Twilight's Present

Spike was at peace in his little dog-bed... until came a very loud scream. He jumped at the sudden cry, and started to panic once when he recognized the source.

“Twilight!?” exclaimed the dragon as he ran down stars. Once when he reached the button of the stairs, he found a panicked unicorn pace about in the library around the circular.

“This is awful!” Twilight exclaimed.

“What is it? Are the books are fire?!” Spike asked in panic.

“No.”

“Intruders?”

“No.”

“Aliens invading Equestria?!"

“No-- what?” Twilight shook her head. “No! It’s worse than that!”

“What is it, then?!” Spike demanded.

“Hearths Warming! Hearths Warming is coming!!! We only have twenty five days, which is exactly six hundred hours until Hearths Warming! We need to get started on the decorations; prepare the lights; hang the stockings and mistletoe; (in the place no pony would find it; why is that even tradition anyway!?) get some supplies on Eggnog,” Twilight explained with a frantic look, ”And the most importantly...” she said with a pause as sweat fell from her forehead. “The Hearths Warming tree and presents!”

“... is that really what you woke me up for?” asked Spike who, during Twilight's frantic speech, turned his mood from worry to disappointment and started to loath being in bed again.

“Yes, I--... oh... did I wake you...?” Twilight asked. She started to feel a little less tense, with a small blush on her cheek. “I’m sorry... did I really yell that loud...?”

“Yes.” deadpanned a very grumpy dragon.

“Well... I... ah... well, since you are, Spike, can you help me with the--”

“No, Twilight. It’s 3:00 in the morning!” Spike interrupted with his arms folded, the held up a clock with his one claw to prove his point. “Can’t you just get some rest? You remember the time when there was going to be a ‘disaster’ next Tuesday?” he asked.

“... right...” Twilight remembered with a slight blush. She took a deep breath with her front hoof on her chest, and breathed out, and moved her hoof back; it was a technique she was taught. So, with a clear head, she decided to let it be future Twilight's problem, and went back to bed, as the same with Spike.

***

Finally, it’s 12:00. The appropriate time to wake up... for Spike. He rolled out of his bed, brushed his teeth, eat breakfast, etc. After a good hour of dragging himself through Golden Oaks Library, he finally headed out the door. He yawned, and stretched, and all the sudden... something touched his nose...

“Hey!” yelled Spike, and stood in a karate defensive pose. But then, came another... “Oh, it’s snowing already.” he said to himself. He laughed, and it died quickly the moment he wondered if anypony saw that. He clutched his claws with his teeth hard in embarrassment, and the thought of his mouth made his stomach growl, in which it told him that breakfast just wasn’t enough.

He almost went back inside to have a second round, but figured sense he was already outside, why not just find some other place to eat? So he went to the Sugar Cube Corner bakery. The moment Spike was about the enter the door, he stopped to read a particular sign that hung upon the door. It read,

‘Happy Hearths Warming! Free Holiday Cookies for everypony!’

He arched an eyebrow, but then remembered,

"Hearths Warming! Hearths Warming is coming!!! We only have twenty five days, which is exactly six hundred hours, until Hearths Warming!!! And Rarity would totally not be able to resist you!"

Said a tiny Twilight head that flew over his shoulder. It popped like a balloon after the message was received. Upon a second look, he noticed the second half of the sign. His tummy growled again at the thought of the ‘free cookies’.

“Yum”

“Heya', Spike! Happy Hearths Warming!” Pinkie greeted; she wore a Hearths Warming stocking-cap that looked incredibly cute on her.

“Hey, Pinkie Pie.” replied Spike with a friendly smile, and walked over to the bowl of free cookies, but was suddenly stopped when a pink hoof blocked his way. “Hey, what are you--”

“These cookies are not for you!” Pinkie barked with a dark glare. Spike cringed. “... we made something special for you!” she explained. Spike was just about to cry before he shifted to a curious look on his face.

“Really?” Spike asked.

“Right-a-roni, Spikey Wikey! Wait right here!”

