Sugar and spice

It’s been six months since Anon brought Celestia to dinner. Six months can change a lot of things. Anon is standing in front of a mirror as he reflects on his thoughts. It seems so odd for him to think back to a time when Bonbon and he were enemies. It feels like it was all a dream. All the things they’ve said to one another. He honestly can’t even believe some of the hurtful things he’s said. It’s been six months and Anon has learned so much about Bonbon. Where she grew up, about her family and even what her plans for the future were.

So many things that he didn’t know about her. How passionate she is about what she wants, not only for herself but for her daughter as well. She told him stories about harder times when Twist was a foal. How the father ran out on her when she told him that she was pregnant. It makes him sick to his stomach as that particular memory comes to mind. Bonbon didn’t cry as she told that story because she said she’s already cried enough about the past.

It’s been six months and Anon never wants to forget what’s come to pass. He actually relates to Bonbon on more levels than he knew. It seems that she too lost her family in an accident when she was younger. Just thinking about it all makes him feel like more of a jackass for what he’s done to her. Yet, it wasn’t one sided. Anon opened up to Bonbon just as much as she opened up to him. He went into detail about his family. His sister especially. He told her things that only Celestia knew about.

Things about his world. The good and the bad. He even told Bonbon that his cooking skill wasn’t a fluke, but he was training to be a chef back on earth, so he had the practice already. As they shared stories over those months, they never grew bored, the both of them always paid the utmost attention to the other as they spoke. Anon can honestly say that Bonbon and him are friends. It’s so odd for him to think that, but something about it seems right. Yet, something also seems wrong about it as well.

He lets out a sigh as he moves away from the mirror. He needs to get ready for work.

Anon walks into the shop as the bell rings out. Bonbon walks into the main room with a smile on her face. That smile never fades as she notices Anon standing there.

“Good morning, Anon!” She says with cheer.

“Morning, Bonbon.”

“Let’s head on back and get our first batch started.”

“Right behind you.”

Anon follows after Bonbon as she enters into the kitchen. This is normal now. No one saying anything hurtful or sarcastic. They just act like friends. This change did not go unnoticed either. Many of the customers have said that the candy tastes sweeter than before. Anon chalks it up to the weird magic this place has. He can’t really argue either, it’s increased their sales tenfold. Anon enters the kitchen and hears Bonbon humming happily to herself.

“The pot is already set for you.” She says.

“Thank you.”

Anon walks over and checks everything at his station. He makes sure to double check the heat as the water slowly reaches its boiling point.

“So, how have you been?” Anon asks.

“Better than ever! I just got the letter of acceptance from the school in Canterlot!”

Anon quickly turns around.

“Really?”

She turns to face him as well.

“Yeah! It’s not like I didn’t trust the princess, but seeing the writing myself has made me so happy!”

“That’s great news.”

Bonbon quickly hops up and gives Anon a hug.

“I know I say it too often, but thank you.”

Anon returns the embrace without hesitance.

“No problem.” After their little moment, they break their embrace. “Have you shown Twist yet?”

Bonbon shakes her head. “I want to surprise her after school. I think this is cause for a celebration.”

“Pinkie party?”

Bonbon shakes her head. “Not that big, just a little get-together. Are you free tonight, Anon?”

Bonbon knows he is. He told her long ago that he doesn’t really do much when he’s done with work. It’s one of the main reasons that she invites him over so often.

“Yeah, I'm free.”

“Great, the party will be around eight.”

“I’ll be there.”

Not much else is said as they return to their tasks. Anon can’t help but remember the constant tension in the air that was between them so long ago. Now the air itself is pleasantly light. Nothing needs to be said as they work in tandem. Already knowing what the other needs to keep their production high. Bonbon places a bowl next to Anon as Anon hands Bonbon a clean spatula. When they’re in the kitchen, it’s like they’re one entity. All those months ago, it was slow and painful, but now it’s as if they’ve been working as a team for years.

The both of them are so focused that they don’t notice as Twist enters into the kitchen.

“Good morning!” She calls out.

Bonbon and Anon both turn to face Twist.

“Good morning.” They both say.

