Sorry for the chapters being so long! I think they are, at least. And in this a lot happens. I hope you like it, and Braeburn - I think someone is nothing but jealous at him. ~

The party had lasted for many hours. The clock didn't exactly slow down either, so it was past midnight when everypony decided to go home. Twilight Sparkle had enjoyed it, of course – it was always fun to spend time with her dear friends. Braeburn too. He had danced with her several times, with these charming smiles and shining eyes. He gave her compliments all the time, and sometimes it sounded a bit funny, considering his way of speech. She never mentioned it, though, which was for the best. But he was cute. Indeed cute.

"Thank you for spending time with a cowboy like me," Braeburn said, holding her arm like they did in the movies, usually after the hero had rescued the girl. He smiled as if he was the sun's substitute. "And for letting me walk you home. It sure ain't safe for a pretty lady to walk alone at night!"

Twilight Sparkle blushed while laughing gently at his remark.

"Not sure about pretty, but… Thank you, Braeburn, it makes me feel safer."

The cowboy smiled at her with the same, warm glow. It made her blush even more, causing her to lower her head.

"I believe this is the place, Miss Sparkle?"

She raised her head again, and the first thing her eyes met were her own home. The tree house stood tall before them, almost like it was touching the sky. The door was closed, and she suspected that her assistant were already sleeping. Well, it was quite late, it shouldn't even be a question.

"You'll stay in Ponyville for a while, right?" she asked Braeburn, who nodded.

"That's right, Miss Twilight! So I hope I'll see you around!" he replied with a blending smile, before taking her hand again. "Very soon."

He kissed it, like he did earlier the same night. And it made her blush again.

"Me too," she said, grinning half-heartedly. As many knew – she was not used to these kinds of gestures. Or situations. "Well, thanks again, and see you soon!"

Twilight Sparkle waved once with her wand, and the door opened. She gave Braeburn one last smile, before closing the door behind her.

Braeburn stood there for a minute or two, just smiling, before returning to his cousin's home.
~~

It was as she predicted – completely dark.

Spike was probably asleep in his bed, dreaming of either gems or Rarity. She guessed it was a good mix of both, which made her giggle a little to herself.

As she did this, something unexpected happened. She could hear snoring. Of course, that wasn't the reason behind the shock. It was because it was so nearby. And as she used her wand to light up the place a little, she got to see Spike. He was lying on the couch, snoring quietly. He hadn't fell asleep on purpose either. He didn't have a carpet, and hadn't bothered taking off his jacket.

It almost seemed he had been waiting for something. For… Her?

"Oh, Spike," she whispered, worried, but with a faint smile in her face. She took a carpet over him, and kissed him on the cheek. "Good night."

She walked up to her room, while stretching her arms and yawning tiredly. It was going to be refreshing with a little sleep.

What Twilight didn't notice was a smile appearing on the face of her assistant. Still sleeping, he seemed to know she was home. He got proof, after all.
~~

Spike woke up just to burn himself on his own fire. His lips were warm from the fire tickling inside his mouth, and his left hand was burning up. He tried to keep quiet, but he couldn't help but yelp when the green fire came out.

Out of his palm danced a green fire, and because it had grown so much stronger lately, it had started to hurt quite a bit. It didn't matter, he would get used to it soon enough – just not yet.

The letter flew up, and he grabbed it with his other hand. With a smile reminded of triumph in his face, he opened it. He quickly read the title, but sighed when he saw his friend's name. He never got a letter.

All right, it didn't really matter to him. He admitted it.

"A letter from Celestia?"

Twilight Sparkle came running down the stairs, dressed in the usual sweater and pants she loved so much. He gave her a nod, after studying her a bit, and coming to a conclusion that the clothes actually fitted her. She looked cute in them, compared to others. Rarity hated them, though.

"Just read it, Spike!" she grinned. She hadn't got a letter in a week, and that was rare. Usually, it only took a day before the next letter arrived.

"Alright!" he coughed, getting ready to start.

To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

I hope you are doing well, and having fun with your friends. And of course, Spike. Give them all my regards. Though, this is not the matter I want to discuss with you, my faithful student. There is soon going to be held a gala in Canterlot, and in hope to not repeat my last mistake – I have tickets for all of your friends, as well yourself and Spike. It is not an official celebration, only for the invited, and it is held for my sister. Princess Luna has made many beautiful nights since she came home, and to honour her and wish for her to make many more, I want to hold this gala for her. It is still many weeks before the gala is held, but you are the first with tickets. I hope to see you there, Twilight Sparkle.

