Gratuitous Epilogue, Just For Cheap Dawww's
A few days later, everything had gone quiet in and around the library once again, as was appropriate for a place such as this.
Of course there was some noise that would never disappear completely, for instance the tick-tock of the clock, the clatter of dust slowly trickling off the shelves, the sound of the local librarian turning the pages of the book she was reading, the hushed whispers of spiders in the corners plotting their next takeover, and most notably, the joyful whistle of a little dragon assistant sweeping the floors.
Spike's tune and enthusiasm were contagious. Instead of being swept, the dust danced beside him, following him along as if he were their pied piper. Twilight couldn't help shooting him a casual glance every now and then and smile at the pure bliss he displayed.
But she quickly returned her attention to the books scattered across her desk. She couldn't allow for any distractions; she still had some work ahead of her.
After they had whipped the library into pre-strike and pre-Crusader shape in just two days, they had been able to finally rummage and refurbish the basement. The hidden gems they had found down there had made Twilight feel like a foal on Hearth's Warming: she couldn't wait another second to browse and categorize every one of them.
But filling the bookshelves with oldly new books meant she had to sort out and find a place for the newly old books; a matter she initially wanted to have finished by the end of the day.
Although, with things running as smoothly as they did lately, she could always put it off until tomorrow. They had practically worked off their entire week's schedule already. Back together, she and Spike worked like a well-oiled machine designed to solve any problem that walked their way.
No, for today she would give the whole thing a rest. She quickly gathered the books and levitated them downstairs.
“Spike,” she called while on her way, “would you please get me a quill and some paper and put it on my desk?”
“Sure thing!” Spike responded.
Twilight had already decided what she would do with the rest of the evening, something she had put off far too long: she would write up a friendship report. With all that had transpired, she had learned more than enough to fill a single letter. Princess Celestia would surely be delighted to hear from her. She hadn't had any chance to talk to her after her sagely wisdom had resolved the protest situation and she hadn't written a friendship report in forever. Why, Twilight hadn't even sent her the paper on thermal enchantments she had promised her almost a week ago...
She immediately dropped all the books and sprinted back upstairs. Sure, the Princess probably wouldn't mind getting Twilight's studies a little late or even a lot late, but this time things were different. She hadn't even started. If her mentor knew she would only start her research at the last moment, a proper scolding and punishment would be sure to follow.
She turned for her study and went right for her writing utensils. Fortunately, the quill, ink, and paper she needed were already provided on her desk.
“We have an emergency, Spike!” she announced as she hastily scribbled something. “We have to get to work right away. I need you to bring me every book on enchantments and thermodynamics we have. And I will also need my compass and ruler. Probably some candles too, since I'm going to be up all night. Of course, you will have to help me go through all those books and –”
“Um, Twilight?” Spike interrupted weakly.
Twilight turned around, unwilling to waste any more time on this than necessary. “What is it?”
He pointed at the clock behind him. “It's five,” he said. “I'm done for today. And I was planning to go to Sugarcube Corner and get myself something sweet.”
“But my studies!” Twilight snapped at him, shooting him a nervous glare. “And all those books! Browsing them on my own would take forever. I need you! I...”
When she saw Spike cringe before her like a fox hiding from a farmer, Twilight stopped. She could see him being torn and she was the one tearing at him. She slowly shook her head.
“You're right,” she said, turning her back to him. “I've got no right to keep you here. It's quitting time and you've earned yourself some leisure. I shouldn't have asked you. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I'm sorry. I'll figure this out on my own. You go and have fun at Sugarcube Corner.”
And she really meant it. She was happy for him. She wanted him to have fun, even if some part of her insisted on keeping him here. A part of her was even mad at him for bringing up the end of his workday in the first place. And she was mad at herself for thinking this way. He had done so much for her today already and she had taken him for granted once again. It was no wonder that, when given the choice, he would rather go to Sugarcube Corner than help her out. If she were treated this way, Twilight would likely do the same. She could feel tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
“Twilight?”
The cold sensation of his claw on her shoulder felt like an icepack for a misdiagnosed fever. Twilight quickly snuffled and wiped a pair of tears away with her hoof. “What is it?” she asked, trying to keep her voice straight.
“If you really need my help, I can stick around for a little bit longer,” Spike said.
Twilight turned around. “But it's five o' clock,” she protested. “It's after hours. You should go out and enjoy yourself. I can't keep you here for a personal project of mine. I don't want to force you to work as my assistant.”
“I didn't say I'd work as your assistant. I said I'd stick around to help,” he pointed out. “Not because you want me to or because you ordered me to, but because I want to. Just because it's after hours doesn't mean I have to leave.”
He smiled the smile of magician who had just finished his trick. “I might be done working as your assistant for today,” he declared, “but as your friend, I'm willing to do overtime.”