Decisions Decisions

With a dejected sigh, Anon checked the clock for the umpteenth time. The last two weeks had been a maelstrom, leaving him physically and emotionally exhausted. Thankfully, the ordeals he’d been suffering through were nearly over; all he had to do was survive one more day…

In a last ditch effort to stop the ceaseless advances of his would-be paramours, he’d made a deal with the devil - well, maybe not an actual devil. Twilight had concocted a scheme that could bring his misadventures to an end; all he had to do was date each of his suitors, giving them a full day of his time. After everything was said and done, he’d be free to choose whichever creature suited his fancy - that is, if he chose any of them at all.

Thus far, he’d gone out with Ocellus, Smolder, Silverstream, Yona, and even Cozy Glow, leaving Gallus for last. Given everything he’d been through with his other admirers, he wasn’t sure what the snarky griffon had planned for him. Knowing it wouldn’t be long before the pint-sized blue bird-cat came knocking at his door, he groaned to himself.

Knock Knock Knock-Knock Knock

The sound sent a shiver through Anon’s spine, causing him to wince. Willing his body to move, he pushed himself up from his recliner and strode to the entryway. Silently praying that he wouldn’t find Gallus wearing anything overtly provocative, he turned the doorknob and languidly peered out. It came as no surprise that the griffon stood outside waiting for him, though something seemed amiss.

Gazing up at the human, Gallus knit his brow. “Uh - you alright, Dude?” he asked, noting the world-weary expression on the man’s face.

“So, what’s the plan?” Anon mirthlessly asked, trying and failing to put on a smile. It wasn’t that he was displeased to see his feathered friend, but he couldn’t help but think the griffon had something up his non-existent sleeve; considering what the bird-cat had pulled before, donning a maid’s outfit and seducing him, he’d been on his toes.

“Well, for starters,” Gallus grumbled, leaning over and picking up two large boxes and a bag, “I got us some pizza, garlic bread, and a couple of new comics.” Precariously balancing the cargo on one clawed limb, he sauntered past the human.

Squinting at his guest, trying his damnedest to puzzle out where the trap was, Anon watched his companion enter his apartment. There had to be some sort of trick or catch to the painfully casual entry. Closing the door, following Gallus with his eyes, he watched the griffon hop onto his couch.

Opening the larger of the two boxes, after making himself comfortable, Gallus retrieved a steaming slice of pizza and helped himself to a bite. Chewing on the delectable bit of cheesy goodness, he fetched a second sliver and held it out for his host. “It’s nice and hot, what’re you waiting for?”

Walking over, drawn by the tantalizing aroma of the freshly baked pie, Anon took the proffered slice and gave it a cursory sniff. It sure as hell seemed fine, though he couldn’t be certain his guest hadn’t done something to the food. Taking a nibble, savoring the wonderful combination of dough, cheese, and meaty toppings, he eased himself down.

“You got garlic bread too?” Anon asked, swallowing the small mouthful.

“Right here, Dude,” Gallus chirped, invitingly opening the second box to reveal the greasy goods.

Spying the buttery garlic knots, the irony wasn’t lost on the man - still, he couldn’t help but help himself to one. Plucking one of the savory bits from the container, he popped it into his maw. Truth be told, he’d been too concerned about their impending date to eat that morning, so the unexpected meal was a welcome surprise.

“You mind if I talk while you eat?” the griffon began, setting his slice atop a napkin on his lap.

Seeing as how talking seemed harmless enough, Anon shrugged and nodded. So long as the guy didn’t go flaunting his pillowy posterior about, he’d have nothing to complain about. Leaning back, taking another bite of his pizza, he motioned for his companion to continue.

“Look, I’m gonna level with you, I’m not here to seduce you or anything; as fun as that would be, I’ve got something more important I need to get off my chest,” Gallus muttered, looking away.

The griffon’s tone and demeanor had flipped on a dime, putting Anon ill at ease. For as long as he’d known the cocky little bird-cat, he’d never seen him look so downtrodden. Setting his food on the table, he gave his guest his undivided attention. Before he could ask what was the matter, he found himself looking into a pair of azure eyes.

“This whole competition is stupid,” Gallus protested, furrowing his brow. “I’m pretty sure that I speak for all of us when I say we want you as a friend. Yeah, none of us would mind having you as a romantic partner, but we don’t want to lose you. You’re a good guy, fun to hang out with, and you’re the coolest human any of us know. I just...wanted you to know that…”

Taken aback by the admission, Anon sat silently and digested what he’d heard. It was true that he valued all of the students as friends, though he’d been too preoccupied with fending off their advances to really think about it. Regardless of who he chose, if he decided to pick any of them at all, he’d hate to have any of them leave his life.

He’d been a janitor at the school since he’d found himself in Equestria; hell, he was there shortly after the academy opened! The diverse array of students, while initially somewhat jarring, had become a part of his everyday routine and he’d grown fond of being around them. There were occasional disagreements or troubles, sure, yet they almost always brought a smile to his face.

Sinking into his seat, grappling with the existential crisis, his shoulders wilted. Even if he turned down his suitors, he couldn’t see things ending favorably for everyone. Several of his potential paramours would likely become resentful with him - not to mention that Cozy would remain eternally imprisoned in her statue.

Apparently sensing his unease, the griffon reached over and patted Anon’s thigh. The comforting gesture jarred him from his thoughts, snapping him back to the present. Smiling over, he affectionately ruffled the feathers on his cerulean companion’s head. “Thanks…”

“No biggie. Hey, I got the most recent issue of The Power Ponies! I heard they canned that artist who drew the villain like Fluttershy,” Gallus remarked, wiping his claws and digging into the bag.

“Ugh - Yeah, I’m not sure why they hired that hack,” Anon groused, pleased with the momentary distraction.

Despite Gallus’ apparent lack of interest in bedding him, he realized he was going to have a tough decision to make. Taking a comic from the bag, thumbing through the pages, his mind wandered. Right then and there, at that very moment, he decided that no matter what he wasn’t going to lose any of them…