“So who’s going to take me to school today?”

Anon looks back at Bonbon.

“Do you mind if I take her?”

Bonbon shakes her head.

“I don’t mind.”

“Alright.” Anon looks back at Twist. “Get ready. I’ll be outside shortly.”

Twist is already speeding off so she can get ready. Anon takes off his apron and sets it on the counter. He stretches some and walks towards the kitchen door.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.”

Anon meets Twist at the door as they set off towards her school house. She’s happily talking about how her day went yesterday. This is another thing Anon has noticed change over the past few months. Twist is a lot happier. Sure she was happy before, but there just seems to be an extra skip in her step. She doesn’t say it, but Anon knows it’s because of how close Bonbon and him are now. Anon wasn’t sure all those months ago, but now he knows that it was all worthwhile. Twist was the main reason he considered it and now it’s because of her that he can feel so at ease with his day to day life.

“We’re here!” Twist says with glee.

Anon was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice that they were already at the schoolhouse. Anon looks down at Twist as she looks up at him expectantly. He rolls his eyes with a grin as he kneels down and gives her a hug.

“Have a good day, ok?”

She returns the hug with just as much enthusiasm.

“I will.”

Anon let’s go of her as she starts to walk towards the schoolhouse. Everything feels right, but he can’t help but feel that something is horribly wrong. No reason to think about it right now. Anon need to head back to the shop.

Anon enters the shop ready to get to work. Yet what he first notices in the sound of someone talking in the kitchen. The voice is oddly familiar. Anon is about to call out to Bonbon, but he suddenly recognizes the voice. It sounds like Lyra. When did she get back? Why didn’t Anon get a letter telling him she was returning? As Anon slowly approaches the kitchen, he can hear them speaking clearly.

“I want you back.” Lyra says.

Anon freezes in place as he hears that. A small amount of dread building inside of him.

“I told you that I don’t love you anymore, Lyra.” Bonbon says with some anger in her tone.

“What I did with Anon was a mistake. I was just too curious. You can’t blame me for that.”

Anon can feel a certain pain in his heart. A mistake? He can’t move as he continues to hear them talk.

“It was just a one-time thing! I swear I’ll never see him again.” Lyra continues.

“How can you say that?! This is why I don’t trust you! First you dump me and now you’re dumping Anon?!”

“Why do you care? All you should care about is that I want you back.”

“Why do I care?! For so many months I thought Anon was a horrible monster! I treated him horribly because of what I thought! As it turns out, it was you! You’re the one who did this!”

“What do you mean it’s my fault?! Anon is a monster!”

Everything goes quiet for a second. Anon can feel his heart rapidly beating. So, this is what Lyra thought of him? He was just some fling... A piece of meat to be used and thrown away? Anon grits his teeth as his eyes clamp shut. He won’t cry, not over someone like this.

“Don’t you dare talk about him that way.” Bonbon’s voice is menacing in a way. “Anon is sweet and kind. I know that now and nothing you say will change that. You’re the problem, Lyra. You’re the one that cheated on me, not Anon.”

Lyra gives a mock laugh. “What, do you love him now?” There’s an eerie silence that fills the store. “Oh, my, Celestia. Are you serious? You actually love him?”

“Get out.” Bonbon demands.

Lyra lets out a snort. “Sure, I’ll leave, but I want you to know one last thing.” Anon takes, this time, to walk up the stairs so he’s hidden. “I’m going to keep him. If I can’t have you, then no pony will.”

Anon watches from the top of the stairs as Lyra walks out of the kitchen and towards the front door. Once he’s sure that she’s gone does he descend the staircase and stand at the kitchen door. He doesn’t know if he should walk in right now. His mind is still swimming from everything he heard. What is he going to do? Does Bonbon actually like him? No, he knows she doesn’t see him as anything more than a friend. That was just Lyra trying to get on her nerves. Anon notices the kitchen door open, revealing Bonbon.

She looks just as surprised at Anon standing there. She quickly uses a hoof to wipe her eyes a bit.

“Anon, I didn’t see you there.”

Should he tell her? “Um, yeah... I just got back. Are you alright?”

