Day and Night

The sun shone in through Twilight Sparkle's window. She yawned and rolled out of bed. As usual, Princess Celestia did a wonderful job. She slid her hooves into her bunny slippers and went to see if Spike was up yet. As usual, he was sleeping peacefully. A smile came to her face, and she whispered,

   "Ok, Spike. I'll let you sleep until I make breakfast." She walked out and into her kitchen, dreading its early-morning chilliness.  She braced herself for a wave of coldness, however, she was met with the heat from a blazing fire and the smell of blueberry pancakes. She looked into the kitchen, ready to fight of any intruders. She was met with the site of Celestia making pancakes. Twilight's jaw dropped and she bowed, trying to stutter some kind of greeting. Celestia laughed,

   "You needn't do that, my dearest Twilight. Behind closed doors, I'm just like everypony else." Twilight stood and nuzzled Celestia's chest,

   "Whatever you wish." She said, smiling. Celestia nuzzled Twilight, her breath tickled her ear. After a moment, Celestia spoke,

   "So, where's Spike?" Twilight giggled,

   "He's still in bed. I'll get him now that the food's ready." Within moments, a sleepy Spike was levitated into the kitchen.

   "Huh? What's going on??" He mumbled. Twilight placed him on a chair,

   "The princess has been kind enough to cook our breakfast." Spike smiled,

   "Aw, thanks, Celestia!" Celestia laughed,

   "No need to thank me! After all you've done for Twilight, consider it my way of saying thanks." Spike dug into his food,

   "Alright; and consider my devouring it a 'you're very welcome'!"  Twilight laughed and sat down, preparing to eat. Celestia moved her plate over to where she was sitting. Twilight looked at her,

   "Very funny." Celestia tilted her head,

   "Aren't you going to sit on my lap?" Twilight smiled,

   "Of course." And she moved and sat on her lap, her wings wrapped around her and she sneezed. "Achooo!" Celestia chuckled,

   "Oh my;  I hope you're not becoming allergic to me! That would HORRIBLE!" Twilight looked up at her,

   "Yes, that would be cause of mass panic." Spike spoke up,

   "Can I PLEASE eat WITHOUT you two making google eyes?" Both mares looked at Spike, blushing. There was nothing but silence in the library until Spike announced he was going for a walk. Twilight knew he'd get as far as the Carousel Boutique and then he would stop in and see Rarity. As usual.

   Once he was out, Celestia locked the door and snuggled Twilight in front of the fire. After a moment, Celestia spoke,

   "Say, Twilight; do you enjoy being her?" Twilight looked at her,

   "Yes; very much so. I live in a library and have the best friends anypony could ever want."

   "I see."

   "Oh; did I not thank you for it?" Celestia looked at Twilight for a moment,

   "Not really, no. Though, I know you are thankful that I sent you here." Twilight felt a little bad. Not only was Celestia her love and mentor; she was also the ruler of Equestria and the sun goddess. How could she have NOT thanked her? Twilight looked back up at Celestia,

   "Well, late thanks are better than no thanks at all." Celestia nodded in agreement. "So, how should I thank you?" For a moment, Twilight thought Celestia's feathers went a slight pink color, but she dismissed it as a trick of the light. Finally, Celestia spoke,

   "Well, Twilight, we ARE alone right now. And, the doors locked. So, I’m thinking we spend some 'alone time' together." Twilight's eyes widened and she backed away.

    "What? I-I don't know. I-I mean I have thought about it, but I-I don't think I'm ready." For a moment, she looked like she might cry. Celestia caught her under her wing and held her close,

   "That's ok. I can wait." Twilight looked at her, still a little nervous,

    "I'm sorry." She whispered. Celestia looked down at her and kissed her,

    "Don't be. It's ok, trust me." Twilight calmed down and nodded,

   "Alright." She said. The two stayed curled up together in complete silence until Celestia asked what she wanted to do. Twilight was contented to spend the day snuggling and Celestia agreed. It sounded really nice on a cold winter’s day.

   Meanwhile, at Rarity's dress shop, Spike was admiring the purple-maned beauty.

   "Wow, Rarity, you're mane is perfect today." He said half light-headed. Rarity looked at him over her shoulder,

   "Isn't it always?" Spike nodded,

   "Of course! I just admire it, is all." Rarity smiled, knowing Spike really liked her. Though, she wasn't fond on him. She didn't 'hate' him, but, they weren't exactly friends, either. She turned back to her current project, an elegant gown with light pink lace around the edges and continued to work in silence, wondering how long Spike could take the silence and speak again. Spike began playing with his tail nervously, wondering when Rarity would speak again. He tried to think of something to say, but, his mind was a blank. He watched Rarity work, admiring her style. He thought for that moment, that it would be wonderful to have her design clothing for him. Except for one minor detail; dragons don't wear clothes all that often. Ponies don't either, mind you. But, dragons wear it even less than that.

   .   Finally, after a tense ten minutes, Spike spoke up again,

    "So, Rarity, who is that dress for?" Rarity smiled to herself, finding amusement in Spike's discomfort in the last ten minutes. She turned to Spike for a moment,

   "Why, Sweetie Belle, of course! Silly boy, don't tell me you've forgotten that the Princess has invited us all to a New Year's party?" Spike blushed. Of course that's what the dress was for! How could he have been so stunned?

   "Well, I'm sure she'll love it!" He said, not realizing the delight Rarity had in his momentary stupidity. Rarity smiled legitimately happy that somebody else saw what she saw in the dress. Rarity turned back and changed the subject,

    "So, what's Twilight up to today?" Spike smiled, happy to have something to say,

   "She's back at the library with Celestia." Rarity smiled again,

   "Oh, really? That's lovely! Do tell them I say hi!" Spike nodded,

   "Sure thing. Twilight's been happier the last few months." Rarity nodded,

   "Well, of course! Oh, how I envy her. So happy and contented. Oh, how I wish I had somepony during this cold season." Spike's ears perked up.

   "Well, Rarity, I could spend a little more time here, if you'd like." Rarity smiled and acted as if she didn't hear him.

   "What was that, dear?" She wanted to see if he'd be brave enough to do that again. Spike blushed and shook his head,

   "Nothing. I was just rambling on." Rarity nodded,

   "Too bad." She thought, "I thought his offer was sweet. Though, I’d have to stress that there was NOTHING between us." She continued her work for a bit, chatting here and there. After another hour, she had finished the dress. She stepped back to allow Spike to see it. Spikes jaw dropped;

   "Wow, Rarity! It's beautiful!" Rarity blushed and did a lady-like giggled,

   "Well, thanks! I'm proud of it, too!" Spike took notice to the darkening skies and stood up.

   "I'm really sorry to leave to suddenly, but It's getting late and I should be getting back to the library before Twilight think's I've gone missing." Rarity laughed,

   "I understand! I have to go find Sweetie Belle now, anyway." Spike nodded and walked out the door.

   "Maybe I should get a new tux for the party." He thought; not noticing the gem stones Rarity had magically placed on him