“A-A-And she said. 'I think w-we should see other ponies.' BWAHUHUH! WHY?!” Thunderlane was currently latched onto your chest, bawling his eyes out, as you sat there playing one of the most infuriating games imaginable on your phone. 'Flappy Griff' And you were close to loosing it over this STUPID, FUCKING, INBRED, RETARDED, GRIFFON WHO IS TOTALLY JUST TRYING TO BULLSHIT YOU!

You absolutely hate this game but it is so fucking addictive that you can't stop playing it. It's like it calls to you in the night, begging you to play it, if only for a few minutes. But that's how it gets you, it draws you in with promises of a few minutes and then it-

“A-Anon?” Oh right, you were doing something.

“There there buddy. It'll get better.”That was just one of the predefined phrases that you have developed when comforting someone. In fact, you were pretty sure that you called Thunderlane a 'strong independent young mare, who don't need no stallion' at one point, but thankfully he was too distraught to notice.

“Now, how about you tell me what happened from the start.” You say, stroking the stallions mane comfortingly...don't worry, you called 'no homo' beforehand so it's fine...right?

“I-I just did.” He says, tears leaking from his eyes again. You needed to think fast.

“Yeah, but I'm not sure I understand.” You say, lying through your teeth. Thunderlane just clutches onto your chest ever tighter.

“W-Well, we were on the teacups, a-and I-I ask i-if she was okay, because she was really quiet and s-she nodded. B-But she wasn't...” Thunderlane took a short brake to burst into heavy sobs, of agony. “...L-Later s-she said that s-she felt us g-grow apart from each other, these last f-few weeks, a-and she said t-hat w-we s-should see o-other ponies.” He bursts into ever heavier bawling and clutched to your chest tighter. You have never felt more awkward in your life.

“It'll be okay Thunder. You'll love again.” Yeah, you zoned out for the entirety of his story. Flappy griff was just so addictive.

“B-But I loved her! How could she do this to me!?” God this guy wasn't going to stop crying soon. You looked to the clock on the wall to see that it was well after one in the morning. So the LAN party idea wouldn't work. You were sure that he wasn't in the mood to play any video games either...wait...holy. Shit. You have it.

You remove yourself from Thunderlane's clutches as you move over to the fridge, open the freezer box, and pull out some Ice cream. You grab a spoon, dig it into the tub and place it in Thunderlane's hooves, you then grab a movie, just a cheesy action film, then grab his blanket from his room. Placing it over the two of you ,wrapping your arm around Thunderlane, you look him in the eye.

“A-Anon?” You lean forward and whisper in his ear.

“Don't you see? This is how gay this whole situation is. Now man the fuck up and come Play some video games.” You say smacking the ice cream out of his hooves. The two of you burst out into laughter at the stupid antics going on. You then get up and look in the wardrobe, looking for a set of certain objects.

“I-I don't think I want to. What about the neighbors?” You laugh.

“We had the room soundproofed after the great rage quit of o'nine remember? now get up and set up.” You say dragging out the electronic guitar, drum kit and microphone.

“We are not playing Guitar Pony. Not after last time.” You laugh and punch his side playfully.

“Yes we are, it's for emergency use only.” Thunderlane cocks an eyebrow.

“How is this an emergency?” he asks.

“My bro's a little bitch and needs cheering up.” You say, punching him again. He just sighs.

“How is this going to help my situation?” He asks as you roll your shoulders in preparation.

“You'll speak to cloud chaser tomorrow, but right now, you need cheering up and this game is the ultimate 'piss take' for the job” You say, plugging the cables into the Bit Box 360. Thunderlane cocks an eyebrow.

“But we need three players or else it's just crap.” He states sadly. You smile and bring out your phone. You dial Prench's home phone number and wait as it rings out. Once, twice, three time-

“Who is this- *yawn* -and why are you calling this early in the morning.” You smile deviously to yourself as your put on your best panic voice.

