Decisions Decisions

Five years had passed, since Anon had made his fateful decision, and he couldn’t be happier. Having steeled his resolve and informed his friends of his choice, things had worked out surprisingly smoothly. Not a single one of his companions had abandoned him, taking his selection in stride. As time passed and the various students graduated, he kept in contact with everybody; it wasn’t that difficult either, considering most of them lived in or near Ponyville. Hell, Twilight had even decided to free Cozy Glow, although she was placed in the newly minted Friendship Gulag near the Crystal Empire.

At least, that’s what most ponies were told. Cozy Glow, a fearsome member of the Triad of Evil, was eventually freed, yet she hadn’t been fated to toil away in some far flung winter hellscape - no, all told, she actually ended up having it pretty good. The Princesses of Equestria, realizing her tactical genius and peerless guile, saw fit to use her as a tool for the empire. Knowing she’d refuse any sort of a standard deal, they made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

…

“Checkmate in three moves,” Cozy smugly hummed, hovering over the board and sliding her knight to E-5.

Seated opposite, Anon studied the board intently. She rarely bluffed, especially since he’d gotten decent at chess, but he wouldn’t put it past her. Knitting his brow, he moved his bishop to C-4. If she was bullshitting, he’d just needlessly sacrificed the piece; but if she was being truthful, the maneuver may prove as a distraction. He’d gotten somewhat used to subterfuge and clandestine politics, even before his pint-sized paramour had been freed.

After he’d chosen the scheming pegasus as a lover, but before she’d been freed, the alicorns had convened to speak with him in private. Cozy was an intellectual titan who’s creativity and cunning could benefit the world, yet there was a small catch. The Princesses couldn’t openly free her, not after she’d nearly conquered the planet, so they needed a plan - a plan which involved a janitor.

Knowing that Anon held her interest, carnal or otherwise, was enough for the monarchy to place their hope in him. Promising him that he’d be freed from working another day in his life, swearing all of his needs would be met, they gave him a proposal. Act as Cozy Glow’s shepherd, steering her to work for Equestria, and he could have practically anything he wanted.

There were a few concessions, of course, such as living on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, openly denying any knowledge of the megalomaniacal mare’s whereabouts, and ensuring Cozy wore an amulet which masked her appearance when they were out and about, but that was about it. He got a free house, a very gracious monthly stipend, and the direct ear of the rulers of the land. All he had to do was keep a tight leash on his diminutive spouse - figuratively or literally.

“Checkmate in twoooo,” Cozy sang, gliding her queen to C-3. “Are you trying to lose?” she snickered, drifting over and pecking his cheek.

Though she would never admit it to anybody but Anon, she’d never been happier in her entire life. Solving the painfully simplistic problems the Princesses brought her was a piece of cake - so easy that she’d taken the initiative in tackling issues which they hadn’t asked her about. The logistics of materials shipping, infrastructural upgrades and maintenance, crop rotations and agricultural improvements, she’d addressed them all with ease. Not because the royalty wanted her to, not because she was bored, but because her man had asked.

Truth be told, as quaint as the couple’s life appeared, it was anything but. By day, they’d do things that most couples do: cook, clean, play extraordinarily complex board games, brainstorm ways to better the lives of Equestria’s citizens, or go for walks through the tundra. By night, well, the loser of their daily competitions was relegated to a rather submissive position. Despite Cozy’s ability to beat Anon with a hoof tied behind her back, it wasn’t uncommon that she’d let him win - if only to savor the domineering aftermath.

Frowning up at her, Anon glared back down at the chess pieces. It was only after she’d moved her queen that he realized he was fucked. With no hope of besting her, despite his best efforts, an idea slowly formed. While he couldn’t beat her fairly, nopony could stop him from doing something underhanded.

“Damn,” he moaned, randomly sliding a pawn forward. With the meaningless move complete, he leaned back and shook his head. “Too bad that gambit didn’t work, I’d had something special planned for tonight,” he lamented, double face palming and shaking his head.

Cozy’s ears perked up, upon hearing her husband’s words. “Plans?” she asked, her interest piqued.

His inventiveness in the bedroom was rarely disappointing - especially due to his savant-like knack for creatively amorous activities. Salacious shenanigans aside, he’d proven more than entertaining as a husband. Delightfully quick witted, charming to a fault, and extraordinary obedient - with or without bindings - she’d grown increasingly bound to him. Flitting back to the board, she nudged a rook over.

Seeing the small mare’s obviously intentional mistake, Anon grinned. Reaching out, repositioning his lone bishop, he smiled wolfishly up at her. “Checkmate…” he murmured, tenderly grabbing her forehoof guided her to himself. “Thought you had me, huh?”

“Well…” she giggled, bringing her face to him and kissing his nose, “I kinda do…”
“What am I going to do with you?” he contentedly sighed, wrapping his arms around her.

“Oh, the usual,” Cozy snickered, “tie me up, tell me I’m a bad little filly.”

At her comment, Anon paused. He knew good and damn well that she wasn’t a filly; she simply had a child-like voice and appearance. Her demeanor and lustful interests stood in stark contrast to her aesthetic, which was one reason why her attempts at deception were so successful - regardless, he cherished and even admired her.

“Since I won, I guess I don’t really have a choice,” he chuckled. Cradling her in his arms, he strode off towards their chamber. Equestria as a whole was prospering, one of the largest threats to the land had been effectively galvanized, and he was happy. As unconventional as it was, it was the closest thing to a happily-ever-after as he could possibly imagine…