Love Spreads

by Closer-To-The-Sun


Ch. 1 Borrowed Time

Chapter 1: Borrowed Time

A lazy Sunday afternoon was settling over Ponyville. Most of the residents of the town were either relaxing at their home or spending time with their friends. One creature, however, was busy as could be in the Ponyville library. The small purple dragon seemed to be pulling more than his fair share of weight, cleaning and organizing all of the shelves in the library. Not even the voice of a purple unicorn could stop him.

"Honestly Spike, you can call it a day. You've been working a lot for the past week as it is," Twilight Sparkle pleaded with her assistant.

"No can do, Twilight. I still got to reorganize the magic section after your last late night study session. Then I still have to clean the shelves in the fiction section after Rainbow Dash stopped by," Spike stood on top of a stool, shelving book after book into their proper locations. He seemed to be very content with his job of returning each book to it's home.

Twilight sighed, "But it can wait. You have been shelving books since at least breakfast. Take the rest of the day off. The rest of the week, even, you deserve some time to get out of this library."

The dragon didn't break his shelving pace, "And go where? Besides, I'm perfectly fine doing this."

Just as Twilight was about to interject with a comment, there was a soft knocking at the library door. Not wanting to argue, she dropped the conversation and went to open the door. On the other side of the door was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane.

"Hello, Fluttershy! What brings you over?" Twilight welcomed her friend, inviting her inside.

The pegasus meekly smiled back as she entered, "Hello, Twilight. I came by to return a book back to you. It was quite a fascinating read."

Spike overheard that she was returning a book, "What book is it?"

Fluttershy reached into her saddlebag, pulling out the library book, "Um….Daring Do And The Final Crusade."

"Oh, put it on the table. I'll take care of it when I get back to the fiction section," Spike brushed it aside as he returned to his shelving.

Fluttershy gave a blank and puzzled stare from the dragon's comment.
Twilight sighed as she placed a hoof on her forehead. "I apologize for Spike. He seems to be preoccupied with his work right now," the unicorn explained, "I haven't got him to take a break once for at least a week."

"Oh dear….that can't be good for the little dragon," the pegasus commented.

"That's what I say, but he doesn't listen."

Spike interrupted, "I told you, I'm fine."

The dragon's remark didn't convince either pony.

Fluttershy began to speak, "Well….um….if Spike would like, he could stop by my home for a relaxing day tomorrow or some other time….if he doesn't mind, of course…."

A smile came across Twilight's face, "That sounds like something he might enjoy. What do you say, Spike?"

Spike was quite to reject the idea, "No can do. I already told you I still have the magic and fiction section to get to. And then I still have the basement to take on."

"Oh, come on Spike. They will still be there after you take a few days off," Twilight pleaded.

The dragon didn't reply.

An idea, however, was quickly hatched by the unicorn, "Well, if you don't do it for yourself or myself, do it for Fluttershy. Just look at this face!"

Spike turned to see that Twilight had pushed Fluttershy forward. The yellow mare had a worried and sad look upon her face. Her wide turquoise eyes and her quivering bottom lip made it impossible for Spike to refuse. Defeated, he replied, "Alright, alright, just cut it out will ya? I still have some more work to finish."

Both of the mare's shared a laugh at their victory over the dragon.