Pinkie dashed off. Before Spike could even fiddle with his claws, she swiftly returned. “Here ya go, Spike! We made this one just for you!” she hoofed him a cookie... but it wasn’t just any cookie...

“A-a-a cookie... filled with SAPPHIRES?!" Spike exclaimed with his mouth watering; drool flowed down like a fountain.

“Yeppidy, Deppidy, Spike! Happy Hear--” before she could finished, Spike was already gone with the doors swinging back and fourth behind him. “... ths Warming...?"

***

“It’s mine!” Spike proclaimed, “It’s all mine!!!” he laughed maniacally, and pressed the cookie to his chest. “It’s all mine...” he mumbled to himself, then raised the cookie up in the air, threw it, and munched on it.

“Hey, Spike.” said a soft, skittish voice.

“Ray rutterrhy'!” said Spike with a mouth full of cookie and rocks; she giggled in response.

“Oh, is it the free cookie?” Fluttershy asked, with a cookie with one bite on it on her hoof, obviously from Sugar Cube. Spike nodded. “Well... um... Spike... well, if it doesn't bother you... um...” Fluttershy stammered; anything she asked she always seemed to be embarrassed by it, no matter how casual it may be.

“Yes, Fluttershy?” asked Spike after he took a big gulp to finish the sapphire cookie.

“Well, um... if you don’t mind... I... um...” slowly said Fluttershy. Spike had taken notice of something as she nervously rambled.

“What’s that under your wing?” asked Spike.

“Oh, this? It’s... um... it’s a ruby... f-f-”

“For me?”

“Yes, I--” before she could finish, Spike had already taken it and left; quick as a bullet.

“-... y-y-your welcome... H-h-h-Happy Hearths Warming...”

***

Spike ran with yet another gem, and his eyes grew wild. He laughed with a laugh that, at this point, started to sound like the laugh of a crazed gun mann dragon.

'Hearts Warming is GREAT!!!’ Spike thought to himself. How long was it still it officially began? Twenty five days? Well, he might as well enjoy every moment of it as he got more and more stuff. Even better than his birthday... even know... eventually... wait a second...

“Almost... there... I... oh no... I can’t reach... the door... oh sweet Celestia help me!”

Before Spike came to a very important conclusion, there came yet another familiar voice, this time sounding like music to his ears.

“Hey Rarity, you want some help?” he asked.

“Why... gah... yes, I would!” Rarity replied. “As you... oft... can see, I gasp... I appear to be... ohhh... having a bit of a problem here!” she explained with a very winning voice.  “Do you... omph... see this tree...?” She asked, and gestured her head towards the huge levitating evergreen tree with a blue magic aura covering it horn glowing a light blue, her her horn glowing with the same colour. “I... ahh.... am not as... doh good... with magic... as Twilight... as you normally... ahhh-haaa-ha.... see... I... can’t multi-task good enough to get the door with my magic... or my hooves... this is taking my full concentration... could you... rah... be a dear... and... no, no, no, no...”

“Don’t worry, my lady! I got it!” said Spike with a solute, and opened the door. Rarity slowly made her way to her boutique.

A Small Moment or Two of Struggling to Get the Tree in Place Later

“... annnnd... there! Ta-da~ I did it!” exclaimed Rarity in a sing-song voice. “Oh, Spike; how can I ever repay you?” she asked.

“Well...” he slowly said, and presented his cheek.

“Here, I was going to wait, but I believe now should be the time.” Rarity said as she levitated something else to him, despite her capability to simply pick it up with her hooves this time, since it wasn't as heavy as a Hearths Warming tree; unicorns do tend to use their magic quite more often than their hooves. At first, Spike felt a bit disappointed, for he wanted something else, but then he lit up when he saw just what it was.

“An emerald!?" exclaimed Spike with his mouth watered and his eyes large.

“Indeed, Spike. What, were you expecting something else...?”

"Oh, ah..." Spike replied with a blush, "... no, I wasn't..."

