A love story that exists

by wackaditto

Rating: teen
Tags: Pinkie Pie, Profanity, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Romance, Comedy, Other
Length: 5192

The Candy Mare wakes up in Pinkie Pie's basement. It's a match made in tar tar sauce.

The Candy Mare wakes up in Pinkie Pie's basement. It's a match made in tar tar sauce.

Join them on an adventure full of cupcakes, debt, hating Rainbow Dash, cravings for caramel Apples, gross food combinations, blood, guts, gore, glory, and other things.

Candy Mare belongs to the great Knackerman. Something Sweet to Bite and Cupcakes are stories that exist. I'd recommend reading them to gain more of a sense of this story unless you're squeamish.

Published 2020-03-01 01:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-04-20 06:08:03 UTC

Possibly the Worst Mean Girls Reference Ever Lies in This Chapter

"And then I said, 'I guess I'll have to wing it, Breeze!' which was not my best pun but one of my favorites, and then he just passed out on me! How rude was that? So I took the wing off and that's the story of how I made the cupcake I knocked you out with."

Pinkie Pie barely caught notice that her latest captive was freed from her restraints and sitting up; she was mostly focused on cleaning the supplies at the table.

"Anyway! You should be awake now. In fact--" Pinkie's tail lifted straight up in the air "My Pinkie Sense is indicating that you're more than ready."

When she turned around, though, she was met with her latest meal sitting up and staring at her with crazed eyes that somehow looked bored through the chaotic, madness-fueled swirls of pink and blue.

"Oh. Yeah. You're awake." Pinkie clucked her tongue. "Why don't you, uh, lay back down?"

"No." Her voice was girlish and high-pitched, but had some sort of professionalistic tone to it.

"Oh." Pinkie Pie pouted. There was a heavy silence between them for a while.

"The cupcake tasted good."

"What?"

"I said it tasted good."

"I don't understand. It's supposed to make one gag to the point where they're distracted to the point that I have to take them out. If it tasted good, why did you let me take you out? That's just weird. I'd run for my life if I were you."

"I pretended."

"Why? You could have ran and told everybody. You could have had me arrested and then everyone would hate me and even worse, I won't have anything to make cupcakes with and that would suck so please don't tell -"

"I like flesh, too."

The silence between them got twenty percent more awkward. The bored mare cleared her throat. "I was really interested in why you gave me a cupcake with pony flesh in it. So I let myself get knocked out because I wanted to find out more."

"Oh. Huh. So you're an investigative journalist."

"No."

"Then what are you?"

"Um." She looked at her captor. "Candy?"

"Oh."

"Yeah."

When will the silence end??????? Pinkie thought to herself.

It ended when the mare made of candy asked, "Do you have more 'Breeze' to eat?"

§

A spoon clinked on a bowl of ice cream sprinkled with innards. The mare that Pinkie now knew was made of candy had a blanket wrapped around her thin, yet muscle-y shoulders (which were made clear by gumballs. Lots of them.)

"So, I understand and then I don't." She sighed. "You were going to make me into cupcakes. Correct?"

Pinkie shrank against the display case, where she stood across from the mare. "Maybe??????"

"I'll take that as a yes. Next. How did you acquire such a taste?"

Pinkie felt as if she were at a therapy appointment. "Um." She might as well prepare for it, so she pulled a small loveseat from behind the counter and laid on her back. "Well, it all started with -"

The mare looked more and more confused as Pinkie rambled about how she "accidentally" bit one of her sisters and liked the taste of blood and figured that she could test on Zephyr Breeze because one, he might taste minty and two, he was being very annoying at the moment, and she also said that she bought the loveseat from the Apples and it did great for impromptu therapy sessions.

"The apples?"

"What? The Apples. Yeah. Applejack and Applebloom and Big Mac and Granny Smith and about a bajillion more but mostly those four."

"That's strange."

"What?"

