Carrot Cake steps, or rather tumbles, outside. Tears prick his reddened face as the door slams behind him, sobs coming from behind it. He closes his eyes, his breaths are in short bursts. Carrot Cake thinks he should knock on the door, but his legs disobey him, leading him away from his home and into the slumbering streets.
The bitter wind rakes its bony fingers down his back, sending shivers throughout Carrot Cake. He takes a deep breath, using a hoof to try and scrape the tears from his eyes.
What should I do? Cupcake and the twins probably hate me. Oh the twins! Carrot Cake’s ears flatten against his skull. What a fool he is. Carrot should’ve waited until Cupcake and he were upstairs before opening his big stupid mouth instead of yelling like an idiot downstairs, and in front of Pound and Pumpkin no less.
Carrot Cake looks up at the starry night. A small smile tugs at his lips. Cupcake loves seeing the stars, especially on top of Meteor Hill. Carrot contorts his smile into a frown. Cupcake, what will he do about Cupcake? When he returns, what will she do to Carrot? His bottom lip trembles as the thought of returning and seeing her with a lawyer and papers enters his mind. She would never do that, would she? It was Carrot after all who began this whole idiotic mess.
Carrot stops, the smell of cider and smoke causes his gaze to shift around. He is in what civilians consider the poorer part in Ponyville. Yet to Carrot, the small stone shacks and falling roofs make his muscles relax.
Carrot glides through the dusty street. A half deflated ball and several scooters peek out from the thick tangle of bushes.
I wonder… Carrot maneuvers through alleys until the smell of citrus leads him to a cozy wooden shack illuminated by candlelight. Carrot trots inside, where citrus and sweat envelops him. Letting out a miniature sneeze, he makes his way over to the bar and sits on the stool. A grape purple mare glides over to him from behind the table.
“Long time no see Carrot, what can I get ya?” She asks.
Carrot places his hooves where his saddlebag usually is before blushing, “Is your water still free, Berry?”
Berry Punch rolls her eyes with a smirk but, takes an unoccupied glass, runs it under the faucet, adds a few flakes of crushed up ice, and gives it to Carrot who gratefully sips it.
“So,” Berry rests her head on her forehooves, “how’s the family?”
Carrot shifts in his seat and take another sip. His eyes try to advert Berry's stare.
Berry Punch’s eyebrows furrow, “Spill Carrot, what did you do?”
“I…got into a fight with Cupcake.”
“How long ago?”
“I don’t know, twenty minutes?”
“Twenty minutes! Carrot, why are you in my bar?”
Carrot Cake looks up from his half full glass of water, “Huh?”
Berry Punch rolls her eyes, “Honestly, you stallions are so dense sometimes. Why are you here when you should be home with Cupcake and your foals?”
Carrot’s gaze lowers, “They probably still hate me. I-I said some awfully words to Cupcake, and right in front of Pound and Pumpkin!” He bangs a hoof on the table, “Gah, I’m such an idiot!”
“Yeah, you can be an idiot sometimes,” Berry cracks a grin as she stands up, “Carrot, do you remember what you vowed to Cupcake?”
Carrot’s face grew a tint of red, “Of course, but I didn't know that you still knew.“
"I don't, so please jog my memory of it." Berry takes another glass and fills it with water. She then takes a sip, eyeing Carrot as beads of sweat form on his forehead, "Well, what did you say? And if you try and avoid it, I'm going to charge you for the water."
Carrot's eyes widen, "Y-you can't do that!"
"How does five bits sound?"
"Fine," Carrot takes a deep breath, "I said that I would always be there for her no matter what because..."
“Because what?” Berry’s grin widens as Carrot’s face grew redder.
“Because she’s my honey bun.”
Berry Punch clasps her hooves together, “Exactly, so go to her!”
"But Cupcake may not want to see me."
Berry drains her glass of water and wipes her muzzle, "Carrot if...if my marriage taught me anything it's that you should never think of your friends and special somepony as two different categories. We fought a lot, but look at us we're still friends. So what makes Cupcake any different?"
The memories of Berry and their foalish fights make him crack a small grin, "Those were the days."
Berry punches her hoof into the air, "Yeah, that's the spirit! So go to Cupcake and apologize like a stallion!"
Carrot slides off of the stool, his heart hammering in his chest as Berry Punch’s words pierce his ears, “You’re right, I do need to go to her!” He gallops out the door, but quickly sticks his head back inside, “Berry, thank you.”
“Get out of here ya big idiot.” Berry says with a friendly smirk.
The streets seem to stretch on for eternity for Carrot. His hooves strike the road, creating clicks and clacks as he gallops as fast as he could. Sweat begins to form on his yellowish coat and his lungs ache. However, he keeps on pumping his legs.
He slows to a canter, much to his body’s relief, as Sugar Cube Corner came into view. A window blazes with a fiery glow. As Carrot Cake hops up the stairs, he pauses at the door. He is co owner of this establishment, but waltzing inside just didn’t seem right. So, with a deep breath, Carrot knocks on the door.
A muffle set of hooves come closer to the door. Carrot Cake rapidly shakes his body to try and get rid of some of his sweat. When the door opens, Cupcake’s eyes widen as do Carrot’s. His stomach drops as he sees that Cupcake’s eyes are slightly red and tears have stained her cheeks.
“C-Carrot?” Cupcake whispers.
“Cupcake, I just….just want to say I’m-“
“Sorry!” They both say simultaneously.
Cupcake’s cheeks grow a bit more color in them and she steps aside, allowing Carrot to make his way inside.
“How are Pound and Pumpkin?” Carrot asks while taking in the room, his breath is a small sigh of relief at the sign of no lawyer. Carrot then mentally slaps his naïve self; of course Cupcake would never call one after a singular ludicrous fight.
“They were pretty upset, but I did try to explain to them that we’re fine.” Cupcake explains.
Carrot’s ears smash against his head, “Pound and Pumpkin probably still hate me though.”
Cupcake gives him a tiny smile and closes the door, “You can make it up to them in the morning.” She begins to stroll towards the staircase but, freezes when a familiar hoof is press against her side. Cupcake stares up at Carrot, her eyebrows raise.
“Cupcake, again I’m so, so sorry for all the awful things I said. I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow and if you want, I’ll sleep on the couch for the whole year and I’ll never speak or-“Carrot’s rambles are cut short as Cupcake gives Carrot a quick peck on the lips.
“I think we’ve done enough separation. Come on, we can talk about it more in the morning.”
“Okay, honey bun.”
Cupcake beams at the nickname and the two make their way to their bedroom. A silence settles over them, but it isn’t one of awkwardness. This silence is one that only a pair of best friends could understand. Just being in each others company calms their pounding hearts. They each just have to gaze at their partner’s body language to know that all is forgiven.