keep away, it was her own kindness that got her to this point. That pushed it away...him away. "Nonsense!" She suddenly exclaimed, then shot her eyes around the room in search of any on lookers. "Nonsense..." She again, but this time in a whisper. "I'm just...having another block!" She stood up, stretching her hooves and then walking over to the lone couch. "Or-or maybe I'm not feeling well! All this dust from the books, could have caused my allergies to go rampant!" She laid down on the couch, facing the ceiling. Moments of silence passed... Scrunching her muzzle, feeling the stinging in her eyes. "P-Ponyfeathers..." Her hooves wrapped around herself, her jaw aching as her lips quivered slightly. She needed...something. Whatever the something was she needed it in heavy doses. But why now? And in such a dramatic fashion is she needing it? She hugged herself tighter as she turned over on the couch, facing the fire place. She shut her eyes and thought back to before all this, before he... She turned herself over once more, her resolve cracking under the immense weight of her own heart. The door bell rung, ringing the insanity out of Twilight's mind for the time being. She quickly sat up from the couch and marched towards the door but stopped. She turned to gaze about the room, books littered the floor, several dishes sat about and around her desk, and the books left on the shelves leaned and had fallen out of order. Quickly she used her magic to right the books into their spots, along with collecting all the dishes she had left behind the past few days and leading them into the kitchen. When all looked as neat as she could, Twilight made her way to the front door and opened it with her best smile. "Hi, Twilight." Fluttershy smiled, her flowing pink mane falling over one side of her face just before she pushed it aside and smiled. "Heya, Twilight." Applejack greeted the unicorn with her classic southern drawl, though stopped short when she and the others saw the bags resting under her friend's eyes, the slight failing in her expression. "H-Hey, Applejack. Fluttershy." Twilight failed at meeting her friend's enthusiasm, though held her best to hold a genuine smile at seeing a friend after so long in solitude. "How are you all this afternoon?" Applejack leaned in. "Twilight, how long have you been in your library?" "Four days, fourteen hours and seven minutes." Twilight answered, surprising her friends including herself. "Oh my..." Fluttershy worried. Applejack sighed. "Sugarcube, is this about what Ah think it's about?" She asked, her frown deepening as a closer examination of her friend shows the pink hue and red cracks in the whites of her eyes. "And be honest, Twi. Ah'm not the best liar, but neither are you." Twilight heard the concern in her friends' voice and fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Girls, I'm-" "Twi." Her nickname being drawn out slow in Applejack's voice, and the worrisome look in Fluttershy's eye suddenly found the crack in the wall she built before the county pony, and thus brought her to dip her head and sigh in defeat. Twilight shrugged, her gaze met the ground. "Something's wrong with me." Applejack rolled her eyes, a friendly smile spread across her lips as she brought the near dramatic unicorn into a hug. "Aw, Twi! There ain't nothin' wrong about ya!" She pulled away. "Come on, let's head over to the farm. Ah'll pour us all some cider and we'll talk this out." "Oh, I don't know..." Twilight said, turning back to the dark insides of her home. Applejack frowned. "Twilight, it's unhealthy to keep yourself locked up like this." She laid a hoof on the frazzled unicorn's shoulder. "I'm here for ya, we all are. Please?" Twilight turned back to her friends, each baring smiles holding hope. She let out a sigh, stroking down her mane with a hoof. "Oh, alright." "Good." Fluttershy smiled, standing besides Twilight. "And, um, maybe I can help you with your mane." Twilight tried to stifle the small giggle but failed. Being lead away from her home by her friends, Twilight took a deep breath and set asides her troubles for the time being. Though doubt still sat in her heart. As Equestria beckoned the night, a lone figure leaned outside The Carousel Boutique. His emerald eyes scanning the twinkling shimmering stars, his arms crossed and a content smile on his lips. He breathed in the night air deep, before letting it out in a slow satisfied sigh. Spike couldn't be happier. The past several months brought him nothing but joy, the joy he could say he used to only dream of. His heart no longer lost or a toy, but owned. His love was recognized, and he couldn't be more satisfied. "Spikey, darling?" Spike turned away from the night's deep sky and towards the boutique's front door, where a half lidded smiling unicorn leaned against its door frame. She stood wearing a violet robe, a hoof resting at her flank while she stared at the drake. "Are you going to keep this mare waiting all night?" She said, her elegant and sultry voice like music to the dragon's ears. Spike smiled, chuckling. "Coming, love." Chapter Two- "Sweet Nothings"A bright light surrounded him, like diamond shaped shards of light casting over. The warmth of the morning was bliss in his mind, gone away from him with the rest of the world as he felt the warmness of her touch. He reached up past her form and pulled her in closer, feeling her fur against the scales of his chest. They rolled over under the regal comforter, silk sheets being the stage for their horizontal dance of love. Her head rested against the pillow with a light thud, a shuttering sigh leaving her lips as she felt a set of claws run down the center of her chest and slid down, sending shivers up her spine and excitement to her brain. Another set found her cutie mark, which was met with a hoof, keeping it stationary as she leaned in to catch her lover's lips. His fork tongue quickly took advantage of her muscle, wrapping around it while leaving her breathless. Her hind legs lightly twitched under the drake's control. Though control was lost in a blink, as the young drake was flipped over onto his back and his claws were pinned above his head. His ivory emeralds stared solely on the mistress above him, her beautiful regal locks haloed by the morning light cast by the window opposite of the bed. Her small playfully grin, like a shard of glass filled with diamonds that shined bright with the love she held for him. "I will never get tired of waking up just like this." Spike breathed, half lidded as a yawn slipped through his speech. Rarity giggled softly, reaching a hoof to the drake's muzzle and tapping the tip. "Neither will I, my darling." She lent down and plant a soft kiss on his lips. The sun had crept over the hills beyond the town, the small traces of clouds above gently inched themselves across the skyline. Birds harmonized to top of that Summer morning's serenity, the cool slow breeze kept the early birds around town as they set up shop for the day. The Carousel Boutique sat peacefully that morning, it inhabitants awake and doing their morning tasks whilst readying the store. Rarity sat at the small kitchen table, steam rising off the white she held in her magic and a pair of red thin framed reading glasses resting at the tip of her muzzle. At the stove, Spike cracked open another egg and emptied its insides into the crackling pan. He enjoyed cooking, especially for the ones he loved. By the time he had finished, the boutique smelled of fresh pancakes and eggs, two plates loaded with the before mentioned rested on the kitchen table along with two cups of orange juice. Rarity took a fork in her magic and took the first bite of