“... well, um... okay. I do believe that is quite enough reward, Spike?” asked Rarity as she gave him a sugar-cube. Spike looked in every direction to find anything else to say, but then he spotted a mistletoe hanging over the roof just waaay behind her. “Oh, goodness gracious me! Twilight must be waiting for you, is she?” asked Rarity.

“Oh... but, um--”

“Yes, I know, I had asked for your help, and I very much appreciate it. But I do believe I had wasted quite enough of your time.”

“-... well... ah--”

“See you later, Spike! And Happy Hearts Warming~!” Rarity sang, and the only thing Spike could think to do was to just leave... but then soon regretted it; he hated it when he’s nervous.

But then, he had an idea, an awful idea. The dragon had a wonderful, awful idea. He held onto the emerald and ruby close to his chest as a huge shadow cast over him. He laughed; he laughed a laugh of a dragon so evil that thunder erupted behind him!!!

“GAH!!!” cried Spike as he ran in fear.

Meanwhile, in a unrelated situation, a rainbow-manned Pegasus set up a storm cloud over a loony little baby dragon, hopped on it, and made thunder; giving the wimp a good scare. Oh how she laughed!

Spike ran, and eventually ran out of breath... and he only passed about four or five houses... he needed to work out more. He panted, and looked behind him. Whatever it was, that certainly didn’t have to do with any rainbow horses, was gone. He sighed, and his shoulders dropped.

“Now... where was I...? Oh, right! Mahahaha.....!"

***

“... so then I says to June Bug, I looked her right into the eye, I was really serious now... I says... I says--”

“Excuse me?” Spike interrupted a conversation between a brown earthpony stallion and a light purple mare.

“Oh, hey Spike.” said the mare with a smile.

“Top of the morning.” added the stallion.

“Yeah... so, it’s Hearths Warming --- well, it’s coming --- and it’s a time of giving!”

“Yep, sure is.” replied the mare with a cherry smile. She appeared to rather have this conversation than the other one she was just having.

“Heh, heh... yep... yesery'... so?”

“Oi, speaking of which!” exclaimed the stallion. “Here, have this. Happy Hearths Warming!” the stallion handed Spike yet another gem, this time being a diamond. Before Spike ran off, he was swiftly grabbed by the shoulder. “Now, before you go,” whispered the Stallion. “Just promise not to tell anypony where you found it, okay?” he asked.

“Wait, is that the diamond we jus-” asked the mare with a panicked look on her face.

“Suuuush!!!” hushed the Stallion. “Now, go on. You ca-” before he finished, Spike was off. The mare gave the stallion a glare, filled with anger and disgust.

“Really?” she asked. “Do you even know what you have done?” she asked.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure nothing can go wrong!” exclaimed the stallion. The mare rolled her eyes. "Oi, this is the second time I was interrupted! So, anyway! So I says to June Bug; I says, so, so i-is what I said to June Bug; I say, I look her, and I say, 'Juney! Juney, you need to grow up! I mean, literally, you are three years old... yeah, grow up. And do it quick. Not everyone can be a timelord, but I'm expecting a little bit more... you know... yes, I have high expectations-- why are you looking at me like that?

“... some father you are...”

“Oh, shut up!”

From that day fourth, for the next twenty-two days, Spike wondered through Ponyville, getting gem after gem from pony after pony, wasting the entire mouth on the receiving end of the tradition as he gathered all of his spoils. And eventually... time started to run out...

Twenty Days Later

Knock, knock, knock

“Who is there? What is the cause of your need, to disturb me while I work in my liar?" asked yet another familiar voice, but this time it was not a pony...

“It’s me, Spike. May I come in?”

“Yes, come in. I can use a brake from my work with yet another potion.”

“Ah, good!”

“Oh my, what happened to you?" asked Zecora. "Whatever it is, I am sure there is an antidote I can brew."

“What...? N-n-no, there’s nothing wrong with me...”