She nods. “I got some sugar in my eyes. It’s fine now.”

Anon doesn’t know why he decided against letting Bonbon know he was there. He just doesn’t know what he could say about what happened. His heart still aches about what he heard.

“Alright. I guess I’ll head on back and make sure everything is fine. You need a moment to clean up?”

She nods. “Yeah, I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

“Ok.”

Bonbon quickly climbs the stairs. Anon has a feeling that this entire ordeal isn’t over. In fact, he has a feeling that someone is already waiting at his home. A sickness is rising in his belly. Just the thought of that mare in his home. It’s enough to make him vomit. What is he going to do about Lyra? He knows that he can’t ignore what happened. She doesn’t care about him. Anon chuckles a bit to himself. Perhaps he was the fool all along to think she did in the first place?

“Anon, are you alright?”

Anon snaps back to reality. Bonbon is standing beside him with a look of concern. Anon didn’t even notice he was stirring an empty pot until Bonbon brought him out of his thoughts. He shakes his head clear of those things.

“Sorry about that. I have a lot of stuff on my mind.”

“Must be pretty serious for you to lose that much focus. Wanna talk about it?”

Anon shakes his head. “I’m fine. I just got a weird feeling is all.”

“Weird feeling?”

“Yeah...” Anon takes a deep breath. “Almost like someone’s waiting at home for me.”

Why can’t he just tell Bonbon that he knows? Even he can’t answer that question. He doesn’t want her to get involved, even though she already is. He can see Bonbon froze in place.

“Were you expecting company?” Bonbon asks.

Anon shakes his head. “Nope.”

Bonbon swallows hard. He can tell that she’s thinking about what to say. Perhaps she too is afraid of what she can say. Why is he pushing her into a corner? Does he want her to say it? Does he feel angry about everything she knows? No, that’s not it. The truth is that he doesn’t want to face the reality. He wants her to tell him a lie, maybe even invite him to stay over for a few days. Yet even he knows that wouldn’t be a normal thing between them. In fact, it would only draw suspicion. He can’t put her in the middle of this.

“Maybe I just left the door unlocked?” Anon adds.

Bonbon slowly nods. “Maybe.”

He doesn’t want to do this. “Mind if I checked?”

He can see Bonbon’s hesitation.

“I don’t mind.” Anon takes off his apron and gets ready to leave. “But, Anon...” He stops and looks back at Bonbon. “You know I’m here for you, right?”

Hearing Bonbon say that actually puts his mind at ease.

“Yeah, I know.”

“I’ll be waiting here for you.”

“It shouldn’t take too long.”

Anon walks out of the kitchen and towards the storefront. This entire ordeal might as well happen sooner rather than later.

Anon is standing before his home. His sickness has reached its apex. He swallows as much emotion as he can just before entering. When the door opens he notices the saddlebags on the floor. Lyra’s cutie mark are as plain as day. He can hear the soft clip-clop of hooves coming towards the main room. The time has finally come. Lyra rounds the corner with a look of surprised joy.

“Anon!” She gallops and takes him into an embrace. “You’re home early. I wanted to surprise you!”

His skin is on fire. Just being touched by this pony is enough to make him feel a sickness seeping into his body. How can she act so caring? How can she pretend as if everything is alright? Is she that much of a terrible pony? His thoughts are cut off as she leans up and kisses him. On pure instinct, he jerks away from her. She looks up at him confused.

“What’s wrong? I know it’s been awhile, but it’s like you’ve seen a ghost?”

Anon takes hold of each hoof that’s rested on him and gentle pulls them off. When he lets go Lyra lands back onto all fours. She’s still looking at him confused and even an inkling of hurt. The more he looks at her the more he feels sick.

“Lyra...”

“What did Bonbon tell you?” Lyra looks at Anon in anger.

“She didn’t tell me anything.”

“Then what’s your problem?”

That sickness inside of him is starting to boil. Everything she said and how she acts now. As if everything is alright. Trying to play him for a fool. Not anymore.

“You’re the problem.” Anon looks at Lyra with just as much hostility.

“What did you say?”

“I said you’re the problem you backstabbing cum guzzling whorse!”