Your mentor,

Princess Celestia

"Wheeeeeee!"

Spike sighed as Twilight Sparkle hugged him, all enthusiastic about the gala that awaited them. He never told anypony, but in all honesty – he liked them, too. He just didn't want to ruin his reputation. That's all. Yeah…

"I can't wait, Spike! And this time, no drama when it comes to tickets!" Twilight sang, as she was a little filly, and did small pirouettes. She reminded him a little of Pinkie Pie, just not as crazy. At the moment, that is.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"

She didn't seem to be able to stop dancing. And now she reminded him of Rainbow Dash whenever she talked about the Wonderbolts.

"TWILIGHT!"

She calmed down. Looking at him like a confused child, before grinning and blushing of her own behaviour.

"Sorry, I got a little… Excited," she mumbled, still blushing.

"No kidding!" Spike said, rolling his eyes. Twilight's eyes went smaller, as if she thought he was irritated – but they widened up again the second he smiled.

"Well, why can't we go visit the others after breakfast?" he suggested, on his way to the kitchen. Twilight Sparkle seemed fond of the idea, already giggling and just as excited as before. She followed him on the way to the kitchen, almost dancing.

"I can't wait! And it's said that the stars at that time… They are gorgeous! So we can even stargaze if we get tired of the gala itself!" she sang.

"Sounds great," Spike commented, giving her a brief smile before concentrating on the food he had in front of him. He could hear her hum for herself, and he couldn't help but smile.

Suddenly he felt her glance. His heart skipped a beat, causing him to bite his lip. Nice one, Spike! he thought to himself. This helps. A lot. Yeah, right.

"I could tell the whole world…"

He turned around, only to face Twilight, sitting by the table with closed eyes while singing out.

"I'm the luckiest among them all," she sang, smiling. Then she opened up her eyes. Looking at him, as if she waited for something. Then he remembered the song her father used to sing to them both, and a wider smile got stuck in his face. He gladly continued.

"Got a couple of good friends, and a completed soul! Come on, those who mean I ain't lucky. Do you dare to show your face? Come on, to you all!"

He sang while preparing the food, and it didn't take long before the plate where placed in front of Twilight, and Spike sat down across the table.

"Let's join this celebration, everypony around! Let's forget all differences, and enjoy the music so loud!" Twilight finished off. They looked at each other for a couple of seconds, before laughing out loud at the same time.
~~

They visited each and every pony. Of the gang, that is. Pinkie Pie ended up making a new song when she got her golden ticket, Rainbow Dash flew around the sky at her highest speed (almost), Rarity already began planning their dresses with a blending smile, Applejack did some tricks with her lasso while saying things only cowgirls knew how to say, and Fluttershy's eyes widened up in pure joy.

After visiting them they both ended up on Sugarcube corner.

"Got any breath left?" Twilight Sparkle asked, before thanking Mrs Cake for the tea she came with to her.

"Some," Spike sighed. They had practically run from place to place, and made sure everypony got their tickets. The only tickets left now was theirs.

Twilight Sparkle studied her ticket, already thinking of all that they would do. They would dance, they would have fun, and they would maybe even get to talk to Princess Celestia together. And this time she wouldn't forget Spike. The poor dragonboy felt completely out of place at the gala, with only six girls as company.

"One ruby muffin," Mr Cake said, before placing the muffin in front of Spike. "And then we got some strawberry muffins for you both to enjoy!"

"Thank you so much," Twilight Sparkle said, with gratitude in her eyes.

"Yes, thank you!" Spike grinned, very pleased to get another gem muffin – they were rare, and therefore he was dancing in the clouds whenever he got one. Twilight knew that better than most.

It was actually peaceful, just sitting there and thinking, without the need to talk about anything. Just relaxing. Enjoying the rare calmness around them.

That was until she got to see a cowboy's hat appear in the local.

"Howdy, Twilight n' Spike!"

Twilight Sparkle smiled, waving at him, before glancing at Spike. What her eyes saw made her gasp.

Spike narrowed his eyes, causing a frown to appear in his forehead, and he folded his arms like a child that didn't get its sweets. His green, emerald-like eyes gleamed of something she didn't quite understand. He seemed… Irritated.

"Hello, Braeburn," she politely replied, looking over to Spike again in hope he did the same. He only mumbled to the cowboy.

He's behaving just like a child,she thought to herself, a bit disappointed in him, especially since he had no reason to be like this.