“Prench you need to get over here! It's Thunderlane! Hurry!” Before she can respond your hang up the phone and throw it in your room, on silent. The House Phone goes off several times, but you let it ring through to increase the charade. Thunderlane looks to you wide eyed.

“You know she's gonna kill you when she gets here, right?” You shrug your shoulders and smile.

“She does it to me all the time and...” A dull banging on the door can be heard throughout the apartment.

“Fuck me. that was fast.” You think out loud. When you go to open the door, you are tackled to the ground by a less-than-presentable Prench Roast. You can guess why, she was probably awake three minutes ago.

“Anon! What's going on?! What's wrong?!” She shakes you by the shoulders frantically. She stops however, when she sees Thunderlane standing there, perfectly okay and then she glares at you.

“Anon. I thought you said there was something wrong with Thunderlane.” She says through gritted teeth. Your shit eating grin said it all.

“I did not. I said you needed to get over here and that Thunderlane was involved, nothing else.” Her glare was priceless, had she not punched you in the stomach, really hard...worth it.

“You're an asshole.” She says, jumping off of your body. “So why do I need to be here?” She says looking to Thunderlane. You were the one to answer however.

“He got dumped and we need to cheer him up.” You say nonchalantly. She just looks to him, then to you.

“Oh. I'm sorry to hear that Thunder.” Thunderlane looks to the floor in sadness, but steels his resolve long enough to put on a brave face.

“I-It's okay.” He says quietly.

Deciding to kill the awkwardness, you stand up and motion to the TV. “We need a third player for this to be fun.” Prench just looks to you and sighs heavily. “I hate you Anon. So much.” She whips your face lightly with her tail as she goes to take a seat on the sofa and grabs the drum set.

“Let's get this over with.” Thunderlane says quietly. You sigh and move over to realize that Thunderlane had grabbed the guitar and the only thing left for you was the microphone.

“Fuck you guys, seriously.” You say grabbing the microphone, earning a chuckle from the pair. “Prench, would you like to pick a song?” She does not answer, instead she picks up the controller and begins to list off the songs.

“All I have left is you? no. Say something? no. Chasing Carriages? No. Crazy in love? no. Forget you? No. Buck, a lot of songs are about relationships and breaking up.” She says, scrolling through the songs. You just sigh, taking the controller from her grasp and scrolling to a particular song.

“This is going to suuuuuuck.” You say, as the intro plays.

“This was your idea.” Thunderlane says confused.

“But I wanted to hear your sexy little voice.” You say with a smirk. Thunderlane just smirks at you.

“You really need to prove that you're straight first, before you can say stuff like that and it be considered teasing...you know. We might get the wrong idea.” You laugh as Prench begins to tap out on the Drum kit as the screen instructs.

“I'm pretty sure he's not gay...” Prench says, batting away at the drum kit rather unenthusiastically. “...I think he just doesn't have a dick.” She says laughing, Thunderlane joining in.

“Well fuuuuucccck you too.” You say as the first of the actual song begins. You scratch you way through the lyrics, trying to sound half decent, but you fail...badly. At least the others are no better. Deciding it would be best to restart, you grab some beer throw them each a can and start again.

(Music)

“I Just want you back to normal! I think you don't know just how you feeeeeeel!” ...yeah you got hammered pretty quickly. And you were okay with that.

You were screaming down the microphone, Prench was whacking the shit out of that drum kit and Thunderlane was bobbing his head and scraping through the guitar sections. You shouted down the mic as everyone chimed in for the final verse.

“LIGHTS OUT! LIGHTS OUT!

PASS THE HERRB!

I TURN THE LIGHTS OUT! LIGHTS OUT!

KISS THE CERRB!

TURN THE LIGHTS OUT! LIGHTS OUT!

YOUR HEART HAS TURRNED!

WHO'S GONNA SAVE ME!? EVERYTIME I CRASH AND I BURN?

AND I CRASH AND I BURN!

AND I CRASH AND I BURN!”