her pancakes, her lips curling into a smile as the soft texture of the pancakes and rich syrup sweetened her taste buds. "Oh, Spike darling!" She cooed at the dragon. "These pancakes are simply divine!" Spike smiled sheepishly. "Thank you." "Such a talented dragon." She smiled, winking at her lover whilst taking another bite. "So, what's on your agenda for today?" Spike took a sip of his orange juice before holding a claw to his chin. "Hmm, possibly make a trip to the market for flower, maybe go for a walk around town." He looked back across the table to his marefriend. "Unless you need me for anything, of course." Rarity waved a hoof, giggling. "Oh, don't worry about me here. I'll just be taking care of small orders today then I'll be going to Fluttershy's and then maybe the spa." Spike nodded, turning to his plate and digging into his own creation. Echos of laughter and the dried trails of tears were the friends Twilight awoke with the next morning, finding herself strangely in her own bed. The aftereffects of Celestia knows how many mugs of cider drove Twilight's head back down against the pillow, the bitter morning after taste of a night spent drinking taking its vengeance on her taste buds. Something rose in her throat for only a second before being gulped down, her eyes shut tight and her teeth barred in an attempt to ford the pain in her head. The back of her throat brought found memories and sensations of burnt toast and rotten apples, her stomach laid victim. Not the experienced drinker, Twilight regretted the invitation in the first place, only remembering the genuine smiles her friends had shared with her. The care they had given her in her times of need as of late. With whatever strength she could summon, Twilight held one hoof to her temple whilst another pulled off the covers that trapped her. Hanging her hing legs off the side of the bed, she sat up and faced the wall with empty eyes. The bright glow of the late morning sun shining through her balcony door casting her shadow against the wall's surface, her slouched figure mocking her. She managed to leave her bedroom and trudge towards the bathroom. She opened the door and came face to face with her morning counterpart, grimacing at the reflection's bitter expression. Her mane was a disheveled mess, her eyes were bloodshot, and from a sigh and a quick whiff, her breath wreaked of death itself. "Alright, Twilight." She said to herself, turning the knobs of the sink and splashing water into her face. "You need to break this wayward cycle, this...obsessive behavior is unhealthy, like Applejack said." She looked back into the reflection's eyes, a small smile forming on her lips. "Just focus on more important things, happier things..." The reflection grinned, but it faltered just as Twilight did. "I'm talking to myself." After a quick bath and brushing her teeth, Twilight descended down into the main room of Golden Oaks. She proceeded to take the morning to reorganize the mess she had made placing the books back before departing with her friends and placing every researched book into their rightful place, using the activity to soothe her headache and clear her thoughts. After the last few books coated in a purple aura hovered past her and were put away, she stood back up and made way for the kitchen, needing a glass of water. What did yesterday accomplish? She asked herself, rubbing her temple. As much as I appreciate the initiative Applejack held to get me out for awhile, I don't think drinking all that cider did anything more than leave me with this splitting head ache! "Ugh..." Twilight groaned, finally resting at her kitchen table and laying her head down. "Even yelling in thoughts makes my head hurt." Her lips formed a heavy grimace as knocks erupted from her door, scooting herself away from the kitchen table and softly dropping from her chair. Twilight's hooves dragged across the hardwood floors as she approached the door, using her magic to twist the lock and pull the door open. "Hi, Twilight." Fluttershy pleasantly surprising the unicorn with her quiet demeanor. "I came over because last night um...you and Applejack drank alot." She turned back to the saddle bags resting on her back. "So I thought I'd bring a remedy I knew for headaches and some tea." Twilight smiled, stepping aside and allowing her timid friend to step inside her home. "Thank you, Fluttershy. I appreciate it." She followed the pegasus into the kitchen and sat down at the table, while Fluttershy went to the stove to make the tea. "It's no wonder you didn't want any cider last night, Shy. I feel like my head is splitting in half." Twilight groaned, laying her head on her hooves. Fluttershy smiled to herself. "Oh, I've never liked cider all that much. Rainbow would always invite me to go drinking with her and..." She turned back to her friend, her face a tint pink. "...anyway, the tea will help the remedy go down easy." Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, her focus on the table top. Noticing this, Fluttershy awkwardly walked over and sat besides her friend. "So...how are you feeling-besides the um, headache I mean?" She quickly added. "Well I slept, which is a good start." Twilight chuckled while rolling her eyes. "I don't feel...the usual symptoms." Fluttershy frowned. "Twilight, I don't think how you're feeling about Spike should be categorized as an illness." Twilight sulked in her chair, her expression falling. "I know..." Seeing as her prodding saddened her friend, Fluttershy stammered. "I-I mean, it doesn't make it not serious...but I think you're going about this a little-" "Crazy?" Twilight sighed. "I was going to say 'out there'." Fluttershy answered, just as the tea kettle started to whistle. Twilight used her magic to bring out two tea cups and the kettle and placed them on the table, pouring the tea into the cups and placing one before the pegasus. Twilight took a sip and let out a content sigh. "Hmm, Fluttershy. This is great, what flavor is it?" Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, I made it the other day. It's lemon, but with a tiny bit of strawberry and honey." "It's delicious." Twilight smiled at her friend, taking another sip. Red rose in the pegasi's cheeks at the compliment. "Thank you...so how long do you think it'll be before you two talk?" "Hmm?" Twilight hummed, behind the tea cup. Fluttershy giggled. "I mean, it was years before I could talk to my parents after I left Cloudsdale." She sighed. "My father never looked so happy." Twilight set her tea cup down on the table, pondering her options. "I don't know, Shy. He's not...gone yet, and maybe it won't have to come to that, yet." Taking a sip out of her own cup, Fluttershy couldn't help but at least share a smile with her friend's optimistic view point. "O-Okay, Twilight." Chapter Three- "The Quiet Ones, One And Lonely" The sun peered over the horizon, casting its afternoon glow over Ponyville as Fluttershy had readied to depart from Twilight's home. The two stood in the doorway, both in the midst of their previous conversation, in which delaying them saying their goodbyes. Without them realizing it, the two mares had taken it to walking together from the library. This ended with them standing besides one another a ways from Twilight's home, and finding themselves already half way to Fluttershy's home by the Everfree, standing besides the creek which lead from the forest. Realizing this, Twilight and Fluttershy shared a laugh. "I want to thank you, Fluttershy." Twilight said, earning a look from the timid pegasus. "Me?" Fluttershy replied, her heart slowly making itself known. Twilight smiled and ceased in her walk, standing in the middle