>the night had arrived faster than usual, but it was to be expected
>it was winter and you were more than happy to be inside and warm
>it seemed that your little pony was just as comfortable being inside with you
>with a fire going in the fireplace, you made sure it was going to last a bit before sitting down and petting along the purple pony's back
>her body shifted a bit, leaning more towards you until she rested to your side
>you smile and let her relax, continuing to rub up and down her back, even running your fingers through her mane a few times
>her reaction seems to be a few little mumbles and her eyes drooping in her peaceful state
>while she begins to drift off to sleep, you lean down and kiss her head, narrowly avoiding poking yourself in the eye when she twitches to stay awake
>as you hold her to you, her lovely scent rises to your nose
>the smell of parchment, books, and a hint of lavender takes hold of your attention for a moment
>she was so perfect and so soft against you
>your arm moves around her, giving a light hug and rubbing at her side and one of her forelegs
>as her head lowers a bit more, you quietly ask if she wants to go to bed
>her words are mumbled a bit before she just resorts to nodding for you
>you chuckle and kiss one of her ears before carefully moving to pick her up
>putting one foreleg over each shoulder, you hug her close and reach down to cup her hind end and lift gently
>her tail drapes down as you lift, letting her head rest along your shoulder with her soft breathing giving the lightest of tickles to your neck
>you hold her steady and let her rest against you, carrying her along the way and bringing her to her bed
>she mumbles something, but you don't ask, letting her sleep as you slowly lower down and hold her back
>gently, you bring her down to the bed and carefully lay her down on the mattress
>she doesn't fight or stir much, letting her head settle onto the pillow and slowly drawing up her legs to her body
>you tug the covers up and slowly move them over the pony as she squirms a little and gets more comfy
>when she finally stops, you sit down on the edge of the bed and rub at her side, making sure she rests well
>it isn't until you start feeling tired yourself that you decide to get ready for bed as well
>the moment you start to lift up, you hear a little shuffle and feel your arm being tugged on
>a look back and you see Twilight having her front hooves wrapped around your arm and her head rest to you some
>”No..” she whispers tiredly
>you pet her head and smile, sitting back down before you pop your shoes off and slip in under the covers with her
>her body scoots in quickly as she hugs to you and finds a special spot to rest her head on your chest
>within moments, you find yourself drifting to sleep quicker than anticipated
>her soft breathing is comforting and relaxing as you listen closely
>as you do, one of her ears stays settled to your chest, listening carefully to your heart beating as the other gives a tiny flick here or there
>right before you finally slip into that peaceful slumber, you hear the lightest of murmurs from the pony
>”Mm..love you..” she mumbles, with an added, “..best..”