Candy Love

In the days that had followed, Steve was given the opportunity to have an audience with Princess Celestia so that he could be introduced more calmly without being given awkward looks from other ponies and he knew there was no way he could turn it down. Mayor Mare offered Steve a place of his own, but he declined it as he already was living with Bon Bon and Lyra and he also had his own ideas. All the while, Lyra had grown fond of him bit by bit and she began to find him attractive, but Steve didn't know about this.

When it was his fourth day in Equestria, he thought that now would be the right time to perhaps ask Bon Bon out on a date, but as for Lyra, he would cross that bridge when it occurs. Bon Bon was in the kitchen and she was learning to make muffins that had her own sweets added in as requested by Pinkie who was setting up a surprise party for Derpy's daughter, Dinky and it was her 9th birthday.

Steve walked from his shared bedroom downstairs to the kitchen and he looked around quickly to see that Lyra was not at home, so he was safe to begin his move.

"Hi Bon Bon, have you got a minute?" he asked as he took a seat at the table.

"Just a moment," she replied quickly, "I'm about to put these muffins in the oven for baking."

She does so using a pair of oven gloves and placed them in the oven that was pre-heated already. She was done and she placed the oven gloves by the sink, ready for when she needs them later to take out the muffins when cooked.

"Okay, so what do you need to tell me?" Bon Bon asked as she sat by the table. "No wait, I think I already know this."

Steve looked surprised but was unsure what she meant by it.

"Uhh, you mean, that you know?" he asked.

"In a way yes and I'm still in shock myself."

"The shock that you have to stand on your two hooves to even cuddle me?"

Bon Bon returned a displeased glare at him.

"No! I meant as in that I'm beginning to like you and I mean...a lot."

"Oh I see...to be honest, I knew what you meant just then, I was only joking around."

"Oh right...sorry, I'm just not used to letting a bit of my humour out."

"Because of Lyra?"

"Yeah, but she's not unpleasant or mean and I've known her long enough to learn that she would never be like that."

"So getting back to you liking me, I have to confess...that I like you a lot as well, but..."

"But what?"

Bon Bon lowered her head, just realizing why there was a but in his reply.

"Yeah, I'm a human and you're a pony, but if we really like each other, I can put that under the bridge so to speak."

"Really? You would do that for me?"

"Of course."

"But I have to ask though, why me, why not Lyra?"

"As I said before, Lyra may have been the one who found me, but she's just going to be a friend to me." Steve paused as he held onto Bon Bon's hooves. "It's you that I want share my love with, no pony else."

"Oh well...umm." she was silent for a moment, blushing all the while.

"So, is it a date?" he asked, raising his eyebrows quickly.

Bon Bon began to smile.

"Yeah, why not. Let's go for it."

"Cool, so when shall we have our first date?"

"We can have it later tonight, Lyra will be too tired after her music practice so she'll watch over the house while we're out."

"Sounds like good news to me. Then later tonight it shall be."

"In the meantime, I've gotta back to finishing off the cooking." she then got out of her chair and went to the oven to check on the muffins, "By the way, have you had any luck finding a job yet?"

Steve looked at his watch, pointing towards the 11th hour. "Not exactly, but I'll try again shortly."

"Okay, I'll see you back here, let me know if you find a job."

"I will, see you later, Bon Bon."

Steve then left the house whilst Bon Bon checked to see the muffins were rising up but needed loads more time to be fully cooked. She then trotted upstairs into her bedroom and moving her head around, thinking that nopony is looking, she began to jump and down in excitement like she was a filly at a carnival.

"I can't believe it!" she exclaimed to herself, smiling ,"A human wants to go out with me on a date and it's happening tonight!"

She then sighed happily before going back to her normal behaviour and began cleaning Lyra's room which needed dusting.

Meanwhile, Steve was asking around the town for any jobs available but alas, there was none for him. He began to wonder of maybe he could find a job elsewhere, outside of Ponyville. Maybe he could try the high-class town of Canterlot which is a train journey away. Of course being human, he could try his luck by walking over there, but then again it would make him look completely daft.

He walked over to the station and got himself a ticket with whatever bits he had in his pocket and got a train ride to Canterlot. When he got there, his first idea was to try the nearest restaurant or cafe since he had a lot of experience in that field when was he back in the human world. He spotted one that looked kinda rich although that was obvious, but he wasn't looking ahead as he busy thinking of him and Bon Bon's upcoming date and ended up walking into the glass window beside the door.

"Ow! That hurt..." he moaned as he rubbed his left side of the head.

"Oh I say human, are you alright?" a stallion with a rich voice asked behind him.

Steve turned around to see Mr. Fancypants himself along with his wife, Fleur De Lis.

"Umm, I will be in time." he replied. "You're not afraid of me?"

"Afraid? Why we're ponies of the Canterlot kind, we would do nothing of the sort." Fancypants assured in his traditional manner.

"We are far more welcoming and classy compared to Ponyville." Fleur added without even thinking about her words

"Really? Cause that's where my home is right now." Steve replied with a confused look.

"Oh umm...my apologies." Fluer then squeed in embarrassment.

"Yes, now if you would introduce us to yourself, please?" Fancypants asked.

"Sure thing, I'm Steve the one and only human."

"Ahhh, you're the human from Ponyville."

"Yes and I came here cause I'm in need of a job such as this cafe."

"Ahhh, you have experience in that forte?"

"Yeah."