of Ponyville's small park and gazing off towards the setting sun. "I'll admit, I've been a wreck as of late. Reeking havoc on my mind and having trouble assessing my feelings with everything." She turned to her friend, smiling. "But you and Applejack have been so patient with me. I honestly don't know how you can sit through me ranting and raving for so long." Fluttershy's lips struggled, her hooves lightly tapping the ground. "Well, uh...I mean, it's what friends do for each other." She said, looking up to Twilight. "I understand struggling with how you feel, not specifically in your case but close. Like I said earlier, me and my father had disagreements after I left Cloudsdale..." Twilight nodded, both mares letting an easy silence fill in for the words left hanging by Fluttershy like an instrumental. "Fluttershy?" Fluttershy looked towards Twilight, who stared back with sincerity. "If you ever want to talk, just like you have with me." Twilight held a hoof to her own chest. "I am always ready to listen." Fluttershy's mouth opened slightly, not a single word that approached her lips were right to describe how deeply she appreciated Twilight's statement. Instead, she smiled and nodded. "Good." Twilight grinned. "It's getting pretty late. I think I've kept you long enough for today." She giggled, turning back to the sun. "Are you sure you don't need anything, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight nodded, smiling at the pegasus. "I'm alright Fluttershy, really." She said, laying a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "After all this time you've spent with me, I would be more concerned about your animals. Thank you for everything, both you and Applejack." Fluttershy's face lit up, her cheeks tinting a light fuchsia as Twilight wrapped her hooves around her in a hug. She could feel the warmth of Twilight's fur, her own hooves meeting around the librarian's shoulders. The two then parted and Fluttershy nodded. "Goodnight, Twilight." "Goodnight, Fluttershy." Twilight said, waving as her friend flapped her wings and took off in the direction of the Everfree. She stood there, basking in the silence as the afternoon air chilled her coat and in the flaming orange atmosphere before turning back and making her way back towards her library home. Fluttershy would be floating, if of course she wasn't already flying. A bright smile plastered on her lips, her inner thoughts squeaking. Had imagination been strong and magical enough in the universe, Discord forbid, tiny hearts were left in tracks behind her as she flew to her home by the Everfree Forest. Her eyes sparkling the star shaped cutie marks of her friend. She landed softly before her cottage, immediately greeted by her pet bunny, Angel, whom began squeaking angrily at the pegasus. "Oh I know Angel, I'm sorry." Fluttershy told the bunny, lifting him up into her hooves. "I was just spending sometime with Twilight today." Angel raised furrowed his brow, squeaking once. "...Yes, again." Fluttershy admitted, turning away from the bunny who continued squeaking and waving his tiny paws at the shying pegasus. "I know, I know." Angel crossed his arms, turning away from Fluttershy as they reached the living room. Fluttershy sat Angel down on the small green couch in the center of the room, sitting before him on the floor. "Don't give me that look." She pouted. "I'm just...I want to help her, Angel. She's been hurting and lonely since Spike started seeing Rarity. I'm worried about her, she rarely eats unless Applejack or I are with her..." After a few moments, Angel turned back seeing the now sad pegasus stare down to the carpet. With a sigh, he stood up and laid a paw on Fluttershy's head, patting it lightly as she look up, the corner of her eyes barring small bitter tears daring escape from their shimmering prisons. Angel waved a paw before them, shaking his head and squeaking softly comforting his winged companion. Fluttershy blinked back those sorrow droplets, reaching out and pulling Angel into a hug, the bunny rolling his eyes as he returned it. "Oh, Angel." Fluttershy said. "I'm so glad to have you when I need you..." She sighed, realizing the weight of those lines held of her friend's dismay. "How about I make some carrot soup?" Angel bounced in please, paws up towards the sky as he squeaked out in a thankful tone. Fluttershy giggled, making her way to the kitchen with her furry companion bouncing behind her. A sigh sounded in the darkness. After the sun's daily retirement, with the sky darkening, stars blinking into existence with the oncoming night, Twilight laid in bed alone. A few moments later and a second one followed, laced with agitation. Turning over on her back, she turned to light the single candle on her nightstand. Her eyes squinted due to the sudden brightness, she watched as it flickered and danced alone the wick, a drop of wax frozen against the candle melted and slowly made its journey down and vanishing below into the thick puddle at the bottom. She gritted her teeth, kicking out once from under the covers and sending them to the floor. She sat up, staring towards the opposite side of the room, a wall of books lining from one side of the room to the other. She scanned each cover with her magic, searching each shelf for it. If only she hadn't place it out of order. Aha! One book, thick and hard covered with a golden spine and coated in Twilight's lavender magic slid from its snug home between two other of its kind. It made its way over to the bed and landed with a soft pat in Twilight's lap. She held it in her hooves, a small smile growing on her lips as a hoof slide over the surface of the book. A golden insignia of a heart baring a small sun on its front cover, twinkling in the candle light. Twilight held the book up to her chest as she laid back down, resting her head back down onto her pillow as her covers kicked to the floor and dawning the same magical aura the book had crawled up the bed and rested over her. With a soft sigh and a tight hug of the book, Twilight slept. Chapter Four- "Took The Best Of Me To Write This, But I Kept Drawing Fire And It Burned Up The Whole Page"A young Spike smiled, sitting upon the balcony of The Golden Oaks Library. The sun had been warming the wood planks he sat upon through out the day, his claws traced the grooves in the wood. It was late in the afternoon, Celestia's sun barely peaking from behind the horizon with the dark of the sky playing it out. The balcony looked over the town's marketplace, young emerald eyes watching as the towns shops packet up and closed their stands. A cool breeze blew past the young drake, a shiver flowing through him and bringing surprise. Almost in that instant he felt the warmth of a blanket layed across his small shoulders. He smiled, embracing the blanket's warmth as Twilight joined beside him with a book. "Why am I never surprised to find you up here?" She said with a furrowed brow, a smile on her face. Spike smirked. "Because I always watch the sunset and always forget to bring a blanket?" As the lavender librarian laid beside him, he fell against the warm comfort of her side. Twilight giggled as the drake got comfortable beside her. "Did you get everything patched up between Dash and AJ?" Twilight sighed, opening her book. "Yes. Those two can be so stubborn at times." She pointed a hoof at one of the pictures within, it illustrating the two before mentioned mares eyeing each other down besides a finish line. "They raced around two Celestia knows how many times before I finally sat them down and got them to make nice." Spike giggled. "What are you, their mom?" Twilight rolled her eyes. "I might as well be, Spike." "Well, you