"I've never heard anyone named after food except for me."

"Well, I'm named Pinkie Pie. Wait. What's your name?"

"The Candy Mare."

"Wow. Does it come with the 'The'?"

"Um...no? You can call me Candy if that helps."

"No, I think the other one sounds more epic."

"Oh. Okay." Candy slurped down the last bit of melted bloody ice cream, laid her head on the table, and groaned. "That tasted amazing."

"I know, right?"

"Do you have more? Like...ponies?"

"Whole ponies?"

"Yeah."

Pinkie hmmed. "About that. I'm having trouble luring ponies in."

"You're saying that you don't have any extras?"

"No. Dashie was the first one, and then after that I ran out of melatonin so I used super gross food like ice cream and hamburger buns but that barely surprised anyone enough for me to take them out so I made more Dashie cupcakes and I still couldn't hit them in the back of the head before they sprinted out and gave me a bad review on Yelp. So business is kinda at a standstill for now."

"Hmm." The Candy Mare leaned back and put a hoof to her chin. "You need help. Not with the food part. I mean, an ice cream burger is borderline horrific. But - and don't be offended - you're not quite strong. You need someone to help you. You can supply the treat, I take care of the trick."

Pinkie pouted. "Who's to say you're stronger than me?"

"Pinkie Pie. I have devoured entire galaxies. I have gone to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. I can take out a pony all by myself." This was said with all the expectancy of Karen Smith's breasts.

There was no sound. There was nothing until Pinkie leaped forward and held the Candy Mare's face in her hooves. "I love you."

This was also said with the expectancy of Karen Smith's breasts.

Pinkie feverishly shook the mare's hoof. "It's a deal. We have a deal."

Meanwhile, the Candy Mare forced a grin while simultaneously imploding.

What the hell am I doing?

§

She woke up, panting.

Nights were the absolute shittiest. One, she couldn't sleep most of the time. Two, when she did, she did not have sweet dreams. Three, she had a habit of not recognizing where she was upon waking.

It took her a few seconds. The bubblegum-pink walls and the chocolate trim and the vanilla splotches of paint was one indicator of being at some cupcake-making excitable murderess' residence. The faint smell of pies wafted into what must have been the guest room.

At least it wasn't the wrong guest room.

Candy sat up in bed for about ten million years before she had had enough of waiting longer than ten minutes. The dream - well, the memory - was still running around in her brain, and no matter how her eyelids drooped and the swirls in her eyes lost their fear-inducing touch, she just couldn't sleep.

Something sweet would help. It always did. She quietly slipped out of the room and headed downstairs. This Pinkie Pie would surely understand, as before bed, they had exchanged their favorite meals. Pinkie said she loved pie because it was in the name. Candy said everything (that meant everypony).

And now, Candy was stealing a pie. Not stealing, technically, since she was an esteemed "top secret, no welcome party, hidden from the Cakes" guest, but she couldn't help but feel a little guilt as she slid open the display case and let her eyes feast upon the treats.

Pinkie snored heavily from a floor above. A floor below, Candy's plan was set in motion.

It was simple. The Forbidden Candy™ would be made and sacrificed. (Check.) She'd find a place to live. (Check.) She'd get stronger (In progress.) Yes, she did get sidetracked by impulsively choosing to help Pinkie Pie's business, but she would sort it out. And she'd do this all before Nightmare Night, when she would return and shove Luna's curses up the Princess' own ass.

Which begged the question. What day was it? Shoving a piece of pie in her mouth, Candy walked over to the calendar, and imploded for the second time in about twelve hours. "Fuck."

Nightmare Night was two days away.

Author's Note

uh oh stinky

please comment any typos u see lol i couldn't wait to publish this.

