Anon takes a deep breath with a broad smile on his face. Ponyville, where the air is fresh, and the ponies are tiny. How tiny? Well, most mares only stand as high as his thigh and the tallest pony he’s ever met was Celestia, and she just came up to his chest. Anon never considered himself a tall person, but since randomly coming to this world, he’s a giant amongst little ponies.

Despite being a skyscraper of a creature to them, a lot of these ponies were quick to accept him. Then again, he’s come to their rescue on more than a few occasions. From giving Nightmare Moon a spanking until she reverted back to Luna, to becoming friends with Discord to stop him from causing a ruckus, which, funny enough, is the only creature that can look him in the eye.

Yeah, life's good here in Ponyville. Everypony loves him, he has a place to stay, and the princess pays him to keep things safe.

“Are you done yet?” Rainbow asks, lightly annoyed.

“Just relax, Dashie,” Anon mocks as he looks over the apple orchard. “Enjoy the fresh air.”

“Anon, all I get is air with my job. Let’s head back to your place and chill.”

“Fine, go tell AJ we’re leaving now. I have a few things to get at the market before going back home.”

Rainbow can’t hide her smile. “Alright, I’m on it!”

Anon can only watch as Rainbow bolts toward AJ’s farmhouse. He’s appreciative to have a lot of friends he can rely on, but most of all, he’s happy to have Dash by his side.

“Hey, Anon!” Pinkie shouts, waving to him from behind the counter. “What brings you in today?”

Closing the door behind him and hunching over considerably, Anon makes his way to the counter.

“Just looking for a box of cupcakes.”

“How many?”

“Two dozen, random assortment, please.”

“Okey-dokey!” Pinkie is gone for a fraction of a second before coming back with two boxes on top one another. “Got special plans tonight?”

“Nah, just hanging with Dash. Probably watch a movie or something.”

“That’s great! Maybe we can do the same tomorrow?”

Anon shrugs. “I’ve got no problem with that. You bring the snacks.”

Pinkie’s smile grows astonishingly large. “~I always do!~”

Anon sets the bits onto the counter and takes the boxes.

“See ya, Pinks.”

“Later, monkey-man.”

With a smile, Anon walks out of Sugarcube Corner. Alright, just a few more things and he’ll be set for tonight.

Entering his home, Anon walks past the living room where Rainbow is already lying down on his couch and places everything he’ll need for tonight on the counter in the kitchen.

“What’s all that stuff?” Rainbow asks stepping in from behind.

“Just a little something for tonight.” Anon starts setting everything out onto the table one by one. “Cupcakes from Sugarcube corner, popcorn from AJ, butter from Bessy, and of course, the one thing to tie it all together.” Rainbow has stars in her eyes just listening to Anon. “Beer.”

“Awesome!” Where she was excitement one moment, she breaks out into a coughing fit the next.

Anon turns around concerned. “You alright, Dash? That cough doesn’t sound too good.”

“I’m fine. Just had to deal with a lot of weird rain clouds coming from the Everfree.”

Looking down at his tiny companion, Anon now notices the flush look and small sweat beads beginning to form. Not convinced, and worried about the welfare of his friend, he walks over and places a hand on each cheek.

“What are you doing?” She asks.

“Just stay still.

Leaning in close, Anon lays his lips onto Rainbow’s forehead. Her face, while already flush now deepens to a dark crimson.

“Wh-What are you doing?” She shouts pulling away.

“Dammit, Dash...” Anon looks upset. “You’re running a fever.”

“So what? It’s not that bad.”

“Not bad now, but it will be if you don’t get some rest.”

“Rest?! We have plans!”

“Not anymore,” Anon states, putting everything he bought into the fridge. “We need to get you to bed first.”

“No!” Rainbow stomps her hoof in defiance. “I wanna spend time with you!”

Anon looks over his shoulder and regrets the quivering lip she’s giving him. He walks over to her and feels the rest of her body with the back of his hand. Ponies tend to always run hotter than humans, but she feels somewhat cooler than usual.

“You’re freezing.” He levels his gaze to her.

She turns with a harumph. “Then hurry up to the couch and let’s relax. Whether I rest in bed or while watching a movie shouldn't matter.”

Anon knows he’s not going to win any arguments with this headstrong mare. The best he can hope for is to mitigate whatever damage she’s done.

“Alright, get a movie started and I’ll be there in a moment.”

Rainbow trots happily to the living room as Anon readjusts his plans.

Walking into the living room, Anon sets down two large cups full of water and a bowl of soup. It’s a simple vegetable broth, nothing fancy.

“What's that?” Rainbow asks.

“Your drink and meal,” he states.

“What about the–”

“No.”

“But–”

“I said no.”

Rainbow crosses her hooves in a pout, but this does little to sway Anon from the path he's chosen. Anon picks up the bowl and turns to face Rainbow as she looks at him with a raised brow.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to feed you.”

“N-No way!”

“You want to act like a baby, Dash? Then I’m going to treat you like one, now open wide!” Rainbow is shaking in embarrassment but opens her mouth as Anon feeds her. “What a good little wainbow!” He baby talks.

“Alright! That’s enough!” Rainbow slaps the spoon away.

He shrugs. “Alright.” Setting the bowl down he finally looks over to what's playing on the TV. “You really like The Terminator.”

“Of course I do, it’s awesom-” she starts coughing again.

When Anon looks over at her, he all but confirms that she’s sick. She’s trembling as if cold and sweating from a heat that doesn’t exist. Even at her lowest, she never wants to be treated as if she’s weak.

“Rainbow, come here.”

She looks at him warily. “Why? You going to treat me like a baby again?”

“Just come here.”

Rainbow scoots closer to Anon and in one swift motion Anon lifts the bottom of his shirt, pulls it over Dash, and lifts her up into his lap just as her head pops through the neck-hole beside his. She looks startled, but Anon holds her close, warming her with his body.

“T-This isn’t necessary!” Rainbow tries to struggle, but Anon pets her gently.

“Relax, Dashie. It’s alright to be sick; I’m here for you.”

With a face now burning from embarrassment and not the sickness, Rainbow rests her head against Anon’s chest as his warmth starts to drive away the cold she felt moments ago. Even though every fiber of her being wants to protest, the powerful rhythmic beat of Anon’s heart is enough to lull her to sleep.

Author's Note

Image submitted by PeerImagination