Lyra reels back in shock. She wasn’t expecting him to say that.

“How dare you come into my house and try to play me for a fool you tail raising broodmare!” Anon can’t hold any of it back anymore. “Do you think I’m an idiot?! Do you think I’d just let you waltz right back into my life after everything you said?! I heard what you told Bonbon and even before then I had a feeling. How you sent fewer and fewer letters to me as time went on. How they just felt so hollow. I was just a game to you wasn’t I?!”

“Of course!” Lyra comes back with just as much heat. “Who could ever love a creature like you! You’re a monster, even if all the ponies accept you, they’ll never love you!”

“If there’s any monster here, it’s you! You can’t love anything other than yourself!”

“At least I’m not the one who got played!”

“Bitch! I got the milk for free so what the fuck do I care?! That’s all you’re good for anyway!”

Lyra’s face is getting red from rage.

“You’re a disgusting monkey!”

Anon gives her a slow clap. “Whoop dee fucking doo! Like I’ve never heard that one before! But here’s a little reminder for you, bitch. This monkey’s dick wrecked your sloppy loose horse pussy! Shit! I could swear that it was like tossing a hotdog down a hallway!”

“A hallway for a small cock like yours!”

“Small?! Keep this in mind you fucking cunt. Stallions only last a fraction of my stamina. So how many dicks have you been taking to get that loose?”

Lyra is shaking in rage now.

“I don’t need to deal with your shit anymore! I’m leaving!”

Lyra magics her saddle back onto her back and trots past Anon. Anon notices that she left her lyre on the couch. He grabs it in his fit of rage and runs back to the door.

“Hey! You forgot something you cock sucking skank!”

Anon tosses the lyre at her with all his strength. She looks back just in time for it to smash into her snout. It’s enough to knock her down, but she quickly gets up.

“You piece of shit! I’ll make sure the guard knows about this!”

“Bring it the fuck on you stupid fuck!”

Lyra storms off without saying anything else. Anon is seething with rage right now. He finally looks around the street to see that everyone is looking his way. He takes a slow and steady breath and walks back into his house, slamming the door behind him. That’s when it happens. All of his rage is gone now and the only thing that’s left is sadness. He slides down his door and rests his head on his knees. He doesn’t want to cry over a mare like that, but he can’t stop himself.

“Did you hear what happened?”

Bonbon tilts her head curious as to what her customer means.

“Hear about what?”

“I guess Anon got into a huge fight with Lyra. Everypony around could hear them shouting at one another.”

Bonbon becomes worried. So Lyra was at Anon’s and Bonbon just left him to deal with that mare alone.

“Do you know what happened?”

The mare shakes her head. “Not exactly. Just that they were saying horrible things to one another. He even hit Lyra in the face with her lyre.”

Bonbon gasps at hearing that. How bad did it really get? Bonbon can feel her concern growing.

“I never knew Anon was so violent.” The mare adds.

“No!” Bonbon quickly reels herself in. “I-I mean... It was probably just the situation. Anon isn’t violent.”

“I’m not too sure about that. Weren't they really close a few months ago? What could’ve happened between them?”

“I-I don’t know.” Bonbon clears her throat some. “Actually. I’m going to be closing the store a little early today. I have some business I need to attend to.”

“Oh? Alright then. See you later, Bonbon.”

Bonbon gives her best smile as the mare leaves. As soon as she’s gone she quickly runs to the door and flips her sign to closed before she gallops to Anon’s. She needs to make sure he’s alright.

Once Bonbon gets there she notices that there’s a small regiment of guards at Anon’s home. Not only that but a crowd is gathering as well. She quickly trots up next to a pony to ask them a question.

“What’s going on?”

“The human is being arrested by the guard for assaulting a pony.”

“What?!” Bonbon quickly pushes through the crowd, but by the time she gets to the front she can already see Anon being put into a chariot. “Where are you taking him?!” Bonbon asks a guard.

“We’re going to take the creature to the local dungeon to figure out what’s going on.”

“He didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Were you there to witness the events?”

“Well, no, but I know Anon!”

“Sorry, ma’am, but we have multiple witnesses that report seeing the creature throw something at the pony in question.”