EDIT I AM NOT A WUSS I WILL TURN ON RATINGS I AM A BIG GIRL NOW

Life's a Party and I'm Sitting in a Corner Crying

Two pieces of horse bacon simmered on the stove, crackling and omitting a smell that was close to actual bacon, but also smelled like death. Pinkie Pie was very aware of the needs of her candy-coated guest, who had made it very clear that she could only ingest flesh. Whether it be wild animal, pony, or some other creature, she was fine. Veggies? Not so much. It just wouldn't digest.

Pinkie hummed as she waited for the guest to come down the stairs. When she had last checked on the Candy Mare this morning, she seemed fast asleep - to a normal pony. The host's sixth sense detected otherwise.

Which was why she had prepared a special breakfast. Muffins made out of organs, "grape juice", and horse bacon laid on a platter on the table behind the pink pony. She needed to help Candy feel safe enough to sleep here. What host wouldn't make sure their guest was safe?

Pinkie couldn't blame her, though - she didn't quite trust the guest either. Something seemed extra fishy, like the mare would stab her in the back the next chance she got. Maybe she would run away in the middle of the night and get the police! But when Pinkie woke today, the guest was still there, "sleeping" in a way that suggested she could not sleep. That only hardened Pinkie's trust, and made her feel sympathy for the Candy Mare.

So this breakfast was a symbol of trust. It fit all of the Candy Mare's needs, and satisfied Pinkie as well. They'd got everything essential covered last night; this morning would just be casual talk and asking each other some questions and deciding where to go from there, and it would be super-duper.

Ponies always said Pinkie was practically a goddess at hospitality (mostly because of the parties), but not for this mare. Even the acting-before-thinking Pinkie knew that this wasn't some regular newcomer. This had let her down quite a bit, but again, she had to establish trust. That was hospitality.

She perked up as she heard hoofsteps descending the creaky stairs. "There she issssss!" she sing-songed.

The Candy Mare stood at the base of the steps, yawning. "Hey."

"I've got an extra extra EXTRA special breakfast for us. Come on, have a seat," Pinkie chirped, as she laid the last of the bacon on the platter.

Candy stood for a moment, looking as if she was contemplating the contents of the food. I hope she likes it, Pinkie found herself thinking - more like hoping.

Finally, Candy sat down. "This looks nice." Hadn't her voice been a little more peppy yesterday? Now it seemed groan-y and raspy. Pinkie didn't know just what had happened for her guest to not sleep, but she was determined to fix it. It's trust. That's it, she reassured herself.

Pinkie began explaining the breakfast as she laid a muffin and two slices of bacon on the Candy Mare's plate, and filled her glass with the red juice. Then she sat down across from her, digging straight in.

Candy waited a moment, then lifted the muffin and took a bite. She froze. Swallowed. "Holy shit."

"What?" Does she not like it?????

"This is rich."

"Is...is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Candy nodded as she took another bite. "I love it. Thanks, Pinkie Pie."

"Oh, you can just call me Pinkie! Like I can call you Candy."

Candy giggled and gulped down the entire glass of blood. "Guess so."

The silence between them that lingered made Pinkie realize what had to happen next. How would she word this? She didn't want to seem rude! But the question had to be asked, whether she liked it or not. So, she took a deep breath and let it spill out. "How come you're not sleeping?"

Candy froze amidst chewing a slice of bacon. She seemed lost for a moment as she swallowed, then replied curtly, "It's fine."

Pinkie huffed. "It's not fine. I want my guests to feel safe. Was that it? Or something else? Maybe scary dreams? Oh! I know! Jitters, coffee, sugar-"

"No. Uh. I guess I just have trouble sleeping some nights," Candy interjected.

"Okay, that's okay. But if you don't feel safe just tell me."

"I'm okay. It's fine."

"Okie-dokie!" Phew, now that's out of the way. "I also wanna lay out some rules, nothing unusual, not because I don't trust you or anything, and believe me I hate rules myself, but because this is still the property of its owners and I'm not one of the owners. So. First things first, no kicking or punching the walls or anything, that's gonna cost a lot and I'm not sure about this but I think it'll bring our ratings down...."

