Hold On For Me

"Spike?"

The green-and-purple dragon of which that name belonged jolted upward, as his eyes darted around the room until it rested on the lavender mare before him. In her telekinetic grasp were the blankets that had previously draped darkness around him. Now that it was removed, his eyes tried to adjust to the glistening moonlight, instead of the weak light of a flashlight.

"Spike, what are you doing?"

Noticing the hint of frustration in her voice that he knew all too well, Spike nervously paled. It wasn't the first time he was caught reading comic books under the covers. He honestly couldn't help it. Whenever he was falling asleep, his curiosity haunted him and eagerness to read the next chapter echoed through his mind, shaking him awake until every ounce of tiredness in him was completely gone.

In response to Twilight, all Spike did was smile and chuckle sheepishly.

Twilight Sparkle threw the sheets that had shielded Spike to the side, and glared angrily at him. It was only a moment, however, until her expression softened.

She sighed tiredly. "Spike, this is about the third time you've done this; or more, without me knowing. But you have to understand when I say baby dragons need their rest. It's a large and imperative contribution to your health and growth! You can't just--"

"I'm sorry, okay? I won't ever do it again, I promise!" Spike interrupted. He could almost feel a punishment now, whether it be her reading out a whole section of the dictionary or something better. Spike would rather give up his nightly readings than experience whatever punishment Twilight would think of.

Twilight simply smiled, which took Spike by surprise. "Listen, Spike. You're forgetting how much of a bookworm I am, or as Rainbow Dash calls it, an egghead," she paused and giggled at the thought, "and as I am such an egghead, I understand. Sometimes, I can't stop reading a book, and sometimes I get so involved in it that I forget my needs as in food or sleep or even you, Spike. That is what I'm a bit ashamed of."

Spike nodded slowly, though a bit unsure what to think of it. After an awkward moment of silence, Twilight glanced at Spike, with what looked like the expression she used when she expected an answer.

He coughed. "Uh, really?" Spike muttered.

"Alright, Spike," Twilight examined the comic book in Spike's clutched claw, "Have a chapter or two and then you absolutely have to go to sleep, okay?"

The moment Twilight had finished her sentence, Spike began to wonder if Queen Chrysalis had returned and her master plan was to take over Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle giggled softly as she saw a streak of confusion on her dragon assistant.

Spike blinked out of his previously flustered state and smiled, even quietly chuckling. "What got you all soft and forgiving lately? I'm kind of wondering if Fluttershy turned into a changeling and replaced you!"

"Have I really been that strict lately?" Twilight wondered jokingly. "No, Spike, I just... I don't know. I just can't be thoroughly angry with you, I guess."

The dragon grinned, half mischievously and half playfully. "That makes me feel so much better now that I know I won't get in too much trouble for eating ice cream before bed."

"Now don't go too far with that, Spike. Who knows? Maybe I am Fluttershy-the-changeling, feeding off your love of ice cream!" Twilight proceeded to badly impersonate a changeling, holding up her hooves and roaring, while watching Spike burst into a fit of laughter.

There was a small silence afterwards, while Spike attempted to regain his breath. Twilight glanced at the clock on the wall, tiredness reaching her as she struggled to hold her eyes open.

"Alright, have your chapter, I'm going to sleep," Twilight made her way to her bed, tucking herself in, "Good night, Spike. I love you."

Twilight was about to close her eyes, when she heard a rustle of paper and blankets.

"You know what? I'll just read those comics tomorrow." Spike said, getting into bed, and turning off his flashlight. Twilight smiled.

And soon, Twilight Sparkle had closed her eyes and drifted off into a blissful sleep.