The song fades out as all three of you burst out into drunken laughter, at your poor show. Your combined effort got a score of seventy five, but you all couldn't give a fuck, Because you were enjoying yourselves.

“Oh Man! That was fun. Another!” Thunderlane demanded, falling back in his chair. Prench groans, but nods her head approvingly. This was your eighth song tonight. You shake your head.

“Nah, I'm getting a little tired now.” You say, rubbing your neck a little. Prench just sits up and stares at you sultrily. You roll your eyes, you knew what was coming.

“Oh Aaaannnooon. You know, if you were to give us another...unf...round of your...ung...fantastic tongue...I'd...probably-”

“Would you give it a rest...please?” You ask. Trying not to facepalm... she was trying way too hard to get a rise out of you lately and it was starting to piss you off now. “I'll do one more song, then we do something else.” Thunderlane nods frantically.

“We're watching 'rogue guard' afterward.” You smile as you select another song.

“Fine by me.” You say, clicking on the hardest song of the game.

“Anon? We have to work in the morning don't we?” Prench asks. You groan as it had just turned three in the morning.

“Yeah...this should be interesting.”

Just in case anyone didn't know. Late nights are bad for working. Being hung over is bad for working. Having the early shift on a Friday morning, is bad for working and combining the three? Well, that just fucks you up to the point of self harming...okay, maybe not that bad, but it still sucked.

“Anon table fourteen.” The barista says, handing you a tray.

However combined with the fact that it was busy as all hell this morning, then maybe you might just consider it. You walk through the mayhem of customers and waiters. Trying not to drop your tray.

You move through the group to find an elderly stallion and mare. Placing the tray down, you hand them each their order and take their payment...with a twelve bit tip. You thank them and return to the barista, who hands you another tray. “Table seven.” You don't remember it being this crowded before. What's changed?

“Anon!” You hear the sound of a very familiar little colt. Button jumped up and embraced your leg in a hug. You were barely able to hold onto the tray, but you managed...just. You pat his head with your free hand and try to shake him off. He gets the hint and releases your leg.

“So what's going on kid?” You ask he just smiles.

“I'm here with Sweetie Belle!” He says, pointing to the table you were in fact heading to. Sweetie Belle sits there and offers a wave to you, which you return. Her older sister Rarity is sitting there, looking exhausted. Her mane was disheveled, her eyes had bags under them and she was barely registering what was happening around her.

You walk over and place the tray down onto the table. Rarity looking relieved to finally see her morning coffee. She takes a long sip and exhales in satisfaction. She finally notices you standing there.

“Oh hello Anon. How are you this fine morning?” You shrug.

“Tired, hungover, exhausted. You?” She giggles lightly.

“I'm fine, my dear. A little tired, but nothing too drastic. Say, do you know why it's so crowded in here this morning?” You shrug again.

“Not really, I guess it's just a morning rush...I think. What are you guys doing here?”

“We're just grabbing a quick breakfast, before these two head off to school.” She gestures to the two foals, who were now sipping on a single milkshake through two bendy straws, staring intently into each others eyes...fuck that's both cheesy and cliche! Deciding that it was about time you got back to work, You bid them farewell and you left.

“See you after school button?”

“Yeah. Sure.” He says without breaking his gaze from Sweetie Belle. You just walk away, smiling. it was kind of cute.

You see Thunderlane and Cloud Chaser talking in one of the corner tables. Deciding that it would be best to leave them be, you continue with your work.

“He okay?” Prench asks as you lean against the wall.

“I don't know. They're talking, I guess that's a start. Hey, do you know why it's so busy?” You ask, looking out of the group. Prench shrugs her shoulders, taking another order from some stallion.

“I think there's some sort of magic pony doing a show or something. I don't know?” You would have questioned more, but you were interrupted.

“Anon table fourteen.” The barista says, handing you another tray. You groan and walk over to the specified table.

