It wasn't a very good dream. Twilight Sparkle rolled over and over in her restless sleep, coated in a cold sweat. In her slumber, she reached a hoof out to finally wipe the tears away, to finally stop that pink pony from giving her that heartbroken look.
But just like always, the unicorn woke with a start. She was breathing hard and staring at her outstretched arm. Twilight let it fall back with a sigh.
"I thought I had it this time..." She pushed herself up and glanced out the window. "It's already so late... I guess Spike got up before me." The unicorn levitated her clipboard to her spot on the bed and let the pencil etch another tally mark.
Twilight let out another sigh as she went about her morning preparations. Even when she woke up late, nothing ever changed. Especially after that dream. She'd been having it more and more frequently as of late, and it's been giving her small case of insomnia. While staying up late wasn't unknown to the unicorn, over time she knew it could have drastic affects to her body.
But she'd been so close. Pinkie was right there, and only just out of her reach. Twilight tried to push the negative thoughts from her mind as she trotted down the stairs of her library. As she'd predicted, Spike was making waffles. He noticed her presence immediately, speaking without looking away from his task.
"...Did you have the dream again?"
Spike knew about her crush on Pinkie, as well as her nightly terrors. Twilight sat at the dinner table with resignation and an air of defeat.
"Yes," she admitted while staring at her hoof, "It was worse this time, though. Her eyes were filled with much more hurt than usual, and I almost had her. She was right within my grasp, Spike!" The unicorn stomped the table with the upraised hoof.
The dragon stepped away from his cooking and gave Twilight three steaming waffles on a plate. He then got his own and sat across from her without saying a word. The lavender mare only continued.
"It felt real. I just can't shake that image every time I close my eyes..." Twilight stuffed her muzzle with a bite to eat, speaking through it, "It won't go away, Spike. Do you have dreams with Rarity like this?"
The assistant promptly blushed. "Come on, Twi... Chew with your mouth closed. And to answer your question, no. I have dreams with her in them, but they're not like yours."
Twilight frowned in response. Spike stared at her for a long moment, trying to decide what to say. The dragon knew his friend like she knew books—word for word and easily readable. He'd found out a few weeks ago about her love for Pinkie Pie the same night he found out about her nightmares. Long after the dragon had gone to sleep, he'd awoken to the sound of crying. He had immediately recognized it as Twilight's, and did what he could to comfort her. Spike gave Twilight his unwavering support day in and day out to make sure his friend could last that long.
"I'm really worried about you, Twi..." He set his silverware down on his plate and gave her a serious look, "...I think you should tell her."
"W-What?" The unicorn sputtered, "About the dreams or my feelings for her? You can't be serious!" She wasn't very hungry in the first place, so she just pushed the breakfast away from her.
Spike nodded resolutely. "Both. Just look at the bags under your eyes! Obviously I'm not much help at this point, and who better to end the nightmares than the pony in them?" His fierce look dissolved into one of genuine concern, "Pinkie's your best friend and the Element of Laughter. There's no way she's going to make you cry. Besides... She came here an hour ago asking for you."