do have that mom personality at times." He said, rolling over to face the unicorn. "At least with me, does that make you my mom?" Twilight pondered this, raising a hoof to her chin. "Hmm...I guess so." She smiled. Spike laughed, pointing a claw at Twilight. "Ha, you're a mom." "Your mom." Twilight grinned, poking a hoof into Spike's abdomen and causing him to giggle. "I don't mind that, actually. Never really had time to think about having foals in the future..." She turned to the sky, darkening now that the sun had fully retired, leaving the sky in the night's hooves. "I've only just realized I have the coolest son ever." Spike groaned playfully, waving a claw. "Wow don't get all mushy, Twi." "Aw." Twilight pouted, with a hint of amusement. "Do you not like mushy?" Spike slapped a claw over his face, a smile creeping onto his face. "No. Stop." Twilight laughed, pulling the drake closer and wrapping the blanket around both of them. Eventually, Spike drifted off to sleep whilst wrapped in his play mother's embrace. Spike sighed, his eyes scanning the mirror before him as he stood in Rarity's bathroom. His scales had roughen and grown over the years. He extended a claws and trace his more ridged jaw line and grinned, the confidence in his appearance growing inside and inflaming his ego. But it deflated, like a lung exhaling air and another sigh dragging past his lips. Something wasn't right, and has been that way for awhile. It couldn't have been that big, he would sometimes find himself thinking. Him and Rarity couldn't be better than ever. She was happy, which in turn made him happy. But for as much as he loved that mare, for everytime her deep blue eyes meet his and sent his heart into back flips, for every moment he spent with her in his arms, for every bliss filled night laying by her side... ...there was a hole he knew he left open by walking out of that library without as much of a word. He gripped the sides of the sink in an instant, his muscles tensing as a flame of anger formed a small pit in his chest. He was wrong, so wrong. And he knew it, he knew it to fullest, and he knew that he didn't hold the courage to walk back and face her. His emerald gaze met the reflection once more, the sides of his mouth beginning to hurt. The disappointment fairly visible. A shuttering sigh left him as knocks sounded at the bathroom door. "Spike, darling!" Rarity's voice chimed in. "I'm off to the market!...Spike?" Spike stayed silent for a moment, before turning to open the door to face his beloved. "Dear, are you alright?" Rarity asked, seeing the crestfallen expression on her love's face bring out concern. She reached out with a hoof to Spike's chin, lifting so that his eyes met hers. "I..I'm alright." He said, fighting his way to meet her gaze. "I was just about to head out too." "Oh, well do you want to come with me?" Rarity asked, a smile on her face. "It can get awfully lonely at the market without my Spikey-Wikey." Spike grinned, grasping the hoof at his chin softly in his claws. "Of course, let me just...uh, freshen myself up a bit." Rarity smiled brighter, leaning in a pecking her drake on the cheek. "Okay, darling. I'll be in the living room." Spike watched as Rarity turned away and walked away, eventually hearing her transcend down stairs. His head dipped, turning back towards the sink and turning the knobs. He splashed water into his face, shivering at the sudden cool liquid meeting his scales. Turning the knobs again to cease the water's flow, he turned to the towel rack and wiped his face with one of the towels hanging. "I'll make it right." He said aloud, but meant it to himself. "Just...give me time." Her bedroom balcony doors had creaked open, a chill filling the room. The soft, distant sounds of flapping wings grew less distant and then ceased. Sounds of hooves hitting wood whispered just outside and crept into the room, the balcony doors creaking as they were pushed open. Pages littered the floor beside the bed, the night's wind must have blown them off the nightstand. A slow breathing form laid beneath the covers as the soft moving figure approached the bed. The pegasus gazed around the room, a basket of baked goods hung from her mouth. She took note of how cold the floor was, almost as if the balcony doors had opened during the night. Now worried, she saw the sleeping form shaking and stirring. The pegasus set the basket on the ground and turned to close the doors, gently so she didn't wake the sleeping pony. "Ugh..." She heard suddenly, leaving her frozen in her tracks. The noise was followed by subtle movements, but they soon settled and her standing ears were greeted with light snores. Content with this, the pegasus sighed with relief. She walked back towards the bed and reached into the basket, pulling out a glass cup, a small bottle of orange juice, a muffin, a bagel, and placed the items on the nightstand by the bed. She walked over to the other side and with shaking anxious hooves, lifted the blanket slightly, revealing the sleeping form. Twilight Sparkle's nose scrunched up and her eyebrows furrowed, her hooves jutting out weakly. The pegasus couldn't tell if it was from the cold or she was dreaming. She laid the covers back down over the lavender mare but only up to her neck, leaving her head exposed. Making sure the items were placed just right, the pegasus turned to exit out the balcony before stopping at the foot of the bed. The pegasus noticed a book laying on the floor beside the bed. She tiptoed over to get a closer look, picking it up in her hooves. She turned to the sleeping Twilight, whose hooves reached out towards the spot where the book laid. With a smile, the pegasus gently placed the book in Twilight's sleepy grasp. Her smile widened when she saw the unicorn hold the book closer to herself, her shivering ceasing almost immediately and a warm smile grazing her lips. The pegasus opened the balcony doors and stepped out onto the balcony, making sure they closed behind her before taking off, a stern look on her face. I'll make this right, Twilight. I promise...
Chapter One- "I Search, But The Words Just Won't Come"A book hit the ground with a thud, followed by another. And another and another, and so on. Hard covered novels, dictionaries, and encyclopedias alike hit and slid across the hardwood floors of The Golden Oaks library. The rooms were dark, bookshelves lined these walls and towered above the exasperated young mare, skimming through sections of every book in search of assistance. A simple definition or phrase. Something to help her understand. Something to calm the unnerving, uneasy thoughts plaguing her mind as of late. As of several months. Two months, six weeks and twenty seven days to be exact...her own memorization of the length of her time of insanity troubled her further into her search. More books flew over her buzzing head, her dark violet locks with a single pink streak twitched at the breeze the books gave her. Her tired eyes moved with unhealthy pace, the whites of them broken with the blood red cracks of veins and a light hue of pink surrounding her lavender irises. Their appearance brought on by the increasing madness she was causing herself. She didn't mind her own appearance as of late, her lavender fur and before mentioned mane unkempt, her diet unsatisfied, and her sleeping habits hardly existent. Twilight Sparkle has been beside herself on this search for these past two months. Of course, not straight. Her search was always interrupted by the usual culprits. Friends, locals in search for a book and didn't shy from visiting the troubled mare, even a certain drake whenever he wasn't busy with his own things would