Hearth Warming Day

The last two months have resulted in a lot of change for you. First of all, Prench has stopped her little, flirting sessions...well, reduced them...slightly. They still don't work, but she's trying. You assume she's trying to get on your good side for Christmas...or hearth warming...urg...the name is so sugary and sweet it makes you sick. At least Christmas had an attempted murder in it...anyway! Thunderlane had gotten over Cloud Chaser...after five fucking weeks of sobbing and crying. They decided to stay 'just friends' and that was the stupidest decision he ever made, but you weren't going to complain.

Button and you had gotten pretty close over these past two months. He was always happy to see you when you picked him up from school, or when you babysat him, or when you escorted him and Sweetie Belle on their 'dates'. All in all, he's a good kid and they knew what happens if they fuck with you. You guilt trip the shit out of them.

Loving Care has gotten ten times better than she used to be. She's happy nearly all of the time, she's always, knocking on you for something. You exchange banter and share laughs. She's even started doing what Prench does and comes round to your home uninvited. you don't mind, really you don't, but a text of warning would be nice.

So a few awkward moments here and there, a few happy times and a lot of 'for fuck sake' moments...most of which are caused by Prench, but at least it was Christmas.

“Anon! Anon! Wake up! It's Hearth Warming! It's Hearth Warming! It's Hearth Warming!” The small mass of pony jumped on your form, stirring you awake. You remember when you were like that, trying to get your parents to get up so you could open your presents, you always pissed off your parents and you never knew why...well...now you do.

“Thunderlane. It's three in the morning. Go back to sleep before I slit your throat.” You grumble tiredly.

“Come on! I wanna open my presents.” You groan again.

“Even if I got up, we would have to wait until Prench got here. So if you don't want your wings removed, Go. Back. To Sleep.” And with that you flipped your pillow, smacked him off your bed, covered your head and went back to sleep. He just huffs.

“Fine. But I'm going to get you up as soon as the sun rises.” He states walking out of your room.

“You better hope nobody got me a pair of bolt cutters today then.” The door closes leaving you in silence once again. Thunderlane was weird like that. Sometimes he's really mature, other times he's...that. You just shake it off and go to sleep.

You sat on your sofa, staring at the various piles of presents for everyone. Prench's pile was the smallest, though not by much. You could see that most of Thunderlane's gifts were games and movies and yours was relatively average.

“Can we open them now?” Prench asks, anticipating the wrapped goods laid out before her. You just roll your eyes. Why are they waiting on you?

“Why do you need my permission?” You ask. They both shrug.

“Just...go for it.” You say irritably. And with a howl of a battle cry, Thunderlane tears open his gifts one by one. Prench was a lot more civil about it. Opening her presents as if they were delicate tissue paper.

“So Anon. Where's LC?” Thunderlane asks.

“She's at her house with Button, I'll be heading over there after this.” Thunderlane stops his wrapping paper massacre and looks to you in horror.

“You're leaving?” You face palm.

“Yes I told you two weeks ago that this was the plan.”

“You did not!” He says defensively.

“Yes I did. You were playing Command and Counter and you had that weird three legged...”

“Oh yeah! I remember...when will you be back?” He asks, returning to his ruthless wrapping paper butchering.

“Don't know. Probably tonight.”

“But you'll miss dinner!” Prench suddenly shouted.

“No I won't Button and Care are coming with us tonight, remember?” The Five of you were all going to some restaurant that was doing hearth warming dinner. It was run by a griffon, so you could get some meat for once in your life.

“Care?” Thunderlane speaks up again.

“It's a nickname I gave her. I'm pretty sure I've used it multiple times in both of your company.” They all look to you with cockeyed bewildered expressions.

“What was wrong with 'LC'?” Prench asks.

“Why is this a big deal? You have presents lying in front of you and that's the most interesting thing in the world?” They just tilt their heads to the side, rather comically.

“Why are you so defensive Anon?” Thunderlane asks.