§

As long as Pinkie's spiel was, Candy felt that she had only listened for about five minutes. That pony could talk fast. And yet, she wasn't even breathless at the end. Candy tried her best to imagine what it was like to save breath like Pinkie Pie. She couldn't - the pain in her chest distracted from that.

She'd gotten maybe an hour of sleep, maybe just a minute more. That has to be it. From now on, she wouldn't be scared of stupid filly nightmares anymore. She would actually let herself sleep. Pinkie could be trusted, anyway. Right? She seemed so supportive, and despite the conditions of their murderous deal, she seemed especially chipper. And reliable. The type to laugh in the face of danger. Honestly, Candy did that too.

No, you didn't. You got angry and threw a stupid tantrum and let it keep you from making any real progress.

So she wouldn't be scared. She'd trust her host like her host trusted her, follow the rules, yadda-yadda. Besides, she needed to sleep so she could gather the energy for Nightmare Night. Just the thought of it made her chest pain swell.

The Candy Mare would make it. She had to.

Author's Note

meme here

Nightmare Night, Part One

Nevermind.

The Candy Mare felt so stupid. No sleep again. The pain in her chest multiplied. All because of Him.

It had taken one thought. Just one thought, intruding her peace of mind, of Him. And now that she was thinking about Him, she felt so much more lethargic.

She looked at her bloodied hooves. Pinkie had finally gotten some prey last night, and it was glorious; Roseluck, as she was called, was swiftly knocked out after gagging on a peanut butter-sriracha sauce sourbread sandwich. Candy had felt proud of herself for taking someone out with a punch, but now that she reflected on it, it had taken three or more punches. At least Roseluck didn't scream while she was still above ground.

Weak.

Candy didn't even try protesting that.

Pinkie really did hit a recession.

It was true. The Candy Mare had practically begged Pinkie for Roseluck's harvest to happen. It did. She felt stronger. But not strong enough for tonight.

What made it worse is that Pinkie typically didn't harvest on holidays (she had insisted that she couldn't just ruin a holiday for anyone, as they were super-duper-extra important (made obvious by the myriad decorations hung around the town)). Candy had to thrive on her own.

That meant going outside. In the sun. Plain sight. It was either that, or kill Pinkie. And yeah, she wanted to kill Pinkie so so so bad, but something about her (Kindness? Personality? Bubbly laughter?) just kept the thought away.

Besides, what if the Candy Mare could trust Pinkie? Now there was a good thought. She toyed with it for a bit, until a single thought disrupted the process:

Like you trusted Him?

She sighed. This was gonna be the worst Nightmare Night ever.

§

Pinkie Pie skipped down the street, humming the song that all fillies trick-or-treating on Nightmare Night knew so well. It was prank time! And with everyone's crazy costumes this year, maybe the Candy Mare would fit right in. They could play pranks together!

Most ponies would argue that Hearth's Warming was the most wonderful time of the year, but truly, this was. Everyone, even grown ponies, roamed the streets, collecting all kinds of sweet sweets! As important as good scares were, candy always came first. She couldn't just let everyone down like that. So when she approached the road leading to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and a cart of caramel apples awaited her.

"Hey, sugarcube!" Applejack beamed. Much like Pinkie Pie, she enjoyed Nightmare Night more than any other day of the year. It felt great that weeks of back pain resulting from their harvest paid off in seeing the fillies and colts smile and giggle as they were handed their treats. Well, it almost paid off. Two whole trees, barren of fruit this morning. They were rotten apples anyway, but this also caused alarm. Bats?

"This is terrific!" Pinkie exclaimed as she inspected the caramel apples. There must have been at least a hundred, and this was just what Applejack had portioned off for her friend. "Thank you sosososososoSO much!"