Bonbon looks over to see Lyra with tears in her eyes as she talks to the guard. That conniving cow! She’s doing this on purpose! The guard that was speaking to Bonbon walks over to his group as they pack up and leave to the dungeon. The crowd disperses while whispering about what just happened. The only ponies left are Bonbon and Lyra. Lyra trots up to Bonbon with a smug look on her face.

“I told you. If I can’t get what I want then no pony will.”

Lyra walks away before Bonbon can respond. Oh no, this isn’t going to happen. Bonbon may be powerless to stop this, but she knows somepony who can help. Bonbon runs up to Anon’s door and flings it open. She runs over to a stack of paper sitting beside Anon’s fireplace. He told her all about this direct link to Celestia. She’s the only pony that can help him right now. Bonbon quickly writes a letter.

Anon is in trouble, please come quick.

She tosses the letter into the fire and watches as it turns to dust and floats away. She hopes the princess isn’t too busy. Not even a few minutes pass before the princess appears at the fireplace. She doesn’t look happy as she looks down at Bonbon.

“Where is Anon?”

“The guards arrested him.”

“Show me where they went.”

Anon is sitting in his cell as the guards question him.

“So why’d you hit her?”

“I already told you. We were fighting. I was angry and tossed her lyre at her as she was leaving.”

“Big creature like you, you had to know you were going to hurt her.”

“I was hoping.”

The guard slams his hoof against the bars.

“You make me sick. Actually proud of the fact you hit a mare.”

Anon locks eyes with the pony.

“I never hit a mare, I hit a whorse.”

Just then the front door to the jail is thrown open. Anon is surprised to see Celestia standing there in all her glory and she doesn’t look pleased.

“Celestia?” Anon is confused as to how she knew he was here.

The guards were quick to bow as Celestia walks up to the cell door and quickly opens in.

“Get out of there.” She says in a stern tone.

Anon doesn’t question her as he gets up and walks over to her. She even takes off his shackles and tosses them aside.

“How did you know I was here?”

Celestia nods her head to the door she came through. Anon looks over and sees Bonbon standing there. Did she contact the princess to save him?

“Guard, I want to know why my friend was thrown in the dungeon?” Celestia asks the guard.

“H-He hit a mare, Princess.”

Celestia looks back at Anon.

“Is that true?”

“Yeah, it is.”

Celestia’s features soften some.

“What happened?”

Anon lets out a sigh. “Just take a look through my memories. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Celestia gives a nod as she walks up to Anon and rests her horn on his head. When she pulls back there’s a noticeable pain on her face.

“I see...” She looks over to the guard. “I will deal with Anon’s punishment.”

“Princess that isn’t neces-”

“I said, I’ll deal with this myself.”

Celestia walks out before the guard can reply. Anon is quick to follow her as is Bonbon. Celestia shakes her head some as they walk down towards Anon’s house.

“You should’ve kept your cool, Anon.”

“I know.”

“I understand why you did it, but even so, you can’t do that. Even if we’re friends, you can’t hit other ponies.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.” Celestia stops as she turns to Anon. “Anon, you’re going to find Lyra and apologize for hitting her.”

Anon’s mind seems to stop as he tries to register what Celestia just said.

“What?” Anon sticks a finger in his ear to clean is out. “I think I just had a small bout of dementia. Can you please repeat that again?”

Celestia walks up to Anon so they’re face to face.

“Anon... Listen to me. I know what happened, but you still hit her. It makes me sick to my stomach to even make you do this, but you must. Words are one thing, but you cannot physically harm others. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. This is your punishment. I don’t want to throw you in the dungeon, Anon. Please don’t make me do that.”

Anon is shaking slightly as he tries to contain his rage. How can she possibly expect him to see that mare again? He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He can’t blame Celestia. She’s just doing her job and he knows how much it probably hurts her to make him do this. After all, she got a front row view of what happened.

“I’ll be there for you, Anon.” Bonbon places a hoof on his hand.

Anon opens his eyes and looks down at Bonbon.