"Mind if I sit down?"

His question made sure Spike stared at him with annoyance in secret.

"Not at all," Twilight said, forcing a smile to appear, while she at the same time made sure Braeburn wouldn't notice Spikes rudeness.

"It has sure been a long day! Workin' in the fields with my cousins ain't as easy as I thought it would be!" Braeburn sighed, and it all ended up with him ordering a kind of milkshake. It was new, obviously.

"It sure isn't," Twilight Sparkle said, holding one of the strawberry muffins in her hands. She had often helped the cowgirl out with her work.

"But if you work hard for somethin'…" Braeburn looked at Twi. "You can always get it if you keep going."

"OH SNAP. I forgot my very-important-meeting-which-I-have-to-go-to-right-now-this-instant. I guess I'll see you later, Twilight Sparkle!"

Spike got up from his chair, still holding on to his ruby muffin, and ran out of Sugarcube corner like there would be no tomorrow. Twilight shook her head, simply because she couldn't believe her assistant. Why in such a hurry? And why in Equestria didn't he like Braeburn?

"Seems he ain't fond of the thought that I'm going to stay for a while…"

Twilight Sparkle sighed.

"Sadly. I don't know what's wrong with him, I'm sorry. I think he's just in a bad mood," she almost whispered, wanting to defend her assistant. Though he was acting stupidly.
~~

"That stupid cowboy!" Spike mumbled – furiously. "He thinks he just can… Can…"

He moaned.

"Can what? Why am I even angry at him?"

He sat down on the couch, looking into the thin air as if it would give him the answer. He didn't get one, so he closed them – irritated.

"I have no idea why I'm acting like this," he whispered. "It doesn't make sense."

Spike tried to listen to his heartbeats, in hope of calming down. It actually worked. He could breath normally again, and the thought of Braeburn drifted away like yesterdays news.

Hopefully, he would remain this calm all the day.
~~

He remained that calm until Twilight Sparkle came home.

"Braeburn invited me out to dinner tonight!" she said, and when looking out the window Spike made a miserable grimace. It was already dark. "I guess you'll make sure every book is in place?"

Spike nodded. He felt as if his mouth was locked.

"I really need to get going, it's only half an hour before I have to meet up with him. I'll be home soon, alright?" Twilight said, at the same time as she looked for the right outfit to wear. She was blushing, but she tried to hide it. It didn't work, and Spike knew she wasn't used to this. Rarity probably was, but Twilight? Not a chance. She had never had a date before.

"O-OK."

He wanted to scream to her, tell her it wasn't OK. That he almost died of jealousy. And it was even worse than when the owl came… Though, they were quite good friends now.

"Thanks, Spike!"

Twilight was already done. Dressed in a white, simple dress she came running down the stairs, before kissing him faintly on the cheek.

"See you later!"

Spike looked after her, while his temper slowly faded up. Then he sighed.

"… OK…"
~~

Applejack was proud. Bringing Braeburn to Ponyville had been one of her best ideas in a long time. Twilight Sparkle needed somepony like him, and there he was, already thinking about her when working in the fields with them. He seemed to drift off quite often, and as soon she mentioned Twilight,he asked where she was, how he looked – all that kind of stuff. It was cute, really.

Now he was getting ready for their date. He seemed a little nervous, but Applejack was convinced Twilight was hundreds of times more nervous. She never did those kinds of things; she was fonder of the library than anything else, except her friends.

"Do you think she'll like the food?" Braeburn asked, smiling widely as he straightened up his otherwise lively hair. "The evening? Me?"

"Stop thinkin', and start actin'!" Applejack laughed, punching him in the arm like she used to with Big Mac. "Alright? She'll like you. Promise."

Braeburn lightened up, and with a confident smile he put on his cowboy hat.

"I see you soon, cousin!"

He went out the door and closed it just as easily. AJ smiled to herself before walking in to her Granny and the rest of the family, wondering how the evening would turn out for them both.
~~

"One salad…"

"Apple-pie."

Twilight Sparkle couldn't help but laugh gently. Typical the Apple-family.

"So, Twilight, ever thinkin' 'bout movin' back to Canterlot?" Braeburn asked, and his accent made his question seem funny, at the same time charming.

"Not really. I could never leave my friends behind," she answered sincerely, feeling sad only by the thought. "It wouldn't be worth it."

"Wow, that's tough," Braeburn said, seeming to respect her because of that.

"Not really," Twilight whispered, blushing a little. "I'm not strong enough to manage without them in my life."