"Nearly fell asleep into the pot of caramel. Applebloom just wouldn't help. She is a teenager now and all, but rules still apply." Applejack sighed. "It'll pay off tonight, though."

Pinkie grinned from ear to ear, and swept Applejack into a hug. "I love you! As a friend. Maybe. I dunno. What am I?"

Applejack patted her and barely squirmed free of the tight embrace. "Uh thanks. Hey, uh, did you see any ba-"

Pinkie had already sped off, the cart bouncing behind her. This was gonna be the best Nightmare Night ever!

§

I used to be happy.

I used to giggle in glee as I tore somebody's head off. They would taste so, so rich! And amazing! So unique. I prided myself in being unique. And now, He...damn Him! Why?! He just occupies my every thought now. This is why I kill on Nightmare Night. I need a distraction. It's so, so much worse than before.

I used to be so powerful, but...it's like the candy resembles bones, and it's so realistic it scares me. I'm supposed to be scaring them. The ponies! The stupid ponies that cause all this trouble.

Save for Pinkie Pie.

Maybe. She never called any authorities on me, and she asked me why I wasn't sleeping. She cares, right? I bet she tastes really good. Sweet. She's so sweet.

Pinkie...I know you're the only one I can trust, but...it has to happen. Then I'll be happy again, and you'll worry no more.

Author's Note

these next few chapters are gonna be short, they're really just different parts of the day leading up to the night. i can't wait!

Nightmare Night, Part Two

"I'm hooooooommmmee!" Pinkie sing-songed as she twirled through the front doors of Sugarcube Corner. Behind her was a cart of caramel apples.

The Candy Mare couldn't help but lick her lips at the familiar sight. "Wowza."

"Yep! Made by the generous Apple family - well, Rarity is supposed to be the generous one, oh well, I guess the Elements are interchangable now - delicious and caramelized and I must have had about five before I got here." She giggled. "Oops. But hey, there's enough for you! And the trick-or-treaters!"

Trick-or-treaters.

The word flew into the back of Candy's brain and nestled there. Simmering. When there's treat, there's always trick. She'd learned that before she should have.

But, hey. More food, more energy! I mean, the apples from last night were tasty anyway....

§

They set aside ten for themselves, which still left about sixty left over. It would take much resolve to resist them, but it happened. Noon came and went. Parents usually came out with their young around 7 in the evening, and Pinkie anxiously awaited the night.

There were less than two hours to kill. The Candy Mare laughed to herself. Yeah, maybe. The killing part. Did it worry her that now her thoughts were choppy and kept bombarding her with tricks and treats? Yes and no. It always surged around this time of year. It did stay present year-round, but boy, did Nightmare Night suck.

Pinkie did give her the opportunity to hand out the caramel apples and pieces of chocolate that accompanied them. Could she? Would she? Should she? No, maybe, and no. It was harmless pretending her body was a costume. It did do harm to attempt to eat someone, but end up being too weak to do so, and getting caught.

And imprisoned.

She shuddered. The chill down her spine nearly wiped her half-smirk out. Tricks. Always tricks.

The grandfather clock in the guest room chimed. Candy sat straight up from where she had been slouched against the headboard of the bed. One hour left. She looked outside, taking note that the sun was nowhere near setting just yet. What happened to Equestria? It struck her that she didn't exactly know. She got so little of a taste of the outside world, despite last night.

(The hunt produced no ponies. It did bear, however, an entire apple orchard.)

I have to do this. Pinkie Pie kill. No. What? Kill Pinkie....

She tried to shake her head out of it, but her thoughts kept going. No, wait...sentences. TRICKS. No plan. Would she. Help?

The Candy Mare sighed. "No."

Her legs protested as she slunk out of bed and downstairs. Knives. She'd start with Pinkie Pie, and then she would most likely get strong enough to eat some more ponies. But Pinkie couldn't fight back, or else, in the case the Candy Mare wasn't able to kill her, she'd call for help.

Knives.