“Thanks, Bonbon.” Anon looks at Celestia. He can see the hurt in her eyes as clear as day. “I get it, Tia. You can’t play favorites. I’ll do it.”

Celestia wraps him into her wings and gives him a hug.

“We’re still friends?”

Anon pats her on the withers.

“Yeah, still friends.”

Celestia lets out a sigh as she lets him go.

“I’m needed at the castle. I kinda left a lot on Luna’s plate.”

Anon chuckles at that. “Tell her I’m sorry for taking your time.”

“I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Alright. See you.”

Celestia teleports in a grand display, as per her usual. Once she’s gone Anon lets out a long sigh. He can’t believe he has to do this. He looks back down to see that Bonbon is still by his side. Well, at least, there’s someone here for him. He looks back at the road to Ponyville.

“Well, no time like the present.”

As soon as Anon stepped into Ponyville he realized that he has no idea where Lyra lives. It wasn’t something they talked about. Now that he things about it, he’s not too sure what they talked about, if anything. As far as he remembers it was always sex between them. He can recount many conversations he’s had with Bonbon, but not a single one with Lyra. Does he really care about a pony he knows so little about?

“This is a bit awkward, but I have no idea where Lyra lives.” Anon throws it out there.

“What did you two talk about after the sex?” Anon can hear the disgust in her voice.

“Nothing.”

“I know where she lives. Follow me.”

Anon can almost feel Bonbon hostility. It reminds him of a time before they were comfortable around one another. She’s probably not liking the idea of seeing Lyra again, his feelings on that part aren’t so different. A few corners and a house or two later, Bonbon and Anon stand before a small house. Definitely made to fit a single pony.

“Here it is.” Bonbon says.

“Alright. Let’s get this over with.”

Anon knocks on the door and can hear the sound of hooves approaching. Once the door opens, he can see the shocked look on Lyra’s face.

“What are you doing out of the dungeon?!”

If Anon was a more violent man, he would probably slap the shit out of this pony. Physical contact got him into this situation, so it won’t solve anything for him now.

“I’m going to make this quick, Lyra. I’m sorry for having hit you with your Lyre. It was done in a fit of rage and it never should’ve gotten that bad.”

“I don’t want you to apologise. I want you in a dungeon!” She yells.

Anon can already feel his blood boiling.

“Well, tough shit. I’m not going to be in a dungeon. I already apologized, that’s all I was required to do. Go fuck yourself you whorse.”

Anon turns on his heels and starts walking away. Before he knows it he feels something slam into his back at full force. He hits the ground hard and feels something raining blows down on him.

“You piece of trash! Who do you think you are?!”

Lyra is kicking him all over his body. He makes sure to protect his head as he tries to get this mare off his back. She’s pretty heavy and he can’t get any leverage. Yet something happens, the blows stop and the weight on his back is gone. He quickly rolls over and tries to assess the situation. He can see that Lyra is lying on her side unconscious and Bonbon is breathing heavily with her rear end pointed towards where Lyra is.

“Did you?” Anon points to Lyra.

Bonbon nods her head. “Yeah and it felt great.” She walks up to Anon. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah. A little sore, but I should be fine.” Anon looks at Lyra, then back to Bonbon. “I think Celestia doesn’t need to know about this.”

Bonbon nods. “I agree. I doubt Lyra will try to get the guards again, seeing as I was here to witness everything.”

Anon looks at Lyra again and gives a small sigh. “I can’t leave her outside. As much as I don’t like her, it just wouldn’t be right.”

Anon dusts himself off and picks Lyra up. He walks her into her home and drops her onto her couch.

“I guess that’s good enough.”

Anon leaves Lyra in her home. At least, he didn’t leave her outside. He doubts Bonbon would blame him if he did such a thing. Anon winces some as the hits he took start to set in. He grabs his ribs some, as a few hits got him there.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Bonbon asks.

“A few bruises I’m sure, but I don’t think it’s too bad.”

Bonbon shakes her head as she stands onto her hind hooves and rests them on Anon’s shoulders.

“Look at you...” She looks over the various cuts on him. “Come with me, I’ll get you cleaned up.”

Bonbon falls back onto all fours as she walks towards her shop. Anon doesn’t question her as she follows.