“Yes, there appears to be something that takes you out of place. Have you noticed all the bags in your eyes, and other ugly and pitiful looking things on your face?"

“H-h-h-HEY!!! DON’T YOU INSULT ME LIKE THA--” Before Spike got on a full rage, he was pressed on a pressure-point in the neck that had made him stop. He sounded like he was choking, yet he was not.

“Spike, you look restless. Are you, by any chance, in a lot of stress?" asked the zebra with concern on her face. Spike couldn’t talk at all, but the least he could do was to shake his head. “No...? Well, are you willing to calm down so I can let go?”

Spike started to breath heavily as his frozen position became more and more painful. When the lock soon become torture, he hastily nodded his head as fast as he could with tears starting to form in his eyes. She released her hoof off of the pressure point, and immediately Spike feel to the ground and began to pant. He caught his breath, and got back up. “Now tell me what is wrong? You appear to be weak, but I am sure this case won't take long. Tell Zecora what you need, and I will make haste to cure you with great speed.” Zecora assured with a smile.

“Well... Hearths Warming is coming... and it sure is a fun time to give presents..." Spike explained as he began to incessantly rock back and fourth with his claws behind his back; the same routine that has been practice with many a pony for the last twenty days. "Especially gems! Yes, gems! Do you have any gems? GIVE ME YOUR GEMS!!!” already had Spike lost it, and ran past Zecora and went after her stuff, but then Zecora used her two front hooves to stop him; she held his one arm to face up, while she pushed his back down. "Gah!!! Ah!!! Uncle!!! Uncle!!!" he cried while he tapped the ground with his other claw. She pushed him down, and flipped him over to make him face her.

“Spike, stop! You are going over the top! Look at yourself, this isn’t you! Look at me in the eye, and tell me ‘it is not true'.” said Zecora with a hard stare right into Spike's very soul. He gulped; he knew that she wouldn't let him go until he spoke, depending on what words he used. He tried to look away, but Zecora pinned him in a position where he can’t even move his head. He tried to close his eyes, but she managed to scare him by looking closer and staring harder.

“I-I... I... n-n-n-NO!!! This is NOT me!!!” Spike cried with tears in his eyes, and it wasn’t from physical pain this time. “Why? Why am I like this?! What happened to me?! What have I done?!”

Zecora’s expression softened, and then she let him go. He slowly got back on his feet, just as she suspected; what she hadn't suspected was when he suddenly grabbed her for a hug. She knew that she decided to say nothing and just hug back. They broke up, and Spike feel on his knees; tears continued to flow, and his nose was now runny.

“There, there, little one. Perhaps maybe we can talk this through, I’m sure it won’t be long before my work is done.” said Zecora with an assuring voice. Spike couldn’t find anyway to argue with that, so he followed Zecora as she lead him to her bedroom where he could sit comfortably to explain everything.

One Long Story Later

“... and then I’ve been doing the same thing sense... a-a-and then I came to your place... and... well... you know what happened after that...” said Spike as he finished the end of his story. He told her the whole thing detail by detail... well, most of it. “And, well, all the scams I’ve been doing began and ended the same way... only... I see now that I’ve been becoming more grumpy and impatient every time... Twilight hadn’t even noticed because she herself was a bit restless, worrying about the decorations, and the shopping, and presents... for other ponies...” spike slowly said, looking off into the distance as something started to dawn upon him. “A-a-a-and Zebras!" he added with the ‘no offense!’ gesture. She giggled at that, then swiftly recompose herself.

“So, I believe it’s already quite obvious that during your long cycle of gaining for the sake of your ‘happiness’ makeshift, you had never really found the time to get anypony a gift?” ask Zecora. Spike slowly nodded as the obviousness over-shadowed him. He looked away in shame, and found the wall quite interesting for the moment. The two stayed quiet for quite sometime. Zecora took her time to think, while Spike struggled not to wallow again.

“There is still time...”

Zecora broke the silence.

“What?” Asked Spike as he snapped out of his thoughts.

