At The Heart Of Winter

Time wore on as Spike and Twilight walked through the darkness. They saw the twinkle of Ponyville, and seemed to be a few miles away at the very least.

"Let's have a rest here Spike, for a little while. My hooves are almost raw." Twilight said restfully. It felt that they've been walking for hours, and a short break wouldn't be that bad since the wind had died down since setting off from the lake.

"I don't know about you Twilight, but I'm absolutely starving!" Spike said rather uncharacteristically. Twilight released how he hadn't heard a noise out of him at all upto this point, but rather than question him immediately she watched as Spike sat down to reach a sandwich out of his satchel.

Spike ate it all in one bite, unsuprisingly.

"You sure gobbled that up quick for a baby dragon, didn't you?" Twilight pointed out lightheartedly, which also the resonants of a smile creeping through.

Spike replied, "Mmmph.. Mmmmphhh... mmpphh... MMMpfff". Sadly Twilight couldn't speak double pony.

"C'mon Spike, it's awfully rude to speak with your mouth full. Even when I can't understand a word you're saying", the unicorn said rather abruptly, nevertheless not overly serious.

"Sorry Twi" Spike gave a small chuckle.

"I could even eat a horse you know."

"Well, there's more food at the Library. So the sooner we set off the sooner you can snack." Twilight proposed.

"Not sure about that, I'm just so exhausted because of this long journey back, and it still feels ages away."

"Well why were you out so far on your own? It's not like you to go off on yourself like that.

"I know..." The dragon admitted, "It's just the whole thing about Rarity, everything I try just seems to go unnoticed by her". Spike went back to his depressed mood.

"Surely it will all work out in..."

Spike butted-in, "That's the thing though, it won't. And I've came to realise now that she obviously doesn't feel the same way. She's more obsessed in her career, and making my friends in Canterlot while im just standing in her shadow." Spike now felt that a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders after telling Twilight his now different feelings towards Rarity, and she now new the reason for Spike being so quiet yet in a good mood when they stopped.

The dragon then gave out a tired yawn and placed his claw over his mouth for a few seconds, despite this it was quite apparant to her that Spike didn't love Rarity anymore.

The pony again wasn't sure what to say at this point. Instead, she simply gave Spike a warm smile and looked over the emerging stars as the clouds began to disperse. Recognising partial constellations and planets as they began to appear over Ponyville.

"Beautiful night, isn't it Spike? The stars, the moon, even the wind's calmed down a lot since..."

Twilight heard the snoring of the baby dragon, and felt happier than she would have if she got a reply for him. The way Spike looked so peacefull was more than enough to comfort the pony, so with a wide smile she magically picked up the dragon and placed him on the unicorns back.

Together they rode on towards Ponyville.

An hour or so passed, but Twilight managed to make it back to the Library without being to tired, despite having a baby dragon asleep on her back.

As soon as the unicorn opened the door, she had made her mind up that they would both go to bed since she has to do a lot of studying tomorrow, and also that her weekly letter to Princess Celestia was due. With no time to waste, she raced up the stairs - while carrying the sleeping dragon by using her horn - but came to a quick dilema when reaching the bedroom. The wind had almost ceased, but the eerie chill of the winter cold had already reached the Library - of which she had only just realised. She saw the breath in front of her nose, so should she but Spike together with her, in her bed? The cold wasn't good for anypony, especially being a cold-blooded dragon, the chances are he could get a terrible cold and put him off his duties of being Twilight's #1 assistant for a while. Even as Owlicious wouldn't be able to do all the tasks Spike could do. So she decided that the best choice was to place him in her bed, until the cold weather stopped.

Twilight covered Spike tight in the blanket first, then clambered in. She gave the dragon a comforting hug and nuzzled the back of his head. The baby dragon gave a sleepy moan and turned to face the unicorn - asleep of course. She felt a warm, fuzzy feeling inside and despite Spike being asleep, pecked a kiss on his forehead.

"Goodnight, my little #1 assistant." The pony then smiled and stroked his cheek and had the most radiant smile on her face. Spike's company in Twilight's bed made her feel so warm and comfortable that she soon nodded off.

Both the dragon and the unicorn where asleep together, facing each other rather cutely, with a hoof next to Spike's chin, both making small snoring sounds and sniffles. The wind had now stopped, but the Winter season had only just started...