“Ah! Easy!”

“Quit being a foal.” Bonbon says as she applies more rubbing alcohol onto Anon’s cuts.

“Easy for you to say, that stuff burns.”

“Maybe you should pick your mares better next time.”

“You’re right about that one.”

The room falls silent as Bonbon continues to clean up his wounds. Anon doesn’t know why, but he feels happy right now, even with all the cuts and bruises. It’s as if a weight has been lifted from him. For so long he’s been wondering about Lyra and now that it’s all over, he just feels as if everything is right in the world right now.

“I’m glad it’s all over.” Anon says mostly for himself.

“Is that so?” Bonbon asks.

He chuckles a bit. “Yeah. Now everything just seems perfect now.”

“I wouldn’t call being pummeled by a mare perfect, Anon.”

“Not that... Just, right now. You and me together, still close friends. Lyra couldn’t break that no matter how hard she tried.” Anon turns around to face Bonbon. He rests his hand on her hoof. “I was here when Lyra was talking to you. I’m happy you didn’t take her back. I’m also glad you stood up for me.”

Bonbon looks down to her hooves with a blush on her face.

“W-Well... I couldn’t let her talk like that about you.” She looks up at him with a smile. “Only I can talk like that to you, Monkey boy.”

Anon can feel a smile of his own on his face.

“Whatever you say, Bonny.”

Anon chuckles as he can see her entire face turn red. As he looks into her eyes, he starts to feel a certain thought pop into his mind. It’s been something he’s thought about for a long time, but he’s never once acted on it. Today, however, he feels like taking a risk.

“Bonny... I hope you don’t mind what I’m about to do.”

“Do wha-”

Anon closes the small gap between them as he presses his lips against her’s. It’s a simple kiss, but Anon can feel his heart racing in his chest. He pulls away from her and can see the purely shocked look she’s giving him. Maybe that wasn’t a smart choice? Bonbon probably doesn’t even like him like that.

“I’m sorry about that, I guess you don’t fee-”

Now it’s Anon’s turn to be surprised as Bonbon pushes her lips against his. There’s so much force to her kiss that Anon feels he needs to match her with just as much force. Their kiss is now a fight for dominance as they start to tongue wrestle the other into submission. It’s as if all those years of hate has been turned into passion. Anon has never kissed anyone like this before.

“Mom, I’m home!”

That voice is enough to break them away from each other in a panic. The sound of hooves running up the stairs causes them both to scramble away from one another. Soon Bonbon’s door is thrown open by Twist. She looks at them both in confusion.

“Why are you two up here?” She asks.

“We um...” Bonbon tries to think of something but can’t.

“I had a bit of an accident.” Anon quickly says. “Fell down and your mom was helping clean my wounds.”

Twist winces at that. “Did she use that burning stuff?”

Anon nods. “Yup.”

“Oh, well I hope you’re alright.”

He gives her a reassuring smile. “No worries, Twist.”

She smiles back at him. “Alright, I’ll be in my room.”

Both Bonbon and Anon give Twist a wave as she leaves them alone. Neither one can look at the other as they try to think of what to say.

Anon clears his throat some. “Do you want to go on a date?”

She looks at Anon with a smile.

“I’ve been waiting awhile for you to ask that you stupid monkey.”

“I guess my simian brain just wasn’t up to snuff.”

“That’s alright, it’s one of the things I like about you.”

They both chuckle at that for a bit before falling back into silence.

“Are you free Saturday?” Anon asks.

“I am.”

“Ok... So, what do we do now?”

“We should get ready for the party tonight.”

Anon can feel himself calming. “Good idea. Do you want to work on the decorations while I make the cake?”

Bonbon can too feel her embarrassment starting to fade.

“Just what I was thinking. We have a few hours, so let’s make sure everything is in order.”

The both of them quickly set off to make sure everything is ready for the party. It’s rather odd for either of them to come to terms with what happened. It just felt so natural and even as they work on setting up the party it’s as if nothing has changed between them. They work in tandem as if they’re one and the embarrassment they felt before didn’t last long. In a weird way, it’s as if they were dating the entire time.