“There is still time... to make it all divine...” she said with an expression that gave Spike a warm, hopeful feeling, but then his senses told him other wise.

“But... there’s only two days left until Hearths Warming... and Twilight and I are suppose to leave to Canterlot to celebrate with her parents and brother (or ‘BBBFF’, she kept saying over and over again) in an hour...” said Spike, “I’m not going to be able to get anypony anything this year...”

“No, you will.”

“What?”

“You will. Time dose not move so quickly, sometimes it can seemingly stay still.”

“B-b-but... how...?” asked Spike. “-... and... what am I gonna get... to what Pony...? O-o-or Zeb-” before he finished his correction, she held up a hoof; gesturing him to stop, and he did.

“Spike, I am going to ask you a question, and whatever you do, don't take your time to think; I want to answer before I can even blink.” She said calmly and soothingly, yet stern and serious. Because of that, Spike chose not the question her, and nodded; ready for anything. “Spike, on the top of your head; what pony is so special to you, that you are willing to sacrifice yourself in his or her stead?”

“Twilight.” was the first word that popped to his head and the first word that came out of his mouth, the second Zecora finished her sentence. Zecora smiled.

“I see, how very interesting. She is the one who had raised you, the one that she had cared for. And because of that, you love her above every pony forever more.” said Zecora in a wise tone, and her words were ever so true indeed. “...even Rarity...” she added. Spike’s checks turned red.

“H-h-how did you know?!” Spike exclaimed. “I didn’t even tell you about my love for Rarity!”

“Yes, you hadn't told me during or before this afar, but it appears you just had just now; do you see what you did there?” replied Zecora with a sly look, silently saying; 'one would think they are so cool, until they speak to me, and make themselves a fool'.

And Spike stared in awe with his jaw dropped.

“Now, seriously; go, my friend! Go to Canterlot and get Twilight's present before your remaining time reaches it's end!

“But, wait.” Spike asked, “Isn’t she not suppose to know about the present?”

“Just tell her you simply couldn’t wait, to go through the Canterlot gate.” Zecora suggested. “It is honest, yes? For you are truly unwilling to wait, I can quite easily guess.”

Spike nodded, and ran for the Ponyville Magic-Express Station... after telling Twilight, of curse.

***

“All aboard!!” yelled the train conductor, for the train was now ready to leave.

“Goodbye Spike, I’ll catch up at the second train!” called Twilight, the mare Spike loved, and I mean truly loved.

“Yes, I know; you need to finish the decorations and wrapping the last presents and stuff, I get it. See ya!” Spike yelled back as the train left. Twilight started to yell things like ‘don’t forget to eat three meals a-day’, and ‘don’t forget to brush your teeth’, and things like that, but he could hardly hear her as the train left. After all the goodbyes, hugs, and before that the begging to let him go one train early, he was off.

***

Finally, he had made it; he made it to Canterlot. And what a beautiful city it was. Spike gazed around- the buildings; the streets; the stores in all shapes and sizes; and even unicorns in fancy suits and dresses everywhere, holding their chins up ever so proudly for the sake of their reputation. Spike remembered that empty, selfish, never-ending feeling that most of those high-class ponies shared. It’s a road he was not willing to take... not again... he shook his head. The past is in the past, and the now is right there, right in front of him. So, with determination, he walked through the streets of Canterlot to find the right present for Twilight...

***

“A brand-new suit of armor, with my cutiemark and my initials, painted in my favorite color?! Twilight, this is the best gift ever!” exclaimed Twilight’s beloved brother, Shinning Armour.

“Oh, I’m sure you had better.” Twilight said modestly with a blush.

“Nope, can’t get anything better than this! Especially when it’s from my little sister...” her brother replied before he rubbed the top of Twilight's head. Almost everypony had opened their presents- Twilight's parents got little bird statues and other antiques like that; Shinning Armour had a new helmet, jousting sword and the armor that was just mentioned; Cadence, Shinning Armor's beloved wife, had only got one gift from one pony, (her true love) a very expensive rose, costing up to 5,000 bits. And Spike simply got a new gem in different colours from each member of the family.

