At The Heart Of Winter

Twilight awoke from her slumber, only to realise the eager dragon had got up early to do his morning chores. She gave a hazy yawn and stretched her hoofs, making them crack as she pressed them against the headboard.

Meanwhile, Spike had been up hours earlier cleaning the Library and sorting out all the equipment the unicorn would need for her studies. With a brush in-claw he was sweeping the oaken tables and bookshelves, but something was on his mind. Ever since he nodded off the day earlier he had a fantastic dream. In this dream, Twilight was writing down some notes on a Chemistry experiment she had performed a while earlier. Spike came up behind Twilight, all rosey cheeked and pertruded,

"Twi, can I ask you something... P.. Please?".

Twilight put down her quill & ink, turned to face the dragon, giving him a rather inviting and playful look8

"Sure, my #1 assistant", she said- quite seductively, while maintaining a wide grin on her face.

"I've.. well been meaning to tell you for a while n.. now but..." Spike spluttered out hesistantly

"What is it Spike? You can tell me anything, you know.." Twilight said reassuringly.

"I.. I kinda love you."

Spike was now awash with the most frivellous shade of red. To him it seemed real, but it was still only dream.

"Oh for pony's sake, I new I shoudn't have said it I'm really sor-" The unicorn placed a hoof over the baby dragon's mouth.

"Aww Spike, it's okay. I know how you feel. And well, I kinda do too..."

"...and is it okay if I call you Spikey?" Twilight gave a small chuckle. Spike could do nothing but look in awe at what just happened, he wiped the heat from his brow and gave Twilight a massive hug. As tightly as he could he wrapped his sharp claws around the pony's body and never wanted to let go. He sensed the soothing breath of Twilight on his back, and felt the soft flow of her mane on his face.

It was now quite apparant to Spike what the dream meant, and what he had to do after thinking it over while doing his morning chores. He heard the clop of hooves against the stairs. Twi was awake.

"Morning, Twilight! 'Have a great sleep?" With a spring in his step the dragon jumped over to the unicorn, giving her a gigantic hug- much like the one in his dream.

"Yes Spike, it was lovely" Twilight replied, surprisingly not reacting much to why Spike had hugged her in such a spontaneous way. Meanwhile the dragon responded with a whole-hearted smile and carried on with his business. After a few minutes he stared blankily for a couple of seconds, waddled over to Twilight- who was eating her breakfast by this time, and queried,

"Err.. Twilight, I was just wondering.. How come I was in your bed last night?"

"Don't worry, it wasn't your fault or anything. I just thought that a cold-blooded dragon like yourself would like a bit of warmth by your side because of the cold weather. It's meant to be one of the coldest winters recorded you kn-"

By this time Spike was already occupied with his other chores, Twilight cheekily laughed and pounced in front of the dragon, stopping him in his path.

"I would like it if you could keep staying in my bed.." Twilight hesistantly thought for a second to try and finish off her sentence.

"..for the Winter, it's just that I get really really cold sometimes at night."

The pony then pouted and lowered her mane.

"Sure, anything for you Twi." Spike replied, patting the top of her mane as he brushed passed, going off to finish the remainder of his morning chores.

"Surely he would have shown a bit more affection?" Twilight thought.

"Maybe I'll have to lure him, another way..." The pony slumped down on a chair as her mind wandered, thinking what she could try to woo her dragon. She couldn't let anypony know about her feelings so it rules out most oppurtunities, so there would be only one solution.

It had to be done... Tonight.