return every other week or so to check up on his boss and closest friend. Friend. Friend. The word stalled the slightly crazed librarian for a moment, flaring her nostrils and gritting her teeth slightly. Her mind was a mess of cobwebs, the combined information gained from each book being discarded in a growing pile behind her, and the frantic beating thoughts of her aching heart. Wait a minute, wait a minute now. Aching? It wasn't aching. Where did that come from? It was just...she was coming down with a sickness lately. Yes, of course. A sickness that affects the breathing patterns and-body temperatures! The sweat glands and- It didn't matter. For deep down she knew it was no mere sickness, and it was no simple remedy she searched for in every book in the pile in the center of the room. The Golden Oaks library sat in foreboding light, standing still and calm from the outside. Not many entered nor left in quite sometime, but others could still hear sounds within, bangs and thuds. On other occasions, it stood still. In eerie silence, but all was left be. No one questioned the sudden disappearance of the unicorn, one of the most prestigious ponies in Ponyville. She grumbled, shutting her eyes tight in frustration. The three books levitating around her suddenly lost their magenta aura and fell simultaneously around her, her body shaking lightly. Twilight sat there in the dark of the library, the only light came from the window from upstairs, only casting sunlight onto the piles of books and away from her. She cursed this, this feeling. It was her own fault, she couldn't keep away, it was her own kindness that got her to this point. That pushed it away...him away. "Nonsense!" She suddenly exclaimed, then shot her eyes around the room in search of any on lookers. "Nonsense..." She again, but this time in a whisper. "I'm just...having another block!" She stood up, stretching her hooves and then walking over to the lone couch. "Or-or maybe I'm not feeling well! All this dust from the books, could have caused my allergies to go rampant!" She laid down on the couch, facing the ceiling. Moments of silence passed... Scrunching her muzzle, feeling the stinging in her eyes. "P-Ponyfeathers..." Her hooves wrapped around herself, her jaw aching as her lips quivered slightly. She needed...something. Whatever the something was she needed it in heavy doses. But why now? And in such a dramatic fashion is she needing it? She hugged herself tighter as she turned over on the couch, facing the fire place. She shut her eyes and thought back to before all this, before he... She turned herself over once more, her resolve cracking under the immense weight of her own heart. The door bell rung, ringing the insanity out of Twilight's mind for the time being. She quickly sat up from the couch and marched towards the door but stopped. She turned to gaze about the room, books littered the floor, several dishes sat about and around her desk, and the books left on the shelves leaned and had fallen out of order. Quickly she used her magic to right the books into their spots, along with collecting all the dishes she had left behind the past few days and leading them into the kitchen. When all looked as neat as she could, Twilight made her way to the front door and opened it with her best smile. "Hi, Twilight." Fluttershy smiled, her flowing pink mane falling over one side of her face just before she pushed it aside and smiled. "Heya, Twilight." Applejack greeted the unicorn with her classic southern drawl, though stopped short when she and the others saw the bags resting under her friend's eyes, the slight failing in her expression. "H-Hey, Applejack. Fluttershy." Twilight failed at meeting her friend's enthusiasm, though held her best to hold a genuine smile at seeing a friend after so long in solitude. "How are you all this afternoon?" Applejack leaned in. "Twilight, how long have you been in your library?" "Four days, fourteen hours and seven minutes." Twilight answered, surprising her friends including herself. "Oh my..." Fluttershy worried. Applejack sighed. "Sugarcube, is this about what Ah think it's about?" She asked, her frown deepening as a closer examination of her friend shows the pink hue and red cracks in the whites of her eyes. "And be honest, Twi. Ah'm not the best liar, but neither are you." Twilight heard the concern in her friends' voice and fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Girls, I'm-" "Twi." Her nickname being drawn out slow in Applejack's voice, and the worrisome look in Fluttershy's eye suddenly found the crack in the wall she built before the county pony, and thus brought her to dip her head and sigh in defeat. Twilight shrugged, her gaze met the ground. "Something's wrong with me." Applejack rolled her eyes, a friendly smile spread across her lips as she brought the near dramatic unicorn into a hug. "Aw, Twi! There ain't nothin' wrong about ya!" She pulled away. "Come on, let's head over to the farm. Ah'll pour us all some cider and we'll talk this out." "Oh, I don't know..." Twilight said, turning back to the dark insides of her home. Applejack frowned. "Twilight, it's unhealthy to keep yourself locked up like this." She laid a hoof on the frazzled unicorn's shoulder. "I'm here for ya, we all are. Please?" Twilight turned back to her friends, each baring smiles holding hope. She let out a sigh, stroking down her mane with a hoof. "Oh, alright." "Good." Fluttershy smiled, standing besides Twilight. "And, um, maybe I can help you with your mane." Twilight tried to stifle the small giggle but failed. Being lead away from her home by her friends, Twilight took a deep breath and set asides her troubles for the time being. Though doubt still sat in her heart. As Equestria beckoned the night, a lone figure leaned outside The Carousel Boutique. His emerald eyes scanning the twinkling shimmering stars, his arms crossed and a content smile on his lips. He breathed in the night air deep, before letting it out in a slow satisfied sigh. Spike couldn't be happier. The past several months brought him nothing but joy, the joy he could say he used to only dream of. His heart no longer lost or a toy, but owned. His love was recognized, and he couldn't be more satisfied. "Spikey, darling?" Spike turned away from the night's deep sky and towards the boutique's front door, where a half lidded smiling unicorn leaned against its door frame. She stood wearing a violet robe, a hoof resting at her flank while she stared at the drake. "Are you going to keep this mare waiting all night?" She said, her elegant and sultry voice like music to the dragon's ears. Spike smiled, chuckling. "Coming, love."
