Twilight gazed out of her living room window. Dark blue clouds overshadowed the landscape, drenching the world below. Even though it was the middle of summer, the weather proved surprisingly cold. She was miles away from another living soul, save for her younger brother. This knowledge didn't faze her: quite the opposite in fact. This was how she preferred to spend her time.
"Whatcha doin'?" Spike asked from behind her.
"Just watching the rain."
"It always makes me sleepy."
"I know. I love it."
"Why does it do that, anyway?"
"Because it triggers a combination of alpha and theta waves in the brain. Those are the most prominent types between relaxation and sleep."
"Well, I'm just glad nobody bothers us when it rains."
"Yeah. Sometimes it's good to be alone."
"I like hangin' out with everybody, but ya gotta admit, they are kinda hyper."
"Ugh. Tell me about it."
"But ya know, I feel bad for Rainbow and Fluttershy. They don't have anybody to help make it easier."
"That's not true. They have each other."
"Do you think there's people out there who really are alone?"
"I know there are. It happens a lot, especially when people get older."
"When their friends and family are gone..."
Twilight gave the dragon a concerned expression.
"Are you okay?" she questioned him.
Spike turned to the side, concealing his claws in the pockets of his coat. He strolled over to a fish tank in the back of the room. Twilight joined him. They watched as the fish swam around inside. There were no cares or worries weighing them down...
"This is what I wish could last forever: days like this. It's like having a little slice of heaven all to ourselves, ya know?"
"Are you worried about dying?"
Spike shook his head.
"Nah. It's what's between then and now that worries me..."
"What do you mean?"
"When days like this are over, we go back to our usual routines. It gets exhausting after a while..."
"I understand perfectly."
"Ya do?"
"It feels like life is wearing you down, doesn't it?"
"When I'm resting, I feel at peace with myself and the world around me. I wish I could feel that way all the time."
"That's why you stay in your room most of the time. That's where you feel safe and secure."
"Sometimes it feels like life is too long, and others it feels too short."
"And the shortest parts are the ones we cherish the most. It's because our perception of time changes with our moods."
"Am I selfish for wanting the world to be different?"
"Maybe a little, but that level of selfishness is justified. We all feel it deep down."
"I know I'll lose you guys someday. I don't know if I'll be ready when the time comes..."
Twilight pulled her brother into a warm embrace. She hoped her presence would ease his anxiety.
"Just focus on the here and now. Your awareness is what will make these moments last."
Spike closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, allowing himself to find comfort in his sibling's grasp. In that moment, the only sound to be heard was produced by the room's heating unit.
"Hey, Twilight...?"
"Hm?"
"When it's your turn to go, I promise I'll be there..."
"So will I if you go before me."
Throughout the day, Spike and Twilight searched for activities to do together. They played board games, cards, and video games together. Around dusk that evening, they made plans to watch a movie.
"Would you mind making those pizzas in the freezer?" Twilight requested.
"How do you want 'em?"
"Dragon style."
"Comin' up."
Spike pulled the food from the freezer and unwrapped it. Using his dragon breath, he crisped each one until the bottoms were nice and solid. He sat down with Twilight on the couch, handing her her pizza as he did so.
"What do you want to watch?" Twilight inquired.
"What was popular when you were a filly?"
"Let's see...Hmmm...Oh, I got it!"
Twilight chose a teen comedy Cadence used to watch when she would foalsit Twilight. Both she and Spike knew the dragon would think it absurd, but that was the point. They needed something ridiculous to distract from their hourglasses. When they were finished with dinner, they paused the film to retrieve their stash of popcorn, soda, and candy. Ironically, the knowledge of their slowly impending end was what allowed Spike to laugh more than he would have otherwise. Twilight began to realize just how much her little brother had grown up.
After the movie, Twilight and Spike sketched together for a while before reading together. Spike chose a horror novel written by an author who went under the pseudonym "H.W. Morder". Twilight decided on a science fiction novel about a group of astronauts attempting to thwart an alien invasion.
"Hey, Twilight, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you think romance is necessary to live a fulfilling life?"
"Hm...That's a tough one. I guess it all comes down to what each individual wants. Why?"
"I dunno. I guess it seems like a universal thing everyone's trying to go after, but it seems to end badly a lot of the time."
"The statistics and anecdotes can be pretty off-putting. I won't lie."
"I think maybe people should focus a bit more on themselves in situations like that. The world's a lot different than it used to be."
"I know, but we can't control anyone else's behavior. We can only do what's right for us."
"I want you guys to be happy, but I don't know how possible that is, given the current climate. We have to protect ourselves too. At the end of the day, we're all we've got..."
"This is really bothering you, isn't it?"
"Yeah..."
"Normally, I would try to rely on logic, but love isn't a logical situation. The best advice I can give is to trust your gut."
"That's where I thought you were gonna go..."
"...It's getting late. Maybe we should turn in for the night."
Spike agreed. He put his book away and prepared to head to his room. Twilight stopped him before he could get very far.
"Actually, I was wondering if we could sleep on the couch. I don't want to be alone right now..."
Spike practically felt the anxiety radiate off his sister. Something about their conversation took a toll on her: a severe one. She tried to hide it, but it was all too plain to see. Twilight teleported to her room, grabbing a blanket before returning to her original position. Spike followed her back to the sofa where she threw the comforter over them. She shut off the lights.
"You're right," she conceded, "When this is over, all we'll have is each other. I'll fight with everything I've got to keep it that way..."
"Twilight...?"
The Alicorn snuggled next to her brother. He was taken aback for a moment, but ultimately gave in. They fell asleep to the sound of the rain...