“Shut up and open your damn presents.” They both return to opening their presents with cocky grins. Everything was quiet apart from the odd 'thank you' and 'your welcome' You got a few things, games, films, a few well made clothes, and from Prench...a book on female pony anatomy...

“Thanks Prench.” You sarcastically thought. When it came around for her to open her present from you however, the reaction was quite different.

“Anon?” You look over to see Prench holding a picture frame. The frame itself was silver, with pegasi and griffins flying around. But that wasn't what got her attention. Her attention was focused on the picture inside. It was a picture of you, Thunderlane and her posing at some theme park in Manehatten you went to a few months back. You were rather fond of that picture, it was the only picture you really had of the three of you.

“A-Anon...I love it.” She all but gasps out. “Thank you.”

“I didn't think you had one of us so I thought you'd like that one.” You say, unwrapping Your present from Thunderlane. You both look at each other quietly as an awkward silence envelopes the room. Well, it would have if not for Thunderlane

“SWEET! 'Love and tolerate 2: I'mma tolerate the shit out of you.' Thanks Anon!” Thunderlane says looking at the game you got him. Fortunately, he destroyed any chance of an awkward conversation Prench places the picture frame down gently and moves onto her next present.

“What's the difference between that one and the first one?” Prench asks, removing the wrapping from the winter boots from her mother.

“They made it more violent.” You say matter-of-factly. Opening the next present, you see a rucksack from Thunderlane. A well made one too. It would probably never be used unless going away, but it's the thought that counts.

Gazing at the clock, you see that it's eight in the morning. Based on how you were as a child, you could guess that Button was bouncing around his house like crazy, begging to open his presents.

“Hey guys?” Prench and Thunderlane look up towards you.

“I'm gonna head over to Care's place now. I'll see you later okay?” They both look downtrodden, but let you leave. Maybe next year you'd all spend hearth warming together or something.

With a final farewell you leave them to their business and exit the apartment.

The walk to Loving Care's house was completely barren. Given that it was still early in the morning and it was Christmas. The other ponies were either still inside opening their gifts or they were still asleep. The only sound accompanying you was the gentle crunch of the snow beneath your boots.

Taking the time to enjoy the scenery, you gaze out over the snow covered trees and houses. A few houses had smoke gracefully rising into the air. The snow was fresh, as you were the first one to walk through it this morning. Despite taking your time to admire the scenery, you came to the front door of Loving Care's place rather quickly.

With a ring of the doorbell, you hear the cute little scamper of a foal rushing through the corridor, up to the door, then into the door. The door shoots open as you see the cute little foal that is Button Mash.

“ANON!” He rushes forward and clutches your leg in a hug.

“Hey Button. Happy Hearth Warming.” You say as you try and maneuver your way into the living room, with Button latched onto you leg. The mention of Hearth Warming reminds him that there are presents to be opened, causing him to detach himself from your leg.

“You too. Now comeoncomeoncomeon!” He ushers you into the living room. Sat there on the sofa is Loving Care in some form of dressing gown and she's nursing a coffee. She smiles warmly when she sees you.

“Hello Anon, happy Hearth Warming.” You smile back at her and take a seat.

“You too.” You reply.Button is just standing there looking anxious at your presence. You smile warmly and look to Loving Care.

“Should we put him out of his misery?” You ask. Loving Care chuckles lightly and nods for Button to start. His eyes light up as he rushes towards his wrapped presents and cards. You and Loving Care split the cost of his main present, because it cost a pretty hefty amount. The rest of Button's presents were from other family members and friends. You believe Some of your friends also got him a few things as well.

Loving Care had her own pile, also composed of gifts from family and friends, as well of course. You had opened all of your presents at your place, so you were just sitting there watching, but it was rather nice. Button was ecstatic when he found that copy of 'The Creed' Thunderlane got him. But eventually it all had to come to an end and the only presents remaining were Button's main present and your gift to Loving Care.

