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// Sleepy Nights (Panic!) 
// Story: Bucket of Apples (Speedwriting Anthology) 
// by applejackofalltrades 
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The light flickered as the thunder roared outside. The rain pattered against the window of the Golden Oaks library. Following the rhythmic pattern, Twilight flipped the page of her book. “I can’t believe that unicorns used to raise the sun and moon themselves!”

Spike yawned and curled up closer to Twilight’s hoof. “I know right? I couldn’t even wake up early enough to do it.”

Twilight dropped her book carefully on the desk she was sitting at and looked down at Spike with an amused smile. “Well, technically, you could just wake up whenever you want to raise it.”

“You mean, like, rearrange the schedule of the day?” Spike asked incredulously.

“Yeah, if I was an alicorn, I would do that,” Twilight admitted sheepishly. “I know I’m all crazy about order and schedules, but honestly, I’d love to sleep in a little more.”

Spike raised a claw to his chin. “Well, wouldn’t you be waking up early anyway after a certain point? Or would you make the nights longer?”

The candle swooshed almost audibly as Twilight pondered. “No, that would just disrupt things way too much. I guess you’re right, Spike. Things are going perfectly as they are now.”

“Well, except for all the rain outside,” Spike pointed out, turning his head to gaze out the window. The droplets of water streamed down the glass, and the gentle noise of the cascading rain made Twilight’s head buzz. 

“It makes for a good reading ambience, though.” Twilight took Spike up in her magical aura and levitated him to his bed. “And the perfect sound to lull a baby dragon to sleep when he’s up past his bedtime.”

Spike crossed his arms. “But it isn’t even that late! And I’m not tired at all.” As if his own body betrayed him, Spike let out a deep yawn.

Twilight smiled softly and turned to the candle which rested on the table. “Well, I’m going to bed now. Tomorrow is a big day, and we need to be well rested.”

Spike was already curled up in his bed. His eyes half open as he groggily muttered, “Okay, if you insist.”

“Nighty night, Spike,” Twilight muttered as she blew out the candle, plunging the room into the comfortable darkness of a stormy night.