"Alright, Twilight, it's your turn!" her mother, Twilight Velvet, announced as she levitated four presents to Twilight, all with the same shape and size. She opened them one by one, and gasped.

"I can't believe it! The latest text book on astronomy, a theory on the origin of the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor," she said with glee, "And the life history of Star Swirl the Bearded... fiction novel... you were close enough." said Twilight with a smile, and looked over to her brother, who blushed as the others laughed at his silly mistake.

"Alright, I'll admit; your presents were great and stuff... but it is nothing compared to what I got you!" Spike announced, "Wait here," he said before he left.

"Now!" they heard him whisper before suddenly came the sound of trumpets in the tune of Twilight's favorite song, and in came four unicorn marching-band stallions that all shared the same blue uniforms, but had different colored coats and manes, with cutiemarks that all had an instrument or any marching band related thing. They played the said trumpets and other instruments such as the marching-drums, and one extra stallion wearing the same uniform, only it's red instead of blue, carrying a gigantic present with his magic, his head held high as he walked with practiced ease, with Spike leading them while walking backwards, looking behind him every once in a while, and waving a stick to cue the notes.

Twilight's jaw dropped, while the others only smiled, and even shared glances and tried not to chuckle.

"Aaaannnnd... here! Stop!" commanded Spike. The present dropped on a clear spot, and the music feel silent. "Good job, gentlecolts. It was even better than practice!" he exclaimed. The red-uniformed pony looked at Spike with an expression that said he was expecting something. Spike ran to the couch and dragged over a big bag that was hidden behind it. "You did well; you have earned the other half of the reward." he said as he held it high until it was wrapped in a green aura. The blue-uniformed ponies turned around, and left in unison. The red-uniformed Pony slowly walked backwards with his head down in a bow. Then, the doors were taken in the same green aura as they were closed with a dramatic slam. Then, came silence...

"So, Twilight, you wanna open it?" asked Spike with a smile to break the silence. Twilight simply couldn't move, her jaw was still dropped; she had so many questions to ask. Eventually, she managed to snap out of it.

"Sp-Sp-Spike... how--" Twilight slowly asked, but was stopped when Spike pressed a claw against her lips.

"Nope, don't ask yet; open the present first." Spike told her, his eyes obviously filled with excitement.

"B-b-but... but how--"

"Present. First." Spike told her sternly. Deciding that trying to ask now was becoming useless, she decided to instead slowly wrap the ribbon with her magic, slowly undo it, then ripped the rapping-paper bit by bit, and then...

"A GOLDEN TELESCOPE!?" exclaimed Twilight, unable to believe her eyes.

"I know, right? How awesome is tha--" Before Spike could boast, he was swiftly grabbed by Twilight's magic as he flew through the room while she pranced around.

"YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!"

She yelled over and over again, while the others fought the urge to laugh so hard at her reaction. Just when Spike was about to feel sick from flying around in circles, he landed right in Twilight's fore hooves as she wrapped them all around him, cuddling him like a teddy bear. "Thhhhaaaannnnk yooooou!" she stretched the two words for as long as she could, her face filled with glee. Spike started to turn red... and choke...

"N-n-no... p-p-p-problem..." he slowly wheezed from her overly tight grip. She realized this, and let him go; a blush on her face from her behavior. Once when she had calmed down; she had finally found the chance to ask. "Spike...? How...? How did you get this...? Where did the marching-band come from...? Where did you find the bits for this...?" she slowly asked, arching her eyebrow, a her face now filled with curiosity beyond curiosity.

"It's simple; I didn't have any bits for this at all; I used gems, all of them!" Spike answered with a smile bigger than one would expect with such a sacrifice.

"But... okay, then; how did you get the gems for this, then?" she questioned. Spike sighed.