Braeburn smiled at her.

"That's just it, Miss Twilight. You are strong enough to admit it."

This made her blush even more.

"T-thank you…"

She didn't get anything else out at the moment. They only smiled at each other, and before they knew it, the waiter came with their food.

"Bon appetite!"

The waiter disappeared just as sudden as he appeared, and the food was the only trace he left behind him. Luckily, they enjoyed it, and they talked - constantly. He didn't seem like the type she often read about in the books, the type who only cared about looks and never wanted to get to know the girl. Braeburn did. He asked her about her childhood, her parents and family, what meant most to her, who, and so much more – even her favourite colour. That one made her blush a little without no particular reason.

"Blue… But green too," she said quickly.

"Why?" he asked curiously.

"Why?" she repeated, like a confused echo. "Well… Blue because I love the night, and the colour is so clear, and green…" She blushed when she herself understood why. And why in Equestria did she blush? "Because it reminds me of nature and a good friend." Perfect.

"Sounds like good reasons," Braeburn said, leaning his head a little to the side. He smiled to her, without saying anything else. Not yet.

"You know, you have some beautiful eyes," he suddenly told her, looking into them with his own green ones. That made her panic a little. Not because of the compliment, but his eyes. They were green – as well to her other friend. He probably thought…

"Thank you…"

It didn't matter right now, all she had to do, was to try to survive the dinner, and she was starting out pretty good.
~~

"Thank you for a wonderful dinner," Twilight Sparkle said, trying to hide the warmth that came running up her face. Braeburn held her in the arm again, just like the night before, and didn't seem to want to let go.

"No problem, Miss Twilight! I had a great time," he hummed, and Twilight imagined him dancing along the street while singing some typical song from the West. It would've been a little funny. "Want me to walk you home?"

"If it's not a problem?" she said shyly.

"Of course not, Twilight Sparkle!" he quickly answered. "It's more of a joy."

What happened after that, none of them expected.

"Hi, Twilight! What a coincident that we met at this hour…!"

Twilight Sparkle gave Spike who came going towards them a rather confused look. He never went out this late by himself. Never.

"Hi, Spike?" she mumbled, still a little shocked.

"Howdy!" Braeburn said, friendly and open-minded. Spike didn't look much at the cowboy, but he waved at him with a half-heartedly smile to return the gest.

"Going home?" Spike asked, his eyes on Twilight. She blinked with her eyes; still wondering about what he did out so late.

"Yes?" she managed to get out of her mouth. He brightened up.

"Do you think I can follow her home – if it's OK with you, Braeburn?" he asked, finally looking at her date. The cowboy smiled, and nodded.

"Of course, partner! Make sure you'll both get home safely." He let go of her arm, but made sure to kiss her hand again – for the third time. That made her feel guilty for some reason, and she decided to return the favour.
~~

Spike felt a huge amount of jealousy when Twilight kissed the cowboys cheek.

"See you soon!"

Braeburn gave her a warm smile, and waved at them both before walking in the opposite direction. Spike was glad he got away before he lost his temper. Seeing Twilight kiss him just made him – well, furious. Why? Didn't Twilight Sparkle deserve this, maybe? Of course she did! He had even told her himself…

"What are you doing out at this hour?" Twilight Sparkle asked the moment they were alone. They walked, side by side, which made it hard for him to hide the blushing in his face.

"I couldn't sleep."

It was the truth. The thought of her and Braeburn made it impossible.

"A particular reason for that?" she continued, fishing after a answer which could make sense. He had no plans of giving her one.

"Nope. Don't think so."

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. Then he heard her shiver. He looked at her, and got to see her tremble a bit. She was freezing.

"It sure is cold at night," she mumbled, trying to cover up with her own, thin jacket. It didn't do much good, though. Spike bite his lip before he stopped.

Twilight Sparkle didn't get a chance to say anything before he put his own jacket around her, bigger and warmer than her own. It was mainly because of him being a dragonboy, causing him to have a higher body heat than others.

"S-Spike?" she whispered, but he didn't say anything. He just took her arm and held it tight so she wouldn't freeze.

"We're soon home, so don't worry about being cold," he assured her.

Twilight Sparkle blushed. He did too, but he actually managed to hide it well for once.

"I'm not cold now," she said, but without discussing the matter. "Thank you."

She used both arms to hold his, and Spike thought he was about to die when his heart skipped not only one beat – but three.

"No problem," he answered. "No problem at all."