"Well, last I check, they are looking for any employee to join the catering team, so I'd say you would be working in the kitchen."

"Which is fine for me, thanks for the heads up."

"Very much welcome, we'll see you soon." Fleur replied as she and Fancypants began walking away from him.

Steve entered the cafe and as they said, nopony batted an eyelid at his appearance as if things were just normal, much to his relief. He walked over to the counter to find a small advertisement on a paper stapled.

"Wanted, new deputy head chef." he read, "Must have impressive experience and knowledge in catering. All lifeforms excepted." he shrugged, "I guess it means humans can apply for this job as well like I should since I'm the only kind."

"Well if that is where you stand, why don't we have an interview with the finest chef in Canterlot?" a voice responded from behind.

Steve turned around to see a griffon dressed in a chef outfit.

"And you are?" Steve asked.

"Gustave le Grand at your service, monsieur!" he replied holding his claw out.

"I'm...Steve."

They then shook hand and claw which for Steve was a bit rough compared to shaking a soft pony hoof.

"So an interview, what kind will it be?"

"It shall be where you must demonstrate an impressive recipe of your choice and no worry, I have all of the finest goods to make it possible."

"Right, but I have an odd question. Are you really a French griffon?"

"Oui! Why, can you not speak French?"

"No, but I remember Girls Aloud speaking French once."

"Who...you must mean mares aloud?"

Steve's eyes blinked.

"What?!"

"But let's not discuss about our differences, I shall let you know the date of your interview by letter, I expect you to prepare soon."

"Alright, in that case, I must depart from this cafe. See you next time Gustave."

"Au revioir, monsieur Steve!"

And with that, Steve left the cafe and all he could think of was just getting back home and telling Bon Bon the news that his luck with job finding had finally turned and if the interview would go well, he'll land himself a job very soon. When he got the train back to Ponyville, he found Lyra waiting for him which took him by surprise a little.

"Oh, hi Lyra. I wasn't expecting you here." he said.

"Hi Steve." she replied happily as she hugged his lower back without warning before letting go, "Bon Bon told me to look out for you and watch over the house as she's working at her candy store.

They then left the station and walked back to the house.

"Since when?" Steve asked.

"Just now, she won't be back until after dinner" she replied quickly. "And you know what that means?"

"Uhh, I don't know what you mean."

"It means I get my chance to spend some time with you, isn't that gonna be fun?"

"I guess so..." he laughed nervously.

When they got back to the house, it was the late afternoon and after walking in, Steve took his shoes off by the door and was walking upstairs to his shared bedroom. He was feeling quite tired and wanted a bit of a rest as well as plan on brining his catering experience up to date before he gets the mail to come to the restaurant for his interview and demonstration.

He began writing down a few things on a piece of paper by the bedside desk when Lyra came in with a sly look.

"Steve, mind if I speak to you about something?" she asked.

"I'm a little busy writing, but I guess I could spare a few minutes." he replied as he put the quill down and turned around. "So what is it?"

"Remember when I saved you a while ago?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, you never got to owe me a favor in return."

"Really? So becoming friends with Bon Bon doesn't count?"

"Nope...so I was wondering if you could help me in return."

She then began to walk forward and putting on her sly face.

"Umm Lyra, what are you doing?"

"I'm just getting closer so you can help me in return."

"In what way?"

Lyra sighed. "Okay, all I'm asking is that can you be my human love, cause no pony is gonna take that away from me!"

"Wait what?!"

Steve tried to back away by getting on the bed, but Lyra continued to move towards him.

"Oh come on, nopony else is watching." she said as she clambered on to the bed. "Besides, Bon Bon is out now buying supplies for her shop."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Of Bon Bon? Naaaah, she won't notice." she then winked, "Now let's get it on, mister!"

"As in getting off with me? No...just no!"

"Aww don't be shy. I bet you have a nice package."

"No, please! Just stop!"

Steve gently pushed her hooves back and Lyra moved back slightly.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Apart from being this close to getting rutted by a unicorn mare for a strange reason, I just can't risk it."

"Risk what? Is it that you're already married?"

"Married? I have never been married in my life."

"Oh, are you engaged?"

"That's somewhat similar, but no."

"Then why are you hesitating towards me?"

Steve sighed as he knew he would have to tell her the truth a lot sooner than he planned.

"Lyra, I can't be with you, because I've already found a love interest."

"You...have?"

"Yes...and it's Bon Bon. She is the one who I have true feelings for."

Lyra got off the bed and looked away with a sad expression.

"But why her, am I not attractive enough?"

"No it isn't to do with your appearance, I just find Bon Bon more ideal and wonderful to me, as if my heart wants her to be given the love that she hasn't had for however long I've known her."

"Ohhh...I'll be in my room..."

Lyra began to sniff a few times as she left the bedroom and trotted into hers, before shutting the door behind her and began to cry on the middle of the room in sadness mixed with a bit of anger.

"Lyra, if you let me explain-"

"GO AWAY!" she shouted and cried from in her room. "Leave me alone!"

Steve knew there was no point in arguing after he had already told her the truth. He had to leave her be for now as later tonight, he and Bon Bon would be going on thier date. As for Lyra, she remained in her bedroom, devastated and heartbroken, still believing that because she was the one who found and saved him, she would have the right to be with him as his lover. From where Steve saw the issue, one could only hope that Bon Bon wouldn't find out about it before the date as who knows what would happen next.