The Cottage In The Woods - A Sequel to 'At The Heart Of Winter'

By Sync

Four long years had past since the events of 'At The Heart Of Winter'. Spike and Twilight were relatively happy together, and the not-so-young dragon finished being the unicorn's assistant after her studies had ceased. They lived together in the Library, but Fluttershy was still lonely. After being so let down by Spike so long ago, she really did feel that he loved her, and soon retracted into her cottage in the woods. Nopony saw her for what seemed eons, nopony really even noticed until of late. Spike. Thoughts cradled through his mind to why Fluttershy had grown so reclusive, and being blatantly unacknowledged by all the other ponies. Maybe she was busy? Maybe it was just coincidence? Spike knew better though, he felt more guilty than he had in years... The last time of which he let the Pegasus down.

###

The night air was uncomfortable, seasons had passed and of course it wasn't winter anymore. Humidity dried up Spike's mouth as the back of his throat cracked at every intake of breath. He shuffled in his bed to try an rid the inclining heat but something was on his mind though, he looked down at the unicorn in his arms. Twilight looked so peaceful. A hoof against the dragon's scaly chest as she huddled in towards him, sound asleep. Her horn nearly stabbing Spike's cheek as he looked away towards the window, evading the pointed weapon and realised how much time had progressed. It only seemed like yesterday when they both expressed their love for each other in that same bed, and was probably the best night of his life, but that was in the past now, he had other things on his mind. He gave a small grunt. It was almost unbearable! The fur, the sheets, the damned heat. All topped off with his deep thoughts about that one unicorn.

The dragon wriggled out of the tightness of both the sheets and Twilight. Then tip-toed towards the bathroom, aiming to make as less noise as possible, he didn't need that pony to explain this to, despite how harsh he made it seem. The cold tiles underneath his feet seemed so heavenly. He wished he could lay down and fall asleep there, it was that good. Spike leaned his arms onto the sink, the razor sharp claws digging into the porcelain, his pronounced muscles clenching the ceramics. Dismally, he looked down into the bottom as he twisted the knob and held his slender hands out to capture some of the freezing water. The dragon then splashed the cool liquid across his face and washed away the heat, Spike then gave a small shudder and looked up into the mirror.

He was amazed to see actually how different he looked, since dragons aged very slowly. Last time he checked himself in the mirror he needed a stool to even just meet his eyes. Surprisingly, he looked down across his slender build, bulging arms and emerging sharp canine-teeth. Arousing, the dragon liked it. But he knew he was only stalling his thoughts to what he should be thinking about, Flutters. Spike looked into his eyes again, remembering the experiences with that loving Pegasus. The way they cuddled against the stone fire, helping them embrace what was their love with some playful kissing. He still cared about 'shy - a lot. It was just weird that Nippon had mentioned anything about her for ages. Had she done something wrong? The curious dragon needed to find out, fast. But now wasn't the time to do it. He was exhausted, and he still needed his sleep. Slowly, he walked towards a plain white cabinet, reached for a small bottle and shook out 2 pills. Spike never knew what they were called, or what exactly they were for. All he knew is that they soothed his mind, and made him a lot calmer. It's not like he needed them right now though. The dragon pulled back his long neck and threw in a couple, leaving a strange sweet aftertaste as they trickled down into the pit of his stomach.

Gently, he moved out of the bathroom. Passively turning off the light as he crossed into the bedroom. If summer was going to be like this everything, he didn't know what to do. Sleeping outside would be a better option at this time. Spike dug out the sleet from his eyes and sat on the end of the bed, peering outside the window. The sky shone a deep purple, not a cloud in sight, but the dragon wasn't observing anything in particular. He was just thinking about that one yellow Pegasus, who couldn't escape his mind. Drowsily, the teenage dragon stood up while holding his claws along the top of the cold, metallic curtain rail. He pondered some more, before the sound of the night birds was interrupted by Twilight.

She gave a hazy yawn, and stretched a little before realizing that her dragon was stood up looking into the distance of the night.

"S-Spike? What are you doing up so early? It's nearly 4 o'clock in the morning.." The unicorn asked. Another yawn escaped from her rusty mouth.

"I don't know, Twit'..."

The dragon gave a disgruntled sigh as he let go of the curtain rails.

"...I'm Just thinking about stuff." Spike replied.

Twilight sat up, rubbing the side of her face with her shoulder.

"Spike, you know you can tell anything to me. Right?"

"It's nothing, really. I just couldn't sleep."

The dragon didn't like lining to Twilight. Because it either made him feel bad, or Twilight would always find a way of knowing what it was - through magic or other means. He sat back down, lifted up his legs to get back into bed. Spike carefully pulled the cover over him, so it wasn't too tight. He didn't want to end up waking up again because of the heat. Twilight reached over and gave her dragon a small peck on the cheek and snuggled up towards him. All Spike could do was just lay there, still staring out into the night. Thinking about his best-friend. He soon nodded off with Twilight, thinking about what the next day would bring to him.

###

Sharp pains stabbed through Spike. He awoke in agony as his body was stiff and aching, carefully rubbing his stomach in the process. The dragon wasn't sure what it was though. Nippon else he knew was ill. It must have been a bug or something he thought to himself as he tried to re-adjust to the surroundings.

"You feeling okay, Spikes?" Twilight began. The unicorn entered the bedroom with a small sandwich and a glass of water, all carried using her magic. The dragon twitched his eyes and sat up, looking at the rather happy pony.

"Uh, not really..." Spike admitted.

"...my Stomach wrecks."

"Oh, not to worry about that. Some food and water should sort you all out in no time." Twilight stated.

The unicorn seemed to be acting quite unusual, it's as if she knew something..

"Err thanks, Twit'." The dragon replied. He munched down the sandwich and gulped down the drink, giving a satisfactory sigh.

"So, what were you thinking about last night, Spike?" Twilight questioned.

Spike sighed again, and thought a little while of what he was going to reply with.

"Nothing really, I was a sleep for most of it.." The dragon said nervously followed by a small laugh, weighing up what would be the most easiest thing to say.

"There's no need to get all smart Spike... I know what you were thinking, I know what you was and will be up to." The unicorn accused with an aura of authority.

"Hey what's that supposed to mean?" The teenage dragon sassed. It was like Twilight was reading his mind...

...because She indefinitely was.