Chapter Two- "Sweet Nothings"A bright light surrounded him, like diamond shaped shards of light casting over. The warmth of the morning was bliss in his mind, gone away from him with the rest of the world as he felt the warmness of her touch. He reached up past her form and pulled her in closer, feeling her fur against the scales of his chest. They rolled over under the regal comforter, silk sheets being the stage for their horizontal dance of love. Her head rested against the pillow with a light thud, a shuttering sigh leaving her lips as she felt a set of claws run down the center of her chest and slid down, sending shivers up her spine and excitement to her brain. Another set found her cutie mark, which was met with a hoof, keeping it stationary as she leaned in to catch her lover's lips. His fork tongue quickly took advantage of her muscle, wrapping around it while leaving her breathless. Her hind legs lightly twitched under the drake's control. Though control was lost in a blink, as the young drake was flipped over onto his back and his claws were pinned above his head. His ivory emeralds stared solely on the mistress above him, her beautiful regal locks haloed by the morning light cast by the window opposite of the bed. Her small playfully grin, like a shard of glass filled with diamonds that shined bright with the love she held for him. "I will never get tired of waking up just like this." Spike breathed, half lidded as a yawn slipped through his speech. Rarity giggled softly, reaching a hoof to the drake's muzzle and tapping the tip. "Neither will I, my darling." She lent down and plant a soft kiss on his lips. The sun had crept over the hills beyond the town, the small traces of clouds above gently inched themselves across the skyline. Birds harmonized to top of that Summer morning's serenity, the cool slow breeze kept the early birds around town as they set up shop for the day. The Carousel Boutique sat peacefully that morning, it inhabitants awake and doing their morning tasks whilst readying the store. Rarity sat at the small kitchen table, steam rising off the white she held in her magic and a pair of red thin framed reading glasses resting at the tip of her muzzle. At the stove, Spike cracked open another egg and emptied its insides into the crackling pan. He enjoyed cooking, especially for the ones he loved. By the time he had finished, the boutique smelled of fresh pancakes and eggs, two plates loaded with the before mentioned rested on the kitchen table along with two cups of orange juice. Rarity took a fork in her magic and took the first bite of her pancakes, her lips curling into a smile as the soft texture of the pancakes and rich syrup sweetened her taste buds. "Oh, Spike darling!" She cooed at the dragon. "These pancakes are simply divine!" Spike smiled sheepishly. "Thank you." "Such a talented dragon." She smiled, winking at her lover whilst taking another bite. "So, what's on your agenda for today?" Spike took a sip of his orange juice before holding a claw to his chin. "Hmm, possibly make a trip to the market for flower, maybe go for a walk around town." He looked back across the table to his marefriend. "Unless you need me for anything, of course." Rarity waved a hoof, giggling. "Oh, don't worry about me here. I'll just be taking care of small orders today then I'll be going to Fluttershy's and then maybe the spa." Spike nodded, turning to his plate and digging into his own creation. Echos of laughter and the dried trails of tears were the friends Twilight awoke with the next morning, finding herself strangely in her own bed. The aftereffects of Celestia knows how many mugs of cider drove Twilight's head back down against the pillow, the bitter morning after taste of a night spent drinking taking its vengeance on her taste buds. Something rose in her throat for only a second before being gulped down, her eyes shut tight and her teeth barred in an attempt to ford the pain in her head. The back of her throat brought found memories and sensations of burnt toast and rotten apples, her stomach laid victim. Not the experienced drinker, Twilight regretted the invitation in the first place, only remembering the genuine smiles her friends had shared with her. The care they had given her in her times of need as of late. With whatever strength she could summon, Twilight held one hoof to her temple whilst another pulled off the covers that trapped her. Hanging her hing legs off the side of the bed, she sat up and faced the wall with empty eyes. The bright glow of the late morning sun shining through her balcony door casting her shadow against the wall's surface, her slouched figure mocking her. She managed to leave her bedroom and trudge towards the bathroom. She opened the door and came face to face with her morning counterpart, grimacing at the reflection's bitter expression. Her mane was a disheveled mess, her eyes were bloodshot, and from a sigh and a quick whiff, her breath wreaked of death itself. "Alright, Twilight." She said to herself, turning the knobs of the sink and splashing water into her face. "You need to break this wayward cycle, this...obsessive behavior is unhealthy, like Applejack said." She looked back into the reflection's eyes, a small smile forming on her lips. "Just focus on more important things, happier things..." The reflection grinned, but it faltered just as Twilight did. "I'm talking to myself." After a quick bath and brushing her teeth, Twilight descended down into the main room of Golden Oaks. She proceeded to take the morning to reorganize the mess she had made placing the books back before departing with her friends and placing every researched book into their rightful place, using the activity to soothe her headache and clear her thoughts. After the last few books coated in a purple aura hovered past her and were put away, she stood back up and made way for the kitchen, needing a glass of water. What did yesterday accomplish? She asked herself, rubbing her temple. As much as I appreciate the initiative Applejack held to get me out for awhile, I don't think drinking all that cider did anything more than leave me with this splitting head ache! "Ugh..." Twilight groaned, finally resting at her kitchen table and laying her head down. "Even yelling in thoughts makes my head hurt." Her lips formed a heavy grimace as knocks erupted from her door, scooting herself away from the kitchen table and softly dropping from her chair. Twilight's hooves dragged across the hardwood floors as she approached the door, using her magic to twist the lock and pull the door open. "Hi, Twilight." Fluttershy pleasantly surprising the unicorn with her quiet demeanor. "I came over because last night um...you and Applejack drank alot." She turned back to the saddle bags resting on her back. "So I thought I'd bring a remedy I knew for headaches and some tea." Twilight smiled, stepping aside and allowing her timid friend to step inside her home. "Thank you, Fluttershy. I appreciate it." She followed the pegasus into the kitchen and sat down at the table, while Fluttershy went to the stove to make the tea. "It's no wonder you didn't want any cider last night, Shy. I feel like my head is splitting in half." Twilight groaned, laying her head on her hooves. Fluttershy smiled to herself. "Oh, I've never liked cider all that much. Rainbow would always invite me to go drinking with her and..." She turned back to her friend, her face a tint pink. "...anyway, the tea will help the remedy go down easy." Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, her focus on the table top. Noticing this, Fluttershy awkwardly walked over and sat besides her friend. "So...how are you feeling-besides the um, headache I mean?" She quickly added. "Well I slept, which is a good start." Twilight chuckled while rolling her eyes. "I don't feel...the usual symptoms." Fluttershy frowned. "Twilight, I don't think how you're feeling about Spike should be categorized as an illness." Twilight sulked in her chair, her expression falling. "I know..." Seeing as her prodding saddened her friend, Fluttershy stammered. "I-I mean, it doesn't make it not serious...but I think you're going about this a little-" "Crazy?" Twilight sighed. "I was going to say 'out there'." Fluttershy answered, just as the tea kettle started to whistle. Twilight used her magic to bring out two tea cups and the kettle and placed them on the table, pouring the tea into the cups and placing one before the pegasus. Twilight took a sip and let out a content sigh. "Hmm, Fluttershy. This is great, what flavor is it?" Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, I made it the other day. It's lemon, but with a tiny bit of strawberry and honey." "It's delicious." Twilight smiled at her friend, taking another sip. Red rose in the pegasi's cheeks at the compliment. "Thank you...so how long do you think it'll be before you two talk?" "Hmm?" Twilight hummed, behind the tea cup. Fluttershy giggled. "I mean, it was years before I could talk to my parents after I left Cloudsdale." She sighed. "My father never looked so happy." Twilight set her tea cup down on the table, pondering her options. "I don't know, Shy. He's not...gone yet, and maybe it won't have to come to that, yet." Taking a sip out of her own cup, Fluttershy couldn't help but at least share a smile with her friend's optimistic view point. "O-Okay, Twilight."