Button dragged the small box further out into the open so you all could see it being opened. He removed the tape holding down the edges first then began to gently slide the box out of it's paper tomb. As the box slid out Button's eyes widened in surprise. Under the wrapping paper was a brand new laptop computer with buttons color scheme and a d-pad emblem on the lid.

“Oh coool! Is it for me?!” You cringe as you couldn't even stop the sarcastic thought.

“of course not, we just thought it be funny to let you unwrap it and then take it away.” Loving Care smiles warmly to her son.

“Of course Button. It's one of the newer models designed for playing video games.” She passes you a thankful glance...oh yeah. you helped pick it out as well.

“Coooool! Thanks mom!” button says gathering up his presents into a bag to take upstairs.

“You should thank Anon as well Button. It is from both of us.” You smile as he begins to drag the presents up the stairs.

“Thanks Dad!”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...” ...What?

“D-Did he just?” Loving Care asks. Based on her tone and the fact that she wasn't moving, you assumed she was just as shocked as you and You could barely even form a coherent thought...the fuck?

“Y-Yeah.” You say quietly, shock evident in your tone.

“Wow.” She just says. There was nothing to be said at this point...well maybe...

“Why?” You ask, still not able to comprehend this.

“I-I don't know. I'd assume he's...grown attached to you?” She says, still unsure. This was so confusing. You lean back in your chair as Loving Care scoots closer to you.

“Do you mind if he calls you that?” She asks. You exhale heavily.

“I-I don't know...I just don't understand...why? It's only been...what? Three months? H-He shouldn't...” She shakes her head and looks to the small box on the arm rest.

“Don't worry about it just now...how about we open that one?” She points with a hoof to her present. You sigh and hand it to her.

“Are you okay Anon?” She asks, ignoring the box in her hoof.

“What? No, it's fine. Just confused is all.” You point to the box in her hoof and do a small wave to get her to go on.

She lifts the lid of the box and looks at the locket inside. It's made from silver and it's in the shape of a heart. You managed to get one of the jewelers in town to make it with a small frame inside. She smiles to you lightly.

“It's nice.” You roll your eyes.

“Open it.” She shifts her gaze back down to the locket, noticing a small nub on the side. She pushes it and the front clicks open. Inside is a picture of Button Mash and Rage Quite smiling widely while they play in a garden. She stares at the picture for a few moments, saying nothing, just looking. After a few moments she tries to say something, but her voice catches in her throat and tears begin to form in her eyes.

“Care? Oh I'm sorry. I didn't think...” You move forward and place a hand on her back, but she turns and latches onto you.

“I-I love it Anon. Thank you. Thank you so much.” She says, tears leaking from her eyes. You just return the gesture.

“C-Can you put it on me?” She asks, holding out the Locket. You smile as you take it and unlink the catch at the back of the chain.

She sits up straight parallel to you. You move your hands around her neck, brushing her mane behind her shoulders. You bring the two ends of the chain and link them together again. The necklace falls and sits on her chest.

“There! How's that?” You ask as she looks down to admire her new accessory.

“I'm never going to take it off. Thank you.” She leans forward and pecks you on the cheek. Nothing more than a friendly gesture, but it still caused you to blush like crazy. She smiles and hops off of the sofa.

“Um...I'm going to make some coffee. Do you want some?” You nod, as she heads into the kitchen, leaving you alone to think to yourself.

With a lot to think about just now, you sit there, trying to formulate a response, but only one thought can enter your mind. “Wow.”

Author's Note

Wow. Very Writing. Many cliche. Such Doge.

New chapter. Woo! Just three days! I'm happy with that.

First off, I know it's a little cheesy, but this is the best I could do to make "Ze feels" so Try not to get to irritated by that.

also

You then get up and look in the wardrobe, looking for a set of certain objects.

“I-I don't think I want to. What about the neighbors?” You laugh.

“We had the room soundproofed after the great rage quit of o'nine remember? now get up and set up.”

I swear I didn't see the innuendo when originally writing this.

so just the usual, comment what you thought...if...if you don't mind that is.

And stay awesome.