"Well, I kind of didn't want to talk about this... but I think I should eventually... you haven't noticed, since you were busy; but you see, all this time... ponies had been generous to me with all these gems I crave so much, and I became so obsessed, I even forgot to eat them! So... I eventually ended up talking to Zecora, and she helped me realize; gems is not what's important to me, it's you. So, I took the first train instead of the second to get to Canterlot, and got all of this was for you!"

Twilight stared, unable to believe the words he said to her. Usually, she heard him say more sarcastic jeers and was known for his famous deadpanning, and she got used to it and even tolerated it... mostly... but this, this was the nicest thing he had not only said, but done as well. She wasn't so sure what to say; every moment felt so slow, even know she had only been frozen for a few mere seconds. It was as if time had stood still...

"Did all of you know about this?" she turned around and asked her family members. They all nodded and smiled. She looked back at Spike, and stared; her face showed that she was questioning rather she was dreaming or not. Slowly, her eyes started to fill with tears, and once again she grabbed onto Spike before he could even move, only not as tight.

"T-t-that... was the nicest thing... you had ever said..." she slowly said as she cried onto his back with tears of joy. "Thank you..." she said once again. All went silent, with an exception of her sobbing. Eventually, Spike got an idea, inspired from a thought he had so many weeks ago. He whispered into Twilight's ear, and Twilight smiled and giggled, and nodded. The others hadn't noticed since they simply sat down and minded their own business during that long silence. Twilight's horn glowed.

"Oh Shinning~" said Twilight in a sing song voice, her brother on the couch with Cadence lying next to him, asleep in his arms.

"Whaaaat?" he slowly asked with a yawn; he looked just as tired. Twilight twitched her head up twice, gesturing him to look up. He smiled. "Cadence...~" he slowly said in a sing song voice, like what Twilight did, knocking her on the head like one would do to a door.

"Hah... what is it Shiny...?" she tiredly mumbled, wishing she could sleep for just a little longer.

"Look." he answered, and pointed his head up. By instinct, Cadence did the same; wondering what he was talking about. Once when she did, she smiled. Their muzzles moved a bit closer, and quite soon; they kissed, right under the mistletoe, floating over their heads with a purple aura wrapped around it...

"Happy Hearts Warming." Spike said for the first time this mouth.

"Happy Hearts Warming." Twilight replied with a smile.

***

The train was closed on Hearts Warming Day, so Twilight and Spike decided to stay the night, as the same with Shinning Armor and Cadence, even know their place wasn't that far away; but why not?

Twilight was deep into reading, already enjoying the new books she had. Spike was in the same room, with his little dog-bed Twilight brought in case the train station decided to close on Hearths Warming Day. He started to toss and turn with things troubling his mind. Eventually, Spike decided to deal with it. He got up, and hoped onto Twilight's bed, and tapped her on the shoulder. No matter how deep she was in her reading, she was still quite easily disturbed. She turned, and gave him a questioning hum.

"What is it, Spike?"

"Well... Twilight, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, for all the times I've been mean, and sarcastic, annoying, and anything else like that. I've been taking you for granted, and for the past month I had been thinking about nothing but myself... Twilight, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way I've been, and please forgive me if I continue to act like this in the future; I just can't stop..." Spike said with regret, and looked away with shame, fiddling with his claws. Because he looked away, he wasn't prepared for yet another hug after she dropped her text-book to wrap her front her hooves around him yet again.

"I forgive you, Spike. I've been forgiving you every single time you were like that... mostly... don't worry about what you'll do in the future; that would be future Spike's problem to deal with." she said with a smile. Spike hugged back, and soon his emotions changed from regret and shame to warmth and comfort.

"... I love you Twilight..." said Spike.

"I love you too, Spike." replied Twilight, words that hadn't really been said in quite awhile. Neither of them even bothered to let go this time; instead, they continued to hold one another, neither of them feeling even the slightest desire nor urge to leave... and it was just that, for the rest of the silent night...

Happy Hearths Warming!

-All My Best,

Doug_Oneshots

(with the help of Eastwestian)

The End