Chapter Three- "The Quiet Ones, One And Lonely" The sun peered over the horizon, casting its afternoon glow over Ponyville as Fluttershy had readied to depart from Twilight's home. The two stood in the doorway, both in the midst of their previous conversation, in which delaying them saying their goodbyes. Without them realizing it, the two mares had taken it to walking together from the library. This ended with them standing besides one another a ways from Twilight's home, and finding themselves already half way to Fluttershy's home by the Everfree, standing besides the creek which lead from the forest. Realizing this, Twilight and Fluttershy shared a laugh. "I want to thank you, Fluttershy." Twilight said, earning a look from the timid pegasus. "Me?" Fluttershy replied, her heart slowly making itself known. Twilight smiled and ceased in her walk, standing in the middle of Ponyville's small park and gazing off towards the setting sun. "I'll admit, I've been a wreck as of late. Reeking havoc on my mind and having trouble assessing my feelings with everything." She turned to her friend, smiling. "But you and Applejack have been so patient with me. I honestly don't know how you can sit through me ranting and raving for so long." Fluttershy's lips struggled, her hooves lightly tapping the ground. "Well, uh...I mean, it's what friends do for each other." She said, looking up to Twilight. "I understand struggling with how you feel, not specifically in your case but close. Like I said earlier, me and my father had disagreements after I left Cloudsdale..." Twilight nodded, both mares letting an easy silence fill in for the words left hanging by Fluttershy like an instrumental. "Fluttershy?" Fluttershy looked towards Twilight, who stared back with sincerity. "If you ever want to talk, just like you have with me." Twilight held a hoof to her own chest. "I am always ready to listen." Fluttershy's mouth opened slightly, not a single word that approached her lips were right to describe how deeply she appreciated Twilight's statement. Instead, she smiled and nodded. "Good." Twilight grinned. "It's getting pretty late. I think I've kept you long enough for today." She giggled, turning back to the sun. "Are you sure you don't need anything, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked. Twilight nodded, smiling at the pegasus. "I'm alright Fluttershy, really." She said, laying a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "After all this time you've spent with me, I would be more concerned about your animals. Thank you for everything, both you and Applejack." Fluttershy's face lit up, her cheeks tinting a light fuchsia as Twilight wrapped her hooves around her in a hug. She could feel the warmth of Twilight's fur, her own hooves meeting around the librarian's shoulders. The two then parted and Fluttershy nodded. "Goodnight, Twilight." "Goodnight, Fluttershy." Twilight said, waving as her friend flapped her wings and took off in the direction of the Everfree. She stood there, basking in the silence as the afternoon air chilled her coat and in the flaming orange atmosphere before turning back and making her way back towards her library home. Fluttershy would be floating, if of course she wasn't already flying. A bright smile plastered on her lips, her inner thoughts squeaking. Had imagination been strong and magical enough in the universe, Discord forbid, tiny hearts were left in tracks behind her as she flew to her home by the Everfree Forest. Her eyes sparkling the star shaped cutie marks of her friend. She landed softly before her cottage, immediately greeted by her pet bunny, Angel, whom began squeaking angrily at the pegasus. "Oh I know Angel, I'm sorry." Fluttershy told the bunny, lifting him up into her hooves. "I was just spending sometime with Twilight today." Angel raised furrowed his brow, squeaking once. "...Yes, again." Fluttershy admitted, turning away from the bunny who continued squeaking and waving his tiny paws at the shying pegasus. "I know, I know." Angel crossed his arms, turning away from Fluttershy as they reached the living room. Fluttershy sat Angel down on the small green couch in the center of the room, sitting before him on the floor. "Don't give me that look." She pouted. "I'm just...I want to help her, Angel. She's been hurting and lonely since Spike started seeing Rarity. I'm worried about her, she rarely eats unless Applejack or I are with her..." After a few moments, Angel turned back seeing the now sad pegasus stare down to the carpet. With a sigh, he stood up and laid a paw on Fluttershy's head, patting it lightly as she look up, the corner of her eyes barring small bitter tears daring escape from their shimmering prisons. Angel waved a paw before them, shaking his head and squeaking softly comforting his winged companion. Fluttershy blinked back those sorrow droplets, reaching out and pulling Angel into a hug, the bunny rolling his eyes as he returned it. "Oh, Angel." Fluttershy said. "I'm so glad to have you when I need you..." She sighed, realizing the weight of those lines held of her friend's dismay. "How about I make some carrot soup?" Angel bounced in please, paws up towards the sky as he squeaked out in a thankful tone. Fluttershy giggled, making her way to the kitchen with her furry companion bouncing behind her. A sigh sounded in the darkness. After the sun's daily retirement, with the sky darkening, stars blinking into existence with the oncoming night, Twilight laid in bed alone. A few moments later and a second one followed, laced with agitation. Turning over on her back, she turned to light the single candle on her nightstand. Her eyes squinted due to the sudden brightness, she watched as it flickered and danced alone the wick, a drop of wax frozen against the candle melted and slowly made its journey down and vanishing below into the thick puddle at the bottom. She gritted her teeth, kicking out once from under the covers and sending them to the floor. She sat up, staring towards the opposite side of the room, a wall of books lining from one side of the room to the other. She scanned each cover with her magic, searching each shelf for it. If only she hadn't place it out of order. Aha! One book, thick and hard covered with a golden spine and coated in Twilight's lavender magic slid from its snug home between two other of its kind. It made its way over to the bed and landed with a soft pat in Twilight's lap. She held it in her hooves, a small smile growing on her lips as a hoof slide over the surface of the book. A golden insignia of a heart baring a small sun on its front cover, twinkling in the candle light. Twilight held the book up to her chest as she laid back down, resting her head back down onto her pillow as her covers kicked to the floor and dawning the same magical aura the book had crawled up the bed and rested over her. With a soft sigh and a tight hug of the book, Twilight slept.