As she neared the bottom of the stairs and came around to the counter, she kept her eyes downcast. Then looked up, and stopped in her tracks.

Ponies. Everywhere.

Her mouth watered.

She wasn't that weak, was she? It would take just a little fog. A few tricks. Treats.

She saw herself in the middle of the square, lashing out at every single pony in sight. They would become hers. They would feel her pain. They would become her army of sorts. They would storm the Everfree, if Luna was still there, and all would be well.

Then she saw herself in the middle of the square again, but not a pony was in sight. It was daylight. Vultures feasted on her candied corpse.

She had her share of caramel apples. They wouldn't work. Something sweet never worked, never, she would never work, never, NEVER. She was just too unnatural for this world. This place was supposed to be hers. Another universe, through that fissure in Limbo, oh that damned hell, that Limbo -

She turned towards the kitchen. Knives.

Nightmare Night, Part Three

It was ten at night - usually, the last of the ponies retired at this time, save for a few parties here and there. The full moon had already risen high in the sky, casting a pale light over the streamers, confetti, and candy wrappers that were the mishaps of the early morning cleanup crew.

It was quite successful, to say the least. All of the caramel apples had been given out, and those unfortunate enough to not receive any were given a discount on purchases from Sugarcube Corner. (More numbers to draw? Pinkie didn't know yet.)

The only thing that made this Nightmare Night different than last year was that Pinkie hadn't pulled off any pranks. Rainbow Dash was more than happy to take over for her, which made Pinkie very happy to see her bestest friend happy. But she hadn't seen Candy since the batch of caramel apples had arrived, and Pinkie just had to worry! Was she okay? But before she could try to find Candy, another child had knocked on her door. Sugarcube Corner was always a hotspot for treats, which left her very busy.

She felt bad. And she would have been glad to have the leftover candy for herself, but curiosity took the better of her. She started with the ground floor, calling out, "Candy?"

"Here," came a quiet reply. The kitchen! Of course. Maybe Candy was getting more caramel apples. Pinkie pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Something was wrong.

Not with the kitchen, just with the Candy Mare. She seemed...tired. No, exhausted. Her hooves were placed on the counter, her licorice mane shielding her face from Pinkie's sight, and not a sound escaped from the two except for Candy's somewhat irregular breathing.

"C-Candy?"

Her guest turned to her in a half second, bearing a grin - or what was supposed to be a grin, yet didn't seem to be real. Her eyes used to be so much more colorful. Now they were...graying. The candy skin stretched tight over what seemed to be bones.

Pinkie's breath caught in her throat.

"Hey." Candy shakily lifted a hoof with a wave. "Pinkie."

"Are you okay?" Pinkie forced out.

She shook her head. "I will be. It's Night...Nightmare Night."

Pinkie watched as she stood on all four hooves, swaying slightly, opening and closing her eyes, smile slipping from her face. "I can't...."

"Can't what?"

When Candy looked up, she couldn't mistake the fear in Pinkie's eyes. She took a deep breath.

"Candy, what's going on? Do you need help?"

"No." Candy giggled - tried to, but the pain in her chest protested. "I need. Something...sweet." She shook her head and stuck out a hoof to the side to balance herself.

Pinkie watched in fear for her guest as she started to sing softly. "Nightmare Night...what a fright...fright...give me something....something sweet to...sweet to-"

Her head would probably have exploded into a million candy pieces on the floor if Pinkie hadn't lunged and caught the Candy Mare in her hooves. Almost immediately, they hit the floor, resting against the countertop. Candy pressed her head into Pinkie's shoulder, and did something she hadn't done in a long time.

She cried.

Pinkie stroked her back as she felt warm tears soak into her fur. "Shh." What happened? How bad was this, truly? Pinkie had always thought Candy was hiding something from her, but not something like this. This utter weakness. She understood - no one liked to be seen as weak.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Candy sniffed. "No, I'm sorry."