Chapter Four- "Took The Best Of Me To Write This, But I Kept Drawing Fire And It Burned Up The Whole Page"A young Spike smiled, sitting upon the balcony of The Golden Oaks Library. The sun had been warming the wood planks he sat upon through out the day, his claws traced the grooves in the wood. It was late in the afternoon, Celestia's sun barely peaking from behind the horizon with the dark of the sky playing it out. The balcony looked over the town's marketplace, young emerald eyes watching as the towns shops packet up and closed their stands. A cool breeze blew past the young drake, a shiver flowing through him and bringing surprise. Almost in that instant he felt the warmth of a blanket layed across his small shoulders. He smiled, embracing the blanket's warmth as Twilight joined beside him with a book. "Why am I never surprised to find you up here?" She said with a furrowed brow, a smile on her face. Spike smirked. "Because I always watch the sunset and always forget to bring a blanket?" As the lavender librarian laid beside him, he fell against the warm comfort of her side. Twilight giggled as the drake got comfortable beside her. "Did you get everything patched up between Dash and AJ?" Twilight sighed, opening her book. "Yes. Those two can be so stubborn at times." She pointed a hoof at one of the pictures within, it illustrating the two before mentioned mares eyeing each other down besides a finish line. "They raced around two Celestia knows how many times before I finally sat them down and got them to make nice." Spike giggled. "What are you, their mom?" Twilight rolled her eyes. "I might as well be, Spike." "Well, you do have that mom personality at times." He said, rolling over to face the unicorn. "At least with me, does that make you my mom?" Twilight pondered this, raising a hoof to her chin. "Hmm...I guess so." She smiled. Spike laughed, pointing a claw at Twilight. "Ha, you're a mom." "Your mom." Twilight grinned, poking a hoof into Spike's abdomen and causing him to giggle. "I don't mind that, actually. Never really had time to think about having foals in the future..." She turned to the sky, darkening now that the sun had fully retired, leaving the sky in the night's hooves. "I've only just realized I have the coolest son ever." Spike groaned playfully, waving a claw. "Wow don't get all mushy, Twi." "Aw." Twilight pouted, with a hint of amusement. "Do you not like mushy?" Spike slapped a claw over his face, a smile creeping onto his face. "No. Stop." Twilight laughed, pulling the drake closer and wrapping the blanket around both of them. Eventually, Spike drifted off to sleep whilst wrapped in his play mother's embrace. Spike sighed, his eyes scanning the mirror before him as he stood in Rarity's bathroom. His scales had roughen and grown over the years. He extended a claws and trace his more ridged jaw line and grinned, the confidence in his appearance growing inside and inflaming his ego. But it deflated, like a lung exhaling air and another sigh dragging past his lips. Something wasn't right, and has been that way for awhile. It couldn't have been that big, he would sometimes find himself thinking. Him and Rarity couldn't be better than ever. She was happy, which in turn made him happy. But for as much as he loved that mare, for everytime her deep blue eyes meet his and sent his heart into back flips, for every moment he spent with her in his arms, for every bliss filled night laying by her side... ...there was a hole he knew he left open by walking out of that library without as much of a word. He gripped the sides of the sink in an instant, his muscles tensing as a flame of anger formed a small pit in his chest. He was wrong, so wrong. And he knew it, he knew it to fullest, and he knew that he didn't hold the courage to walk back and face her. His emerald gaze met the reflection once more, the sides of his mouth beginning to hurt. The disappointment fairly visible. A shuttering sigh left him as knocks sounded at the bathroom door. "Spike, darling!" Rarity's voice chimed in. "I'm off to the market!...Spike?" Spike stayed silent for a moment, before turning to open the door to face his beloved. "Dear, are you alright?" Rarity asked, seeing the crestfallen expression on her love's face bring out concern. She reached out with a hoof to Spike's chin, lifting so that his eyes met hers. "I..I'm alright." He said, fighting his way to meet her gaze. "I was just about to head out too." "Oh, well do you want to come with me?" Rarity asked, a smile on her face. "It can get awfully lonely at the market without my Spikey-Wikey." Spike grinned, grasping the hoof at his chin softly in his claws. "Of course, let me just...uh, freshen myself up a bit." Rarity smiled brighter, leaning in a pecking her drake on the cheek. "Okay, darling. I'll be in the living room." Spike watched as Rarity turned away and walked away, eventually hearing her transcend down stairs. His head dipped, turning back towards the sink and turning the knobs. He splashed water into his face, shivering at the sudden cool liquid meeting his scales. Turning the knobs again to cease the water's flow, he turned to the towel rack and wiped his face with one of the towels hanging. "I'll make it right." He said aloud, but meant it to himself. "Just...give me time." Her bedroom balcony doors had creaked open, a chill filling the room. The soft, distant sounds of flapping wings grew less distant and then ceased. Sounds of hooves hitting wood whispered just outside and crept into the room, the balcony doors creaking as they were pushed open. Pages littered the floor beside the bed, the night's wind must have blown them off the nightstand. A slow breathing form laid beneath the covers as the soft moving figure approached the bed. The pegasus gazed around the room, a basket of baked goods hung from her mouth. She took note of how cold the floor was, almost as if the balcony doors had opened during the night. Now worried, she saw the sleeping form shaking and stirring. The pegasus set the basket on the ground and turned to close the doors, gently so she didn't wake the sleeping pony. "Ugh..." She heard suddenly, leaving her frozen in her tracks. The noise was followed by subtle movements, but they soon settled and her standing ears were greeted with light snores. Content with this, the pegasus sighed with relief. She walked back towards the bed and reached into the basket, pulling out a glass cup, a small bottle of orange juice, a muffin, a bagel, and placed the items on the nightstand by the bed. She walked over to the other side and with shaking anxious hooves, lifted the blanket slightly, revealing the sleeping form. Twilight Sparkle's nose scrunched up and her eyebrows furrowed, her hooves jutting out weakly. The pegasus couldn't tell if it was from the cold or she was dreaming. She laid the covers back down over the lavender mare but only up to her neck, leaving her head exposed. Making sure the items were placed just right, the pegasus turned to exit out the balcony before stopping at the foot of the bed. The pegasus noticed a book laying on the floor beside the bed. She tiptoed over to get a closer look, picking it up in her hooves. She turned to the sleeping Twilight, whose hooves reached out towards the spot where the book laid. With a smile, the pegasus gently placed the book in Twilight's sleepy grasp. Her smile widened when she saw the unicorn hold the book closer to herself, her shivering ceasing almost immediately and a warm smile grazing her lips. The pegasus opened the balcony doors and stepped out onto the balcony, making sure they closed behind her before taking off, a stern look on her face. I'll make this right, Twilight. I promise...