"Can you walk?"

"I dunno."

"Um. Maybe something to eat? I have some candy left over-"

"No." The reply came swiftly. Candy swiped a tear from her eye. "It doesn't help. Flesh. I need flesh."

"Oh. Oh, no. Okay...you know those cupcakes I make? Those cupcakes. I bet I have some."

"...Meat?"

"Yeah. Minced meat and blood acting as food coloring. I'll see what I have and we'll get you in bed, m'kay?"

Candy nodded and felt Pinkie leave her side, and for some reason, it felt so, so cold. A few moments later, Pinkie called from the fridge. "There's one right here, but it's been in here forever."

I didn't even...look in the fridge. Damn. Candy almost laughed at her idiocy.

Pinkie appeared at her side again, this time standing above her. "Will it be enough?"

"Yeah." It just might.

"Okay. Can you stand? You need help?"

"No, I-" But as soon as Candy started to stand, she slipped and was caught by Pinkie again.

"Put your arm over my shoulder. Okay. We'll make it, you and me. Ready?" Pinkie lifted her to a standing position.

Candy sighed. "Sure."

They started the long and painful walk towards the stairs, and all throughout Candy just felt like giving up. Going to sleep, forever. She felt a familiar sense of dread as she and Pinkie stood at the base of the twelve-step climb.

"Three..." Pinkie started.

"Shoo.." Candy slurred.

"One."

The walk up was painful. It was slow and made her legs ache, but every time she felt like giving up, Pinkie pushed her forward. Closer...closer...and finally, it was over. She stood, trembling, at the top of the stairs.

Her eyes opened and closed as they lumbered for her bed, and damn, it was such a relief when she was finally able to fall into the soft mattress! Though she could have easily fallen asleep, the aroma of the dead kept her awake and aware.

She shakily held the cupcake in her hooves and took a bite.

"You could just ask, ya know." Pinkie's words made her freeze.

"I did," Candy muttered.

"Just once! I have so many cupcakes." Her eyes widened as the realization came to her. "I should have given you some. I'm sorry."

"It's fine-"

"No, it's not fine!" Pinkie nearly exploded. "Here you are, nearly passed out, and I never once thought you needed more than half a pony and bacon! I've been worried, but I've never asked about you, and I feel so, so bad-"

"Pinkie-"

"I care a lot about my guests, even if they don't know me! But I slipped up. I'm really sorry, Candy. I should have known better."

There was a heavy silence that draped over the two for a while.

"You care about me?"

Pinkie's head shot up from where it had laid on the side of the bed. "What?"

"You said you were worried. Did you...."

"Why would you ask such a silly question? Of course I care! I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't!"

The Candy Mare took a deep breath. "This is a word I don't say often, and when I do say it, it's not very genuine. So...I guess this is a first." She turned slowly towards Pinkie. "Thanks."

Pinkie looked a bit shocked, as if she was expecting to be cast out of her own home, but her expression twisted into a slight smile. "You're welcome."

A few crumbs was what remained on the bed. Candy wiped her mouth. "I guess it's partly my fault. I went after sweets, and I thought those would make me stronger, but no. It was just...unnecessary. Maybe it was the sugar rush that keeps me awake. Or maybe it's being borderline unhealthy that's, ya know."

The next few words were gonna be tricky. Her host or whatever cared. Trusted her, even. How could she phrase this? She couldn't just say she was planning to kill the first pony who ever showed any sign of...respect? What was it?

She closed her eyes. "Pinkie?"

The reply was snoring. She looked over and saw Pinkie slouched against the bed. Candy relented and pulled the covers over herself.

What she doesn't know won't kill her.

With that thought, Candy fell into the welcoming embrace of sleep.

Author's Note

OKAY BUT I LOVE IT WHEN PERSON A BECOMES WEAKER AND WEAKER AND PERSON B IS THERE TO HELP AHAHDSJBSDSJ